They were created by Gruumsh for starters. Creationism is just plain fact in most D&D settings, so the concept of species is far removed from it's real world equivalent.
You would think. Except some people see any differentiation that is not purely cosmetic or superpowers that do not make you better at anything as problematic. Eberron's orc description was noted to be such in another thread just yesterday. Similarly some people do not seem to be able to imagine any sort of mental differentiation beyond 'they're evil,'
Orcs are obligate carnivores. Thus, orcish cultures are almost always centered around herding and hunting, rather than agriculture.
That's a shame. You can worldbuild with subtelty. You can make Orcs passionate instead of cruel. The good ones will defend their lands and loved ones with their life. The bad ones will be full of rage and cruelty....
I think seeing the Eberron orc description as problematic is a stretch too far.
But that would make them more alike real people from the real world. That's precisely what some of us don't want them to be.
Sure, you can do whatever you want in your game. I just don't agree with the argument that if they are not all bad they are useless and shouldn't exist at all.
I think there's enough space for both views in the RPG community. The fact that you can do whatever in your home game isn't really relevant to the discussion.
That's what I'm trying to say. There is space for both views. Saying "If they are not evil they shouldn't exist at all" is not that. It's saying things should be done my way and there shouldn't be any space for other views.
I generally agree with this. In real life, we can agree that violence is bad and traumatizing. In fiction, we can embrace violence as cool and fun. We can enjoy John Wick without thinking "Man, that guy who got a pencil in his eye had a mother that loved him."
