Origins of Umbril Orcs
Created pre-apocalypse via human researchers in labs spreading across one continent; they were designed to be a test not fully indoctrinated to survive outside of human control (Birth defections and unstable DNA.) But also trained psychologically to hate and believe that the other 'lab-borne' soldiers of different labs are their enemies. These training regimes and documents of propoganda were created specifically to raise the super-soldiers into a testing ground for their effectiveness, by pitting them against each other to determine viability before offering these soldiers to the government. Or that was the plan, before all the researchers of each lab mysteriously disappeared and never came back as a result of the apocalypse. The orcs escaped their prisons, only four of the five expirements had ended viably, resulting in - all marginally different and categorized by skin pigmentation. These were the origin of orcs - but much more would befall them.
Upon finding the world, it was already in ruins -- but these creatures were superior genetically in survivability - simply lacking the effective ability to reproduce sustainable. They began to claim scrapped technology, creating weaponry and civilization formed around their tribes - the propaganda of the labs brainwashing ingrained into their being in an odd form of religious truth.
It caused a war between four sides. A war of attrition with no foreseeable end.
It was during the greatest war of orc-history, where the great dragon flew into the midst as all sides flooded to meet in a grizzly four-sided bloodbath. The orcs having never seen such a creature stood still in awe and horror. The dragon offered a solution and truth - knowing how to fix the orcs problems, and their true stem (Biological tampering) -- and gave them the chance to fix these aspects, if they would align sides beneath a new banner, fighting a war versus Hallardrin, the great corrupter and consumer.. true enemy to all kind, as his darkness would approach.
As time progressed, the orc people came to see new similarities and companionship under the dragon's guidance. New generations of orcs were born free of the birth defects, and some even boasted red or green shades of skin. A new religion was ushered in, seeing their dragon as aspects to look up toward and to uphold: The passion of fire, and the reason of earth. As their culture progressed, contact with the common world came from their dragons guidance, ushering forth the peace that was key to salvation. Orcs turn their fury primarily onto the savage lands as a result - seeing the challenge of taming it as proof of their fury, reason and strength.
Orc Society Origins:
Orcs are a passionate race of fiery and strong individuals. After emerging from their research labs, orcs had been scavengers. Though by no means were they unskilled in physical combat though this was from senses instilled into them through the experiments they were put through, inlayed deeply within. Similarly, they knew how to hunt and how to use tools. They found themselves in a diverse climate, mostly arid and rocky amidst occasional pines and mountainside respites.
They set to work building settlements in the canyon-sides shade. As time progressed, the four settlements discovered each other; though much time had passed, the propoganda was still built into their core - and a mighty all-out fight began blindly spiraling out of control between each side. The attrition of the conflict dwindled each of the Orcish people down to small numbers, mostly women and the rare occasional child.
Each chieftain stood with his last army, ready to fight their last stand. It was at this moment the dragon Garuga would soar in, changing their hearts forever. They did not feel rage, they felt the song of fire and earth emanate from their being as they met with him.
The orcs had been calmed enough to reason with - and the great dragon Garuga spoke out to their minds in a voice they understood. It offered them a vision of the truth, and a boon if they joined the dragons side. The orcs, given a chance to think from his soothing song had decided to hear the dragon out.
With a nod of the dragons head, their eyes seemed to roll up into their skull - falling to their feet all four experienced visions of their creation. The information gleamed by the dragon Garuga was compressed into visions that lasted mere seconds, though flooding their brains full of information and understanding. The chieftains, all looking physically exhausted, drew heavy breaths, looking from one to another.
At once, all four had found a common ground. A connection. They had all been played.. and they would lead their people out of this deceit. They would become more than they were set out to be, following Garuga's footsteps.
They accepted the dragons boon, in the name of their people. A unanimous cry cheering from the battlefield as a sense of salvation and hope rallied forth into cries of victory.
Garuga gave a mighty roar that echoed across the plains. The orcs felt the song of fire and earth flow through them - like a second heartbeat in unison with their first. The orcs felt a purpose: to live, to be free and to find peace in this savage land.
