Bloodtusk Clan

The Bloodtusk Clan, currently ruled by Rhukzar, The War King, is the only known Orc clan to have not only successfully built up permanent settlements within Gathorem, but to have sustained continual rule over them since their construction. The clan built all three permanent settlements in Northern Gathorem, Borsk, Kinnos, and Qan.

Assets

In most societies, the construction of a permanent settlement is not astounding and is, in most cases, extremely common. For the primarily nomadic Orcs, the creation of permanent settlements is unusual. This is due to two primary aspects. The first, as many of the Orc clans are in a perpetual state of tension, if not outright war with each other, the creation of a permanent settlement inhibits a clans ability to simply avoid stronger clans. The second is that, any time permanent settlements were attempted to be created, other clans would often rise up to take over the settlement or just topple it completely.
The Bloodtusks, while not the first to attempt to make a permanent settlement, were the first to do it successfully. Borsk, the first settlement built, has been standing and has withstood numerous attacks over the past 63 years. Kinnos, the second settlement, was built 12 years after the first. Qan, the newest of the settlements, was built 25 years later. The first two settlements withstood repeated attacks from various Orc tribes, including attempts at forming truces to create larger fighting forces. However, the fortified cities were able to repel the attacks while avoiding taking heavy losses themselves.
As years have worn on, most Orc tribes have accepted the existence of these cities and the frequency of attacks have drastically diminished. This is also in part to truces the city has made with the roaming tribes. They are welcome to enter the city and trade, but should they attempt to assault the city once more, the Bloodtusks, possessing the largest army of all the orc tribes, would hunt and kill no less than half of the attackers surviving tribe.

History

The Bloodtusk Clan was formed when the WyrmSlayer clan split. The split was due to Korag Bloodtusk, a powerful and respected Orc warrior, refusing to slaughter the defenseless remnants of a decimated clan. Vikral Wyrmslayer, the chieftain, exiled him from the clan. Before Korag left, he offered any Orc who would follow him would have their place at his side. He also called to the clan whom he'd refused to slay, offering them protection should they follow him. The weakened clan remnants and about one third of the WyrmSlayer clan stood at his side.
Over the following years, his clan was hunted, enduring numerous assaults from the WyrmSlayer clan. Korag decided that outmaneuvering them was no longer an option and a frontal assault against them would result in the slaughter of his clan. Their only option, he felt, was to hunker down and make one final stand. They constructed fortified walls built with sharpened logs angled outwards. The walls were painted with a tar-like substance that burned extremely poorly. Pits were dug at key areas, spikes planted in the bottom. Their backs were to a lake which the walls had extended into.
A few nights passed before the anticipated assault came, the WyrmSlayer clan hellbent on destroying the Bloodtusks once and for all. Many of the WyrmSlayer Orcs fell to the traps and javelins of the defending force. Vikral and several powerful Orcs managed to breach the defenses to be met by Korag Bloodtusk himself, sword in one hand, shield in the other. Vikral mocked him having given up his greatsword to cower behind a shield then sent one of his Orcs to bring him Korag's head. Korag said nothing as he slew the orc with ease. He challenged Vikral to Kirik'tsul, the Orc right to rule, before the witnesses of both clans. Vikral accepted, and their fight began. The fight between them lasted for nearly half an hour before Karag struck the final blow, beheading Vikral.
The remnants of the WyrmSlayer clan, now drastically weakened by their assault on the stronghold, fell into rank as part of the BloodTusk clan. Instead of gathering their things and moving on, as most clans would, the now bolstered clan expanded and refortified their settlement. As the clan grew, the walls were extended, raised, and reinforced. It was nearly a year before another clan attempted to strike down the Bloodtusk clan, also meeting with defeat. Over the years, many clans attempted to assault the fortress, some with desire to overthrow it, and others simply to test themselves against it.
When Korag felt his time was nearing an end, he elevated one of his generals Rhukzar, a half-Orc who repeatedly proved himself as a powerful warrior and tactician, to take his place. Despite being only half-Orc, he had earned his place within the clan and stood on par with the rest of the Orcs.
As the clan grew, Rhukzar saw that this single fortress was no longer going to support the clan, having grown to the size of a small city. He took one third of the clan, moving them north, up the Thraag river, to the shores of the Skarlak Bay, establishing the settlement of Kinnos. Rhukzar assigned an Orc, Garag the Swift, to rule over Kinnos with the expectation that he would still answer to him as the clan chief. Garag accepted the role and has been ruling Kinnos since.
A quarter century later, as populations had grown significantly between both settlements. Peace treaties and trade, not only with Orc tribes, but also with outsiders, had become very common at both Borsk and Kinnos. Rhukzar set his sights southward, to the Terak Chasm, erecting the mining city of Qan. There he placed another Orc in charge, Ignar the Broad.

Foreign Relations

The Bloodtusk Clan has a dominating relationship with many of the Orc clans within Northern Gathorem. In exchange for the ability to buy and sell goods to the clan, the tribes must take no hostile actions against the clan or its settlements. This truce is tense in many situations as all three settlements have a strict no-hostilities law within their walls. Those caught breaking it are thrown from the city, regardless of clan affiliation or standing. The treaties only apply to the Bloodtusk clan, which, outside of its walls, will not interfere with the squabbling of the other clans. They play no favourites, trading, buying, and selling with any clan.
Traders from other regions, such as Kioterra and Forskbahn have also begun interacting with the Bloodtusk settlements, being granted escort to and from the settlements.

Founding Date

2248

Type

Geopolitical, Clan

Capital

Borsk

Leader

Rhukzar, The War King

Location

Northern Gathorem