The Shamans of Bhathairk have retained much of the ancient beliefs that have been a staple of Orcish tribes since the Age of Uroghosh. They believe that every living thing is part of Nature, and that Nature itself has a spirit of its own. In that sense, everyone and everything that is alive is also connected, and a tree can be as much of a sister to an Orc as his own blood kin.

Though this belief has taken many shapes and forms throughout time and tribe, for the Orcs of Bhathairk it means that they are generally more peaceful and open than some of their counterparts. In the same spirit, crime is punished harshly in the stronghold – doubly so if it’s violent or carried out against some aspect of Nature.

The Shamans of the Circle lead ceremonies, officiate various holidays, and perform sacrifices during the Great Rites. While ceremonies and holidays are dependent wholly on Bhathairk’s own history, the Great Rites are almost universally the same among all tribes that still believe in the spirit of Nature.

There are four of them, performed on solstice and equinox to say goodbye to the previous season and greet the new one. In olden times the sacrifices would be chosen from Orcs themselves, but centuries of interacting with other civilisations have seen the practice fall out of use. Nowadays it is usually cattle that are slaughtered, though rare exceptions are still made.

The Circle that presides over the spirituality of the Bhathairk tribe is composed of seven Shamans – equal in number to those who mind more earthly matters in the Council. They are responsible for tending to the souls of their people, assisting them in family matters, love, night terrors, and spiritual ailments.

Besides minding the issues of their people and the religious celebrations, the Shamans also train new generations of their own kind. These apprentices are chosen amongst those of the tribe who show a talent for magic from a young age. After they pass a series of trials, one of the Shamans from the circle will take the sole apprentice under their wing and teach them the sacred ways of the Bhathairk tribe, so that they might one day take over their role.

Circles are as ancient as Uroghosh herself, and Shamans have served as the spiritual guides of the Orcs for as long as their people have trodden earth. Though many tribes have changed custom and habit over the millennia since, Bhathairk aren’t one of them.

The stronghold has retained a Circle since its very first settlers. In the past, they used to be responsible for guiding the tribe as a whole, but as Nature and Time have willed, the Council has taken up those duties so that Shamans might better focus on nurturing the soul of their people.