The Kurshai
Kohana stood, chest bare and rippling underneath gray skin. He waited quietly in a line with several other Cur, all awaiting the shaman to anoint them for their first battle. Today, they would find out who among the Cur was worthy to become a Drec. Kohana watched as the stooped shaman, rows upon rows of tusks dangling from around his neck, approached each Cur in turn before dipping a hand in one of several bowls of paint. The Shaman scooped the paint free, closed his eyes and then began to smear and wipe the substance over the Cur before him. Always, the paint took shape, and a blessing was bestowed.
The Shaman stopped before Kohana, glanced at him, taking in his features. He waved to his attendant who began to offer the blue paint, but the Shaman raised a hand, pointing to a flask at the attendant's hip. Silence hung with the smoke in the air as the attendant removed the flask and handed it to the Shaman. The Shaman closed his eyes, pouring the white paint into his palm, and began to paint Kohana's chest and face. Kohana remained still as the moon and after several minutes the Shaman backed away. Kohana glanced down at the proferred bowl of still water and stared in shock. His face and chest, painted white in short strokes, bore the semblance of an eagle of lightning. He had been painted as a thunderbird. The Shaman stepped forward once more, hand dipping into the black paint, and drew a single black lightning bolt on Kohana's forehead. With this, he was ready to go to war.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Facial characteristics
Most Kurshai have tusks of varying length. These tusks molt and fall out each year, growing back stronger and sharper. Every Kurshai keeps his discarded tusks as a symbol of his years and experience as a warrior. The more tusks a Kurshai carries, the more frequently his words are heard and accepted or the greater his chances are of ascending in the tribe's ranks. Additionally, a Kurshai will keep the tusks of any other Orcs he bests in single combat. These combats, called Honor Bouts, often lead to enduring friendships or everlasting grudges.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
All Kurshai are given a name at birth. This name will remain with them until they become blooded Drec. Before they become Drec they enter a ceremony where they are given a color and a spirit animal, correspondent with their nature and calling from the Gods. The Kurshai may, after becoming a blooded Drec, decide to take their color and spirit animal, blending them into their own name. Kurshai have no surnames, instead they remember where they came from by the oral nature of storytelling and an intense bond to family.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Primarily worship Gruumsh, the Storm-Eye, adhering to his principles and beliefs.
History
The Orcs of Kursh, or the Kurshai, are a warmongering people of the East borne out of the necessity that survival in a harsh climate fosters. The savage lands of Kursh are an inhospitable land as cold and flat as stone, these plains don't grow much more than stubborn weeds and thin livestock. As such, the Kurshai have learned how to make do with what they have by becoming incredibly skilled hunters and gatherers. They have also learned that when they cannot gather enough they must raid and take from those weaker than them. For this purpose, the Orcs of Kursh have come to be known as raiders and savages though their way of life is much more complicated than that.
The Kurshai long ago learned the importance of companion animals and as such have learned to ride on the back of huge hyenas called the Nokhoi, or Nok for short. These companion beasts serve as mounts for life and the bond between rider and beast becomes one of friendship rather than necessity. In recent years it has been rumored that the Kurshai have begun to band together their disparate tribes into one great horde. This has caused a great deal of turmoil and fear within the central realms of Korinthos and AhinRaj. The fact remains, however, that these "developed" countries and kingdoms continue to fail to see these Orcs as little more than savages. This hubris may ultimately be their downfall.
Origin/Ancestry
Mongolian
Lifespan
60 years
Average Height
6ft - 7ft 6in
Average Weight
250 lbs
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