Gura-Kan Orcs
In Old Orcish, the word "Gura-Kan" translates to "Mountain-Root" - an apt description for the Orc people of Veruun. The primary population of Orcs known to inhabitant Zor are concentrated almost entirely in the the Kizzire Mountains, far from the territory wars that plague the ground dwelling factions of the Veruun Provinces. This gives them a natural defense against potential incursions, but it also serves another important purpose. Gura-Kan Wood, a material that rivals or exceeds most metals in both its strength and uses, comes from trees cultivated by Orcish arborists over hundreds of years. While exceptionally hardy, these trees only grow well at high altitudes and in rocky soil. Orcish groves can be found amongst the highest mountain cliffs in Veruun, and the wood they produce is used to build the intricate sky villages that dangle across the broadest canyons and between the highest peaks in the mountains the Gura-Kan people call home.
Civilization and Culture
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Gura-Kan orcs live in close-knit communities with a focus on revering the natural world. Their culture is deeply tied to trees that bear their name, which they use in virtually all construction, from the smallest houses to the intricate sky villages they live in. Druids and Sorcerers are commonly found in their society, and they have largely perfected the practice of infusing their tree groves with magic. Even Orcish warriors have access to magic through the weapons, armors, and trinkets they begin crafting from trees they cultivate from an early age. Totem Magic - popular amongst barbarian fighters across the Southern Continent - has its origins in the Gura-Kan martial tradition.
History
Historically, the Gura-Kan established one of the earliest empires on the continent, spanning across most of the Southern Continent. As the younger humanoid species began to claim more land for their burgeoning nation-states, however, the orcish people receded further and further into the mountains, where they now strive to maintain a society that is deeply connected to the natural world.
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