You know I love Orcs!

I want to know your opinions about us!

Fill in the above poll, for I cannot wait for the results!

King.

I couldn’t really take the poll. More my fault than yours I’m sure but it felt like trying to put square pegs in round holes. So. . .

1. A race? Of course they are. And a fine one at that.

2. Worship of Malacath? Although not Buffy’s cup of tea, Malacath has treated her honorably in the dealings she has had with him. So she has no problem with Malacath or his worshippers.

3. Attractive? Like a sabre cat, for their sheer mass, grace and power.

4. Best point to an Orc? They are (generally) a proud race that highly values honor, strength and prowess in melee combat. It may sound odd, but my view of them is in some ways similar to the way I view Klingons from Star Trek. Buffy is completely awed by them because of the strength and power they possess that she, as a tiny wood elf, could never aspire to.

5. Play as an Orc? No. I only play one character and she is a wood elf.

I've seen good and bad Orcs, beautiful/handsome and ugly Orcs. Some surly, some kind. What can I say, you get the picture. They are people same as Nords or any other in the game.

As to playing one?

No, I play Nord women.

Me, I like the Orcs. They are the only playable race that has no strong center of unification, are great crasftmen with metal and renowned warriors. That's the stereotype, at least. The Orcs themselves often, but not always, conform to this, but there is a lot of variety in who they are and wish to be. I do like their shifting place in Tamriel society, it makes sense because they are so divided and seem to be fairly few in numbers, compared to other races.

Random tidbit, but I think there are a couple of hostile Orc Strongholds in Skyrim. They are not identified as such on the map, but there is a ruined fort and a fortified mine in Falkreath that has the same general style as the Orc Strongholds and are populated exclusively by Orcs that are hostile to all outsiders. Makes sense to me that some Orcs would be hostile, while others more tolerant of outsiders that are not hostile to them.

Malacath? Why not Trinimac? Or the Nine Divines? Orcs can worship whoever they want. And they do. Some worship Trinimac, some the Nine Divines(at least one Orc priestess of one of them in Oblivion), and a lot follow Malacath/Mauloch.

I am not into tusks and green skin, but what doesn't involve me is not something I feel bothered by. Of course, some Orcs do look quite badass.

I have played a few Orc characters.

Yeah, the Orcs are a really interesting race, sadly they've mostly taken a backseat to the others up until ESO's Orsinium DLC.

I just started a female Orc character. I think Orcs can be attractive when done right, but there's plenty of ugly Orcs in Skyrim, and in Oblivion they were cartoonish looking. So far as the way they live, those that live in the strongholds have an interesting and unique society. I like the idea that they don't believe in prisons, or dying of old age. But I disagree with the idea that only the chief can marry. A rule that's surely driven a lot of Orcs to leave the strongholds.

One thing that can be said about Orcs, they've never rallied an army to enforce racial or religious superiority over anyone. And in the world of Elder Scrolls, that makes them rare.

I have role played a couple Orc characters, my one trip ( so far) through the CW was with an Orc, http://s1254.photobucket.com/user/Trace9569/media/story_27877/20131016_082706.jpg.html?sort=6&o=40. I just started another Orc character...http://i.imgur.com/Jlm1kez.jpg, whose story I have started to write on the Character Stories thread.

I think they are a strong ( for the most part ) unified race, though those who choose not to completely conform, leave the Strongholds. Malacath, I think he is a harsh and just God to his people...

I like what Beth have done with Orcs. Both Bethesda and Blizzard have moved away from the "mindless, soulless brute" stereotype we find in so many movies and that is great. I can't answer your two questions about aesthetics (and therefore can't vote in your poll) because the voice and appearance of Orcs have changed so radically over the years.

That said, I really like the appearance of Orcs in Skyrim and I plan to play my first-ever Orc in a future game. I plan to start the character in an Orc Stronghold. I love the look of Strongholds. I think they did a much better job portraying Orc culture in Skyrim than in past games.

I once played as an orc in skyrim. I think from an aesthetic perspective, Orcs are probably one of the least visually appealing races the game has to offer. This is just my own personal taste though.

