Kalagan was born in blood. He was born on an island plantation, conceived during a brutal rape. His father was the shaman and chief of a raiding orc band from a nearby island. His mother was the only survivor of the outlying huts. Upon discovering her pregnancy, she moved out to the furthest fringes of the island society. She attempted to hide her shame and her son, but eventually, the superstitious villagers found her. One day, while Kalagan was out in his boat fishing, the villagers came and burned his home and his mother.
Kalagan was alone. And afraid to return to the island. So he struck out across the waves in the direction his mother always pointed when she talked about the hated part of Kalagan's heritage.
After 12 days at sea, living off the fish he could catch and the meager water he brought with him, he washed up on the island of his father. The orcs took him in, and it quickly became apparent he was a strong warrior. His father saw to his training personally. He also introduced him to another son, Tsardusk. Unsure at first, Kalagan came to respect his quiet, serious brother. They became friends.
Then it happened. Kalagan began to have dreams in which a being spoke to him about leading the orcs to a more civilized existence. Of teaching the orcs the value of society. He said that Kalagan would be his Messenger. Tsardusk too was visited by this being. The brothers developed a small following, until their father discovered them. He attacked Kalagan, and after a vicious fight in which Kalagan was grievously wounded, Kalagan prevailed.
Now, he and Tsardusk are leading a ragtag group of weaker orcs away, hoping to form a new society. If only they had enough supplies to feed them all...
