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Making my Orcs different

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stingerbrg Since: Jun, 2009
#1: Feb 13th 2011 at 7:03:38 AM

I'm trying to make my Orcs different, but I seem to have hit a roadblock. I focused on the Elves and Dwarves more than I did the Orcs so those two are much more developed. So far all I have for the Orcs are they look like the big, green Blizzard-y style, they have Plant magic, and live in the forest. I'm trying to avoid the Always Chaotic Evil and Proud Warrior Race Guy directions, but I don't really have a "gimmick" or trait to differentiate them like I do for the other races.

FrodoGoofballCoTV from Colorado, USA Since: Jan, 2001
#3: Feb 13th 2011 at 11:55:14 AM

Here's some of my favorite "non-standard" depictions of Orcs (All these species could be green and forest dwelling):

  • FKTA gallery (mildly - moderately NSFW). This vision of orc is somewhat matriarchal and significantly more primitive in their cultue than most fantasy races, havng no nudity taboo. They are caring parents, but believe that children should be brought up tough to face a rough world. Orcs like to kidnap people and have developed an unfair reputation with elves and dwarves because of it.
  • Ursala Vernon: Orc Poet (moderately NSFW). Orcs as a race with a sophisticated culture but a very different outlook on life.
  • Yan Gange: Noz (mildly NSFW). These orcs are "less human" than most.
  • Yan Gange: Kotorc. Kotorcs serve as a Henchmen Race for the Drow. They are prized for their "doglike" tenacity and loyalty. Kotorcs have a strong sense of honor.

edited 13th Feb '11 6:00:53 PM by FrodoGoofballCoTV

GenericGuy Since: May, 2010
#4: Feb 13th 2011 at 12:23:30 PM

Make them neutral environmentalist, given they have plant magic, unless you’ve given this trait already to elves.

"If you make people think they’re thinking, they’ll love you; but if you really make them think, they’ll hate you." —Don Marquis
breadloaf Since: Oct, 2010
#5: Feb 14th 2011 at 10:45:58 AM

Make them aristocrats of a mostly goblin society!

DarkSoldier from Delta, BC, Canada Since: May, 2018 Relationship Status: What is this thing you call love?
#6: Feb 16th 2011 at 4:42:26 AM

I've made my orcs the form into which the Fell Power of Terror Erebus corrupted his loyal humans. After Erebus's departure, some/most orcs turned to Erebus's successor, Malphas the Blood Lord, and became his Blood-Kin. Blood-Kin are the Always Chaotic Evil psychopaths that give civilized people so much trouble.

The orcs that did not follow Malphas are plains nomads, vying for territory with settled civilizations and being an occasional pain in the neck, but are much more open to diplomacy than Blood-Kin. These are the only people with whom Blood-Kin will parley, only for the purpose to converting them to Malphas.

Orcish tusks are status symbols amongst orcs and trophies for unscrupulous hunters. The tribe records a warrior's deeds onto his tusks after he dies.

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RalphCrown Short Hair from Next Door to Nowhere Since: Oct, 2010
Short Hair
#7: Feb 16th 2011 at 2:34:34 PM

In Earthdawn, orcs have always been slaves. They have a unique character class called the Liberator, someone who can easily break chains and raise morale. One of the main plot lines in the game is the establishment of a free orc nation.

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Diamonnes In Riastrad from Ulster Since: Nov, 2009
In Riastrad
#8: Feb 17th 2011 at 9:49:08 AM

Hm... I've been playing around with a few ideas for orcs. Feel free to use any of them.

