Orcs have a habit of building massive watchtowers, which, beyond their purpose of surveying for enemies, also serve as supply outposts for Orc patrols. These towers are divided into two types – standard and fortified. A standard tower is made partly of wood, allowing for faster construction but also making it more vulnerable to fire. A fortified tower, by contrast, is built entirely of stone, rendering it highly resilient to assault – though its construction is time-consuming.
Many legends and superstitions have arisen around the Orc watchtowers, spread chiefly by the Human tribes. They claim that any who set foot atop a tower summit, should they not have a green skin, shall perish. According to the tellers, this is connected to Orc magic, which envelops intruders and drags them into death’s embrace. The Orcs themselves are pleased by the dread their towers inspire – yet the truth is somewhat more mundane. Atop each tower lie discreet openings set into the stone floor, barely visible to the untrained eye. When there’s a risk of intruders reaching the top of the tower, the guards descend and release a highly poisonous gas through these openings. A crimson mist envelops the victims, causing violent convulsions that swiftly lead to death. The gas is perilous to Orcs as well, which is why the watchtower guards undergo special training. Nevertheless, such training offers no certainty against accidents.
Each tower is garrisoned by three Orcs, one of whom is the commander. When danger draws near, one of them sounds a horn whose call may be heard by the next tower, as well as by the Riders of Daaran – charged with mounting an assault or summoning reinforcements.