Orc

Basic Information

Anatomy

Orcs are pure musculature beings. Standing tall, usually over 6 feet, they are generally taller than humans, and much heavier set, around 230-280 pounds. They tend to reach adulthood in a mere 12 years, but have a significantly shorter lifespan than other races. Reaching 50 years makes one truly elder and venerable, and the further that age extends brings with them great respect and honor.
Half-orcs, by comparison, take slightly more from their human side. They are still very tall, ranging between 5-7 feet in height, and have substantial bulk to their bodies. They reach adulthood around the age of 14, and also age faster than their human counterparts. A half-orc rarely lives longer than 75 years.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Orc society is highly stratified and strict. At the top of the pecking order in Orcish culture are Broodmares, Sires, and Khans.
Broodmare are revered amongst Orcs, as they are one of the few ways a clan can secure its future, as these individuals are either immune or largely unaffected by the Xirasia, allowing them easy childbirth. Although they are not frequently leaders - although exceptions occur - most Broodmares hold prominent roles in their clans, dictating all manner of decisions, even having power to supersede the Khan.
Sires were the male equivalent to Broodmares. They are highly fertile, and can have children despite the necrophage upon the race. Sires are often adulated, and lifted into prominent positions in society, many times being made into Khans. However, their status usually proved a conflict of interest for leading a clan, and in some clans, they were actively restricted from holding positions of authority.
Khans were those that led clans. Clans were usually led in a council, with a singular ruler over the council claiming dominion. This Khan would heed guidance from their peers, but could also act for the clan. Khans held a delicate position, as they had to fend for the council and the various families in the clan to create harmony, while also maintaining their posture and diplomacy against other clans, while resisting Elvish and Human incursions, and insuring that they were not bested by another strong soul who could steal their position. As such, only the strongest and most able were promoted to Khans.
All others were simple clan members. Orcish clan members occupied all manner of roles, from raising livestock, to exploring, to even investigating arcane research. All clan members were expected to participate in clan affairs, and lack of loyalty would be strict punished, usually by exile.
Then there are undesirables. These are largely made of Half-Orcs and other slave races. Half-Orcs are often enslaved by Orcish clans as a point of breeding. Half-Orc men are particularly vulnerable to breeding regimes, and were frequently enslaved for this purpose. Other slaves made up any other race too weak to resist a particular clan. Slaves that were not Half-Orcs served a number of positions, from domestic help, to slave labor, to cattle. Many humanoid races - particularly Humans and Halflings - were prized amongst Orcish society, as they could be easily fattened and then eaten.
Half-Orcs outside of Orcish society live a harsh life. They are frequently seen as Orcish, with little distinction from other races. They are treated well by more liberal individuals, or those who feared their strength. But generally, Half-Orcs struggle in Elvish and Human society, and do their best to not draw attention.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

Hair is highly valued in Orcish beauty. Shaved heads are very prominent, but often more fashionable is seen a well-braided lock of hair. Orcs that can maintain longer hair are seen as even more beautiful, as it is a sign of both their long-life and their strength in battle; Orcs entering battle with easily grabbed braids of hair and who lived to tell the tail are obviously confident in their skills. Short hair styles are also favored, with many forms of half-fades being used. Orcish women are not distinguished in their hair styles from men, and both share hair styles equally.
Orcish fashion was largely utilitarian. This is because life in the wilds was harsh, and clothing was needed to be durable above all else. It was said that a good set of deel were meant to be able to withstand blood, mud, and vomit; well made deels and their accompanying trousers were prized, and maintained thoroughly. More formal kaftan were reserved for celebratory affairs; these kaftan are renowned worldwide for their beauty. These kaftan resembled a thick gown, usually worn with matching trousers, except they were made of fine linens and silks. Although impractical for war or work, they were worn during festivals as a sign of status. Each clan also had a distinct pattern that they would attribute to their clothing, particularly any clothing not worn for an average day of work. These beautiful patterns are renowned for their rustic beauty. 
Much of Orcish fashion was battle-ready. Thick leathers, chaps, furs, and boots were all customary for any Orc, even a merchant. One could typically tell another's status as an Orc by the quality of their everyday wear. When it came to time within the clan, however, most Orcs would usually be shirtless - the women included - wearing little more than simple trousers, breeches, breechcloth, or undergarments. Women typically covered their chest and wore undergarments crafted of furs, the animal chosen based on a variety of factors that made if fashionable depending on one's birth season.

Gender Ideals

Third gender Orcs were rare, as the acceptance of any individual not on the binary depended on the openness of any individual clan. Those clans who did accept non-binary Orcs hailed them as unique. Third gender Orcs usually found place in their clan as shamans and soothsayers, aiding others in various worships. 
Orcish society, beyond this, was quite simple. Men were bred for war, and women were bred for war and domestic life. Although any women could occupy a military station, there was an insistent imperative for every clan for women to at least explore the possibility of pregnancy. This flippant ideal was to find Broodmare, women who were immune to The Xirasia, as immunity to the necrophage could not be determined until after several attempts at childbirth. 
Although women hold largely domestic roles for a large portion of their life as they try to bear children, Orcish men are diligent in their appreciation for Orcish women. Women are frequently revered, especially in artwork and theatre, as stronger than men due to the emotional burden of knowing is is their responsibility to continue to the clan through bearing children, and also the impossible toll taken by birthing children who shall never breathe. Vice versa, Orcish men are hailed for their warfare, and great deeds of local men are pronounced among the clan.

