Durghaz Cliffs

Durghaz Cliffs is the primary settlement of the Orcs in the Xublouze Archipelago, named after their unifying leader, Chief Durxum, and "ghaz," meaning "waves" or "tides" in Orcish. It sits at the edge of towering cliffs that drop into the churning seas below, giving the settlement both a commanding view of the ocean and a spiritual significance tied to their ancestors. Here, the Orcs balance their mastery of the sea with deep reverence for nature, drawing strength from both the tides and their ancient burial rites.

Demographics

Orcs: 75% Half-Orcs: 10% Kenku: 10% Other: 5%

Government

Durghaz Cliffs is governed by a Council of Warchiefs, led by a descendant of Chief Durxum, currently Warchief Brick Bonesmith. The council oversees both military and civil matters, ensuring the strength and protection of the settlement while maintaining harmony between its people and the land. Spiritual guidance is provided by the Spiritcallers, a group of shamans who serve as intermediaries between the living and the ancestors enshrined in the cliffs.

Defences

Durghaz Cliffs’ primary defense is its naval force, consisting of Stormbreakers, massive warships crewed by Orcs, and Surgesplitters, who wield tide magic to control the seas and protect the cliffs. Windfang Outposts along the cliffs keep watch over the waters for approaching threats. A small land force of Orc warriors also patrols the cliffs, though most of the defense relies on sea-based strength.

Industry & Trade

Durghaz Cliffs relies on fishing, shipbuilding, and trading oceanic goods. The Orcs trade with other settlements in the Xublouze Archipelago, exchanging crafted weapons, enchanted ship parts, and rare herbs found along the coast. In return, they receive metals, grains, and textiles that cannot be sourced locally.

Infrastructure

Durghaz Cliffs is a city designed for defense and survival against the harsh sea environment. Buildings are constructed from the Duskwood, a fast-growing native tree resistant to saltwater and wind, and reinforced with stone quarried from the cliffs. The settlement is built with large terraces cut into the cliff face, connected by stone staircases and rope bridges.

• Shipyards: The lower terraces house vast shipyards where the Orcs build their powerful warships.
• Halls of Durghaz: The central meeting place for the Council of Warchiefs and a ceremonial site for important spiritual gatherings.
• Windfang Outposts: Tall towers positioned along the cliffs, used to spot incoming ships and alert the settlement of danger.

Districts

• The Shipwright’s Landing: This lower district houses the shipyards, docks, and homes of the Orcish shipwrights and sailors. Large sea vessels, known as Stormbreakers, are crafted here using both traditional woodworking and magical techniques to ensure they survive the turbulent seas.
• Ancestor’s Rise: The highest point of the settlement, where the Shrines of Ancestors are located, carved into the cliffs. Ashes of the Orcs’ most honored dead are stored here, allowing their spirits to watch over the tides and provide guidance to their descendants.
• The Surgeway: A district near the cliffs’ edge where the Surgesplitters—Orcs who can control and manipulate the tides—train. This area also houses a collection of spiritual sites dedicated to the sea gods and elemental forces of water.
• The Trade Terrace: A marketplace where goods from across the Xublouze Archipelago are traded, including fish, timber, rare oceanic herbs, and crafted weapons.

Assets

• Shipyards: Capable of producing large warships known as Stormbreakers.
• Blacksmith: Specializes in weapons and armor resistant to salt corrosion.
• Surgesplitters’ Hall: A training ground and guildhall for the Surgesplitters, Orcish mages who control water magic.
• General Store: Supplies goods for sailors, hunters, and traders.
• Temple of Ghaz: A temple dedicated to both the ocean gods and the spirits of the ancestors.

Guilds and Factions

• The Surgesplitters’ Guild: This guild is made up of Orcs who possess the ability to manipulate the tides and waves. They are revered for their connection to the sea and often serve as defenders during naval skirmishes.
• Spiritcallers: The spiritual leaders of Durghaz Cliffs, responsible for communicating with the ancestors and ensuring their guidance protects the Orcish people.
• Shipwrights’ Brotherhood: The builders and crafters of the legendary Stormbreaker warships. This faction holds immense influence, as their creations are the heart of Durghaz Cliffs’ naval might.

Points of interest

• Shrines of Ancestors: Carved into the cliffs themselves, this sacred site houses the ashes of Durghaz’s greatest warriors and leaders, allowing them to eternally watch over the sea.
• Surgesplitters’ Hall: A spiritual and magical training ground for those who can control the tides, this hall is a place of both learning and devotion.
• The Shipwright’s Landing: The massive shipyards where the Stormbreaker warships are crafted, a place of bustling activity and skilled craftsmanship.
• Temple of Ghaz: A revered temple dedicated to the gods of the sea and the spirits of the ancestors, where the Orcs offer prayers for safe voyages and bountiful catches.

Durghaz Cliffs is a testament to the Orcs' resilience, their mastery of the sea, and their deep spiritual connection to both their ancestors and the powerful tides that shape their lives.

