One of the two major subcultures of orcs, Golkar or green orcs actually run the gambit of pigmentations from brown to yellow-green, and are perhaps more accurately referred to as inland or tribal orcs. During the
Age of Myth they were considered little more than monsters, their role as cultural boogeyman has largely been supplanted by
gnolls across the
Elowean Plateau and the
Yvalian Empire in the north. This has allowed more details of orcish culture to emerge. Modern culture for these orcs is focused on honorable actions, duty to family, and small scale achievements. While many inland orcs are still nomadic in nature, even those who have settled express little interest in politics and events occurring on a world scale.
History
Created by and venerating the war-god, Throndar primitive inland orc culture began somewhere in the foothills of the Spine of the World where they quickly came into conflict with the proto-nations of the Elves, Humans, and Dwarves. Accounts of orcs of the time are understandably biased but paint a picture of nomadic bands of superior warriors. Some scholars go so far as to say the threat of orcish raids were one of the major impetuses of civilization on Sanzeia as groups developed fortifications, weapons, and centralization to respond to the threat.
During the age of myth, maruading orc clans where said to be a problem even for the Neatherese -- or at least those not able to escape the orcs in flying cities. In the power vaccum left by the Fall of the Neatherese, the green orcs where united under a variety of leaders, the most infamous of which, known as Morguk the Beast , is said to have united 1000 orc clans into an army that would have conquered all of Carentress if not for the intervention of Godblooded heroes.
More recent scholarship attempts to interpret historical inland orcs less as monsters and more as, but with most sources being lost or biased, and facing a long standing cultural friction, progress is slow. To this day, green orcs, while not seen as monstrous barbarians are often considered simple or unintelligent by a wide variety of people.
Naming Traditions
Most orc names are short and (at least to non-orc listeners) composed of harsh syllables. In general there is little perceived difference between masculine and feminine names.
Most orcs of this type tend to go by singular names as with their close knit social structure there is rarely a need for more identification. Some orcs will use a achievement based appellation in place of a surname, and this name can be passed down to offspring.
Culture
The unfortunate cultural heritage of the green orcs has left them consistently filling the cultural "other" role for many civilizations over many generations. While the
Sun Elves have moved on to defining themselves against their own kin, and humans have developed a skill of finding small differences to kill each other over,
Khizar Dwarves and orcs still maintain some level of cultural rivalry each thinking the others sedentary/nomadic lifestyle misguided at best. Many attribute this default negative perception as part of why relatively few inland orcs ever leave their tribes and those that do often have a difficult time in civilized Sanzeia.
Inland orcs venerate their dead and ancestors, and while tales of necromancy and cannibalism have proven unfounded, it is not uncommon for orcs to maintain a shrine with objects, or even bones of their departed kin.
Ideals
The perception of orcs as primitives in many circles is unfortunately not helped by traditions of orcish dress. Orcs traditionally view their bodies as gifts given to them by their gods, and scars markers of accomplishments or lessons learned, this results in most orcs wearing minimal clothing and having little-to-no taboo against nudity.
While prolific as a people, in general the green orcs are said to be more focused on small groups such as families or clans, thus while many orcish tribes or subcultures exist, few of them are seen as relevant on the continental or political scale.
Orcs as depicted in the Age of Myth
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