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ORK KLANSUsing the traditional klans in Gorkamorka

By ERIC FARRINGTON.

Gorkamorka was released after the successof Necromunda by Games Workshop as oneof their splash releases. Unlike Necromunda ithas not been given the full Specialist Gamestreatment. However, that doesn’t mean thegame is dead. With the new Ork Codex andOrk models being released what better time isthere to start thinking about Gorkamorka?

With that being said, there have been twomain drawbacks to Gorkamorka. The first isits divergence with the original Orkbackground by not mentioning the originaland popular Ork Klans. Secondly, it lackedthe diversity of forces that its sister gameNecromunda possessed. This article willattempt to remedy both of these issues withGorkamorka.

Ork Klans in GorkamorkaOrks are unique in the galaxy because all oftheir knowledge is genetically programmedinto their DNA. Orks are literally born with theknowledge they will need in society. Most ofthe Orks simply have enough knowledge tobe warriors; however some of the Oddboyzhave more specialized skills such as Meks,Slaverz, Docs, etc..

An Ork’s preprogrammed DNA has also led toanother curious phenomenon. Orks are oftenattracted to a particular lifestyle called a klan.

This manifests itself in a variety of uniquebehaviors and preferences, even going to theextent of influencing an Ork’s style of dress.

Normally, klan differences are subsumedwithin the large context of Ork society.Typically a tribe/warband is composed ofOrks that adhere to various klan preferences.To the casual observer, they are just anotherdisorganized Orkish mob. However, to thetrained eye the different klans within anyparticular mob are very obvious.

However there are some Orks where theirklan preference is so pronounced that theyonly want to associate with Orks of like mind.These mobs are composed of boyz that havethe same inbuilt DNA preferences to eachother. As a result, they become klan specificmobs.

Ork klans are made up of the following self-identified archetypes.

Bad MoonsBad Moons are unique among Orks in thatthere teeth grow faster than other Ork klans.The reason for this is unknown but since teefare the primary currency in Ork society, theyare the richest of all the clans. Due to thiswealth, they have a greater propensity toengage in trading and negotiation.

Bad Moonz tend to dress in flashy clothes and

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bright yellows to draw attention tothemselves. They usually have the bestarmour and weapons as well. A curiouscrescent shaped felt cap is popular with BadMoonz as it is evocative of their symbol. Notsurprisingl, the Bad Moonz use a leeringcrescent moon as their symbol.

Blood AxesThe Blood Axe clan was the first to beencountered by humans, and as such otherOrks often think of them as tainted. TheBlood Axes are duplicitous and sneaky bynature and value low cunning more than anyother clan. This hasn’t helped with theirreputation, as other Orks think that a BloodAxe will run off at a moments notice insteadof fight.

Blood Axes have adopted rudimentarycamouflage patterns as their outfit of choice.They also seem disposed to insignias of rankand prestige. Where Goffs use horns theBlood Axes have adopted the more humanapproach of using medals, peaked caps, andstripes. Field caps are also popular withBlood Axe Orks. Like their name implies, theBlood Axe klan likes to use two crossed axesas their identifier.

DeathskullzDeathskullz are well known as the bestlooters in the galaxy. They are notorious forswiping things from any Ork within armsreach. They are particularly attracted to shinyobjects and things that make loud noises. Themembers of this klan are the most tolerant ofgrotz.

Deathskullz are extremely superstitious andas such like to paint themselves in blue paint.

They believe that the blue paint attracts theattention of Gork or Mork and the benefits ofgood luck. The higher ranking the Deathskullthe more blue paint he is likely to daub on.Often a Deathskull’s clothing will be apatchwork of different material that he hasacquired. Another key identifier is the use of ahorned skull totem.

Evil SunzEvil Sunz love things with engines and goingfast. Every single member of the klan has anunnatural affinity for mechanical devices.However they prefer to use their talentstinkering with their buggies. Other Orks seethe value in going fast but the Evil Sunz havean obsession, often spending hours racingeach other all over the Skid and acrossMektown.

The Evil Sunz prefer to wear the color orange.However, all of their clothing is usuallystained with grease and oil. They also have anaffinity for polarized lenses to keep the sunout of their eyes when they drive and squighide gloves to grip the steering wheel better.Fringes and tassels to wave in the wind arealso popular as are orange dag marks andflames. The klan symbol is a leering facedorange sun.

