> *"Do not forget: the gods are not gone, so long as their power echoes on in our chants. We are more than warriors and shamans. We are the beating heart of tradition." -Graaol of the Dekha-Kin* ### Overview The pride, joy, and spiritual core of the wild peoples of [[Ash Kordh]], Elementalism is seen by its people as a last gift of the goddess [[Nessa]], whom [[Orcs]] hold in special esteem as their creator. It is comprised of two “spirits”, a shamanic tradition that channels the souls of beasts into their bodies and allows them to cast spells, and perhaps more famously, the *njoshari*: adepts who can use special chants to enhance their bodies and abilities far beyond what most would consider possible. While on the surface, the two varieties of Elementalism seem separate‌, they are actually deeply intertwined and connected. It is through this power that the peoples of Ash Kordh have resisted ever being subjugated by the kingdoms of men, and ruined the hopes of many would-be conquerors. ### A History of Elementalism ##### Origins As the orcs record their history primarily as oral tradition and mythology, often elaborating or using metaphor, it is difficult to ascertain the full truth of the origin of Elementalism. What is agreed upon is that in the days of [[The Revealing]], the goddess Nessa gifted orcs with what are called the *Iirzar*. These six chants are the basis of all Elementalism, used by shamans and njoshari alike, and rumored to be the language of Creation itself. Interestingly, it differs markedly from [[The God Tongue]] used by [[Fire-Speaking]], which has led to a great deal of debate among certain scholars over whose tradition truly descends directly from the divine and if there is more at play. ##### The Time of Ashes (1-158 RY) In the earliest days of Ash Kordh, the world looked very different from what it does now. Multiple volcanic eruptions of immense scale left the land a blighted, ashen wasteland. Instead of abandoning their homeland, however, the wild peoples who made their home in the north who had survived the devastation turned to the *iirzar* just to make their way in the world. Using the power that they had been given, the *njoshari* used their chants to preserve themselves as they set to work reforesting and tending to the area, aided by the shamans who could use their chants to rekindle life among the ashes. This period is held in special regard by the practitioners of Elementalism, as it forged their connection to the world around them and cemented it into traditions kept to this day. ##### The Great Calling (159-326 RY) Once the landscape had really recovered from the devastation of the Revealing, the practitioners of Elementalism had found a grounded place among the tribes and a relative peace. This changed with the first incursion from southern lands, an invasion that quickly pierced deep into orcish territory, until the visions of a *njoshari* warleader (“*goth*” to the orcs), [[Yolmar Ash-Born]] (161-195 RY), seemed to materialize in answer. Yolmar’s charismatic streak and prophetic vision united his people into [[The First Horde]], pushing back the invading humans and reminding the orcs of their warrior roots. Though he was killed in battle at a relatively young age, the impact and the revelations of future danger that his people needed to prepare for has had a thus-far indelible influence on orcish warrior culture. While the first unification of the orcs only lasted about 10 years past Yolmar’s death in 195 RY, it was absolutely devastating to the ambitions of the southern invaders and has left a fear of orcish incursions that lasts to the present day. Almost unstoppable with the power of Elementalism and orcish battle-rage at their back, the Horde not only pushed the humans out of Ash Kordh altogether, but swept downward all the way to the edge of the great deserts of the modern-day [[The Kingdom of Ethilir]], conquering most of what would become [[The Kingdom of Genev]]. Once the tribes again fractured, the Eth were able to use their own magic and soldiers to force the orcs gradually back to Ash Kordh, a process that ended in 224 RY. To ensure an adequate defense against any future hordes, the Eth constructed [[Zorion’s Wall]] along the Sakana River, marking the boundary between Ash Kordh and the realms of man that stands to this day. ##### The Time of Fire (326-561 RY) The period after defeat by the Eth was anything but stable for Ash Kordh. Contending both with advances of empire from the south and internecine conflicts among the tribes and warleaders, Elementalism asserted itself as a core part of orcish identity that was still capable of uniting its practitioners and followers into a force that could repel outsiders. While rivalries and disagreements flourished among orcish warleaders, the preservation and unity of the *Iirzar* and the traditions around them cemented in the Time of Ashes formed the backbone of orcish culture. From around 400 RY to about 458 RY, Elementalism gradually expanded in the north beyond merely the orcs, adopted by some of the other