Grulmak

A once-proud tribe of Orcs from the The Nation of Palawyr.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The Grulmak speak a heavily accented dialect of Orcish.

Culture and cultural heritage

Grulmak society is dual-forked and somewhat egalitarian. While traditionally it is the males who are hunters and warriors, they trace their heritage matrilinearly, and it is the females of the tribe who hold the position of Chieftain, and who make up the tribal council, which is tasked with advising the Chieftain in tribal decisions. Likewise, it is the women of the Grulmak who in fact train their sons in matters of warfare and weaponry.

A woman of the Grulmak might have several mates, though generally only a single life-partner, who shares her domicile, and whose offspring will be considered her heirs.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

A child born to a Grulmak woman is traditionally offered on the altar of Gruumsh, at which time the mother waits expectantly for some sign of the deity's blessing and acceptance. Such signs can be anything from a passing animal or the sound of it's cry to a change in the weather. Upon receiving such a sign, she gives the child it's name, usually reflective of their altar-omen. If no sign is received, the mother may choose to abandon her child to the wilderness, to return it to it's father (if he is known,) or disregard the matter, and name and raise the child herself. The latter is not uncommon, since many Grulmak women are extremely devoted mothers, and the lack of a sign is not seen as a character weakness by the tribe, as evidenced by the common names, Grummlk and Grummlkr, which simply mean, "Grummsh was silent".