Racial Motifs 23 : Malacath Content . By Forge - Wife Gurzbog gra - Gulog Listen up , smiths ! We don ' t pound hot metal around here just because it ' s fun . We forge for the glory of Malacath ! Shoddy work will not be tolerated . You don ' t want to craft anything you ' ll have to apologize to the Orc - Father for when you get to the Ashpit . You want to make items in the Malacath Cult style ? Well , there ' s only one right way to do it , and that ' s to use the Tilted Square , the symbol of instability . So pay attention ! AXES A Malacath axe blade is large , of course , because with blades , bigger is better . And it ' s covered with chevrons and tilted squares , because that ' s the Malacath Way . Axes are all about chopping things down and making them fall over , so naturally we cover them with symbols of instability . Any questions ? Didn ' t think so . BELTS We like to keep our belts simple and not too broad , because most of us have enough trouble bending over as it is . Ha ! But we make them of the finest possible materials , such as top - grade mammoth leather , and we craft them to the highest standards . Because Malacath demands it ! BOOTS Whether you encounter snow or ice , rock or ash , Malacath expects you to keep going . Our boots are crafted from the finest hide and soled with small cleats for traction . And because we must trust our boots to keep us stable on any surface , we decorate them , not with the tilted square , but with the chevron : upright for stability , or inverted for grip . BOWS Melee , hand to hand and chest to chest , honors Malacath . Sticking an arrow in someone from a distance does not . For Malacath , a bow is a hunter ' s tool , not a warrior ' s weapon . So bows in the Malacath Cult style are lighter and simpler than the other weapons in our armory . CHEST PIECES In battle , the Orc - Father calls for a layered defense , with Orcs supporting their fellow warriors left and right and before and behind . Everyone has an equal chance to bring honor to Malacath . Likewise , the warriors of Malacath wear cuirasses layered of fur and stiffened armor , usually with a great cowl - gorget extending across the chest and upper back . DAGGERS The daggers of Malacath are versatile weapons , strongly made , slightly curved , and with an edge on both sides of the blade , because sometimes we must reverse to stab those who attack us from behind . Treachery is everywhere . GLOVES The gauntlets of the Cult of Malacath reach all the way to the elbow and are adorned with chevrons , the symbol of deflection , for we are taught to parry , at need , with the forearm . We also know that when attacked from behind by so - called friends , the best defense is a half - turn and a savage backhanded blow . HELMETS Our helms and hoods are layered , like our cuirasses , and likewise ornamented with Malacath ' s tilted square . They are sturdy but not too heavy : since betrayal is inevitable , Orcs must be constantly looking askance . LEG GREAVES Malacath teaches us that , just as our enemies speak fair before they act foul , it is the way of our enemies to feint high and then attack low . Therefore we take special care with our greaves . MACES Malacath ! Forge - Founder ! Smith - Father ! We honor you in battle by wielding the hammer , pounding your foes the same way we hammer out hot steel ! Heavy are our hammers , ever ready to smite with the power of the Tilted Square ! SHIELDS The kite - shaped shields of the Cult of Malacath sport the sacred chevron and the Tilted Square . What is not obvious to the eye is that they are many - layered , of folded steel over laminates of hardwood . Our shields are light , but nigh - impenetrable . SHOULDERS In battle Malacath decrees a layered defense , and so it is with our armor , our pauldrons , faulds , cowters , and poleyns adding layers to our base armor , all adorned with the holy geometries . The pauldron that covers the off - shoulder often sports a knob or boss , to protect the arm of defense . STAVES As spellcasters of the Cult of Malacath devote their energies to the downfall of our duplicitous enemies , so their spell - staves are tipped with the sacred Tilted Square , that their Destruction spells may bring collapse and confusion to their targets . Hail Malacath , He Who Speaks Sideways ! SWORDS Malacath teaches us that , when the Orcs are surrounded by enemies , that is when it is best to turn to slashing our way out . The swords of our cult are the tools to that end , long , curved , and wickedly edged on both sides . Those who think they have trapped us will be surprised when the prey becomes the hunter !