A plea for more Orc information and resources

[Nimboro]

In my two or so years of playing on FK, It never once occurred to me that I knew little to nothing about orcs! A few months back, I decided to make one, to get a feel for the culture and orc society, and from what I can tell they are a simple, if angry, type of people. What baffles me, is that there seems to be a disturbing lack of orc information that I have managed to find both in game (It's probably there, I'm just not looking in the right places?), and free online information and purchasable material. I do thank the staff that recommended "The Thousand Orcs", and I will be purchasing it.

In short, I just have a few questions I would like answered, and some light (or heavy, I like both) reading material about orcs, their gods, and their culture. What kind of places might an orc be safe to venture too without being run out of town? (I know the Keep is a safe haven, but everywhere else is shrouded in mystery). I know on occasion, humans trade with orcs and work with them, but are there other races orcs might consider allies? What gods are in the orc pantheon? What's the 'true' story behind Gruumsh and his missing eye?

When I said I knew little to nothing, I mean it. Any insight on how to play an orc that conforms with their normal society, links to wiki's and pages that contain orcish history, and any other general information is appreciated!

[Yvonne]

This thread might be helpful reading for you

[Nimboro]

Holy smokes I did not know that particular thread existed! Thanks for the link!

[Xryon]

If you'd like a bit of an IC perspective, I can try and make myself available to walk you around and answer some questions.

[Harroghty]

I generally disagree with the current "noble savage" type portrayal of orcs in Forgotten Kingdoms. Orcs are typically portrayed in Realms source books as murderous beasts seeking combat and victory (and running away if they cannot achieve it). They are almost universally despised, or at least recognized as likely enemies. The orcs are not portrayed very differently in the Forgotten Realms than they are in many other fantasy games.

Faiths and Pantheons (TSR886430000) provides some good information about orcs in the process of describing their gods (e.g. only orc shamans are permitted to speak Gruumsh's name).

Sons of Gruumsh and The Silver Marches are both adventure modules that depict orcs as part of an adventure. The Crusade by James Lowder depicts orcs in Zhentil Keep's army as they interact with humans and dwarves but that's not the best source; it's a pretty terrible story.

Unfortunately, there is not a lot of in depth information about orcs (that I know of) because they were not a player race before the great Sell Plague afflicted Faerun and watered down its story-line.

(You can download any of those sources safely from www.4shared.com in PDF format.)