Orks (Ok'then)

(Earth equivalent: Inspired by Slavic, American, cultures)
Physical Appearance: Higher-ranking orks from the most noble families are traditionally very tall and musclebound. They are roughty rodent-like in appearance (kangaroo rat, hairless lab mice). Their skin ranges in color from mushroom-grey to pinkish-white. They have long foreheads and folded ears. Their eye color ranges from pale purple to deep red. Their hair color ranges from pure white to black, and may have splotches of multiple colors- piebaldism and vitiligo are both common.
Abilities:
Culture: Orks have a highly rigid and militaristic culture. They rely heavily on formal rules and ritual. They consider themselves to be a pure meritocratic culture but are still primarily governed by social class. Orks think of themselves as seafarers, warriors, and adventurers but have often warred with other cultures due to their colonizing tendencies.
Politics: Orks govern themselves in loosely allied city-states, formed from tribes. Each state is headed by 'Turgth', literally 'warlord,' though the meaning has drifted semantically to mean 'representative' or 'chief'. Turgth are chosen based on their skills or prowess, but the wealthiest families usually game the system by affording the finest tutors and mentors, or even by stealing or purchasing children (though this practice is officially illegal). Orks are governed by military discipline and strict laws; the punishments for breaking either are dire.
Beliefs: Orks lack organized religion on the whole, though there are a handful of religious minorities. Practices like meditation and ritual spiritual cleansing are very popular, however. Orks believe that the strongest are most fit to lead- they tend to value the martial arts, construction, and hard sciences over soft sciences and arts. They have in the past had issues with eugenics and attempted genocides. Disabled, physically weak and poor orks often suffer at the hands of their society.