Revision as of 16:33, 15 October 2016

Introduction

This page is intended to serve as a compendium of the many tales and myths of ogre kind for anyone interested in them. As you may know ogre tribes divide often with some individuals moving between tribes indefinitely over their lifetime. So it is not uncommon for neighboring tribes to have vastly different ideas about the same gods. In this case following a tale you may see a Variation Note where a tribe may restate the differences between their beliefs. For more information about ogre's habits and culture see the Ogre page and the personal pages of the Known Ogres.

The Urungnar: U'ron and his Children

Urungnar is a word that means 'children of the giant', the giant being U'ron father god of all ogres. When he was cast down by the jealous, fearful other gods his body became a mountain but his soul split in four and made manifest in 4 children: fiery Ugangi, wise Utezni, mischievous Uchronos, and gentle Una. The first set of stories are theirs.

The Allfather

Bugbears say Marjack was first among the gods and father to all. Goblyns would name their god Melashekhaad as the creator of all things, but ogres care little of these gods. To us there is only U’ron. The giant ogre named U’ron was born from the union of earth and sky in the moment of creation, warmed by the sun and birthed form the womb of the ocean. So long as there was U'ron there was earth, they were twins united in creation. U'ron marveled as the molten rock cooled, the oceans grew, and the lands rose. U'ron was there when his twin, the U'ond (great soul) split itself giving rise to the spirits of the earth. They took root and diversified and populated the world. U'ron knew no loneliness and discovered how to walk amongst the spirits without disturbing them. Eventually the land spirits came to know U'ron and taught him great wisdom. Eventually U'ron felt great rumblings and sensed the presence of another being akin to himself, this being is known as Melashekhaad. U'ron was the largest and strongest of the gods; all the others quaked in fear whenever he came near, except Melashekhaad himself.

He went forth and perceived a being too large for comprehension. He addressed this one known as milashekhaad and looked with curiosity at the “little” beings who mistakenly called him brother, and watched as they became many. Uron was angered, and he challenged milashekhaad that there were too many and demanded that they not live on earth directly but in the heavens above, for the Earth, the Uond, was his alone. Milashekhaad agreed to prevent the others from making dwellings on earth, but on the condition that one new creation be allowed to live there. For despite his many creations, he was bored. Milashekhaad had a plan for a new creation, one that would entertain him for all eternity, one that could not live in the heavens. Uron was intrigued, for indeed the desire to create life himself was beginning to burn in his mind. He watched as the tiny little green beings began to appear on the earth. So U'ron decided to create his own race, larger, stronger, longer lived, and more intelligent than the goblyns. Melashekhaad saw what U'ron was doing and wagered that he could not make a more powerful race than his goblyns. U'ron accepted the wager and set about creating his superior ogres, the Garad, sheltering them in a lush woodland valley surrounded by tall walls of ice and rock.

U’ron sculpted the ogre’s powerful body from stone and sewed veins of warm water through their limbs so they might move. However, these husks were slow and lifeless so he breathed air into their lungs so they could run and speak. Last he sparked fires in their hearts and minds so that they became both wise and passionate. He used pieces of the U'ond to give them souls and powers beyond those of all other races. U’ron labored and made many Garad, which were larger and more powerful then ogres are today. He was slow and meticulous. The other gods grew jealous, they too demanded the ability to create life in their image. Milashekhaad tired of their noise, and tired of waiting paid them no mind. And so they tried, but without the innate knowledge of the world, their creations were weak and easily destroyed.

Many ages passed in the blink of an eye, and Uron’s creation took form and was strong and hearty, long lived, and wiser than that of Milashekhaad’s. Each subsequent generation was further refined. As Uron neared the completion of his great work, the other gods came to uron with a plan to diminish Milashekhaad’s creation and so create space for their own. Uron grew enraged, what right had they to claim the earth? He refused their pleas and so it was that Marjack soothed Uron by saying they would find another place for their creations. As Uron turned his thoughts back to his children, the other gods struck him from behind, and for the first time Uron felt pain.

The sacred Ginnung valley made by the body of Uron.

Through the magic of the combined gods, Uron realized that his wound was fatal. He knew the earth would soon be overrun with lesser beings, that great clashes and struggles for power beyond his children’s comprehension would unfold, and so he lay down as to become a great shield to protect his children until they could come of age. As the blood poured forth from his wound he made it into a great river with which to nourish the valley and provide sustenance. As the strength started to leave his body, he took 4 trees, and from them he created 4 new children as perfect in mind and body as could be, and he poured into them the last of his spirit. To them he gave the capability to talk with the spirits and ability to learn the secrets of creation. He created their souls from pieces of his very own spirit. As he finished, the light in his eyes dimmed and he was welcomed back into the void from which he came.

The Garad were both saddened and enraged by the gods’ murder of U’ron. They journeyed to his resting place and climbed the U’ronnag (U'ron's Mountain). At the peak, they found four children that they called Utezni, Ugangi, Uchronos, and Una – the Urungnar. Some of the Garad demanded that they kill the children believing them to be a curse sent by Marjack to destroy them. A Garad name Krollo who was one of the earliest born from U’ron protected them. Unfortunately, this caused a rift among ogres, who are notoriously stubborn and single minded. The rift fractured them into new tribes.

Variations: In some renditions U'ron created ogres without the knowledge of Melashekhaad. When Melashekhaad found out he sought to kill U'ron but was unable to do so himself and enlisted the help of the other gods and together they defeated him.

Uchronos and the Cleaver

The ogres lived within Ginnung secluded and well fed from the game of the valley surrounded by the wall of ice and the mountains made by Uron's body. Uchronos was the smallest of the Urungnar males but he was also the fastest. Uchronos also spent a lot of time away from the tribe and explored every corner of the Ginnung Valley. The god of the sky searched caves, climbed trees, and jumped from water falls into the pools below. Utezni often came with him on these early explorations but he preferred to sit quietly and observe the land. Uchronos often poked at his brother to try to have some fun but Utezni would only shake his head and wander off.

It was on that sort of day when Utezni and Uchronos were wandering together that they came to the ice wall that encircled them. Uchronos had often wondered what could lay beyond and pleaded with Utezni to climb the wall with him. Utezni looked at the wall and said he would just as likely fall to his death in the first twenty feet as summit the ledge. But Uchronos pulled the right strings and appealed to Utezni's need to learn more of Yord and the earth god's lesser sense of adventure. Ultimately he relented and the two began to climb the treacherous ice wall.

Utezni was slow, unhappy so far from the ground. Uchronos however grew elated the further they went. He laughed and roared as gusts of wind buffeted them, threatening to toss the gods to the earth below. Uchronos challenged Utezni to climb faster and preformed tricks on the ice ledges, wedging his hands into cracks and twisting so that he hung upside down. Utezni grumbled and attempted to ignore his brother focusing on finding hand holds as his fingers grew numb from the cold ice. Suddenly he became aware that his brother was being oddly quiet. Utezni looked up and could not see Uchronos who had reached the top of the ice ledge.

Uchronos stood looking out over the mountains to the world beyond. It was wild, untouched by any race. Green trees threaded with silver were painted red and gold by the setting sun. The slopes of Uron's mountains ran away beneath them and were the color of grapes, antler, and blue stone. It is said Uchronos wept at the sight. Eventually Utezni joined him at the top, exhausted. He was astounded to see Uchronos sitting quietly on a boulder gazing into the darkening lands beyond. 'At last, brother. Are you ready to go beyond?' he asked. Utezni sat down beside Uchronos and spoke in reply, 'I am spent by the climb. Go on without me and I will catch up to you in the morning.' Uchronos nodded and set off running down the slopes of the mountains. So it was that Uchronos became the first of the Four to journey beyond the mountains into the wild world.

Night fell over the wilderness. No moon shone that night and the sky was painted by the northern lights and the many stars that would someday be known as Uchronos' domains. The god of winds moved silently through the woods. He passed deer bedding down for the night. He came to a fast flowing river of cold water and easily leapt over it. He sat there on its banks for some time watching otters play in the water. Suddenly the otters grew still and looked past Uchronos. They almost seemed to be screaming at him although they made no sound. Uchronos slowly turned and peered into the reflecting mirrors of a sabertooth cat's eyes. This was Chron'veyd the hunter-of-the-shadows. The cat was only a few steps away its dagger length fangs white against the black night. Uchronos waited, his every muscle tensed ready. Uchronos blinked and in that moment Chron'veyd sprung forward. Uchronos was swift rolling away and seemingly gliding to his feet.

