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Daily Life
| Time of Day | Typical Activities (Orc) |
|---|---|
| Morning | Dawn Stone-Cleansing (ritual washing of tools), communal breakfast of Stone-Stew, and a brief War-Chant to energize the day. |
| Midday | Work shift in the forge or mines; apprentices practice Runic Engraving under master supervision. |
| Afternoon | Training in the War-Yard (weapon drills, siege-engine operation), followed by a Runic Study Circle for younger clan members. |
| Evening | Return to the Great Hall, share a feast, recount the day's deeds, and perform the Evening Drum (a low-frequency beat that resonates through the basalt walls). |
| Night | Guard duty on the Storm-Capture Towers, night-watch storytelling around the fire, and personal meditation on the Rite of the Ironblood. |
Seasonal Differences
- Spring (Bloom of Iron-Bark)
planting of iron-bark saplings; festivals celebrating renewal. - Summer (Forge-Season)
peak production; long days of smelting and siege-engine testing. - Autumn (Harvest of Stone-Bulls)
communal slaughter and preparation of winter stores. - Winter (Storm-Season)
intensive lightning harvesting; many rituals focus on binding magical energy for the coming year.
Children and Family Life
Orcish children are raised communally within the clan, though birth parents maintain a special bond. From age six, children begin helping in the forges by carrying tools and sorting ore. At age ten, they choose a preliminary path
forge-craft, beast-tending, hunting, or shaman-study
though they may change paths until the Rite of the Ironblood at age fourteen formally marks adulthood. Play among Orcish children revolves around miniature forge-games, wrestling, and competitive rock-throwing, all of which build the skills they will need as adults.
Festivals & Celebrations
- Feast of the First Hammer (founding day)
the grandest annual celebration, lasting a full week in autumn. - Thunder-Drum Festival (mid-summer)
celebrates storm-capture with music, competitions, and feasting. - Runic Night (annual night where all runic tablets are illuminated by magical fire)
a winter ceremony of remembrance and renewal. - Fire-Forge Festival (at Ember-Watch)
a joint Orc-Drakonian celebration of smithing arts, held at the autumn equinox. - Night of the Iron-Born (spring equinox)
commemorates the creation myth; young Orcs who have recently completed the Rite of the Ironblood are formally presented to the full clan.