Orc

Orcs would make the perfect soldiers. Their tusks and claws give them natural weapons, but do not hamper their use of crafted weapons. Their powerful bodies and seemingly limitless strength are suited to a life of conflict. In fact, if not for their temper the combined might of the orcish nations could conquer any nation they wished.

Most orcs live in lands that none of the other races wanted. While the most ancient stories tell tales of orcs and elves living together in peace, few believe this tale. Instead, orcs and elves barely tolerate each other and often come to blows over the belief of past wrongs. Still, they are one of the kindred races and as such believe themselves protected by the gods.

Orc Holdings Western Realms

They travel the lands, even to places where they are persecuted and killed, in an effort to advance their own knowledge and skills. They hope to bring this knowledge back to their people so they can become closer to opening up their afterlife. Physical

Orcs are strong and resilient to most physical pains. Physically they resemble most northern human stock, but have faces resembling boars with small tusks protruding up from the bottom jaw. They are slightly taller than most humans averaging around 5'8 “ to 5'10” with shoulders that could match a dwarf are. An orc doesn’t have any hair covering their head; instead it’s covered with short dark bristles. An orc's eyes are always red and glow slightly in the dark.

Orc females can mate anytime, anywhere — and some stories say with anything — and often do. However, the process of birth and the methods used to raise their young yield a survival rate of 1 in 10 for children. Those that do survive are the strongest, smartest, or luckiest of the lot and as such worthy to enter orcish culture.

Orc children are taken away by their shaman immediately after being weaned and left in the wilderness, with only a few implements to survive. If they survive they may return to the village and take their place among the adults. Those that don’t survive are believed to have died and waiting to be reborn. For this reason orcs believe in having many children, or at least attempting, so that as many souls as possible can be reborn. Blood Fury

Most of the time an orc can fit within most human societies; however, there is a saying “Never anger an orc.” Orcs are known throughout the land for their nearly unstoppable blood furies. It is quite easy to find tales travelling around the inns about orcs uprooting small trees or overturning huge carts with their bare hands. If any orc should enter one of these rampages, it is best to be far away.

It is said in the orcish history that the great god Grognarth created the orcs simple to create the ultimate warrior. They are to strive and fight against all odds, then pass on their strength and wisdom to the next generation. This will continue until the end of the world, when Grognarth will take up the last surviving orc to fight in the final battle. If the orcs have followed his path then his orc hero will slay the titans, destroy the world, and allow the orc souls to pass unto the afterlife.

However, Grognarth’s evil brother saw the orcs and knew of the prophecy. It was his wish to use the titans to destroy his brother and rule the world. Therefore, during their creation he cursed their minds with blood fever. This not only brought down their intelligence, but also cursed them with a beserker’s fury.

The orcs are a strong people that prize physical strength and weapon mastery over all else. They tend to live in mountainous and highlands regions; although many orcs travel the world looking for worthy opponents and the pay of a mercenary. If they live long enough they may earn enough coin to return home and build a warband and settle their own village.

Orcs stand slightly taller that most humans, but have the large shoulders and barrel chests that would make a dwarf proud. Their dark chocolate brown skin, protruding forehead, flat nose, and small tusks extending from their bottom jaw makes an orc stand out in any crowd. This is good because their temper and known bloodlust tend to keep most people at a good distance from any orc they meet.