Garnog Tribe

This goblin community lives in the mountain ridges on the east of the Darnal Valley. The Garnog Tribe has two primary focuses; their military and their manufacturing. A focus on trade with other tribes and towns (including the orcs, Darnal Valley residents, bandits, and Amiro Empire), sometimes through middle men, have allowed them to prosper, gaining both numbers and wealth. This peaceful nature has allowed them to survive while most of the goblin tribes fell under the orc influence years ago.

Hierarchy

The Tribe Leader (entitled a Garnog and providing the tribe’s name) is the chieftan of the tribe. All major decisions are made solely by this person, although he can distribute his power to his lesser chieftains if he so chooses. This is generally split between the Military Commander and a person he designates as his Sub-Garnog. In cases like this the Military Commander will tend to hold more authority, as the military emphasis of the tribe demands. Beneath these top two commanders, the generals have authority and then the Profession Leaders. Generally these two groups stay separate but occasion conflicts can occur between them. The Profession Leaders are responsible for a specific part of the Garnog Tribe’s society, whether that be mining, manufacturing, herding, or trade (among others). The next step include the elite military forces including the Death and Blood Guard before the rest of the military and then the rest of society. The Death guard is a special contingent of the goblin military that is specifically tasked with guarding the burial grounds. Due to many of the goblins being buried with their gear the guards are posted to honor the dead but also prevent grave robbing. The Blood Guard is a contingent specifically tasked with guarding the current Garnog and their family, as well as, the other high ranking members of society. They are regarded as the experts of their craft and are formidable warriors. Slaves are a common sight in the Garnog Tribe. Generally these will be orcs captured in raids or other races that have been purchased, traded, or stolen from the Amiro Empire. In society, the men tend to outrank the women, even if they are technically on the same level. However, particularly fierce women have been known to hold high ranks and form a far more intimidating presence than their male counterparts.

Policies

Although the military is the ultimate leader in the Garnog Tribe, of late they have turned their focus on trade. Smithing iron and copper gear, creating tools and magical devices, and farming cattle, all for exporting to the surrounding tribes and nations is their current ploy. Mainly they trade with bandits, orcs, and discreetly to the Amiro Empire. This has allowed their tribe to stay relatively safe and become rather rich. The military still has a role to play in the tribe’s defense though. Many orc tribes still try to raid the goblin settlements and the wilds are never a safe space to begin with.

Religion

The Garnog Tribe does not focus all that much on religion. Although they have priests, they do not hold a position of power in society. The primary devotion is to Feralse, the god of competition and war but far darker gods have been chosen in years gone past.

Major Events and Occurrences

Birth/Youth

The birth of a goblin is celebrated only within the immediate family. The youngling is brought up by the family until their fifth year at which point they are taken away and placed in units of other youths their age. They are then taught and tested for several years to determine their skills and strengths before they are 10 years old. At this point they are split into separate, smaller units, which further specialize them for the tasks chosen by their masters. During this period all goblins undergo a basic military training even if they do not advance very far. Birthdays are celebrated until they are five. After this point they instead celebrate the day that their unit was formed, using this as a communal birth day.

Harvest Festival

After the second frost of the season, the Garnog Goblins have a huge celebration for the successes from the previous year.

Feast of the New Moon

Every new moon the Garnog Goblins gather at the Blue Gorge as the first slimmer of the re-forming moon rises. This moon reacts with the gorge’s mossy sides and makes the entire place glow and earie blue. Military oaths are re-sworn here and a huge feast occurs as the sun rises. Death and the Procession of the Dead The death of a goblin is not individually commemorated but instead it is a major event, twice every moon cycle, at the half moon. A huge parade is formed, escorting the bodies of the departed from Garl Grock to the burial grounds. Each fallen goblin is arrayed by their family in their military garb and the coffins are artfully depicted with images from the warrior’s life. There is lots of fanfare and joy at this occasion to overwhelm the dark atmosphere. The goblin is then laid to rest with his comrades in a single mass grave. The procession is followed by feasting.

Appearance

During working hours, the goblins have uniforms that they wear, each one helping to signify their position in society and the type of job that they perform. However, after hours and on holidays, there is no average clothing. Fabric types, colors, sizes, and trinkets can all be found. Many of the wealthier tribe members have clothing relating to the fashions of the surrounding nations though some stick with practical leather and hides. The exception is the military members of the tribe. The military, as long as they are in public, always wear their uniforms and ranks. Oftentimes if they are off duty they will tie a red handkerchief around their weapon pummel but this is not always the case. Even when off duty, a military officer always maintains their integrity and must enforce order on society.

Travel

Garnog Goblins tend to walk or march between their different hamlets and camps. However, the wealthy and military have giant mastiffs used for riding and pulling sledges.

Food

The Garnog Tribe’s diet is primarily composed of meat, either from cattle, goat/sheep, wild game, giant owls, or other beasts of the wild. There are a few types of vegetation that are consumed though, like Earthroot.

Leader Title

Garnog

Location

Watchtower of Garl Grock

Garnog Tribe

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Nature's Guardians

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