Bonesplinter Camp
From PatchworkWiki
The southern half of this patch is a featureless grassy plain which stretches on for miles. The tall grass has been baked golden-brown by the late summer sun and ripples in waves as it is blown by a stiff breeze. The grass plains end abruptly at the foot of a mountain slope that rises steeply at the northern edge of the patch. The slope is covered in a dense pine forest made up mainly of giant redwoods. A creek snakes its way down the mountain slope and across the plains, shimmering silvery-gold in the sunlight.
On the plains herds of buffalo roam about finding new spots to graze while flocks of crows circle overhead. The forest is teeming with wildlife of all kinds. Birds and squirrels scurry in the tree while, skunks and possums paw through the carpet of needles looking for insects. Even the occasional wolf or bear can be seen moving through the trees. Many of the animals seem strangely fearless, pausing to stare at passers-by.
The only sign of civilization in this otherwise pristine wilderness is the collection of huts and tee-pees clustered around the creek at the base of the mountains slope. Four squat log cabins form the centre of the camp with roughly thirty tee-pees clustered around them. Several large cooking fires burn in clearing within the camp. Several of these clearings also contain tall wooden totem poles carved with primitive images of birds and animals. The camp might easily be mistaken for that of a tribe of native Americans.
Closer inspection reveals that the inhabitants are not native Americans, however, or even human. Though roughly humanoid in form, they are green-skinned, powerfully built and many sport tusks. Some might recognise them as orcs. The people of the Bonesplinter tribe spend most of their day hunting buffalo or working the buffalo products into useful forms for food, clothing and shelter. At night many of the tribes-people gather around the fires and sing songs, tell stories and smoke intoxicating herbs.
Visitors to the camp are treated with suspicion by the tribe but are not attacked. Since the tribe speak only their own language communication may be difficult, though they appear to be fluent in a kind of sign language also. Some trade may be possible.
Inhabitants
Gok-Tar is Chief of the Bonesplinter tribe. He is much larger than Kogor, almost 7 feet tall and equally powerful in build. Streaks of grey in his hair and beard, together with deep lines in his green skin indicate he is past his best years. The rich life of a chief has left his muscles a little softer than those of the other tribe members, but he is still a fearsomely powerful warrior. He typically dresses in furs and leathers like the other tribesmen, though he also wears a large amount of jewellery made from carved bone, feathers and the strange silvery-gold metal. He also has a huge double-headed axe made of the same metal.
Ogrok is the most ancient orc in the village. His gaunt, hunched, wizened figure strikes a stark contrast to most of the other tribesmen. Milky cataracts fill his eyes and what remains of his hair hangs down in limp white tatters framing his shrivelled face. He wears a plethora of pouches, fetishes and jewellery, made from various animal parts. He walks with the aid of an intricately carved staff topped with the skull of a humanoid. He is perpetually surrounded by a noxious odour, a mixture of sweat, urine, smoke and strange herbs. As tribal shaman Ogrok is treated with great respect by the rest of his tribe, even the chief. He spends most of his time ensconced in his medicine lodge, but occasionally comes out to pass on the wisdom of the spirits to the tribe.
Religion
There are several spirits in the Bonsplinter Camp patch. These spirits are disembodied supernatural beings with considerable influence of the natural world and the ability to take on animal form. Killing a spirits animal form does not kill the spirit. These spirits are undetectable by those who lack shamanic spirit sight, unless they take on animal form. Two spirits of note are:
Old Man Raven is a powerful spiritual guardian of the Bonesplinter tribe. He watches over the tribe, offering wisdom and guidance when necessary. Old Man Raven tuaght the first shamans how to practice their magics.
Brother Bear is the heart and soul of the Bonesplinter tribe. He fills the tribe's warriors with strength and courage. He fiercely defends the tribe and its lands from those who would do them harm.
