| Category | Militaries |
| State | Orchish Empire |
The Orchish Empire possesses one of the mightier militaries in the realm. Where the Orchish Empire distinguishes itself from most other civilizations is in its military doctrine. Their land tactics are superb, if not the finest. Their drill is of the utmost precision, soldier morale is exemplary, and they are methodical in siege warfare. Their fortifications rival those of the dwarves. Their homeland of Grashakh is a mountainous region with abundant rivers and valleys, rendering their holdings highly defensible. The utilization of nearly any beast of burden as a steed, coupled with skyships and the latest in artillery, make even the smallest Orchish outpost a formidable challenge to overcome.
The Orchish Empire's armed forces are led by a general staff and possess an officer corps of the utmost excellence. The foundation for their military doctrine was laid by Blac'drugulois.
Captives, thralls, and the feeble are deemed expendable for the exaltation of the Orchish Empire.
Monty the Mad, "Seeking Triumph, Not Defeat!"
In Orchish Empire society, military proficiency is held in the highest esteem by Githirmil soldiers and other ethnicities that have long served or been reared within the realm - martial rank a symbol of distinction and standing.
The Orchish Empire is divided into three competitive military commands. These constitute the armies of the North Military District (NMD), the Eastern Military District (EMD), and the Central Military District (CMD).
Benâkhâs, the accomplished military strategist of the Khazarkar Empire, penned the influential work "Fograth Warmongering".
Fograth
Fograth is the ground forces of the Orchish Empire. Given the generally malevolent nature of the empire, they employ tactics in combat that righteous armies would refrain from, such as utilizing slaves and feebler soldiers as expendable pawns. This duty often falls upon goblin and kobold slave warriors. During periods of tranquility, numerous such goblins and kobolds revert to their roles as mere slaves.
Fograth cavalry consists of towering lizards, fierce boars, crodlu from the region of Ahunil, and horses hailing from the Hoof Arc. The horses, however, are not afforded the same reverence as the other mounts, often facing neglect or even becoming sustenance for the empire's carnivorous steeds. The army also fields an aerial division composed of fantastic beasts from Maar'tolaak, including chimera, manticore, wyvern, and griffon, which are among the most prevalent.
The army also possesses several specialized units. One of these contingents consists of several dozen ironclad maulers. These magically enhanced dire bears originate from Morath.
The Fograth state maintains three powerful army groups stationed across Grashakh, commanding three distinct sectors within the region.
| Command | Sector |
|---|---|
| North Military District | Mirtheon |
| Central Military District | Inirthak |
| Eastern Military District | Thingrorn |
| Unit | Location |
|---|---|
| Druog | Hrornskar |
| Ebonweird | Argruxiel |
| Feloren | Valangrim |
| Penal Battalion 321 | Collossapolos |
| Geb Vanguard | |
| Griffon Trumpets, griffon riders | |
| Roringrak | Hrornskar |
| Ebonweird | Argruxiel |
| 12th Corps, Surturs Finest (fire giants) | |
| Venom Wing, wyvern riders |
Fothakith
The Fothakith is the name of the empire's naval forces. Its headquarters are situated in the Core Sea city of Moglúr. This naval organization is relatively new, having been established during the final years of the Core Offensive.
The High Command has achieved their ambition of harnessing their martial prowess for the open waters. They persist in broadening their naval pursuits toward Nautrek and beyond.
The military strategist of the Khazarkar Empire, Benâkhâs, once stated, "Fothakith."
Kangrath
The Kangrath is the void and air fleet of the Orchish Empire, becoming a major fighting force. In addition to voidships, the empire possesses skyships and floating citadels that utilize earth and air motes for levitation and propulsion. These motes are typically procured from the giants of Gurnskolf, who are content to assist the orcs, as the motes often end up being used in their conflicts with the Khazarkar Empire.
| Rank | Symbol Tattoo on Righ Arm |
|---|---|
| Trooper | green skull |
| Raider | brown thorn embedded in a green eyed skull |
| Stalker | single jagged-tipped blood red spear |
| Impaler | saw-tooth hand-axe floating over a pool of green liquid |
| Salarai | twin double-bladed deep green battle-axes |
| Imperial Salari | blood red skull pierced with a single jagged blood red sword |
| Bersudin | black and green flaming skeleton bearing a great spear |
| Raider-Salari | four spoke, jagged blood red swords upon a cracked iron-colored skull |
| Skull Bersudin | five spoke, flaming swords beneath an onyx |
Trappings & Protocol
The general alignment of the Orchish Empire is lawful evil. Reverence is to be shown to those of superior rank. Directives must be obeyed, and disregarding such directives results in severe disciplinary measures or even execution. Acts of insubordination and cowardice frequently lead to the stripping of rank and assignment to one of the numerous Penal Battalions.
- all rank insignia is worn on the tunics inlaid on a bronze badge. It is pinned over the creature's heart
- salute is a raised weapon covering one eye
- colors are defined at each level of the unit - super army group down to the platoon
- each army has a unique style and dress
Rituals
The soldiers of the Orchish Empire uphold a customary ritual before and after combat. A prevalent practice among them is to violently remove the left eye of their foes, offering this as a tribute to Gruumsh.
Groups may also have a ritual unique to their members, such as wearing the ears of the recently slain on leather cords. Meanwhile, others like the orcs of Feloren practice using serrated daggers to sever the victim's arteries and drink the blood from charred black cups. Some even inscribe their military unit symbol into the head of the dead. A victorious Fograth army rarely leaves a battlefield free of un-mutilated bodies, believing the defaced remains of their foes will enter the afterlife in a wretched state.