Orc

Basic Information

Anatomy

Orcs are warm-blooded, bipedal vertebrates. The orc body consists of two arms, two legs, the torso, the neck, and the head.

Orc skin is significantly tougher than that of other sapient species, naturally resilient to most forms of damage. As well as that, skin around the neck area is particularly tough and loose, making the neck a difficult target of attack.

Orcs have highly pronounced bottom canines, or 'tusks', that often are large enough to be visible outside the mouth. These tusks function as highly effective close quarters weapons and as attractive effects for potential mates. Young orcs lose their baby teeth and have their adult tusks push through at around 8 years of age.
The upper molars of orcs are notable, as they are rotated 90 degrees. This growth pattern allows them to reliably rip even the toughest meat apart, even meat that is completely frozen.
Primarily orcs of the Stainsan lineage have various keratin ridges or 'horns' that adorn their certain regions of their bodies: the brow region, above the elbows, and around the crown of the head. Other lineages can have these ridges as well, however.

Biological Traits

Orcs can live to the upper reaches of 70 years if in the right conditions, but often have a life expectancy of around 50-60 years in their homeland. In Veriasua, their expectancy hardly reaches 30 due to poor conditions.
Orcs heal and acclimate at an extreme rate compared to other sapient species. Scarring is extremely difficult to incur due to how effectively they heal. If an orc has scars, it is because of an extreme injury.

Genetics and Reproduction

Orc reproduction takes place via internal fertilization during sexual intercourse. Upon fertilization of the egg, gestation then occurs within the womb. The Orc gestation period averages around 245 days. Orcs give live birth.
Orcs undergo estrous cycles, or covert periods. Orcs never undergo menopause, though pregnancies become riskier the older an orc gets.

Growth Rate & Stages

14- Maturity 30 - Middle Age 40- Old 50- Venerable 70- Maximum

Dietary Needs and Habits

Early orcs were carnivorous, opportunistic hunters. They were both impressive persistence and ambush hunters and not too much has changed since then. Even with their reasonably developed agriculture, hunting remains a key part of orc life due to its cultural significance .

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

In some areas of Veriasua, many orcs have their tusks or ridges removed. Their tusks or ridges are often sold for decoration or for ingredients in potions.

Facial characteristics

Square, rough features.
Many orcs grow some form facial hair, regardless of their sex. Orcs with especially high amounts of testosterone grow hair around the entire neck area, usually referred to as a 'mane'. This is most common in raunsan orcs.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Orcs sport average vision in mild light, impressive darkvision.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Symbiotic: Boars, Wolves, Corvus birds

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

An orc's name invokes something; may it be an animal or an individual, they are called upon for their qualities. In naming an orc like this, one hopes that the name itself will give an ability to them.

Beauty Ideals

Toughness and strongness, which are distinguished from one another. Toughness often associated with defensive characteristics and strongness associated with offensive characteristics.

Gender Ideals

Typically 'masculine' traits are idealized regardless of gender; generally in orc societies, everyone is expected to act in an extremely 'masculine' fashion.

Courtship Ideals

In most cases, courtship is instigated in a show of utility or compatibility.

Relationship Ideals

For a bonded pair (or the slightly uncommon but no less valued 'unit'), the ideal is very similar to the ideal battle team. You are to be complementary and supplementary to the wants/needs of your partner(s). Your partner(s) should be complementary and supplementary to your wants/needs. Your personalities work well with one another.
Many pairs (or units) share and create a private code language, much like a covert ops would share. Complete fluency in these intimate languages are considered #relationshipgoals for many orcs.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Orcs place heavy worth on orcish blood. Any child with a 'bloodtie' of 1/8 or more is expected to return to an orcish society at some point, and some clans take this into their own hands to 'return' them forcibly. Parents of those children are welcome to accompany them, but are not considered orcish citizens as immediately as their children are.

Common Taboos

The attraction to things of a 'feminine' nature (either another species or simply a feminine orc) is seen as acceptable, but to embody it as an orc is many times seen as uncouth or even disgraceful if they cannot also behave 'masculinely'.

Historical Figures

Utgar the Seeker

Common Myths and Legends

Many orc folk heroes are those that lead missions to return 'lost' orcish children to their homeland. The most famous of them, Utgar the Seeker, was a returned child himself. He is said to have been the most effective Seeker that ever lived. In his most famous legend, he collected and taught so many reclaimed children that he created an entire clan completely made up of them.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Orcs have a complex relationship with outside races. Most can be welcomed into their fold, though there are a few insular clans that will outright reject 'outsiders'; especially particular races of elves. Many species fear or hate orcs, so their amiability and tolerance goes unnoticed.
Orcs have less reservations in taking other sapiens as romantic or sexual partners.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Orc

Genetic Descendants

• Orc

Scientific Name

Orcus forte sapiens

Origin/Ancestry

Stainsan, Grasan, Raunsan

Lifespan

30 years

Average Height

1.7-1.8 meters

Average Weight

82 kg

Average Physique

The average orc is built sturdy and boxy. Most orcs have heavily muscled bodies, both naturally and additionally through extensive physical training.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Orcs proper come in many varieties of green, brown, and grey. Though with their tendency to boldly take on other sapient species as sexual partners, orcs come in a vast array of colors.
They have honed the art of tattoos and other types of body modification. It is common in many clans for orcs to get tattoos to commemorate important events in their own lives or their clan's history.