Orc lore questions

Question for those who may know or have some idea, how young do orc shamans start to learn shamanism (or could do), like do they do so before the rights of adulthood etc.

Also what is the most likely element for them to learn first?

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As for the first question I think (emphasis on think) the rite of passage is the first milestone for orcs before they go on to different paths in life. I think shaman generally choose an apprentice for themselves, maybe based on who they feel or are shown by the elements to have an aptitude for it?

I have no idea in what order (if any) the elements are taught. I do seem to remember that the spirit of life itself is the final one being taught though.

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The definitive source for a lot of orc lore is the novel Rise of the Horde, if you’re a reader then I’d recommend picking it up.

The novel indicates that on Draenor, orcs started weapons training from the age of 6 and be eligible for the Rite of Om’riggor (coming of age rite) from 12.

Since going through the Dark Portal, a lot of traditions have been lost and that gives you a lot of flexibility in your potential backstory - e.g. my main for years was born in an internment camp and apprenticed to a shaman after the crossing to Kalimdor. You could also have a character that hasn’t received formal training but has started to hear the elements.

The new orcish heritage questline addresses some of the lost traditions with the new Rite of Om’gora (Rite of Honor) which is a fuller coming of age ritual - but there will be mature orcs such as Thrall that never had any such ritual due to the circumstances of their life.

I don’t think there’s a strong lore steer on which element you’d hear first but in Classic every shaman unlocks Earth first and there’s a questline where you visit an earth shrine in the Valley of Trials. Earth might be considered a stable element you’d have a strong grounding with but it could equally be anything else dependent on your backstory.

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As for age, I’d wager that it differs? But as Elcak said above, most of the questions re; what age or year does orcs do X stems from Rise of the Horde, which as far as we know, still holds up today as no other canon sources have disputed this.

The Horde of Draenor Pre-Demons and the Horde post-2nd war would be, in many ways, vastly different - and any recollection or tradition that exists today would be a reference or a recollection of memories and vague ideas. The reuniting with the Mag’har of the Outlands would, theoretically, revitalize some of these ideas or change them fundamentally at their core. Most likely, we’d see either a hybridization of these customs, or a reaffirmation of them.

But, as for when an orc hears the elements? Not much to go on, though it would seem that the ““voices”” or the spirits can speak to an orc of any age, of any time and any place if they are so inclined to recieve the whispers. IIRC in classic, you are refered to as “young”, by any questgiver, though this may just be a way of describing the low-level character as they begin, so it would seem that they would rather whisper someone capable or physically and mentally prepared.

Earth would be a likely element that most shamans hear first, due to the orcs inherent lineage stemming from actual rocks of Draenor - See the Breakers of Draenor, though Fire is an appearent element in -most- clans too, and given the passion and fury of orckind, it seems to be a close second as it is game-wise in Classic, or just by natural causes and likelyhoods.

Most of this is what I -think- is likely and right, so if I am wrong - I am very open for change and would adhere to any sources that isn’t: “source? i made it up.” :slight_smile:

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An example I can think of that confirms this despite the quest text that calls the player ‘young one’ is Gul’dan’s Harbingers video, which has an elder shaman telling Gul’dan that there is a chance that the elements will accept him at the Throne of the Elements, at a time where he was clearly an adult.

It’s probably got less to do with anything with age and more about how shamans are led by elders, which are generally not necessarily old, but older than apprentices.

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Elcak gave an excellent answer, but Rise of the Horde does also provide an answer as to when a young orc might begin to hear the spirits. When Durotan was a child, Mother Kashur was told by her ancestors to take Durotan to Oshu’gun, but the time wasn’t right when Durotan was still a child. They suspected he had the potential to become a shaman, because they had felt something rouse in Durotan.

The right time when the ancestors called Durotan forth was the day he completed his Om’riggor, as only then would they see if he had the potential in him. It was revealed however that what the Ancestors had felt was not the call of the elements, but of destiny in Durotan.

In short, Om’riggor seems to be the point at which a young orc is tested, which at the earliest happens at the age of 12. The young orc is only tested if there’s a suspicion of them being touched by the spirits.

As for this, we are given a direct answer in Lord of the Clans. The element that comes first to a shaman is that which most aligns with their nature. To Thrall it was the Spirit of the Earth because of his steadfast nature and strong will. To Nobundo it was the Spirit of the Water. After that, by completing each trial of the elements, the shaman becomes one with each Spirit with the last one being that which is most contradictory to your nature. Air came last to Thrall.

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To bring my stone to the building. We can also see with Drek’thar that the Shamans sometimes take apprentices among children of the Clan who help them prepare their rituals, rites, potions, etc. I think it’s a good way for a Shaman to find followers. He can see the potential in the child, offer him a first approach to the role of shaman, judge his interest, his intelligence and his talent in this task.

And if the Elements deem him worthy then the Shaman can be warned by them in his sleep or otherwise. And the child already has a basic knowledge of Shaman alchemy and traditions.

It is also a track to study to make a shaman I think.

As implied in the other answers, the Orcs have also lost a lot of their traditions. When Thrall liberated the orc camps, he and Drek’thar were the only real Shamans left. Then other Shamans were trained by Drek’thar and Thrall.

Thus, in Kalimdor, Orc Shamanism is still recent. I think the master/child apprentice system is therefore rarer. And that the Shamans rather teach to orcs who choose to come to them to learn or who have received a call from the Elements. However, I think you don’t need to have direct vision or communication with the Elements to become a Shaman. Unless the character is really some sort of chosen one like Thrall was, the Elements don’t warn the future shaman in my opinion.

Rather, it is a conclusion of learning. The orc feels that his path is that of the Elements and the Spirits. He begins a teaching of Shaman starting with the rites, the totems, the potions, the care. The technical aspect and knowledge. Then, once he masters this knowledge but also the spiritual aspect of the Shaman (meditation, observation, wisdom), he must surely pass a test to see his link with the Elements.

The Link would be strengthened by his learning and understanding of the world. And like the Vanilla player, he would surely go to an Element Stone and attempt communication through the rites learned by his masters.

For the question of which element to choose:

  • Depending on the nature of the character.

  • The Clan of the Orc and its origin.

  • His learning.

There can be from birth or over time a special bond that was created with an element because of the nature of the Orc. If he is inclined to give in to violence, the Fire. If it is of a stable nature, the Earth. If it is of a sensitive nature, Water. If not unpredictable in nature, the wind.

The Clan and the character’s origin can also play a role. Orc Clans have favorite Elements. For example, the Warsongs have a special connection with Wind and Fire and the Blackrock with Earth and Fire.

Depending on his learning, which ultimately joins the idea of ​​culture. If the Master of the Shaman was close to Water, it would not be surprising that his disciple embarked on the same path for many reasons: Respect towards his mentor, vision linked to learning, heir in the eyes of the Element, etc.

Here are some small information that I add but there are very many ways to be a shaman!

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