Orcs

#### **Who are the Orcs?**

The orcs are one of Razuan’s many creations, alongside the dragons. While dragons were held in high esteem, Orcs were shunned. Treated not unlike those of Shilen’s unfortunate birth, the demons. The Orcs were treated with disdain, belittled by so-called “higher races.” Razuan created the Orcs to be hard, strong, and harsh warriors, and Razuan figured showing them the love his siblings showed their creations would only weaken them and make them forget their purpose. They were warriors, plain and simple.

It was this disdain for them that made the Orcs turn inward. Rather than try to mingle and create trade with the other races, they retreated to the mountains and forests to live in solitude and seclusion. The Orcs remained this way for many years, growing more and more resentful towards the other races and the outside world. However, this did not mean they got along. In fact, Orcs were quite divided, even amongst themselves. Orcs fought for their individual interests, not for one another's prosperity.

This rage festered for a long time, until the day that darkness came to their door. From their mountain they’d seen the darkness spread like a plague over the once prosperous lands that bordered on their own. The Elder Orcs knew of Gran Kain and his evil ways, but had stayed out of the fight as they didn’t care if others suffered and were destroyed. To them it was an outside issue, until it came to their lands.

Gran Kain’s armies began to threaten the mountains and forests they dwelled in, and they were unsure of what they should do. If anything could be done. Knowing they could no longer remain idle, a young Orc by the name of Marik stepped up, still in his early twenties. He proposed a wild and unprecedented idea. He proposed that the Orc seek aid from Razuan’s other children.

He left alone on his journey; his idea was ludicrous to the other Orcs. They did not believe it would work. He traveled through the mountains and down into the valley on his trek, eager to see the legendary Aza’raak Empire and possibly the creator of his race, if only to scold him for the treatment of his people.

However, what he arrived at was far from what he’d expected. The Aza’raak Empire lay in ruins. All about him was smoke and ash. Bodies littered the streets and the once grand palaces were reduced to rubble. He moved forward carefully, whatever had done this could still be lingering about. As he made his way through the wreckage he heard a pained cough. Gripping his ax tightly in hand he cautiously moved forward. There he spotted a man, a man whose very image filled him with rage. He’d stumbled across Razuan, but not in the circumstances he would have liked. Razuan was dying, clinging to life by a thin thread, his wife dead beside him.

Marik holstered his ax and moved to kneel by his side, as Razuan was motioning for him to come closer. Marik felt such anger, but also sympathy. This was an emotion he hadn’t expected to feel for the man who he felt left his people to suffer. Razuan coughed and drifted in and out of consciousness before calling out a name, “Dramira..” Marik raised a brow, leaning in closer. “What?” He asked, curious as he’d never heard of such a person. “Who is this you speak of?” Before Marik could protest Razuan had grabbed him by the shoulder, pulling him in closer. “My Dramira.. My..dau-..” With that, he breathed his last.

Marik sat puzzled for a moment, his rage turning to confusion. He stood, looking at the destruction around him, and then back down at Razuan. If Razuan, his creator, and his army could be defeated, what of the Orcs who had no support? Who were so divided that they would rather their race die out than unify and work together? In that moment Marik decided that he would strengthen the Orcs, unite them, so that their fate would not be the same as Aza’raak’s. On his long journey back he couldn’t stop thinking of what his creator had said. “Dramira,” he scoffed before turning his gaze to the sky, “they must be pretty important to be the last words of a man like Razuan…”

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#### **The Birth of a King and the Five Clans**

Upon his arrival, Marik expressed all that he felt his people needed to know, but he kept the name to himself. He spoke of how he found the great empire of Aza’raak in ruins, and how if they didn’t unify and begin a conquest of their own, they would meet the same fate. He was not believed at first, but the chance could not be taken. Through this disarray and conflict, five clans arose. They needed a King.

Due to his leadership skills and ability to unite Marik was named King of the Orcs, a title not previously claimed as it did not exist. As King, Marik worked hard to organize the clans by issuing each a shaman. This shaman would offer abilities unique to each clan. Marik himself had his own shaman, Gul’gar. Gul’gar was the head of all shaman’s, and the one who taught the mystical arts to them. When Marik bred a female warrior from the Black Wolf Clan their eldest son, Khal, became the Chieftain when he came of age.

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#### **The Clans**

**The Black Wolf Clan**

Chieftan: Khal Gamarash

Former and First Chieftain: Dan’mari Gamarash

Ability: Transformation into Wolves as well as possessing canine abilities such as heightened sight, smell, strength.

Size: Typically the largest of the Orcs in both height and build (Aside from their Chieftain). Shaman Name: Kal’tur

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**The Silver Claw Clan**

Chieftain: Rogthun

Ability: Can Command the Giant Silver Claw Eagles

Size: Tallest but least muscular of the Orcs.

Shaman name: Kul’dur

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**Storm Bringer Clan**

Chieftain: Urmuk

Ability: Can Turn into Bears and possess heightened sight, smell, and strength. Size: Most muscular of the Orcs.

