Orc Pantheon
Bahgtru (bahg-tru), the orc god of strength, loyalty, and stupidity, is chaotic evil. He is the son of Gruumsh and Luthic. He is known for both his awe-inspiring strength and his incredible stupidity. He and his followers like nothing more than mindless combat, and they engage in it whenever possible. He teaches his followers to be loyal to their commanders as long as there is the prospect for regular and bloody battle. The domains associated with him are Evil and Strength, and his favored weapon is the spiked gauntlet.
The church of the Leg-Breaker constantly strives to dominate their tribes through brute force and intimidation, and convert any nearby tribes to their powerful god, provided they aren’t already following Gruumsh. They are also required to be utterly loyal to the current tribal chief; however, that only lasts until the chief is defeated by a stronger warrior, at which point loyalty immediately shifts to the victor. After all, strength and power are the only true measures of the right to rule.
Novices in the service of Bahgtru are called Fingerbreakers. Full priests are called Legbreakers. The clergy’s hierarchy is not rigid, and fluctuates frequently as seniority is based on the strongest creature a priest has defeated single-handedly. As such, titles are usually based on said creature, so it is not uncommon to see priests called by such titles as “Manticore Crusher” or “Owlbear Smasher.” In situations where two priests have slain the same type of creature, a quick contest of strength is held, usually involving breaking logs or knocking over trees or boulders. Specialty priests are called Bonecrushers. The Leg-Breaker’s clergy is composed of mostly orcs (50%) and orogs (30%), with smaller numbers of half-orcs (10%), ogrillons, ogres, and scro (10%). The priesthood has a very strong prejudice against the “weak females,” so none are ever allowed to join the clergy. Bahgtru’s clergy contains specialty priests (45%), fighter/clerics (24%), clerics (22%), and fighters (9%). Shamans are not part of the clerical hierarchy, although they are considered brothers of the faith.
The ceremonial garb of the Bahgtran clergy consists primarily of black studded leather armor and black studded leather gauntlets. In addition to their armor, they usually wear tokens and trophies from their victims, such as teeth, ears, and broken bones. Colors worn tend to be dark greens, blues, and blacks. Individual priests and clergies vary their accouterments based on their clan preference as well.
Gruumsh
Gruumsh (groomsh), deity of orcs, is chaotic evil. He appears as a hulking orc in black full plate armor. He has one unblinking central eye. He harbors a special hatred for Corellon Larethian, Moradin, and their followers. Gruumsh demands that his followers be strong, that they cull the weak from their numbers, and that they take all the territory Gruumsh thinks is rightfully theirs (which is almost everything). He tolerates no sign of friendliness from his people. Unceasing warfare is his creed, though Gruumsh does not object to simple colonization if that can be arranged. Gruumsh dislikes everything that is not an orc or of orcish make, and he feels particularly spiteful toward elves (over the matter of his eye). He feels equal malice toward dwarves, who contested with the orcs for control of the mountains and won; a state of affairs Gruumsh regards as strictly temporary. The domains associated with him are Evil, Strength, and War, and his favored weapon is a longspear or shortspear.
The church of Gruumsh dominates most orcish tribes, and all other priesthoods are nominally subservient to it. Powerful specialty priests, clerics, and crusaders of Gruumsh are sometimes tribal chieftains, but more often they are advisors and war leaders, whereas shamans and witch-doctors are almost always advisors. They push their tribes to wage war and expand their territory and are tasked with eliminating the weak, sickly, and infirm in order to keep the tribe strong and healthy. One-Eye’s clergy can be very vindictive; they do not hesitate to put an orc into a dangerous situation or eliminate them outright if they feel they have been slighted. Gruumshan priests have great say in who becomes chief of a tribe, and the clergy will undermine a chief who opposes their goals.
Novices in the service of One-Eye are called the Watched. Full priests are known as Everwatchers. There is no uniform hierarchy amongst the tribes, and the chief priest position is always held by the strongest orc. Specialty priests are known as Bloodspears. Gruumsh’s clergy contains mostly orcs (65%), followed by orogs (25%), half-orcs (9%), ogrillons, scro, cyclops and cyclopskin (1%). Only the strongest females (18 Strength) can even attempt to join the priesthood of Gruumsh, and to do so, they usually have to overcome the head priest in combat; as such, the priesthood of Gruumsh is almost entirely male (99%). Gruumsh’s clergy is composed of specialty priests (45%), clerics (34%), fighter/clerics (12%), crusaders (6%), and cleric/thieves (3%). Shamans and witch doctors are not part of the clerical hierarchy, although they are considered brothers of the faith. Shamans are found in a bit more than twice as many Gruumsh-dominated tribes as witch doctors.
