Orcs

Orcs are one of the major sentient races in the known ether. They are similar to humans, although usually standing a little taller, with skin that comes as grey to green. They differ most notably from humans by their lower tusks and pointed ears.

## Beings of Legend

According to their won written history, the Orcs came from a now destroyed homeworld they call Jötunheimr, which is believed to have become the belt. Similar to other stories from the Ragnarok Sagas, the world was destroyed by the flames of Surtr and the dwellers of Muspelheimr. However, the Jötun Enkir foresaw the coming disaster and lead what would become the Orcs away from the planet and it's destruction

In the Orcish sagas, the Orcs are the only survivors of one of many tribes of peoples from Jötunheimr, and draw a direct lineage to the Giant Ymir, similar to the Aesir and Vanir. While to many, this has very little impact in day-to-day life, it has lead several groups of Orcs to perceive themselves as having a divine heritage above the other races.

> "*And above the great dust plains, piercing the clouded sky, came the burning sword swung by Surtr. The very clouds parted, and the very air was set alight as Surtr swung at the crust of our lost home, of Urtgard and Jotunheim. The peoples of the mountains, the peoples of the plains, the peoples of the forests all burned as the seas boiled into mist. All but the people of Enkir, whose chief had drunk from the spring of knowledge, and has seen as some among the Aesir had seen: the coming of the engulfing flames."*"
> ― extract from the Orcish Sagas
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## Brotherhood in Exile

Considering the background of the Orcs, it is unsurprising that they are much smaller in number than the other sentient races. But this has led to a strong importance placed on heritage among the Orcs, and while they are as much a part of human society as humans themselves, Orcish practices are still very much alive among modern Orcs, with individuals displaying their pride in the way they adorn their bodies.

However, the Orcs past has led to them forming another close bond, with the humans. The Orcish refugees landed at Hoddmímis holt, among the human survivors of Ragnarok, and quickly integrated into their host population.

## The Old and the New

   Orcish culture is something of an enigma to many. On one hand, there is without a doubt a very distinct and insular culture and set of traditions shared by many Orcs. But on the other, Orcs are as much a part of Human culture as humans are, with many Orcs having no particularly identifiable set of practises or traditions that separates them out from any of the other intelligent inhabitants of Terra.

What can be identified as a unique set of Orcish traditions has been kept very well since their first arrival on Hoddmímis holt. Historically speaking, Orcish communities and family groups have had to keep themselves very insular, and thus had developed a very deliberate attempt to preserve their traditions from one generation to another, both in terms of their oral history and their mythology from before their arrival. While these traditions have kept very well over the years, modern Orcish communities have kept a very distinct balance between these older traditions and more modern convivences.