Krajztar
What is the Krajztar?
The most sacred of the Krajzlekt, the shared rites of all Orcdom, the Krajztar is the practice of 'earning a name' and the name itself. While the process varies among the different kinds of Orcs, the principle remains the same. Any Orc who performs a mighty deed witnessed by others (especially elders of their own Clan) has the right to claim a Krajztar, translating as Blood Name or sometimes War Name. A Krajztar is always recognized outside of the Clan by any other Orcs and those blooded into the culture and treated with great respect. A blood name is usually, but not always, given by those who have witnessed the deed but may be proposed by the Orc in question. In such cases, it must be confirmed by Clan elders, and if denied can be pressed with a trial by combat. Usually, simply offering the challenge is good enough for the elders as it shows that the Orc is willing to die for their new name and as such are willing to accept that responsibility. Before the advent of the Empire, 'Blooded' Orcs were required to defend their Clan above and beyond the typical standard of duty and especially expected to die in the name of Clan honor should that be called into question. While the Empire renders most of this unused, the Blooded are still seen with great respect by their Clans and the honor of claiming a Krajztar is a dream many of the 'Blood without Blood' pursue.Earning a Blood Name
Though the right to a Krajztar is held by all Orcs and those non-Orcs otherwise claimed by the Blood, the requirements differ across Orcdom. Among the Odolomar of The Arid, Krajztar can only be claimed in battle with a person, not a beast no matter how impressive. To the Olona of Ictatha Krajztar is able to be earned through any particularly impressive deed, be it a feat of strength or cleverness or general peculiarity, but it must be recognized as especially difficult. The Onirgrundi people of the Shadow Palace recogognize Krajztar through ritual hunting, a warrior wishing to claim a Blood Name enters the forest with no equipment and must return with the body of a 'sacred nemesis' that is forseen before departing through a divine spell. The Orcanos of the Singing Islands may earn Krajztar either in battle against people or by delivering the final blow against a whale or bear. The Ovrenrisurg of the Aaldenbur Mountains claim Krajztar through a feat of strength outside of combat (though exceptions can be made) and the Oyarasa of the Spear and Alglian Islands may only claim Krajztar through a test of endurance that typically involves the ingestion of ritual toxins. Throughout the Empire and Kuasta, communities of Orcs far from their homelands will usually form a sort of 'merged community of shared Blood' with all other Orcs in the area to compensate for their lack of a local Clan. In these places and within the Legion, Krajztar is only given by the community with no real guidelines and the Orc earning the name may never choose for themself under any circumstances.
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