Orks

The Orks, or the 'Orkoid Empire' as they are sometimes called, are a race of beings bred for intense combat. They resemble monstrous goblins, hence the term 'Ork' being applied to their kind.

The Orks are divided into a number of castes. Orks proper are the dominant caste, comprising the ranks of warriors, mechanics, clerics, and commanders. Two smaller Orkoid races, the Grutchins and Snotlings, serve as menial laborers for the Orks.

Orks are not natural entities, but instead are creatures bred for combat by a long-vanished civilization. In order to ensure that Orks would be able to fight anywhere, they were given a number of unusual characteristics. One such trait is that Orks reproduce asexually, in a fungus-like fashion, from spores. These spores grow and morph into fully functional Orks. Another key trait is that, wherever Ork spores become established, the resulting Orks are born with the complete knowledge they require to wage war, and moreover they develop in the correct proportions - the proper balance of warriors, engineers, commanders, etc. needed to engage the enemy. The Orks once possessed a 'brain' caste, as well, to guide them intelligently; however, this caste was lost at some point, and the remaining Orks have become feral brutes obsessed with fighting.

Ork warriors are extremely strong and phenomenally resilient beings. A fully armed Ork presents a real threat to a Space Marine, although the Marine is undoubtedly more skilled. Orks are also so tough that they can lose a majority of their body mass and still be dangerous; even when their heads are severed, the heads remain alive and conscious for a prolonged period. Orks also heal at a very high rate.

Ork combat technology, however, leaves something to be desired. It is mostly patched together from junked vehicles and scrap materials, and the fact that it works at all is remarkable. Despite its obvious crudeness, Ork technology is effective when deployed in large numbers, as is typically the case. Still, infantry remains the Ork's foremost asset.

Despite the loss of their higher intelligence, Orks remain powerful psychic entities. In fact, the collective force of the Ork psyche can actually change reality to some degree: if all the Orks in an army believe that painting a vehicle red makes the vehicle go faster, then the vehicle really will be faster. In part, this is what keeps the Ork's jury-rigged weapons and vehicles operational.

Their monumental breeding rates and ability to fight wherever they may find themselves makes the Orks the most dangerous race in the galaxy. However, they are even a danger to themselves: cycles of constant infighting prevent the Orks from making a concerted effort to conquer their enemies. This is fortunate; only this lack of unity prevents the Orks from overrunning the entire galaxy.

Record 1384 - group - Last update 28 Mar 2007, 23:14:51

Entry written by: Torvus

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