Shogrush

Shogrush Chak, the Lich Emperor, the Thorn of Vecna was an infamous necromancer and warrior who ushered in one of the darkest periods in all of history. He is responsible for hundreds of years of darkness, all issued by one mortal being. He ruled over the Material Plane with an iron fist, and tactically conquered the known realm with his armies of devils, demons, and aberrations.

Early Life

Born in the year 330 ADW, Shogrush Chak saw early on the mistreatment that was inflicted upon the Orcs by both the Dwarves and Elves. From an early age, he grew to hate the Elves and Dwarves, and anyone in the realm who scoffed at the idea that Orcs and other beasts could be civilized. This mistreatment stemmed from the previous conflict, where the previous Orcish leader, Baroness Roga attempted to conquer beyond the border shared between the Orcs and the Dwarves. Her ideas of conquest failed miserably, but left a trail of carnage as she and her armies retreated. Wanting revenge, the Dwarves and Elves decided to inflict Contaminated Isolation upon the Orcs.

Contaminated Isolation

Following the events of the previous conflict, the Elves and Dwarves occupied the Orcish land of Duzgredar, assuming control of all aspects of life. When Shogrush reached 20 years of age, he saw just how cruel the oppressors were. Nestled into every business, occupation of responsibility, and within council members of Orcish lineage, was a Dwarven or Elvish loyalist, dedicated to sabotaging any and all attempts for organization. This was part of the occupiers' plan, Contaminated Isolation, treating the Orcs as a disease, and isolating them wherever they can, making life difficult. As a young Orc whose society depends on the youth to forge a new destiny, it was utterly impossible to do anything.

Wild yet Tame

Realizing that he could only live in poverty and failure due to his horrendous overlords, Shogrush eventually fled the Orcish cities and ventured into the woods, seeking the Wild Orcs. Finding them was no issue, but speaking to them was. The Wild Orcs were complete isolationists, refusing to integrate into society. Shogrush saw this and respected their dedication to nature and survival. Overtime, he became accepted as one of them. Eventually, Shogrush earned the respect of many of these tribes, showing his natural prowess over magic and martial skill. This impressed the Wild Orcs, so much so that they granted Shogrush an honorary warrior title. Shogrush realized the respect and value that the Wild Orcs had built over generations of isolation, and took that to heart.

Deciding to return to society when he reached 30 years old, he did so with several Wild Orc leaders who would accompany him on his grand Orcish journey. It is said that, in all parts of Orcish culture, one must embark on a grand and epic journey that brings inspiration and change to you or others. Shogrush would eventually do all of these things.

Dark Powers

Shogrush had proven himself as a powerful mage and warrior, combining both feats into one. Any who challenged him, expecting a warrior, fought a tactical mage. Any who expected a mage, fought a mage slayer. He was incredibly powerful and intelligent, which stemmed from his exploration into the Wild Orc's teachings of dark abilities. Considered "dark" by society, Shogrush thought nothing of it and mastered them over time. Many of these Wild Orcs worshipped ancient Orcish gods, and a Lich God named Vecna. Drawing power from this Death God, Shogrush quickly became a powerful necromancer.

The Beginning of Change

Returning to his home, he saw that, in his absence, nothing had changed. He had secretly hoped that other more impressive leaders and figures would fight for something. However, in this moment he realized that if you want something, you must take it yourself. He gathered all of the leaders he knew and respected, and told them his ideas of a unified people, including the Wild Orcs, and modeling society after them in their honor. Most scoffed at him, but one individual, Lazgrul Chak, was inspired by Shogrush's dedication to his people. From that day forward, Lazgrul would become a pivotal part of his council and support.

Another pivotal figure who joined this council was named Arch Keltan, a leader of another growing empire. He was a human, but a beast at heart. He ruled over the growing Beast Clade Dominion, but was seen by Shogrush as potential competition.

His council of warriors, spellcasters, and politicians was formed in 368 ADW. They would not have their first instance of action until two months later, where they organized mobs and riots to fight back against the Elves and Dwarves, who did not believe this feat was even possible. The oppressors were defeated easily, and this defeat gave Shogrush and his followers enough ammunition to keep going, chasing these guards and arrogant knights across Duzgredar.

In 370 ADW, most of Duzgredar had been returned to the hands of the Orcs. The Elves and Dwarves were planning to retaliate, not wanting to lose to the Orcs and beasts. Arch Keltan proved himself to the court that at the beginning of the year by striking the Elves and Dwarves, forcing them to reevaluate their ability to continue their retaliatory hatred. Arch Keltan then returned to his home to establish his kingdom. This opened an opportunity for Shogrush to strike.

Betrayal and Brutality

Planning a massive army to strike the heart of the military might of both the Elves and Dwarves, Shogrush rose the dead of his enemies, bringing them back to their home. As Shogrush charged with his army of undead and loyalist Orcs, his council appeared with their armies, on the side of the Elves and Dwarves. Shogrush carved a path through all the armies, but had to retreat in defeat due to the betrayal. Shogrush, not giving up, returned during the night alone, made a deal with Vecna for power, and rose all the thousands of dead, using them to invade the city they were sieging. Floating in the sky as the Grand Lich, Shogrush forever changed that day.

From that day forward, Shogrush only trusted Lazgrul and accomplished most feats himself. He rose the traitorous council members from the dead and turned them into the lowest of the undead ranks to follow him around.

He continued down a path of utter brutality and vileness, raising the undead and using them against his enemies. Soon, Shogrush was near unstoppable.

Reign of Darkness

Shogrush began to usher in an age of darkness beginning in 500 ADW. Thanks to his dark bargain, he had the knowledge to connect and commune with entities beyond the realm. He did so, bargaining with them, giving them whatever they wanted, so long as they stayed loyal to his domain. He gathered armies of darkness, and conquered the realm. The only opposition he had was the Beast Clade Dominion, which at this point had become its own empire.

Shogrush used his dark bargain and powers learned from these otherworldly entities to banish the literal gods, ushering the realm into a pure dark dominion. For 400 years, the world was consumed by destruction, chaos, and death.

Living under Darkness

Shogrush ushered in an empire for his people 10 times over. While his people followed him up until this point, the life he granted for them was questionable. Society was built upon literal mass graves and continued suffering, something that most people were tired of. However, demons and devils ruled cities and towns, and the people could not fight back.

The Light Returns

Eventually, the literal Gods broke these banishing chains, sending divine armies down. Armies of the realm rose up all across the realm, and very slowly but surely, fought back against Shogrush. Soon, his dark armies fell to divine smites and divinity, as the literal gods broke their promise and descended upon the realm, touching it physically for the first time in hundreds of years.

In an effort to keep his failing power, Shogrush stored his power into a spear, his favored weapon. This weapon would be broken into three pieces, spread across the universe, making it impossible for him to be truly defeated. He fought to the bitter end, falling to champions of gods and mortals alike.

The Aftermath of the Fall

After Shogrush's death, his people were not punished by the realm. However, they were to be heavily watched, and barred from entering an realm alliances. The people of Duzgredar were forever too afraid to elect another powerful leader, for fear of a part two.