Dorugal

The Dorugal, sometimes known as Ogres or Orcs, are one of the key races in El'Rakar. They are very physically-powerful people, known and feared for roaming the plains of Peldesh in great hordes atop massive beasts.

Basic Information

Anatomy

^{Rough concept image showing an average male Dorugal from both the front and back to illustrate the amount and patterns of fur growth as well as the tiny tail.}

The Dorugal are great, hulking people that are the largest of the sentient races (aside from Dai'Moru in their True Form), and are incredibly strong with dense bones and immense muscles. They are also very hairy, an adaptation to the cold deserts and tundra of Peldesh. Their manes in particular are of great cultural significance, with a thick and luxurious head of hair being seen as a thing of beauty and a mark of health and strength.
Keratinous spikes grow from their shoulders, arms, and knuckles, as well as horns on their heads and tusks from their mouths, features that only add to the intimidation often felt by members of other races.

Genetics and Reproduction

Dorugal experience a yearly rut and heat cycle in which males spar to impress available females and breed with their accrued wives. The gestation period for Dorugal is about fifteen months, after which live infants are born (twins are most common, but singles, triplets, and quadruplets do happen).
Dorugal thus have many offspring and do exhibit a fair amount of parental investment, though their mortality rate is driven up by their harsh lifestyle.

Growth Rate & Stages

The average lifespan of a Dorugal is much shorter than the full potential length, with elderly individuals reaching upwards of 140 years in age. Death is common even at very young ages, however, with a large number dying before the age of 40.

Ecology and Habitats

Dorugal are well-suited for the cold, with extensive body hair, thick skin, and a slower metabolism that more readily generates fat.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Dorugal are omnivorous like humans, though they mainly subsist off of meat due to the harsh climates they inhabit and their nomadic lifestyle.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Dorugal have better senses of hearing and smell than Humans, though their sight is slightly weaker with farsightedness being notably common. Dorugal are noted as being significantly more physically powerful on average than the other races, but often believed to be lacking in Magical capability. They most commonly exhibit a preference for "physical" forms of Magic, using it to enhance their physical attacks. It is uncertain if this is an innate preference or a cultural one.

Civilization and Culture

Relationship Ideals

Much like their lifestyle is transient, so too are their relationships. They practice polygamy with the strongest males having many wives, though those wives can very easily leave to become the wife of another that they deem more attractive. These "marriages" are not done in ceremony, but are simply an unwritten arrangement between individuals. There are some variations of this by tribe, such as a handful of groups having adopted the practice of taking a formally-wedded "chief wife" (this wife being expected to remain with her husband, but receiving special treatment from him over his informal wives).

Common Myths and Legends

An ancient and sacred prophecy states that six great leaders will arise and spread their hordes across the world, slaughtering the living and burning the land to ashes. When the planet has been returned to an empty state, the gods will return to El'Rakar and merge with those leaders who have achieved Divine Glory, rebuilding the world with the Dorugal as the new Chosen Race.