Orc

The orcs are a prolific and physically powerful race. Originally a shamanistic people cultivating a primitive clan-based society, the orcs were corrupted by Baphomet—a demon lord—and manipulated into forming a bloodthirsty Horde that waged war on the humans and elves. Rampant demonic corruption caused the orcs to be filled with bloodlust and turned their normally green skin into shades of red, culminating with Baphomet's servant Gul'dan convincing the orc chieftains to drink the blood of Baphomet and thereby finishing their transformation. Yet, the shamanistic tradition of the orcs managed to survive, mainly among the Horseskull clan.

Reputation: Orcs are often seen as brutal and war-hungry, their history marked by demonic corruption and violent conquest. While some clans, like the Horseskull, have embraced shamanistic traditions and compassion, others, such as the Redfang, cling to a more ruthless and militaristic ethos.

General Information

Scientific name
Homo serenus turpificatus
Geographic Distribution
West of Green earth savannah
Languages
Orcish

Physiologie

Average Lifespan
50 years
Size
Medium
Average Height
2.1 m Male, 1.85 m Female
Average Weight
100‒130 kg

Others

Culture

Orcish society has always been characterized by hardy and rugged living. As a result, they are staunch pragmatists, and never shy from killing if it will protect the future of the orc or his or her clan. All orcs, regardless of gender or station, are expected to pull their own weight and weakness is considered a grave liability. The weakness of one contaminates the strength of all, and it is punishable by the greatest humiliation an orc can receive: exile. Different orc clans however have different personalities; The Horseskull clan isnotable for having brought a measure of mercy and compassion On the other hand, clans such as the Redfang clan remain who still cling to the rigid, spartan beliefs. Yet regardless of their clan affiliations, orcs prize honor over all other things in life — first to bring honor to their clan and secondly bringing honor to the self and to their sense of self-worth as an individual. Likewise, hospitality is considered one of the greatest honors that can be bestowed. Women are able to pursue the same career choices as men, rise to positions of power and are even expected to answer to the call for battle just as men are. Strength (both physical and mental), courage, initiative and independence are prized traits in all orcs. Traditionally, children are seen as children of the parents, but are raised as children of the clan. One tradition of the orcs was a ceremony for newborns of the clan. The infant's parents would stand in a body of water near the encampment with the entire clan observing from shore. The mother would hand the baby to the father, who would then raise the child to the sky and proclaim the child as his, through himself and his father, and present the baby for the clan's blessings. The clan chieftain would then hold the baby and declare the infant under their protection, with the hope that they bring honor and glory to the clan. The chieftain's heir would then give a blessing. Finally the Elder Shaman would ask for the blessing of the elemental and wild spirits, and the hope that the ancestors would watch over the newborn. In some clans, if the child appears sickly or frail, they will instead be drowned, likely by the father. A common expression of scorn is that an orc "should have been drowned at birth". This is likely the reason that the parents would stand in the water when presenting a newborn. The Blackrock clan and Bonechewer clan were noted for doing this without any qualms. The Horseskull clan however, were known to have rejected such cruel practices. Orcs begin weapons training at age 6, when they are nearly the size of an adult human. When they reach 12, they are considered strong enough to fight and allowed to participate in hunting parties. This is also the age they become eligible for the rite of adulthood and for the courting hunt, making them full-grown adults. To an orc, blood was the ultimate tie. It bound oaths, commanded allegiances, and marked the true warrior in combat. To taint a blood bond was one of the worst crimes imaginable. Most of the superstitious clans feared the open sea.

