The Draughkarn – The Bloodbound Horde

The Draughkarn are built for war. Towering over most other humanoids, they possess heavily muscled bodies with thick, sinewy flesh capable of withstanding grievous wounds. Their bones are denser than those of men or elves, allowing them to endure brutal combat without faltering. Jagged tusks jut from their mouths, used as natural weapons in battle, and their massive hands are strong enough to crush a human skull with ease. and like most Orc species they have dual "Hearts" meaning that a single stab to the chest is seldom fatal.

Their spines are reinforced with ridged, almost armored growths, and their shoulders sometimes bear bony protrusions—some natural, some sharpened through brutal self-mutilation. Their eyes burn with an eerie, feral glow, shifting in color between crimson and sickly yellow.

In truth this info is not complete as the mating habits of the Draughkarn are a mystery with the females of there ilk kept in seclusion within there cavernous mountain homes though some accounts from dwarven folk claim that there women are "3x as large and 8x as mean".

Their offspring inherit their savage resilience, growing at an accelerated rate compared to humans or elves. Within a year, a Draughkarn child is already capable of walking and fighting, and by the age of five, they are thrown into battle to prove their worth.

Those who show weakness, regardless of age or gender, are culled without hesitation.

• Newborn (0-1 year): Rapid physical development; able to walk within months.
• Child (1-5 years): Trained in combat; expected to kill by age five.
• Adolescent (5-12 years): Fully capable warriors; undergo ritual blood trials.
• Adult (12+ years): Expected to lead raids and establish dominance.
• Elder (40+ years): Rare, as few survive long enough; revered only if still powerful.

The Draughkarn do not settle—they roam. Their warbands sweep across desolate plains, dark forests, and craggy mountains, leaving behind only ashes. They favor harsh environments where only the strongest can endure, such as volcanic wastelands, tundras, and jagged highlands.

Unlike other races, they do not cultivate the land or construct cities. Instead, they inhabit makeshift war camps built from the bones and ruins of their conquests, moving whenever resources have been stripped bare.

It should be noted that they do have a few permenant settlements around Astrathelera though these are not well documented or understood.

The Draughkarn are obligate carnivores, requiring vast amounts of meat to sustain their immense strength. They consume raw flesh without hesitation, and many engage in ritual cannibalism, believing that devouring fallen enemies grants them power.

Some warbands practice a form of "blood fasting," where warriors consume only the blood of their prey for days before battle, sending them into a maddened frenzy.

The Draughkarn experience surges of aggression during periods of seasonal change, especially in colder months when resources are scarce. During these times, they become even more violent, leading to internal purges where the weak are slaughtered to conserve strength.

Their aging process is slower than that of humans but faster than elves. By their forties, most Draughkarn show signs of physical wear, though their bodies remain formidable until death.

The Draughkarn have no concept of mercy or compassion. They do not forge alliances; they subjugate. They do not forgive; they destroy. Their minds are wired for dominance, and they respect only raw, unrelenting power.

Within their ranks, betrayal is common. The strongest are constantly challenged for their position, and those who show even a moment of weakness are swiftly replaced. this should be remembered as while they dont have compassion they do understand it. they have been known to plead and beg acting weak to draw in a foe for the slaughter or to get the gates of a city open. while there are most certainly those that have differing thoughts from the collective they are few and very far between.

To a Draughkarn, there is no higher purpose than survival and strength. Pain is a test, suffering is a teacher, and death is a privilege granted only by an enemy more deserving of life.

The Draughkarn operate under anarchic dominance—there is no law but strength. Their hierarchy is fluid, changing with every challenge for power.

The Warchief (Strongest of the Strong)

• The uncontested ruler of a Draughkarn warband.
• Holds power only so long as no one stronger arises.
• Often wears trophies of fallen enemies, such as skull pauldrons or reforged weapons.
• If a Warchief is killed, their successor is determined by combat, not bloodline.

The Bloodshamans (Masters of Dark Rites)

• Draughkarn do not worship gods, but their shamans practice blood magic, fire rituals, and spirit-binding.
• They read omens in battlefields, perform bone-severing rites, and "bless" warriors by burning flesh with war symbols.
• The most feared Bloodshamans can ignite their own blood into flame, sacrificing flesh for temporary power.

The Warborn (The Frontline)

• Every Draughkarn is a warrior first, second, and always.
• The weak are slain upon birth—only the strongest survive childhood.
• There is no rank among the Warborn—only how many skulls one has taken.

• Prominent, ridged brows that cast their eyes into deep shadows.
• Jagged tusks, often filed into deadly points or reinforced with metal caps.
• Flattened noses, giving them an almost predatory look.
• Glowing eyes, shifting between hues of sickly yellow, crimson, or burning orange in dim light.
• Scarred skin, often self-inflicted to mark victories.
• Thick, coarse hair – Some Draughkarn warriors shave their heads to reduce grab points in battle, while others grow thick, matted warlocks tied with bones or metal rings.

The Draughkarn do not have a homeland—they are nomadic marauders who scorch the land behind them. However, they tend to roam in:

• The Primal Highlands – Their raids frequently target isolated tribes, using the harsh terrain as a breeding ground for survival of the fittest.
• Volcanic Wastelands – Many warbands dwell in ashlands, thriving in hostile environments.
• Mountainous & Tundra Regions – The harsh cold does not slow them, and they often strike settlements that believe themselves safe due to the terrain.
• Ruined Civilizations – Draughkarn warbands take over the remnants of fallen cities, making them temporary strongholds before moving on.

They avoid deep jungles and swamps, as humidity weakens their endurance, and heavy rainfall dulls their senses.

• Draughkarn are not mindless brutes, but their intelligence is practical rather than scholarly.
• Cunning Hunters: They possess keen tactical instincts, using ambushes, feints, and flanking maneuvers to overwhelm foes.
• Savage Engineers: While they do not create new technology, they are adept at repurposing siege weapons and armor from conquered foes.
• Primitive but Effective Communication: They speak in a guttural, battle-hardened dialect, supplemented with growls, snarls, and body language.

They are not artisans, philosophers, or scholars—they learn only what helps them kill.

The Draughkarn possess an exceptional sense of smell, honed to detect blood from great distances, and they can track wounded enemies for miles. Their hearing is sharp, tuned to the subtlest movements, making it nearly impossible to escape them once they have set their sights on a target.

They lack the magical sensitivity of elves or other mystical beings, but what they lack in arcane attunement, they make up for with an almost supernatural resistance to pain and fatigue. Some scholars theorize that their bodies suppress pain responses entirely, allowing them to fight on even with mortal wounds while others claim that they are as durable as any other orc.

Draughkarn names are guttural and harsh, often earned through battle rather than birth. They reflect deeds, kills, or defining traits.

Examples:

• Vorrakh the Spine-Crusher
• Drenka Bloodgnasher
• Khrozar Ironfang
• Ghurza the Goreborn

• Showing weakness of any kind.
• Refusing a challenge.

The Draughkarn do not form alliances—they dominate. Most civilizations fear them, and even other orcs view them as monsters. To the Draughkarn, all others are meat or prey