Lahi'Gaur

Lahi'Gaur are the ruling class of Anth'Tkur, and most of orckind. Their number is fairly large, over a hundred, but only thirteen of them actually rule Anth'Tkur. The members of this Council of Thirteen are decided every thirteen years, where all Lahi'Gaur propose and vote on candidates to make it up, the thirteen with the most votes becoming part of it. If a Council member dies mid-term or otherwise cannot fulfill their duties, their closest relative or heir who is a member of the Lahi'Gaur takes over for them.

Qualifications

While the title of Lahi'Gaur is mostly hereditary, it is not the family which is important. The defining characteristic of a Lahi'Gaur is not who their parents are, and is instead the sorcerous powers coursing through their blood, giving them power over storms. For whatever reason, storm sorcery runs in orcish blood, and orc society is ruled by those whose powers have manifested. This sorcery passes from parent to child, but sometimes a child is born without power, or a commoner's child is born with it. In those cases, the former would not be granted the title of Lahi'Gaur, while the latter would.

Responsibilities

Most Lahi'Gaur have few official responsibilities, as most big decisions are made by the Council of Thirteen. However, they all have a responsibility to Anth'Tkur, and are obligated to defend it to the best of their ability in any crisis that might befall it. Additionally, Lahi'Gaur are responsible for providing the city's water in an act known as "A'Gaur", or "Storm-Chasing", where a group of Lahi'Gaur fly around the Waste on their Barh'Aht mounts, gathering up all the water vapor in the air and condensing it into clouds, which they guide back to the city and allow to rain down upon it in a great storm, the water flowing through gutters and being channeled into a great artificial lake in the center of the city. Due to this practice, water is actually one of Anth'Tkur's greatest exports, though it is rivaled by the dwarves of Hollowhome below the city, who pump groundwater. Lahi'Gaur are also typically expected to somehow contribute to the betterment of the city, even if they are not a member of the Council, and there are a number of lesser committees who are tasked with making less important decisions, as well as making sure the will of the Council is carried out.

Benefits

All Lahi'Gaur have most of their basic needs satisfied for free, and are granted lodging in the towers specifically set aside for them, in the nicest parts of the city near the peak of the Tortoise's shell. The more influential and wealthy Lahi'Gaur families typically eschew these benefits in favor of those they and their families can provide, but these benefits still see use by commonborn, less wealthy, and non-materialistic Lahi'Gaur. Finally, each Lahi'Gaur is provided with training in using their inborn sorcerous abilities, in riding the flying Barh-Aht mounts each Lahi'Gaur is given, and in combat both mounted and on foot.

Type

Nobility, Hereditary

Form of Address

-'Gaur

Alternative Naming

Storm-chaser

Related Locations

• Anth'Tkur