Kissu Orchold

Masters of Kal Kissuti

The Kissu are one of the Orchold of that make up the Orc nation of Kal Kissuti in the southern Craddle Valley region of Anbar, on the major continent of Ethae. Of the five orcholds that make up the population of Kal Kissuti, the Kissu are the fewest in numbers but, in contrast, are by far the strongest. They are believed to be some of the purest orc bloodlines still in Aldern, with nearly all able to trace their lineage to one of the ancient Scaro'are rulers of the Umaybbad. This not only gives them great political sway among other orc, but they can easily wield the magic that other modern orc struggle to master.

Despite this political and magical edge, their small numbers keep them in balance with the other orcholds of their nation. That said, the nation and its laws were originated by the Kissu orc, who gathered survivors of the fall of Umaybbad They and the other orc traveled into the desert, eventually coming to what would become the city of Al Kissuti, a small patch of green in the center of the deadly Magas Flats. There, isolated and safe, they slowly built their city and nations.

The Kissu control the residence borough of Al Kissuti. This was by design of the Kissu that established their nation and its laws. It gives yet another block of power among their peers. Where the other four orcholds control aspects of the city, the Kissu stand at the center, coordinating the others. A cunning way of controlling all while maintaining the illusion that the other orc have a say in matters.

Kissu orc traditionally mate for life. Where other orcholds across the continent struggle with an imbalance of male and female orc, the orc holds of Kal Kissuti find themselves with an equal number of women to their men. This orchold looks for mates that are powerful. Females favor men with physical and martial prowess, while the males look for mates with deadly cunning and magical prowess. The Kissu are an orchold made up of what Human might call 'power couples' Each spouse a compliment to the strengths and weaknesses of their mate. Once they find this partner, they keep them close, working and scheming to maintain, or advance, their place in society.

The Kissu have an arrogance about their lineage and rarely mate with the 'lesser' orc outside their orchold. While this keeps their strong heritage in Scaro'are blood, it has been reducing the gene pool of the orchold. The wisest among them estimate this is weakening their people. The current struggle of high newborn mortality is an indication of this. This, coupled with the low chance of pregnancies, means less Kissu orc born as time goes on. If these orc do not start taking mates outside their orchold, they may be gone in just a few generations.

Their strong bloodlines and times to the ancients give them a longer lifespan than the average orc. Kissu can live an average of two to three hundred years giving their lifestyle and health. Some of their females have doubled this time with their magical abilities keeping their bodies youthful longer.

Kissu orc retain many of the features of their ancestors' mythical elven lines. Pointed ears, tall, thin frames, and flowing hair. Their women have softer features than many other orc females. A feature that might be considered less attractive in other orcholds, but is favored among the Kissu. They are nearly always a shade of green. Brighter hues are favored among them, and their women will use herbal lotions to lighten and brighten their skin for beauty. Black and brown hair is nearly universal among them. Both sexes keep their hair long and usually pulled back in braids or tails. Both sexes have eyes of red, yellow, and purple, with other colors like blue or green being rare but not unheard of among curtain families.

Like many of the orc of the desert, the Kissu wear minimal clothing. while armor is worn in warfare, men rarely wear anything more than jewelry on their torso in everyday life. Women also wear minimal cover over their torso, with only chest coverings for modesty. Body piercings are common. these are not limited, and piercing jewelry can be embedded anywhere on the body. Women favor the arms and legs, while males will often embed Gold in their chest, shoulders, and sometimes forehead. The most favorable piercings, though painful, and possible deadly, are those that go through muscle down to anchor in the bone. Master Kissu piercing artist can place these in ways that do little damage to the muscles, and their ability to function. Lesser piercings, however, have been known to cause paralysis in the body part pierced, or infection and death.