Softtusk

Softtusks are a marginalized subculture within orcish society, made up entirely of half-orcs. They are not recognized as true orcs, and as such, are denied the right to breed or to hold rank within the Army of Father War. Seen as impure and shameful, they are instead relegated to the lowest tiers of orcish culture, conscripted into auxiliary roles or bound in servitude to officers and commanders.

Their presence in orcish society is relatively recent and closely tied to the end of the Wandering, as the orcish tribes finally settled in the Caleh region.

Unlike traditional families, Softtusks are not born of accepted unions. They are the result of violence, punishment, or desperation—a living reminder of what the orcish hierarchy considers weakness. They receive no formal education and are often forbidden from speaking unless commanded. The only language most learn is Orcish, and even then, they struggle to form sentences of their own for fear of reprisal.

Despite this, Softtusks have slowly developed an underground culture of solidarity. They share food, aid the sick and wounded, and pass down quiet wisdom in the form of gestures, and shared glances. Their empathy, however, is viewed as subversive. Compassion is considered a sin in Arjesh's creed, and those caught aiding others are punished severely.

In recent decades, as Doriande has encountered fleeing defectors and prisoners of war, some Softtusks have escaped captivity and been granted asylum. These individuals have gone on to live full and dignified lives, shattering Dorian assumptions about orcish nature and proving that the cruelty they endured was cultural, not inherent.

The Army of Father War has responded by increasing efforts to indoctrinate Softtusks. Promises of belonging, purpose, and even transformation into "true orcs" are used to turn them against their own. Some accept. Others resist, and meet their premature end.