wild peoples in the north, including non-humans who had chosen to leave the south for various reasons and integrated into Ash Kordh’s way of life. This is likely the period when some cross-pollination appeared between [[Elf-Magic]] and Elementalism, as the occasional elf has demonstrated some ability to enhance themselves, though it is unclear how this knowledge was obtained and how pure it has remained, given the elves use magic without need for incantation. Eventually, life resumed a relative calm with a ceasing of hostilities with the south, so long as orcs stayed on their side of Zorion’s Wall. Such a calm, however, could not last forever. ##### The Wars of Resistance (561-685 RY) When hostilities resumed with the Eth Empire, they resumed with an absolute vengeance. [[Emperor Adewale II]] of Ethilir issued an edict demanding the conquest and civilization of all of the lands north of Zorion’s Wall. An invasion followed on a scale the people of Ash Kordh had not seen before, as the Eth had been preparing for almost a decade to advance into the wilderness and conquer its people. The peace the orcs had perceived from their southern neighbors was absolutely an illusion. An intense series of wars were fought, many battles only a few miles from Zorion’s Wall. The fire-speakers quickly found that the orcs had ways to contend with the power of their djinn, while the Eth soldiers themselves were at the mercy of broken ground and opponents considerably more physically powerful and driven. Each invading army was eventually shattered, but the pride of the Eth rulers insisted that failure at the hands of barbarians was not an option. It is often said that their obsession with controlling the vast resources and untapped wealth of Ash Kordh was their destruction. Eventually, the *njoshari* and shamans of Ash Kordh had done so much damage that the Eth were sans resources and manpower when it came to putting down the revolts that boiled over in their other captured territory. Not only did the Eth abandon their campaign in Ash Kordh by 670 RY, but their empire crumbled around them. The cost of such a resistance was notable on the opposing side, as well. Practitioners of Elementalism, once commonly found amongst the orcs, had their population reduced by more than three-quarters. While the tradition still existed alive and well, many stories and other pieces of knowledge were lost. This period is spoken of to this day with great sorrow as well as pride. ##### The Peace of Pine Dancers (686-981 RY) Although human pressure into Ash Kordh hardly ceased in the days after the fall of the Eth Empire, it was considerably less powerful and present. This release in pressure allowed Elementalism time to reconstitute the numbers of its practitioners and in turn they were able to repair much of the damage done to the people of Ash Kordh during the brutal Wars of Resistance. New generations of shamans and *njoshari* put full effort into restoring sacred groves and sites destroyed by conquering armies, as well as carefully collecting the stories of their elders and spreading them far and wide before that generation could pass on. Like a forest recovering from a great fire, Elementalism flourished slowly but surely, spreading back to all of the scattered peoples of Ash Kordh and uniting them in their practice of magic. Several scholars from Leus visited at various points in this period, documenting the effects of the *Iirzar* for the first time, even if the actual chants themselves were kept secret, sparking a new appreciation in [[Zaeylael]] for magical traditions beyond their own. ##### The Second Unification (981-1000 RY) With murmurings among the shamans of a great and ancient evil rising in the West, the divided people of Ash Kordh initially began this period very much at war with each other, even as the kingdoms to the south kept their attention mostly on their own fellow human rivals. Most were not initially interested in heeding the warnings of old legends, preferring to contend with their own affairs and disagreements. However, under the leadership of the *goth* [[Murdak War-Son]], several of the southern bands united and set about forging alliances and conquering warring rivals with the recreation of the ancient Horde in mind. Notably at his side was the first human *njoshari* documented in the histories, a young woman named [[Sorne Fire-Heart]], who served as warleader for the [[Giants]] in [[The Great War]] itself. This unification was not bloodless, instead a ten-year campaign of offering both an open hand and a closed fist that allowed Murdak War-Son’s neighbors and enemies to choose how they wanted to end up following him. While many initially resisted, many more flocked to his banner, encouraged by their shamans. It is well documented that the practitioners of Elementalism played an instrumental role as the glue holding the newly forming Horde together, particularly under the guidance of the shaman Graaol of the Dekha-Kin. Unfortunately, Graaol did not live long enough to see the victory over the ancient enemy that