Orc

Refugees from the destruction of Old Cadrith, orcs are one of the many races of the Cadrithic People. Isolationist, but hardy and powerful, orcs are a rare sight outside of their own bands, but greeted with respect by all Cadrithic Peoples.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Stooping taller than humans at an average of 6 and a half feet, and around 250 pounds, orcs are heavily built, and strongly muscled. They are typically blunt and aggressive, though with a strong sense for danger and intuition, solidifying their reputation as explorers and hunters. In addition, orcs are less long lived than humans, only reaching around 50 years, often due to their recklessness and bravado - but they, unlike many other races, handle the cold Winter without too much of a fuss. Orcs typically have two to three children, though often more.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Orcs typically live and travel in groups called bands. These bands are nomadic, and rely on everyone to pull their weight, out of necessity - including raising children, medical attention, and hunting/foraging. Within bands, power is held by the strongest orc, who leads the group by virtue of their strength - either by words, influence, fear, or might. While it is a strongly centralised group, it is still a collective, and the good of the band comes before all.

Orcs who do not live in a band, either as last survivors or as city dwellers, are often detached and removed, living solitary lives performing repetitive tasks - if these orcs can be reached out to and their attitude softened to others, they treat their friends as part of a less centralised, impromptu band of their own.

Many bands will include non-orcs, like goblins, humans, and half-orcs, who similarly obey the rules of the band hierarchy.

Facial characteristics

Orcs are gifted with large tusks and strong jaws, set on a face with small, porcine features. Orc ears are pointed, like an elf's, and their hair, usually dark, but sometimes red, is often cropped short, put in dreadlocks, or tied in a topknot. Orc skin, like goblin skin, comes in a great range from vivid greens, to browns, to greys, to even black, in the case of the largest and toughest orcs. Orcs do not grow facial hair, and many have piercings and facial tattoos across their bold faces.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Orcs are spread across New Cadrith, but are one of the few groups that are more likely to be found outside the walls of a town or Great City. While many orcs do find good lives in urban areas, the majority are nomadic, travelling across the length and breadth of New Cadrith. This nomadic lifestyle leads to clusters of orc bands, which quickly turn into merchant caravans, mercenaries, or worse, bandits and raiders. However, full blooded orcs are less common than their half-orc cousins, and many people won't meet a true orc in their lives.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Most orcs predominantly believe in the Finality, combining it's 'survival of the fittest' doctrine with their own rugged lifestyle. However, many other orcs follow The Tsaedo, with whole bands forming mass communion groups and seeking their own Good Deaths.

The Cadrithic Pantheon is less common in orc bands, but orcs closer to civilisation centres or fully integrated often lean towards the Quintarchy of Order, with favoured Gods being Dolgunn, God of Smithing, Equinax, God of Law, Tarron, God of Labour and Deitus, God of Loyalty.

History

The orcs on New Cadrith are some of the last survivors from the Great Disaster that befell Old Cadrith, making up only a tiny fragment compare to the majority who stayed beind. Orc soldiers and watchmen were essential in safeguarding the borders of Firsland as it was constructed. In the aftermath of the Light, and the expansion from out of Firsland, many orcs were disillusioned with the slow pace of migration, and so many set off in their own travelling bands, becoming a nomadic people in New Cadrith. Some of these nomadic groups come back from even beyond the Curved Spine, telling of horrors beyond the mountains, or great wealth they find.

Orcs have served with distinction in military and mercenary roles, though many also find a home in artistic professions, where their passionate nature can shine through.

Lifespan

50 years

Average Height

6'5"

Average Weight

250 pounds