Orc

Basic Information

Anatomy

Orcs are large humanoids whose most prominent feature are their tusk-like bottom canines that stick out of their mouth. They have wide, upwards pointing ears and thick eyelashes, and are often heavyset.

Growth Rate & Stages

Orcs reach adulthood around age 14 and they rarely live longer than 75 years.

Ecology and Habitats

Orcs are from far into the desert, where it is incredibly hot and incredibly dry. They have adapted to their sandy environment in a number of ways, including using their large ears to let of heat, rarely sweating, and having two rows of eyelashes to deflect sand.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Orc social structures depend on the group, but they are usually based around a collection of the oldest or wisest orcs in their group, who debate the issue at hand and come up with a rational way of handling it. The lowest orcs on the social ladder are the criminal classes, visually identifiable by their broken tusks.

Average Intelligence

To other sapient peoples, orcs often seem dull, blunt, or quick to anger, but this is only because of the cultural predisposition towards quiet unless action is absolutely needed. In reality, orcs are a very intelligent, calculating group, with a natural insight into the thoughts of other people.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

The ideals of orcish beauty are all about the tusks. Large, well-manicured tusks are seen to be a sign of both genetic proclivity and of personal care. Additionally, the imposing physical size of an orc, and their abilities to perform useful tasks (including but not limited to: crafting, fighting, strategy, and child-rearing) are considered conventionally attractive traits.

Common Taboos

To break off or defile one's tusks in any way is not only extremely painful, but seen as a rejection of the self and of the gods, and likely to bring the wrath of gods and ancestors alike down on the individual. This has extended to a tradition wherein one or both of an outcasts' or criminals' tusks are forcefully broken or removed as a form of serious punishment.

Lifespan

65 years

Average Height

6'6"

Average Weight

275-300 lbs.

Average Physique

Orcs are both tall and physically large. Their metabolisms are slow, so they put on weight quickly, which isn't ever a problem considering their tall forms need quite a bit of caloric intake to function anyways. Still, most orcs are bulky with both fat and muscle.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Orcs have a wide variety of skin tones, usually ranging from dark browns and greys to more bronzed tones. Orcs tan very easily, so by spending a lot of time in very sunny areas, their skin tone can darken significantly. Some orcs also have naturalistic stripes or patterns on their bodies in a slightly different color than the rest of their body. These have a ride range of appearances, from stripes to spots to rosette patterns, and it is a genetic trait that develops in early childhood.