The chase that followed cannot be described by words. Chron'veyd is the fastest of hunters but Uchronos would soon be master of the winds themselves. Uchronos ran and ran. As he crested a hill he saw through the trees a low hill beyond with towering pines the like he had never seen before reaching high into the sky outlined by the northern lights. Uchronos surged forward making for those trees.

As he drew near he could see that the pine's were many paces around, sturdy, and taller than any tree he had ever seen. Even their lowest branches were still many ogre-heights from the ground. By now Chron'veyd was closing in and Uchronos had only one chance to make safety. The god of the night took three bounding steps gathering all the speed he could muster and sprang up clutching for the branch. Miraculously he grabbed hold and heaved himself up hand over hand not daring to look back. Finally with his heart pounding in his ears Uchronos stopped climbing and searched for Chron'veyd. The sabertooth cat sat at the base of the pine unable to reach the branches. For a moment they looked at one another before Chron'veyd quietly made his way into the trees and out of sight. Uchronos laughed and threw his head back breathing in the sweet night air. It was then that he became aware that his laughter was not the only laughter in the bows of the pines. Uchronos decided that the strange laughter was coming from above him further up the trees. So he rallied his strength and began to climb toward the source of the noise.

Near the top of the tree Uchronos found a large white raven. The raven looked on him and spoke between many *quorks* and other noise. 'The wind runs fast, fast but noisy so noisy. You make me laugh, bumbling wind god, stumbling through the woods.' Uchronos did not like being made fun of yelled at the raven, 'What would a dumb bird know of anything.' The raven chortled, 'Dumb he calls me but I am smarter than most and definitely smarter than this ogre who climbed so high. We are the smartest of birds playing tricks on eagles and lions. We are the fastest and most nimble of birds. And I am Vask father of all ravens who cleaves the air like a hot knife through fat. You have much to learn.' Uchronos made up his mind to leave then unwilling to listen to this Vask talk anymore.

Vask snapped the air, 'You would benefit greatly to stay. Your reward for completing my challenges would be great.' Uchronos halted his descent intrigued. 'What do you offer, bird.' Vask flapped, 'You will know what I offer when you have earned the privilege of me offering. You must prove yourself to be silent in the darkness, swift as shadow, and deadly even more so than your kin. Then you will be rewarded.' 'Very well,' decided Uchronos, 'what must I do?'

The raven turned his head, 'You have met with the king of the night, the silent hunter Tskogrim. He has made a fool of you. Go hunt the hunter and become his master. I will be watching.'

Uchronos went down to the ground and saw that stars were now hidden behind a vale of cloud and the woods was now pitch black. Uchronos found the traks of Tskogrim and crouching followed them into the brush straining his eyes to see. Tskogrim would sense the disturbance of the smallest leaf, pine needle, or fern. Uchronos moved over them like a gentle breeze barely bending a single blade of grass. His eyes began to adjust to the darkness and the world became a haze of static and half formed shapes. Instinct called Uchronos to a halt. Through the trees he heard Tskogrim sniff the air. The wind didn't stir. The world was as still as Uchronos perched in the blackness as if it held its breath. Carefully Uchronos drew out his bone knife not even daring to scrape the edge on the leather lest the sound alert Tskogrim and placed it between his teeth. Like a shadow clinging to the back of a tree at noon, Uchronos plucked his way into the nearest pine tree. Fifteen feet of the ground he halted and slowly looked around. Tskogrim was laying in some ferns not five feet from where Uchronos had been moments before, the tiger's ears were perked his eyes alert shining the way a hunters eyes do at night. Uchronos took the knife from his teeth and stepped gingerly onto the branch directly above Tskogrim. The tiger growled a low almost inaudible grow. Uchronos sprang down on to his shoulders and deftly slit his throat. Tskogrim thrashed about in his death throws and threw Uchronos off. His claws raked across Uchronos' chest leaving deep cuts before the king of the night fell silent.

Vask's voice echoed through the night, 'Silent yes. Quick? We shall see. A game now, son of Uron! Catch me if you can!' A blur in the night scraped over Uchronos' head and a tuff of his hair was torn out. Vask took off into the night. For hours the bird led Uchronos on through the shadows ducking, diving, and weaving through the trees. Uchronos could not catch him. Uchronos realized that the only way he would catch Vask would be to male the raven fly where Uchronos wanted him to. As he ran he snatched up small branches. Once he had two large bundles in his hands Uchronos closed the gap with Vask the Cleaver. He threw the branches at Vask causing him to alter direction making him go where he desired. The raven came closer and closer to Uchronos barely dodging the darts. Vask sensed he was close to losing the game and pulled out his favorite stunt, a barrel roll, trying to dodge Uchronos but the god was quick and snatched Vask out of the air.

'It was a well matched race, Uchronos.' Admitted Vask, 'You have done all I desired. Your reward is my children. I give you my three sons: Thog, Orr, and Yrr. They are very talented and will serve you well. As will all of their descendants.' With that Vask parted and Uchronos was joined by three ravens, his constant companions in the years to come. The next morning Utezni found him at the site of Tskogrim's carcass having skinned him and taken his saber-teeth. Uchronos would wear the pelt as a cloak and fashion the teeth into his first set of long war knives.

Una and the Water Spirits

Much like her siblings Una wad drawn to solitude. Ugangi hunted, Uchronos adventured, and Utezni would disappear on prolonged journies. Una did not require action, bloodshed, or extended loneliness that her brothers craved. She merely enjoyed the rest and soothing nature or being alone for a while. She spent most of her outings walking the paths of rivers and shorelines until she could recognize those streams by the sound of the water alone. It was during one such walk that Una found herself following a calm, meandering stream in spring; its waters were cold and dark with snow melt. Una, following a deer path rounded the base of a large walnut tree. She paused to look at it and noticed a hollow at the base. Within the hollow two golden lights flickered from an unworldly pitch darkness. Una barely had time to notice the lights when they became violent eyes striking out at her. A massive serpent of untold length sunk its fangs deep into her thigh. She beat at it with her fists but the serpent only let go when he desired to.

It spoke then, 'Here on this morn I have found you, who to water was born. Long I have waited, coiled, to spring. I am the spirit of the rivers, Vilinann. Instructed to show you the meander. Ahead to moon's mirror the ogress must wander. There the shielded wave rider will aid you. Be warned if you do not heed these words by tomorrows morn you will feed the worms.' At that the serpent receded into the black space beneath the walnut tree and would not respond to Una's calls.

Una saw that daylight was wasting and set off upstream looking for the 'moon's mirror'. As she walked she saw that the river was fed by many smaller streams and the further upstream she went the more diminished it was until the river itself was shrunken to a creek. She became fearful that she had strayed from the correct path but decided to follow the creek a bit further. Around the next bend the creek climbed a rocky path to a cleft in two hills. Una climbed the stones the water danced from and came to the top. Ahead of her was a bowl shaped valley filled by a large circular lake with crystal clear water. She saw a large rock resting near the brim and climbed it to survey the area and decide her next move. From the top she could see that the lake was fed by a creek leaping down large table-like slabs of rock before falling into the lake. Below the surface the lake was teeming with fish. Along the edge otters were playing. Then Una saw a massive shape drifting below, it was a colossal tortoise with a armored shell of many colors. Una knew then that it was Sker'brim the Wave-Breaker or as Vilinann called him the 'wave-rider'. Una dived from the rock and swam to Sker'brim in a few powerful strokes. She swam to Sker'brim's head and began to drag him toward the surface but the tortoise only moved at his own pace - slowly surfacing.

Una explained Vilinann's instructions and asked Sker'brim to help her. Sker'brim thought some time before speaking. 'Seek the source of spring's laughter and bottle the nectar of joy. Find next the spotted frost of summer and collect two handfuls. Needed also is the feet of the snow-clad towers. Lastly cut free the heart of winter. All these things you must bring here as the moon rises. Go now with haste.' Una asked questions but Sker'brim would not reply. It became clear that she would need to solve these ridiculous riddles herself.

