The metabolism of Orcs and Goblins is completely unlike that of humans, Elves, Dwarfs and most other races, which has profound effects on the way Orcs and Goblins react with the world of magic. Other creatures draw upon the raw power of magic that saturates the world, but Orcs and Goblins generate their own.

Orcs and Goblins unconsciously generate a weak magical field around themselves. During the intense excitement of battle this field becomes stronger and merges with the magical fields of all the other Orcs and Goblins around them. This magical energy gives the Orcs a feeling of communal elation and invulnerability known as the Waaagh. As the Orc Boyz march into battle they feel strong and unbeatable as the mounting spirit of the Waaagh overtakes them.

As the Orcs become more excited the energy of the Waaagh grows stronger and stronger until it reaches a critical point when the pressure is so intense that it has to discharge itself or burst. The Waaagh always discharges itself through the most suitable mind in the vicinity, an Orc or a Goblin shaman. As the Waaagh intensifies a shaman can feel its pressure building up inside his brain, driving him wild with excitement and pain.

Fortunately Shamans learn at an early age that the only way to avoid extreme pain (or worse) is to allow their minds to release the mounting energy in the form of a spell. In immature Orcs this may take the form of unconsciously generated poltergeist activity in which objects mysteriously fly about the room or smash against the walls. A mature shaman learns to control these powers and turn them to his advantage in form of powerful energy blasts or radiant spells of destruction.