Spirituality

As far back as orcish history has been recorded, shaman have been mentioned, and learning to speak with the elemental spirits ofToriel was a pivotal achievement in destiny for the orc clans. The first orcs to learn the ways of shamanism hailed from the Shadowmoon clan, but many clans claim the mythical "First Shaman" arose from their ranks, even though the truth is that no one is sure of his or her allegiance. The bond between shaman crossed clan boundaries, allowing them peacefully mediate arguments and solve conflicts. Some rare orc undergoing the ritual to become shaman went insane, exiled from their clan, and going underground, they formed the pale orc, or Orog. White skulls were tattooed on their faces, marking them as "dead" to their people. Orcish shaman long used this tattoo practice to similarly mark certain failed apprentices as "dead". When Ner'zhul fell into despair, his mind plagued by visions of death, he had such a skull tattoed on his own face. Orcs instinctively revere the rugged forces of the natural elements, and as such, shaman are held in high regard. They generally have a close relationship with the nature elements and angering them is considered a grave offense. Over the ages, shaman like Thrall have communed with these spirits and, through patience and dedication, learned to soothe roaring infernos, bring rain to sun-scorched lands, and otherwise temper the elementals' ruinous influence on the world of Toriel. Orcs are reliant on shaman to negotiate with the elementals to provide necessities such as drinking water from fallen rain or fire to warm their hearths. In orcish culture, any shaman that has been spoken to by the spirits is given equal respect and honor regardless of age or experience.

Bor Breakfist by Nightblue-art

Cuisine

Orcs are voracious eaters: each orc eats as much as a dozen goblins. The staple diet of the orcs is fresh meat. To satisfy this hunger for flesh, wild boars are trapped and bred for food. Swine meat is commonly sliced up and used to make bacon. During the Orc War, boar meat coupled with a tankard of bloodmead became a bonfire favorite among the hardened troops engaged in a long war march. The prickly fruits that grow on acacia in the Savage Savannah are also commonly eaten. Orcs also eat various types of fish.

Orc Raider by Chris Rahn

Mounts and companions

Long ago, the orcs tamed the large and swift wolves. These massive canines came to be the orcs' chosen companions as well as their favored method of transportation. The wolves' unflinching temperament made them especially well-suited for battling large prey. When the orcs became more warlike, their wolves were bred for size and stamina so they could bear armored riders into battle. Dire wolves remain the favored mounts for orc fighters. When the Horseskull clan set home in the Savage Savannah, they started to tame and bond with the local wyvern. The flying draconic creature proving to be powerful companions and formidable mounts.

Language

Orcs know Common Orcish. Separate tribes had variations of dialect that differed so much that orcs could not understand each other unless they spoke the common orcish tongue. The main form of the Orcish language used by all the tribes is known as common Orcish.

Characteristics

Physical features

Orcs in general have muscular physiques and on average, female orcs are around 6' to 6'6" tall while male orcs tend to reach 7 feet in height. Males often have very long and unusual facial hair. Females tend to have eclectic hair styles and unusual piercings. Orcs have an acute sense of smell, so much so that they can distinguish others without the need for visual confirmation.

Aging

Orcs mature quickly, growing nearly the size of a human adult by the age of six years old, when they begin to fight.

Physique

An orc's face would be described by some races as monstrous. Orcs have large heavy jaws from which protrude sharp, tusk-like teeth, heavy brows, a broad and flat snout-like nose, and pointed ears. The number, size and position of orcish tusks and teeth are particularly variable. Orcs come in all shapes and sizes. The average male Orc height is seven feet tall, while the females stand at an average of six to six and a half. Males, particularly warriors, are often hunched to variable degrees, though others stand straight and tall, such as Grommash Redfang. A fair amount of sexual dimorphism exists between the orc sexes, with male orcs possessing more extreme orcish physical characteristics, most noticeably broader shoulders and larger tusks. Yet all the orcs are large, powerfully built creatures when compared to their human counterparts, warriors and spell-casters alike, and regardless of gender. Old orcs such as Drek'Thar Horseskull, however, are often frail and wiry. Orcs who drink the blood of Baphomet, and their heir are bigger and stronger, and even the weakest of these orcs is a deadly foe. Red orcs often have much longer teeth, becoming nothing short of tusks. A half-orc never inherit the demonic power, and his skin will be green, no matter his origin.

