Fantasy/Westmarch Setting

Orcs have not been seen in the lands of men for over 1000 years. In the last great war, they were driven out and chose to retreat to the green valley beyond the mountains. Men have not crossed those peaks, and elves have always looked to the sea instead of the mountains. Dwarven and gnomish mines rarely dig through – they tend to dig down. The orcs have lived in the green valley since that time, organizing into a clan-based society. They are not warmongers, nor are they bestial. Like any other intelligent species, they have those who are good and decent, and those who are evil or deceitful. Some hunger for power and domination, others value stability and the family line. Orcs value family, clan and orc-kind above all else and in that order. The scars of the great war still live on, and orcs have little wish to re-engage with the lands of men. Passages through the mountains exist, but are guarded by the Stewards of the Mountain, an ancient order to which all clans are expected to contribute.

In the thousand years of solitude Orc clans have risen and fallen, great leaders have been forged and conquerors resisted. There has never been a single orc emperor, some clans are agricultural and sedentary, others are nomadic. At times there have been a handful of dominant clans in an uncertain peace, other times there have been dozens of clans ascendant, but none over all. The orc cultures all value strength of body and strength of mind – they recognize weakness can take many forms. Greed, Deceit, Cowardice, and Unjust behavior are the greatest sins. Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity and Just behavior are the virtues.

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