his work had arranged, dying long into the age of grey from a combination of battle wounds and poison. ##### The Days of the Great War (1000-1005 RY) Relatively newly unified, but still incredibly powerful, the Horde moved south in 1001 RY, crossing Zorion’s Wall for the first time since the days of Yolmar Ash-Born and his successor, Lash Flint-Speaker. Under the leadership of Murdak War-Son fighting alongside the giants, they were able to meet the forces of [[The Imperium]] at [[Losena]] and turn the tide of the siege for long enough that [[The Desolate Throne]] could be destroyed and [[The Princes of Iron]] defeated. The cost, again, was significantly high among both orcs and giants, and the practitioners of Elementalism again took the brunt of casualties, particularly the *njoshari*. Since the Great War, the need for a Horde passed, and so the orcs have again fractured, though notably with much more congenial relations between tribes and bands than in the past. Murdak War-Son’s tribe still enjoys significant prominence, and Elementalism did not stop at the borders of Ash Kordh this time. Taken southward by Sorne Fire-Heart, avatar of Nessa, it was used to destroy [[King Damien Aldana I]] (953-1008 RY) of Genev, end the corrupted aspect of Sol he had tapped into, and allowed the Goddess of Death to ascend again into the heavens as a true, restored divinity again. The ramifications of this echo still, particularly since Fire-Heart disappeared at the moment of ascension, leaving the Kingdom of Genev in an interesting and complicated position. ### Characteristics and Abilities Because the chants or *iirzar* are the backbone of both branches of Elementalism, it is useful to discuss each of them in turn. First, however, there are some important distinctions to make between the incantations used by mages and the chants of Elementalism: modification and locking. While incantations used by other traditions cannot be changed without changing the effect, practitioners of Elementalism have been observed weaving chants together, gaining the effects of separate chants simultaneously in a way that allows for a more efficient draw of power. The *iirzar* seem uniquely flexible in their ability to be manipulated for this blending. Now, while some traditions of magic beyond Elementalism are capable of “locking” an incantation, creating a persistent effect without continuing the incantation aloud (see [[Sand-Walking]] and [[Whisperway]] for other examples of this), Elementalism is unique in that the incantations can be both blended and locked, syncing the effect with the beating of the practitioner’s heart. This is potentially lethal for the caster, but incredibly potent in practice. To assist in the channeling of power, many *njoshari* and shamans alike mark themselves with ritual scarification or tattoos called *zahuv*, which streamline the flow of power through the body not unlike the markings used by spellguards in the [[Blood Magic]] school. Within the tradition, there are four chants used by the *njoshari* and two chants used by shamans. The first four–*Badar, Khashin, Sikhar*, and *Unshiir*–are the source of the name “Elementalism”, as each takes their name from the four fundamental elements. The last two–*Denah* and *Zronos*–are less widely known, as shamans are less common than *njoshari*. ##### The *Badar Iirzar* (“The Chant of Water”) There are many documented instances of njoshari either shrugging off or healing grievous wounds, even some normally considered incompatible with life. While the *Badar Iirzar* cannot reattach a severed head or limb, nor can it return the dead to life, it can close even potentially lethal wounds and even counteract some poisons or aid in recovering from some illnesses. ##### The *Khashin Iirzar* (“The Chant of Fire”) One of the most famous qualities of the *njoshari* are feats of speed and strength that far outstrip even those of orcs, who are already significantly stronger than humans. They owe this ability to the *Khashin Iirzar*, which enhances both qualities to supernatural levels. ##### The Sikhar Iirzar (“The Chant of Air”) Perhaps the most subtle of the chants used by the *njoshari*, the *Sikhar Iirzar* is also the least understood. Those who have mastered it use it to blend with shadows and pass in silence, as it allows them to regulate even the body’s automatic processes in a frighteningly controlled manner, including heightening senses and prolonging the time between breaths while still exerting oneself. They are still very much visible, despite the claims of some outside Elementalism’s circles, but stealth comes significantly more easily to them. ##### The *Unshiir Iirzar* (“The Chant of Stone”) Even more famous than the *Khashin Iirzar* is the *Unshiir Iirzar*, which allows *njoshari* to toughen their bodies far beyond what can be achieved by simple body-hardening, to the point where bare skin can turn blades, arrows, and even bludgeoning weapons. *Njoshari* traditionally do not wear armor into battle, partly because it is unnecessary and partially because the