Shaman name: Ald’ar

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**Dark Shadow Clan**

Chieftain: Othmash

Ability: Hiding in Shadows (Can hide in large shadows like a cloaking device by the power of their shaman but it’s a downside in battles fought in daylight.)

Size: These are the smallest of the Orcs.

Shaman name: Shurtun

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**The Soul Stealer Clan** (Corrupted Orcs, their abilities cause them to rot and become disfigured.)

Chieftain: Kurog

Ability: Stealing Life From Other Beings

Size: Shortest of the Orcs.

Shaman name: Tul’mar

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#### **The Summoning and Putting Faces to Names**

Marik had been king for a long time. His people were thriving, their conquest of weaker nations and tribes adding to their wealth and infamy. They had ventured from the top of the mountain and begun settling in the lower valleys and forests. Orcs were not reachable by other races, by choice. A fight with the Orcs was a fight to the death. Around this time, Aza’raak had been rebuilt, more beautiful than ever before. A summons went out to all the races created by Einhasad’s children to see the progress of the Empire. Dwarves, Dragons, Elves, and orcs.

When the summons arrived, Marik read it over carefully, but suddenly he was caught off guard by a word. “Dramira..” He mouthed it silently. Immediately, he rounded up a small group of his men and made the journey to Aza’raak lands. Marik brought his five chieftains with him. Upon arrival, they were met with long stares and hushed whispers. While the others wore expensive gowns and jewels, the Orcs sported armor, weapons, and cloth and were mostly nude aside from their cloth pants. An announcer caught their eye and began introducing the group. “King Marik of the Orcs and his chieftains have arrived, Lady Dramira.”

Marik waited in anticipation to see just who this “Dramira” was. He was taken aback when a beautiful, dark haired young woman stood from her throne to greet him. She had smiled at him without any disgust; she’d treated him and his people as equals. During this gala, Marik informed her of where he’d heard her name before and genuinely tried to catch up with all that had gone on since the deaths of Razuan and Alina.

He was informed of Gran Kain’s resurfacing and the terror it was bringing to the world as they knew it. Marik made a decision that, prior to his reign, would sound like insanity. He decided to fight alongside the Aza’raak Empire and her allies and essentially won the war at the young queen's side.

With peace restored, for the time being, the Orcs went on with their lives. Once again retracting back to their lands, shutting themselves off to the rest of the world. Until they were needed once more to put a permanent end to the scourge that was Gran Kain.

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#### **Appearance**

Orcs come in different shades. Some orcs are varieties of green, while others are dark gray. Here are the many varieties:

Hues: Variants of grey. Variants of green. Variants of red, white and variants of black.

Common Orcs (most Orcs) are grey or green. These Orcs are able to manipulate and use magic to strengthen themselves and for their own personal use. Red and black Orcs typically use dark magic and manifest dark energy. White Orcs, complete white, are devoid of Magic though they are still plenty strong. White Orcs can be born into any clan but since they can’t use magic they are typically discarded or used as scouts.

Orcs have two tusks that jut up from their bottom row of teeth. Though some have teeth that also jut from their upper row as well. Their teeth tend to be very sharp and discolored. Hair color varies from black to a fiery ginger with different variations in between.

Orcs are large in stature. Standing from 6’0” to a towering 8’0”-9’0”. A full grown Orc can weigh as much as 700 pounds.

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#### **Mannerisms and Beliefs**

Orcs are very standoffish and can come off as rude or brutish. Orcs are slow to accept newcomers, and the ones they do accept are either of great importance to them or they have a strong fighting spirit. Among Orcs, beauty is not an important factor in determining worth. A strong fighter is more important than a pretty or handsome face. Orcs have other ways of showing worship. While the other of Razuan’s creations have temples and shrines to show their obedience and praise to their creator, Orcs have duels, followed by a feast. These duels are played out in a circular dirt arena with torches on five sides. In these duels, one warrior is chosen from every clan, and they fight until there is one winner. The winning clan is the first to feast, while the others wait until that clan is sated before they get their turn.

During the festivities, captive women are shared with the winning clan member and those of his own clan whom he or she chooses to share them with. Shows of strength are displayed throughout the night, and festivities don’t end until dawn. Orcs are quick to fight and can be hot-headed, loyal, and true allies when they make a pact. Trust is extremely important to Orcs, and if it is broken, most likely the other party is as well. Orc clans are their family, and they have a very strong sense of family and community. Often, Orcs only trust their own kind, and they do so fiercely. Even two arguing clans will come together should an outsider, a non-Orc, cause trouble for them. Orcs believe that women and men are equal. As long as the Orc is strong enough to defend themselves and their people, then gender is not an issue. However, sons are more revered as children since they can carry the family name.

In all Orcs rarely make alliances, but have chosen to do so with the Aza’raak family and those that hail from her.

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Credits: Majidah Rosa Aza'raak (majidahrose)