Orcs
Last updated
Last updated
Orcs vary in appearance, but all typically have large, muscular bodies; stooped postures; porcine features with a low forehead and protruding brow; large, tusk-like lower canines; coarse hair; and pointed, wolf-like ears.
They mature quickly, reaching adulthood between 13 and 15 years, and rarely live past 60. Their relatively short lifespan fosters a preference for action over deliberation, and many orcs react with aggression rather than diplomacy. While orcish culture is often warlike, some orcs integrate into broader societies, displaying discipline and civility uncommon among their kin.
Most orcish tribes are hierarchical, with leadership determined through combat and displays of strength. Conquest is central to their way of life, with tribes often forming loose alliances for raiding, war, and territorial expansion. Traditionally, males dominate social structures, valuing their number of wives, sons, and scars as status symbols. However, exposure to other cultures has led to more females rising to respected positions, often outmaneuvering their larger male counterparts through agility and cunning.
The races of orcs are:
Crimson orcs stand between 2.0 and 2.3 meters (6’6” and 7’6”) and weigh 140 to 170 kg (308 to 375 lbs), with females typically being smaller. Their skin is deep red, sometimes mottled with darker patches, and their hair is dark red or black. Their eyes are typically black, crimson, or yellow.
Crimson orcs are highly aggressive, embracing conflict as both a necessity and a source of honor. Their warriors favor brute strength and relentless assaults, often overwhelming opponents through sheer ferocity. Tribal chieftains rule with absolute authority, maintaining order through strength, respect, and fear.
Crimson orc warbands roam the , raiding settlements and competing for dominance. A large population also resides in the , where their disposition makes them favored enforcers and soldiers. Though many consider them brutish, crimson orcs respect strength in all forms and often ally with those who prove their worth in battle.
Cobalt orcs stand between 1.9 and 2.1 meters (6’3” and 6’11”) in height and weigh between 125 and 145 kg (276 and 320 lbs), with females typically being smaller. Their skin is deep blue or slate-colored, and their thick, dark-colored hair is typically black or deep brown. Their eyes are often golden or piercing blue.
Their societies are highly organized, with leadership often shared between warriors and shamans. Many are nomadic, following seasonal migrations of game across the steppes. Most maintain strong traditions of ancestor worship, believing that the spirits of past warriors guide them in battle.
Jade orcs stand between 1.9 and 2.2 meters (6’3” and 7’2”) and weigh 130 to 160 kg (287 to 353 lbs), with females typically being smaller. Their skin is green, their hair is black or brown, and their eyes are often dark brown or hazel.
Jade orc societies tend to be structured and disciplined. While still valuing conquest, they emphasize strategy, loyalty, and honor over recklessness. Warriors, priests, and mages train extensively in both individual combat and large-scale tactics, making them formidable opponents. They place significant value on wisdom and diplomacy, with elders often serving as advisors or negotiators, if not chieftains themselves.
Pale orcs stand between 1.9 and 2.1 meters (6’2” to 6’11”) and weigh 100 to 130 kg (220 to 287 lbs), with females typically being smaller. Their skin is milky white or translucent, sometimes tinged with blue or gray. Their eyes have pink, gray-blue, or gray-green irises with deep red pupils. Most are hairless.
Known for their intelligence, diplomacy, and adaptability, pale orcs are often multilingual, using language as a tool for negotiation and influence. However, like all orcs, they are naturally impatient, and their frustration can manifest as aggression or violence.
Onyx orcs stand between 1.8 and 2.1 meters (5’11” and 6’11”) and weigh 110 to 150 kg (242 to 330 lbs). Their skin is black or dark gray, and their hair is typically a shade of black or white.
Cobalt orcs are known for their endurance and resilience, thriving in the harsh, windswept climates of the and , as well as the rainforests of the . They favor disciplined formations and battle-tested strategies over reckless aggression. Many develop a deep connection to the land, believing that strength comes not just from the body but from an understanding of nature.
Notable splinters of cobalt orcs include the tribe of and smaller tribes of the , while a large population also inhabits .
Many jade orcs serve as professional soldiers, bodyguards, or mercenaries, integrating into more civilized splinters, particularly the . Smaller tribes inhabit other areas of the , while the —a sprawling confederacy of three nomadic tribal groups—is found in the in the .
Pale orcs are found primarily in the and . Many maintain semi-nomadic lifestyles, balancing survival with culture within structured political systems. A large population of pale orcs resides in the , where they serve as scholars, advisors, traders, and even the priory and knighthood of the .
Onyx orcs are known for their endurance, adaptability, and ruthless pragmatism. Many live underground or in harsh environments—primarily and bordering areas of the —forming societies based on survival rather than conquest. The , however, embrace a warrior culture where battle and bloodshed are central to their identity, believing that death in combat is the highest honor.
A large population of onyx orcs is also found in the , where they serve as elite enforcers, assassins, and military officers, valued for their discipline and efficiency. In the , they form tight-knit clans, often warring with other subterranean splinters. Their settlements are fortified, built into mountainsides or cavern walls, with underground tunnels serving as both refuge and ambush points.