Motsham-Koh: History
Motsham-Koh: A History
The Age of Ash: The Ancient Uruk Kingdom
The Age of Ash is generally marked by the lazgul as the first encounter with the Humans of the world. The Uruk were chased back into their swamps and mountains by the humans, and the subsequently hunted down. After several generations of great fear of the humans, The First Warchief, remembered now as Gi'jak, rose up and gathered the scattered clans of orcs and unified them into the Great tribe, known to and maintained to this day as Burz'kal Hont-Ob. Using a fallen human citadel built on their sacred mountain, The orcs took what they had learned about Humans over the years and applied it to their own ends. This was the age of the Maker, when Bloodrock was found deep in the mines and fire was created in the darkened forges. Seeking revenge for the generational slaughter of his people, Gi'jak rallied the other "savages" to his cause. Ettins, Trolls, ratmen and the lizardmen massed into rank behind Gi'jak and Burz'kal Hont-Ob. The Great Horde laid waste to the southern kingdoms of men and drove them north beyond Burz'kal. A great Tribute had been paid by the humans and Gruumsh was satisfied...for a time
The Age of Fire: The Fall of the Orcs
The Orcs learned many ways of the humans in their conquest over the men of the south, some of them harmful. Basking in the seemingly unending riches they had taken, the Orcs of Burz'kal Hont-Ob grew lazy. Over the years, the humans did not dare venture south, The other races of the world rarely left their own lands and as such, contact between the Orcs and others was very sparse, save the occasional Ride that was called by whichever Warchief. Though the frequency of these became less and less as the generations went by. Shamans say that this was the beginning of the fall of the first great Uruk Kingdom. From the shadows of the mines of Burz'kal, a new contact was made. The Drow had come offering gifts of knowledge and tribute in the form strange weapons and fine spider silks. Seeking easy tribute, the Orcs gladly took the gifts of the drow and offered them up to Gruumsh. With their new contacts in the Underdark, the Orcs traded with their drow partners, precious metals and gems for Wood and Fresh food. It would not last. It is said a shaman woke from a terrible dream, and rushed to tell his Warchief of the danger, but before he could make it to the Warchief's chambers, disaster struck. In a blast of primordial rage, Burz'kal erupted. Flame, lava, ash and soot spewed for miles and miles around. The fortress was seemingly destroyed. Survivors were few and far between. The great armories of the first Uruk Kingdom vanished into the rushing lava flows of the ancient volcano. The fields and herds, lost to choking ash and soot. The First Uruk Kingdom was finished.
The Age of Blood: Recent and Current Times
Atleast one hundred generations have passed since the fall of the first Kingdom, none save perhaps the oldest elves and drow could speak to the authenticity of this it's existence, though rumors persisted that he ruins of Burz'kal existed. Lesser warchiefs have come and gone and though tribute was still given and collected, the orcs had reverted to old ways, leading simple lives and roaming the world from the caves and mountains. It remained that way until a different Warchief claimed the title. Grull, a particular large and energetic Orc, led a raid on a gnomish compound, driving them out and claiming what was theirs. With his success, Grull deposed the weak warchief that claimed the title and quickly began to mobilize. Beside him rode Gurdak, a shaman of particular potency. He was quickly elevated to the Warshaman. It was not long until the gnomes' big cousins, The Dwarves of Karagard came to approach the orcs for their transgressions. It in a swift and Brutal defeat, Grull took back into the caves to recoup from the loss. While stitching his wounds, he was approached by two Greenskins, Narbag and Roshnak. They brought word that smoke clouds had been seen building in the south, coming from their ancestral volcanic home. Not long after, Gurdak came and spoke to Grull, telling him that the time was right, and that they must return to Burz'kal. Gathering the tribe together, they set forth on the long trek south to reclaim their birthright.
Views of the Other races
Humans- They leech life from the land and act as if it is theirs. As long as they continue to pay tribute, they please Gruumsh.
Elves- They think us bloodthirsty, but they have not sat with us at a fire since before the age of Ash. Some pay tribute, others fight. We salute their honor in combat and invite them to come tell us their stories.
Dwarves- Vicious and dirty, the dwarves dig deep and build their fortresses high. They are like us in many ways, but fail to see beyond their hole.
