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Bladewind
Master of Realmslore
Netherlands
1280 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Jul 2013 : 21:57:40
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Orc mages and adepts. Although probably extremely rare and secretive because of their culture, I think orc mages must have existed sometime in FR's long history.
Are there any written about in novels or sourcebooks (even non FR sources)?
Would any one of you have ideas or suggestions of how to describe a orcish cabal? (suggetions for a name are specially welcome)
I think orcs with some sort of near crippling birthdefect that somehow survive their youth would be most interested in using a tool as magic to intimidate or even fight other orcs. Or perhaps a tribal shaman is tempted by the promise of power of arcane magic. Sorcerous and warlock bloodlines are more probable than actual studied forms of magic though. Even still, an outcast organisation of fanatic orc hierophant druid-sorcerers sounds interesting to use as a dreaded background villainous organisation in the kingdom of Many Arrows.
The problem these mages have is rival mage cabals of other races as they are probably more competent earlier (even brilliant orcs are unlikely to master 7th level spells without aid). Paranoia amongst the orc mages would be paramount.
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My campaign sketches
Druidic Groves
Creature Feature: Giant Spiders |
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Aldrick
Senior Scribe
909 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2013 : 23:56:12
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I have to give a shout out to my favorite Orc deity: Luthic, the Blood Moon Witch.
In traditional orc society females are afforded little power, and most of them are servants or slaves to their husbands. The one true exception to this rule are those females who have turned to magic, either arcane or divine. They are afforded respect as a result of their power, though it is a respect built on fear. Most orc males learn quickly to respect such females or pay the price.
I have always pictured the faithful of the Blood Moon Witch chaffing under the oppressive rule of the males. They serve because they must, but underneath it all there is a constantly simmering bitterness and resentment and a desire for control and power.
It is circumstances like this which cause secret cabals to form.
I picture a cabal of female spellcasters who aspire to transform orc tribes into something similar to what has taken place in Rashemen... where the males think that they rule, but in truth it is a powerful cabal of female spellcasters who control everything behind the scenes.
I'd refluff the Durthan PrC from the Unapproachable East and begin working them toward that. For their divine spellcasting class, I'd likely give them Spirit Shaman from Complete Divine. Then for their arcane spellcasting class, I'd either give them sorcerer or refluff the Wu Jen for orc culture from Complete Arcana.
The overall theme I would aspire toward are women who have a connection to nature and the spirit world. They use their magic to awaken and summon spirits - usually terrible, cruel, and bloodthirsty spirits - to aid them and their tribes. They'd all have Luthic as their patron deity, and be working toward manipulating and subverting orc males - particularly tribal leaders - to bring them under their power and control.
I think with a group of orcish ladies like this you could come up with an interesting group that would be rather unique in the Realms.
Oh, and for a name... The Witches of the Blood Moon. |
Edited by - Aldrick on 04 Jul 2013 23:56:59 |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6688 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2013 : 23:56:29
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The Elminster's Ecologies boxed set (Stonelands booklet) mentions that orc shamans formed "ularim" - a type of circle magic. I used this reference in my Fall of Tethyamar flavour piece in GHotR.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Orc mage or adept cabals
