Om'gora
The om'gora (Orcish: "rite of honor") is an orcish rite of passage, created as a replacement for the om'riggor rite. Whereas the om'riggor taught participants only of the hunt, the om'gora teaches all of what it means to be an orc and can be undertaken by all orcs who have come of age.[1] It is not a quest to earn personal glory, but a pledge to serve, honor, and safeguard the orcs, and to teach the participant that every orc of the Horde needs to be able to carry the burden of protecting and providing for their people.[2]
History
The om'gora was proposed by Aggralan in connection to Eitrigg's proposed re-introduction of the Kosh'harg festival. Aggralan felt that the om'riggor was inadequate, and many orcs—including her life-mate Thrall—were never given a chance to attempt it. Eitrigg in turn suggested that an orc adventurer, whom he felt embodied everything that orcs should aspire to be, should be the first to complete the new rite. Drek'Thar issued a challenge to the adventurer, having them best first his wolves Duros and Drakan and then a projection of his own powers in order to prove that they were worthy of the honor. He then gave Aggralan the title of farseer and appointed her to preside over the Kosh'harg and judge the hero's rite.[1]
The adventurer's om'gora was at the center of the subsequent Kosh'harg in Razor Hill. After the adventurer completed all three steps and completed the rite, the gathered orcs held a feast in their honor.[3] After the Kosh'harg concluded, other orcs began lining up to complete the om'gora themselves. Thrall was determined to go first in line and be the second orc to complete it. His son Durak looked forward to completing it once he came of age as well.[4]
As time passed, many young orcs attempted the om'gora, and it became a popular topic of conversation among Orgrimmar's youths and children (though mainly the Blessing of the Clan, as it produced the most exciting stories). There were rumors that some youths attempted the rite without their parents' blessings. Many orcs were killed while attempting the om'gora, especially many who had attempted to track the hydra Trigore. Durak, who had been withheld from the om'gora by his father, ultimately snuck off and killed the hydra to prove to his parents that he was ready for the rite.[2]
The rite
The om'gora is presided over by a shaman, who acts both as the participant's judge and as their guide.[1] To complete the rite, the participant must earn three different blessings: of the clan, of the land, and of the ancestors. The intent is that once they have earned all three, they will understand what it means to be an orc.[5]
- To earn the Blessing of the Clan, the participant must learn that the clan is only as strong as its members, and prove their strength and worth to the living orcs.[6] In honor of old traditions, the Blessing of the Clan takes inspiration from the om'riggor: the participant must track and kill a beast without their armor while championing their clan, then take a trophy from the felled beast as proof of the deed and paint their face with the beast's blood as proof for the shaman.[7] It is important that the participant undertakes the quest alone with no audience or helpers, to learn how strong they are on their own and that the Horde is only as strong as its weakest soldier. The quest to track the beast can be frightening, demanding, and take days to complete, and some die while attempting it. While this is always a terrible loss, it also teaches others the risks of attempting the rite unprepared or too early, and how a single loss can weaken their people.[2] Since the adventurer was not born into a clan, they first chose a clan to champion from among those present at the Kosh'harg[6] before being sent to hunt Gor'krosh, a monster that had been terrorizing the Valley of Trials.[7] Many young orcs who later attempted the om'gora chose to track Trigore the Lasher, a deadly hydra in the Wailing Caverns, and were killed in the process until Durak killed the creature for his blessing.[2]
- To earn the Blessing of the Land, the participant must learn respect for the spirits of nature and the elements that dwell alongside the orcs.[8] Every orc must understand that they live in harmony with nature and that while this is something to be joyful about, it must also be safeguarded with constant strength and vigilance.[2] The shaman first calls to the spirits of the land to guide the participant to a place where their aid is needed, and where they must then complete a task given to them. In the adventurer's om'gora, they earned the Blessing of the Land by helping the spirit Owa'nohe begin to restore the forests of Thunder Ridge.[8]
- The Blessing of the Ancestors is meant to teach participants that the living owe everything to preceding generations, and that the orcs are obliged to honor their ancestors, seek their wisdom, and live up to their expectations. In the adventurer's om'gora, Aggralan tasked them with cooking a feast for the ancestors to serve as the center piece of the Kosh'harg.[9] Other ways to earn this blessing and honor the ancestors can include spreading their stories, carrying on their work or resolving a wrong they left unresolved, or caring for one's close ones as the ancestors did. Some more bloodthirsty orcs look down on the skills required to earn this blessing—humility, kindness, compassion, and knowledge—but they are more vital to the longevity of the orcs and the Horde than mere combat skills.[2]
Gallery
An adventurer championing their clan for the Blessing of the Clan.
Gor'krosh, the prey of the adventurer's Blessing of the Clan.
Trigore the Lasher, the prey of Durak's Blessing of the Clan.
Owa'nohe giving the adventurer the Blessing of the Land.
The ancestors gathering around the offering feast to give the Blessing of the Ancestors.
References
- ^ a b c
[50-70] A People in Need of Healing
- ^ a b c d e f Trials
- ^ [50-70] Honor and Glory
- ^ [50-70] Aka'magosh
- ^ [50-70] The Kosh'harg
- ^ a b [50-70] The Blessing of the Clan
- ^ a b [50-70] The Long Knives
- ^ a b [50-70] The Blessing of the Land
- ^ [50-70] The Blessing of the Ancestors