The ceremonial garb of Gruumsh’s priests varies from tribe to tribe, but always includes a ceremonial iron spear, which is usually used to slay sacrifices. Blacks and dark reds are predominant whatever type of garments they wear as well, and the priests always wear some form of ceremonial armor, painted black, and some priests also don a red-painted open-faced helmet. Their holy symbol is made of black iron whenever possible, although if ironworking skills are lacking in the tribe, carved stone or wood is a suitable replacement. The symbol usually is hung from the neck on a thong or chain, and the priest always includes trophies from past sacrifices and defeated enemies (teeth, ears, etc.) on it as well.
Ilneval
Ilneval (il-nee-val), the orc god of war, combat, and strategy, is neutral evil. Unlike Bahgtru, who is widely worshiped among the common orc soldiers, Ilneval is the god of orc war commanders. He is Gruumsh’s loyal lieutenant, although he secretly plots to depose his master. He and his followers put more stock in planning and strategy than do Bahgtru and his worshipers, although both enjoy blood-soaked combat in equal measure. The domains associated with him are Destruction, Evil, and War, and his favored weapon is the longsword.
Despite being nominally subservient to Gruumsh’s clergy, Ilneval’s followers seek to subtly achieve greater political power than One-Eye’s priests. They mostly work towards this goal through military victories, especially in situations where One-Eye’s clergy could not, and generally being a more attractive faith to the younger generations by glorifying combat leadership and battle courage. In all tribes, the War Maker’s priests function as battle leaders and military officers, leading their troops into battle directly. They also emphasize proper planning and appropriate use of resources, taking advantage of the individual strengths of the orcs under their command and exploiting the weaknesses of their enemies. In this capacity, Ilneval’s priests are the closest most tribes have to an educated caste. In those rare cases where they have managed to eliminate or sideline the priests of Gruumsh, the most powerful priest naturally becomes the chief of the tribe. The biggest obstacle faced by those who follow the Son of Strife is not actually the clergy of One-Eye himself, but the priests and followers of Bahgtru the Leg-Breaker. Bahgtru’s clergy have a similar overall goal as the priests of Ilneval, namely victory through combat strength; however, the methods each uses to achieve that goal are diametrically opposed. This leads to a great deal of rivalry and strife within an orcish community when it comes to matters of battle and combat, and the Gruumshan priests are quick to capitalize upon these feelings by playing one off the other in order to keep both groups less powerful than themselves. In most tribes, such tactics are eminently successful.
Within the priesthood, novices are known simply as Trainees, while full priests are called Hordemasters. Specialty priests are known as Warswords. The clergy operates on a strict military hierarchy. The most powerful priest will be called the High Marshal of the Hordes, and is responsible for organizing the lower priests and orc tribes when a horde is called up to sweep down upon the civilized lands. Below him are a number of lesser positions, typically the chief Ilnevalan priest of a given tribe, who carry titles drawn from the name of their tribe, such as the High Marshal of the Riven Skull and the High Marshal of the Burnt Dwarf. Below them are a variety of titles, which do not vary much between tribes in a given area, but can vary wildly from area to area (orcs in the Savage North of Faerûn would have different titles than orcs of the Pomarj on Oerth, for example). Typical titles are military in nature, and often indicate an area of expertise or responsibility, such as Marshal of Swords, Axe Marshal, Scoutleader, Captain of the Spear, and other similar titles. Orogs (45%) are drawn to his service more than any other deity, and comprise a slight majority of his priests, followed by orcs (40%), half-orcs (14%), scro and ogrillons (1%). Females who show considerable charisma, leadership, and battle skill may be allowed to join the priesthood, but they will never advance far, and make up only slightly more of the War Maker’s priesthood than they do that of Gruumsh (2%). Specialty priests (30%), clerics (26%), and crusaders (23%) make up the bulk of the priesthood, with smaller numbers of fighter/clerics (10%), fighter/specialty priests (6%), and fighters (5%) as well. Shamans and witch doctors are not part of the clerical hierarchy, although they are considered brothers of the faith. Shamans are found in about three times as many Ilneval-dominated tribes as witch doctors.
During ceremonies and important events, priests of the Horde Leader are required to wear chain mail armor and a metal helmet, painted in vivid red shades like that of fresh blood. Many will also wear red accouterments to embellish their appearance; open-fronted robes and cloaks being the most popular. The holy symbol of the clergy is either their broadsword or a shattered piece of a weapon from an enemy leader the priest has personally slain. Such an item is typically worn on a chain around the neck.