She climbed the rock and began to think but could not find any answer. It was past noon when she began to watch the otters absent minded. She remarked to herself on how merrily the otters played. A few had climbed up the table-rocks and were playing the pools there. She left to approach the place where that stream emptied into the lake and was surprised to hear the sound of laughter - the splashes of the otters were echoing from the rock creating the noises. It became clear and Una ran up the stream and followed it to its source - a pool of cold water spring from some rock. She filled her water skin with the clear fluid, the nectar of joy.

She began to puzzle over the next riddle walking through the trees. Frost of summer, but there is not frost in summer except maybe in the high mountains. Even then why would it be spotted. Una decided that the mountains were her best bet and began to walk toward the Uronnag's. She realized quickly it would take to much time to get there. She would not be able to return by nightfall. She sat on the hill near two tall rocks before a stand of birch trees. Her hand fell on soft moss growing in the shaded side of the boulders. She saw then that they spread in a lattice much like snow, ice... or frost. Una then saw that the moss wasn't just green but spotted blue and white in some places. She carefully cut free two handfuls with her stone knife happy to have solved the riddle.

Una made her way to the hill crest and looked back toward the Moon's Mirror wondering after snow-clad towers with feet. So far the riddles had been solved with simple observation and Una was confident the answer would present itself if she looked for it. The sun was still high and she had time. She saw on high tall rocks like towers covered in snow but again they were in the mountains far away and would not help her. Again she looked around and noticed a splash of white nearby. She looked closer and saw that the bark of the birch trees was white like snow. She quickly deduced that the feet of the snow-clad towers were obviously the roots. She ran to the trees and saw the roots of one sticking free from the soil. Una carefully cut a length free and stood. Not ten steps ahead of her was a stunningly white buck who surprisingly had not shed his wide antlers. The deer peered at her a moment before bounding away. Una knew then that the buck was the hart of winter and she was meant to chase it.

Up and up they ran. Every time the deer grew tired and stopped Una was able to find him and together they climbed the rocky hills headed for the Uronnags. Una's life was on the line and she would not surrender it but neither would the stag surrender his. The sun was falling and Una was growing afraid when she found the stag again. This time the proud animal was fallen between two large rocks its leg broken. Una came to the beast and without hesitation began to help it. She went to a juniper bush and snapped two green branches from it. Over the broken leg she crossed them and began to speak a healing spell which seemed to echo from deep within her mind although she had never known it before.

   Her ot her
   Solt ot solt 
   Sla ot sla

In time the the bones, muscles, and skin bound together and the stag was healed however since Una was unskilled the leg was crooked. The stag was Cromund the Heart-Walker and he spoke to her then thanking her for caring for him. However he would never run the way he had before. Knowing that, as all totem spirits, he would be reborn into a new body he asked Una to provide him a painless death and showed her where to cut with her knife. He also told her to collect his blood for she would need it. So she mercifully killed Cromund and collected his blood in a bowl she had with her. She also cut free his heart and wrapped it in cloth. She saw that the sun was setting then and quickly ran for the Moon's Mirror.

When Una arrived the land was dark and the moon had not risen. Upon the large rim-stone a fire was burning. Una made for the fire and found the bones of the great tortoise laying beside it. Over the fire was Sker'brim's shell which miraculously did not crack from the heat. Una poured the spring water into the shell and waited for it to boil. Then she added the birch root, the stag's heart, and some juniper berries for flavor. When the healing meal was finished she ate the heart and roots and drank half the potion. She then mixed the stag's blood with the remaining fluid. She poured this mixture over Vilinann's bite and covered it with moss. She bound the moss in place with cloth.

By now the moon had risen high into the night sky and shone reflected from the lake's surface. Una was drawn to the water so she removed her garb and set herself floating over the lake. She settled in the middle beneath the moon and slipped into a fever as her body burned the poison from itself. Time stretched into an eternity. It was as if she blinked and suddenly it was noon the next day. Una now rested on Sker'brim's back. Sker'brim congradulated her and explained that the healing meal she had consumed the night before had not only saved her life but, as Una would find, has gifted her with great wisdom and skill in healing. Una then asked Sker'brim since she had met the spirits of the rivers and lakes, where she would find the spirit of the ocean. Sker'brim thought a while before saying, 'One day, great-daughter, you will find the spirit of the oceans and no mystery will be left to you.' After this Una left the Moon's Mirror and returned to the tribe. She would often go to that place when she sought solitude.

Utezni's Crossing

In his youth, Utezni was rarely in one place for very long. He would wander the wilds for months at a time leaving leadership to his siblings. During one of his journeys, he came to a long coast. The water rose up in a powerful wave that overcame the land and swept Utezni out to sea.

A powerful shaman of Utezni exhibits just a fraction of the god's power.

Utezni awoke clutching the trunk of a large tree with no land in sight. He clung to the tree trunk for thirteen days. Shadowy shapes circled below and lights danced in the sky. Utezni gazed into shadow and plucked from it knowledge of the worlds and all things in them. When Utezni returned he found his tree had washed up on a sandy shore.

Utezni wandered aimlessly unable to find his way. The shadows tore through his mind giving him no rest. He stumbled into a clearing ringed by tall pines. In the clearing –he would later call Vapnem – were five standing stones. Utezni built a pit lined with cobbles and struck a fire into it. Bellowing and beating his chest, Utezni demanded the pain in his head to stop but it would not. Desperate for relief Utezni took his hunting axe and lopped off his left hand. Wisdom came to him as his blood fell to the forest floor. On the five stones, he carved thirteen totems and recorded the wisdom of the cosmos with runes of his own design, stained with his own blood. When he had finished, Utezni seared his wound on a hot stone. The stone bound itself to Utezni’s arm. Utezni could not sever it and set off for home. When he arrived Uchronos chiseled his bound stone into shape and Utezni learned to use it as a new hand. As for his old one, Utezni boiled the flesh away and wore the bones in a pouch for the rest of his time on earth. These bones were passed down from shaman to shaman; some were given to chieftains other to warriors. They possessed great power and were prized. Now only seven of Utezni’s bones’ remain together and are in the possession of Utezni’s Shaman.

Uchronos and the Dwarves

It came to be that Uchronos was climbing some mountains just for the thrill of it. As he perched on the cliff face, the wind carried to him the strange sounds of hammers ringing. He whistled and Thog took wing to seek out the source. When Thog returned he told Uchronos that just above him was a window, not more then a crack in the mountainside to allow light and air, which looked into some sort of room where large fires burned and tiny, hairy, pink-things labored.

Uchronos was intrigued and crept up to the crack and cautiously watched these strange creatures work. They smelted metal and formed shapes making all sorts of shining things but what interested Uchronos most was their weapons. Ogres only made weapons with wood, stone, and bone – nothing like what the mountain pinks had.

When night fell the dwarves set down their hammers and lifted up their horns quaffing mead and ale. It did not take long for Uchronos to realize there were three chiefs among these dwarves, each boasting about their latest creations. One had fashioned a sword or fine metal and silver inlay, another had made a broach of fine jewels, the last a war horn gilded and inscribed. Uchronos spoke to his raven, Orr, who speaks for Uchronos. Orr moved swiftly through the shadows and alighted on a rock. From here, it mimicked the voice of the Swordsmith claiming that neither of the other two could fashion a weapon as fine as his. The Jewelsmith scoffed and the Hornsmith jumped to his feet – after all the Swordsmith had no right to make such a claim. As for the Swordsmith, he thought the Hornsmith had said it. Uchronos then mimicked the Jewelsmith saying that he was capable but perhaps the Hornsmith was not since he did not possess the skill to work steel. The Hornsmith grew red and cursed the Jewelsmith’s beard. Uchronos spoke again saying that the Swordsmith’s beard was thin and falling out, and the Hornsmith’s had the consistency of wet stone-moss. Those were fighting words. All three dwarves leapt up and fought, tugging at each other’s beards. Suddenly a stranger’s voice issued a challenge.

