Orcs of Vastonia!

General Traits, Life Expectancy

On to one of Vastonia's most feared races. Not only are the orcs unforgiving and cruel in their daily habits, they far out number many of the other cultured races of Vastonia. Thousands of orcs make their homes in the furthest eastern regions of Vastonia in a kingdom called "Tutjak". Here they live life day to day awaiting for yet another opportunity to attack their enemies. Orcs stand anywhere from 4' to 4'8 in height and weight anywhere from 105 to 175 lbs. They have a light green to dark green skin color with their actual hide being somewhat tough and well adapted to their cold wilderland climate. They can live up to ages not exceeding 120, but generally live to be around 80 years of age.

Social Structure, Government, Laws, Religion

Well this can be summed up in very few words. Orcs follow whatever laws or guidelines the find the most expedient during the present time in question. The powerful rule over the weak and kick whoever is left behind into the dirt. Chaos and treachery being the standard of life and rules being made only for the gullible to follow. As for religion the Orcs only pray to one god, this being "Gruumsh " . Monthly sacrifices are made to Gruumsh within Tutjak's great " MT of Gods". Here they sacrifice captured humanoids to whatever foul beast rests below in the depths of the " Eternal Gorge of Parelle ". If no victims can be found to sacrifice at months end, they improvise and cast the old or crippled into the gorge "hey whatever keeps the gods happy".

Armor, Weapons and Advancements

The armor which orcs choose to use in battle ranges from leather, to chain, to platemail and every combination in between. Generally strapping a few plate chunks to a leather outfit suits them just fine. Only the best warriors receive sets of plate armor but they are made in the crudest fashion, loose fitting and having awkward buckles and straps. The orcish weapon arsenal consists of a massive barrage of shrade swords, spiked maces, double bladed axes and a host of other savage weapons. They have perhaps designed some of the most brutal, blood thirsty weapons in Vastonia and proudly display them no matter where they go. The orcs greatest advancement within the realm involves the use of mass numbers to swarm other colonies and utterly destroy their existence. Orcs have developed some of the greatest tactical war strategies used throughout history and learn greatly from any prior mistakes they may have encountered. Mass combat is perhaps an orcs greatest skill and the orcish warbands should be respected as one of the best war machines in Vastonia.

Hunting Strategies, Tactics, Local Game

Strategies include snares, pitfalls, swinging logs and mass ambush. Orcs usually hunt in troops of 10, tracking down large game and bringing them down at all costs. They tend to lose 2-3 members each time a hunting party heads out and will almost always destroy half the meat trying to slow their prey. Local game consists of snow tigers, yeti, mammoth, braxat, manotaur, owlbear, giant kin of all types, giant elk, render and many other wilderness creatures.

Trading Habits, Routes

The orcs simply have no trading agreements with any local regions. The take what they want and want what they take! Slaughtering innocent caravans, high jacking nomads and raiding villages are all but a few of the ways orcs benefit from trade, if you consider that trading.

Use of Animals/Mounts

Mule, yak, goats and sheep are all part of the orcish lifestyle. All of these beasts of burden are used in daily situations including: plow animals, breeding stock and food preparation. Mounts include dire wolves, mammoth, medium sized horses and black unicorns. Dire wolves and mammoth are the preferred mount in battle situations.

Goals, Passions, Perseverance

Orcs seems to exist only to place revenge on all living creatures. They have a strong passions for revenge against elven kind and have an equal amount of hatred towards humans and their presence within Vastonia. Orcs stop at nothing to rid of all other humanoids with the exception of Ogre kin and a few other evil aligned cultures. They believe the elves to be the cause of their undesirable location within Vastonia and take every opportunity to advance their colonies back into the south western region of realm. Misery and anger keep the orcs going and their sheer displeasure towards mankind in general set them apart fro any other race.

Education, Alphabet, Languages

Education! What education? Youth learn from their mistakes or perhaps from their peers. In any given situation orcs have very rudimentary minds and natural wit and luck allow them to learn life's necessary teachings. Orcs of Vastonia speak orcish and any others dialects they pick up along the way.

Magical Expectancy, Usage

Yes, magic is fine. So long as you don't use it to help enemy cultures. Magic is used mainly for fortification purposes and can sometimes be in use by amorists or weaponsmiths in the manufacturing of high quality weapons. Magic is also used to subdue mounts and creatures of massive bulk.

Racial Customs, Burial Ceremonies, Celebrated Holidays

Once again customs are what you make them. If you see it fit to slay an innocent human weekly, then so be it, perhaps others will join your lunacy. Orcs cremate there dead, usually high atop of pile of burning brush,. If no wood is near they will bury the deceased within a pile of rocks or under a dirt mound. Tablets are not necessary, but can be found at the head of great leaders.

Housing Materials, Architecture, Skills

Orcs use logs and large boulders as their main building staples. Moss and wood shavings are used to fill the cracks, thus slowing wind from penetrating the inner rooms. Sometimes orcish housing can be found within the ground itself, but these structures always have some kind of pitched wooden roof covered in a thin layer of dirt.