Forgotten Realms Lore - Orcs

[@MrNetWraith]

Some Orcish lore that Jorphdan didn't mention: In AD&D, there were significant areas in the Eastern regions of Faerun where orcs were actually not evil and had peacefully integrated into humanoid society. In particular, the land of Thesk has a huge half-orc population because they were saved from annihilation/conquest by the Golden Horde, a Mongols equivalent, due to armies of Thayan orc soldiers, who were then abandoned to live in that region and were allowed to integrate into human society. AD&D also had the existence of the Ondonti, a race of gentle, pacifistic orcs with limited innate clerical magic. They had their origins in orc infants who were saved by the clergy of a goddess of peace and nature and brought up in her tenets. Originally, Ogrillons and Orogs were both the result of orc/ogre interbreeding; ogrillons were feral berserkers covered in bony spines produced when female orcs fell pregnant by male ogres, whilst orogs were huge, strong and eerily smart and produced from orcish fathers and ogrish mothers. In 3e, "orog" was retconned as the name for the Underdark orc strain, and in 5e, orogs are a rare mutation created by Luthic, the orc mother-goddess, to protect the nurseries and females of the tribe. Underdark Orcs make superior leaders to mountain orcs because they understand the principle of consolidating one's holdings and defending territory, whereas mountain orc leaders blindly maintain a continuous campaign of expansion until they exhaust and overextend themselves, resulting in the loss of everything they gained. Prior to the Spellplague, a visionary orc leader named Obould Many-Arrows established the first, and to this date only, orcish nation in the Kingdom of Many-Arrows, seeking to give his people an alternative to the lifestyle of endless raiding and war that was grinding them to extinction. Though it struggled with dissent from Gruumsh traditionalists, the Kingdom of Many-Arrows survived for some 300 years, including through the Spellplague, but it was ultimately retconned out of the lore in 5e with a handwave about it being destroyed due to internal strife and dwarven aggression.

[@grymhild]

I love our Lorekeepers!

[@geoffreyswann624]

The destruction of the Kingdom of Many Arrows is detailed the Companions Codex Trilogy. It’s a bit more than a simple retcon.

[@tooslow4065]

@@geoffreyswann624 not if you dont put the books in the game, as most people dont do.

[@werdsworld7901]

Kingdom of Many Arrows is still there according to the wiki, just diminished and with Lorgru, son of one of the Oboulds, in charge.

[@rakbel316]

War Domain Cleric or Hexblade Warlock, I think either could be interesting.

[@josiecc2336]

rakbel316 I’ve played a half orc war cleric and it was loads of fun, would recommend

[@fardareismai4495]

Fjord, Travis Willingham's character on critical role is a half-orc hexblade warlock. It's cool

[@littleoldmanboy]

half orc vengeance paladin

[@InquisitorThomas]

Orcz are da biggest, baddest, meanest, and greenest gitz dere iz!

[@draxthemsklonst]

Red goes fasta?

[@naradloff]

Waaaaaaaaaagh!

[@janelantestaverde2018]

The first half-orc I directly met was a pianist called Hank on a cruise ship in a homebrew session. Needless to say he's the best pianist I ever encountered and probably ever will...

[@Jorphdan]

ha :D

[@Soloong_Gaybowzer]

Faerun's Orks are something else. They're happy to fight amongst themselves and take plunder from pioneering human or elf settlements, but there was that one time they were manipulated by the drow into elected for themselves a king, that shit went sideways. Talking about WW2 levels of carnage and war crimes.

[@lafortya]

I believe it's pronounced **grumsh** or maybe *groomsh*, all one syllable. Jorphdan is adding extra letters and syllables in his pronunciation when he says *grum-ush*. Though to be fair I can't remember off hand what source book that was detailed in. Other than that well done.

[@Jorphdan]

Thanks! you are probably right, I often try to make sense of these fantasy names and come up incorrect.

[@lafortya]

@@Jorphdan Happens to us all. No worries.

[@davinci3259]

@@lafortyaIt is Groomsh. 3rd edition was my main edition growing up and I believe it was the players handbook gave the pronunciation.

