Orc

Andraous (Discontinued)    Sentient Folk    Kin Folk      Orc

Basic Information

Anatomy

With broad shoulders, brawny hips and massive muscles, orcs are powerfully built. Most adults are taller than the average human, and women tend to be slightly shorter than the men.

Biological Traits

Taller and stronger than hHumans.
It is uncommon for Orcs to have magical abilities. The vast majority that can use magic however, are female. Individuals that show promise are given extensive training.

Genetics and Reproduction

Like most Kinfolk, Orcs typically only have one child per pregnancy, and can become pregnant anytime of the year. However between being naturally more fertile late spring to early summer and several cultural traditions, most babies are born in the spring, when resources are bountiful.
Children are cherished by orcs, for they are vital to the future success of the tribe. However blood relations is also highly valued, so when a new man takes over a tribe, children are often forced to be abandoned in the wild. This is especially common during years of drought, disease, etc.

Growth Rate & Stages

Children tend to play rough.

Ecology and Habitats

Orcs are native to the mountains and surrounding hills. They live a semi nomadic lifestyle, with each tribe having a handful of small camps that they'll visit throughout the year. These camps can include caves, forts, wooden huts, etc.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Orcs have become famous for several dishes that have been coined as "fast food", and he dishes are really popular in major cities.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Most orcs live in tribes/clans consisting of 1-2 men, several related women, and their children. The men are in charge of protecting the tribe from outside dangers, so they will patrol the clan's territory, fight rival males, and participate in extremely dangerous hunts. The rest of the tribe's tasks are performed by the women, such as gardening, hunting, blacksmithing, etc. They are also the ones who make the big decisions within the tribe, by holding a council and discussing until the majority can come to an agreement. The men may also participate in these councils, but since there is rarely more than one per tribe they can be easily be outvoted.
Tribes are semi-nomadic. They move between several outposts depending on the seasons and resource availability. To mark their territory tribes will create totems at the edges of their land and decorate them with their tribe's unique marking.
It is not often individuals join or leave a tribe. Typically newcomers are women from neighboring tribes that were compelled to leave their birth tribe for one reason or another. They'll often be at the bottom of the Tribe's pecking order until they can prove their loyalty, but it's otherwise a calm affair. When men try to join a tribe however, it is a bloody affair. Many orc cultures dictate that their may only be one man per tribe, and that if an Orc wants a tribe of his own, he will have to challenge another for his tribe. If he wins he must either banish or kill the tribe's previous man and young children to claim the tribe as his own. But if he loses he risks serious injuries or death.
An orc may leave their birth tribe for several reasons. Typically it is when young men come of age they will be ritualistically banished from the tribe so they may grow in both strength and experience. In the case of a woman leaving a tribe, she may have been kicked from her birth tribe due to causing serious problems, or may have a severe case of wanderlust, and desire to see the world.

Adoption and the Treatment of Orphans

When a child's parent dies, their fate depends on which parent passed away. If their mother dies, the child will be taken care of by the other women of the tribe. If their father dies their lives are then in risk, for another man can them claim the tribe as his. Girls are typically tolerated by the new man, unless resources are very scarce and the girl is too young to participate in chores. Boys however, are often chased from the tribe by the new man. If he highly respected the previous man of the tribe and resources are abundant he may tolerate the sons of his rival staying with the tribe until they become of age.

Coming of Age

When boys reach a certain age they are given a ceremony involving a feast and goodbyes. He is then chased from his home so he may go earn life experience, and eventually claim a tribe as his own. Typically young orc men travel alone, but its not uncommon for brothers or a few friends to stay together.
It is very rare for large groups of young Orc men form. When they do, these groups often clash with other folk and tribes, for it's not uncommon for them to begin raiding to gather supplies and murdering to gain trophies. If these groups come across an established tribe of orcs they can swarm the tribe male(s), kill them and take over. Eventually the tribe members are enslaved, killed, or flee for their lives.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

There is a black market for their tusks.

Facial characteristics

One of an Orc's most defining facial features is the pair of predominant tusk-like teeth on their lower jaw. These tusks grow constantly and must be maintained or they'll curve back into their skulls.
Typically has coarse, black hair.
Their noses tend to be upturned, which can cause some issues when it rains.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The majority of Orcs are native to the Dura Mountains.

Average Intelligence

Despite many campaigns claiming otherwise, Orcs are of average intelligence.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Tend to have good low light vision.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

• Female Names: Durra, Grillgiss, Ilyat, Krugga, Leffit, Olbin, Trisgrak.
• Male Names: Arkus, Carrug, Felzak, Murdut, Prabur.

Courtship Ideals

Common tokens of affection include high quality furs, skulls, and meat from personal hunts.

Average Technological Level

Agriculture Due to their semi-nomadic lifestyle orcs have very limited agriculture, instead getting most of their food from hunting or gathering.
Battle After an Orc make a significant kill they will take some of the bones and by mixing them together they can contain the creature's spirit in a new weapon to make it even more powerful.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Most Orcs speak one of several Orc languages, of which there are dozens, if not hundreds of different dialects. Those that leave their tribe typically learn The Merchant's Tongue as well.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Many orcs value value physical strength, and conflicts are often settled using feats of strength. This has lead to outsiders viewing them as violent, cruel, and quick to anger.

Appearance

Scarring often plays an important role in judging an Orc. Too little scarring means that they have been sheltered, and has no experience with the harsh realities of the world. Excessive scarring means that an orc is a bad fighter or is weak.

Economics

Traditionally orcs don't have their own kind of currency, instead tribes would trade and barter for goods and services.

Family

Men often strive to have many children in order to increase the chances of their bloodline surviving.

Common Taboos

Scarring one's skin on purpose is highly frowned upon, for each scar is considered to be art, and has a story behind it. To scar oneself and to lie about it's origins can get one shunned in their tribe.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Due to their large stature and the fact that some tribes take slaves, many folk consider Orcs to be brutal and savage.
Dwarves Conflicts between Dwarves and Orcs having been rising in recent times. In the past they rarely interacted despite living in the same regions, however with Dwarves trying to claim the surface of the mountains to raise goats and the orcs trying to mine into the mountains for metals, they have started to clash with each other over territorial disputes.
Elves With most Elves living high in the trees the two folk rarely interacted even in areas where both could be found. That does mean it never happened however, and some Orc tribes and Elven villages formed close friendships, trading stories and trinkets when the orcs returned to the forests for the winter.
Humans Out of all folk in Tamerea it is Humans that Orcs have the most history with. They tend to view humans as a weaker, but cunning folk, with some individuals making for good opponents. It's not unheard of relationships between the two folk resulting in half orcs. Orcs tend to have mixed views on these children.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• 'Ancient Ones'

Genetic Descendants

• Half Orc

Average Height

6ft

Average Weight

210lbs

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Have gray to green skin.