Greenskin gods: The Carrion Gods

Spirits, gods, and everything betwixt have spent ages making pacts among each other within the heavens. Some rallied around species or locations. Gods of a specific mountain would not associate with the gods of the sea. Differing philosophies flourished under these gods. Those the green-skins served encompassed hedonistic tendencies, where the strong terrorized the weak. Because of the devotion shown, their gods blessed them with many wondrous artifacts found among the bodies of the fallen.

Structure

There was never any structure among the Orc gods. Devoid of reason, their gods upheld a simple truth, using it to govern every action. The weak must be subservient to the strong. Without a 'head divine' and lacking desire for responsibility, the gods were worshiped as a nameless assemblage.

History

Do not look away, my child. See how the skies bleed, how the stones shudder under their wrath.
The gods have heard our people's cries. They answer with rage. A circle of thunder encompasses us, protecting us from them.

The fall of the Greenskin religion happened once the gods stopped caring. Orcs, a people bred for war, and many of their now-extinct kin had committed atrocities in the service of these gods. Fear spread throughout the land in their wake, for death was a mercy when faced against these creatures. Thousands were slain by the raids, with hundreds more taken prisoner. Any captured from among the conquered became sacrifices for the degenerate god's feasts.
Carts lined up with stolen gold and treasure beyond worth were set aflame, left for the enjoyment of the gods. Yet, even then, the gods remained silent. The Speakers, though charlatans, intuitively knew that the gods would no longer answer them. As the Orcs made camp outside Chanxi City the skies wept with crimson tears. Although the metallic rain was considered an evil omen, The Speakers still called for the assault.
A third of all Orcs perished the following morning. The gods did not lead them as their religious leaders promised. Carts prepared for the spoils of war returned weighted down with the dead. With the shame of their first defeat baring heavily on them, the Orcs turned to their 'priests' demanding an explanation. The gods demanded blood.
The Orcs raided nearby villages, but it was not enough. The sacrifice was considered overtly brutal by Orcish standards and was ultimately fruitless. Dogged by Imperial reinforcements, The Speakers took refuge in the mountainside to converse with their gods.
When they returned, the Orcs faced an ultimatum. The Orcs were to perform a cleansing or be rejected by their gods wholly. The weak and unworthy needed to be weeded out from among them. Unworthy Orcs made up half their numbers. Despite the blood of their kin wetting every blade they carried against the Imperial forces, the gods still did not answer. Only then did the remnants take The Speakers by force and make the final sacrifice to their former, unworthy gods.

The Celestial War

The gods had fallen into disarray. Too many inhabited the Ivory Temples. Too few were adept in intrigue or diplomacy. It was a coalition fated to end. It was only a matter of time before their loose agreements would fall apart. Growing more arrogant, the disdain towards one another grew into paranoia. Several minor gods lay slain after an accusation of a coup. The fractions caused could never be mended and drew the attention of other gods.
Several gods fled before the end could come, attempting to gather all the stolen treasures in their exodus. Despite being unable to leave with their loot, it caused an eternal enmity between them and the gods of the Orcs. Taking refuge in the shadows of other Temples, they immediately bound their 'children' into a life of slavery. Goblins are fated to rejoin the legions of their gods in the afterlife or toil for all eternity.
The Orc gods remained, warring against other carrion gods. Only after their homes were in ruins, and their blood fell to the mortal world as heavy rain did they flee as well. Without the worship of the Orcs, they had little power or influence upon the mortal realms. There are, to this day, accursed mountains upon this world. It is there that the embittered husks of these former gods remain.

Worship

The gods are worshiped through luxurious gifts and the sacrifices of various creatures. As the Orcs once believed, everything put to the fire would be received by their gods. Similar to the scrying pools that others used, the gods would behold the offerings within the flaming circles and gather what they deemed worthy.
Sacrifices have always had a major role in the worship of the gods. When the Orcs first found favor among these gods, they would sacrifice the livestock of their vanquished foes for their gods to devour. As the gods became more degenerate, they began demanding the meat of their captured foes. During the final days, the Orcs would seek after strange flesh to be offered.

Fear! Fire!

Type

Religious, Pantheon

Alternative Names

The Decadent Host

Related Traditions

• Stargazing