Orks

**Orks** are a race of bipedal humanoids with similar physical appearance to that of apes or boars. They are largely similar in appearance and traits throughout Tareal, and all share strikingly similar values, beliefs, and behaviors. Orks are considered by some to be the most misunderstood of the races, likely due to their behavior and development differing from that of most civilized races'.

## Origins

Orks seem to be related in appearance to that of gorillas, boars, and rhinos. They originated in warmer climates, preferring grasslands and jungles to that of the colder climates in the northern latitudes. From there, orks have spread out, adapting to more temperate regions and adopting furs and new tools to survive. Much of ork development at first relied on their brute strength to defend and take from other races who had access to better tools. Their raw physical ability gave them time to catch up relatively to the rest of the civilized world and, with larger kingdoms becoming more prominent, orks began to form larger tribes and colonies.

## Characteristics

### Height and Weight

Orks are large creatures, weighing between 230 and 320 pounds on average. Orks are quite tall as well, averaging between 5'11" and 6'10" when standing upright. Male orks are distinctly larger and heavier than female orks, who tend to be smaller in stature.

### Physical Appearance

Orks are large and naturally strong, often compared in appearance to that of a gorilla, boar, or sometimes a rhino. Orks have relatively long and muscular arms, and distinct tusks that extend from their lower jaw. Like the rest of an ork's teeth, these tusks perpetually grow and need to be maintained. It is common for orks to gnaw on bones, hard branches, or stones in order to grind down their teeth or file down their tusks. If an ork's tusk or a tooth falls out, it typically regrows within a year. Ork bodies are large and sport thick fur-like hair that covers their backs, arms, legs, and most of their head. Some orks have hair on their chest or face, though it is uncommon. Other orks have significantly less hair on their bodies, though this is more common for females than males. Ork skin is shades of grey or green, and their fur is typically a shade of brown, grey, or black.

### Lifespan

Orks mature fast, reaching peak physical maturity around the ages 12-14. On average orks live to be 50 years old, the oldest living to be 60 or 70. While orks do age fast, their relatively shorter lifespan may be accelerated by their tendency towards conflict as a means of settling disputes where most would avoid violence.

### Diet

While orks prefer meat, they are omnivores and can survive off of a diet of only plants. Orks also have the ability to eat raw meat similar to other predators. Orks also seem to suffer no ill effects from cannibalism, and often do cannibalize their dead rather than perform burial ceremonies.

## Half-Orks

While orks do not necessarily have any distinct subdiviosn within the racial class, they are able to mate with humans to produce a half-ork. This is due to the unusual compatibility of humans being able to mate with most races to produce a half human offspring.

Half-orks are more humanlike in appearance, with far less hair and a more human body. Half-orks have more tan colored skin, with hints of green or grey. They are weaker than orks and have shorter tusks, but are still on average larger and stronger than a human.

Half-orks are looked down upon in most ork societies, being seen as a weak link in the tribe. Many half-orks are outcast or killed. Others usually end up in the lower rungs of society and are barred from mating, often through forced castration. This means that many half-orks find themselves in between societies, not fully accepted by orks or humans. When they do find a place, it is typically due to their strength and combat ferocity. This has lead to many half-orks becoming mercenaries or hired bodyguards, other becoming workers for construction and hard labor. It is especially common for half-orks to become enslaved as well.