The Orckish Menace

The Orckish Menace, by Vasilios Politides, a pamphlet first published in 224 YD.   It is well acknowledged among all sensible folk that it is the destiny of Colosse to gain dominion over all the world. It has been decreed by Teokt, God-King, Lord of War, and Tempest Manifest, that Zemim is to be Exarch over all Ura. Indeed, so stunning have been the exploits of our esteemed Imperator and his generals, that all nations and peoples of this continent have fallen prostrate and begged admittance into our Imperium.   Among those few who still stubbornly resist the Doom of Teokt are the insolent orcks of the north and other places. They are a rowdy and violent stock, unwilling to be governed by any hierarchy, and preying on those weaker than themselves rather than engaging in any industry. They have been known even to consume the flesh of rational folk in sadistic rituals to their dark god Gruumsh. They were brought here in times past from the Old Continent as foederati to battle the lizardmen and the dragons, and so fierce were they in war that our forebears scarcely had to fight to secure much of this land. Though they lacked the foresight to fully subjugate or eliminate them after the wars, our ancestors possessed wisdom enough to restrict the orcks' habitation to certain regions, such as the northern mountains where many now dwell.   And so, with the orcks' bloodthirst and stubbornness in mind, I must urge you to understand the need for their total elimination from the Colossean Imperium. If they be not subdued, it will not be long before they descend upon the civilised folk of the Imperium, having multiplied greatly since the Dragon Wars, and wreak such destruction as to overshadow even the Great Winter which drove us to this land. Of course, our great Imperator will have in mind already the most fitting means by which to end the Orckish Menace, be it expulsion to Dukhala, forced subservience, or the extreme penalty, or some other cunning device. We must all therefore be ready when the other threats have been ended, and we are called on to end this final danger.