Every day of your life

Bonesung Reller swayed back and forth in time to the music that was ringing in his ears. His fellow mystagogues blew on their wind instruments, the disconsolate sound blowing around the mystagogue like wind in a tunnel. The mood in the room was tense, the onlookers anxious, excited but nervous, straining to hear through the thickening of fear.

The bitter taste of aniseed filled his mouth like bile. He could hear the voices getting louder and louder, but the din in his head was too much. Blood makes noise his teacher had warned him the first time he ever tasted Hope. This was what she had meant... his heart racing, his blood pounding, shouting through the roar.

For a moment he thought he heard a new voice. Discordant, disjointed, rising and falling. He reached for it, but his blood denied the memory of the acts.

Crestfallen he new he had failed. The moment was gone. He'd have to try again after the silence returned. All that was left was a bitter taste in his mouth.

All orcs hear voices, and the Unshackled believe they are those of their ancestors, reaching out across the Howling Abyss to guide those who have come after.

Overview

The Imperial Orcs Assembly, in the words of Bloodcrow Knott, have stated that their highest calling is the creation of an "Assembly of the Ancestors" to receive the same status as any other assembly of the Imperial Synod. The judgement was controversial - attractracting almost as much opposition as support. What it did get was the attention of every orc in the Assembly and so it passed narrowly - but with a greater majority. It was supported by a similar statement of principle in the General Assembly however, raised by Matteus with the Woodwych Harts, suggesting that such an assembly could explore the role of the Virtues in how orcs become ancestors.

One of the reasons the judgement may have proved controversial is the legal challenges it poses. It calls on the civil service to provide the same recognition and support for the Assembly of Ancestors as any other Assembly. But no assembly of the Synod has any particular ability to influence the civil service - they are there to support the Synod in the legal execution of its powers, they're not there to change the legal framework. To do so, in response to a request from the Synod would be profoundly unconstitutional and very dangerous.

The judgement cannot affect the civil service, but it has affected many Imperial Orcs, reminding them of the importance that many place on their ancestors and encouraged them all to look for ways to build on lost traditions and revitalise the links to those who have shown they have the strength to return over the Howling Abyss. With the help of the Illarawm in particular, Imperial Orcs are looking for new opportunities to embrace their ancestors.

As the Empire grows and more orc septs are freed, we must face a hard truth. Despite Doctrine affirming the importance of the Ancestors’ guidance in the orc soul’s journey, Synod holds no place for them. If we are truly an Empire of Liberation, an Empire that breaks chains and gives voice to the once-subjugated, we must create a new Assembly. An Assembly of Ancestors. A place where every orc within the Empire and those still hesitant to join it, can know their Ancestors’ voices will be heard. An Assembly to share guidance through those voices, led by our own spiritual leaders - those who hear the Ancestors most clearly. The Unshackled call for the creation of the Assembly of Ancestors, with the same recognition and support from the Civil Service as any Synod Assembly - this is the highest calling of our Assembly.

Bloodcrow Knott, Imperial Orc Assembly Assembly, Autumn Equinox 387YE, (Upheld with a Greater Majority 60-46)

Constitution

• The current legal framework offers no basis to support such an assembly
• It is not clear who would join the assembly other than Imperial orcs

The civil service passed a copy of Bloodcrow Knott's message to the Constitutional Court to see if there were any recommendations that they could offer. Unfortunately, they have been unable to provide much in the way of encouragement. The Constitution defines the broad structure of the Synod - its interpretation has always confirmed the requirement for the virtue assemblies and the national assemblies, as well as the General Assembly and Assembly of Nine. When the Imperial Orc Assembly was established in Winter 377YE, some scholars opined that the motion may not have been necessary - that the Assembly should have come into existence the moment the Imperial Orcs became the tenth nation of the Empire.

The Constitution does not leave room, however, for the creation of any further assemblies outside of this structure. Despite the calls for an Assembly of the Ancestors to be made, there is no way to create such an Assembly within the framework of the Synod. The Tribune and magistrates have also opined that is profoundly unclear what legal remit and powers such an Assembly would or could have - how its membership would be defined, which judgements it would have access to, and what moral authority it would wield.

The Synod will establish assemblies that each may know their virtue and select the most virtuous amongst them to lead. Voting in the Synod will be performed by such assemblies as are rightfully able to weigh the virtue of an action or individual, in accord with their nationality and authority.