The dwarves would work for three days to create the finest weapon they could. Happily and with little thought the dwarves agreed and set to work. Uchronos sent forth his second raven, Thog, who quietly watched everything the dwarves did. In that way Uchronos saw, through Thog’s eyes, all the secrets of the dwarf-smiths. At last, they unveiled their projects: a sword, axe, and spear of incredibly quality.

Uchronos released his last raven, Yrr, who is death. Yrr landed amongst the dwarves and startled them. Before they could move, swift and silent Uchronos had opened their throats – spilling their blood onto the polished stone floor.

Satisfied with his knife work, Uchronos examined the weapons. They were to splendid, light, and sharp but far to small for his tastes. The Trickster god had learned what he wanted to know and returned to the tribe with arms full of tools and materials.

He labored for many days and forged a mighty oaken boar-spear and wicked knife with steel the color of smoke. The spear he gifted to his warrior brother Ugangi who thought it a fine weapon. The knife he kept for himself. Utezni admired both and inscribed them with runes of power.

Ugangi's Nine Victories

Ugangi is well known as the greatest of warriors. All monsters appeal to him before battle with chants and offerings. While he walked the earth Ugangi won nine great victories.

The Hunters

During these days the ice wall that surrounded the ogres' refuge began to melt and opened the world to the ogres. Utezni went wandering abroad, Uchronos sought out the high places fraught with peril, and Una took long walks following the paths of rivers. But as Ugangi matured he grew truly colossal - even among the ogres of those days. His strength was only matched by a few ogres then and his skills with weapons were growing.

Ugangi grew bored and left the valley to hunt after a rare prize. Hunters in the tribe had seen a massive white boar covered with bristles that left great ruts in the ground while it sought after roots. It was so great in size it often uprooted great trees in its search, and its name was Rul. Ugangi set out to kill Rul and followed its massive trail for miles and was far from the valley when at last he sighted him as Rul rutted beneath a oak tree. Ugangi leveled his spear and approached downwind of the beast. But in order to reach Rul Ugangi had to crawl beneath a bramble of thorn bushes. At last he neared Rul and prepared to thrust his spear into its side when a sudden shift of the wind brought Ugangi's smell to Rul's nostrils. The boar reared up tearing the oak from its roots and the heavy trunk fell pinning Ugangi's leg to the ground. Rul proceeded to gore Ugangi mercilessly - knocking Uchronos' gift from his hand. Ugangi fended himself against Rul and eventually plucked its eye from its head after that the boar fled into the forest.

Ugangi bled from many wounds and was helplessly pinned beneath the tree. Embarrassed and enraged he tried to heave himself free but he could not get a good grip onto the oak nor was he at a good angle to lift or roll it away. Eventually he stopped struggling. He then noticed a vulture sitting atop the oak laughing at him. Ugangi thrashed grasping for the creature who would dare laugh at him. The vulture's name is Hly'und and it spoke, 'Mighty Ugangi slain by a pig and a slab of wood. Calm yourself, Flame-brand, you will only bleed more quickly. Fear not I will not kill you, for your strength is far greater than mine. But I do not need to kill you. By the suns rise your bones will be mine.' At that Hly'und flew away and alighted atop a nearby tree. His gaze never left Ugangi as the sun began to set.

Shortly after dark the first echoes of Ugangi's doom drifted on the night winds to his ears. The howling grew louder. Finally, Ugangi caught a glimpse of the first arrivals. These wolves were small, no bigger than those that hunt today. Soon others appeared and these were truly enormous. These wolves were the spirits of war: defeat, victory, pillage, ruin, rot, among others. And they had come for Ugangi. All night they circled the great ogre dodging him for even wounded and weak Ugangi was not to be underestimated just as the dying bull mammoth should not. At last Ugangi's strength flagged and he went limp. The greatest wolf, Bannog'Yrr or 'death-blow', one of the two greatest children of the great wolf Gor, approached. Banog'Yrr is black as shadow with blood-matted fur and eyes like burning coals. He licked the wind once, than twice, before snapping forward toward Ugangi's exposed throat. Ugangi's eyes snapped open, at once his arms came up and took Banog'Yrr into hand. He pulled the wolf down and they struggled. At last Banog'Yrr took Ugangi's fist into its mouth and the fire god gripped hold of the wolf's tongue. He tore it free and lifted it into the air bellowing defiance to the other wolves. Banog'Yrr wriggled free and fled and never again was the howl of defeat heard by Ugangi the Victorious.

A few short minutes later the sun crested the ridge and Uchronos entered the clearing. The wind god had been told by Orr, his raven, that Ugangi was in danger and had come as quick as he was able. He flicked his hand at the vulture and Hlae'und flew away chuckling. Uchronos helped Ugangi free himself and carried him several miles before Utezni, who speedy Uchronos had easily outpaced but had nevertheless heard the strains in the earth as Ugangi fought for life, arrived. Together they carried him to Una who had been concerned for Ugangi but had had no messengers in the wood awaited. She tended Ugangi's wounds and brought him to health again. Without her powers Ugangi would have lost the hand that had been within the wolf's mouth, a strange infection had taken root in the wounds there. For that reason the wrist was forever remembered as the Wolf-Joint.

So it came to pass that Ugangi's first victory was against the spirit of defeat itself. For the rest of his time on earth Ugangi never tasted defeat but ultimately he would be slain in betrayal but that story comes later.

Rul the White Boar

Once his health had returned Ugangi found the pack of war wolves and took them as his followers and friends. Forever after he would be accompanied by wolves both while hunting and at war. His favorite was the child of Val'ulv, victory, and Bara'Yrr who is called Karn. It is Karn that finds the spirits of battle-fallen ogres and leads them to Ugangi's war band in the next world.

Ugangi set out once again to find Rul and dispatched his wolves to run before him. They tracked and ran down Rul in the forest eventually cornering the great boar within a grotto walled with tall rock. Rul swung his head back and forth, brandishing his tusks against the enemy until Ugangi appeared. Spear in hand, Ugangi stepped within the ring of wolves. Upon seeing him Rul flew into a frenzy and charged Ugangi. This time Ugangi's spear bit flesh but Rul came forward anyway running up the shaft. Ugangi dropped the spear and took Rul by the tusks. Screaming in furry both boar and ogre fought against each other until at last Rul's strength gave out and he collapsed - his white hide red with blood. Ugangi roared in victory and set about butchering the hog. He made a massive fire there in the grotto and fed his wolves with the flesh of Rul and laughed as they snapped at each other and fought for the bones. He himself ate Rul's brain, heart, and liver and felt the frenzy grow within him. After that he sacrificed what remained of Rul to the fire and joined the wolves in their games and lost track of time. So was won the second victory and Ugangi earned for himself the name Frenzied-One.

Furry, Frenzy, and Flame

Suddenly the wolves grew timid and backed away from the fire deeper into the grotto. It was a dry autumn and the grotto had been full of dead leaves from the trees that arched over it. Ugangi saw now that the leaves had caught flame and the narrow grotto was filled with fire all the way to the opening. Above him the trees that still had leaves also burned from the upward heat of his cook fire. The world was now only heat and flame. The wolves howled, panic gripping them. Ugangi felt fear down in his gut but then a great heat appeared there and frenzy once again took hold of his heart and mind. He bellowed at the flames and charged hoping to find escape but the flames lept up taller and roared. Ugangi faltered and charged again and again was turned back by the flames. The flames were close and threatened to kill Ugang and his wolves but Ugangi slammed his fists and head against the stone and worked himself to a stone cracking, flaming furry. The god rose taller than he had ever stood before and bellowed one last time vociferated at the flames. The tongues faltered and retreated a step. Ugangi followed shouting down the flames where they sprang at him. Step by step the stamped out the roaring inferno until only a few scattered embers remained.

That is how Ugangi killed and consumed Rul, frenzy, and became the master of flame with his furry. His skills were still unrefined until Utezni taught him certain magical arts to allow him greater control of fire. Una concerned at seeing Ugagni's unstoppable rage developed chants and spells that could help bring him back from the berserk state.

Coming soon.

