Orc

Human

Moonelf

The Orcs have occupied the land of Chantra for a 1000 years longer than the Humans. For this reason, the Orcs held themselves in higher regard than their Human counterparts and enslaved them for 500 years.

Over time the Humans rebelled against their Orc masters and eventually won their freedom. 500 years later the continent was struck by a huge earthquake, which caused much of the continent to sink into the ocean. Humans and Orcs were forced to flee the western continent of Chantra and under the leadership of Ugdrasil, the Orcs colonized a small part of the continent where they began the re-building process.

Appearance

Around two meters tall with dark skin and wiry hair, the Orcs are typically muscular regardless of gender. At the age of 12 most Orcs reach their full size and by 13 are considered adults.

Young Orcs face a hard upbringing, raised like lions would raise their cubs; young Orcs often incur scars, which are seen as marks of honor and courage. As the Orcs? skin is till very weak, they generally wear armor when in battle, made of loose fitting leather, ideal for close combat.

Personality

A very hostile and war-like people who place conquest above all else. Easily offended and quick to anger, the Orcs differ greatly from Humans and Moon Elves.

Orcs are not renowned for their intellectual insight, often having a plain view on life, and seldom choosing to dwell on issues and complex matters. For the most part this causes little problem, however, Orcs have been known to succumb to traps more easily then other races as they fail to appreciate what is in front of them.

Ability

Exceptionally gifted in the art of combat, Orcs are substantially stronger and much more fit than the average human.

Orcs have also been gifted with enhanced nocturnal senses; their brilliant night vision coupled with a heightened sense of smell makes them a dangerous foe beneath the night sky. Yet despite these heightened senses they have substandard hearing and their color recognition is the poorest in Chantra.

The Orcs are not the most delicate of creatures, preferring brute force over any other method, and this is reflected in their weapon design, with most of their weapons designed to smash and pulverize their opponent.

Due to the Orcs fiercely combative lifestyle, the majority of Berserkers do not live beyond their mid 30s owing to the injuries they sustain over their life time. However, this is largely the result of long term build up as Orcs bodies recover well from injuries as a rule. The Hunters and Mages tend to live longer lives due to their lack of close range combat, the bulk of those that choose this class will live until at least their 70s.

Social Structure

The Orcs have a very simple structure that is based on strength, with all those below the High Orc being considered equal. The position of High Orc is available to all who feel that they have the strength to challenge for it; this process of ascension has become so ingrained in Orc culture that it is not considered disloyal or treason to challenge the current High Orc. Thus the Orc that wins is treated with respect and obedience by all those below him.

The majority of the Orc population train as Berserkers from a very young age. Over time the strongest are encouraged to become leaders, whilst the weaker elements are side lined and encouraged to seek employment in other fields. Before the time of Walcure and Ugdrasil those seeking to pursue schools of magic would have faced mockery and derision. But the Orc population has now come to respect the level of focus and devotion required to become successful Orc Mage.

Education

Education does not feature prominently in Orc society. Instead, they prefer to allow their young to fend for themselves. Combat techniques are the only area in which the Orcs have an organized education program.

Once an Orc, male or female, is able to walk they are swiftly taken into combat classes were they spend up to 9 hours a day in training. Once they reach adulthood, considered to be 13, the strongest will continue in their training whilst the weak are diverted to other fields.

Faith

Orc faith is grounded in their past, with respect for their Ancestors at its core. All Orcs aspire to stand amongst the revered when they fall on the battlefield and so they fight on to gain hero status. Before each battle the majority of Orcs go through a pre-battle ritual in which they pray to their ancestors, and mark their weapons or skin with the names of the honored ones. The Orcs however are also aware that they are not the only ones that occupy the lands of Chantra and are careful to respect the Spirits that occupy Chantra?s plains.

Housing

The idea of building dwellings in which to live is one that is relatively new to the Orcs. For many years they lived a wild life, choosing to live in huts and caves rather than waste time on elaborate housing structures. This attitude changed however as more time was spent living with humans. When they left their flooded continent and moved to Chantra they took this newfound interest in housing with them.

Orc housing still reflects their primitive past, with stone being the most common building material of choice. As a result their houses are very solid structures, but not overly elaborate in design as they prefer to have few rooms that are very large and with high ceilings in order to accommodate their massive height.

The Orcs love of aggression is not to be forgotten and is apparent through the use of Ivory to decorate the exterior of their houses, which creates a strong and aggressive appearance.

Eating Habits

Orcs dietary requirements are very simple, focused mainly on meat. This allows them to hunt, which in turn allows them to train, relax as well as collecting food. The only time Orcs let vegetables cross there lips is when they take them to treat various diseases and illnesses.

Costumes

Early Orc descendants did not wear much clothing, preferring to opt for a more natural look, devoting most of their time to mastering combat as opposed to tailoring.

Years of contact with Humans, has led to the Orcs taking an interest in clothing and leather is their preferred choice.

Like housing, the interest in costumes came from spending time with Humanity. It is often hard to tell the difference between the Orc?s leather amour set and their daily garb, as they are both similar in style and either red or white as they do not have very advanced dyeing skills.

Orcs have made some attempt to master the art of metal armorsmithing, but they have yet to refine the skill. As a result they are only really able to create very bulky and heavy armor that couldn?t be worn by anyone other than Orcs.

Law

Laws within Orc society are built around 10 key principles, 3 of which are related to murder, 3 relating to war, 2 are theft related and the final 2 are duty related.

Those who break the law are assessed against these 10 principles by the local leader before their punishment is decided. The preferred Orc punishment is physical rather than imprisonment, with lashes being the most common punishment used. Some crimes do carry the death penalty, but this can only be carried out if there is unanimous consent and is normally only issued against those who choose to flee a battlefield rather than stay and fight to the death.

Punishment

Within Orc culture the biggest sin an Orc can undertake is to escape from battle and leave the enemy behind. If Orcs were to return home without completing the battle they would surely face the death penalty. Punishments for other crimes are based on the standards within each village and physical punishment will always be preferred.

Combat

Orcs take combat very seriously and devout a large part of their lives to perfecting their combat skills. When they are not fighting, they like to spend their time working on their technique, sharpening their swords or dueling with friends and family. Combat is very much the be all and end all of their existence.

Magic

Despite Orc history and tales of great magicians over the years, very few Orcs actively choose to become shamans, instead preferring the traditional Berserker route. Those that do choose the magic path however face great difficulties, as the Orcs do not have a great capacity for magic and must work harder than any of the other races at mastering their chosen discipline. Those that do make it and acquire the ability to handle magic are no worse off then any of the other magic wielders on Chantra.

Current Influence / Power

Since their escape from Human enslavement, the Orcs have lived in relative isolation. But this resolve has weakened through the work of Radeus III and Human attempts at reconciliation. Orcs are now emerging throughout Chantra in droves and despite their short lifespan; they have an un-paralleled capacity for breeding.