Vojaki

Vojaki is a general term used to describe the tribes of orc descent that inhabit the wilderness north of Galdra and the Descendant States. The tribes themselves also make use of the word, but it has a meaning closer to ‘warrior’, or to be more accurate, 'they who respect strength’. Individual Vojaks are more likely to refer to themselves by the name of their specific tribe (when dealing with outsiders) or clan (when in the company of their own tribe).

Galdran explorers have counted at least two-hundred Vojaki tribes, each composed of many family clans. A few of the oldest tribes have existed since the Elder Age, however due the scarcity of literate Vojaks, few if any written records can verify this - save the occasional mention in Hylachian textual fragments. In many cases, ancient songs are all that remain.

The most powerful tribe in recent times are the Orelax, the so-called 'Eagle Men’. Comprised of half orcs and humans, the Orelax are a rare example of smaller tribes merging peacefully. Orelax leaders, the Orexars, are said to collect wise men from the peoples they assimilate, and practice more modern farming and manufacturing techniques than other Vojaki. The Orelax have an informal peace with Tordane, making them one of the very few tribes on 'friendly’ terms with the settled lands in the south.

More notorious Vojaki tribes tend to have purer orc ancestry. The Dulikka are a fierce war-obsessed matriarchal tribe that revere Dulicta, the goddess of slaughter, famed for nailing the flayed faces of their vanquished foes to their bucklers. A tribe of red-skinned orcs called the Charneks are infamous for their fire-breathing berzerkers; the Nerguna are known for wrapping themselves in poisonous black barbs and painting white skulls on their faces; while the Kaswadi abduct children, carrying them in cages on huge steppe mammoths for sale to the witches of Azuriel in the far north.

In light of these stories, it is hardly surprising that even well-meaning Vojaks (and their civilised descendants) are met with suspicion and fear in settled lands. However, there are several Vojaki characteristics that are highly prized. They are famed for great endurance, strength and courage; superb tracking and survival skills; archery and bow-making; and unparalleled skill in horse breeding - Vojaki corseks are unequalled in pace, and Vojaki dasteks are the largest, most powerful warhorses on the continent. The Orelax have profited greatly selling mounts to Galdra (who in turn make vast returns selling these on to Jatani crusaders).