The Raven's Eye

All the Urungnar were great in stature and battle. Utezni came first in leadership and was formidable in battle, Uchronos was fast and accomplished many bloody deeds on the field, but none were as feared as Ugangi. No foeman had ever surpassed his skill with arms and pure, brutal strength. That made Ugangi bold and proud. The Flame Brand often belittled other warriors - especially his brother Uchronos. As enemies were defeated and grew scarce, Ugangi's harassment became relentless.

One night while the warriors were drinking around the fire Ugangi once again named Uchronos a craven, backstabber, and child. Emboldened by drink, Uchronos stood before the flames and drew his wickedly sharp knife. Ugangi tensed, expected Uchronos to attack him - perhaps he hoped Uchronos would. However, the Sly one instead cut his right eye free from his head, crushed it in his fist, and tossed it away into the flames all in silence. Ugangi made no comment but held his tongue more often from that day forward.

Una tended to Uchronos. During this time the wind god first saw Una for more than a sister. Indeed he fell in love with her and desired her above all others. When he spoke to her about his feelings she denied him since Una only loved Ugangi the greatest of warriors whose wounds she had been treating since they were young.

Uchronos grew bitter and withdrawn preferring the company of his ravens over other ogres. Utezni returned from one of his wanderings and learned the whole tale from Uchronos. Afterward he presented him a magic eye made of blue-black glass, the color of night, that was enchanted so that it could see as any eye would. This "Raven-Eye" also gained a ability Utezni had not intended. The eye could also see the fates of the ogres Uchronos looked upon which terrified the wind-god. Therefore Uchronos preferred to cover his Raven-Eye with a strip of cloth.

Ogre children born with mismatched eyes are claimed by Uchronos and often have fate-seeing powers. Those with black, white, or red eyes are particularly blessed by Uchronos.

The Betrayal of a Brother

After the Betrayal

After Ugangi and Uchronos' deaths Una was wracked with grief. The goddess fled from the tribe leaving Utezni alone to reestablish order. For a whole year the ogres scratched a living from the ashen soil that had been the cradle of their race. Often ogres departed forsaking Utezni's leadership and the blessing of Uron, but many stayed because Utezni stayed. The Wandering God would not leave without his sister. All that year great storm of snow, bone shattering thunder, and tearing wind buffeted the valley and offered no comfort to the tribe.

No one knows where Una went during this year but the goddess eventually did return. One morning the sun shown clearly and she walked into the camp assisted by a wooden rod. Una had gone to the Utiek where the souls of her brother's rested and spoke to them. Afterward she took a token from the Soul Tree and imbued it with incredible magical power. Through her staff Una could channel her healing and elemental power but also make contact with the dead. Those brief communications with Ugangi were her only comfort. Utezni warned her that continued contact with the worlds beyond would pull her closer to them but Una did not care. Although she performed her duties as a shaman and healer, she became increasingly more withdrawn from the tribe often wandering the paths of streams and ocean shores alone.

Una's Ascension: Spoken by Sa'udmad Ghanima

Hear now the story of Una’s ascension as no other has heard before. Oft she is described as but a puppet to her madness, but do not dare to forget her strength and power. She is the daughter of Uron, and drove fear and despair into many a foe’s heart.

Una was preparing for the storms with Onna and the other healers. All knew to expect the storms on the anniversary of the acsension. Una’s face grew clouded as did the sky with the thought. She fought back, as the familiar pains returned, and though the sky remained dark, the clouds dissipated. Onna, who shared some of her father’s wisdom, came offered her mother comfort. Even now after so long, with 100 years of experience, the scars seemed just as fresh and ready to bleed anew. Una felt weary, for just the day before, she had tried to again reach between the planes, to reason with her brothers and mend the rift. The air was thick, and felt ripe with unnatural energy. A sign that meant her brothers were nearby, also drawn together by the event of their ascension. With little time for sentiment, Una snapped her head, and with renewed focus continued preparations. For the healers would need the necessary tools of their trade ready. There were many babes to care for, and the wounded. The tall pale enemy was becoming smarter and attacking the legs and feat, knowing it would slow them down. As she touched the water though she gasped and heard what it had to tell. A great force approached, larger than those yet encountered. Perhaps this had been the plan, to delay and weaken the tribe for a more thorough attack. the pounding in her head began, and a wild fury appeared in her eyes. She called for her staff and resolutely, set off into the thickened air with energy flooding her senses? Utezni was ahead with the scouts finding a more favorable place for the tribe for the coming storms. She knew there was danger expending too much of herself at this time, but she knew it was up to her to protect those in her charge

As she stepped out the clouds billowed and coalesced overhead, the sky darkened and thunder clapped. She gave the command and sounded the alarm, and the tribe moved and obeyed. She climbed up the nearby precipice to oversee the encampment as the rain began to pour. She could sense the enemies in the rain, the water was eager to tell her all. And she reached deep and called forth the rain, and the thunder and the lightning. She struck the enemy where they stood and where they fled. She could feel herself slipping between the planes as she spent more of herself. Images and feelings were running through Una’s mind faster than time, she felt outside the bounds of yord. As though she could perceive all. She saw too Ugangi’s face washed in flames, accusing her, but also beckoning her to reconciliation. She felt Ucronos in the wind, cold and alone. She wanted to follow both of them, but they were in opposite directions. Both asking her why she had forgotten them. She felt the urge to just let go, but sensed her daughter’s great fear, and her attention turned back to the healer’s tent.

Onna cowered back, a deep cut on her arm received from the weapon of the foe who approached. Then suddenly it seemed as though her mother appeared, and just as quickly disappeared with the enemy gone as well.

Utezni felt the reverberations in the earth, and as he learned of the attack he also felt the rain on his head. As he neared the camp He encountered ogres fleeing his direction. He gave orders, and the tribe moved to obey. AS he pressed on towards the camp he saw wanton destruction the likes of which he had not seen for 100 years since his brothers ascended. He saw the charred remains of the tall pale creatures their bodies still smoking under the biting rain. He saw others crushed by trees or skewered upon their branches. And though some amongst the tribe had fallen, many more of the pale ones were dead than the tribe. The storm continued to rage, and the rain was bitter cold and stung like thousands of needles. The tribe was moving as quickly as they could, the injured even allowing themselves to be partially carried if only to move faster. He continued on, and as he neared the center he saw her atop a precipice. The runes on the staff glowed white like the lightning around them, as did her eyes, and it seemed her feet no longer touched the ground. In one hand she held the head of the enemy captain, his eyes still showing the shock of meeting his demise so quickly. And he called out to her Amidst the immense energy Una was processing, she felt Utezni, she looked at him, and could hear him pleading with her to come with him, though hearing is not the right word, but she knew his thoughts none the less. She felt his care for her, and their daughter, and it competed with the pull, the desire to let go and give up her mortal form for the freedom she felt now. Una pulled back and deep within herself but she was spent, and the storm was beyond her now. The very forces of nature were at war, out of balance, and seemed to laugh at her commands, where before they had been oh so willing to obey. She could sense as Utezni worked his way towards her, and truly none but one who could command the earth could have done so amidst the enslaught. He cried out that it would be okay, that they would persevere like they always did. He cried out to her to come back with him even as he saw two large familiar shadows on either side. But Una knew now there was but one way to end the storm. Una looked at him, and told Utezni that it yes, it would be ok, and Utezni was relieved to know she could yet be reasoned with, but in the next instant Una purposely fell backward into the storm. Utezni looked over the cliff for her, but saw nothing He sensed a change, and felt a great force grab hold of the storm and wrench it apart. In an instant the water ceased to pour, and all that remained was the devastation. And with that, Uron’s daughter was gone. Utezni searched for her the next day, but though he did not find her body, the water offered up to him her staff, and once he picked it up he had a vision of giving it to Onna when she came of age.

Variation: In some versions Una fell into a well. Also some tribes (including the Karanduawn) believe Onna to have been the daughter of Utezni and Una who was born some time after Una's absence and at least two years before Una's ascension. In some renditions Utezni gave Una her rod of power to comfort her in others Utezni found Una and directed her to the Utiek hoping that she would be able to make peace within herself there.