Luthic
Luthic (loo-thick), the orc goddess of caves, females, fertility, and healing, is neutral evil. She is known as the Cave Mother. She is the consort of Gruumsh and the mother of Bahgtru. She is the patron of orc females and of female fertility and is the guardian of the caverns that house much of the orc population. Her followers are the protectors of orc homes, which they defend with unbelievable fierceness, and are highly proficient in the art of healing. The domains associated with her are Earth, Evil, and Healing, and her favored weapon is the claw bracer.
Luthic’s church forms something of a backbone in most orcish tribes, as she can count most of the tribe’s females as followers. They tend to the domestic needs of their people, such as child-rearing and meal preparation. In addition, they work to ensure a healthy next generation of young orc warriors through frequent fertility rites and the use of their healing and herbal knowledge. They also use these same powers to keep morale high, or raise it again after war or disease has inflicted a loss upon their people. The priestesses are very powerful and influential amongst the tribe’s females, and usually oversee their actions and duties. It is not uncommon to find them mated to the most powerful males in the tribe, such as the chief, chief priest of Gruumsh, or politically powerful warriors. While they are servile to their mates and the males of the tribe, they can often get their way through subtle manipulation and flattery. Males in the tribe usually leave the females to their own devices when it comes to issues of child-rearing, food gathering, and tending to the orcish hearths, as these are “unmanly” activities.
Novices in the service of Luthic are known as the Children of the Cave, while full priests are called Brothers/Sisters of the Cave, and specialty priests are known as Denmistresses/masters. The hierarchy of her clergy is rigid and well defined, with the most powerful priestess leading the group in all rites. This priestess is known as Sacred Cavewarder, and lesser priestesses have titles such as Sacred Mother, Sacred Midwife, or Sacred Medicinemaker. Males serving Luthic are not part of the general hierarchy, but are considered a separate branch known as the Defenders of the Sacred Cave (see below). More information on them can be found under the “Affiliated Orders” section. The Cave Mother’s clergy contains mostly orcs (58%), but large numbers of orogs (25%) and half-orcs (15%), with much smaller numbers of scro and ogrillons (2%) can be found within her priestly ranks. The vast majority of priests are female (90%); her male followers tend to focus on her aspects of healing wounded warriors and ferocious defense of home and hearth. The bulk of the Cave Mother’s clergy are specialty priests (56%), followed by a smaller number of clerics (32%), and a smattering of exclusively male fighters (8%) and mystics (4%). Shamans are not part of the clerical hierarchy, although they are considered brothers and sisters of the faith.
During ceremonies and holy rites, Luthic’s clergy wear robes and caps made of black and brown bear fur over leather clothing. The robes and caps are usually decorated with the teeth and claws of bears; higher ranking priests generally have more decorations. They always carry a pouch of dirt, which the priests believe is necessary in the use of their healing spells. The holy symbol used by the clergy is a bear jawbone rubbed with a mixture of red ochre and soot.
Shargaas
Shargaas (shar-gahs), the orc god of darkness, thievery, and stealth, is chaotic evil. He is also known as the Night Lord. He dark deity in every sense of the word, as he and his followers delight in the darkness which covers their foul but cunning deeds. He and his worshipers are masters of using the cover of shadow and night for their murders, assassinations, thefts, ambushes, and other acts of thuggery. His followers are both admired and feared by their fellow orcs because of their craftiness and audacity. The domains associated with him are Evil and Trickery, and his favored weapon is the short sword.
The clergy of Shargaas dominates few orcish tribes; generally only those found deep within the Underdark. Amongst most other tribes, they tend to be secretive, and often masquerade as simple scouts and spies. The clergy of the Night Lord operate almost exclusively in shadow and darkness, and are often distrusted and feared, for they secretly cull weak members from the tribe. While usually done to strengthen the whole, the priests are not above eliminating rivals and troublemakers from outside the faith and even leaders are not immune to such intrigue, especially if the clergy feel they have been ineffectual or cowardly. Their interests extend beyond the borders of their tribe as well. They work to better the tribe’s position by secretly obtaining items of wealth or power from enemies, be they dwarves, elves, or even rival orcs. In addition, they work on the fringes of battle groups, eliminating enemy scouts and guards, so the tribe’s warriors can take their foes by surprise. In the most civilized of orcish lands, followers of the Stalker Below form the backbones of any thieves’ guilds and assassins’ guilds found in the communities.