[@liquididentity101]

Forgotten Realms campaign setting book for 3rd edition provides pronunciations for all deities small and large, as does Faiths and Pantheons. Sometimes these FR lore videos make me cringe when a word is pronounced differently than I am used to. If you really care that much, you can do some research on your own.

[@SimonAshworthWood]

@@Jorphdan your one-eyed orc character can pronounce it “Grahmish”, as you did in the video, and this can be the cause of many conflicts with other orcs. Very appropriate to being an orc! 😜

[@randyayo2846]

I had a campaign in mind years ago, The Drow capture all Orcs from the Citadel of Many Arrows. Having the males kill each other off in gladiatorial combat and only then being allowed to breed. Each Orc male having won battle against his own kind 4 or 5 times. The Drow then raise and breed them, giving them strict military training. These Orcs would closely resemble the Scro or even the Orcs of old. More massive and standing upright, being trained by Elves and coming from the harsh environment of the Underdark they would then be unleashed upon the surface

[@davidwilliams5283]

Could you do something about Half-Elves or Half-Drows?

[@davidlewis8814]

As far as the disadvantages conferred by losing an eye goes, I would leave Perception alone, and give disadvantage on Acrobatics to reflect the impact on depth perception, and maybe make it easier to flank the one-eyed PC?

[@johnryan8040]

I'd love to see a video on the mulhorandi (not sure how to spell that) and why they would open a portal to the orc home world and let them in

[@J0K3R_the_Nerd]

This just furthers my love for orcs

[@Manstermash]

It's Wednesday! Time for Jorphdan to incite the new WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHG!

[@ericgonzalez934]

WAAAAAAAAAG!!!

[@andrewvincent7299]

You should do videos on countries like Rashemen and Thesk. There are literally no videos about those regions that I know of. No one is talking about those eastern nations. You could also talk about the Tuigan Horde that ravaged that region until a Cormyr led Alliance fought to defeat them. There are so many interesting things there and one is doing videos on it

[@bte352]

I actually played a Desert Half Orc One Eyed Eldritch Thurge of grumish to like level 16 in 3.5, Cleric/Warlock multiclass, lots of intimidate, big black grumsh armor. With a Cohort slurm who was a grumsh chosen. I wore a Monocle.

[@oscarsiri2763]

Great orc video! In my rpgs I don'r use a lot of "halfs", I mean, there are half orcs and half-other races but very few, like they're very special and not common. I consider more interesting how the offspring between a green orc and a gray orc (or orogs) develop in orc society. I mean, after one of such couples had a bath (by rain or because they wanted to lunch a fisherman), they would see they have different skin color, I imagine their surprise tusked faces jaja!

[@LordBrittish]

Currently playing an orc paladin. Their racial “dash” ability is fun.

[@flareinc7413]

I reqlly wish orc culture would be made more interesting than just "evil for the sake of evil without any depth" in FR. Compare to Eberron which is better than FR even in this aspect.

[@حَسن-م3ه9ظ]

It's not "evil for the sake of evil", from where did you get that?

[@PsPmoddedOUT]

Gruumsh and his hoard will likely play the role of big bad for my players. A lot of variety in the race and an avatar of gruumsh or even baphomet, tasked with leading the hoard, will make an excellent finaly boss for the party

[@drewnakayama8372]

I appreciate your videos and the knowledge you share. I wonder if you have done any videos on Tree Ghost Tribe and the Grandfather Tree? Do you think it would be possible for Half-Orcs to join the Tree Ghost Tribe in defending the Grandfather Tree? Is there a Grandmother Tree? Thank you.

[@Jorphdan]

I haven't but I'll add it to my list of potential topics :D

[@evfike01]

1:29 where is this art from? It’s beautiful!

[@Jorphdan]

You can buy a print of it here! www.deviantart.com/kiddo428/art/Rise-of-The-Horde-Sarnuk-bloodsoul-487289101

[@AryadiSubagio]

Hey Jorphdan, is there a Japanese or Chinese setting themed kingdom somewhere in Faerun? Would like to watch a video about it.

