The surface races call them orcs and imagine savages—raiders who descend from the hills to burn and pillage, monsters barely more civilized than the beasts they ride. The Oro-tai allow this misconception to persist. It serves their purposes. Let the humans and halflings underestimate them; let the surface elves believe they face nothing more than tribal raiders. The Oro-tai know who they are, and that is enough.
The truth is more complex and far more interesting. The Oro-tai possess a sophisticated culture with traditions stretching back to before the Breaking. They maintain their own magical practices, their own spiritual leaders, their own understanding of history that differs markedly from what the ‘civilized’ races believe. And they operate networks of agents and observers throughout the surface world, watching, waiting, and gathering information for purposes known only to themselves.
The Tigassi
The Tigassi are the spiritual and intellectual leaders of Oro-tai society. Part shaman, part historian, part judge, the Tigassi serve as keepers of the oral tradition, interpreters of omens, and advisors to war-chiefs. A Tigassi’s word carries enormous weight; to ignore their counsel is to court disaster.
The title ‘Tigassi’ translates roughly as ‘Voice of Memory’ or ‘He/She Who Speaks the Old Words.’ A Tigassi is expected to know the history of their people, the proper forms of ritual and greeting, the obligations of honor, and the ways of reading signs. They serve as the living connection between the Oro-tai and their ancestors.
When outsiders encounter the Oro-tai in formal circumstances, they are typically brought before the Tigassi rather than the war-chief. The Tigassi evaluates them, questions them, and determines whether they are worthy of trust—or simply worthy of consumption. (The Oro-tai sense of humor is… distinctive.)
Weavers
Among the Oro-tai magical practitioners, the Weavers occupy a unique position. Their magic involves song, rhythm, and the manipulation of light itself—creating illusions, sending messages, and performing feats that other races associate more with bardic magic than orcish shamanism.
The existence of Weavers surprises those who expect orcs to practice only blood magic and war-curses. The Oro-tai smile at this surprise. Their magical traditions are older than human civilization; they see no reason why they should limit themselves to what outsiders expect.