Orc, Modern (Painted)
Modern Orcs are the only extant species of Orc. They are also known as Painted Orcs, due to the markings which cover their skin, which appear similar in shape and style to African wild dog fur patterns.
Orcs are well-known to have the toughest and thickest skin of the Mortal Races, both in the physical sense and in a metaphorical one. They are usually very patient and are remarkably hard to offend, making them great counsellors, teachers, and trainers, amongst other things. However, once an Orc is truly offended, they are well known to hold a grudge until death.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Modern Orcs have the same basic body plan as most of the other Races, with only 4 limbs as opposed to the Valkyrn's 6. Orcs are typically taller than Humans and are often more muscular, thanks to their high metabolism. They have wide, pointed ears set relatively high on their head, and large fangs in place of the canines on their bottom jaw. These fangs are only about half an inch to an inch long in juvenile Orcs, typically growing no more than 2 and a half inches in adult Orcs. Some Orcs are born with vestigial features, such as stub tails or short horns.
Regional Descent |
Skin Colour |
Natural Hair |
Eye Colour |
Markings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North-West | Blue-green | Dark brown | Amber, red, yellow | Dark blue, light green, rust brown |
| North-East | Bright green | Black | Orange, blue, amber | Darker & lighter green, brown |
| Midlands | Olive green | Dark brown, black, dark red | Blue, red, dark orange | Dark grey, brown, black, lighter olive |
| South | Dark green | Black or bald | Black, amber, reds, orange | Black, light brown, grey, white |
Growth Rate & Stages
Newborn/Infant
Orcs are only considered to be newborns for the first 3 weeks of their lives, at which point they become infants. Orcs are born toothless, but usually grow their first set of teeth before Human children would, at around 5 months. Their first set of fangs are commonly the first teeth to grow in, though they are only distinguishable from Human canines by their shape and point, as the baby fangs remain small and are easily contained within the child's mouth.
Juvenile
Modern Orcs are considered juveniles from the age of 2 until they are around 16 years old. Orcs enter puberty toward the end of their juvenile stage. The onset of puberty is usually seen in the form of significant growth spurts for each sex, causing the previously-short children to shoot up in height, finally becoming taller than Human children of the same age.
The beginning of these growth spurts is normally closely followed by their fangs 'coming in', and their voices deepening. Like Humans, male Orcs have deeper voices than female Orcs, however, the difference in pitch is much less than in Humans. Growth spurts slow toward the end of puberty, whilst their juvenile fangs fallout at the very end of puberty, making way for their adult fangs.
As with the other members of the H. cogitare family, female Orcs will only develop temporary breasts during the third trimester of pregnancy. These breasts will only be present while the offspring requires nursing, usually disappearing about a year after the offspring's birth.
Adolescent
Once an Orc turns 16, they are considered to be adolescent until they turn 22 years old. Legally speaking, however, in most countries, Orcs are considered to be adults as soon as their adult fangs finish growing. During the adolescent stage of life, an Orc's brain is still not fully developed.
Adult
Orcs are known as adults from the ages of 22 until around 60 years.Elder
Modern Orcs consider themselves to be Elders from the age of 60, until the day that they die.Dietary Needs and Habits
Orcs are experts at dried, cured and smoked foods. Though Orcish-style smokehouses (sometimes run by an Orc, oftentimes not) can be found across the globe, the true Orcish smokehouses, found only in Africa, are famed for being unlike any other eating establishment, both experience-wise and cuisine-wise.
Civilization and Culture
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Routed in their health, Orcs have always taken meticulous care of their hair. This means that most Orcs either have long hair, which is well-cared-for and envied by many, or they are bald from either genetics or due to their clan's culture.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
H. cogitare orcus pictus
Origin/Ancestry
North-West African; North-East African; African Midlander; South African
Lifespan
90 - 100 years
Average Height
6'0" - 8'0"
Geographic Distribution
Fang Maintenance
Orcs take great pride in their appearance, particularly when it comes to their fangs and hair. Orcs typically maintain their fang's health and appearance with a strict hygiene routine, cleaning and flossing their teeth 3 times a day. Their fangs are also sharpened with a specialised file at least once a week. Evidence of fang sharpening dates back to 3000 B.C.
Orcish Hygiene
Beyond just their hair and teeth, Orcs place great cultural emphasis on their general hygiene, bathing more often than most Humans. This species-wide obsession is routed in ancient times, when border skirmishes were commonplace and there was thought to be no greater shame than dying from a preventable infection, particularly those wrought by the battlefield. This belief is still held today by Orcish warriors and soldiers. Orcish medical practitioners also maintain the belief that death by infection is shameful for both the deceased and the healers involved, leading outsiders to find that Orcish medicine, particularly that which is offered in an emergency, to be unparalleled.
Blood Feuds
A famous practise of Painted Orcs is the generational grudge known as a Blood Feud. This quarrel can last for centuries after the original participants died, carried on by the descendants of each party. The name comes, not only from the involvement of the families in this continuation of the Feud, but the actual blood used to signal the start of a Feud.
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