[@Jorphdan]

There's Kara-tur which I may do a video on at some point :)

[@HattoReyMono]

I played an half-orc bard raised in orc tribes but suddenly interested in the art of music, so he went down from the mountains, learned to play double bass and play it... with the heads of his enemies. Not a very good way to play the instrument, but inspiring for the rest of the group for sure.

[@chronorebel_greatgryffon1312]

Can you make a video on Cormyr

[@JCinLapel]

I made a half orc celestial warlock taking pack of the chain using the eye he sacrificed to form a gazer familiar

[@eatme5470]

Are there any orc elf couplings maybe one ofJaraxels affairs

[@maxcaysey2844]

I would love to see a video about Larloch the Shadowking. In "Annotated Elminster", by Ed Greenwood, he said that by around 1374 DR, he was a level 47 lich... It would be AWESOME! Thanks!

[@Unbreakable87]

If you go by 3.5 edition you should have higher perception because you sacrifice your eye to see everything.

[@zachariaravenheart]

What is the picture at 1:28 from? It looks so cool!

[@gourdlord3064]

It looks like Warcraft 3 fan art.

[@Jorphdan]

World of Warcraft I believe.

[@zlostoja]

Hi Jorphdan, great video :D I thought that orcs don't really get along with goblins. Or at least that Maglubiyet and Gruumsh are at odds. Could be wrong but I get the feeling that I read something along those lines somewhere. sorry for no citation or reference on that. :/ But I'm sure you might get to the bottom of that :D Despite that, still can't stress enough how great your videos are, love them :D

[@Jorphdan]

I believe you are right, and goblins are more viewed as slaves in Orc society.

[@DaDunge]

I think disadvantage on perception is way to much for a lost eye I would just have you chose between adding your proficiency or wisdom modifier to perception rolls.

[@حَسن-م3ه9ظ]

Cyclops have the trait "poor depth perception" as a result of their one eye, it gives them disadvantage on ranged weapon attacks against creatures more than 30ft away

[@williamkao5747]

I prefer the 40K orcs, same evil chaotic nature but with a big smile

[@killerbun]

You should do a video on epic magic in forgotten realms

[@queenofpluto251]

May you do a video on Gruumsh and Ilneval

[@Jorphdan]

Yep I want to tackle non-human deities at some point 😀

[@teoiny1]

Think I’m going to create an Orc Warlock, who after surrendering his eye felt the touch of divine favour..

[@xagatal]

Meats back on the menu!

[@Littlefabio]

I'm not sure where he got this information about dyemensions this could be a new thing for D&D lore but to my knowledge Orcs in the Forgotten Realms were created by gruumsh.

[@SonWsp]

They were, yes, but just because gruumsh created them doesn’t mean they’re native to toril or abeil. Deities maintain an existence throughout the multiverse I think, could be incorrect

[@digunder14]

if I made a 1 eyed orc, i'd have them use a gem or artifact of similar size as an eye :P

[@linguisticallyoversight8685]

There is two different groups of orcs on the Forgotten Realms there are the gray skinned and the green skinned they come from two different dimensions it is rumored the green skins come from eberron but as far as the gray skins no one is really sure it's clear that there are two different species of orc though brought at two completely different times one brought by the Creator races and the other brought by the mage Kings to wage war against the Gods

[@linguisticallyoversight8685]

The reason it is rumored that they come from eberron is because of the green skinned orcs unlike their cousins find it much easier to fit into non evil niche in society if you encounter an orc druid 9 times out of 10 on the Forgotten Realms plane it will be the green skinned if you run into a lawful neutral or chaotic good orc anywhere in the Forgotten Realms nine times out of 10 it will be a green skin whether or not they inherited the non evil traits of the eberron orcs is yet to be explored in any real sense but it has been demonstrated that unlike the rest of their kin they are not inherently evil

[@linguisticallyoversight8685]

You do realize that some of the rules contradict on what you're supposed to do if your character has only one eye for example in second edition it gives you a 50% Miss chance which means half of all attacks that you make will miss their target in 3rd Edition I think it's only a 20% but the percentage makes more sense then just a negative to perception as perception is more than just site though lacking depth perception would make it physically impossible or damn near impossible to hit anything with a ranged attack melee attacks might become harder as well

[@dynamicworlds1]

Humans use more than just the differences between eyes for depth perception

[@حَسن-م3ه9ظ]

In 5e, Cyclops have the trait "poor depth perception" which makes them have disadvantage on ranged weapon attacks against creatures more than 30ft away.

