Orcs
Orcs are one of the sapient species which inhabit Borgalor and among of the more populous ones, with most of their population being concentrated on the continent of Örkraz, though significant diaspora can also be found in the Southlands and Jælondis.
Like Goblins and Trolls, orcs have powerful jaws and sport strong, sharp teeth, including large fangs in their upper jaws, long enough to be visible with their mouth closed. They can tear through raw meat, crush bones and crack hard seeds almost as easily as trolls, and thus traditional orcish cuisines -while widely considered delicious- are quite hard for the other peoples of Borgalor to get into.
The river valleys in the Gjóm Highlands at the heart of the continent became the centers of orc civilization, which eventually spread to the lowlands and coastal regions south of the Hnahlam Mountains, which mark the traditional northern boundaries of orcish territory in Örkraz to this day. While chiefdoms and monarchies were common in ancient times, republics have been the norm for centuries now, though the heads of state are still commonly referred to as chiefs.
Today, Örkraz is a major producer of sugarcane and various sweets -including one of Borgalor's most popular fizzies, Crocodile Tears- as well as Hlölkite and Solite ore, high-quality steel, precious stones, hardwood and crocodile leather.
Appearance and abilities
Orcs are for the most part shorter and more robust than the average human, able to perform great feats of strength with ease that most humans or dwarves would only be able to imitate given suitable training, but also tire more easily than the latter. Their skin ranges from various shades of violet to grey, the hair is usually black with occasional blue or purple hues, and common eye colours includes purple, grey and hazel.Like Goblins and Trolls, orcs have powerful jaws and sport strong, sharp teeth, including large fangs in their upper jaws, long enough to be visible with their mouth closed. They can tear through raw meat, crush bones and crack hard seeds almost as easily as trolls, and thus traditional orcish cuisines -while widely considered delicious- are quite hard for the other peoples of Borgalor to get into.
Arcane abilities
Orcs' are generally able to perform more powerful spells than elves and humans, but in shorter bursts and need longer time to recover their arcane energy. Because of this, they tend to use magic more sparingly than most people, which many mistake for being against the use of spells.History
Orcs share a common ancestry with both trolls and goblins, all of whom originated in the Southlands back when it was connected to Örkraz and was located somewhat closer to the equator. Orcs and goblins became isolated as the continents split and drifted into their current locations, as the orcs that remained in the Southlands eventually perished due to environmental pressures and competition with the trolls. Later, as goblins migrated northwards over the sea and settled in SE-Jælondis due to pressure from the serpent-like ophids, orcs remained the dominant peoples of Örkraz for millennia.The river valleys in the Gjóm Highlands at the heart of the continent became the centers of orc civilization, which eventually spread to the lowlands and coastal regions south of the Hnahlam Mountains, which mark the traditional northern boundaries of orcish territory in Örkraz to this day. While chiefdoms and monarchies were common in ancient times, republics have been the norm for centuries now, though the heads of state are still commonly referred to as chiefs.
Today, Örkraz is a major producer of sugarcane and various sweets -including one of Borgalor's most popular fizzies, Crocodile Tears- as well as Hlölkite and Solite ore, high-quality steel, precious stones, hardwood and crocodile leather.
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
Average Technological Level
Orcish steel is considered some of the best in all Borgalor, traditionally made using furnaces powered by monsoon winds and thus only a modest amount can be produced each year.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Orcs are divided into myriad tribal groups, most of which are concentrated in Örkraz, whose culture varies greatly from one another in terms of clothing, art, architecture and language. Only a few select aspects are common to most of these ethnicities, notably an emphasis on ancestor worship, importance of instruments and advanced metallurgy.
These practices have become a source of great controversy among the other peoples of Borgalor ever since the Fell Wars, during which most of the world powers fought against necrocracies founded by human liches, even though orcish ancestor worship strictly forbids any attempts at controlling the dead. As a result, most orcs outside Örkraz only call upon their dead in secret, if at all.
Religion
Although polytheistic and even a few select monotheistic native faiths are practiced by certain orcs, along with foreign religions, the vast majority adhere to ancestor worship which traditionally includes some form of Necromancy, meaning that the dead are summoned at certain times for guidance and to introduce them to new family members. Warriors sometimes call upon the spirits of their ancestors to terrify their enemies and act as shields against spells in battle.These practices have become a source of great controversy among the other peoples of Borgalor ever since the Fell Wars, during which most of the world powers fought against necrocracies founded by human liches, even though orcish ancestor worship strictly forbids any attempts at controlling the dead. As a result, most orcs outside Örkraz only call upon their dead in secret, if at all.
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