"Of all the cultures I have studied, none are as widely varied as the Orc. Some continue to cling to 'the old ways' of conquest while others reside in fledling cities in their territories. Some are bookeeps while others are marauding bandits and thugs. Some are afraid of water puddles and believe they will drown because of their size; Others roam the high seas with pirates in mix-matched crews. Of all the intelligence-proven species found within the Empire, none are as small in numbers but large in variety as the Orc." - Alber Hunningbottom, The Orcish Legacy
Orcs are often seen as larger creatures with an insatiable lust for strength, blood, and conquest, despite their largely nomatic and tribal leanings. While orcs of the 'old world' in the days before empires and continental trade may have been brutish and confrontational, Orcs in the modern era either have assimulated into the cultures they reside in, or stick to their traditional ways of banded tribes who live off the land. As the Thirewinian empire expanded Westward, the land and species they encountered had to learn to adapt, or die trying to ward off the conquest. Orcs from before the Age of Empires through the Times of Terror era were often seen as beasts who could not be tamed, and must be eradicated. Alongside the fight amongst one another, kingdoms would often fight 'beast folk' in their controlling territories, even expanding into the great wilderness in order to find, study, or outright kill such species. Orcs were often prime targets for these hunts, and those who would not be killed on sight would be pacified to be studied in often cruel ways, or used as slave labor on building projects that required hard labor before being discarded, believed to be too wild and bloodthirsty to trust in numbers or be left until the next project demanded them.
As the Thirewynian empire expanded, assimulating new cultures into their pantheon and way of life in order to keep the peace, the questioned remained on how to handle Orcs who were the predominently largest species of intelligent life that was still considered to be 'beast folk'. Emperor Remis Anther in 3,485 during the Reconstruction Age, already considering how to reform the image and destruction the Empire had taken during the previous years of war, tasked his council with researching the Orcs, their motives, and if they could be controlled or tamed. He believed that if they could be pacified to unoccupied and undesirable pockets of land where they could live in their traditional ways, but without disrupting the nation's interests or people, they may be able to live freely. If not, yet another conflict with Orcs scattered across the existing empire may need to be addressed, which could prove to be unpopular in a time of already high tensions. Ultimately, the council concluded that the Orcish people could not be controlled and their natural thirst for battle would only cause conflicts to be pushed down the road.
Conflicts with the Orcs would persist well into The Long Peace. In 3,776 the Reach would launch a surprise attack into the Plainlands of the Empire, erupting into a war that would last into the following year. During this time, several independant Orc tribes would take advantage to expand their territory and launch raids across the existing Empire. When the ash settled and negotiations were ironed out with the Reach, the Empire once again had to turn it's attention to the Orcs already existing in their lands. The people of the Empire were tired of war and it's destruction; Despite a long period of peace prior to the Reach's surprise invasion, conflicts still occurred domestically with tensions between elves and humans, orcs and the empire, and some rumors of potential rebellion in Southern regions. To quell chances of yet another Empire-spanning conflict between individual organizations, reigning Emperor Marcus (last name) held a meeting with Chieftan Torak, tribal leader of the Orcs in Dunhurst on (island) in the Northern Riverlands. Over the course of several weeks they discussed the beginning of an official treaty which would ensure the protection of currently held Orcish lands for his clan which the Empire and it's people would not interfere in, with clear trade routes, regulations, and borders established. While tensions remained high when Chieftan Torak returned home to his people with the terms, ultimately it would be accepted and become the (guideline) for future negotiations with existing tribes across the continent in years to come.
Lifespan of an Orc:
Orcish lifespans can vary on a number of factors. Orcs who live a healthy lifestyle in a city and get sufficient food, exersize, and rest can commonly live somewhere between 50 and 80 years on the higher end. Orcs who live off the land, may infection from fights, and are more independant may range from 30 to 45 years. Because Orcs generally live less time than other civilized species, Orcs who survive past 50 years of age are considered 'Elder Orcs'. These Orcs are generally respected like elders in other cultures, but especially so if they have been battle proven or otherwise shown their feats of strength per Orcish tradition. Though tribes may not be fighting like the 'old ways', many tribes still ensure their populations are battle ready by conducting rigerous competitions and raids against goblins and other pests. On occassion, if a bandit camp is along the border of a province and a Orcish territory they may even receive official permits to eliminate it and take the supplies they wish or for extra supplies in a future trade run.
In 'the old ways' when Orcs were constantly fighting anything that may pose a threat Orcs would commonly only live to 30 years at most, based on limited research at the time. Though it can be expected that this number ranged wildly from theater to theater and at different times of conflict. While many Orcs have assumulated enough over the years that they are not uncommon to see in most provinces, they do still often get looked at with distain by less inclusive groups, causing some to trade in their life as dockhands, assistants, and inn-helpers to become hired mercenaries, thugs, or even bandits.
Orcish Sub-Species:
Orcs are known to have slight variations in culture and appearance dependant on their liniage, particuarly based on where they live. Orcs of the Dragontail Mountains revere dragons and other flying creatures, but despise water and believe it to be too dangerous and think they will be sucked in and drown due to their dense muscles and bone structure. Yet, they wish to fly, and often revere birds so much that they treat them with a nearly demi-god status, believing them to be the ancestors of the once mighty dragons.
Orcs in the East in Dunhurst instead are more open to trade and relations between the Empire and others. While they still reserve their sovereignty, large ports have been built with the assistance from the Empire to allow for easier access to trade. Because of it's location between the Elven Peninsula, Elven Dominion, and lower Riverlands where the capital resides, the docks get frequent and varied goods from traders. Orcs here also are more likely to take up crewman positions as they open, whether it be for brief stints or longer contracts. Orcs here are often the most open to Imperial rule, so long as their lands are not improached upon.
