Orcs

=About Orcs: A selection from Wil Taberhast's work "The Variety in Zemla"=

The land of Tyre-Grol has long been a stronghold for the various green and grey skinned creatures of Zemla, chief among them the often feared Orcs. Larger than the average human in both girth and height, Orcs tower over the smaller races of the world often times standing at near 7ft tall. Their human like body shape is contrasted by their monstrous faces, tusks and spikes grow from their mouths and nostrils and when they bare their jagged sharp teeth they more closely resemble a rabid boar than anything remotely human. Some Orcs have green skin, usually the smaller type that are more prone to be found in the wilderness regions throughout the world. Other Orcs are grey skinned, probably due to the lack of sunlight they receive after living their lives primarily underground.

Orcs make their homes in the foothills of mountains, in the cavernous recesses in the wilderness, or a myriad of other dark, dank places. They are apparently clan like in nature, giving their most brutal of warriors leadership over the entire local populace (a single clan can include as few as 20 Orcs while the larger 'war tribes' have been estimated at 300-500 Orcs). On occasion a war tribe will include both green and grey skinned Orcs and when this occurs it means bad news for any peace loving residents of the nearby locale!

Despite numerous attempts to clear the lands west of Redni Prime (modern day Ma Khavaron) Tyre-Grol still stands as a beacon for the evil and despicable creatures of the world. Goblins and their various kin often follow the leadership of Orc's and no Goblin attack should ever be considered random occurrence, as most likely an Orc chieftain is behind it, testing the defenses of a settlement.

--Footnote on half-orcs: The abominations known commonly as 'Half-Orcs' are nearly always the result of a male Orc capturing, raping and impregnating a human woman. The offspring always appears predominantly Orc and is often crippled by severely low intelligence. Some members of the Church of Lumiere have taken to protecting and raising these simpletons, to what end is unclear.