Orcs

Orcs, a collection of related races living throughout the worlds of Rathnir and Eldham (with some migrating to Abexilas). Anthropologists and Biologists remain unsure on what to classify Orcs, with multiple theories of origin posited. The one thing that all experts agree on is that orcs have a unique anatomy that sets them apart from other races. Orcs are larger in stature than humans or elves, possess tusks, and have a violent temper. Regardless of these commonalities, orcs as a race are as diverse as their human and elven counterparts, having multiple sub-races and ethnicities based usually on a tribal or clan identity rather than a nation. 
== Origins ==
Orcs as a people are mysterious in origin, with each clan or subgroup having their own story, usually revolving around their ancestors, as to their origin. This complicates the work of scientists and lorekeepers in pinning down an exact point of origin when and how the orcs arrived. Theories based on science include being a offshoot of elves or arriving from another world or plane of existence entirely, essentially being stranded aliens in a world foreign to them. 
Orcs themselves, however, reject these theories and tend to maintain their traditions whether that be they were the ‘First People’, or their ancestors were ‘summoned’ by a deity or powerful warlock to be soldiers in the various wars that plagued the worlds of Rathnir and Eldham. 
Whatever the case, all that matters is that the orcs are here to stay. 
== Orc Physiology ==
It is no secret that orcs are imposing for good reason, tending to range from 1-1.5 meters in height and usually on the bulky side (though like humans, can vary in size and shape). Orcs have a diverse range of skin tones, with the most common being green in most subspecies, though brown and tan are also present, with a few orcs having pitch black skin or of a hue of crimson resembling fresh blood. A few orcish subspecies even have a thin layer of fur covering their skin, with patterns such as spots and stripes present. The cause for this is is unknown, with theories on evolution/mutation or manipulation via divine or magical means being present. 
The most impressive feature of orcs are their tusks, however, with males especially having large and impressive lower-incisors, these may be decorated or worn down depending on the individual orc’s lifestyle. The teeth of orcs in general are sharper, with orcs tending to possess fewer molars and premolars than their human counterparts. Orcs are an omnivorous race, though many orcs tend to err towards carnivory if given a choice. It has been theorized that orcs require large amounts of animal proteins to maintain their metabolism and girth, both of which requiring more nutrients and calories than humans. Orc bone and muscle mass is denser than humans, with orc females having a stronger physique on average than a human male. 
Orc vision is one aspect that can be lacking, with orcs exhibiting a nocturnal or crepuscular (dawn-dusk) sleep cycle, rather than a diurnal one. Orcs have a mildly enhanced nightvision for this reason, yet can lack depending on their genes (with some orcs having enhanced/weakened nightvision) and lifestyle during daylight. Their eyes exhibit colours described by outsiders as ‘unnatural’, such as red, purple, and yellow, the reason for which is unknown. Orc ears also tend to, but not exclusively be, pointed like elves and some infernal species. While some theorize it is possible this aids in their hearing, most orcs tend to be average in this respect. 
== Orcish Culture and Faith ==
Orcish culture, as a whole, tends to prioritize function over aesthetic. Whether that be in arms or architecture, orcish building and craftsmanship may look ugly and brutal yet usually tends to be of high quality. Orcish commonalities tend to include a close-knit clan or tribal structure, emphasis on revering the elements and their ancestors, and a culture that skews towards a more martial slant. Despite these similar aspects, orcs are also diversified in culture as well, with each clan or subrace varying depending heavily on environment and influence from their neighbours or overlords. 
Much like humans, orcs tend to be varied in faith and in the matters of the mystic arts. Generally, most orcs adhere to a form of shamanism or animism in which forces of nature are revered as spirits and in which shamans can seek to contact or control these spirits through totems and spiritual practices such as sacrifices. Orc religions usually don’t seek converts from outside their tribe, with their unique oral histories and traditions actively excluding outsiders in most cases or taking an antinomian stance towards life. There are cases where entire clans of orcs convert to the faith of outsiders, usually adapting the faith to fit orcish values and paradigm. However, individual orcs that accept non-orc faiths can expect shunning or even death if discovered by their Clan. 
== Orc Clans and Tribes ==
Below is a list of Orcish Tribes and Clans, this list may be updated depending on new information.