Lineages

The lineages and subspecies presented in this article are specific to Toriel, and may differ significantly from those found in Dungeons & Dragons. These lineages reflect the unique cultures, histories, and environments of Toriel. Players are welcome to use the mechanics of any official or third-party lineage, but are encouraged to reflavor them as one of the lineages native to Toriel to better fit the world’s lore. Talk to your DM to find a narrative fit that works for your character and the setting.

Orcs are divided into clans. Each clan has a different culture, tradition or behavior which sets them apart from the other clans and often also gives them their name. The Redfang clan for example is named because of their bloodlust in battle. Every orc clan is led by a chieftain, while the leader of all clans is called Warchief. The chieftain is usually the strongest member of the clan and there are two ways of becoming a chieftain. Either you challenge the old chieftain and beat him in a Mak'gora (ritual duel) or you inherit the status of chieftain.

Green orcs

Green orcs, easily recognized by their verdant skin, are often half-orcs or members of the Horsekull Clan—an orcish tribe known for its deep connection to the natural world. These orcs possess an inherent affinity for druidic and shamanistic magic, communing with spirits and drawing power from the land itself.

Red orcs

red orcs bear crimson skin and are marked by the taint of demonic influence. This infernal heritage manifests in their imposing physical strength and greater bulk, though it often comes at the cost of intellect and subtlety. Where green orcs live in harmony with nature, red orcs embody raw aggression and destructive force.

Names

Orc names don’t always have meaning in the Orc language, and most noteworthy orcs are given During the naming day. Orcs use their clan name as family name. Half orc Always bear the Halforcen family name instead of their clan name. Males Names: Wark, Drukasao, Guntojakh, Iroggalnn, Tuknazit, Volindai, Igond, Rogrelg, Umaghavikor, Fengam, So, Domron, Zurosao, Lugrenga, Zugrish, Dosamm, Tsubai, Wagtaggall, Naakigg, Eckh, Emontuugg, Cromga, Fusatkuulk, Rogrettsuo, Kalligg, Wogruugar, Akuugg, Kagar, Akubaim, Kashugrexx, Gilligoarusk, Relcozomrak, Daggarn, Dramworn, Macksh, Tusontarish, Rhog, Drarduglok, Fenrim, Rashomro, Cheruknai, Googg, Mazumorr, Chantsuya, Kazit, Sikkall, Dengamm, Nagtar, Skrishtargh, Nakin, Herst, Pikasand, Ugakusel, Kagrim, Gaidom, Fashtar, Rendomiku, Rog, Watsuyagarg, Fusath, Nekk, Tramm, Figgo, Domdaggo, Koichark, Crongaragho, Gungoress, Oso, Phavikazra, Irogaidos, Sokramm, Figall, Zurungo, Emurigore, Fashtalekthr, Chul, Tulmokthar, Nardamesh, Korelskrim, Figgalekk, Nathatsu, Nagg, Molo, Waghurp, Maulnargon, Pyagatku, Emurund, Wit, Kafgantand, On, Songamu, Lhavik, Thariak, Hungar, Drelcozsh, Draggo, Zumongorg, Nekiron. Female names: Bokrem, Fuda, Garainekago, Lopiatsukas, Hallarii, Saroogai, Hargai, Maiki, Togrytasaku, Hatamaris, Garunn, Ferunah, Irgraka, Reldaqi, Corvisaki, Roldiko, Daqi, Drunndrukona, Opakhamga, Gelagallopia, Liritsua, Geermani, Tokimao, Ezarn, Arteta, Nodosar, Mannah, Riimishtasa, Rokargara, Uragosaka, Tishtalvana, Pla, Rekrakka, Tabitaska, Akiria, Dous, Seergrutalla, Uragdalka, Khaku, Womdalle, Akonnaya, Morakinka, Akasaaja, Dosa, Reta, Nangrii, Roldala, Ritheddalka, Kritasu, Doora, Eonamah, Tiki, Grytas, Skkagai, Mirshaqi, Seerman, Wyeghakask, Lirgronnanya, Eonamanaka, Nodooskasan, Tishargryta, Arooska, Khalvanagna, Kinani, Okagark, Giskka, Atsuka, Tinekretanya, Rekrannda, In, Grytamikirga, Heg, Ferunaki, Gellaayu, Eonnakha, Ritsukah, Drakkaskaya, Flikorvisa.

