Orc

Created on: September 03, 2006
Modified on: August 17, 2009

Orcs are the second most common of the goblinoids - and the largest and most savage of their kin. Typically standing over 6 feet tall, they can instill fear easily. There are two essential kinds of Orcs in Arawyn - Wild Orcs and Orcs of the Empire.

Wild Orcs include those of the northern clans and tribal Orcs from other regions. Orcs of the great northern clans love war and blood and are arguably some of the cruelest beasts in Arawyn. Fiercely devoted to their broken god, Uelrog, these Orcs raid the south in their god’s name and continuously spill the blood of other beings as gifts to him. They await the day when he will rise and come south to destroy all of the empires, especially Gaaldron, which they abhor vehemently. Tribal Orcs of the south and west are so scarce that they aren’t recognized as an independent nation.

There are two principal Orc clans in the empire of Gaaldron. Orcs of the Bloodblade Clan love war, but in a refined fashion. Spoiled for a few millennia with Hobgoblin good manners and plenty of education, these Orcs make fine warriors and comrades. Lawful like Hobgoblins, they consider themselves great warriors possessing a demeanor nearly fit for a knight of Kormyre. Orcs of the Warscream clan, however, live in the slums of the Gaaldron and prefer the traditional approach of force over technique. All Orcs are known for their great skill when using large weapons in melee combat. Once in battle, members of both clans become enraged – triggered by the smell of blood filling their noses. Wholly fearsome in battle, they make lesser beings run with cries as they wade into the thick of the action. Finding great honor in death by melee combat, Orcs of all kinds have little trouble fighting until the death to spill as much blood as they can before the end.

Orcs are exceptionally large and this lends a great deal to their philosophy in life. They use their great size to their advantage, basing many of their principles on might and force. Tribal Orcs enjoy tossing little beings around and killing villagers. These savages take no pity on their quarry and are rarely seen in towns of the empires. Orcs of the Goblinoid Empire, however, are far more common and reside to the north with the Hobgoblins and other imperial races. Bloodblade Orcs, like Hobgoblins, believe in training for war, being civilized and acting in a respectable manner. Living in lawful surroundings has given these Orcs time to hone their fighting prowess through technique, unlike those of the north who use brute strength to crush their foes. These “imperials” are usually well received by other Humanoids and respected for their great skill in combat. They mostly prefer the company of other imperials but take to other bands as well. Those of the Warscream clan have kept many of their ways from before the rise of the Hobgoblins, and act far more savagely than any other imperial race. They care little for the laws within the city and tend to live by their own rules. The Hobgoblins frown upon this behavior, but have little choice but to accept it.

Orcs mature to adulthood in their early teenage years and have a life span of approximately forty years.

Role-playing

An Orc cannot quit a fight once she’s gotten involved in one, except if she is the last person on her side that is still standing, or if all others on her side are in the act of retreating.
An Orc cannot refuse a challenge to single combat. She is able to negotiate the dispute such that the challenge will no longer decide the situation, even to the point that the challenge will not result in the death of the defeated, but she must accept the challenge in the sense of proving her martial ability against the challenger.

Costuming and Makeup

Tribal Orcs wear clothing that meets their needs and have no care what it looks like. They often scavenge clothing from enemies they have defeated, if they can make it fit. Imperial Orcs dress with a measure of care, but are not as fashion-conscious as Hobgoblins. Both types of Orcs favor armor when they can acquire it. You must wear prosthetic fangs and green makeup covering all exposed skin when playing an Orc.