Grand: Hierarchy: Difference between revisions

<span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="DROPCAP">G</span></span></span>rand's church has started to solidify in the third age of the world. For decades, the worship of Grand existed along with the worship of orc ancestors, neither supplanting the other and often in conflict. Around 1390, however, the son of a powerful clan leader named Jukha Marrowcruncher saw an opportunity to make changes. His tribe, several thousand strong living in and around the base of the Brech mountains, was in conflict over religious issues. Those that followed Grand insisted only Grand was worthy of worship. However, most of the tribe still worshiped their strongest ancestors. Jukha seized power with a stroke of brilliance. Smarter by half than most of his kind, he learned a fair bit of shamanism from his grandfather while still a pug. His grandfather also set him on the path to worship the Destroyer of Dwarves. He practiced the art of enchanting with the spells his god gave him and continued his shaman path to adulthood.

On a hot day in the middle of the third month of the year, called Girding, he carefully placed a great number of powerfully enchanted simple items on and around a platform. He then called the tribe to a meeting in his father's name. Using the enchanted items in a spectacular display of fireworks, halos of light and bloody death for both the two loudest ancestor worshipers and the single most insistent Grand follower, he manufactured an epiphany regarding Grand. Neither side was right, he said; instead, both were. Grand wished for the clans to worship their ancestors, because the ancestors who were the strongest and took the most enemies (and the most dwarven lives) were blessed of Grand. And by venerating them, they paid homage to their god.

Jukha cemented his position by defeating a powerful priest of Dorand and severing his head with an axe he had made and enchanted. With the head presented to the tribe as proof of Grand's power, he seized control of the fledgling church. Grand looked upon his ambitious shaman with favor, and Jukha has been in control of the official church ever since. He declared some edicts and renamed himself Trhahphako (Dwarfbane) in honor of his god, sent out war parties to &quot;convert&quot; other tribes, and gathered power to protect himself from the younger shaman who would remove him. Several years after Blood's demise, he has converted many of Mistone's orc tribe and now looks to Dregar with hungry eyes.

First Edict: Kogoh gha' kharo u tuk-baho trhah granr kut uh Khhakt gbahhg 'uh kng uknu zuht ohahnr. (Never say name of dog-pile dwarf smith god, or Grand spills your guts onto cold earth.)

Below Jukha are two advisors, both powerful shaman called Haggagn, which means Assist in Common. These posts are held by Saghig Dwarvesbone and Nugekhan Marrowcruncher, a cousin of Jukhas. Saghig is less powerful than Jukha, but he has tremendous wisdom for an orc. Nugekhan, on the other hand, has quietly surpassed his cousin in shaman powers and continues to learn while keeping his true abilities secret. These positions are filled by the Dwarfbane directly. Other advisory capacities are held by tribal leaders as needed. Selection is made by an Assist or by Jukha.

If a clan or tribe is known to be causing problems with the church, the leader will be sent a message via a member of the Harog (Axes). This organization, several hundred strong, has the best warriors of the Brech tribe. Orcs from other tribes may apply to join. Requirements are the worship of Grand, a willingness to submit to Jukha's authority, and a demonstrated prowess in battles against multiple enemies. Single combat is not good enough to be an Axe. They carry messages, publicly dispatch problem individuals or groups, and act as bodyguard to the Dwarfbane and his Assists. Gaakt Smashmouth, a blue-colored orc with some human blood in his history, is the current Grhahbogn Haro (Sharpest Axe). All Axes are trained in in the use of the great axe, and Gaakt is a master of the great axe as well. Gaakt is training three of his most promising warriors to take his place someday. He has stated that the winner of the three in a fight to the death will be the next Sharpest Axe.