Orc Factions?

[adriensourdot]

hi all,
working on a setting in Wilderland,
looking for info on actual Orc factions and clans,
I would like to play with their politics and have a spin at turning them against each other!
Any data about that?
thx

[Tolwen]

hi all,
working on a setting in Wilderland,
looking for info on actual Orc factions and clans,
I would like to play with their politics and have a spin at turning them against each other!
Any data about that?

In Rivendell there is quite something on current orcish politics in Mount Gram and former Angmar, so I would advise you to look on these as a first resource for developing a TOR campaign with such elements. You can find a bit on the Gundabad area in Heart of the Wild though there is not that much.
Tales from Wilderland has a bit in it (at the Dwimmerhorn), and Darkening of Mirkwood the orcs in Mirkwood feature repeatedly, though these do not have the type information you're looking for, as these orcish appearances are always in the context of cannon fodder for the real masters.

A setting you're looking for (orcish factions plotting against each other) is probably not that likely in the Late Third Age, as the Dark Overlords (Sauron & Nazgûl) are beginning to plan and prepare for the great war and "independent" orcs with the ability to plot against each other (beyond a local level when vying for the post of chief) is unlikely as a more tight control is exercised. Of course does this not mean that it can't exist, just that it is less likely in this time.
In former times, when Sauron was weaker and in hiding, the orcs in the Northwest were much more on their own and power plays and scheming "politics" as you envisage them more likely, simply because they had more chances to engage in it (due to a lack of a powerful central evil control that could simply enforce its wishes).

For inspiration of how orcish "politics" might look like, a look into MERP's campaign books can be insightful. In Mount Gundabad (MG) you find a good template for typical orcish factions and political scheming on a regional scale (both as a vassal of Angmar and later independently). Some additional info (though not much) can be found in Goblin-Gate and Eagle's Eyrie.

For your idea of playing one faction against the other, MG might be especially helpful as the author developed it already that way.

Cheers
Tolwen

[Falenthal]

You might also pick up some ideas, specially for the characterisation of some Orc-chieftains, from the videogame "Shadow of Mordor". It has an interesting way of presenting the orcish fight for power from the inside.

[Fenton Hardy]

Welcome to the forum.

Orc factions and politics are interesting to me as my players are learning of and exploiting tribal rivalries. Tolwen identified the best sources. When I started thinking about the orc factionalism and motivation I was taken by Shagrat and Gorbag's discussion at the end the Two Towers, when they reminisce about the old days when they operated in small bandit groups free from control. It seems the Battle of Five Armies and the expulsion of the Necromancer would create the conditions, at least temporarily, in which aspiring chiefs struggled against each other to gain and consolidate power. Internal and intertribal squabbling would create the conditions for smallish orc bands to operate independantly in the Wilderland, at least until some more powerful enemy imposes unity. Players can take advantage of these conditions to further their own goals. My group is trying to play orc factions against each other in effort to retake the Greydelve.

[Glorelendil]

The MERP Moria supplement also has something about factions.

But I think Tolwen has it right that as the 3rd Age draws to a close orcs are losing their independence. One of my favorite passages from Lord of the Rings:

“It’s going well, they say.’
‘They would,’ grunted Gorbag. ‘We’ll see. But anyway, if it does go well, there should be a lot more room. What d’you say? – if we get a chance, you and me’ll slip off and set up somewhere on our own with a few trusty lads, somewhere where there’s good loot nice and handy, and no big bosses.’
‘Ah!’ said Shagrat. ‘Like old times.”

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.

[pridedog]

This would be good ideal for a one shoot. Players are orcs on their own for one year and they die at the end. Having ideals brewing.

[Tolwen]

This would be good ideal for a one shoot. Players are orcs on their own for one year and they die at the end. Having ideals brewing.

If you haven't already, you should then have a look at Issue 14 of OM. There's a long article about the implications of playing "bad guys" in Middle-earth - especially in the context of a one-shot adventure. It also has ideas how to deal with the various possible settings and situations that are likely to come up.

Cheers
Tolwen

[adriensourdot]

You might also pick up some ideas, specially for the characterisation of some Orc-chieftains, from the videogame "Shadow of Mordor". It has an interesting way of presenting the orcish fight for power from the inside.

yes! I have the game! It's a good source for RP yes.

[pridedog]

Thanks Towlen where can I find that and being a noob at games in middle earth setting OM ?

[Tolwen]

Thanks Towlen where can I find that and being a noob at games in middle earth setting OM ?

"OM" stands for Other Minds, an international journal for gaming in Middle-earth. Just follow the link in my signature. Then go to the "Downloads" section and there you are
The article I spoke about is in Issue 14, but you may find the other ones (current one is 15) and our predecessor magazine from the '90s (Other Hands; downloadable at the OM site as well) useful too
Happy reading, and if you have any questions - just ask


Cheers
Tolwen