Great Orcs
(Trog Wargut, Chieftain of the Ironhorns)
History
A distant cousin of the regular Orcs, the Great Orcs were once the most dominant race (alongside the Amazons) to roam Awsha. Before the Great Collapse, and Iarrtas Bàis, the Great Orcs had expanded their territory beyond the borders of the other ancient races. Although evenly matched in combat, tactics, and numbers, the Great Orcs were even started to deal great blows to Amazons and were said to be mere centuries from finally being able to call themselves the true rulers of Awsha.
In the end, however, their expansion cost them dearly. When Iarrtas Bàis struck the lands, the Great Orc heartlands of Ghardaturr were split from Awsha’s mainland (The split land eventually formed the Great Orc isles - the home of the last survivors of the ancient race). All other Great Orcs in the expanded territories were annihilated due to their weakness to magical energy. Their population plummeted from five-million to ten-thousand, and not one Great Orc was left on the Awsha mainland.
Those who had survived the Collapse were still infused with magical energy, but it did not enhance them, it instead acted as a virus. The Great Orc survivors were left unable to set foot on the mainland, otherwise, Awsha’s infused magical energies would cause the virus left in their bodies to mutate; killing them in a matter of days. Never again would the Great Orcs have the chance to conquer the lands they once craved.
(Huuta Skullcrusher, Chieftain of the Bronzefangs)
Biology
The Great Orcs are noticeably different from their regular Orc ‘cousins’. Great Orcs are taller, stronger, and much more brutal; as well as having the skin of a much deeper, darker green. Their lifespans are also in contrast with regular Orcs. Great Orcs are known to live well into their thousands, with plenty of historical evidence to show that they can reach one-thousand five-hundred years of age. This, however, only stand on the Great Orc Isles.
Males of the species are typically between eight and a half feet tall to nine and a half feet tall. Females range from eight-feet to nine-feet in height.
Due to their fatal weakness to magical energy, and the dark magical virus infused with their DNA thanks to the Collapse, Great Orc lifespans on the Awsha mainland is more than a few days. Yet, as generations continue, the Great Orcs who are not stillborn, miscarried, or born with fatal deformities are slowly losing the magical genetic virus. For instance, Trog Wargut is known to have an immunity to the Great Orc killer virus, meaning that he can make regular visits to Awsha, and not die while there.
Brain functionality and cognitive abilities vary greatly from clan to clan. The Great Orc Trog Wargut is renowned for his tactical prowess, eloquent speech, and expansive knowledge. Whereas other Great Orcs suffer from lower than average IQ - not that it bothers them. They still hit hard.
Because their numbers after the Collapse were so decimated, the gene pool was left strangled. If there was even the slightest cross-over in bloodlines between a mating pair, their child would not survive. Great Orcs only thrive with a diverse, mixed gene pool where the strong can mate with the strong, so after the collapse, their numbers didn’t bounce back. In fact, given the infighting which took place, their numbers dropped even more.
However, Great Orcs are known to be able to breed with other races. This meant that as the genetic, viral defect started to fade in successfully birthed young, the more Great Orcs were able to travel to Awsha in order to mate successfully.
The Great Orc Isles.
A large cluster of islands off the west coast of Awsha. Mostly uncharted. Known inhabitants are an ancient race of times gone by known as the Great Orcs. The islands are mostly made up of sharp, rocky coasts and dense, tall forests.
The oceans around the Great Orc Isles make for perilous sailing. Hidden shards of obsidian and granite can spit a large warship in two, meaning only the most experienced sailors should even think about attempting the journey. This is one of the many reasons that Great Orcs rarely travel to Awsha.
(Homestead of the extinct Cobaltrib Tribe. Destroyed in a battle with the Bronzefangs.)
The climate around the isles is often overcast with thick grey clouds. They experience high levels of rainfall in the summer months, while the winter brings scorching, humid conditions. Some of the islands are more exposed to the heat, meaning they often look dark and barren - in some places forest fires are a regular occurrence. The islands are also littered with destroyed settlements if tribes that once existed, in some cases the land never recovered from the bloodshed.
The Known Tribes
Historically the Great Orc kingdom on Awsha was known for its hundreds of thousands of different tribes (Most of which were wiped out during the Collapse). Infighting became rife within the Great Orc communities after the land split and sent them into the oceans, mostly because they no longer had the Amazons to battle.
Great Orcs found honor on the battlefield. It was something ingrained in their psyche. The need to fight to prove one's worth. Great fighters were honored and gained positions of power, and other spoils such as strong spouses, which they hoped would lead to strong offspring. Huge battles often ended with one tribe completely annihilating another. In more modern times, only five main tribes remain, each settled on a different Island:
Bhagahnil Island: The Ironhorns, led by the Berserker of Bhagahnil; Trog Wargut.
Rrahhkar Island: The Steeljaws, led by Thrug Titanhammer.
Futikahr Island: The Bronzefangs, led by Huuta Skullcrusher (The only female Great Orc chieftain)
Crahggak Island: The Rockfists, led by Fragg Bonecruncher.
Vehkaard Island: The Leadskulls, led by Wrakr Smashknuckle.
Each tribe has its own Chieftain to rule, oversee improvements to the lands, and lead their tribe into battle - but the Chiefs do not implement the laws. They act as local leaders to a council of elders, known as the Primodhakars. Disputes which span more than one tribe are presented to the elders who always have the final say on important matters. For instance, if a Chieftain wished to send an army to conquer Awsha, he or she would need to ask permission.
Made by the amazing @nadias-rp-tales