Utezni and the Cannibal

Many years after Utezni led his tribe from their homeland they came to a place of rocky hills and thick forests. It rained often but there was ample hunting lands and other resources. Needless to say, it was an easy decision for the tribe to remain there for a time to rest. Months passed without much incident. One evening, a thick fog settled on their wooded vale. The night passed in gloomy silence and come morning one of the tribe's hunters did not return. This in itself is not odd since ogres easily spend weeks in solitude. But when he remained missing in the coming weeks the tribe grew suspicious. Hunters were told to go in pairs just to be safe.

A month after, when the ogres had become lax again, two brothers, noted warriors each, vanished on another night cloaked in fog. Troubled, Utezni built a great fire and sought Ugangi's thoughts but the Fire-Brand had no answers for him. He then called for Orr and spoke to Uchronos. The Raven-Eye peered at Utezni. Eventually he crowed a grim warning, "There are teeth in the fog, Stone-Fist, and they seek to devour you." Utezni spent a day by the sea but Una would not come to him. Finally he walked the stony hills and read the earth. He could only sense an old presence, older than he was, watching from the hills.

Soon another fog smothered the ogres. Utezni ordered everyone to remain within the camps boundaries. He built a roaring fire and pounded the earth with his feet to drive away the mists. When roll had been taken Krollo announced that one young ogress, named Onna, was not among them. Utezni wasted no time, barely snatching up his sword and strapped on his shield before tearing off into the bush.

The unnatural fog was thick, impenetrable but Utezni trusted his feet to carry him to his unseen enemy. The paths led up, over, and through the stoney hills until halting beneath a great dome of rock that overlooked a round lake with still waters - like glass - though Utezni could not see more than ten feet across its glossy-black surface. Atop the dome a dim blue light glowed. As he approached Utezni saw that it was a fire burning eerily beside a stone alter. Atop the alter was little Onna.

Utezni searched the mists for the enemy but found none. Only when he stepped near the alter did the sorceress reveal herself. She was an ogress, lovely to look at with long hair like hammered gold and eyes of emerald. Her voice was the sound a ruby would make if it talked. Utezni knew that as she spoke he was being bewitched but he fell all the same. A darkness enveloped him where in she was the only light. He no longer held his weapons but found that he was laying beneath her. She kissed him fiercely and Utezni lost the will to struggle. Suddenly her hands were inside him, tearing away his soul - but Utezni was stronger than the others by far. The god unmasked himself to her. He lifted his stone fist and broke her honey smile with a deafening blow.

The witch screeched and retreated, with her too went the shadow and fog. Her form had changed, now she stood a yellowed crone with eyes of onyx and a gaping, toothless mouth yet still lithe and strong. "Who is this that has the strength to challenge me, D'Zono sculpted by U'ron himself, master of fog and shadow?" Utezni squared himself to the witch and replied in a voice of the mountains, "Stone-Fist son of U'ron, and you Cannibal will know me." Utezni thrust out his fist and spread his stone fingers. As he did so the dome of rock opened beneath D'Zono's feet and she fell within. She screeched as Utezni spoke again, "I banish you to shadow and curse you to ever hunger." With a clap of his massive hands Utezni sealed shut the dome. He then drew a ring of powerful spells around the rock to trap the witch therein forever. If you return to the spot on a foggy night might be you'll hear old D'Zono screaming within and see the rune spells flare in fiery light - Utezni halting her reach for you.

When Utezni fetched Onna he found her clutching an ogre babe in her arms. The shard of Utezni's soul D'Zono had torn free had struck the earth and formed Utezni's son, who he called Ulv. Ulv would grow fierce and strong in the manner of Ugangi but would be plagued by darkness - a result of D'Zono's role in his birth. Onna would herself become wise beyond her years and take up Una's Staff as tribe healer and marry Ulv.

After Utezni's victory over D'Zono he made it known that any ogre who ate of another ogre's flesh would be cursed. Their soul doomed to wander the worlds until D'Zono finally found them and consumed them.

Variation: Some tribes believe Onna to be the daughter of Utezni and Una explaining his haste to search for her.

The War Against the Droskom

Coming Soon...

Kragga the Thunderer

Utezni led his tribe for many years but grew more and more distant. He would spend hours alone staring into the distance or sitting in silence during feasts and festivals. Utezni only stirred when called on to dispense wisdom or to lead the troop on the war trail. But even these duties began to fall to others. Ulv took control of the warband and often led them away to raid and hunt. Onna became the tribes consular since she too was wise. Utezni began to wander again. At first only short distances but his walks began to lengthen rapidly.

One evening Utezni snatched up his gear and disappeared. For a year he wandered over the hills and mountains sitting and listening to the winds off the glaciers and the songs of water bouncing off stone. During this time Ulv and Onna were made co-leaders of the tribe and the led their people deftly with wisdom and courage.

Utezni found his way into a narrow mountain valley. He stopped for the evening at the foot of a high hill. As the sun set he saw the clouds were growing thick and heavy with rain and the wind began to howl. As darkness took hold Utezni watched the blackness intently. Miles away across the lake, at the top of a grand mountain stings of lightning began to tangle around the peak. Utezni watched the lightning strike the ground and felt the thunder quake the earth for hours. Finally he grew angry of such a disruption. He set off through the night covering many miles and swimming the lake before climbing the grand peak before morning.

It was a dull morning stained gray black by the thick clouds. At the peak there was a small flat place and a tall jut of rock. Alighted at the top was a strange serpent with the feathers of a bird and two strong front limbs. As it snapped its tail long spears of lightning would spring from the brightly colored plumage. Utezni bellowed, 'Cease your clattering at once, you odd looking bird.' At that the serpent turned and accused Utezni of interrupting her clattering stating, 'for I am Kragga the Thunderer and no earthly being can command me.' Utezni laughed and the mountain shook, 'I am Utezni son of Uron, the Stone-Fist, the wise, and Far-Wanderer and lord of Yord and you will head my call.' Kragga denied Utezni and lashed at him with her tail striking him with lightning. Utezni caught the spear in his stone hand and felt the blow pass through him and into the stone beneath his feet. Utezni recovered and stomped his foot onto the stone which shattered like brittle pottery. So began the magical struggle between Utezni and Kragga. For Three days they fought each other neither one getting the upper hand. When the last spear of lightning flew into the sky the mountain top had been reduced by a thousand feet.

Kragga admitted that Utezni was skilled but since he was of the earth he would never overcome her since she was of the sky. Utezni admitted Kragga was skilled but reminded her that rain and wind takes thousands of years to move the stone, however, 'perhaps you enjoy my company so much that that doesn't sound too bad to you.' Kragga snapped her jaws which seemed to be like laughter. 'The stone may last thousands of years but the mortal body is a different matter.' She snapped forward jaws open aiming for Utezni's throat. Utezni unslung his long hafted axe and delivered a well timed over head blow forced Kragga to turn aside. For another three days they fought hand to jaw, tooth to claw, until they both collapsed upon the ground bleeding from several wounds. The grand peak had subsided another thousand feet.

Utezni noted that Kragga was a gifted warrior but perhaps not as gifted as his brothers had been. Kragga said that she would have no doubt failed against such skill if it was true they were greater than him. Utezni replied, 'Yes my brothers were more skilled with steel than I but my value was not in my arm bur rather in my head. None that dwell in the plane of Yord is more wise than me.' Kragga shook her blood soaked yet still iridescent feathers and doubted Utezni yet again. So began another three day struggle. Utezni and Kragga fought with their words testing each other's knowledge of the mysteries of the three planes.

Finally at sunrise of the ninth day of combat Utezni asked Kragga, 'Tell me, what is best in mortal life?' Kragga snapped her jaws with laughter once again, 'Easy. Freedom is what is best in life.' Utezni was silent for a time, his chin upon his chest. Kragga tilted her head, confused. Then she saw the smile hidden in Utezni's beard. 'Why do you smile?' she asked for not once in all these days did Utezni smile. Utezni began to laugh. At first it was choked and constrained barely audible. Utezni's laughter grew into a cacophony of sounds bouncing off the rubble around them shaking the earth and tearing stone. Kragga was afraid but did not flee. She waited.

