Orc / Half-Orc
One of the youngest races in Aradia, the orcs are believed to have been born from goliaths that begun to worship the Prime Titan Cogadh. Following dreams sent by their master, they descended from the mountains and imbibed in human blood, turning feral and wild. A long time ago, orcs were widely spread throughout Aradia, however their violent tendencies led to their culling in many areas of the world. Many joined pirate and bandit groups as well as formed mercenary organizations, which did little to calm the fears of the commonfolk. Stories are still told of orcish savagery and rage, which are believed to be a curse put on them by the Prime Titan their forefathers followed. The current population of orcs is barely a sixth of what it was prior to the mass culling, with the majority of it living in nomadic tribes in the North Highlands.
The truth is that while orcs and their half-bloods do have a leaning towards anger and outbursts of violence, this behavior does not extend to every member of the species. Half-orcs in particular tend to be smaller, somewhat weaker, and more naturally intelligent than their orcish relatives. They easily adapt to living in lawful societies and even occupy positions of knights and military advisors. Half-orcs are believed to have a natural proclivity for warfare in all of its aspects. Full-blooded orcs are rarely found within nations or cities, unless they are being hired as part of a mercenary group. North Highlands still continue to house the majority of the orcish population and most orcs and half-orcs consider the Highlands their motherland, regardless of whether they were actually born.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Orcs are recognizable for their large, muscled builds, with both males and females being roughly the same size and physique. They tend to have green-to-brown skin colors and dark-colored hair, which most of them do not cut. Their skin does not tan, nor does it pale if not exposed to the sun for long periods of time. Their lower jaw is larger than their upper jaw, leading to growth of protruding tusks. In rare cases, the upper jaw actually develops more than the lower, in which case the tusks grow from the upper jaw. Males have larger tusks than females.
Half-orcs are generally smaller and leaner built than their full-blooded kin, though still large and imposing by human standards. Their skulls take the features of their non-orc parent, but many still retain small tusks. Tusk growth is more common in males than females. Unlike their full-blooded kin, half-orc skin does grow tanner or paler based on sunlight exposure, however, this does not occur as quickly as in humans.
Genetics and Reproduction
Orcs are extremely fertile. A young orc female can have birth up to eight children in one pregnancy. Four to six is common, and couplings that produce only one child are considered unfavorable and often fall apart. Orcs are capable of producing viable offspring with most races. The most common couplings occur with humans, goliath, and bugbears.
Growth Rate & Stages
Orcs mature faster than humans and reach adulthood at age 12. They live roughly 50 years, though most die in battle as opposed to old age. Half-orcs mature a little slower, reaching adulthood at 14. They also live around 70 years, though the exact life expectancy depends on the amount of orc blood present in their veins and the non-orc parent race.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Orcs are omnivorous. However, they prefer meat and may even cannibalize their own dead if the need for sustenance is great. They can digest raw meat, though most tend to prefer it at least somewhat cooked.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Orcs and half-orcs living within nations typically conform to the nation's laws. Orcish tribes, however, operate as kratocracies, where the strongest individuals rule. Leadership can be challenged through a process called The Gauntlet, with the winner receiving the mantle of Tribe Chief. This social structure extends to non-leadership positions as well, with the strongest being respected by their weaker kin. Even outside the tribe, an orc may choose to follow and fight with an individual sufficiently strong to defeat them.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Orcs can be found in small numbers throughout Aradia. They typically serve as mercenaries and swords-for-hire, or join pirate and bandit gangs. Their natural instincts and leaning towards violence leads them into military service and brigandry. Full-fledged orcish tribes, however, are mostly found in the North Highlands, where they obey no ruler and live the traditional nomadic lifestyle. Half-orcs are much more frequent among city-dwelling folk and are found among the populations of almost every nation, though notably they prefer warmer climates.
