Uk'rotal

A thousand years ago, a hundred orc tribes inhabited the Northern Wall. Conflicts were frequent and bloody. A battle involving two dozen tribes resulted in a single orc, Bekor Tuuk, surviving. With his and so many other tribes destroyed, he vowed to put an end to the needless bloodshed. He spent years going from tribe to tribe claiming to be the strongest orc in the mountain, as there could be no other way to survive the battle. Those who listened and became his followers began calling him Uk'lo Tuuk. It would take him the rest of his life, but after 35 years Tuuk was successful in uniting all the orcs of the Northern Wall as a single people, the Uk'orin. Upon Uk'lo Tuuk's death, instead of mourning is passing the Uk'orin celebrated it by reenacting the great battle he survived. The last still able to fight was given great respect and started to be called Uk'lo herself by the rest of the Uk'orin. Thus the tradition of the Uk'rotal and the passing of the Uk'lo was born.

At any time and for any reason, a member of the tribe may request an Uk'rotal be performed. One week later the tribe gathers to take a vote. Both the requester and Uk'lo refrain from casting a vote. If a majority of the tribe agrees that an Uk'rotal is needed then one will occur and the requester earns the title of Chir'lo, the "Wisest". If a majority disagrees then one does not occur and the requester is banished from the tribe for exactly one year. During this year, they carry the title of Tulok, "the Disruptor" with them. Regardless of the outcome, another Uk'rotal can not be called for at least one year. When an Uk'lo dies an Uk'rotal is automatically called and approved with no one being banished. In rare circumstances, the current Uk'lo may request an Uk'rotal. In this can he or she will be treated as both the Uk'lo and the Chir'lo. Should the request be denied, the Uk'lo does not become a Tulok, and must continue in their role of Uk'lo.   Once an Uk'rotal is called, messengers are sent to the neighboring tribes, regardless of the current diplomatic situation, wearing the skull of an animal on their head. They inform that tribe's Uk'lo that an Uk'rotal has been called and that their presence is required to verify the proceedings have been followed according to traditions. From this point until one week after the Uk'rotal, no hostile actions may be taken by or against the tribe. Each visiting Uk'lo arrives the day of the next full moon and are treated as honored guests at a grand feast. The following morning they sit with those not participating and watch the trial to its conclusion.   The dawn following the feast the Uk'lo will stand in the center of wither an arena or clearing with the rest of the participants forming a ring around the edge. The Uk'lo will speak the sacred words and then all the participants charge the center and a massive unarmed and unarmored combat begins. Killing is not allowed, and the combat will usually last most of the day with the pace slowing down as the day goes on. Once only a single Uk'orin is left standing the visiting Uk'lo will rise and proclaim their recognition of their new – or rarely, continued, should the previous Uk'lo emerge victoriously – equal.   The final step of the Uk'rotal is a ritualized banishment of the Chir'lo. As is the case when an Uk'rotal is denied they are banished for one year. However, in this case, it is seen as a great honor. As a token of the tribe's appreciation for continuing their most sacred tradition, he or she is provided with a decorative kuruk with gold or silver embroidery. This final step ensures that a Uk'rotal can't be called for personal gain and can only be done for the good of the tribe

Orcs who do not participate wear a brown kuruk, or shawl, to signify as much. Those who have been defeated wear a decorative kuruk. These decorative kuruks are symbols of great honor and are passed down between generations as sacred family heirlooms. The Sho'rin will be given a decorative kuruk with gold or silver embroidery.

All able-bodied orcs are expected to participate. Not doing so is considered disrespectful and is seen as a sign of weakness and cowardice. The current Uk'lo stands in the center of the field or arena and says the sacred words that have been passed down for a millennium. If there isn't an Uk'lo in the tribe, usually because the Uk'lo died, the eldest participant says the words instead.   Those who are too young, too old, or otherwise incapable of fighting watch from the sidelines. It is their job to watch for orcs who have fallen and are unable to continue fighting. When they see one they will rush into the fray and lay a decorative kuruk them.

Once an Uk'rotal is called the tribe must wait until the next full moon. On that night a feast is held that is larger than any other feast in the Uk'orin tradition. The following dawn, the sacred words are spoken and the trial beings.