Khagra

History has painted us Orcs as warmongering monsters. It is right, of course, but it gives people the impression that we are still like that. That would also be true, in certain cases. We have grown past that, though, and our home stands tall with the rest of the world. Modern. Clean. Growing. And that brings me great pride.

-Krezergath Zaik, Tusk

Structure

All high-level government decisions are made by a tribal council. The oldest members of each tribe sit in council and vote upon any issue placed before them.

Assets

• Ivory

• Orange Garnets

• 375,000 Tusks

• 67,000 Rib-breakers

• 87,000 Varg Handlers

• 2,500 Military Constructs

• 210 Combat Airships

History

Throughout history, the orcish tribes of Khagra have raided themselves and the neighbors of their mountain home. Of course, such a bloody history earned them a list of enemies five miles long. Their neighbors, the Svartel Dichotomy were a common target and in the Age of Exploration decided that they needed to remove them. In a nearly twenty-year war, the Orcish tribes put up a surprising fight. Resisting the Dichotomy for that length of time was quite a feat, but resisting is not a victory and the tribes were being worn down. Closely tied to tradition, the Orcs attempted to use their ancestrial combat styles (Stone axes and hammers) but were outmatched by elvish muskets. After nearly twenty years several tribes had been cornered and destroyed and the others were running low on warriors. Something had to change.

And change it did. Gastrod Hrell, the man that revolutionized Orcish society. Returning from a trip abroad, he approached the council of Elders with several crates and asked them to use the weapons he brought with him. They refused, but said that if he could prove himself to Trokeg and Wux (the orcish deities) they would grant his request. He smiled and nodded before removing his shirt and drawing his own axe. Turning to the tribal champions that stood beside their elders. Issuing a challenge to every one of them at once. The battle between three dozen tribal champions and the lone Gastrod Hrel is a story for another time, but in the end, he stood over all those he had challenged. Bleeding, but still standing strong, he looked to the elders and saw them nod their heads. Within the month, he had trained a force of his kinsmen in the combat of the time. Within the next, they had proven themselves in battle. half a year later, every tribe had adopted the firearms and had begun to beat back the elves. A year after that, the elves pulled their troops out of Khagra in its entirety.

As the smoke cleared, the tribes looked to each other, the weapons they held, the uniforms they wore and realized that things could never go back to the way they were. The world was still moving forward and their only option was to move with it or be destroyed.

In the modern era, Khagra still struggles to modernize and maintain it's cultural identity. Their plateau villages, built out of timber, clash with train tracks and automaton. Tribal shamans brush elbows with trained magicians. Orcish soldiers still affix hunting trophies to their uniforms and paint their faces when going into battle. And on the opposite side of the scales, new medicines and alchemical research have been coming out of the country, built on the basis of their shaman's knowledge of herbology.

Demography and Population

• 96% Orc

• 2% human

• 1% other

Military

• The Tusks: the standard soldier of Khagra. Equipped with modern rifles and shotguns. Known for their Emerald Green uniforms and their habit of attaching bones to their helmet.

• The Spine Breakers: The elite soldiers of Khagra, the Spine Breakers are shock troopers. Using shamanistic charms to protect themselves against enemy fire as they advance on their positions.

• The Shaman Corps: Functionally identical to other nations Magician and Sorcerer corps, the difference comes in the training of the Shaman. The title of Shaman is one that still holds a lot of meaning for Khagranian society, often filling the role of a priest while also plying their magical talents. Thus, they are not trained in any sort of academy (like the Iron Republic's Pleadine Magicians Academy) but must be apprenticed to a fully-fledged shaman. While this has lead to newly trained Shamans being generally more knowledgable in their craft than mages trained in the modern fashion, they are much harder to replace, should they be killed.

Religion

Jokeg and Wux are believed to be the father and mother, respectively, of all orcs. Worshipped as protectors, a portion of every hunt, crop, or herd is given in tribute to their loving pair.

Foreign Relations

Since the Orc Wars, Khagra has worked hard to cultivate relations that aren't outright hostile with it's neighbors. That is, it's neighbors excluding the Svartel Dichotomy. Often stonewalling any attempt that the Elves make to try and repair relations.

Agriculture & Industry

Most of the Khagranian economy is based around the husbandry of orgus, a heavyset animal with long tusks and tough skin. These animals are slaughtered for their considerable meat and the ivory of their tusks. A few orcs make a living hunting in the mountains and selling the assorted pelts, bones, and claws.

Trade & Transport

Recently, Khagra has been trying to expand its fleet of airships and has been using them to transport goods and materials, completely bypassing the mountains that break up the landscape of Khagra. A few train lines have been constructed, connecting the largest of the Khargranian settlements.

Education

If an orc wishes for a formal education, they will have to leave their home country and enroll in a university somewhere else. Untrusting of outside powers attempting to undermine their identity. they strongly dislike having a foreigner teach any age.

Infrastructure

The rocky and mountainous terrain of Khagra makes the construction of any large scale infrastructure expensive and difficult to build. At the current time, two rail lines have been built (the Jokeg and Wux lines) but they operate to move people more than anything.

Founding Date

635, Age of Exploration

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom

Training Level

Semi-professional

Veterancy Level

Trained

Government System

Democracy, Direct

Power Structure

Confederation

Currency

Orcish Ruble. Five, Ten, and Fifteen Ruble denominations. A paper note colored red, with the image of a Varg howling at the moon.

Major Exports

Ivory from the orgus the most numerous export, and is used by artists and mages across the known world.

Major Imports

any food that isn't meat must be imported, as the rocky soil is not suitable for the growth of any sort of fruit or vegetable.

Legislative Body

The council of elders decides upon the law of khagra.

Judicial Body

Law is often handled by a tribe's own authority, with their Champion (a title that has lost much of its reverence in recent decades) acting as a sort of sheriff. If something too big for the Champion to handle on their own, they will recruit other tribe members for support.

Official State Religion

Jokeg and Wux

Official Languages

• Orcish

Neighboring Nations

• Ekel Krugx
• Svartel Dichotomy