Orc's
Orcs in Seerth are a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the complex nature of morality. Far from the monolithic portrayal of inherent evilness, the orcs of Seerth embody a spectrum of cultures, values, and social integrations. Particularly notable are the orcs of Gul, who have achieved a historic accord with humans, marking a new era of coexistence and mutual respect after prolonged conflicts. Across Seerth, orcish societies flourish with diverse customs and governance, reflecting the multifaceted essence of their communities.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Orcs are muscular and robust, with an average height ranging from 1.8 to 2.2 meters. They possess a broad range of skin tones, from deep greens to earthy browns, and their facial features include pronounced jawlines, tusks protruding from their lower jaws, and deep-set eyes under heavy, bony brows.
Biological Traits
Orcs are known for their exceptional strength and endurance, traits that have been honed through centuries of survival in harsh environments and constant readiness for conflict. At times they can be seem as abrubt or intrusive unintentionally.
Genetics and Reproduction
Orcs reproduce sexually with significant emphasis on clan lineage and heritage. Families are large, with children highly cherished as the continuation of their lineage and the future of their clans.
Growth Rate & Stages
Orcish children grow rapidly, reaching adolescence by the age of 12 and full maturity by 20. Their society places great importance on rites of passage that mark these growth stages, integrating them into the community's social and martial fabric.
Ecology and Habitats
While adaptable, orcs prefer environments that offer a blend of wilderness and habitable landscapes, such as forested hills, mountainous terrains, and vast steppes. Their settlements are often fortified, reflecting a history of conflicts but also their deep connection to the land.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Orcs are omnivorous, with a diet that includes a significant amount of meat alongside fruits, vegetables, and grains. Hunting is both a food source and a cultural practice, deeply ingrained in their traditions.
Behaviour
Orcish society values strength, but also wisdom, courage, and community bonds. Leadership is earned through a combination of martial prowess, wisdom, and the ability to protect and enhance the welfare of their clan.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Orcish societies are clan-based, with strong emphasis on communal living and collective decision-making. Leadership is often, but not always, meritocratic. 
Facial characteristics
Their faces are characterized by broad foreheads, deep-set eyes, prominent tusks, and a wide range of skin tones.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Orcs are widespread across Seerth, with significant populations in the forests of Gul, the mountainous regions bordering human lands, and the vast steppes to the east.
Average Intelligence
Orcs possess intelligence comparable to humans, with a natural inclination towards tactical thinking and problem-solving, especially in survival contexts.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Orcs have keen senses, especially in low light conditions, owing to their ancestral life in dense forests and rugged terrains. Their acute hearing and smell make them exceptional hunters and trackers.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Orcish names are deeply meaningful, often reflecting traits desired by the parents for their child or honoring ancestors and heroes.
Major Organizations
Orcish clans are the primary social organization, each with its own customs, territories, and governance. The Council of Gul represents a unique inter-species governance model resulting from the historic accord.
Average Technological Level
Orcs have mastered the art of forging, hunting, and warfare, with technology that emphasizes utility and durability akin to many nations of man. Their craftsmanship in weapons and armor is highly respected.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Orcs primarily speak Orcish, a language that is robust, guttural, and filled with hard consonants. It varies significantly across regions, with dialects influenced by local languages, particularly those of human societies they have interacted with or lived alongside. In the Orcish societies of Gul, for example, the language incorporates several human words and phrases, a result of their long-standing accord and cultural exchange.
Common Etiquette Rules
Orcish etiquette values honesty, strength, and community bonds. Meetings often start with a traditional exchange of war stories or personal achievements. Respect is shown through direct eye contact and a firm handshake or a clasp on the shoulder. Showing weakness, especially in public, is frowned upon, though this trait is slowly evolving in more integrated societies.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Orcish culture is rich and varied, deeply rooted in oral traditions, war songs, and tales of ancestral heroics. They value strength, both physical and of character, and have a deep respect for nature and the spirits of their ancestors. In regions like Gul, where orcs have mingled with human societies, their culture has absorbed human influences, leading to a blend that celebrates both orcish traditions and new customs.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Orcs observe numerous rites of passage, including the Trial of Strength for young orcs coming of age and the Feast of Ancestors, where stories and gifts are exchanged in honor of their forebears. In orcish societies, leadership is often determined through combat or demonstration of strategic prowess, though peaceful transitions are becoming more common in mixed communities.
Common Taboos
Betrayal of one's clan or community is among the gravest sins in orcish society. Cowardice in battle and refusal to aid fellow clan members in need are also deeply taboo.
History
Orcish history is marked by periods of conflict and peace, with significant events including the Accord with Man in Gul, which has become a symbol of potential harmony between different races.
Historical Figures
Garthok the Peacemaker, who brokered the first accord between the orcs of Gul and the neighboring human kingdoms.
Ragnara Ironhide, a legendary chieftain who united the orcish tribes of the Northern Wastes against a common threat of Nagashaar, she was the one of the main catalysts for the southern migration and paved the way for peace talks with man.
Common Myths and Legends
Orcish mythology is filled with epic tales of gods, monsters, and legendary heroes. One popular legend is that of Grushnakah the Unbroken, an orc like being who became the proxy father for all beastkind.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Orcs' relations with other races vary widely. In regions like Gul, years of cooperation and shared battles have fostered a sense of mutual respect and camaraderie with humans. Elsewhere, isolationist orc tribes might view outsiders with suspicion or hostility, though they are only as adversarial as their leaders dictate. Across Seerth, orcs are slowly challenging and changing the stereotypes held against them, showcasing their honor, valor, and capacity for kinship beyond their kind.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Origin/Ancestry
Orcs are believe to be the very offspring of [Grushnakah](person:211a1661-22de-4015-98a1-9465892e6863) the first great warrior of beastkind and liberator
Lifespan
Orcs live an average of 60 to 80 years, though those who avoid the perils of battle and disease can live longer.
Average Height
Orcs average between 1.8 to 2.2 meters in height.
Average Weight
Their robust build puts their average weight between 90 to 160 kilograms, with much of it being muscle.
Average Physique
Orcs are muscular and built for endurance, capable of performing strenuous physical activities for extended periods.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Skin tones vary widely among orcs, from deep greens to rich browns, often marked with clan tattoos that signify lineage and personal achievements.
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