Orc - Cliff

With their outposts and settlements nestled in the cliffside of mountain ranges, these Orcs have earned their name from their prime location. Limited sunlight breaks through the clouds as typical heavy snow squalls blow through their regions. These Orcs are slightly smaller than their Plains kin though tend to be more sturdy and built stronger than them. These Orcs also have engaged in mining operations digging into the sides of the mountains similarly to Dwarves with some making their home inside of the mountain instead of outside. A rigged and established Orc race, the Cliff Orcs are less likely to engage in hostilities with passing parties.

Base Description

Eye Colour(s): Blue, Grey Hair Colour(s): Black, Brown Skin Colour(s): Shades of Grey Height: 6’0-7'0” Alignment(s): N, CN, LE, NE, CE, Any

Racial Bonuses

+2 Constitution, +1 Strength

Unhindered Movement

Living in tough terrain, Cliff Orcs movement is not hindered in difficult terrain and gain a +10 movement instead.

Quick Stats

Common Biomes: Mountain ranges Population: (circa 1500)

Culture

Art

The dramatic arts take centre stage among these Orcs as song and dance is vitally important to their social structure. Gatherings include many dancing to the same movements as their ancestors before them as their own ancestors had done prior. Tradition bound, these Orcs rarely miss a beat and maintain a regular consistency to their gatherings promoting their dance.

Clothing & Attire, Cleanliness

The cold climates of the mountains have forced the Orcs to wear thicker clothing than many of their other kin are accustomed to. The furs of bears, wolves, deer, and other animals are sewn into roughly assembled articles of clothing that the Cliff Orcs wear in their day to day life. Underneath the furs are poorly sewn leather scraps forming roughened pieces of armour worn beneath their thick furs.

Family Names

The Cliff Orcs engage in a different form of naming as instead of trophy earned, they go by the mother's name. For instance, a warrior might be named Durzub, son of Borba.

Language

Orcs speak the Orc language as well as Goblinoid. Some are fluent in the Human language of Common due to trade.

Living Quarters

Nestled into the side of the mountains, the Cliff Orcs and their outposts stretch tall and wide while also having a place within the mountain itself. Huts constructed of wood are built outside while the interiors of the caves are sometimes used as homes. Doors and walls are put up to identify the different buildings inside the cavern network. Furs are laid down inside the homes to help keep them warm.

Mating & Sex

Engaging in a partner for life mentality largely due to their own harsh environments, the Cliff Orcs look to establish core family units within their society in order to help progress them forward. These strong family units can begin once two Orcs have reached adulthood and the parental parties also agree to the formation of the new family unit. A typical Cliff Orc family produces several offspring though not all end up surviving and reaching old age as many perish at the hands of the enemies surrounding them.

Technology

While not progressed far technology wise, the Cliff Orcs are perhaps the most advanced out of their kin. With a slower pace to their society and a willingness to trade with passerbys, they have earned a reputation of not being as hostile and more hospitable than other Orcs. In fact, some Cliff Orc tribes have assisted Mountain Dwarfs against common foes. These arrangements end up with the Mountain Dwarves sharing secrets that are then passed down through the Orc tribes.

Economy

Heavy mining operations leads to a strong economy where the gems and ores gathered are generally sold to other nations and civilizations. While not all are openly willing to trade with an Orc, some make the exception and many deals are operated on the black market. Hunting produces other valuables that are traded though end up being handled more between different tribes than different races or species.

Professions

Common professions within a Cliff Orc society include but are not limited to blacksmiths, butchers, hunters, leatherworkers, miners, and traders.

Military

Each tribe has a warband that it operates on its own accord. The different tribes making up the population of Cliff Orcs does not typically gather in a unified force unless a strong opposing enemy is approaching. While a tribal warband, each typically consists of strong sturdy front line fighters in heavy armour. Spearwielding Orcs enter in from the sides flanking their enemies. From a distance, Orc hunters fire sharp arrows at their foes while letting loose their wolf companions into the fray. The terrain is at the advantage when an enemy enters their territory as the Cliff Orcs have the area mapped out and know it well enough to ambush their foes with guerilla warfare tactics. These warbands are self sufficient spending weeks and sometimes months in the wild foraging for food, supplies, and other resources. Arrows and more are hand made with new suits of leather sewn on the go. These units follow the tribes Warchief and not the Clan Chief as both are different posiitons within a Cliff Orc civilization.

When gathered all together as one upon a serious threat approaching, the same effort is multiplied with large hails of arrows raining down on approaching foes from the woods and the various rugged cliffsides.

Politics

A Clan Chief is voted on by the people every twenty years. This Chief stays in power until a new election is held where the Clan is able to decide whether a change is needed or if things continue on with the current leadership in place. The process may continue up until the death of a Clan Chief upon which an election is instantly held.

Religion

Cliff Orcs revere the Orc deity Burglur the Strong, deity of Mountains, Smithing, Strength, and Winter.

Travel

With the rugged terrain, foot travel is easiest for the Cliff Orcs especially with their expertise in moving across the difficult cliffs. Large sacks and baskets are hefted over their shoulders while gathering resources or transferring supplies between outposts and settlements.