Orcs

'Whatever you've heard in the towns, it's probably not true. Orcs aren't wild savages or unintelligent - they're as bright as you or I, they just live differently. They move around, always striving to better themselves and protect their people. I think that's a respectable enough way of life.' - Tsao Momelmu, merchant

Considered savages and barbarians by many, the orcs are, in fact, a race of tradition and honour. Strong and tall, orcs are some of the most formidable warriors in Ratha, living in nomadic societies which pride strength and wisdom above intelligence and charisma. Despite their perception from outsiders, orcish attitudes to outsiders vary from tribe to tribe. Some are aggressive, seeing outsiders as targets to plunder. Some are isolationist, merely wishing to be left alone. And some are perfectly willing to trade with and fight alongside outsiders. While orcs are typically poorly educated, orcish wizards and artificers are not unheard of, and some orcs are accepted among more 'civilized' communities.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

Orcs are highly adaptable, and tend to inhabit the more extreme environments other races won't, such as deserts and arctic areas. Many orcish tribes have ancestral land, which their tribe has inhabited for generations, with migration routes firmly rooted in ancestral memory.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Orcs are mostly carnivorous, preferring their meat raw or sometimes seared over fire. Some tribes will eat easily grown plant matter, such as rough bread or tubers, and some tribes brew their own alcohol.

Biological Cycle

Orcs age and breed rapidly, most being fully mature around 12. The natural lifespan of an orc is deceptively long, but most die relatively young due to their tumultuous society and emphasis on strength.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Orcs have relatively large, flat faces, with notably small noses and prominent chins. The most notable feature is their tusks, enlarged lower canines which typically jut out over their upper lip. Males typically have larger tusks than females, but they are prominent in both sexes.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Orcish names are typically single words in Orcish, notable for being short and harsh-sounding. Depending on their tribe, they may have a surname related to their parents, their role within the tribe, or the tribe itself.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

All orcs are fluent in Orcish. Some may speak the languages of other nearby civilizations, such as Common, though they are slow to learn languages and often have prominent accents and poor grammar.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Orcish culture prides strength, but physical strength is not the be all and end all - wisdom is also a prized feature, and those few orcs with magical power often occupy high positions in their tribe. Each tribe is led by a chief, the strongest among them - a chief is usually an adult orc who is proficient in both combat and planning, and may be a spellcaster. They may be challenged by younger orcs, especially if they are growing too old for their role.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Relations with most other species are tense for orcs, though they have a close relationship with many goblin tribes, and may trade with more 'civilized' races.

Genetic Descendants

• Half-Orcs

Lifespan

50 years, though they can life up to twice that naturally

Average Height

7ft

Average Weight

Significantly heavier than humans due to their considerable bulk

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Orcish skin tones range from ashy greys to vibrant greens, and many tribes will also have a number of significant tattoos.