GoffsGoffs consider themselves the only true Orks.They are the arbiters of true Orky Kulture, andtake this role very seriously. In a Goff’s mind apropa’ Ork is concerned about getting in closewith the enemy and delivering him a solid‘eadbutt. An Orks purpose in life is to fight upclose and personal with his rivals andenemies. They dislike buggies and bikes, buttolerate them in order to close with theirenemies.

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To reflect their no nonsense approach, theGoffs prefer to wear black clothing with whiteor red checker patterns and dag marks. Hugehorned helms are also a favored item. A Goffcan also be identified by their preference forbull or horns symbols.

SnakebitesAll Orks have a certain barbaric and feralnature compared to humans. The Snakebitestake this to the extreme. Often times theyprefer to stay with their feral roots and neverfully adopt “modern” Orky Kulture when theywander into Mektown. Snakebites are wellknown for their wanderlust and inability tostay in one place for any length of time. Theyjust tend to wander off and take all of theirbelongings with them. In addition, of all Orksthe Snakebites have the closest affinity to thenatural ecosystem and tend to prefer ridinganimals rather then using motorized vehicles.

Snakebites tend to wear leathers and skinsinstead of the more mundane textiles.Feathers and other animal trophies arecommon as well. Snakebites are often heavilyscarred as they have a practice of subjectingthemselves to poisonous bites and stings oflocal animals to help enhance theirtoughness. This practice has given rise totheir klan name and their snake head totem.

Klan Specific RulesThe rules below will allow you to field klanspecific mobs in your games of Gorkamorka.

When starting a klan specific mob you willfirst need to decide what klan you want touse. This will influence some of your choices

during the mob recruitment process, providespecial rules for campaign play, and affectyour experience advancement tables. Keep inmind that you do not need to play a klanmob; you can still use the normal Gorkers orMorkers. Those mobs are simply composed ofOrks from various klans fighting together.

Bad Moons▶Bad Moon Nobz may start the recruitingprocess with 115 teef instead of the normal100.▶Bad Moon boyz that are mining scrap earnan extra +1 teef per roll in the income stage ofthe campaign.

Blood Axes▶Blood Axes may choose to be led by aSpanner instead of a Nob.▶Blood Axes are sneaky; hence they can re-roll “Da Bad Nooz” rolls. However they mustabide by the second rolls results even if it isworse than the previous roll.

Deathskullz▶The Deathskull Mob maybe led by a Slaverinstead of a Nob.▶Grots can mine 1d3+1 Teef per grot that ismining in the income stage of the campaign.

Evil Sunz▶Evil Sunz maybe led by a Spanner instead ofa Nob.▶Evil Sunz may re-roll vehicle permanentdamage. However the second result must beabided by even if it is worse than the initialroll.

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Goffs▶Goff Nobs start with Ld 8. They do not needto win a battle in order to raise their Ld to 8.They are all ready battle hardened, sinceGoffs spend more time than any other Orkfighting.▶A Goff Nob never recruits Grots. They are tooweedy, and are beneath him.▶A Goff Nob may hire up to 2 other Nobs forthe Mob. They start with Ld 7 and they willnot increase except through the normalcampaign experience system.

Snakebites▶Instead of buggies, bikes, and tracks theSnakebites use boars/Squigs, Squiggoths,and Cyboars/Squigs. These units may moveas foot sloggers instead of turning 45 degreesas vehicles. Also, they may always movethrough difficult terrain, instead of gettingstuck like buggies.

Clan Advance TablesInstead of the Gorkers and Morkers skill tableson page 50 of Da Uvver Book use the followingtables.

Results of 2 or 12 on the Advance Table allowwarriors to choose a table outside theirnormal restrictions as with any other mob.

Bad Moons

Blood Axes

Deathskullz

Evil Sunz

Goffs

Reminder note: Goffs cannot field Grots.

Snakebites

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Document Licensing DetailsThis document was written by Eric Farrington and with permission was editedby Benjamin Fox, based on a work at:http://www.the-waaagh.com/forums/?showtopic=47215It is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported license.

To view a copy of this license scan the QR code or visit:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Unsure what any of that means?Visit http://gorkamorka.co.uk/creative-commons for an explanation.

The layout was made by Benjamin Fox using images created by Jenny Mathiasson and is also licensedunder a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported license.

ConclusionUsing the rules presented above you will beable to field the Ork klans as well as Gorkersand Morkers in your games of Gorkamorka.Hopefully this will help provide some addeddepth to your Gorkamorka campaigns. Withthe release of the new Ork models and OrkCodex, this is a perfect opportunity to startbuilding a nicely themed Warhammer 40Kforce while playing some fun games ofGorkamorka. Now get out there and hit theSkid.