Novices in the service of Shargaas are called Shadows, while full priests are known as Nights. Specialty priests are called Shadowblades. The church is well organized and hierarchical. In ascending order of rank, the titles Shargaathan priests use are Disciple of Twilight, Master of Twilight, Disciple of Shadow, Master of Shadow, Disciple of Night, Master of Night, Disciple of Pure Darkness, and Master of Pure Darkness. Priests above these ranks have unique titles granted to them for deeds they have completed. The Night Lord’s clergy contains mostly orcs (60%), followed by roughly even numbers of orogs (21%) and half-orcs (18%), and a smattering of scro and ogrillons (1%). Because most orcs discount females as a threat, the Shargaathans find them to be useful members of the clergy; even so, males make up the overwhelming majority of the priesthood (92%). The bulk of the clergy of the Night Lord is composed of specialty priests (36%) and clerics (26%), with smaller numbers of specialty priest/thieves (10%), cleric/thieves (10%), thieves (10%), assassins (6%), and mystics (2%) rounding out the priesthood. Shamans and witch doctors are not part of the clerical hierarchy, although they are considered brothers of the faith. Shamans are found in about one and a half times as many Shargaas-dominated tribes as witch doctors.
When performing religious services, Shargaathan clergy wear black robes with deep hoods, lined with dark red cloth. Beneath the robes, they wear leather armor and a leather cap, usually of black and dark red; such armor signifies the hidden protection of darkness. They wear few other adornments; anything that could catch the light or make a jingling sound are strictly prohibited. The priesthood’s holy symbol is a crescent moon made of iron, and painted a dull, dark red. This symbol is hung around the neck on a leather or twine cord and not a metal chain.
Yurtrus
Yurtrus (yur-truss), the orc god of death and disease, is neutral evil. He is known as White Hands. He is a disgusting creature which possesses no mouth and whose diseased skin (save on his chalk-white hands) is peeling and rotting off. He is feared more than worshiped by the orcs; who live in terror of both the plagues he periodically sends to ravage them and the grim finality of death he sends in the end to all, even the most powerful. His worshipers are those who bring, worship, or profit from death, especially assassins. The domains associated with him are Death, Destruction, and Evil, and his favored weapon is the unarmed strike.
The priesthood of White-Hands exists in every orcish tribe, but dominates none. They are both shunned and feared; disliked and avoided for what their deity represents, but too dangerous to banish. Their primary duty is to intercede with the Rotting One to ward off disease and untimely death, and also to request his help in sending such plagues against their enemies. In addition to these primary duties, they are solely responsible for the disposition of the dead, and oversee funeral rites for all members of the tribe. They also oversee burial lands and other sacred death sites such as barrows, tombs, and dedicated pyre locations. Because of their control over these aspects of orcish life, interference with another tribe’s funerary procedures is a strong taboo observed by most orcs out of fear of retaliation from members of Yurtrus’ clergy regardless of their tribal affiliation.
Novices in the service of the Lord of Magots are called the Muted and full priests are known as Plaguehands, while specialty priests are called as malablights. The hierarchy of Yurtrus’ church varies from tribe to tribe, but is usually based on pure seniority. However, in many tribes, the highest positions are open only to priests who have been “touched by White-Hands,” a term the priesthood uses to describe those afflicted at some point in their life by a disease with lasting physical effects (scarring, discoloration, rotting, etc.). Yurtrus’ clergy is comprised primarily of orcs (77%), followed by half-orcs (13%), orogs (9%), scro and ogrillons (1%). The Yurtran clergy is the most open to females (11%) after that of Luthic, but generally only those who survived a debilitating disease or plague choose to join the priesthood. Specialty priests (48%) and clerics (40%) make up the majority of White-Hands’ clergy, with the remainder mystics (12%). Shamans and witch doctors are not part of the clerical hierarchy, although they are considered brothers of the faith. Shamans are found in about three times as many Yurtrus-dominated tribes as witch doctors.
At all times, priests of Yurtrus wear soft leather gloves made from the skin of non-orcish humanoids, humans, and demihumans. These gloves are bleached white to mimic their god’s hands. In addition, they wear leather clothing made of the same material, which gives an AC of 9. They carry special maces with heads carved in the shape of a clenched fist. The heads of the maces are always made of a hard white substance, such as marble or bone. These maces are used in battle, as well as functioning as the priesthood’s holy symbol.
[Orc lore from Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting and (used with permission) from http://blog.aulddragon.com <- Fantastic website!]