=== Kharakese ===
The Kharakese (plural Kharakeseler), or ‘Black Pouches’ in their tongue of Kharakese Tili, are unusual among their orcish kinfolk of having a biology closer to marsupials than orcs. The average Kharakese is covered in fur, with their heads resembling various marsupial species (possums, kangaroos, quolls) and possessing some sort of tail. Females also possess pouches for rearing young. The Kharakese were a nomadic people, living in yurts and adhering to the Monotheistic and shamanistic faith of their ancestors. The Kharakese hold a belief that their God punished them for turning to idolatry by turning their ‘normal’ orcish bodies into part marsupial, or rewarded them for their devotion to the Five Totems depending on the version. 
Their point of origin is unknown, with many believing they came from Eldham before settling in the Huitca Federation, yet it has been theorized they arrived from elsewhere. Unusual among orcs, the Kharakese have accepted a human, Enoch Tizoc, as their Khan (Chief) upon his marriage to their Shaman, Kharabolor. Today the Kharakese, although smaller than before, still live within the bounds of the Federation of Azeraan and by in large adhere to Cardinalism as a race, albeit with their own unique take on the faith originating from their staunch Monotheism.
=== Aldan Orcs ===
The orcs of Alda were led by their Chief to the new land of Alda shortly after being invited by Tlatoani Quauhtli (SumoMC) of Huitca to stay. They tended to live in longhouses and practiced a very simple form of the basic orcish animistic faith. Not much is known about them, other than they were a nomadic band of fighters that entered into the service of the Aldan Crown. They maintained good relations with the Kharakese that lived in Ummarnu during the days of the Huitca’s rule of the land, Regardless, their Chief left and most of his clan with him after being called elsewhere. A few orcs stayed behind in Alda, yet nobody knows their whereabouts after Ashura subsumed Alda.
=== Clan of Black Banfaet ===
The Clan of Black Banfaet was a clan of orcs originating in Eldham, having settled the islands off the coast of the Zamotz Union. They were a reclusive and bloodthristy clan that largely kept to themselves and exhibited Antinomian tendencies, exemplified in their religion they called Orcism. It is unknown what became of the Clan after the fall of that forlorn world, or if they have survived in the later incarnation of the Zamotz Union (Abexilas).
=== UnnPa-Erk ===
The UnnPa-Erk are an isolationist, blood-hungry clan of Orcks, originally nomadic, settling in the Isles of Fumunda off the western coast of Tiberia in Abexilas. They are very abrasive to non-orcish or nongreen-skinned beings. Their beliefs and ways of life are described in their religion Hent OgdenThis is a religion that does not yet have a wiki but will soon, where beings that are not considered Fumundan are treated less than. This is thought to have surfaced from two invasions from outside forces that led to a very abrasive look on "Mainlanders" (which refers to all non-Fumundan sapient life). Their origins are unknown as are their beliefs about other countries or peoples. Where they may look next in the future is hard to decipher as their language Murruk is difficult to decipher and translate into common tongues. Although when asked a higher up within the clan had explained that the name UnnPa-Erk means "Last Peoples Clan", as they seem to be the last clan of Orcks left on Abexilas. This may be the reason why they are so staunchly against letting outsiders peer into the inner machinations of their tribes beyond letting us see the zealous nature of their religion and pride in their being.
The UnnPa-Erk, also known as The Fumundan Orck, is 2-2.5 meters tall with greenish to greenish-redish skin. Their eye color ranges from whitish-silver, reds, purples, yellows, and other common orcish eye colors. Their tusks are larger than previously documented orcs with their incisors reaching to the height of just below their eyes being a common sight on the islands. They are broad-shouldered, incredibly muscular, and quite athletic as are previously documented orcs. Some religiously important orcks are just a small amount less muscled than the average or warrior orcks, but display greater athletic prowess than the average human regularly. It is believed that these adaptations are due to their placement in the northern and colder continent of Norvinia, and their nomadic lifestyle before their settlement being an evolutionary pressure on the species to have stronger and smarter peoples.
These Fumundan Orcks also differ from previous orcs in their faith as certain deities, such as their primary gods, had not existed or been carried over from prior orcish beliefs and faiths. As well as some of their pantheon appears to be orcified renditions of Goblinoid deities. It seems to be that their pantheon is a combination of previous orcish and modern Goblinoid faiths, as well as certain original indigenous deities.
Category:Races
Category:Orcs
Category:Traveler's Era