A Compendium of the Peoples of the World: Orcs

 

A Vain the Sword Addendum

(GLoGhack by Phlox)

Intelligent Peoples (of Holy Selmat and Beyond):

Kaf-Tsadhi

Humans

Golems

Gnolls

Orcs

Locusts

Serset

Hobbits

Elves

Eulogy

Gnomes, Fae and Related Peoples

Pre-Skeletons

Talking Animals 

    Also known as “Grays,” “Orks,” “Orkean People,” and “the People of Gog”

    A tall and often muscular race of bipedal peoples, with varied shades of green, grey, or blue skin. They are most often stronger and more physically inclined than your average Kaf-Tsadhi, for example, but not particularly more violent or blood-thirsty, despite the popular misconception. 

    Most orcs live in large towns or even cities, typically with little contact with outsiders and living strictly within their own means of farming and hunting, not unlike humans.

    For the reference of those reading, I shall point out that when I use the framework of “male” and “female”, I am describing a biological presentation of a given species - people of the world are often aware that these “male” and “female” roles are not necessarily descriptive of a person’s biological processes. In the example of orcs - most traditionally “male” and “female” orcs do not present as those of us in Holy Selmat might expect if we have not met an orc before - almost all orcs present in a similar fashion: tall, muscular, grey, green or blue-ish skin, with typically dark hair. Female orcs are not more “feminine” by Holy Selmat standards, and male orcs are not more “masculine”, and neither do they conform to our typical societal roles. In this way, one may assume that all orcs they have met are male - but indeed, one would have to very rudely inquire as to the nature of an individual orcs genitalia in order to determine their sex, which I very strongly recommend against doing.

    Courtship rituals between orcs are complex and steeped in tradition, even for orcs that live within more mixed communities - most start with mutual exchanges of small gifts, food and wines, or small items of some significance to the gift-giver. Two orcs entering a courtship then require the permission of their parents, or if they have no surviving parents, a local authority of some kind, or adoptive parent, less often a friend or other important relation. From there, orcs in courtship with one another may work together for some time, cooking, cleaning, running a household together or perhaps teaching each other their respective occupation. This ensures that the couple can work together successfully, for their sake and the sake of any children they may have. 

    If the couple chooses to go further with their relationship, they are treated to a meal by family and friends, and then will exchange gifts once more, ones that represent their hopes for their future together. These gifts could be useful items for their partner’s occupation, or tokens of affection, or perhaps items they may utilize in their future, such as a bed or a cradle for a child. 

I was present for one such exchange, wherein a bladesmith gave his betrothed a fine dagger he had crafted; this apparently carried additional emotional weight, as it was essentially giving her permission to bear said blade against him if he were to slander her name or force himself upon her.

    The final stage of courtship is consummation, wherein the couple will have another meal with family and friends, then ceremonially leave the party together to consummate their partnership in the eyes of their chosen witness, most often a local priest or administrative person, and less often a trusted associate of the couple. This witness would be called upon to validate the marriage in the event of any legal issues, familial arguments, slander, or claims of infidelity, and so it is vitally important that the person be trusted by the community as a whole - infidelity or failure to properly consummate a marriage can mean ostracism from ones community or even a death sentence in extreme events. 

   A very kindly female orc named Grushan offered me food, information, and advice while I spent time in their community, in exchange for a promise that I include information about Orcish law for outside people’s to know. These laws are all social; governing daily interactions and general life and business, and vary slightly between communities, but all with the basic emphasis on “individuality coming together to form community” as Grushan spoke of it. It should also be pointed out that these laws apply to all people who are of adult age within the community, regardless of gender, race, or place in society, and are typically judged and enforced by a local administrative party.

    

    Here are a few typical examples of Orcish Laws:

•         Law of Truth - One will not bear false witness to the community as a whole. To bear witness, state a lawful case, advocate for a decision or own land, one must have a verifiable record of practical truthfulness (The idea of being truthful even if one is incorrect) and honour. A breaking of the truth is punishable.
•         Law of Family - One will make their best effort to support family and blood ties, through decent time, and through plague, fatigue, or drought. Those you claim as family are as family thereafter.
• Sub-Law of Child - What harm is done to the mother, was done to the child, and it shall be punished accordingly. (Essentially, Grushan explained that this means that any man who forces himself upon someone and begets a child has forfeited all rights and familial support from and for the child, because he has harmed both her and her child by creating the child through violence. Additionally, Grushan pointed out that if the man is marked by the woman’s blade, he shall pay his own life-blood in reparation to the woman and her family, the amount of which shall be determined by the local magistrate according to the severity of his assault. This can mean death.)
• Law of Equals - what is done unjustly to another shall be done unto you. (Grushan added that this is not often fully enforced as a law, but is typically more of a warning)

    If a female orc is gravid, she will carry the child for around four (4) months of gestation, giving birth to a grayish-brown sac, not unlike an oddly-shaped, soft, leathery egg, which will then be buried in shallow soil or a pot of soil to develop for another six (6) months or so. 

    Orcs are biologically similar to humans and Kaf-Tsadhi, at least in terms of bodily function, though they are not capable of producing any viable off-spring with other races due to their reproductive methods, and a newborn orc is just about the size of a human toddler.

    These infants have webbed hands and feet to help them dig out of their birthing ground, and have an entire set of teeth to allow for the immediate consumption of food items. Newborn orcs can also crawl and walk almost immediately, though they are still mostly reliant on their parent’s care and attention for ten or so years after being born. This is particularly relevant for young orcs who may have more curiosity than sense (which is most, in my own opinion), as they will happily and unknowingly stumble into anything that makes an inviting noise to them, be that streams and rivers, nests of raccoons or bees, fires, the ocean, or dens of hungry bears. 

    Due to the nature of their births and lives, orcs revere the physical earth in ways that many other races do not - their life and death rituals, including some consummation ceremonies, occur within sanctified sections of ground shared by communities, though families often have their own sections. Each plot set aside to birth an orc will eventually be their resting place after death (figuratively if an orcs manner of death does not allow for burial), as well as a place to celebrate life events and milestones. These grounds are sacred and valuable to their people; as much a place of life as they are of death, wherein the cycle is appreciated by all who enter.

    Average litter: 1-2 infants

    Average life-span: 40 years