Skald Shargram
Early History
A Bit of an oddity
From his early childhood, Shargram had an odd habit of breaking out into song whenever the mood struck him. This was unusual within northern Orcish society as they didn't place much emphasis on music as a culture. They had music, but it was usually reserved for ceremonial occasions or gatherings, and even then it revolved more around drums and chanting. Shargram seemed to have been born with music in his soul, however, and he couldn't help but sing aloud the melodies which came into his head. His clan found it odd, and some even grew irritated by it, but his mother was a Master Weaver, and held great honour within the clan, so her child's oddity was tolerated. Over time people got used to it, and some even encouraged him to sing as they found it rather pleasant to listen to, and it often raised their spirits.I was bemoaning the loss of my favourite hammer the other day, and I heard Shargram singing in the goat pen next door, before I knew it I was thinking about how silly it was to be getting so upset over a hammer. I marched right down to Gevrath's and got myself one of those new dual-purpose hammers she's been making lately, best thing I could have done
An Orc at Heart
A Legend Grows
A Devastating Blow
Shortly after his thirteenth birthday disaster struck. While out on a training exercise in the woods, his group was waylaid by a small knot of scraggly ogres. During the ensuing battle Shargram found himself knocked to the ground, his weapon flung from his hand, and as the ogre who had attacked him raised his club for the killing blow Shargram let out a yell of defiance in the face of death. Shargram felt something unleash within him as he roared this final battle cry, and to his astonishment the ogre was stunned and froze for a moment, reacting quickly to this opportunity he snatched up his weapon and opened the belly of his attacker. Around him, the rest of his group finished off the remaining ogres and began to whoop and cheer at the success of their first real combat. Shargram's heart was heavy though, he knew he had used magic, and that meant the end of his dream of becoming a warrior.Magic amongst Orcs is very rare, and was even more so back in Shargram's day. Any Orc that demonstrates magical ability must be trained how to control it, and they are expected to use their ability to the benefit of all orcs. Often the Orc will travel to another country/nation to train under an experienced mage, with the expectation that they will return home afterwards. Most Orcs do return home, though these days some may take a little "detour" first.
Magic through Music
He discovered during his tutelage that music seemed to be the key to controlling and shaping his magical ability. He learned how to amplify the sound of his voice, and showed promise in the art of sound manipulation. The magic always seemed to flow better when the music struck an emotional chord with him. His tutor noted his ability to project his emotions with music, and how people around him seemed to react to it.Perhaps a Chance
Shargram cut his training short when he received word from home that the giants had launched a large offensive against the Orcish territories. His clan's territories were close to giant lands, with only one clan between them and the border with Dakatashk, and he knew his clan would need every warrior to help defend their lands. Against his mother's wishes, he returned home with dreams of great battles in his heart. At first there was resistance towards him joining the war against the giants, but after a heartfelt plea and a reminder of his fighting abilities, a compromise was made. He could join, but not on the front lines, he was to ride with the groups who scouted behind their own lines to report on any enemies that had got past the defensive lines. He was to stay out of the fighting as much as possible.The story as to how Shargram and his band wound up involved in so many fights has never quite been explained. For a group explicitly tasked with staying out of combat and simply reporting on enemy activities, they saw their fair share battles. If it hadn't been for the fact that they won all of their encounters with no losses, they may have been questioned more thoroughly.
The First Battle
From his first clash with the enemy, Shargram knew he belonged on the battlefield. The noise of battle was like music to him, the clashing of weapons, the pounding of hooves and feet, and the roars and cries of the combatants wove themselves together into a melody in his mind. He began to sing along, amplifying his voice and adding it to the song around him. The words came almost unbidden to his lips, but he knew they came from his heart, and he knew they had power when he felt the stirring in his chest.At first I thought he had gone mad, affected by the fear the giants give off, and if the rest of the band hadn't all admitted to feeling the same, I may have thought I had gone mad also. But I'm telling you, whenever I heard his voice through the din my heart was filled with Hagan Daiku, and my body was renewed with vigour.It was a hard and brutal campaign, but eventually the Orcs were successful in fending off the Giant invasion. Shargram and his war band returned home having won many great victories, and having earned much honour on the fields of battle. It was expected that Shargram would go back to his studies, but he fought hard to be allowed to remain with his warband. This latest push by the Giants may have been overcome, but he knew there would be others, there always was, and he felt his talents were best used on the battlefield.
Legacy
During the times when he was not out fighting, Shargram did what he had always done, compose and sing songs. He told the tales of his people: their accomplishments, their victories, their lives, and their deaths. He wrote these songs down and began to teach them to those orcs who showed an interest and talent. As his reputation grew, and people began to see the benefits of his talents on the battlefield, other Orcs who had magical talent came to him asking to be taught. Eventually Shargram requested permission to create a new Society dedicated to training, what he had termed, Skalds, his request was granted and the Society of Skalds was formed. Those Orcs who had already trained with Shargram for years, became tutors and taught the young Orc recruits in the art of singing and composing songs. Shargram personally undertook the training of those who had magical ability, and these became the Battle Skalds.Skalds are now an integral part of the Orc military. In the last five hundred years since shargram was alive, magic among Orcs has become slightly more prevelant, and there are now about eighty Battle Skalds in Paiaku. This may not seem like a lot, but since a Battle Skald's abilities lie in enhancing the already prodigious combat prowess of an entire Orc war band, a little goes along way, as they say.
Species
Ethnicity
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Skald
Children
Gender
Male
Eyes
Brown
Hair
None
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Green
Height
6' 11"
Paiaku
North of the Galatanath Mountains lie the vast territories of the Northern orcs. Covered in huge swathes of Taiga forest, which sweep down from the mountains, its northern most points end in frozen tundra which meet the North Sea. The Orcs of Paiaku have lived here since the beginning of time, according to them.A Constant Threat
The western border of Paiaku lies adjacent to the wild lands of the Giants, a place inhabited by monstrous creatures, and ruled over by the Giant-Kin. For centuries the Orcs have been engaged in a constant war with the Giants and their allies, as the Giants persistently attempt to encroach upon Orcish territories. Attempts at negotiating with the Giants have always ended in disaster, as they seek only to conquer and the Orcs are too proud to surrender.Battle Garb
This is what Shargram wore when he rode into battle with his war band. The wolf head was representative of the bond of the pack, and the howling song which they sang. The banner was a later addition, a symbol which was worn by all Battle Skalds to make them visible during combat as a rallying point and a sign of hope.
Battle Songs
Shargram always claimed that the songs he sang in battle just came to him as he fought. The more in tune he was with those he rode with the easier it was work his spells upon them. The more he listened to the rhythm of the battle, and allowed himself to flow with it, the stronger the magic flowed within him.I simply sing the words in my heart, words of what it means to be an Orc. I weave my music into that of the battle, and shape it to aid my companions.As his abilities grew, Shargram was able to weave impressive magics into his songs. Many of these songs he was able to recall later and teach to his students, but some were as fleeting as the moment in which they were needed. Some of his more famous songs which have been passed down are as follows:
Ceremonial Garb
You have an awesome bard that was fun to read about. You had me at Battle-moose, and it was incredibly entertaining to read about the first of the Battle Skalds. Good job on the Hero Forge minis and your article formatting also.
Thank you! I love my orcs and it was cool to write a bit more about them.