Tourism

Durghaz Cliffs isn’t known for casual tourism, but it attracts adventurers, spiritual pilgrims, and traders. People come to visit the Shrines of Ancestors or witness the Surgesplitters in action. Some arrive to trade or seek guidance from the Spiritcallers, while others are drawn by the challenge of traversing the dangerous seas around the cliffs.
Celebration Tidecallers’ Ascension Date: 6th Enigmaris
Overview: The Tidecallers' Ascension is the most significant annual celebration in Durghaz Cliffs, honoring both the ancestral spirits enshrined in the cliffs and the Surgesplitters, Orcish mages who wield the power of the tides. The holiday symbolizes the Orcs' connection to the sea, the spirits of their ancestors, and their unity as a people who have mastered the waves. It is a time of reverence, ritual, and celebration, where the entire settlement comes together to renew their bond with the ocean and the spirits.
Origin: The holiday dates back to the unification of the Orc clans under Chief Durxum, who first brought the Orcs of Xublouze Archipelago together by invoking the spirits of the ancestors during a powerful storm. Legend says that the Surgesplitters first appeared on this day, summoned by the ancestors to help guide the Orcs through the treacherous waters of the archipelago. The holiday commemorates that event and has become a yearly tradition where the Orcs renew their commitment to the sea, their ancestors, and their magical heritage.
Rituals and Traditions:

• Tidecalling Ceremony: The first day of the festival begins with a sacred Tidecalling ritual, where the Surgesplitters gather on the cliffs to call upon the tides. The entire population of Durghaz Cliffs watches from the terraces as the Surgesplitters manipulate the waves, creating a magnificent display of water magic. This ritual symbolizes the Orcs’ control over the sea and their connection to the oceanic gods.
• The Procession of Ancestors: On the second day, the Procession of Ancestors takes place. Orcs from all over the settlement gather in the Shrines of Ancestors to offer prayers, gifts, and sacrifices to the spirits of their forebears. The Spiritcallers lead the procession, chanting ancient songs as they carry ceremonial torches down from the cliffs, symbolizing the light of the ancestors guiding their people. It is believed that during this procession, the spirits bless the community with protection and strength.
• Stormbreaker's Challenge: The third day of the celebration features the Stormbreaker’s Challenge, a race involving the Orcish warships. Captains and their crews race their Stormbreaker ships around the archipelago, navigating dangerous waters and powerful waves. The event tests both seamanship and courage, and the winner is granted the title of Wavebreaker, a high honor in Durghaz society.
• Tidefeast: Throughout the festival, communal meals known as Tidefeasts are held on the terraces of Durghaz Cliffs. Large tables are set up near the Windfang Outposts, and the Orcs dine on the sea’s bounty, including freshly caught fish, seaweed, and rare oceanic herbs. The feasts are accompanied by storytelling and toasts to the ancestors, celebrating both their history and the present unity of the Orc people.

Cultural Significance:

• Honoring the Ancestors: The holiday is a time to reconnect with the ancestral spirits who are believed to protect the Orcs of Durghaz Cliffs and watch over them from the afterlife. It reinforces the Orcs’ reverence for tradition and the past.
• Celebrating the Sea: The Tidecallers' Ascension is a celebration of the Orcs' connection to the sea, which plays a vital role in their survival and culture. It reaffirms their mastery over the tides, both through physical seamanship and the magical abilities of the Surgesplitters.
• Uniting the Clans: The holiday is also a reminder of the unification of the Orc clans under Chief Durxum. It serves as an annual renewal of their commitment to stand together as a people.

Tourism and Participation: Visitors from across the Xublouze Archipelago and beyond come to Durghaz Cliffs during the Tidecallers' Ascension to witness the spectacular water magic, the ship races, and the spiritual ceremonies. Merchants set up stalls selling sea-inspired trinkets, enchanted goods, and freshly harvested oceanic herbs, while pilgrims come to offer their own prayers at the Shrines of Ancestors.
Symbols and Iconography:

• Tidal Sigils: These magical symbols, representing waves and water currents, are drawn in sand along the terraces and cliff paths during the holiday. They serve as a form of protection and blessing.
• Spirit Torches: Carried during the Procession of Ancestors, these torches are passed down through generations and are believed to carry the light of the ancestors.
• Wavebreaker Amulets: Worn by the winners of the Stormbreaker’s Challenge, these amulets are fashioned from rare sea glass and signify the bearer’s mastery of the ocean.

The Tidecallers’ Ascension is a deeply spiritual and cultural event that celebrates the Orcs’ bond with the sea, their ancestors, and their history of resilience and unity. The holiday strengthens the ties between the people of Durghaz Cliffs and the natural forces that shape their lives.

Architecture

Durghaz Cliffs is known for its blend of natural and crafted elements. The Orcs build their homes and shipyards from the resilient Duskwood, while the temples and shrines are carved directly into the cliffs. Rope bridges and stone terraces give the city a layered appearance, with cascading levels leading down to the water.

Geography

Durghaz Cliffs sits atop towering cliffs overlooking the turbulent waters of the Sea of Ghaz. The cliffs are jagged, with sharp drop-offs into the ocean, making access difficult for any enemy trying to invade by land. Below the cliffs, the sea roils with treacherous waves, only navigable by those who know the waters.

Climate

The cliffs are buffeted by strong sea winds and frequent storms. Summers are short, and the weather remains cool year-round. Thick mist often shrouds the cliffs, and the sea air brings moisture that keeps the vegetation near the cliffs lush, despite the otherwise harsh conditions.

Natural Resources

Duskwood: A fast-growing, durable tree native to the archipelago, used in shipbuilding and construction. Seaweed and Fish: Harvested from the nearby waters and traded throughout the region. Oceanic Herbs: Rare herbs that grow along the coast and cliffs, used in alchemy and magic.

Founding Date

517AD

Founders

• Cheif Durxum Bonesmith

Type

Large city

Population

~6500