At last Utezni's laughter faded and the earth stood still. Again the peak fell another thousand feet. 'You are wrong,' the god said, 'so very wrong.' Kragga flinched her feathers raised in anger, 'How am I wrong? No doubt you enjoy your freedom foremost over all things.' Utezni shook his head, a slight movement hardly perceptible. 'No. What is best in life is to stand victorious over your enemy.' Kragga's eyes grew wide for she knew that she was beaten. After all she had just spent nine days in combat trying to win this victory. And now she was defeated.

Kragga began to hum a strange music and before Utezni's eyes she transformed into a lovely ogress. She was strong and appealing, with eyes like Utezni's - deep with memory but bright, the color of illuminated night. Utezni knew at once that he desired her and they mated. For nearly two years they stayed together on that mountain until Kragga gave birth to a daughter who they named Kra'nok, 'thunder-warrior'. Sometime after that Kragga abandoned Utezni returning to the sky in her serpent form. Utezni raised Kra'nok in the wilderness until she reached maturity. Together they tracked down Ulv and Onna. Utezni had been away for over twenty years and many had assumed he had ascended into the earth and were shocked he still lived. Ulv and Onna wondered if he would retake control of the tribe but Utezni showed no interest. He gave them both one of his knuckle bones so that they would be able to call on him at any time. Utezni became some what of a sage then, an enigma. Gone for years at a time only to suddenly return in the night to sit beside his children and speak to those gathered. Ulv and Onna were mated and continued to lead the tribe while Kra'nok, also gifted with a K'nutar, began to wander like her father. Sometimes she would go with Utezni but more often she preferred solitude. In some ways Kra'nok was Utezni's favored child. Undoubtedly she was the most alike Utezni and enjoyed the most time with him. Utezni would eventually stop visiting the tribe and many began to think he had ascended at last. From now on ogres would look to these children and to themselves for leadership as the gods took their seats governing Yord.

Utezni's Children

Utezni had three children, Kra'nok and Ulv who would go on to have their own. Generation after generation, Utezni's blood beget terrifying warriors and mystic shaman, all great chieftains of their people. Here is recorded their journies.

Note: The following stories are written in the Karanduawn belief that Onna was the daughter of Utezni and Una.

Onna, Ulv, and Kra'nok

Coming soon.

U'Vatok'na the Great

Coming soon.

The Garad and other Heroes

The Garad, as aforementioned, were the first generation of ogres sculpted by U'ron himself and were the most powerful of ogre kind - except the Urungnar themsevles.

The Story of D'Zono

D'Zono was created by Uron and was among one of his earliest experiments. Uron gifted her with great magical power and an equal elemental affiliation between wind and water. Her favorite trick was manipulating mists for Uron. D'Zono was unhappy however, she did not like the sheltered valley surrounded by ice. She would ask Uron what was beyond. Uron would always tell her that one day she would see. Eventually Uron created other ogres that kept his attention while D'Zono experimented with her skills. She eventually learned to consume the souls of animals which made her stronger yet. Soon animals would avoid her and she began to stay in dark water caves in the icy walls. D'Zono began to despise Uron for keeping her trapped there in the valley. She soon hatched a plan.

Using her skills with mist she cloaked the whole valley in it but that alone would not insure her escape since Uron could peer through clouds and leaves. A technique she had learned amongst the dark caves was to become as a shadow and fly from shadow to shadow. In that way she climbed up the cracks in the ice, over the ledge, and beyond into the wilderness. Uron looked for her but she was crafty in her arts and was not found.

After Uron was slain she was forgotten. D'Zono eventually came to the sea and saw Hafgufa in the waters there and followed him through the dark waters to the gateway to Myrk. There she glimpsed the terrible deep and was filled with terror. Thanks to her power she was not immediately driven mad by the sight but she was irreparably changed. Once beautiful she was now a hunched, sunken figure with tallow-like skin.

The ogres soon began to spread across the earth and stumbled upon D'Zono. She would isolate them using mists and shadow trickery before killing them and consuming their flesh and souls. She grew even more powerful now with the souls of ogres as her diet. When Utezni came near she could sense his power and skill. D'Zono also desired his power and knew she would only achieve it if she defeated Utezni. But she was too weak to do that just yet. Among the ogres was another very strong ogress named Onna, who was Utezni and Una's daughter.

The story concludes in the a fore written story, "Utezni and the Cannibal".

Gli'mok the Body-Shaker

The first of the Garad were no better than golems, slow hulking creatures of smoothed stone with dull eyes and little motion. U'ron quickly grew dissatisfied with those early Garad and re-crafted them into more sophisticated creations. In time ogres as we know them today began to take shape: powerful, horned, and brutally strong. Uron was increasingly more satisfied with these creations and began to test them to see if they were truly ready to reveal to Melashekhaad who would no doubt admit that his ogres were best of all.

Uron had is favorites: dark and brooding D'Zono who was skilled in magics, Krollo who was kind and wise, Yi'or who could run easily beside Cromund. It must be said that his favorite above all was Gli'mok the Body-Shaker. Gli'mok was now the tallest of ogres but he was the sturdiest; stout, muscled, and bald. Gli'mok was skilled in war and rivaled all the other warriors of the tribe in all sports but he was most skilled at wrestling. Gli'mok and the other bulls clashed constantly establishing their strength over one another. The goal of the wrestling game was to get a hold of your opponent, lift them, and throw them bodily to the ground. The first ogre whose shoulders found dirt would lose. There was no entangling or sprawling on the ground either, only a clean drop, trip, or toss was counted. If both ogres fell to a knee or otherwise were tripped they would be reset for another bout. Gli'mok was never defeated in this game and soon became recognized as the greatest ogre warrior to that time (ultimately dethroned by Ugangi God of Fire).

Eventually, Uron decided to test Gli'mok once again but not against his fellow ogres. A great storm came to Ginnung - that sacred valley. For many days it rained swelling lakes, flooding the plains, and turning land far and wide into marshlands. Together the Garad became to move from the lowlands near the river to the high hills and bluffs. They came to a wide marsh but could see the hills just beyond. The water was high still, up to most ogres' waists but on Gli'mok closer to his chest. When the Garad were nearing the edge of the marsh the water began to churn. A Garad was pulled beneath the dark water beside Gli'mok but the Body Shaker was able to grab the ogre's hand as he fell and so went down into the murk with him.

Heartbeats later the Garad burst from the waters surface and the ogre's retreated to the hillside. Beneath them Gli'mok was still not to be seen. The dark waters began to churn more violently and foam against the grasses and tree trunks. Minutes seemed to be hours before Gli'mok's head finally broke the water's surface. The ogre gulped in air and fought against a long coil wrapped around his chest, neck, and arms. The Garad named the beast Rilgnul which means 'tangler'. Rilgnul was a serpent of immense size the color of swamp peat. Rilgnul had Gli'mok entangled and constricted trying to shatter his bones and bit at him sending venom steaming into his flesh. Some of that venom fell into the water hissing and boiling, sending up wisps of acrid smoke. But Gli'mok fought on despite the poison that was quickly killing him.

Gli'mok would surely parish but the great warrior would not be going alone. Gli'mok flexed his muscles causing Rilgnul's grip to slacken. The hair width slack was enough for Gli'mok to pull free on of his arms. Gli'mok snatched Rilgnul's head with his free hand and pulled it free from his flesh, the serpent's fangs digging out deep trenches in his flesh. With a mighty heave Gli'mok pulled Rilgnul's head to his other arm, still entangled in the serpent's body. Gli'mok bellowed and crushed Rilgnul's head between his hands spilling blood, brains, and bone into the marsh. The serpent's body began to whip violently and in the chaotic movements pulled Gli'mok beneath the waves. Gli'mok went gladly proud to die in battle against such a foe. The Garad never recovered Gli'mok's body.

To this day the sport of Body Wrestling is called Glim in honor of strong Gli'mok the Body-Shaker.

Many Tribes

This section is devoted to the records of the many tribes of the ogres, or those that are remembered. Some of these tribes are extinct, broken by war or ogre stubbornness. Yet still some tribes remain both strong or in fragments. These are their stories.

For a list of all known tribes see the Ogre page.

Blood Hills Tribe

See Blood Hills Tribe.