Imperial Constitution

Even if that were not so, there would be considerable problems trying to establish an Assembly of the Ancestors in the Synod. There are orcs in the Marches, but none of them attend Anvil, and so they are not active in the Synod. There are a small number of Apulian orcs in the League, but only a tiny number of them attend Anvil. Most orcs in the League have eagerly embraced the Virtues rather than focus on their Grendel ancestors. It's worth noting that a companion judgement in the League Assembly supporting this goal, submitted by Chessia Gordost Von Temeschwar was upheld, but not with a greater majority. As a result, any Assembly would consist almost entirely of Imperial Orcs. At which point the obvious constitutional question it begs is how this new assembly would be any different to the existing Imperial Orc Assembly.

Ultimately, any change would be a matter for the Senate - there is no possibility that the civil service could simply institute such a thing - it could only be as a result of a Senate motion. The Court advise that such a motion would require a constitutional vote to pass and ratification by the Throne. It would need close scrutiny by the Court, and they are clear that they see few ways it might pass. Whether a motion passes or not always depends on the exact wording, but in this case, the prospects are dim.

Given the problems raised by the Court, most Imperial Orcs have focussed their efforts on searching out opportunities for what they might achieve instead.

The Writing on the Wall

• The Illarawm propose the creation of the Annals of the Ancestors
• The sept will carve the name, deeds and words of the ancestors onto the walls of their ossuary
• The Imperial Orc Assembly can use a statement of principle to select a single ancestor to be honoured each season

Two and a half years ago, the Empire completed the construction of the Grand Ossuary in Skarsind. This massive edifice gave the Illarawm a home, a place to store their sacred bones as well as a stake in the nation. The gift, asking nothing in return, was enough to persuade the Illarawm to embrace their new home and join the Imperial Orcs.

Now it seems they stand ready to return the favour - they have proposed that the Ossuary could be used to create annals of the ancestors. The plan is simple, building on similar approaches that other assemblies have already adopted. The Wintermark Assembly maintains the Chronicle of Heroism, the Prosperity Assembly compiles the Roll of Benefactors. Surely the Imperial Orc Assembly could be called on to do likewise?

Writing holds a special importance for many members of the Imperial Orcs. The idea that someone's words could inspire or advise orcs generations down the line is incredibly compelling - particularly for the Sunstorm, who for many decades were unable to create such records. One way to find a place for the ancestors would be to take steps to record their insight - to document their advice for any orc of the future who needs it. Such an act would be the ultimate expression of the power of the written word. If the Imperial Orcs can immortalise the words of an ancestor, they could serve to create a bridge between them and those who come after, allowing their words to echo through the ages.

But where to store such important writing? A thing of invaluable worth, it would need to be protected against damage or theft. Rather than raise a new library, the Illarawm present a solution that meets with the approval of many. Rather than use paper or vellum, they would inscribe the words in stone, creating a record that would last centuries. Rather than raise a building and line it with tablets of stone, arrayed on shelves, they propose to use an existing structure and etch the message on the bones of the building itself.

Once each season, the Imperial Orc Assembly could use a statement of principle to name an important ancestor, describe their ancestor and provide a record of the most important words the Ancestor has spoken since passing over the Howling Abyss. If the statement achieves a greater majority (if there are multiple statements raised in the same season, only the one with the greatest margin will be successful), then the Illarawm will carve the ancestors words into the stone walls of the Ossuary. Illarawm mystagogues will ensure knowledge of the ancestor is spread far and wide, and help others to hear their voice.

Rookery Without Crows

• The Legion's Rookery could be amended to produce one or two less liao, and instead provide doses of Hearkeners Hope
• Imperial Orc congregations could be amended to produce one less liao, and instead provide a dose of Hearkeners Hope
• Hearkeners Hope allows an orc to hear their ancestors' voices more clearly for a short time
• The egregore has six doses of Hearkeners Hope for their fellow orcs to examine
• The Imperial Orc Assembly can accept the offer with an appropriately worded statement of principle that passes with a greater majority

With the attention drawn to the discontinuity between orc religious beliefs and the framework of the Synod, members of the Yerende have pointed out the problem with liao. The civil service distributes liao to Members of the Synod to enable them to tend to their congregations. Since orcs can make no use of liao, many preachers see it as little more than a trade good, useful for exchanging for coin or political favour, but of no great significance to the congregations of Imperial Orcs who seek spiritual counsel.

Black Tillers, a band of Yerende living in Gildenheim, point in particular to the Legion's Rookery. The Imperial Orcs revere the worth of this building, it having stood for over two centuries, and its true consecration to Ambition inspires many within the Unshackled to strive even harder to build their nation up to ever greater heights. Yet as a great work, its sole benefit is to provide the congregations of Skarsind with yet more liao that they can make little use of.

