The Orcish Gods

The Orcish Gods are the selection of deities worshiped primarily by the Orcs, many of them having their origins as either Orcish mythic heroes or pieces of the original orcish "god" Grummsh.

Structure

• Gruumsh the One Who Watches: God of war, storms, death, battle, and chaos who emerged from some unknown place in the Below as an unstoppable force, aligning with the god Bane to take over the material world. Upon discovery that they could not kill him in any way possible, the gods sought to split Gruumsh's soul into pieces that would eventually mold and change into the modern-day ever-warring orcish gods. Many believe that one day the orcish gods will reunite and become Gruumsh one again, leading the orcs to greatness once more.
• Dretha the All-Mother: Goddess of fertility, medicine, orc females, caves, wisdom, healing, and servitude. Depicted as a Rubenesque pregnant female orc covered in small orcish children, wielding a curved sword, she serves as patron of healers and protectors.
• Ilneval the Lord of Half-Breeds: God of orcish cross-breeds, war, strategy, and growth, depicted as a lone half-orc in armor with a sword and shield, sometimes depicted a bugbear, half-orc, orog, tannaruk, and so on depending on the worshipers.
• Shargaas: God of darkness, night, stealth, thieves, and the undead, overall representing the mystery and fear of the unknown that orcs and mortals hold. Depicted as a coal-skinned orc with red eyes sitting in shadows and darkness.
• Yurtrus the White-Handed: God of death, poisons, and disease, she is depicted as a white-skinned orc covered in sores and wounds whilst wearing a black hood. She is the reaper of the orcs and the one who guides them to their end by age, war, or slow desecration.

These are the lesser gods of the Orcs, not necessarily originating from the Break of Gruumsh:

• Verex the Blood God: God of blood, suffering, and the consumption of strength from one's enemies. Depicted as a large endless ocean of blood with an orcish head peaking right above the surface, his black eyes only visible.
• Sezelrian the Fire God: God of fire, destruction, magic, and wisdom. Depicted as an orc bathed in flame with black skin and burning yellow eyes, he is the patron of orcish shamans, mages, and fire-wielding warriors.
• Rull the Storm God: God of storms, thunder, and perseverance. Depicted as a collection of dark storm clouds that form an orcish face, thunder lighting his eyes blue, he is often worshiped by orcish druids and commanders of power.
• Nulgreth the God of Slaughter: God of slaughter, war, and pain. Depicted as an orc coated in blood with a sword in his hand and his eyes glowing white, Nulgreth believes that slaughter and death is its own reward and end, that the end of an enemy's life flays a piece of their very soul that is consumed by your own, turning you stronger and more powerful.
• Lanishra the God of Chains: God of slavery, tyranny, and chains. Depicted as a pale-grey orc coated in chains and hooks connected to his slaves and taken foes, he believes in total domination of one's enemies, using them for either food, entertainment, or practice rather than just menial slaughter.

Type

Religious, Pantheon

Alternative Names

The Dark Gods, The Gods of Horn and Tusk, Gruumsh's Children

Demonym

Orcish

Location

The Orcish Take