Orcs

*Orcs, a formidable race in Eldoria, have a rich and complex history that spans millennia. Known for their strength, warrior culture, and strong sense of honour, the history of the orcs is marked by both conflict and resilience. Orcs are known to speak a specific dialect called "Orkai", which scholars have noted appears to have ties to the ancient Orcish language, and is likely a reconstruction of their language using the sparse resources they were left with after The Elemental Cataclysm and The Sundering.*

### Overview

The Orcs are a robust and imposing race, known for their muscular physique and formidable stature. They typically stand taller and broader than the average human, boasting rugged features, prominent tusks, and weathered skin ranging from earthy tones and pale greys, to shades of green. Their appearance exudes strength and resilience, with sharp eyes reflecting a mix of determination and ferocity.

In terms of beliefs and values, Orcish culture revolves around principles of strength, honour, and prowess in combat. They place a large amount of respect on physical might and martial prowess, valuing individuals who display courage, resilience, and loyalty to their kin. The Orcs deeply honor their traditions and tribal affiliations, often forming tight-knit communities governed by a tribal hierarchy.

Their society values familial ties, and respect for elders and chieftains holds paramount importance. Clan loyalty is ingrained deeply, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among Orcish kin. They have a strong sense of honor and pride, guided by codes of conduct that emphasize bravery, resilience, and unwavering commitment to their people.

## History of the Orcs - The Rise and Fall of Orcish Society

Orcs are believed to have originated from the harshest and most rugged regions of Eldoria. They evolved as a hardy and survival-focused race, adapting to challenging environments and developing a warrior ethos. Early orcish societies were tribal, with chieftains and warriors protecting their savannah-based communities from threats like monsters and rival tribes. Over time, orcish tribes coalesced into larger clans, each with its own distinctive traditions, customs, and leadership. Clan bonds became central to orcish identity, fostering a strong sense of unity.

From these early orc clans, one stood out amongst the rest, The Clan of Bloodfang. Their ruthless leader, Serkai ("The Radical" as scholars have since translated hit title to be) brought ideologies to the orcs that not even the clan leaders themselves had considered before, that of unity and cooperation. Of course the majority of the clans were not content to submit, it is well known amongst orcish culture that submitting to another was a sign of weakness, a fate worse than death... Serkai knew this, and so challenged every leader he came across to trial by combat ("Ajmataia" as it is known in Orcish). This trial had become ancient custom to the orcs and was the traditional method of selecting a new chieftain. Once every year challengers could oppose the clan leader, and fight them to a warrior's glorious death for the title of Chieftain. Thus, over a great many decades, Serkai and the Bloodfang Clan travelled the land, challenging all of the orcish Chieftains and eventually uniting a group of clansmen under the Bloodfang banner forming a vast tribal "empire" (effectively humungous Clans).

As news spread of Serkai's actions, other orcs began their own conquests of union, each with their unique vision of how the future of Orcish Society should play out. Most notable were Shaball, a legendary Orcish mercenary known as "The Butcher" for his savage tendency to dismember his enemies' corpses after battle, and Mallao The Defiant who challenged her father at the tender age of 12 and assumed chieftainship of the Greyclaw Clan. And so, 3 great Orcish Empires emerged, united under the Chieftains of Bloodfang, Greyclaw, and Skullblade (as "The Butcher's" mercenary legions came to be known).

*It is important to note that despite these empires being formed, not every clan chose to merge with them into an empire, with many choosing to remain independent with their own separate agendas. At this point around 40% of the Orc Nation had integrated into empires, with the remaining 60% sticking to individualism.*

### The Great Orc Wars

*"The Great Orc War, a conflict that shook the lands of Eldoria, is etched into the annals of history as one of the most brutal and devastating wars ever witnessed by the world's inhabitants. Lasting for decades and characterised by relentless battles, territorial disputes, and sweeping conquests, the war left an indelible mark on the races of Eldoria." - Scholars Journal Entry #412*

However, the Orcs grew arrogant in their newfound strength, believing themselves to be the strongest race in all of Eldoria. Their hubris led their eyes to wander, curious of what lay across the borders of their arid savannahs in the mountains beyond. They sought to expand their territories, believing none could stand in their way.
erupted when several orcish chieftains and "Lotoan/Ilatoani" (Orcish title for the empire leaders) simultaneously launched campaigns to conquer neighbouring lands and absorb the remaining rival clans and empires. This initial conflict quickly escalated as other races and kingdoms responded to the orcish aggression. The hordes swept across the lands with brutal force, laying waste to settlements and cities in their path. The wars saw massive battles, sieges, and widespread devastation as orcish legions clashed with all their neighbours, but in particular Dwarven forces.

The Orcs stormed the mountains, expecting nothing but mere cavemen to dwell within, an easy target or so they thought. Their crude metal was met with tempered steel as they barely scratched the iron walls of the dwarves. Fire rained on them from the sky, and stone constructs moved as though they were alive. Metal monsters the likes of which the orcs had never seen unleashed themselves from the depths of those dwarven caves, once proud legions that believed there was none stronger than they, reduced to a corpse wasteland in an instant. This was the day the Orcs learned the true strength of the Dwarves' indomitable defensive technique. From that day forth they had a name for the folk they met in the mountains, and that name was "Ocltleas" meaning "Iron Warrior", as despite their losses they harboured a secret respect for the mountain-folk, hoping one day to challenge them once more to glorious combat.

