Orchish Empire

Category	Empires
World	Bal-Kriav
Region	Grashakh, Imgangreth
Government	High Command (stratocracy)
Capital	Gháshulg 1188 - present Kotharlarg 1140 - 1188 Othragmac 1096 - 1140
Population	6,000,000+
Races	Githirmil 60% Goblin 20% Hobgoblin 7% Kobold 5% Tragaran 3% War Troll 1% other 4%
Alignment	non-good
Deities	Gruumsh, Lukoon, Tarâk, Tiamat
Enemies	Khazarkar Empire, Surticon, Toomrur Hegemony
Ruler	Monty the Mad
Founder	Blac'drugulois
Established	16 War March 1096
Maps	Mirtheon Inirthak Garathral

The Orchish Empire was founded by a Lith-Crillion known as Blac'drugulois. The unique principles and the distinctions of its orcs, the Githirmil, compared to regular orcs stem from his seven-century reign.

The name Orchish Empire originates from the Hishin tribe, the most influential and ardent supporters of their leader's sweeping reforms. Their pivotal assistance in unifying the disparate tribes towards a common purpose, under a single governing authority, catalyzed the establishment of the Orchish Empire.

The origins of the peoples comprising this empire trace back to the Gud-Mortoth, the establishment of Tarkrath, and the Kamoni War. In 1041, an event known as the Arduous March ( 1041 - 1096 ) saw the orcs migrate northward from Kamoni, lands now claimed by the Kal-Oni. This northward migration into Inirthak led to conflict with the elves of Gwaeldior and the dwarves of Gathol.

The orc tribes established themselves within the heart of Brucrumus. This central region is considerably more elevated than the encompassing areas; geologists designate it as a substantial plateau. Over time, the orcs proliferated, rapidly securing the most habitable locations. The amalgamation of the numerous tribes of the era - Hishin, Gud-Mortoth, Death's Head, Broken Bone, Blood Hands, Gut Wretch, and dozens more - resulted in one large tribe under the guidance of a renowned Lith-Crillion known as Blac'drugulois.

The reign of Blac'drugulois was ruthless, and any group that attempted to break free was swiftly suppressed. He and his council of foremost advisers, the High Command, instituted a federalist system of governance - a robust central government with numerous regional administrations. On 16 War March 1096, this organization came to be known as the Orchish Empire.

The empire's early history was marked by conflict with the dwarves and elves of Grashakh and Hells Womb. The War of Nárfaltuin ( 1048 - 1130 ) , the First Sorrow Pass War, and the Gimhak War ( 1470 - 1479 ) ultimately brought an end to two kingdoms.

The orc's initial regional army group commanded the Southern Military District. Its purpose was to exclusively handle relations with anything south of Kotharlarg - then the seat of power in the Orchish Empire. As the empire expanded, the Northern, Central, and Eastern Military Districts were established. During the Third Sorrow Pass War, forces under the Southern Military District were defeated by the Gwaeldior Pact. After being crippled in this conflict, the Southern Military District was viewed as poorly commanded, with troops that tarnished the honor of Orchish military prowess. Consequently, the First Orc Civil War ensued, in which the Southern Military District was destroyed. The lands and peoples of the vanquished Southern armies then endured insurrection for several years as the spoils of war were divided among the Northern, Eastern, and Central Military Districts.

To the west of Grashakh lie the barbarians of the Northern Hordelands. They can pose a significant threat when united by the Witch Horde. These Theegans are known to burn, massacre, and pillage the orc and humanoid settlements whenever they breach the barricade of fortresses along the borders. Fortunately, the ascendance of the Divine Empire has significantly curtailed the Theegan incursions. The Orchish Empire must also contend with the occasional civil unrest from rogue dragerns or a city determined to govern itself, as well as new menaces that emerge from the ruins of forgotten realms.

The Orchish Empire has fortified the formidable highlands of the Giant Steps against their other adversaries - the Bloodbeards (cf. Umahanbad ). These dwarves pose more of an annoyance than a substantial threat, with raiding and assaults on peripheral fortifications resulting in negligible damage.

The Central Military District is tasked with monitoring and deterring the adversaries to the west and any intrusions from the south. This military division often sparks tensions with adjacent countries due to their recurrent raiding operations. The Central Military District serves as a staging ground for raids and invasions targeting Hells Womb, the Lands of Purity, and the Tribe Steppes.

The Eastern Military District was established to address the menace posed by the Toomrur Hegemony and the numerous other entities inhabiting the southeastern and eastern borderlands.

The Northern Military District is the most formidable region. It serves the dual purpose of directing all other armies and shielding against incursions from the Jara of the Tribe Steppes and the Khazarkar Empire, their foremost adversary. The Khazarkars, akin to the orcs in military aggression, perpetually menace orc security. Frequent wars have transpired between the two nations, interspersed with fleeting periods of peace seldom exceeding a few years.

Due to unceasing hostilities, the Orchish Empire boasts the greatest concentration of walls, forts, bastions, and other military structures of any land in the realm. Traversing the region reveals vast tracts of uninhabited land littered with the ruins of ancient cities, crumbling castles, and overgrown towns. These areas pose the gravest threat to travelers, with brigands, monsters, and other perils using them as dwellings. Continuing one's journey will encounter fortified towns, cities, strongholds, bastions, citadels, and magnificent canals and aqueducts channeling water into arid lands, as well as far-flung outposts.

The thriving and martial community of orcs and humanoids resides in this land known as Grashakh. The Githirmil are a proud, warmongering race, vastly distinct from the typical chaotic orc found elsewhere in the realm. They persistently construct fortifications and expand their settlements, driven by an unrelenting desire for conquest.

Even the most modest of settlements within the Orchish Empire are fortified with wooden barbicans. The bellicose nature and rapid population growth of the empire often necessitate the expansion of city walls. One such example is the immense city of Collossapolos, which boasts an astounding 32 rings of defensive walls and a marketplace rivaling that of Paradomea City.

In the Orchish Empire, the robust inherit the land, the feeble serve them, and administrations and military forces are often overthrown. The numerous warring governors are frequently despotic, corrupt, nearly tyrannical, and constantly seeking methods to elevate themselves to higher positions of power and renown. Concentrated on military and war, the Orchish Empire lacks sophistication in the arts, music, and philosophy, yet are comparable to most other civilizations when it comes to medicine, alchemy, and the sciences.

The populace of the Orchish Empire is governed by military regimes. These answer to dragern staffs and are overseen by the emperor.

The Orchish Empire utilizes a vast array of humanoids and other creatures across their extensive domain. While some are compelled to serve, many relish the spoils and triumphs of the orcs. Within the Orchish Empire, any creature can ascend the ranks and attain prestige, for they need only demonstrate their strength and command on the field of battle.

Architecture

The architecture of the Orchish Empire is straightforward and practical. The structures are designed to endure the test of time and withstand the ravages of war. Even the most modest of towns and villages are fortified with walls. The larger dwellings are equipped with multiple rings of defensive barriers. The extensive fortifications of the orcs are engineered by professional builders, slaves, the labor of black orcs, giants, and other massive creatures capable of relocating enormous stone blocks.

Customs

Githirmil cremate their deceased on funeral pyres. When they eliminate adversaries, they occasionally deface the remains and seize body parts as trophies. Soldiers of the Orchish Empire also carve or sear their unit insignia into the fallen.