[@DracosDiabolis]

halforc female, that fallows Eilistraee. lol and doesn't break code with her because "even in destruction, there is beauty"

[@grymhild]

Ya know... Okay, this is kinda a pet peeve of mine, but I HATE green orcs, especially BRIGHT green ones... Ugh!!! Turn down their saturation, please!!! I mean to me, I think orcs should have dusky skin with subtle olive undertones, not vibrant cartoony colors. (PS I realize the irony of me having a bright green Elphaba as my Avatar ... ;-)

[@emiliadaria]

Yes! I love orcs.

[@moonringXD]

Can you do the lore of human's next?

[@Jorphdan]

That's the plan. I better get writing :)

[@zexionthefirst6767]

Wait. Wait. What? Hold the phone, just wait a second! Since when is the "ph" silent?

[@namekman01]

hold the one what? the one ring? the one chosen to banish evil? be specific man!

[@Ricardoesqueci]

I WANT MOARRRR

[@Jorphdan]

www.quickmeme.com/img/a9/a960a0ac740d9b1e1a6250ec130b3ea4a7c0f2a79de6a058feb55eeaded97408.jpg

[@Spllyn]

Anyone ever play Rifts?

[@draxthemsklonst]

Where do y'all think orcs originally came from?

[@Dankerbug]

Maybe the Scro from Spelljammer

[@osirisgem]

ORC VS. DROW.... begin

[@namekman01]

yes - is all i have to say

[@thepurehealer1279]

... do orcs HAVE to be evil? Like... full orcs

[@Jorphdan]

Their deity is evil, but in your game there could be a good Orc :D Sounds like a fun character idea.

[@drowjack]

Kobolds and goblins

[@gabrielrussell5531]

4E and beyond did away with all the orc sexism.

[@Jorphdan]

good to know! thanks :D

[@andrewvincent7299]

That's not a surprise. Every single race needs to be tolerant and progressive...Isn't putting real world politics in fantasy worlds fun!

[@HerrMasterLizard]

@@andrewvincent7299 yeah sure because when orcs were depicted as subhuman rape beasts that had to be exterminated and whose warriors and spellcasters were called 'braves' and 'witch-doctors', that wasn't putting real world politics in fantasy worlds right?

[@MrNetWraith]

Incorrect. Maybe 4e did so, I don't recall reading that though, but 5e definitely put female orcs back into their original "Stay in the Kitchen!" model.

[@zorenai5083]

afaik that was true for 4e, not for 5e tho... played a female half-orc cleric of Tempus a while ago and read up on it a little, tho I might remember it incorrectly :/ 5e was back to treating females shitty, which was why my char left her tribe.

[@edwardharris9974]

Second!! ✨😎👌✨also what up Jorphdan!!

[@Jorphdan]

Just chillin. you? 😎

[@edwardharris9974]

@@JorphdanDoing the same. Just enjoying some awesome content on Orcs.😌👌

[@Jorphdan]

Sounds great 😀

[@Shepper99]

This overflow on emojis just made me vomit

[@thepurehealer1279]

Respect orcs, they won the ultimate "my dad could beat your dad" fight

[@Turtlpwr]

Ok

[@louiemercado5595]

Waaaagh!

[@calebrenegar1992]

My least favorite way to say gruumsh

[@magoodada]

Is this where we come to get fembots?

[@Nonofyourbussiness15]

Im like 9001% sure that there home world was called Draenor dummy. Get your lore right bruh. (Is joke)