History

Genesis

The Ogres were created by the giants as servants, but rebelled and formed their own empire under the leadership of Gorgrog, a powerful mage. They prospered and advanced in trade and technology, but also split into two factions: the surface ogres and the underground orcs. The Ogres tried to challenge the giants, who cursed them with stupidity and caused their empire to fall.

Formation of the orc clans

In 2015 BD, the orcs migrated out of their underground caverns, began forging permanent settlements on Toriel's surface for the first time in generations. The orc population exploded, and overpopulation and lack of prey to hunt became a serious issue. Tensions between families simmered, but before war erupted many orcs migrated out in search of new land to settle. Those who remained formed the Blackrock, Laughing Skull, Lightning's Blade and Dragonmaw clans. Those who migrated west found themselves drawn to Calames Jungle, where they adopted a savage, superstitious mindset. Those who kept their sanity became the Bleeding Hollow clan, while those who lost themselves to dark impulses were exiled and over time formed another, smaller clan known as the Bonechewers. Some were drawn further up north, traveling to the northen region and to the dwarven terriotry, the Thunderlord clan sought to dominate the land. The orcs who journeyed west the mountains east of the Savage Savannah settled there. The Horseskull and Whiteclaws learned to adapt to the environment.. In the south, three clans settled in the mountains and plains: the Burning Blade, Redwalkers and Bladewinds. Finally, the Redfang Clan migrated farther southwest and roamed the plains, while to the southeast the peaceful Shadowmoon clan formed in the Valley.

The first shaman

Mystics from the Shadowmoon clan frequently ventured across the world on pilgrimages, hoping to hear the will of the divine. Many of these travelers received strange dreams and visions. The first Shadowmoon learned about the world's primordial spirits of fire, air, earth and water. They treated these beings with utmost respect and named the site of their discovery the Throne of the Elements. The orcs learned to guide the elemental spirits with a sense of harmony, and in return received astonishing powers unlike any seen by the orcs before. The Shadowmoon were the first to dedicate themselves to the elements. They soon began spreading their teachings to the other clans, nearly all of which adopted the practice. Young orcs were raised to be steadfast allies of the elements, and fledgling shaman traveled to the Throne of the Elements to seek the spirits' blessing, entering trances to attune their minds to the elements. Those orcs who were welcomed by the elements returned to their clans as spiritual leaders whose counsel was highly valued. The bond between shaman crossed clan boundaries, allowing them to peacefully solve conflicts, and the Shadowmoon clan began a biannual gathering called the Kosh'harg festival. Initially only a gathering for shaman, it soon grew to include all orcs. For generations, the orc clans lived neighbooring the ogres, engaging in occasional territorial disputes but never committing to all-out war against the ogres. In 1628 BD the so-called red pox spread like wildfire through the orcs' encampments, culling vast amounts of the orcs.