2 years came to pass before many of the orcs gave birth without complication. Garuga had assured them this would be the case. The children were a miracle in the eyes of the female orcs - though their skin colors were green to shades of red, unlike their parents that had all been a pale grey. Up until now, they had assumed a curse, as only every 2 out of 10 orcish women could give birth to healthy orcs. For obvious reasons, the orcish community rejoiced. They called this day the Earthfire festival - and every year it is held to commemorate their new generations and celebrate to the dragon of Earth and Fire for awakening their potential.
The children grew to healthy adolescents, before many developed a deeper understanding of magic than the first generation. Shamans and Druids came to be, as multiple orcs reported gifts from nature or voices of spirits, looking to Garuga for mentor-ship, or finding it on their own in the voices of nature. It seemed the dragon had blessed them with magic to use in this strange world - and they would use it for good.
As society developed over the following 150 years, orcs came to be fond of canyons and forests - the common features of their location. Their people flourished, coming into contact with humans, elves and other races. Though orcs can come off rather brash, head-strong or brutal -- they are still friendly folk, thanks to the dragons guidance. The dragon had told their people of other dragons and survivors of the recent world events - that unity was salvation.
200 or so years later:
50 years have passed, and inter-racial contact has forged many intriguing elements to society. Most cities contain a myriad of races, a result of the dragons and shared gifts. Orcish shamanism and druidism has led to many improvements in agricultural areas and spiritual matters. An Orc can be found across the land - many having pride in their origin and too happy to tell you the tale.
An Orc's first language would be Orcish, however, they also know Common.
Appearance of Orcs
Orcs are tall humanoids with impeccable or above standard physique. They are usually noticeable by their skin color, as well as the tusks that protrude from their bottom-jaw, framing their face. They are a wise and strong race - physically the most capable to survive in the new world. Most orcs come across as knowledgeable about nature as a result.
Orcs reach Maturity at 20 years and generally live until 100-150.
Examples of Acceptable Orc Traits:
- Eye Color: Yellow, Red, Brown, Green, Black, Blue, Silver.
- Skin Color: Red, Green, Pink, Grey.
- Hair Color: Black, Brown, Red, Blonde
- Height Range: 6’-7.5’
- Skills
- Choose One Song:
- Earthsong: Orcs are naturally more resistant to damage - their skin is tougher and usually muscular to show this. You can negate half of the damage equal to your total health rounded down. You get this once per combat.
- Firesong: Orcs inherently channel the gift of fire within their veins. When an orc is backed into a corner, you are able to attune to the song of the dragons. As such, your strikes do alot more damage than they would otherwise. Once per day, you are able to receive a +4 to any attack rolls. This lasts until the end of combat and can be used once a day.
- This occurs after health drops below half
- Survivalism: Orcs are very resistant to extreme weather conditions and extended periods in the wilderness. Most orcs do not feel the cold or heat like other races. They also need to eat at a lower rate than most races.
- Choose One Song:
- Weaknesses
- Savagery: Orcs tend to be seen as a savage and barbaric race, despite their cultural honor and respect of nature. As a result, you take a penalty to charismatic pursuits and oftentimes others will look oddly at you for wishing to pursue more learned and skilled jobs.
- Bloodfrenzy: An incredibly endangered or distressed orc is considered a liability to his foes, and strangers. During blood rage, you fixate on one enemy at a time. No matter if others are also attacking you as well.
Names:
Orcs usually name themselves from a wide selection of observations. "Whisper" "Waterfall" "Gnarled Oak" "Bearclaw" are all examples of a common, nature-themed name. Last names consist of concepts such as: "Windrunner, Ashfont, Vinethorn." usually a combination of things they find beauty in, or honor/respect.
Religion
As for religion, Orcs as a whole see the Fire/Earth Aspect dragon "Garuga" as their religious figure. Orcs believe him as more of a paragon or rolemodel than a creator - doing their best in his name. Many orcs also adopt nature and warrior pantheons as their gods typically. Unlike many races, orcs have a love for 'tangible' worships practices such as rituals.
Relations
The orcs get along surprisingly well with elves, seeing them as frail but smart in their own way, Elves respecting the Orcish communion with the land and combat. Humans see Orcs as very savage and brutely to their own refined but post-apocalyptic lifestyle, but cannot help to respect the orcs and admire them. Orcs see humans as a brother race, since finding out their past. Other races that are more rare might be uncommon to orcs less traveled, but they've heard of most and have opinions.