Orcs

The orcs are one of the most prolific races on Amestria. Originally hailing from the harsh, alien world of Aloria, the orcs were once a noble shamanistic people cultivating a mighty tribal society that was centered around survival, regulating themselves through ritualized combat and personal honor. Tragically betrayed by one of their spiritual leaders and delivered into the hands of the 9th Legion, the orc clans fell deep into demonic enslavement and were led into Amestria as an unholy vanguard of the Legion ment to destroy everything in their path. Yet, the shamanistic tradition of the orcs managed to rekindle from the ashes, and a young shaman by the name of Cynail arose to become a living symbol of his people's true identity in their darkest hour, causing many of the orcs to rise up against their demon masters and break free from their control. Several of the orcish clans that had existed in hiding in Amestria since ancient times reemerged and were united under Cynail's guidance, and the shaman warchief led the orcs out of the Eastern Mountains they had been forced to invade and into the continent of Amestria, in order to begin a new existence for themselves and their newfound allies. Today, Cynail's orcs are a redeemed people who have reclaimed their destiny from dark influences, fighting no longer for the sake of destruction but for their very right of survival in their adopted world.

To their enemies, they are fearsome and savage adversaries, without parallel in their cunning and ferocity. To their allies, they are a fearless and honorable people, renowned for their strength and persistence. The orcs who followed Cynail to Amestria form the largest group of a race that has rediscovered its true spirit, shunning the cruel ways of demonic power for the paths of strength and wisdom. Some orcs still cling to demonic practices, yet their time is fading. When the orcs were freed from the 9th Legion, they experienced a spiritual revolution as the unnatural bloodlust left their bodies, connecting them with states of heart and mind that were common to their ancestors. This new generation of orcs for the most part follows Cynail as he forges ahead to reform the Army through shamanism and tribal tradition. Still, not all of the orcs are pleased with these movements. They, who are many of the surviving warlocks, renounce all that Cynail proclaims the orcs are and seek to overthrow the shamans anew, in order to retake control of the Army for themselves. To orcs, prowess in battle bestows great personal honor on an individual. This notion of honor pervades every echelon of orcish culture, and the loss or gain of honor has equal consequence to all orcs regardless of their stature in society. Even the naming of orcs is temporary until they have performed rites of passage; only when orcs bring honor to themselves and thus to their clan do elders grant them adult names based upon their deeds. Orcs may appear quick to anger but they are tempered by the wisdom of the shamans, who are revered across the society. While many in alliances still perceive the orcs as brutish or even mindless, they have forged a complex culture embracing many occupations and many different races. No doubt Cynail's leadership aided in bringing this about, yet it is apparent that their alliances has underestimated the orcs' ability to construct a society that is highly influential in world affairs.