shadow
First Post
I've been working on a homebrew world for sometime now. One thing I decided to change from standard D&D was the orcs. I decided to keep their stats the same as the MM, but change them from a generic cannon-fodder monster, to an interesting warrior culture. Because of this, I need to change their alignment from CE. However, I'm not really sure what their new alignment would be. I would appreciate any feedback.
Orcs IMC live in fairly primitive tribes on the outskirts of civilization near the Great Wastes. Since the Great Wastes are very poor areas for farming (Hence the name) the orcs live a nomadic life-style based on hunting and gathering. However, they often get supplies by making raiding expiditions into nearby human kingdoms. Although orcs don't do human sacrifices to dark gods as in standard D&D, they do follow a polytheistic religion (as opposed to a quasi-catholic monotheistic religion that is followed by the neighboring human kingdoms) At the head of this pantheon is a god of war (Whom I haven't named yet). This god teaches that glory can be found in battle and the highest honor one can have is dying in battle. Consequenltly the orcs have developed a warrior culture. Battle is seen as a natural part of the universe, not something to be avoided. Unlike other human races, the orcs don't really have much of a code of chivalry. Rather they follow a warrior code that basically says that the most powerful warrior has proved himself worthy, so therefore he can take whatever share of spoils that he wants, the one under him second, and those green warriors at the bottom last. (Kind of like might makes right) While not necessarily sadistic and killing for pleasure, the orcs have a reputation for being fearsome warriors and raiders.
Socially orcs live in small clans. While theoretically all clans see themselves as part of the "great orcish race" (and therefore brothers and sisters) they often spend as much time fighting among themselves as they do fighting humans. Life in the clans tends to be hierarchical. The clans are led by a male (always a male, as females are relegated to subordinate positions) who usually has earned his position by proving his strength and bravery and leadership in battle. Everyone knows his or her place in the clan. The orcish language has a detailed set of honorific and humbleness markers. Males and Females, orcs of higher status and lower status, each have a different way of speaking. Not being polite to ones superior, or talking out of station can be a serious offense, sometimes punishable by death.
Orc clans have an unique sense of honor. Honor in the orc sense of the word means knowing your place in the clan, and being loyal to the clan. If one breaches this sense of honor, the usual punishment is death. For example an lowly orc to talk uppity to his superior is often punishable by death. Or an orc male having an affair with another orc's woman(orc's don't have marriage in the traditional sense) will result in both the orc and the woman being put to death, unless the the orc in question happens to be the cheif, or an orc of really high status; in which case the crime against him is overlooked. (But the woman will still be put to death) Even talking to members of a rival clan without permission can be a capital offense. Only by killing those who have injured the clan's honor can the taint be removed and the honor restored. A common orcish proverb says: "The hand that is cancerous must be cut off, lest the whole body perish". (I based the orc clan life loosely on the harsh tribal law that exists today in places like Afganistan and Pakistan.)
What alignment do you think my orcs should be based on the information given? I'm currently leaning toward a lawful alignment based on the their clan system, but I'm not quite sure. I'm not sure if I should give them an alignment of neutral or evil. On one hand they have a very brutal system of justice and are fearsome raiders, but on the other hand they don't kill for pleasure and don't necessarily see themselves as evil. What do you all think? I'd appreciate your input.
Orcs IMC live in fairly primitive tribes on the outskirts of civilization near the Great Wastes. Since the Great Wastes are very poor areas for farming (Hence the name) the orcs live a nomadic life-style based on hunting and gathering. However, they often get supplies by making raiding expiditions into nearby human kingdoms. Although orcs don't do human sacrifices to dark gods as in standard D&D, they do follow a polytheistic religion (as opposed to a quasi-catholic monotheistic religion that is followed by the neighboring human kingdoms) At the head of this pantheon is a god of war (Whom I haven't named yet). This god teaches that glory can be found in battle and the highest honor one can have is dying in battle. Consequenltly the orcs have developed a warrior culture. Battle is seen as a natural part of the universe, not something to be avoided. Unlike other human races, the orcs don't really have much of a code of chivalry. Rather they follow a warrior code that basically says that the most powerful warrior has proved himself worthy, so therefore he can take whatever share of spoils that he wants, the one under him second, and those green warriors at the bottom last. (Kind of like might makes right) While not necessarily sadistic and killing for pleasure, the orcs have a reputation for being fearsome warriors and raiders.
Socially orcs live in small clans. While theoretically all clans see themselves as part of the "great orcish race" (and therefore brothers and sisters) they often spend as much time fighting among themselves as they do fighting humans. Life in the clans tends to be hierarchical. The clans are led by a male (always a male, as females are relegated to subordinate positions) who usually has earned his position by proving his strength and bravery and leadership in battle. Everyone knows his or her place in the clan. The orcish language has a detailed set of honorific and humbleness markers. Males and Females, orcs of higher status and lower status, each have a different way of speaking. Not being polite to ones superior, or talking out of station can be a serious offense, sometimes punishable by death.
Orc clans have an unique sense of honor. Honor in the orc sense of the word means knowing your place in the clan, and being loyal to the clan. If one breaches this sense of honor, the usual punishment is death. For example an lowly orc to talk uppity to his superior is often punishable by death. Or an orc male having an affair with another orc's woman(orc's don't have marriage in the traditional sense) will result in both the orc and the woman being put to death, unless the the orc in question happens to be the cheif, or an orc of really high status; in which case the crime against him is overlooked. (But the woman will still be put to death) Even talking to members of a rival clan without permission can be a capital offense. Only by killing those who have injured the clan's honor can the taint be removed and the honor restored. A common orcish proverb says: "The hand that is cancerous must be cut off, lest the whole body perish". (I based the orc clan life loosely on the harsh tribal law that exists today in places like Afganistan and Pakistan.)
What alignment do you think my orcs should be based on the information given? I'm currently leaning toward a lawful alignment based on the their clan system, but I'm not quite sure. I'm not sure if I should give them an alignment of neutral or evil. On one hand they have a very brutal system of justice and are fearsome raiders, but on the other hand they don't kill for pleasure and don't necessarily see themselves as evil. What do you all think? I'd appreciate your input.