Karanduawn Tribe

See Karanduawn page.

Dictionary of Gods, Heroes, Spirits

A list of primary characters in the tales of the Urungnar and Garad including animal servants and legendary locations. Most entries also include a meaning of the name in the partially lost Stone Tongue of the ogres.

Banog'Yrr: meaning 'death-blow' or 'defeat' is a wolf spirit of war that is black as shadow with fur matted with blood and eyes of burning coals, first great child of Gor, whose tongue was torn out by Ugangi so that defeat would never howl for him.

D'Zono: one of the oldest Garad, mistress of Shadow and Fog, the Cannibal. Sealed away under a spell bound dome of rock by Utezni she still hungers for the flesh and souls of ogres. Considered a demon by ogre kind.

Garad: meaning 'first/old-ones', a term referring to the first ogres sculpted by U'ron's hand.

Gli'mok: one of the Garad and Uron's favorite, gifted with mighty strength and grappling skill, name means 'earth-shaker'.

Gor: meaning 'war' is the greatest wolf spirit associated with battle and father of Bana'Yrr and U'shi.

Hly'und: meaning 'one who laughs', vulture spirit of fire, a comic spirit who cares little for the living.

Karn: meaning 'devourer' and 'scavenger', a great black wolf with eyes of white-flame who scours battlefields to find the souls of the warrior dead and lead them to Ugangi in the world beyond. A favored sign of warriors.

Krollo: one of the Garad who defending the Urungnar from those who would destroy them, a patron of parents.

Kra'nok: Utezni's final child born from Kragga the Thunderer, demigod of thunder, name means 'thunder-warrioress'.

Onna: the daughter of Utezni and Una. stolen by D'Zono, future mate to Ulv and successor to Una as healer and shaman. Name means 'dark-waters'.

Orr: meaning 'swift', one of Uchronos' three ravens who does his bidding. Orr is Uchronos' messenger and speaks with his voice.

Sker'brim: meaning 'wave-breaker' spirit of lakes, marshes, and standing bodies of water taught Una the magic of healing.

Thog: meaning 'silent', one of Uchronos' three ravens who does his bidding. Uchronos sees through Thog's eyes and goes where Uchronos cannot.

Rul: meaning 'frenzy', a fire spirit associated with uncontrolled rage manifest as a white boar of immense size. Hunted by Ugangi.

Uchronos: U'chronos, Ukronos, the Sly, the Smiler, the Trickster, the Betrayer, Raven-Feeder, Raven-Eye, One-Eye. Urungnar god of the winds, birds, craftsmen, and the afterlife. Uchronos tore out his eye to prove his manliness and had it replaced by a black, glass eye made by Utezni, called his Raven-Eye, See-Eye, that can peer into the fates of ogres. He keeps three ravens: Yrr, Thog, and Orr. With his Raven-Eye Uchronos sees the death of ogres and sends his ravens to fetch them to the afterlife. Betrayed and killed his brother Ugangi for the love of Una but was consumed by his rage fire becoming wind. Uchronos was joyous and proud but also the most cleaver of the gods finding solutions even Utezni the Wise could not see. He was also the most skilled with knives and bow rivaling Ugangi as a hunter. Name means 'great-darkness'.

Ugangi: U'gangi, the Wild, the Terrible, Fire-Brand, Flame-Beard, Urungnar god of fire, warriors, hunters, destruction, and the slain. Ugangi conquered fire and all other foemen and was second to none, not even his brother-chieftain Utezni. He was betrayed by Uchronos and ascended into a raging flame. He resides in the U'tiek and despises his brother. His companion wolf Tarn gathers warrior dead to join his warband in the world beyond. Name means 'great-rage-flame'.

Ulv: Utezni's eldest son, a fracture of his soul torn off by D'Zono. Considered a demigod of archery, the hunt, and winter. Burned alive by human priests but claimed by Ugangi for his war band in the afterlife. Ulv means 'great-wolf'.

U'vatok'na: the greatest chief of ogres sometimes called king, descendant of Kra'nok.

Una: U'na, Lady of the Sea, Urungnar goddess of water, change, rebirth, healing, fertility, and understanding. She first learned healing arts from the Lake and River Spirits but was given greater understanding by Utezni. The only daughter of Uron she prefered the sounds of water over battle and had a gentle disposition but her wrath was unquenchable when awoken. Una admired Ugangi above all others and often bound his wounds although her love was not returned. Una ascended into the sea. Her sould remains within the waters giving life and death easily. Name means 'great-healer' but the ending 'na has also become synonymous with 'water'.

U'ron: known as Ule, Uron, Allfather, the Giant. Gave life to the first ogres. Slain by the other gods who feared him. His body became a mountain range known as the U'ronnag. Name means 'great-father' in the Stone Tongue.

U'ronnag: means 'great-father's peak(s), the mountains formed from the corpse of U'ron.

Urungnar: means 'great-child(ren), referring to U'ron himself and the four children made of U'ron's soul: Una, Uchronos, Utezni, and Ugangi.

U'tiek: meaning 'great-tree', World-tree, tree of souls, Utezni's tree, gateway to the afterlife where Utezni bound all souls to journey. Sought by the Karanduawn ogre tribe.

Utezni: Far Wanderer, Stone-Hand, Foremost of Chieftains, the Wise, Wizard Maker, Patron of Wanderers, the Tale-Teller, Urungnar god of earth, justice, wisdom, chieftains, shaman, and wizards capable of talking to animals, plants, the wind, water, flame, and the earth. Utezni cut off his left hand to become wise, was the most skilled of wizards, created the Stone Tongue, was the first chief, wandered the worlds for a thousand years and fathered children from three unions: Una goddess of water, D'Zono the Cannibal, and Kragga the Thunderer. Some believe Utezni later ascended into the earth but the ogres of the Karanduawn theorize that he returned to the Utiek and dwells there (in some form or other) and often visits the world in the guise of a old shaman. His name means 'great-wisdom'.

Val'ulv: meaning 'slain-wolf' commonly called 'victory', the second great child of Gor Father of Wolves who manifests as a white wolf.

Vapnem: the five standing stones where Utezni recorded the widsom of the world. Their location is lost to ogres today.

Vilinann: meaning 'poison-dance' referring to the muscle contractions and painful spasms associated with disease and poisoning, Vilinann is the spirit of the rivers, creeks, and springs. Considered an unhelpful spirit. Bit and poisoned Una leading her to discover the healing arts from Sker'brim.

Yi'or: one of the Garad who could run as fast as Cromund the stag spirit.

Yrr: meaning 'death', one of Uchronos' three ravens who does his bidding. Yrr seeks out the dead and guides them to the afterlife.

The Reliquary

A collection of relics of heroes and gods and thier locations.

Una's Staff: made of a branch from the U'tiek it carries great power, possessed first by Una and then by the line of her shaman, currently possessed by Ghanima, Shaman of Una.
Uchronos' Long Knives:' crafted by Uchronos, two knives of gray, patterned steel and ironwood, inscribed by Utezni, location unknown (presumed destroyed)
Ugangi's Spear: crafted by Uchronos, a boar spear made of gray steel and oak, inscribed by Utezni, location unknown (presumed destroyed)
U'ronnag: mountain resting place of U'ron, locaiton unknown
U'teik: the tree of souls gateway to the afterlife, location unknown
U'tezni's Fingers, the K'nutar: means 'knuckle-bones', several have been lost, seven are currently in the pocession of Svarr Shaman of Utezni
Vapnem: five standing stones where Utezni recorded the wisdom of the world, location unknown

Rites, Rituals, Prayers, and Songs=

For Young Ogres

Roughly translated into the common tongue:

Fear not my little one, the forces of Myrk,
Una remains ever vigilant and oft has she protected
her people from those who would seek to destroy them.

Fear not the flames of Ugangi's hunt,
for Ucronos remains swifter yet,
Una yet tries to mend the rift.

Fear not death,
for in the great sleep there is peace
and in the great hunt there is kinship.

Seek Utezni father of wisdom,
find courage that your soul be not consumed.

Elemental Affinity, Totem Spirits

Coming soon.

The Rite of the Shaman

Coming soon.

Recognizing a Chieftain

Coming soon.