  • Orcs, Goblins, and Trolls (oh my!): The traditional Goblin, Orc, and Troll species are, in fact, one and the same.
    • They have an extremely long lifespan (upwards of two centuries)
    • They begin life in their 'larval' stage: The small, frail, bright green Goblin. Each Goblin on its own is pathetic enough, but they learn quickly to cooperate and become pack hunters/scavengers.
    • Those that survive to adulthood (twenty or so years) make a slimy coccoonlike structure that they dwell in for several months.
    • If something doesn't crack their shelter open and consume their delicious goblin-y insides, they emerge as Orcs; much larger and tougher, with skin in more camo shades and large, sharp bottom incizors that seem to be vestigial tusks. They continue in this state for fourty-plus years.
    • Those few that manage to survive their first sixty or so years hit what is essentially puberty. They suffer excruciating pain as they triple in size, their large teeth become true tusks, And their skin darkens again to a chestnut colour and becomes dense and bark-like, making an excellent natural armour. They also grow long, vicious claws. Trolls are, naturally, the roughest, toughest, and most clever mofos the species has to offer, so the younger individuals look up to them in respect and fear.

  • Orcs as plant-people: Goes along well with them having floral magic. This type of Orc has a symbiotic plant or fungus growing on its back, either naturally or planted there with magic at birth.
    • The growth of the plant will correspond with the Orc's own, and perhaps even with what that Orc does. For instance, soldiers' plants would become thorny, thick brambles, possibly poisonous, protecting them from harm and hurting any enemies that got into a brawl with. A medicine-Orc's plant would become an excellent natural salve.
    • The plant would be capable of photosynthesis, imparting some of its converted energy to the Orc; this would grant them stamina far beyond any other species.

My name is Cu Chulainn. Beside the raging sea I am left to moan. Sorrow I am, for I brought down my only son.
Madrugada Since: Jan, 2001
#9: Feb 17th 2011 at 10:25:27 AM

^ I like that first one, Diamonnes. That's got all sorts of potential.

To the OP, here's my suggestion: Instead of saying "I need to have orcs, how can I make them different?" ask yourself "What niches are there that still need to be filled? What will fill them?" You don't have to have orcs just because you have elves and dwarves.

edited 17th Feb '11 10:25:49 AM by Madrugada

Gralien Evolutionary Byproduct from Frostbite Falls Since: Aug, 2010
Evolutionary Byproduct
#10: Feb 17th 2011 at 2:54:50 PM

See, this is why I don't have Elves, Dwarves, or Orcs AT ALL in my works.

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stingerbrg Since: Jun, 2009
#11: Feb 17th 2011 at 3:53:19 PM

It's not that I'm having trouble fitting orcs in or feel I need to have orcs if I have elves and dwarves, since all three were present since I started. I just didn't really know what to do with them without it seeming like I ripped off the guys from Warcraft 3, especially since I had an easy time making my elves and dwarves different from the standard and only had the superficial stuff in the OP.

Anyway, thanks for the different orc depictions, they've given me some good ideas to bounce off into ideas that I can work with.

Diamonnes In Riastrad from Ulster Since: Nov, 2009
In Riastrad
#12: Feb 17th 2011 at 4:52:24 PM

@Maddie: Aw, thanks; I feel accomplished now. :)

My name is Cu Chulainn. Beside the raging sea I am left to moan. Sorrow I am, for I brought down my only son.
Signed Always Right Since: Dec, 2009
Always Right
#13: Feb 17th 2011 at 10:26:40 PM

Make them giant anthromorphic Orca Whales(killer whales)!

Their body is human shaped, but have many whale features, such as massive size, fins, and their skins. Humanoid arms and legs. And their heads are whale heads....

And they should fire out of their blowholes.

edited 17th Feb '11 10:27:47 PM by Signed

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Dagobitus Since: Aug, 2010
#14: Feb 18th 2011 at 3:31:02 PM

There is no immediate need to define Orcs yet. Show us the prejudices that Humans and Elvens and Dwarves oh my have about Orcs. Then show us Jacques the Orc dealing with prejudice.

Jacques fits stereotypes 1, 2 and 3, he don't fit stereotypes 4 and 5. He pretends to fit stretype 5 because that is what they expect.

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