Rise of the horde

Gul'dan a crippled orc offered himself in the service of whatever would end his anguish. Rejected by the spirits a demonlord, Baphomet, began to whisper to him. The demon lord offered Gul'dan power in return for becoming the harbinger of his fury. Baphomet needed a public figure to unite the orcs against the other mortal, but Gul'dan could not inspire or lead his people by example. The Demon lord ordered him to ally with someone who could. Careful to hide his demonic powers, Gul'dan approached the Shadowmoon clan, whose shaman commanded respect from all orcs, perfect for Baphonmet's plan. Orcs accepting newcomers into clans was uncommon, but the Shadowmoon took pity on Gul'dan and did just that. Gul'dan carefully observed the clan's shaman for one that would work, and eventually settled on the chieftain Ner'zhul. He was dedicated, forthright, and persistent, but also held turmoil and sorrow because of the death of his mate Rulkan and the recent trouble with elemental spirits. Gul'dan preyed on Ner'zhul's inner darkness and convinced him to take him on as an, unbeknownst to him, pretend shaman apprentice. Through Gul'dan, Baphomet now had access to a public figure. As the demon began to manipulate Ner'zhul, he tasked Gul'dan with making the orcs see the humans and elves as enemies. As Ner'zhul rallied the orcs for a war against the humans and elves at the behest of a powerful ancestor referred to as "The Beautiful One" (in truth, Baphomet in disguise), Gul'dan supported Ner'zhul fully. However, when Ner'zhul began to notice that they could no longer call upon the power of the elements or the ancestors, the shaman began to sense something was amiss. He discovered that he had been duped by Baphomet and attempted to back out. To Ner'zhul's horror, he discovered that Gul'dan had seen everything and told Baphomet of it all before Ner'zhul returned, as his clan treated him like an outcast. As a necessity of his bid for power, Gul'dan trained a number of like-minded and powerful orcs, whom he named the Shadow Council. The Council was soon using its power and influence to direct almost every aspect of orc society, so as to distract those few who opposed his dark ideals from their true masters, Gul'dan and Baphomet. He opened schools of demonology and necromancy to teach shamans new power to replace their lost connections to the elements. To seal the bargain between him and Baphomet, Gul'dan and the Shadow Council offered the clan chieftains the Blood of Baphomet. The first chieftain to accept his gift was Grommash Hellscream, with majority of the remaining following suit right after. The resulting Horde was bloodthirsty, barbaric, and evil, an extension of the demons whom they now worshiped. With this new horde, Gul'dan and the shadow Council guided the orcs into battle, facing the elves and humans. The Orrin empire wasn't preapred for this assault, nor was the kingdom of Lorien, rumors spread through the streets talking about orcs as vengeful spirits. The horde marched on the lands of Orrin, murdering every single being they could find on their path of destruction. Filled with the demonic blood of Baphomet, the orcs lusted for war and would destroy anything that prevented them from reaching their goal; to conquer the west of Toriel.

The War

Early stages

The orc assault and raid were numerous and common those since Gul'dan started to corrupt the orcs. But, now the orc started to march as a united force. First on the path of the orcs' horde, the empire sent a small forces of knights to scout the movement of the orcish army, resulting in the knights clashing with the orcs in a series of bloody skirmishes. Orrin scored a number of small victories, yet for every orcs killed two more seemed to take its place. The humans were more outnumbered in each subsequent battle, and eventually forced to pull back. The Orrin Empire readied itself for a full-scale war. Warchief Blackhand ordered raiding parties to cut deep into the empire's lands to drive panic into the human populace. Entire village fell, their inhabitants either killed or forced to flee. By the time thee Empire's patrols rode to defend the villages, the Horde was already gone. Studyin the pattern of targets the Horde would strike, the human retaliated, setting up ambushes along their paths of retreat. In some cases, small units of human knights were able to bring down entire orc raiding parties without any casualties. Messengers were dispatched to the elven kingdom of Lorien, warning of mysterious, fearsome red-skinned invaders. And the elf of Lorien answered their call.

The siege of the Orrin Empire's Capital

Three years after the beginning of the war, in 1212 BD, the orcish raids on the countryside had razed farms, towns, villages, forges, and trade houses, causing ruin to the Orrin Empire's economy. Even more dire, many sources of food supply had been destroyed or fallen into the Horde's control. Warchief Blackhand decided to bring the Horde to surround the empire's capital. Thousands of Horde soldiers marched and encircled the capital, cutting off all access except for the sea. As it seemed the capital would fall that day, there were suddenly cries of an attack from the Horde's rear lines. Elven knights from Lorien had moved around the horde by sea. As the orcs tried to push back the knights of Lorien, the capital's large gates opened and the empire's kninghts poured out of the city to flank the orcs in a counterattack. Outflanked on both sides and suffering many casualties, the orcs were left with no choice but to flee. This was the greatest disaster to ever happen to the Horde. The empire had received information about the Horde's plans from Garona halforcen who worked with the Hesian order.

