Desert Orcs prt 1
The Orcs who reside in the desert are in two main groups: the nomadic and the settlers.
The Nomadic and Settlers aren’t that different in some aspects, they did after all come from the same source. Their changes are, however, very obvious.
For one, the style of dress.
Nomadic Orcs style of dress is a bit different from that of the settlers. They wear light layers. The fabric is made to be light, to move with the wind and to keep the sun and sand away. Different tribes wear different patterns and colors. Each whorl has meaning, every pattern and color has meaning to that specific tribe.
The settled Desert Orcs have built their cities around oases. The buildings are tall, some pale, some orange. Some with detailed curled buildings and others that are smooth. The architecture is as varied as those who live in the cities.
Manner of travel is different too. The nomads travel with large mammals that are similar to the camels that humans use to traverse the deserts; the only differences being the size and separate abilities of the creature. They culture the milk from these creatures in a way that makes it alcoholic. Different strengths of it are ingested in different situations. Some are casual with lunch and dinner and others are only reserved for the holiest of situations: births, weddings and deaths.
Nomadic Desert Orcs also trade the drink with humans. A specially weakened version is made specifically for trade with humans. It doesn’t pay to kill your clientele.
Those that have settled in their cream colored buildings trade all manner of things with humans. Fruits that can only be grown from various species of cacti in the desert. Medicines made from hardy desert plants. They are even contracted by humans and other Orcs to design homes and businesses.
Art is a massive part of life whether settled or nomadic. The nomads are weavers, the settlers make mosaics. Plants and animals, desert landscapes and sunsets feature heavily in their artwork.
Some traditions have stayed the same. The gigivn of blankets to an Orc carrying a child or offered to deities on holy days. Their deities are always thankful, appearing in a whirl of sand to take their gifts and vanishing again.
Settled Orcs always settle near an oasis due to the significance they hold for their culture. Nomadic and Settled Orcs have maps that show every oases around them.
Now there may be a question as to why the desert is home to a split unit. Why some chose to stay and others to continue moving. Humans have asked both of them this question and received the same response “why force a lifestyle on one when it doesn’t suit them?” They are still family. Some nomadic members have settled in the cities and still visit. Some who’ve settled have joined the nomads. It’s in flux. Happiness is what’s key, and they are always supported.
