Since orcs often see intimidation and violence as adequate means to settle conflicts, their history is lined with diplomatic blunders and feuds, both among their own people and against other races. The scattered tribes of the Kharbesh Plain orcs spend as much effort in internal bickering as they do warring their neighbors. They engage in highway robbery, cattle rustling, and occasional raiding and pillaging when opportunity arises. Should they unite under a single banner they would be a force to be reckoned with in the region, since their tribes are numerous and fierce. Their nomadic lifestyle does not lend itself well to constructing defenses, but if they intend to stay long in an area, they sometimes erect sharpened poles to slow approaching horsemen. They mainly rely on lookouts and trained wolves to alert their fighters in case of danger. Some tribes use cowed wolves in both hunting and battle as well. Every single orc is involved in the survival of the tribe, and those who are too weak to wield weapons effectively aid by what ever means they can. Bards and shamans play an important role in boosting the morale of the warriors, guiding their wrath with the help of war chants and vengeful spirits. The Kharbesh orcs wield long spears and axes, and their weapons are generally made of wood, stone and bone. Metal is prized loot, and weapons and armor made of bronze or iron are considered valuable. They wear animal hides or tanned leather as armor, and they hold rectangular leather or wooden shields. They use throwing spears as ranged weapons, and often employ special devices made of wood or horn to hurl them over long distances. They often dip their spears in poison before engaging in combat. In their battles with the horsemen of Odar they have learned to use long spears to their advantage, and they often make lengthy whips barbed with thorns to keep the horses at bay. Nets and bolas are traditional hunting tools that have found their way into their arsenal of weaponry. They are used to ensnare horses or enemies to hinder their advancement or escape. Since their withdrawal into the mountains after their defeat in the Treeburner Wars, the Ograkk orcs have found the unity needed to form a structured military system. This unity may be the product of a pressing need to work together in order to survive their neighbors; the vengeful Kvyr elves and Isenvor humans, the unforgiving Dar'Kolbur dwarves and the unfriendly Kharbesh and Odar nomads. The tribes answer to the Ograkk ruler and are prepared to marshal troops at short notice. Each tribe is responsible for a certain territory or duty, which they are expected to handle well unless they wish to fall lower in hierarchy and get a worse lot assigned to them. The Ograkk orcs live well, fortified in their craggy settlements, using rock and iron to construct fortresses. In bygone wars against the Dar'Kolbur dwarves, they acquired the art of mining and blacksmithing. Nowadays they rely on these skills to provide their fighters with metal weapons and armor of good quality. They have a wide variety of arms, including flails, morning stars, falchions and bastard swords, axes, partisan and voulge pole arms, short bows and light crossbows. Their armor is often made of leather and metal, worn under warm fur mantles. They wear brigandine armor, splint and banded mail, metal helmets and shields. Spikes are often fastened to their shields, gloves or boots. They breed big mastiffs as well, and use them in both hunting and war. The hardiness and strength of the Arwondel orcs make them popular as foot soldiers in the human armies. They rarely find a place as knights or manage to climb very high in the military hierarchy however, since the nobles among the humans claim these positions as their birthright. Nonetheless, it is a good occupation for a skilled fighter and many orcs appreciate the military discipline and relatively good wages. Some form mercenary bands to fight at the frontier of skirmishes, claiming good pay and loot.