Orcs are a people of strength, endurance and unyielding will. Their bodies are strong, their natures are stubborn, and their spirits rarely back down from obstacles. For centuries they were known as fearsome warriors who could face enemies that other races would rather retreat from. However, despite their power, the orcs never formed a great empire or a united kingdom. Rather, their history is a history of wars fought for others. For generations they served as mercenaries, guards or warriors in the armies of various rulers. They fought in the name of foreign kings, defended the borders of foreign lands, and shed blood in battles that were not their own. As a result, orcs can be found in almost every corner of Ulvenor. Some live in small tribal communities, others have gradually settled among other races and become part of their societies. Yet most of them still retain a strong sense of honor, strength and personal pride. And while the orcs have never yet risen to the pinnacle of world power, many believe their time is yet to come.
Orcs originated in the eastern lands, where survival was associated with long movements, hard clashes and high physical load. Their large bodies, extraordinary strength, and high endurance are the result of living in an environment that favored mobility and physical stamina over the sedentary development of complex institutions.
tribal communities and temporary tribal union
The orcs did not form a true kingdom for most of their history. Their world remained connected with simple tribes and chiefs who decided mainly on daily work, defense and survival. The closest they got to a real empire was under Chief Kuvigh, whose work quickly disintegrated after his death.
Black orcs are among the most famous and at the same time the most feared warriors of their kind. They are larger, stronger, and often more disciplined than most other orcs. This is why they became some of the most sought-after mercenaries on the battlefields of Ulvenor during the Great War. It didn't matter much which side of the conflict they were on. Black orcs fought where they got the best deal—whether it was gold, land, or the promise of glory. Their units could be seen in the armies of many nations and often their very presence decided the outcome of the battle. After the end of the war, a large part of the black orcs settled on the southeastern edge of the Empire. Although they live here under the rule of human nobility, their communities are gradually growing. The fertile soil of these regions offers living conditions that their original homeland in the Far East never had. Black orcs are known for their unwavering will to fight. Even in a hopeless situation, they can fight until their last breath. Retreat or flight is almost unimaginable to them - as if this possibility does not exist in their nature at all.
Wild orcs are considered the oldest known branch of the orc nation. Their homeland lies in the far east of Ulvenor, in lands that have been almost completely cut off from the rest of the world for a long time. For generations they lived in isolation and created their own rules, traditions and way of life. They had no great religion or uniform laws, only tribal strength and the will to survive. According to old chronicles, the first known contact with other races came when a group of Gharmotha monks arrived in their lands. These pilgrims were looking for a new land where they could establish a society under a new order of vampires. The meeting ended in blood. The orcs, who had never heard of their faith or their intentions, regarded the foreigners as intruders and killed almost all of them. However, this encounter opened their eyes - for the first time they realized that the world was much bigger than they had thought. Since then, wild orcs gradually began to wander west. On their journeys, they encountered mainly nomadic human tribes, with whom they wage long-term and often bloody conflicts over territory and resources. Many young orcs therefore leave their tribes and venture out into the world in search of fame, fortune, or their own destiny.
Half-orcs are a special and unique branch of the orc race. They are formed by the union of orcs with other races - most often with humans, but sometimes with other peoples of Ulvenor. Orcs have an unusual feature. Their offspring can inherit the characteristics of both parents in a fairly balanced way. Due to this, half-orcs can gain both the physical strength of their orc ancestors and some of the abilities or characteristics of the other race. Despite their reputation, orcs are not just fierce warriors. If they feel a real bond with their partner, they can be surprisingly loyal and protective. This is why mixed families in Ulvenor are not as rare as many would think. Halflings usually grow up in towns and villages among other races. They often face ridicule or mistrust because they do not fully belong to either world. However, once they reach adulthood, many people quickly learn that underestimating a half-orc is a big mistake. The power of their orcish ancestors remains within them - and is often supplemented with abilities that their enemies never expect.