Shirish - the orc village on the western edge of the dire peaks, overlooking the dark seas.
Shirish is a small village, comprising of a mix of coexisting orcs, humans, and a small number of elves.
This has naturally created some breeding between races - thus leading to half-orcs, and in some rare, often disturbing cases, half orc/half elves.
The village's main religion is that of Abadar, the god of wealth, merchants, enterprise and holy-magics. This was brought about when the orcs witnessed the destruction of Terraxus from afar, and a small band of rangers from the east had descended upon them, wishing to seek trade and commune, bringing gods and rare items with them.
Another religion practiced in strictest secret, deep within the caverns just south-east of the village is that of Zogadug. The main priest for the church of life and death is Edrazor, an old and withered, grey orc. He is not very trusted by the majority of those whom live in the village, however to those who practice his faith, he is treated as a father.
The small town is run by a powerful and respected Orc, Godrung, a warchief and fighter of strong renown in the dire peaks! His small band of raiders often patrol the northern peaks, seeking out new tests for their strengths in the ways of hill giants, young dragons and otyughs.
The few elves and half-elves that live alongside these beastly counterparts run the merchant side of things and inspire training in the ways of the arcane arts. Although small and often disregarded as mere playfulness, the magic-wielding elves of the peaks are nothing to be smirked at.
On one fateful eve, remembered by a few, a cloaked stranger entered the village. He appeared to be looking for something.. something he knew the orcs had attained at some point, and was willing to trade a great amount of gold for it. This was dismissed as nonsense and he was asked to leave on many occasions.
Not believing that the orc warchief or his head priest or wizards were telling the truth, the man, under the cover of night, broke into the forbidden cave of Zogadug - reaping and removing any who stood in his path. Whatever it was the man found, he screamed in excitement at its recovery and had hidden it before anyone could have noticed. Elisa, Karuks lover, a beautiful half-elf archer in the village, also studying under the clergy, had attempted to stop the stranger, and was struck down by a strange dark bolt.
A disease awakened in her the next day as Karuk was tending to her wounds, one which did not appear to have any known source of treatment. The priests in town were all very afraid that day and not one bore a smile for as long as karuk could remember until the day he left in search of answers... ..whatever had been taken, was clearly of grave, serious importance to his clans healers. He vowed then and there to dedicate his mind to the teachings of zogadug, and to bring his lover back from the dark place she was sent to.. and to put an end to the dark, cloaked figure that took her from him.
Karuk also, before leaving the village, undertook a massive initiation into the church of life and death, being taught the basic ways of healing, the understanding and respect for the dead, and how to bend the undead to his will. He vowed he would use whatever powers came to him to bring his lover back, as he truly feels within himself, that she should not have been taken from this world, and that this sin must be undone, thus, restoring, motherfucking balance.
**Regarding Zogadug.
Zogadug was a swirling chaos that appeared out of the cosmic energy left behind in the aether after lolth had finished constructing her world, Udossta Valshath. He came to be and occurred as the carrier and bringer of the dead to the other side. Being of such simple and dark design, Zogadug has no true emotion when it comes to the dead or the transition from life to death, however, he has slowly been able to form an empathy for those whom he traffics daily. He, therefore, holds very dear to himself, the energies that surround both the divine death magics, and the ones that bring life. Maintaining this balance is of utmost importance to Zogadug.
He has been said to have been seen at very rare points in time, wandering the dire peaks and badlands of the continent by world-weary travellers - these sightings often being brushed off by listeners as simple fantasy. All articles of his sightings have, however, maintained similar descriptions of a tall, dark character, wearing the skull of a ram, and carrying a scythe resembling a spinal cord, with a cloak of feathers and leaves.
Not truly ever relating to or forming friendships or relations with other gods, Zogadug is a very lonely and isolated diety.. weather this speaks to his disturbing appearance and demeaner or his intimidating nature is relative to the god who considers him.
Those whom worship Zogadug often come to him during times when matters of life and/or death are of utmost importance to them, so much so that it begins to consume their entire nature or being, or sense of self. His followers are zealous, as he is, and always seek a balance in life and death, often seeking others to look after and see through to death, so that they too may be carried safely to the other side.
Zogadugs symbol is that of a skull surrounded by thorny vines, sometimes vines with rose petals growing off them. Romantic as it appears, it is usually colored in tones of grey.
Zogadugs favored weapon is the morning star, signifying the first star, the lone light in the sky.
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