However this loss did not deter the Orcs, instead they turned their sights towards easier targets and the onslaught continued. The Humans were hit hard. Up until this point they had been a nation comprising mostly of kingdoms centered around exploration and trade, and as such had fought against such a powerful opponent before. As their territories were lost to the Orcs, they had no choice but to turn to the Dwarves for help, knowing they had successfully fended off the orc hordes before. The Dwarves agreed, their stomachs hungering for something other than scraps and rat flesh, agreeing to provide their superior metal to equip the Human armies in return for food, and thus a temporary alliance was formed.

Though indeed the war was marked not only by alliances, but also by betrayals and shifting allegiances. Some orcish clans splintered off, either seeking peace or seizing the opportunity to align with other races against their own kind in an attempt to regain their independence and extra land from the Empires whilst they were distracted. This complex web of loyalties and enmities led the orcs to grow even more distrustful of each other, breaking down their unity from the inside and out.

With the combined might of the Dwarves and the Humans, the Orcs found themselves once again facing a foe of might they had not expected, though this time they were not disadvantaged by unfamiliar mountain terrain, nor did they have to overcome the complex defenses of the Dwarven Strongholds. Both sides were equally matched, and The Great Orc War became a war of attrition. Years passed, and little by little the orcs were beaten back to the lands from whence they came. So much battle was wrought and blood was shed that the very lands they had grown up in were razed, forests reduced to charred remains, and fertile lands turned into battlegrounds. The war's toll on both the environment and its inhabitants was immeasurable. After decades of bloodshed and devastation, The Great Orc War eventually drew to a close. The exact reasons for its conclusion vary in different accounts, with some citing internal strife among the orcish clans due to the death of Serkai leaving leadership open, while others emphasize the exhaustion of resources and manpower.

Though the war was finally over, the scars of the conflict remained visible in the form of ruined cities and a deep-seated mistrust between races. It is looked back upon by scholars today as a catalyst for a reevaluation of power dynamics and the importance of diplomacy in the world. In the aftermath of the war, Eldoria entered a period of recovery and rebuilding. The memory of the Great Orc War served as a reminder of the consequences of unchecked aggression and the need for unity in the face of external threats. It left a profound impact on the world's history and continues to shape the interactions and politics of Eldoria to this day.

### The effects of The Elemental Cataclysm

But alas, the peace did not last as only a mere 82 years after The Great Orc Wars had ceased, the Elemental Cataclysm was unleashed upon the land, ruining any chances the Orcs had of recovering the ecosystem of their homeland. The Orcish Savannahs were reduced to vast desert dunes, and what remained of their civilizations were buried, their technology and advancements lost to the sands of time.

### The Sundering - Orcs

With the combined losses of The Great Orc War, their ecosystem, and their civilisations, the Orcs were forcibly thrown back into a tribal dark age. The united banners crumbled, reforming once more as independent Clans, and the orcs lost a majority of the technology that had once made them a formidable force to reckon with. Reverting back to Clan life, they readopted the sacred rituals and traditions of old, with clan elders telling stories of the great empires that once were.

## Orcish Customs and Society

Orcs value strength and honour. They have a warrior culture and respect other races who display similar traits. While they may engage in territorial disputes, they also appreciate worthy adversaries and may form alliances based on mutual respect. Not many races truly trust orcs due to their aggressive territorial expansion in their earlier history.

Orc society is centred around individual clans, each with its own distinct traditions and customs. Orcish Clans are akin to extended families and serve as the foundation of orcish community life. Chieftains, the leaders of orc clans, are not elected or chosen through hereditary succession. Instead, they earn their position through ritualistic combat. Once per year, the chieftain is obligated to accept challenges from any orc who wishes to contend their leadership. These battles are fights to the death, with the victor emerging as the new Clan Chief. This process ensures that the strongest and most capable warrior leads the clan. Each clan has its own territory, and the clan's chieftain is responsible for overseeing and defending this territory. Equally, the chieftain's word is law, and their promise to protect and lead the clan is paramount.

Orcs are born and raised as warriors. From a young age, they are taught combat skills, discipline, and the values of honour and loyalty. War is considered an essential aspect of orcish life, whether it be for the defense of their territory or expansion. Orcish warriors are often adorned with tribal tattoos and symbols that signify their accomplishments, such as battles won or enemies defeated. Orcs also follow a strict code of honour that governs their behaviour both in and out of combat. They value bravery, loyalty to their clan, and the protection of their territory and resources. Generally speaking, Orcs believe that raiding and pillaging are acceptable practices when conducted against enemies, but orcs consider it dishonorable to attack those who pose no threat or "thrill" in battle.

Orcish history has left many other races wary of orcs and hesitant to trust them, though in recent times a small minority of orcish clans have sought to move away from their aggressive past and begin kindling diplomatic relations with other races based on mutual respect and common interests. While Orc clans may have a history of conflict, they also appreciate worthy adversaries. Orcs respect other races who display strength, honour, and bravery in battle, and as such is not uncommon for Orc clans to form alliances with other races when their common interests align, creating powerful and formidable coalitions. Equally however, Orcs have been known to treat those who do not match their strength with much less regard. They do not shy away from slavery or forced labour and have been known to subject those they view as weaker to extreme conditions, believing it will harden and hone them into true champions.

Despite the emphasis on individual strength, orcish society values unity and cooperation within a clan. Chieftains are expected to lead by example, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose among clan members, so when faced with external threats, the Chieftain commands the Clan to come together as a coherent unit to defend their territory and their way of life.