Norker

“Rockmeat” – Norkers are the charges of norkerders. These greenskins are the not-so-secret weapon of the hobgoblins . They provide weapons, armor, and meat to the legions and are in fact the staple of the greenskindiet. They are laborers, miners and occasionally craftsmen. They also ensure that no loot will ever go to waste. They are livestock as far as the other greenskins are concerned. Norkers can literally eat anything, but they especially require iron and clay. Norkers must eat at least 1 pound of iron (.5 lbs of steel) and 3 lbs. of clay every week to stay healthy. They especially like the flavor of rust. The rest of their nutritional needs can come from fistfuls of dirt, rocks, grass, wood, or other useless material. Their bodies use this material collection ability to form chitin plates on their skins and metal-sheathed bones. Hobgoblins use this hide and bone material -Nork- for their weapons and armor, eating the meat in a variety of dishes. Norker brain mixed with yeast and whiteshroom for three weeks is an intoxicant that aides in long-term recovery. Norkers don’t usually have the mental wherewithal to escape their fate. Occasionally, one will be born smarter than the rest and will escape. These free-range norkers are called “Kjani” by other greenskins, which means “snack.” Humans usually call them “rock goblins”.

Naming Traditions

Other names

Norkerders rarely name their charges, and it doesn't occur to the oppressed norkers that they could give themselves a name. In lieu of names, they usually go by their most defining feature. Eg. "The Curious One," Blue-eyes", and "Shiny."

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Norkers can speak goblin. Only the escaped ones ever learn common.

Common Dress code

If Norker wear any clothing at all, they wear whatever is comfortable for the environment or job they exist in.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Norker plates are gray, with a polished gleam being the measure of health. The healthiest norkers almost look like they’re wearing silver mirrors on their skin. The skull has a dome over the scalp, the chestplate holds a relaxed T-shape, and their backs have large, convex hexagonal shells covering from the nape of their neck to the top of their hips. Two pauldrons cover their shoulders and bony kneepads protrude from their legs. The rest of their body is covered in individual scales 1-2 inches across. Their skin, which is softer than the plates but much tougher than human skin, is gray, black or green. Beneath the skullplate dome which entirely covers their scalp, they have monochrome eyes in black, yellow, or red. Beetle brows, hooked noses, and a wide, scowling mouth give the generally docile creatures a perpetually angry appearance. They hunch under the weight of their armor, and have a tendency to shuffle. They have powerful jaws and gleaming bodkin teeth capable of tearing and chewing crucible steel, and their saliva is acidic enough to corrode metal. If riled, these jaws can inflict grievous injuries as they puncture, slice, tear, and burn.

Gender Ideals

Norker males are more often butchered outright than females. Females are kept for their milk and to raise the young, only winding up on the dinner table at the end of their usefulness. Norker females can calve three times a year, and they raise their young as a herd.