4,000 years ago a war erupted between the orcs and goblinoids of Dor-Gotha. After the Monster War, most orc tribes left the service of the Dragon Lords, and now they have scattered to the various corners of the world. Many live as barbaric nomads, some have enlisted in the service of other evil powers. Some have made their home in the Free Lands of Ostend, their strength being a welome addition in spite of the orcs' rough and violent natures.
Politically, the orcs can be divided into a few catagories;
- Dol-Gothan Thralls - The orcs that remained in the service of the Draconian Legion. These orcs are treated as a slave-race, holding no title and used for the worst jobs such as mining and other hard labour. On occasion the Dragon Lords will press these poorly-equipped thralls into war gangs to be used as expendable troops.
- Dark Horde - These are barbarian tribes that roam the northern areas of Arden. They worship Gruumsh, and have no mercy, pity or honour. Their war bands raid and pillage any settlement or caravan they come across, and their captives are either worked to death as slaves, eaten, sacrificed to their evil god in foul ceremonies, or all three.
- Bronze Horde - These nomadic tribes are the arch-enemy of the Dark Horde. They worship Kord, and while they are brutal, they have a code of honour. They fight for the memory of their ancestors whom they belive are watching them from beyond the grave, and will judge their deeds in the afterlife.
- Ostenders - Many orcs were amoung the mercenaries that first came to Ostend to fight against the Draconian Legion 500 years ago, and their clans have settled in and around the Great City. While often mistrusted by the other races, they have chosen to stay for the time being, and lend their strength to the Free People.
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