Courtship Ideals

There is no defined courting age for Orcs. They are seen as sexually active whenever they are mature enough to engage in sex, usually around their 10th year. Orcs are seen to take whatever they please during their plunders; formal relations with other races are seen as foul, and sometimes punishable by public beating and humiliation. Sex, however, is extremely common between Orcs and other races, particularly due to the constant pillaging, resulting in a large population of Half-Orcs. Orcish sex is seen as barbaric and furious at worst, often compared to that of wild animals in heat. At best, however, a kind Orc or Half-Orc can be a rough but fulfilling lover.

Relationship Ideals

Wild and cruel, Orcish sexuality is a flame set upon grease, bursting with energy and intensity. Orcs tend toward polygamy, with no particular emphasis on sexual preference. Courtship is merely a matter of convenience in Orcish society; if a potential relationship could benefit the tribe, or benefit the individual, then it will be considered. Sometimes lineage is considered, but even then, inbreeding is extremely common, and there is little regard for the nuances of romance save for the very rare relationship.

History

Orcs are seen as one of the most fearsome race to roam Rakuen, and for good reason. Their immense size, aggressive attitude, and hostile way of life can strike fear in the hearts of many. But their race and culture is not lacking in complexity, despite how they may be viewed from afar. Tracking down the native home of Orcs is difficult for all but the eldest races, who have the best memories, or those that keep the best records. But the dragons remember. Orcs originally hailed from Ozymandius, a planet taken of the name of their great leader of the time, who unified the disparate races into a unified civilization.
Orcs of this time were said to be some union of The Paragons and a species native to the moon. However, their race and civilization developed prosperously, knowing that they were meant for greatness as they orbited their home planet of Nephele. A sophisticated culture of arts and sciences prospered. Lacking knowledge of the arcane, Ozian Orcs focused their efforts on technology, crafting some of the first constructs of the solar system that were not inherited, as were those of the Gnomes.
However, it was the inevitable rise of the Mindflayers that took hold of the moon of Ozymandius and its refined people. Although their culture was advanced, they had not yet discovered how to travel to wildspace. So they were completely taken aback when Mindflayers descended in flying ships, with psionic powers, harvesting their people and horrifically corrupting them. They fought back with stunning ferocity, and when it was seen that this would not be an easy land to conquer, the mindflayers took a more expedient approach.
The Mindflayers, having claimed an Orbus during a fight against the grand Beholder colonies and finding the use of this great spelljammer unwieldy, instead corrupted it with psionic energy, before crash-landing the massive spelljammer into Ozymandius. This destroyed the spelljammer and the Orbus within, releasing a terrible Miasma from the Orbus’ dream. This Miasma quickly began to spread across the moon, horrifically mutating and corrupting all in sight.
The Orcs may have gone extinct, if it weren’t for the feverish rebellion of the Githyanki. An enemy of an enemy is a friend, and the Githyanki used whatever they had available to evacuate as many Orcs from Oyzmandius as possible. The Githyanki used the orcs and their great strength against the Mindflayers in the great war.
But after the Mindflayers threat had been resolved, the Orcs were led to Rakuen and left to their own devices, as the Githyanki left in search of pure eradication. Breeding between Orcs and Githyanki forever changed the Orcish race, as they became more limber and agile, while also taking on the more sturdy physique known today.
However, the lingering madness of the psionic Miasma had infected many of the Orcs, even those who survived til the end of the war. It slowly began to twist their minds, making those infected with the Miasma extremely violent, with a thirst for blood and a seemingly unquenchable aggression. Although the more debilitating health effects were largely bred out, this aggression never was.
The aggression that was now bred into Orcish physiology also became part of their culture. Orcs began to model their society around violence and aggression, selecting the strongest and most violent as leaders, and culling the weakest and most intelligent, seeing them as unnecessary. Whatever vestige of ancient orc culture was inevitably bred out.
Orcs from now on largely knew only war. They began attempting to conquer anyone who stood in their way, claiming land by force, forming half-orcs through unspeakable acts, and performing widescale murder and warfare across the lands. They have come into constant conflict with other races, primarily humans and elves, who were vigilant in their resistance.
The madness of the Miasma has largely run its course among the Orcish population, after thousands of years. Orcish society is built around violence now, and the craving for that violence is now cultural, rather than inherent. The passing of the Miasma also allows Orcs to be more intelligent, although again, the societal preference for strength over mind is a cultural touchstone of the race.

Lifespan

~60 years

Average Height

6 ft. or more.

Average Weight

230 - 280 lbs.