Orcs; commonly called "Tarks," are an evil race of foul humanoids that have been a threat to the civilized cultures of Corwyn for as long as any can remember.
This foul race first appeared in the East; coming out of the Darklands, where they were bred as soldiers by the Dark-Elves. Later, orcs were bred by Alokkair, and now serve Sorimmar.
For millennia, orcs have plagued the civilizations of the West as raiders and pillaging hordes, but more recently a confederacy of orc tribes has united under the banner of the Dark Lord Sorimmar. Most orcs now consider the realm of Drakhara as their home.
Description
Orcs vary in size and appearance, but all share certain physical qualities. All Orcs have grayish skin, coarse, greasy black hair, stooped postures, low foreheads, large muscular bodies, and porcine faces that feature lower canines that resemble boar tusks. Many also have wolf-like ears that are pointed on the ends, similar to elves. Adult male orcs generally stand between 59 and 66 inches tall, and adult females average two inches shorter. Males weigh anywhere between 136 and 190 pounds, while females weigh between 96 and 150 pounds.
Ecology
Orcs breed fast and live short lives compared with most other races. They are considered adults anywhere between 11 and 14 years of age; they are considered middle-aged at 17, old at 23, and venerable at 35 years of age. The average orc seldom lives longer than 40 years, even if it manages to avoid violent death.
Outlook
Orcs have poor temperaments and are given to anger more easily than some races. Easily offended and impatient; orcs generally prefer violent solutions and rarely consider multiple ways of approaching a problem. However, in spite of this many orcs are excellent at getting results, since they are creatures of action, not thought. These violent traits make orcs unreliable as soldiers, as there are frequent acts of infighting and deadly rivalries.
Culture
Traditional orcish culture is extremely warlike and when not at war the race is usually planning for it. Most orcs approach life with the belief that to survive, one must subjugate potential enemies and control as much resources as possible, which puts them naturally at odds with other races as well as each other. Male orcs dominate most orcish societies and females are usually, at best, prized possessions and little better than livestock at worst. Male orcs pride themselves on their number of wives and sons, as well as their scars from battle and rituals. Orcs also prize the possession of slaves, though relatively few own them. Most orcs don't build cities of their own, instead relying on those left behind by others and improving their fortifications or operating out of small camps and dens, often in natural caves. Orcs can manage ironwork on their own, as well as stonework, though their tools are often inferior to those of more disciplined races. Orcs are are usually hostile ot all other races, but have a special, bitter hatred for Elves and will kill them on sight.
Homelands
Orcs can be found in many parts of Corwyn, though the overwhelming majority dwell in the East; specifically in Drakhara. Marauding bands of orcs are also commonly found in the Borderlands and the Pale; particularly around Mystwood. Numerous orcs can be found in desolate, rural areas of the West, such as the Barrens, the Axehead, Grey, and the Swordpoint Mountain ranges.
