Orc

## Basics

### Anatomy

Orcs are large humanoids. They have two arms and two legs. Each hand has five fingers and each foot has five toes. Their bodies are large and muscular, and their skeletal structure is very close to that of humans. They have two large tusks which usually jut out of the front of their mouths.

### Genetics and Reproduction

Orcs reproduce sexually, and often give birth to twins. They are known to breed with humans on a semi-frequent basis, creating half-orcs.

### Growth

Orcs mature faster than humans. They undergo puberty by the age of seven, which is when they gain most of their fighting drive. They are considered adults by the age of 12.

### Ecology and Habitat

Orcs are capable of living anywhere, but thrive best in forested areas.

### Dietary Needs

Orcs are omnivores, but they favor meat and nuts over fruits and vegetables.

## Additional Information

### Social Structure

Orc social structure is usually very simple. There is one chief or warlord, and everyone else is beneath him.

### Facial Characteristics

Orcs typically have wider set faces with very strong jawlines to accommodate for their large tusks.

### Average Intelligence

The typical orc is considered to have much lower intelligence than other humanoids. Shaghrakh and the monks were pretty intelligent, but they are special.

## Civilization and Culture

### Gender Ideals

Orcs have relative gender equality, and any difference in role is based less on tradition and more on necessity. For example, a female orc is more likely to be the caretaker of children simply because she is the one capable of nursing.

### Courtships and Relationship Ideals

Usually it is the female orcs who first show interest in the stronger males. Oftentimes, courtship will begin by one partner, traditionally the male, challenging the other to a wrestling match. If he wins, then she will agree to court him. If he loses, then she rejects his advances.

### Etiquette

Orcs are a very physical race. When greeting someone they are familiar with, orcs will often grasp the other person by the forearm and pull them into a "bro-hug".

### Common Dress

Most orcs are seldom seen without at least some armor.

### Culture and Heritage

The idea that orcs are brutish and uncultured is a common misconception. They have a complex culture which places value on the acquisition of trophies and plunder. An orc who has been successful is often memorialized through painting. These paintings utilize bright, unusual colors, and can depict pink skies and blue grass. Realism is not the goal. Instead, the colors all have individual meanings. Red is the color of passion and warfare. Blue signifies intelligence and guidance. Yellow is the color of treasure, and green the color of friendship. Purple is a symbol of trickery, grey is strength, and finally black is despair.

### Common Customs, Traditions, and Rituals

During celebrations, be that over victories or feast days, Orcs are known to throw massive, raucous feasts. The bigger the honor, the larger the animals they will try to hunt for their feast. During the feast they will drink, eat, and sing.

### Taboos

It is considered very rude to deny a challenge.

Orcs do not provide assistance when not asked, as doing otherwise implies that they do not consider the other person capable of fighting their own battles.

### Mythology

Many orcs speak of something called "The Blessing of Gruumsh". Interestingly, this is also known as "Gruumsh's curse". It all depends on one's outlook. All orcs have some innate desire to engage in battle, no matter how hard they wish to fight it, it always lingers over them. It is believed that Gruumsh forced his own fighting spirit into every Orc ever born, forcing them to either kill something, or go through similar conditions of withdrawl.

### Interspecies Relations

Orcs are viewed as a monstrous race, and thus are shunned by most others. Orcs do not necessarily hate other races in return, but they do view them as rivals. They have a real respect for other strong species such as ogres or Goliaths.

## Known Orcs

* Shaghrakh, the leader of an orc enclave of monks.
* Tannarukk the Irradiated