Orcish Culture and Physiology

[Linaeus]

Gork and Mork

The Wargod (the Guardian) had two sons in Orc legend. One son was named Gork and the other was Mork. These two sons however developed in two different ways. One son liked straight forward combat with little preperation and lived simply for the immedeate fight. Often he would use the weapons and gear of those he would kill. The other son liked war so much he would plot and plan and build instruments of war. The first son taunted the second son about how he fought like a human. The second son taunted the first son about how he was dumb. The second son often won fights due to his planning. The first son won his battles due to his drive to simply fight.

Each has its own followers; however there is much debate as to which son is which. So it may be an insult so call another orc a ‘Morker’ or a ‘Gorker’ depending on who you are talking to. Many orc tribe brawls have started this way. But orcs are not smart enough to tell the story this way and a Gorker will often say he lives only for the fight. Yet another Gorker will say that he is the type that prepares for war. And Morkers will often say the exact same thing. Mak’r Orcs are often followers of the second son, though they will give the second son a name of, you guessed it, Gork or Mork.

Ork Physiology

Orks come in many shapes and sizes. They are generally between the heights of 4’5” and 5’7”. The average weight of an orc is around 180lbs to 210 lbs if they are nothing but muscle. However many orcs weigh much more since a large gut is a sign of wealth. Though their gut may hinder them in combat which causes many orcs to not let ther guts get too big. Also as they get older they get bigger thus bursting out of this ‘average’ category.

Orcs have small noses, thick brows, large mouths, and small eyes. All traits are to better suit orcs in war. Orcs can feel pain. However the older they get the less pain they feel. Often piercings are a mark of honor and prestige. They can regenerate at great levels. They cannot grow hair or horns.

Their skin is green because a type of algae lives within their thick skin. Not on their skin or under their skin but in their skin. Thus an orc’s skin feels leathery with a slightly oily film. It is this film that makes orcs smell so bad it also acts as great fungi food. This is why mushrooms grow in areas where orcs live. In addition to getting larger as an orc ages its skin will get darker and blacker. Giving rise the the myth of ‘Black Orcs’. Few orcs live long enough to get black skin. In fact most orcs have never even seen a Black Orc.

The orc life span is unknown since no known orc has died naturally. The average orc reaches maturity at about 4 years old. Most orcs are only reach the age of 15-20 and is considered long lived. Despite their relative dumbness as adult orcs during their youth (0-4) they can learn much faster than even humans. Most orcs learn most of what they will ever be able to within this time.

Female orcs are very rare and are often hidden away. Thus they are seldom allowed into a battle. However the wrath of a female orc is something that all should fear. Female orcs are about the same size as male orcs. The only difference between males and females is the fact that they have six breasts like a pig or dog or cat. Because of which female orcs often give birth in litters of 4 to 6. Often the biggest of the litter will not be able to get enough nourishment from its mother and will eat the runt of the litter.

Teeth grow in many diefferent patterns. Some teeth grow in fangs almost like a vampire. Other’s have fangs that grow in from the bottom of their jaw. Others just have jagged teeth on both rows. Their teeth are often yellowed and browning. However when a tooth rots out another grows in it’s place. Often times orcs may use teeth as a form of currency. These are usually followers of the first son of the wargod. Many orc tribe brawls have broken out because one orc wants more teeth so he can get a new spear from a “mak’r”.

[Linaeus]

Tolagâl Orc Society

Orc society is not an honourable, civilised place. Orcs are dishonourable, evil, cruel, bloodthirsty and violent. They are lazy creatures, who'd prefer to drink, fight or torture prisoners, but when motivated by an exceptionally cruel orc, they become very efficient, if crude, workers. They're not aesthetics, but the quality of their work is surprisingly good, even if all their work is directed towards war and conquest. Discipline in orc hosts can sometimes be exceptionally good, even though the main reason for this are the whips.

Feelings such as love, mercy and kindness do simply not exist in orc society, because whenever it rears its filthy head, it gets exploited by the other orcs, as to orcs, it's considered weak. Love is simply replaced by urges, and all females, considered to be property of the strongest orcs, are placed in spawning chambers where only the strongest and highest ranking orcs are allowed. This is both because orcs are jealous creatures and that they want to ensure that the only offspring is strong.

As soon as orcs are born, they're taken to the females too old to carry children. They're then raised amidst great hardships, violence and brutality. This is to ensure any weakling gets weeded out. In these collectives, it's kill or be killed, and the orcs know it. This way of breeding ensures that all orcs are firmly indoctrinated with the knowledge that the world's dangerous and only the toughest will survive.

When orcs aren't fighting or torturing some poor soul, they've usually got their hands on skakk, troll cider or tongkûn. Skakk is a brutally strong liquor distilled by orcs, troll cider is a poisonous drink to anyone but an orc, and tongkûn being reserved for only the toughest and best warriors.

As an orc gets older, he starts amassing wealth. This is the quality of his weapons and armour, the amount of gold and gems, valuables such as women and drink and well-made tools, though anything of real value in an orc camp is more than likely taken from other races. Anyone of a low rank with valuables won't own them for long, as the higher ranking orcs will take it from them, by stealth or strength.

Orcs rarely venture outside the shelter of their bands alone. This is to invite death, as any orc caught alone by other races is most probably going to be killed. Only the bravest, and most stupid orcs, would ever dare venture out into the world alone.

Even though orcs can live forever like their elven ancestors, this is highly unlikely. They're usually killed in battle, or by stronger and younger orcs eager to gain a reputation. When an orc dies, they're usually eaten or dumped somewhere. Orcs dead on the battlefield are left to the ravens.