Orc

Orcs are a proud warrior race that originated in The Northern Hinterlands. Orc culture celebrates martial prowess, bravery, and general physical strength. Orc children are trained from a young age to wield weapons, meant to prepare them for any fights they will encounter as an adult. There is one Orc-run region in Edarlein, that being Hvitlund, which claims most of the Hinterland area.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Common Orc facial features are small eyes, thick eyebrows, and very upturned, almost pig-like noses. Orcs also have thick, boar-like tusks on their lower jaw. Generally speaking, males' tusks are much larger then females, sometimes reaching up to the orc's nose.

Civilization and Culture

Common Dress Code

Due to their northern home, traditional orc clothing consists of thick furs and capes. Earrings are popular and a sign of status, and some noble orc males will cap their tusks with metals, although some see that as gaudy. Most orc clothing is plainly colored unless it's fancy dress, and even then most of the outfit might be hidden under ceremonial armor. Also, despite what some believe, Orcish helmets do not usually have horns on them. That is reserved for nobility. It is possible that the believe that horns were a common feature came from a mistranslation of a text describing Orcs as having "horns on the their heads". In the present, scholars believe that "horns" being referred to were actually referring to Orcish tusks.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Up until about 20 years ago, Orc raids on coastal and riverside towns were extremely common, leading to most other races to view Orcs as uncultured, smelly barbarians. 20 years ago, representatives from several kingdoms met with the High Jarl of Hvitlund to try to stop or at least decrease the raids. In the end, the kingdoms agreed to pay 1 million gold per year if the Jarl stopped sanctioning raids. This agreement has been divisive among all parties involved. Many conservative Orcs believe that the raids were the only reliable way of providing honorable death in battle, one of only three ways to reach Aljarak, the warrior’s heaven for those who died an honorable death. Meanwhile, many in the ransomed kingdoms are frustrated that they have to pay to be safe from raids, and don’t view paying Hvitlund as much better then getting invaded by its citizens.

Genetic Descendants

Draconic Heir

Lifespan

80 years

Average Height

6-7 feet

Average Weight

240-310 lbs.

Average Physique

Orcs tend to be very naturally muscular, with thick torsos and square jaws.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Skin Colors: Shades of grey, grey-blue, white with blue tint on the extremities (rare) Eye Colors: Dark brown, amber, light blue, steel gray Hair colors: White, grey, red (rare) Common Dragon Bloods White, Silver

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