The
Sacred Boar Origin Story is a widely held
orcish belief about the origin of their race. It focuses on a massive sacred boar that birthed the first orcs at
Red Lake.
Description
According to orcish cultural stories, the origin of their race was a massive, sacred boar called
Gijak Gultur, meaning "Blood Boar".
This sacred boar came to the valley to the east of the
Khushuut Mountains in central
Tarteria. The boar was pregnant and gave birth in this valley to the first orcs.
The boar's womb water became the waters of
Red Lake, and the placenta left after on the eastern shore would grow into the
Red Cockspur Grove.
It is said the first orcs drank from the waters of the newly formed Red Lake, which gave them the strength to conquer the land around them and bring war to the elemental
Primordials of that age.
After the birth, the sacred boar was exhausted and sought a place to rest. It took to the southern sky while looking for a den. In the sky, the boar would continue circling in its search, forming the
Sacred Boar Constellation. It is said that if the boar ever stopped circling and laid to rest, it would one day return when it had rested.
Cultural Importance
The Sacred Boar Origin Myth is a major reason why boars are considered sacred to orcs and are a keystone feature of orcish culture. The story alleges orcs were birthed by the sacred boar, meaning they would be distantly related to wild boars native to
Tarteria. It is also sometimes said to be the reason why orcs have tusks, just like wild boars.
Red Lake is believed to be the origin of their race, and their oldest settlement is the town of
Aktrout. It is believed the original meaning of the town's name is “On the Red Water” or “Red Water Home”, signifying the cultural importance of the settlement.
Stories of the
Sacred Boar Constellation are widespread in orcish culture. As much of Tarteria is in the south, the southern sky and constellations are widely seen, and many stories are shared about them.
Orcish artists sometimes include elements of this origin story and the locations tied to it. The
painting "Where the Red Cockspur Grows", by Uro Grilmara, features both the
Red Cockspur Grove and
Red Lake, evoking a sense of yearning towards orcish ancestry.
However, more modernist orcs are less inclined to believe this story, especially those that grew up in
Endor, the First Mountain. However, it is unclear how much of this cultural shift is due to orcs in northern lands not having the southern sky constellations within sight.
