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Community & Knowledge Exchange
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Clan Council | Each tribe is governed by a council: War-Chief, Stone-Keeper, Forge-Master, Elder of Hunts. Decisions by consensus; disputes settled by Trial of Strength (non-lethal combat). |
| Great Moot | Annual gathering where all clans meet at the Ironspine Plateau to negotiate, trade, and compete. The only time all Orcish clans gather peacefully. |
| Oral Tradition | Knowledge preserved by Runic Bards who memorize epic poems. A Bard's memory is sacred; to lie in a recitation is a capital offense. |
| Cross-Civilization Exchange | Treaty of Ironblood (with Azaria): shared mining rights. Limited trade with Dwarves. Occasional mercenary contracts bring Orcs into contact with other civilizations. |
The Great Moot in Detail
The Great Moot is held on the Ironspine Plateau, a vast flat-topped ridge at the geographic center of Orcish territory. For one week each mid-winter, all hostilities between clans are suspended under the Peace of the Plateau. Activities include:
- The Grand Market
the largest trading event of the year, where clans exchange goods, livestock, and craftwork. - The Tournament of Iron
competitive events including wrestling, siege-engine accuracy trials, and war-chant competitions. - The Council Fire
where the Great Council of Iron formally convenes to set policy for the coming year. - The Bard's Circle
where Runic Bards compete for the title of Voice of the Year, awarded to the finest storyteller.
Knowledge Preservation
Beyond the Runic Bards, Orcish knowledge is preserved through:
- Apprentice Chains
each master personally trains one to three apprentices, creating unbroken chains of knowledge stretching back centuries. - Stone-Lore Vaults
physical archives of basalt tablets, the largest located beneath Kragthar Hold, containing over 10,000 inscribed tablets. - Memory-Songs
short, rhythmic chants that encode practical information (mining techniques, herbal remedies, weather signs) in easily memorized form.