Chapter 4.1: The Orcs of Eldoria - The Legacy of the Horde Wars
The Orcs of Eldoria: The Legacy of the Horde Wars
The echoes of war never fade, and the name of Grommash the Unbroken still lingers in the blood and steel of every orcish warband that roams the world of Eldoria. Though the Horde Wars ended in ruin, the orcs were not destroyed—only scattered. What followed was an age of exile, survival, and the slow rebuilding of orcish might.
The orcs of Eldoria never formed a unified empire again, but their clans, tribes, and warbands remained a force to be reckoned with. Some sought vengeance, others sought survival, and a rare few sought redemption. But all orcs carried the same burning truth in their hearts:
Strength is the only truth. And war is the only path to glory.
The Broken Clans and Their Destinies
After the fall of Grommash, the once-mighty Blackfang Warband fractured into many clans, each forging its own path across Eldoria. Some sought revenge, some sought new lands, and others adapted to the changing world in their own brutal way.
1. The Bloodriven Horde – The Sons of GrommashCurrent Warlord: Drakthar the Red BladeLocation: The Burning Wastes of Kraagmar, a land of molten rock and endless storms.Description: The most fanatical remnants of Grommash's warband, the Bloodriven believe that the Horde Wars are not over but merely waiting for the right moment to begin again. Their warriors bathe in the blood of their enemies before battle, believing it strengthens their spirits.2. The Bonehowl Tribe – Shamans and BeastmastersCurrent Warlord: Urzog the SpiritbinderLocation: The Fangwood Wilds, a deep jungle untouched by civilization.Description: More spiritual than most orcs, the Bonehowl believe that Grommash's spirit still roams the land, waiting for a new warlord worthy of his mantle. They have become masters of taming great beasts and ride war-wolves and dire boars into battle.3. The Ashen Tusks – The ExilesCurrent Warlord: None – Clan fractured into warbandsLocation: Scattered throughout Eldoria, taking refuge in mercenary bands and pirate fleets.Description: Once part of Grommash's inner circle, the Ashen Tusks lost favor after failing him during the Battle of Broken Fangs. Now, they are a nomadic people, offering their services as mercenaries and raiders, forever seeking to reclaim their lost honor.4. The Iron Maul – Masters of Siege and SteelCurrent Warlord: Thorgash the ForgebornLocation: The Ruins of Durnhold, an old orcish stronghold now repurposed as a weapons foundry.Description: The Iron Maul are more craftsmen than warriors, but their war machines have devastated battlefields for centuries. Though they do not fight as often as other clans, when they do, their siege engines and iron-clad warriors are unstoppable.Orcs and the Other Races of Eldoria
Since the Horde Wars, the orcs have been both feared and hated by the other races of Eldoria. The kingdoms of men still tell stories of the Crimson March, where orcs slaughtered thousands. The elves have never forgotten the Siege of Vael'tharion's Gates, and the dwarves still grumble about the loss of Stonewatch Keep.
But despite this, orcs have carved a place in the world—not as rulers, but as warriors, raiders, and mercenaries.
Among Humans: Orcs are often hired as bodyguards, gladiators, or warband leaders in the frontier regions where law is weak.Among Elves: The high elves despise them, but the wood elves of the Sylvan Marches have made uneasy alliances with orcish shamans.Among Dwarves: A relationship built on grudging respect—dwarves hate orcs for their brutality, but admire their smithing skill and raw strength.
Most orcs keep to their own, dwelling in the untamed lands of Eldoria, far from the reach of kings and laws.
The Orcish Homelands: The Warlords' Realms
The orcs do not have a unified kingdom, but they control several dangerous regions that no other race dares to claim.
1. Kraagmar – The Burning WastesA land of fire, dust, and endless war. Once the heart of the orcish empire, now a battleground for rival clans.The Bloodriven Horde calls this wasteland home, waging war against any who enter.Great volcanic forges still burn, where orcish blacksmiths create weapons of unmatched brutality.2. The Fangwood Wilds – Land of Beasts and SpiritsA dense jungle where the Bonehowl Tribe tames massive war-beasts and communes with ancient spirits.The air is thick with the howls of wolves and the calls of dire hawks.Many orcish shamans believe the spirits of fallen warlords still walk the land.3. The Ruins of Durnhold – The Forge-FortressOnce an orcish city, now a massive fortress dedicated to weaponsmithing.The Iron Maul clan rules here, creating siege engines and war machines for any warlord willing to pay.Even dwarves have come to trade here, though only under heavy guard.4. The Ashen Isles – The Exiled WarbandsA chain of islands off the coast, home to orcish pirates and raiders.Here, the Ashen Tusks roam, preying upon merchant fleets and elven ships.The orcs of the Ashen Isles care nothing for the old war, only for gold and plunder.The Future of the Orcs: A New Horde?
Though the Horde Wars ended in blood, the orcs have never truly been defeated. Across Eldoria, whispers spread that a new warlord is rising. Some say he is a son of Grommash, others claim he was chosen by the spirits of the ancestors.
What is certain is this:
The Bloodriven Horde gathers in Kraagmar, sharpening their blades.The Iron Maul forges weapons for a war that has not yet begun.The Bonehowl shamans speak of omens, of war banners rising in the east.
And across Eldoria, kings and warlords watch with growing unease, knowing that if the orcs ever unite again…
The world will burn once more.
This is just the beginning of the orcs' fate in Eldoria. Would you like to expand on any particular aspect, such as orcish culture, legends, or their future conflicts?