Half-Orcs

Whether united under the leadership of a mighty warlock or having fought to a standstill after years of conflict, orc and human tribes sometimes form alliances, joining forces into a larger horde to the terror of civilized lands nearby. When these alliances are sealed by marriages, half-orcs are born. Some half-orcs rise to become proud chiefs of orc tribes, their human blood giving them an edge over their full-blooded orc rivals. Some venture into the world to prove their worth among humans and other more civilized races. Many of these become adventurers, achieving greatness for their mighty deeds and notoriety for their barbaric customs and savage fury.

Half-Orcs in Alemi

There are over 2M Half-Orcs on the continent, with about 1/4 of them in urban settings. Half-Orcs have been a race in Alemi for long enough to be fully distinct from their Orcish roots. This distributes culturally across the entire spectrum, from Pauji'igi, a movement to return to a romanticized, shamanistic version of Orcish tribalism to efforts to fully integrate into human behavioral norms. Half-orcs dominate various practical metalworking trades, as well as construction, but as architects and engineers as well as laborers. That said, their immense strength doesn't go overlooked, and there is a strong half-orc mercenary structure throughout Mizra'aki, especially in the armies of The Mehali Kingdom. Half-Orcs in Alemi speak Runakunapa. The 11 largest Half-Orc populations are all in Slovan lands (with 8 of them in Kema), led by Valrolka in Uatepech which, along with the Kema capital of Iskybar, are the only locations with over 10,000 Half-Orcs. Valrolka is almost 60% Half-Orc, a truly shocking number given that Torrych (in Kema) is the second densest at only 33%. Three non-Slovan cities (Sositu in Badoneti, Milthye in Ma'ji, and Yeover in Kurch) have over 25% of their population as Half-Orcs. Two of these bear additional interest: the Half-Orc presence in Ma'ji is closely tied to the rise of Pauji'igi, hinting at a connection between that shamanistic revival and Ma'ji Mysticism. Second, Iskybar is the city most often identified with Half-Orc culture, partially due to the Half-Orc navies that call that city home. Of cities over 10,000 inhabitants, Keath (Olexia), Pilinford (The Aven Caliphate). Kirini (Kirich), and Larkin (Uatepech) are notable for their very sparse Half-Orc populations, well under 2% in each location.

Racial Overview

Half-Orc

Whether united under the leadership of a mighty warlock or having fought to a standstill after years of conflict, orc and human tribes sometimes form alliances, joining forces into a larger horde to the terror of civilized lands nearby. When these alliances are sealed by marriages, half-orcs are born. Some half-orcs rise to become proud chiefs of orc tribes, their human blood giving them an edge over their full-blooded orc rivals. Some venture into the world to prove their worth among humans and other more civilized races. Many of these become adventurers, achieving greatness for their mighty deeds and notoriety for their barbaric customs and savage fury.