The skilled herb-tenders of Black Tillers have a proposal to fix that. If backed by the Imperial Orc Assembly, they will trade away some of this additional liao - there is plenty of demand, particularly in Axos - and use the proceeds to prepare small quantities of a powerful narcotic they call Hearkeners Hope. There are no valuable herbs in the concoction - rather it is a preparation created using various rare plants, not unlike those found and employed by the mystics of Kallavesa. The Tillers will not disclose the secret of its production, but they are prepared to use the bounty produced by the Legion's Rookery to share the results with their fellow Imperial Orcs, and theoretically any Navarr who make use of the wayhouse in Skogei Glens.

Hearkeners Hope is a reddish-brown syrup with a taste of aniseed that is noticeable by anyone who so much as smells it. An orc who ingests it feels a powerful sense of communion with their ancestors, which can last as much as an hour. Though it is not fully effective for everyone, many orcs claim it allows them to hear the voices of their ancestors more clearly for a time, and some shamans report that the voices of ancestors can separate, making it easier to distinguish one from another. It can be uncomfortable to use; however, some orcs claim that making their ancestors louder is not always a pleasant experience. (OOC Note: Please be aware that Hearkeners Hope is not liao that can be used by orcs, it is a consumable that has a roleplaying effect. As we've said previously, there is no way for orcs to use religious skills).

If given leave to produce Hearkeners Hope, the Black Tillers will commit to sharing a single dose of it with each Imperial Orc who tends to a congregation in Skarsind. In practice, this will alter the Legion's Rookery great work such that each congregation receives one fewer dose of liao, but instead a dose of Hearkeners Hope each season. If the Imperial Orcs wish to adopt the proposal, they will need the Assembly to submit a simple statement of principle thanking the Tillers for their work and instructing them to trade for one dose each of Hearkeners Hope.

Alternatively, the Assembly could commit to this and use their statement to ask the Black Tillers to trade all the liao from the Rookery. If that happened, the Rookery would produce no liao but would instead provide two doses of Hearkeners Hope to every congregation in Skarsind. If pushed, the Yerende could go further - the Assembly could use their statement to ask them to trade as much liao as possible. If that happened, the Rookery would produce two doses of Hearkeners Hope instead of liao, and every Imperial Orc congregation would produce one less liao than normal and receive one dose of Hearkeners Hope instead.

The Black Tillers have provided half a dozen doses of the rare substance to the Imperial Orc egregore to help the Assembly decide if the offer is worthwhile. If the judgement passes with a greater majority, they will begin distributing the strange narcotic immediately; otherwise, they will look to other endeavours.

Hearkeners Hope is mildly poisonous for humans, any who consume it risk fever and a powerful feeling of dread.

Spanning the Abyss

• For the next year, the Imperial Orc Assembly can use a mandate to urge their shamans and mystagogues
• Each season, they can choose a single non-Imperial orc sept to learn more about their ancestors

Bloodcrow Knott's statement talked of hard truths - one such truth is that the Imperial Orcs still know comparatively little of the beliefs of those orc septs who are outside the Empire. Years of fighting with the barbarians have taught the Empire much about how to fight the Druj, the Grendel, the Jotun, and the Thule, but it has yielded precious few secrets about their ancestors. The Empire knows the name of some of them, but often little more than that. The same can be said for other septs - the Great Forest Orcs, the Marcher orcs, the Dreamers of the Dark Forest, and the distant orcs of the Commonwealth. Who were they? What tales are told of their deeds? What lessons did they leave for future generations? And perhaps most importantly, what words do they impart to those who came after? If the Imperial Orcs know more about the beliefs of other septs, what might they learn?

Given that the Imperial Orcs have declared the ancestors to be the Assembly's highest calling, many shamans and mystagogues are ready to do their bit to help. It might be dangerous, especially in Druj lands, but the assembly could ask them to travel beyond the Empire's borders to meet with another sept and find out more about their beliefs. A season's work would be enough to learn more about any one sept's ancestors, their names, their stories, their words.

For the next three seasons, the Imperial Orc Assembly can use a mandate to ask the mystagogues and shamans to learn more about the ancestors of a single non-Imperial orc sept.

A nation is much more than lines on a map. We send (named priest) with 15 crowns to lead a delegation of mystics and shamans to discover more of the ancestors of the (named sept).

Synod Mandate, Imperial Orc Assembly

If this mandate is enacted, the named priest will lead a group of willing orcs in search of information and lore about the ancestors of the named orc sept. It must be a non-Imperial sept, but it could be any sept the Empire has encountered, anywhere in the world.

Further Reading

• Imperial Orcs religious beliefs
• The Highest Calling - 387YE Autumn wind of fortune introducing the highest calling