Orc Factions?

[pridedog]

Thanks Tolwen now I have download the whole collections got some reading until they release those new books.

[Tolwen]

I think that perfectly expresses it: the 'old times' refers to the not-so-distant past, when orcs could set up their own bands without interference from the 'big bosses'.

Of course, this was in 3019. Depending on the lifespan of orcs the 'old times' could still be during a late 3rd Age campaign.

A late addition to this topic...

Unfortunately Tolkien does not give much info for this, partly perhaps due to his changing ideas concerning the ancestry of orcs. And their supposed violent lifestyle precludes the vast majority from reaching an advanced age anyway.

AFAIK, we have one relative good hint for this question, though its generalisability (and perhaps even canonicity) is a topic in itself...

However, we are told that Bolg was the son of Azog. The latter was killed at the Battle of Azanulbizar in TA 2799, while Bolg (his son) was killed at the Battle of Five Armies 142 years later. So even when Azog sired Bolg shortly before his death, the lifespan of Bolg still is quite remarkable. Here we also have to keep in mind that he went on a stressful campaign far away from his base of power (Gundabad), suggesting that he was physically quite fit at his age and thus probably not near the end of his natural lifespan. The supposed violent lifestyle and high level of deadly intrigue also makes the continued rule of an aging and fragile ruler much less likely (i.e. showing signs of weakness etc.).

And as an idea for possibilities of orcish scheming, here is a summary of what was suggested in MG:

The "Seed of Skorg" (the elite orcs with descent from the first orcish ruler in MG) is the elite from which the king is always drawn. Intense scheming with assassination (attempts), treachery, forming and breaking of alliances is commonplace. Thus sudden and violent death in this orcish "elite" is quite common, but the high rate of orcish reproduction is able to replace losses so that the ranks of this group are always stocked well enough.

Four tribes comprise the orcish inhabitants of MG:

Huvorgha: The fiercest warriors who also provide the guards for the Main Gate.
Burzath: Providing the bulk of miners, tunnelers and builders
Krach-ul: Providing the majority of smelters in the forges
Ilguz: Less warlike, but more subtle. Mostly employed as scouts, trackers and craftsmen/smiths

MG is divided into several factions, representing the - supposed - geography of the mountain with the main peak and two smaller ones: The king controls the strongest force, located in the central peak, while two warlords (also from the "Seed of Skorg") command a separate one each in the two lesser peaks: The combined forces of the two (almost always competing) warlords are weaker than the king's one, but a neutral faction (the force guarding the Main Gate and nominally under the king's control and commanded by an orc NOT from the "Seed of Skorg") may tip the scales in favour of a pretender challenging the king.

In addition the support (or lack thereof) of factions like the orcish priesthood with fearsome sorcerous powers may also be decisive factors for the success or failure of a coup against the king or a warlord. During Angmar's existence, there was also an "ambassador" from it present here, ensuring that MG as the main vassal of Angmar complies with the Nazgul's general wishes concerning politics and power. Of course this person could express satisfaction or dissatisfaction of Angmar with a particular orcish ruler to anyone interested to hear...

Most of the time there is an uneasy balance of power (and terror) between these factions, but there is always the possibility of some unusual events imbalancing this system to cause a renewed (violent) struggle for power in MG.

As already said, in times when Sauron was weak, intense scheming and intrigue is much more likely in MG than during times when Sauron was in power and ensuring that all his vassals and minions follow orders and play their part in the grand plan of the Dark Lord. Excessive wasteful friction in internal conflicts is not well liked by the Dark Lord (some is OK and keeps competition up, but not beyond a certain level).

Cheers
Tolwen