Blackfist Tribe

The Blackfist tribe is an orc tribal society that lives among the high western plains of the Iron Mountains north of the Fuldelf Ridge. Living in traditional family steddings the Blackfist are independent often fighting among themselves, as well as neighbors, for land. A child may not become an adult until they have blooded themselves in battle.

In addition to herding and high altitude agriculture (wheat, millet, and barley) the Blackfist raid the Bornheim settlements in the Rakarian Valley and the villages of Brundswag.

• Location: Iron Mountains
• Etymology: Blackfist Orc
• Total Area: 7,000 sq. miles

  • Jerclaw: 35 acres
  • Warreck: 31 acres
• Population: 35,000

  • Jerclaw: 3,000
  • Warreck: 1,500
  • Villages: 28,000
  • Isolated: 2,500

Jerclaw is the largest walled town on the high plains and serves as the center of the tribe. The largest clans have lodge houses either within the walls or in the nearby villages.

The spiritual center of the tribe, this walled town is comprised mostly of spiritualists, magicians, and the clergy. No warleader may call for battle unless they receive the blessing of the the town's leaders. There are five leaders, each selected by one of the five major houses - Fire (Purifier), Water (Life Giver), Earth (Wealth), Storm (Change Bringer), and Divine (Strength).

It is expected that each clan head will journey to Warreck at least once each year. By tradition when a tribe member comes of age they will travel here to beseech the gods and spirits for a strong life.

There are nearly forty villages ranging in size from one-hundred to one-thousand (100 - 1000) orcs. Most of the villages are families or extended clans.

The Blackfist practice extensive tattooing and body piercings. Taking a mate within the same clan is greatly frowned upon. Each clan is lead by a male chief and each family is led by the eldest female. A family in more than one clan will have sister-chiefs, each responsible for their clan-family. A clan may select a War Chief or Hunt Chief to lead during battle. The Chief of Chiefs is the clan chief of the Jerclaw.

Among the Blackfist there are three distinct moieties: Elders, youths, and spirit-talkers. Within each moiety there exist several distinct clans. Within the elders and youth kinship is matrilineal, with children born into the clan of their mother and taking their social status from it. Maternal aunts and uncles are responsible for teaching their nieces and nephews. The spirit-talkers derives identity by one's strength summoning and controlling spirits, making status far more flexible.

A Blackfist will identify themselves by their moiety and then clan unless they have earned a title. Withing each clan are families, traditionally associated with a totem. Very large families can be split among several clans, which would require them to name themselves by family-clan.

• Urik Haruk: Great northern clan - second largest clan
• Urik Jevvam: Northwestern clan
• Urik Tuask: West-Southwest clan - smallest clan
• Urik Jerclaw: Southern clan - largest clan
• Urik Boktko: Eastern clan
• Urik Warreck: Spirit-Talkers only
• Kantan: Lost clan - Blackfist who have abandoned their homeland

• Ram family: Haruk and Jevvam clans
• Bear family: Jerclaw clan
• Black family: Jerclaw clan
• Lion family: Jevvam and Boktko clans
• Leopard family: Boktko clan
• Holly family: Tuask clan
• Falcon family: Haruk clan
• Eagle family: Jerclaw clan
• Vulture family: Jerclaw clan
• Swift family: Haruk clan

Among Clan Warreck family is based not on your mother, but upon the spirits that answer your call. Earth, Fire, Storm, Water, Tree. Each Blackfist that enters this clan leaves behind all ties of their former clan or family. They are free to seek mates and have children. Those children born of Warreck women will be fostered with sisters or aunts.