Orc

Orcs are defined by their size, standing tall compared to races such as the Humans. They typically have heavy, almost angular features that are accompanied by muscular builds. Orcs are also distinguished by traits such as their slightly pointed ears, prominent tusks on their lower jaws, and small horns that sit just above their brows. Their skin varies between shades of grays and greens, sometimes adorned with tribal markings. Their hair is usually dark in color but can range across many different colors thanks to their widespread populace. Hair styles and the presence of facial hair in men also varies highly across different groups. Orcan clothing is typically made of simple cloths or leathers, with many individuals favoring practical outfits for travel. Orc eyes are often yellow in color, and they seemingly hold an intensity that reflects their physical strength.

Orcs possess incredible strength and tenacity, gifts that stem from their origins as Monsters. They can use seemingly any weapon with deadly efficiency, and their vitality and resolve allow them to move quickly and keep fighting when the odds are stacked against them.

The Orcs originally came to be in the same way as all other Monsters, being born from the distortions of Magic that appeared after the death of Magius, the God of Magic. While most Monsters born this way become inherently aggressive or malevolent, the Orcs strangely did not. They began to live their lives as any other race, using their incredible strength to defend themselves and their tribes from any potential dangers. For a while, they attempted to live peacefully among the other races, coexisting with them while suffering malice from their neighbors. As civilizations began to develop further and grow, however, the Orcs were mostly pushed away from their original homelands. Now, a majority of their people have taken refuge in the regions of Estlan, occasionally still trying to befriend their neighbors and facing the struggles of acceptance.

Orcan culture is a varied blend of lifestyles, ranging from the nomadic shepherds of the Savage Lands to the settled encampments of Estlan. While this makes the specifics of their culture differ across different regions of Asobria, most Orc communities focus on herding. Many tribes will travel alongside their livestock on the backs of some kind of mount, going wherever the wind takes them. These journeys allow them to exchange goods and crafts with all sorts of different cultures, and many Orcan settlements have elements of other societies. Whether these be physical items or certain practices varies, but Orcs often find themselves creating songs or stories detailing these travels and their experiences. Ultimately, many of these stories reflect the search for a purpose and the experiences that help guide one towards that discovery. Orcs believe that an individual should go out and discover that for themselves, regardless of how far the journey may take them.

Anyone encountering an Orcan tribe or settlement knows of their hospitality, with most Orcs being quick to try and befriend or help anyone they may encounter. Regardless of how quickly they may trust a stranger, Orcs believe that putting such goodness in the world will lead to equally good consequences in return. For some, this good must be received in the form of a mutually beneficial favor from those they help. To others, their reward is something that can manifest in time. Nonetheless, Orcs embody a reciprocity that helps to shift many perspectives away from hostility.

Orcs have undeniably faced their fair share of hardships throughout their time in Asobria, being forced out of their homelands, suffering hatred from other races, and dealing with the dangers of a life on the move. It is due to these hardships that their people value strength, and it is customary for any young Orc to prove their own strength before they are deemed to have come of age. For many Orcan settlements, these feats of strength are literal. Individuals will be tasked with defeating a powerful foe or carrying a heavy object across a long distance, testing their perseverance and survival skills along the way. Yet, for some groups, strength is measured in courage and kindness. An Orc from such a group won't have to face the dangers of the wilds, perhaps, but instead leave their home for a destination that renders them out of place. If an individual can brave the lands that despise their people, then they will be ready to face any challenge that is thrown their way.

The Orcs' origins as Monsters have affected many other races' perceptions of them, with many developed societies meeting Orcs with fear and loathing. As these other societies began to develop and grow their territory, however, things became worse for the Orcs. In Impatria, the Empire and Kingdom of Kalvete both forcibly relocated a majority of Orcan tribes in their territories, with only a fraction of the original population remaining in their homelands. Those that were pushed away were mostly forced into Estlan, finding refuge there to start again. In Jalafar, the Orcs living in the Savage Lands have faced conflicts with Agbedan kingdoms such as Ákrabu and Ziwana, but have managed to remain mostly in their original territories for now. While these prejudices against the Orcan people seem as strong as ever, their people have continued to fight for the respect they deserve. Slowly but surely, the rest of Asobria can learn to view them as they are: Not as Monsters, but as people.