psychological effect on enemies of seeing their blades rebound off bare flesh is never to be underestimated. ##### The *Denah Iirzar* (“The Chant of Living/Making”) In the traditions of Elementalism, the *Denah Iirzar* is an expression of all the bonds of Creation, and is used in a number of different ways. Unlike the unified chants of the njoshari, it is fragmented into different verses, each used for different effects. Generally speaking, the *Denah Iirzar* is used to heal wounds and encourage life in the world around the user, but it can also be used to call the souls of beasts into the body of the shaman, creating a terrifying transformation often used in combat. These transformations are always tied to the guardian spirit of the shaman, predatory animals that represent the self-as-defender/attacker. ##### The *Zronos Iirzar* (“The Chant of Death/Unmaking”) Used to spread death, havoc, and decay, the *Zronos Iirzar* represents the destructive forces of nature to the wild peoples of Ash Kordh. It is seen as integral to renewal and inseparable from the *Denah Iirzar*, to the point where some whisper they are reflections of each other even in syllable structure. *Zronos* is always treated with great gravity and care, and many a would-be invader of Ash Kordh has learned first-hand the horrors that come with angering a shaman who knows *Zronos* well. ### Limitations The primary limitation of Elementalism is the fact that practitioners cannot draw from external sources. There are rumors that in some cases, shamans can call upon the spirits of the natural world for additional power, but such things are said to only be done in dire circumstances and the call they make is voluntary on the part of the natural world. In other words, they cannot force power from anywhere the way a blood mage could. A *njoshari* or shaman pays their own blood price for their magic, up to and including to the point of expending their own life. Additionally, anything that can interrupt the chants can end the flow of power, as even a locked chant can be interfered with through ritual. The easiest way to disrupt it, however, is before the point at which the chant is locked: breaking the flow of words and concentration is enough to end the effect, which is why most Elementalists emphasize focus and locking as part of their training. ### Practitioners Almost all of Elementalism’s practitioners are orc-blooded to at least a degree, but that is not necessarily a requirement. The chants could theoretically be taught to anyone with magical potential, though like many of the non-human races, orcs exhibit higher rates of magically inclined children. The traditions are kept preserved within Ash Kordh, however, and to learn one would have to make their home and place among the orcish tribes who roam the area to even access the knowledge. This condition has stopped the tradition from spreading beyond Ash Kordh in most situations. The only widely known exception to this is Sorne Fire-Heart, a human practitioner of considerable fame. ### Political Ramifications Traditionally among the wild peoples of Ash Kordh, shamans and njoshari serve advisory roles to war leaders, though it is not uncommon to see njoshari step into more direct leadership roles during dire times. However, for the most part, practitioners of Elementalism are more focused on their training and preservation of tradition than clamoring for political power. Undoubtedly, the naturally decentralized nature of orcish society lends itself to this attitude, but the role of mysticism as a thing that exists beyond earthly power in the psyche of Ash Kordh cannot be ignored. The reality is that even a *goth* tends to bend to the will of his tribe’s shaman or shamans more often than not, but only if they’re making good sense. There are a few circumstances where Elementalism trumps any other additions to the decision-making process, but those are virtually all related to visions and oracles that seem to come to practitioners in troubled times. In Ash Kordh, power is power, and it is frequently impossible to draw substantively different lines between religion, magic, and politics. ### Religious Outlook For orcs and the other wild folk of Ash Kordh, there is no dividing line that separates out their faith and their practice of magic. Elementalism is worship and those who are able to use its abilities are shamans and njoshari, leaders of their people and guardians of the traditions laid down by the gods and spirits alike. Both the shamanistic branch and the njosharic branch are seen as equally important and both play a crucial role in spiritual life for the tribes, filling ceremonial and functional roles. For many beyond Ash Kordh in the East, this co-mingling of faith and magic is seen as exceptionally dangerous and has added to suspicion of the orcs as well as a misunderstanding of their religious practices: the inclusion of njoshari in religious rites has led to [[The Kingdom of Genev]]'s insistence that they are religious zealot warriors bent on destroying the southern version of religion.