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So, as some of you may be aware, I've been working on a fantasy world for a little while. Writing up descriptors on the races and coming up with some basic geography. Most of it has gone swimmingly.
And then I started working on the Orcs.
Orcs, ladies and gentlemen, are utter bastards to write. Why, you ask? Because they are a fantasy cliche. Ever since Tolkien, everyone's been writing Orcs the same. They are the stock villain of too many fantasy novels. Sure, they've been plaid for laughs once or twice, but in general, when you say Orc, people think of Tolkien's brutish thugs.
But what if you want to write a different type of Orc? What if you want to differentiate yours from the masses? How do you do that?
Well, let me tell you, it wasn't easy. I've been trying to get my head around Orcs for ages now and today, I finally did it. I finally came up with a version that I think is interesting. It explains why they have such nasty reputations and why they don't get along with other races.
My notes for them are four pages long and includes their basic history, their ecology, and a broad overview of their society and culture. I'm rather pleased with what I came up with re their religion. There's still one or two things I want to tweak, but all in all I'm rather happy with the result.
Of course, now that the Orcs are done, I get to move on to the other races. But which one? Kobolds, Trolls or Hobgoblins?
And then I started working on the Orcs.
Orcs, ladies and gentlemen, are utter bastards to write. Why, you ask? Because they are a fantasy cliche. Ever since Tolkien, everyone's been writing Orcs the same. They are the stock villain of too many fantasy novels. Sure, they've been plaid for laughs once or twice, but in general, when you say Orc, people think of Tolkien's brutish thugs.
But what if you want to write a different type of Orc? What if you want to differentiate yours from the masses? How do you do that?
Well, let me tell you, it wasn't easy. I've been trying to get my head around Orcs for ages now and today, I finally did it. I finally came up with a version that I think is interesting. It explains why they have such nasty reputations and why they don't get along with other races.
My notes for them are four pages long and includes their basic history, their ecology, and a broad overview of their society and culture. I'm rather pleased with what I came up with re their religion. There's still one or two things I want to tweak, but all in all I'm rather happy with the result.
Of course, now that the Orcs are done, I get to move on to the other races. But which one? Kobolds, Trolls or Hobgoblins?