Average Intelligence
Orcs are on average less intelligent than other races, as their society values strength more than intellect. While not mindless animals, they tend to follow instincts rather than actual strategy or logic. They are also rarely literate, though they all speak Orcish fluently and some even know spoken Common. Magic-users are very rare and most draw upon an instinctual, primal kind of magic to augment their physical prowess.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Orcs and half-orcs are adept at hunting at night and following their quarry into caves and underground lairs. As a result, they have developed darkvision. They also are naturally adept at fighting and sensing approaching dangers.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Orcs favor short, gluttural-sounding names that are easy to roar out in combat. They also enjoy strong-sounding monikers, which leads to some rather strange naming combination. Surnames are rare and are typically only seen in half-orcs that live within nations. Orcs tend to either take their tribe name as a surname (e.g. Grokkur of the Rocksmasher tribe) or use intimidating titles (e.g. Krugg the Skullcrusher).
Major Organizations
The Nord Highlands is home to many orc and half-orc tribes, both large and small. Of these, three tribes are of particular note.
- The Guttusk Tribe operates in the Southern areas of the Highlands. They are considered to be the most 'civilized' of the tribes due to their frequent dealings with Belledance as swords-for-hire. Due to their frequent interactions with humans and other races, they have the highest number of members of non-orc races.
- The Nogaz Tribe lives along the Northern borders of the Highlands, occasionally travelling into the mountains. They are considered a savage and wild tribe, tending to stay away from towns and hamlets. They count several goliath, ogres, and dragonborn among their number.
- The Dhorkrord Khogh Tribe makes the Western Highlands their home. They are known for frequently attacking caravans, travelers, and even other orcish tribes that move through the area. The Dhorkrord Khogh are distinct for their grey-green skin colors and their continuous worship of the Prime Titan Cogadh.
Beauty Ideals
Orcs consider strength to be the most sought-after trait and therefore any physical factor that showcases their strength is seen as beautiful. Broad shoulders and rippling muscles are highly attractive to them. They also find scars - especially facial scars - to be very attractive, as they represent the battles that one has survived. In men, it is common for preference to be given to those with larger or more elaborate tusks.
Gender Ideals
When it comes to combat training, men and women in orcish communities are treated equally, as both are capable of roughly the same levels of strength. Young and nursing females, however, are given special treatment in terms of protection during attacks. They are considered to be the future of the tribe and must be kept alive at all costs. Both males and females are capable of taking leadership roles within a tribe, provided they have the strength to take the title from the previous carrier.
Common Taboos
Individuals that flee a battle are often scorned by the entire tribe. If the losses suffered as a result of such cowardice were great enough, the individual will be banished from their tribe.
Common Myths and Legends
The orcs originally worshipped the Prime Titan Cogadh, who is believed to have led them to become orcs in the first place. Some tribes and individuals still worship the Prime Titan. Most half-orcs and those orcs who live within national borders tend to adapt whatever belief system that they grew up with, be it the Church of Aidios or the Old Faith. Orcs of the North Highlands tend to additionally worship Azhdhak.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Orcs find it difficult to integrate into the communities of most nations due to their natural leaning towards chaotic behavior. There are also many presumptions about their intelligence (that are not always true) and tendency towards violence. They are often used as unwitting pawns by more manipulative and intelligent monstrous races, such as vampires, bugbears, and demons. Orcs also view other humanoid races as naturally inferior due to their lacking strength and body size. This leads to rather contemptuous relationships between orcs and other races. This is notably absent within the North Highlands, where most races are far more used to seeing orcs and half-orcs. Though not entirely peaceful, the tribes and towns do co-exist.
Orcs do ally themselves with other monstrous races at times, especially the goblins, next to who they feel superior in terms of physical strength. Such partnerships are often advantageous to both parties.
Though rare, members of other races are at times welcomed among orc tribes if these individuals prove themselves worthy of respect. Most commonly this is done through demonstration of strength or through helping the tribe in some large way. Though orcs are not the most intelligent, they value loyalty and do not forget their debts.
Scientific Name
Monstrous
Lifespan
50-70 years
Average Height
Over 6 feet tall
Average Weight
230 to 280 lbs
Geographic Distribution
