Old Orc

The Old Orc arrives in the Core of Hell as part of a transport of orc slaves brought from the Overworld clans to help the weakened human slaves work in the Baron's salt mines. Seeing that he is a respected elder and shaman, the Demons decide to spare him the grueling work, instead promoting him to the positions of overseer and liaison. This allows them to use him to keep the other orcs pacified and prevent any revolt from springing.

*"As you may know, the surface world is rife with demonic corruption. Even orcs have succumbed to it."*

*"The demons brought me to the salt mine as a liaison. To keep the other orc slaves from revolting."*

After the Iron Division's army fails the siege at the frontier of the demonic territory, most of their prisoners are sent to the same salt mine. However, the Old Orc finds himself unable to help them integrate with the other greenskins due to their historic grievances related to the Iron Division's banishment from the orcish lands and society. With neither of the two sides willing to come to terms with each other, the I.D. slaves eventually perish, either from hunger or from infighting with the wild orcs.

*"A while ago, demons came in with a few of your sisters. Prisoners, taken after your failed assault.*

*I was intrigued to see them, but alas... even after all this time, our kinds do not see eye to eye.*

*You know well what the fate of an honourless orc is. I tried to pacify my brethren, but to no avail..."*

Unwilling to partake in the cruelty of the Demons any longer, he joins Abedun's rebellion, managing to flee with him and Scrawn to the crypts above the mines, where they stumble upon an ancient shrine dedicated to the Elemental Gods. Once arrived, he helps his two companions re-discover the significance of the Old Gods, reinforcing Abedun's belief that the temple of Air sheltering them is a sign from a divine entity beckoning its lost worshipers.

*"There are others like me, Scrawn and Abedun in the world... lost souls who wait to be awakened."*

After Yzbeth discovers the rebels' hideout and traps them inside, the Old Orc starts spending most of his time meditating or cultivating fungi to keep the group from starving. When Zan unveils the hideout, he falls into a deep state of meditation, being eventually interrupted by Primarch Scorlag sudden awakening.

*"You are awake. I could hear Scorlag reaching out to you during my meditation.*

*So. The rumors are true. You are one of them..."*

The Old Orc moves Zan's unconscious body from the primarch's shrine to the safety of the hideout, and after she wakes up, he recounts his story as well as the events that led to her sisters being exiled and spurned by their wild kin.

*"The Iron Division... our grandfathers would often tell the tale... you bear half of their blood."*

*"The tale of your tribe still burns... you lost your men in fair battle, and sought to cheat fate.*

*Instead of giving in, your ancestors abandoned our lands in search of the forbidden Fountain of Life.*

*Your ancestors succeeded in their quest. The Fountain made them born anew. Strong. Beautiful. Proud.*

*Eternal life is a curse. A transgression of our birth path. Your kind was banished from our lands.*

*I see that the Iron Division has thrived in the underground... how long has it been? Five centuries?*

*I do not begrudge you. After all, I see no surface orc marching against the demons now..."*

The Old Orc also urges Zan to stop the Baron, pledging to spread the word of her clan's valor if she succeeds.

*"I am but a worthless slave. I may be unchained, but I am not free. Our hope lies with you, warrior.*

*If the Iron Division defeats the Baron here, I shall praise your clan for the remainder of my life."*

After the fall of the Blue Baron, he joins his companions as they leave the hellish archipelago, moving to the ancient ruins dedicated to the Elemental Gods close to one of the cult towns.