Many of the nations that border the Empire are orc nations. Not all are barbarians; the Empire has a long-standing peace treaty with the Thule for example (see the Invited with asperity wind of fortune for more details on Thule diplomacy this season). There are also communities of orcs within the Empire's borders. Some are part of Imperial nations - the Unshackled, the former Grendel of the League, the free Jotun thralls of the Marches. Others maintain a degree of independence while still being at least ambivalent to the Empire - the orcs of Beoraidh and the protectorate of Morajasse - while still others keep to themselves and have an uncertain relationship with their Imperial neighbours - the Rahvin in the Barrens for example, the septs of Mareave, or the remaining orc septs in Ossium who declined to move to Skarsind when the offer was made.
