Orcs

An orcish warrior; ©Bethesda Softworks

Orcs, also called Orsimer, are a race of clan-based warriors. They dwell in orc strongholds scattered across the continent of Tamriel, and thus lack a specific homeland. They have a reputation for blood-lust, and are seen as nothing more than brutes by most peoples of Tamriel, especially commoners.

Ethnicity

A wood orc of Valenwood; ©Bethesda Softworks

It is heavily debated by scholars whether orcs are considered Mer or Beastfolk. A common origin myth about orcs suggests they are warped and corrupted Altmer and are thus 'Orsimer', though there exist records of orcs existing from before the supposed origin myth took place, casting its credibility into doubt. Others claim that orcs are Beastfolk, and were native to Tamriel before either the arrival of the Aldmer or Nedes on the continent, similar to the Khajiit and Argonians, and have evolved over millennia into the human-looking creatures they are today.

A city orc; ©Bethesda Softworks

Over millennia some orcs have adapted to their geographical climates and regions, resulting in changes to their skin pigmentation and other physical features.

According to X's X, there are two groups of orcs:

• Wood orcs live in the great forest of Valenwood, home of the wood elves. Such orcs have green skin brighter than their northern cousins, which helps with camouflage among the fauna of the Valenwood. Additionally, wood orcs are known to sometimes have more prominent and numerous horns. Wood orcs are also known to have a tradition of crude face and body paints, though few understand their cultural purpose or significance. The wood orcs of Valenwood practice seclusion more strictly than their northern cousins, cutting almost all contact with those outside their strongholds.
• Northern orcs, known by most only as orcs, live primarily in northern Tamriel, and can be found in High Rock, Skyrim, and Morrowind. The skin of northern orcs is much darker than their southern cousins, often being a deep green, almost brown, colour. Additionally, northern orcs are known for having a thicker layer of skin than wood orcs, providing better protection in colder environments. Northern orcs have occasionally been known to abandon their strongholds, and enter into civilised society despite the social ostracisation from both their former kin and the other races of Tamriel.

Culture

Social Status

Although some are respected, women have a lower social status than men. For example, daughters are not permitted to inherit their father's position as Chieftain of a Clan. Additionally, a Chieftain may take multiple wives, though no woman may have multiple husbands.

Most of all, the orcs follow strength. Should a Chief die without an adult heir, men of the Clan may fight amongst themselves to take the place of the fallen Chieftain.

Orcs that abandon their strongholds are permanently exiled and shunned by all orcs, labelled as city orcs. Even the descendants of city orcs are labelled as such.

Language

Orcs speak a variety of tongues based off Orcish, each differing slightly based on each Clan's geographical surroundings. Wood orcs of Valenwood will not speak the same version of Orcish as the orcs of Skyrim, but the languages will be similar enough for basic communication.

Religion

Orcs exclusively worship the Daedric Prince Malacath, a devotion which lapsed only once in recorded history during the days of the Second Daggerfall Covenant when the orcs of the Covenant were forced to refer to Malacath as 'Mauloch' so as to quell potential panic among non-daedra worshipping members of the Covenant. During a short time the worship of Trinimac also emerged as the orcish religion of Orsinium after its second founding, though quickly died out.

Architecture

Early in their history orcs used to live underground in caves. These were often unassuming from the outside, but deeper into the tunnels sprawled into chambers, feast halls, and even defensive fortifications. Examples of ancient orcish dwellings include Morkuldin, the ancient home of the Morkul Clan deep within a cave network. The orcs' cave-dwelling past possibly explains their skill in stone-cutting present in later instances of orcish architecture, such as Old Orsinium.

Quotes

There are those who say that orcs and the various races of goblins are closely related. If so, they must not come from a very happy family, because they never seem happy to see each other.

—Phrastus of Elinhir about the supposed close relation of goblins and orcs