The Krusha’ Tribe is a brutal and battle-hardened Orc clan notorious for their unrelenting obsession with "krushin’" their enemies—whether it be with colossal stone war clubs, jagged bone cudgels, or even their own fists. Renowned for their incredible strength and sheer resilience, the Krusha' orcs live for the thrill of combat, driven by the primal instinct to pulverize and dominate. Unlike other orcish warbands that rely on blades and crude steel weapons, the Krusha’ believe in the raw power of blunt force, seeking to shatter bone and break bodies as an offering to Gorkash, the Earth-Breaker—an ancient and venerated orcish deity of destruction.
The Blood War of The Badlands
Like their kin in the Slasha’ Tribe and Basha’ Tribe, the Krusha' share a common ancestry from the Great Warbands of Old, a coalition of orcish clans that once roamed The Barren Badlands when it was still a verdant mountain range. However, after the Sundering of The Sun Realm—when Malekith scorched the land and sundered the Spine of the World mountains, turning the lush valley into an arid wasteland—the tribes fell into bitter rivalry over the scarce resources left behind.
For nearly three centuries, the Krusha’, Slasha’, and Basha’ Tribes have been locked in a vicious and ceaseless blood feud, fighting for dominance over the now barren landscape. The Krusha’ believe themselves to be the strongest, valuing brute force over cunning or agility, and see their rivals as weaklings who rely too much on trickery and finesse.
- The Slasha' Tribes, known for their swift and deadly swordplay, are seen as cowardly skulkers by the Krusha’, who mock them for "fightin’ like elves" instead of standing their ground.
- The Basha' Tribe, who favor shields and heavy armor, are grudgingly respected but considered "too scared to feel the thrill of a real fight", relying too much on defense instead of crushing their foes outright.
Despite their constant skirmishes, all three tribes have, on rare occasions, been forced into uneasy alliances—particularly when outside threats such as giant Sandwyrm, raiding Kroot bands, or vengeful stone giants emerge from the Barren Badlands to threaten all orcish warbands alike.
The Cliffs of Krushin’
Unlike the other orcish warbands who roam the dusty mesas and stone labyrinths of the Barren Badlands, the Krusha’ have claimed a strategic stronghold on a towering cliff-bound island just west of the badlands, across the narrow strait known as The Blood Tides. This position grants them natural fortifications, allowing them to raid the mainland with brutal efficiency, then retreat before their enemies can mount a full counterattack.
Their settlement, Gorkash’s Throne, is carved into the craggy cliffs and built almost entirely out of bone, stone, and the remnants of shattered war machines stolen from rival tribes. Massive totems made of crushed skulls line the jagged pathways leading up to the stronghold, each one representing a worthy foe "krushed" in battle.
However, their seemingly impenetrable domain has a terrible price—one that has bled them for generations.
The Wrath of Miavryar
Though the Krusha’ have dominated their island stronghold, their victory is far from absolute. Just west of their territory, an ancient and vengeful predator dwells—Miavryar, the Mist Drake, a fearsome and eldritch dragon-like beast whose lair rests on an adjacent, mist-wreathed isle.
For centuries, Miavryar has been the bane of the Krusha’ Tribe, descending upon their war camps and hunting parties in the dead of night, ensnaring warriors in ethereal mist before devouring them whole or dragging them into the abyssal sea. Many Krusha' warlords have attempted to hunt the drake down, but none have returned. The elders of the tribe claim that Miavryar is a punishment from Gorkash himself, sent to test the strength and willpower of their people.
Despite their losses, the Krusha’ remain undeterred, believing that one day, a true champion will arise—one who will "krush the drake’s skull" and carve its bones into the greatest war-club the world has ever seen. Until that day, they continue to fight, raid, and revel in the chaos of battle, knowing that only through brutality and sheer will can they hope to triumph.
A Culture of Strength & Savagery
The Krusha’ way of life revolves around proving strength through combat. Weakness is not tolerated, and every orc is expected to earn their place through feats of sheer brutality. Some of their defining traditions include:
- The Bone Trials – Young orcs must "krush" a worthy foe (whether beast, rival, or even kin) and forge their first bone club from its remains. Those who fail are cast into the sea, where they either swim back stronger or perish in the tides.
- War Feasts – After every major victory, the Krusha’ gather around massive pyres, feasting on the remains of their fallen enemies while chanting war songs to Gorkash.
- The Rite of The Crushed King – If a chieftain is defeated in battle, their skull is shattered and mounted upon the Chieftain’s Pillar, a towering monument within Gorkash’s Throne that serves as both a graveyard and a warning to all challengers.
The Krusha’ believe that the only way to earn true glory is by facing death head-on. To them, steel is fragile, and magic is cowardly—only the brute force of a warrior’s own strength is worthy of respect.
Enemies & Rivals
The Krusha’ Tribe is feared and hated by many, but their most bitter enemies remain:
- The Slasha’ and Basha’ Tribes – Their endless blood war continues, with no end in sight.
- Miavryar, The Mist Drake – The greatest threat to their survival, their failure to kill the drake is a shame they carry on their shoulders.
- Stone Giant of the Maw of the Earth – A constant threat to their raids on the mainland, these massive beings see the orcs as nothing more than insects to be crushed.
- Bastilian Airship Patrols – The Empire of Bastile sees all orcish warbands as vermin and has hunted them from the skies, leading the Krusha' to ambush airships with crude, stolen siege weaponry.
"Krush 'Em All" – The War Cry of the Krusha’
To the Krusha’, battle is more than just survival—it is sacred. Every fight is a test of strength, and every broken bone is a trophy of war. Whether fighting against rival orcs, monstrous beasts, or foreign invaders, the Krusha’ charge forward with reckless abandon, bellowing their infamous war cry:
"KRUSH ‘EM ALL!"
For three centuries, they have raged against the world, seeking only to smash, crush, and dominate. And until the day comes when Miavryar falls and their enemies lie broken in the dust, the Krusha’ will never stop fighting.