The Empire retaliates

The Orrin empire sent emissaries to the orcs hoping to negotiate with them but if any returned, they did so in pieces. Lireesa, queen of Lorien suggested a guerilla agains the orc outpost. Sending her scout and rangers, they whiped the orcs' raiding parties and secured the empire's capital region once again. A group of scouts were sent into the remnants of the cities wipped by the orcs; they reported back that the survivors had been taken to a hidden orcish compound to serve as slaves. The Hesian order also confirmed that all the slaves were grouped together in a offsite location and that an enclosure had to be destroyed in order to make a path for the prisoners from which they could escape from. Elven scouts also reported of two orcish outpost south before the orcish encampment in which the prisoners were held. A plan was devised to attack the outpost and free the slaves. The elven scouts reported that the key to a victory for them in this confrontation would be to hold back the orcs forces at their outposts while strengthening the empire's attack force to prepare for a massive all-out attack. The empire's war mages burned the orcish outposts, and the elven knights slaughtered the orcs' warriors. The outposts were laid to waste as all the orcs troops were slain. A detachment of knights from the empire was sent to the encampment and managed to crush all opposition, destroying the orcish encampment in the process. With the peasants set free, the rebuilding of the region could start.

Split army

After the fiasco of the siege on Orrin empire's capital, and the destruction of the horde's outposts and encampment in the region, Gul'dan set out to locate the queen of the elves to enact his revenge. Gul'dan's thirst for revenge proved to be the Horde's undoing. With nearly half of his standing forces suddenly gone, to attack the elf. This would ultimately give the Orrin empire time to regroup and retaliate. Gul'dan did indeed manage to attack queen Lireesa windrunner as she was, with her troop, on a journey back to the elven kingdom. Gul'dan used his demonic power to kill the queen and her troops. With the death of Lireesa, the Sylvanas Windrunner called upon the dragons of the Golden Five, calling upon their help to end this war and to avenge her dead mother. But Kueli, who answered the call, refused to help a cycle of endless vengeance that would only bring war and destruction to Toriel. Orrin's and Lorien's troops gathered like buzzards to carrio, as the moment of destiny was close at hand. The earth shook as the knights mounted griffin and horses. fiery rocks falling from the sky thanks to humans' mage as the bulk of the knights marched to the orcs camps. Within moments, the horde's camp was ablaze with shadow dancing on the walls. While orcs were busy trying to put out the fires, and the orc started to flee, the orc had lost their morale and will to fight, the war was lost. Those who managed to flee sought Gul'dan, whom they considered, and those who joined him on his quest for vengeance, as traitors. When the fleing orcs finally met with Gul'dan and the survivors of their attack on the elves, their bloodlust took over, and they slaughtered Gul'dan and the remainder of his clan.

Thrall's rise

Thrall, the son of Durotan, escaped from his cruel human master Aedelas Blackmoore and set out to find the rest of his people. In his travels he encountered Grommash Redfang, who along with his Redfang Clan had been hiding out in hopes of another chance at conquest. Thrall made his way to the exiled Horseskull clan, where the shaman Drek'Thar taught him about the orcs' noble heritage and how they had been corrupted by demons. As Drek'Thar's new student, embarked upon the path of the shaman. Thrall then set out to to liberate the orc emprisoned, and fought for years with this goal in mind.

Recent History

Thanks to the demonic power plaguing the orc, some could survive the great extinction, Rallying under the banner of Redfang clan, which proven to be the strongest at the time. On the other hand, the few survivor of the unplagued Horseskull clan had to seek new ways to survive. On the edge of death, their elemental power wasn't enough to save them. But a great dragon, struck by the Horseskull clan affinity with the spirits and elements, protected them. The dragon died doing so, but in his dying breath, he revealed the secrets of the Circle of draconid to the orcs, making them the keeper of this tradition, combined with their shamanistic power. This new tradition, linked with their existing one, allowed them to survive through the dragon's era.