Orcs

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

While not less intelligent, orcs tend to have simple thought patterns reflecting their culture.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Tribal by nature, orcs do not generally form great kingdoms. Instead, they travel around as clans. Sometimes they subjugate other clans, causing the group to grow massively in size. This organizational structure also leads to a very harsh, some would say brutal existence, where unless you can contribute and keep up, you are left behind. It's not uncommon for young orc children to have killed more than one person by the time they are 10. This goes for the males, as well as the females. Only about half of the orcs born will reach adulthood, mostly killed by other orcs or left behind to fend for themselves. Traditional orcs view any orc who settles down in a city as a weakling, and they are most of the time cast out of their clan. Clanless orcs are often not seen as proper orcs, as they are seen as soft and weak. As not able to take care of themselves in the wild. Some orcs leave their clans for a greater challenge or to find or start a new clan after a dispute with the clan chief.
Each clan is led by a clan chief, which in turn is advised by a shaman. Any orcs in the clan are entitled to challenge the clan chief to a duel for the right to lead. These duels aren't necessarily to the death, though that is usually the result. These duels are one on one with no other rules. The combatants can use any weapon, trick or magic they wish to. The single combat rule does apply to things like pets, familiars and summoned beasts, meaning that they are not permitted to take part in the duel. It's a fight to demonstrate one's individual fighting ability.

History

There are a few great orc kingdoms throughout history. This tends to happen when an orc clan subjugate enough other clans, causing them to become too big to be able to sustain a travelling lifestyle. In these kingdoms, the subjugated orc clans are in a lower class and are expected to handle farming and cattle raising.

Common Myths and Legends

Of the Divine Rulers, orcs tend to predominantly worship Viggo, the Battlemaster. His honour and courage reflect the orcish culture and tradition.

Lifespan

Orcs, on account of their cultural life style, average a lifespan of 40 - 60 years. However, orcs who leave their tribes and settle in various permanent settlements average between 50 - 80 years.

Average Height

Generally standing between 1.6 - 2.1 meters, orcs average 1.9 meters.

Average Weight

With their broad shoulders, orcs tend to weigh about 75 - 100 kg.