When I did make my orc, it was clear that trying to make an attractive orc was going to be impossible, so instead I went crazy with the war paint, scars and hair and really focused on building my orcs physical traits. I enjoyed that part about playing as an Orc. It was less about how cool he looked or what armor he wore, and more about discipline, strength and brutality.

Orcs are awesome. Been in love with the friendly kind ever since Thrall was born in the Warcraft Universe. I do enjoy them in Elder Scrolls. Actually started a female Orsimer Thief a few days ago, alot of fun so far.

All Orcs deserve is a good krumpin' upside the 'ead.

I don't really have any use for Orcs personally, but I think since they do add to the game nicely as NPCs it's fine to have them as a playable race too.

I wouldn't EVER play an Orc though. Nope. Can't do green skin and monster teeth.

1. I really like having intelligent, social orcs with their own society and customs. I find them quite interesting, especially in light of the more typical fantasy tropes.

2. No strong feelings either way about Malacath. His code isn't for me, but he doesn't seem to want to destroy/enslave the world like half the other Daedric Princes either, so I live and let live.

3. The aesthetics are fleshed out and well-realized, but no, I don't find them attractive per se.

4. The strength, physical and otherwise. I include the loyalty and sense of honor demonstrated by most of the stronghold members in this as well.

5. I won't say never, but it's not high on my list of things to do.

Though I'm a Dunmer, I have no problem with our cousins the Orsimer. I like there society and love what Bethesda has done with them. I have no problem with Malacath even though he is of the House of Troubles. I find Orcs to be unattractive by nature.

Yeah one of my favorite characters in oblivion was an orcish shaman or wise one. Was basically a battle mage who started off tough as nails. Thats actually something i missed in skyrim, orcs having a slight edge on other "fighter" races in being a battle mage. That high willpower was an awesome boon throughout the beginning game. And i like the orcish armor from morrowind and oblivion having that samurai look about it, the skyrim orcish seemed brutal (skyrim orcs must have a different style.) I dislike the "tusks" that bethesda slapped them with, as it makes them look like they would drool, i think they could have looked just as fearsome with fangs that didn't protrude imo.

I too would rather have fang's/ tusk's that allowed the mouth to close... it rather look's like they would have an issue eating or as you say ..drool. All in All though I prefer the look's of Skyrim's Orc's over Oblivions.

lol to be clear i am using the oblivion character overhaul, vanilla oblivion had some horrible faces and the orcs came out looking like a cross between a melon and dog (i know some people made good looking faces, but i was never one of them). Actually i really liked the horns that orcs can grow in skyrim, i thought that was pretty neat.

For your first two questions I had to pick the "Don't care" option. I have no problem with Orcs being civilized and not stereotypical enemies but during the course of a long play through most Orcs we meet are trying to knock our heads off. Same goes for any race really, it's just the Orcs tend to stand out more when they come swinging that two handed hammer around. Also I don't care about religion, worship cheese for all I care.

Went with don't hate/don't like on the third. The males have their aesthetics right but the females are too much like the males for my tastes.

To me the best part about the Orcs is their confidence. I like that they're proud of who they are.

I don't often play Orc characters but I will continue to do so from time to time.

Oh yes... For the most part in Oblivion I played Dunmer, for some reason I managed to create nice looking Dunmer, vanilla on the 360... I haven't as yet started moding Oblivion, though I am sure I will.... just having to much fun in Skyrim atm. ...errr and Thedas... and Armadillo....lol

You can as it happens create some very nice looking female Orc's IF you take the time to do so... ( it is easier on pc)... http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/63439/? Orc follower... their are a couple of really good follower mods that have female Orc's that are pretty good looking... as long as you remember they are not human....but the same should be said of any of the Mer races.

Even males can look nice...http://i.imgur.com/b8ZX4Uw.jpg, but I wasn't trying for that...if you look, I could have tweeked here and their and he would have looked like an Orc's Calvin Klein model. I would have chosen smaller tusk's...and gotten the mouth to almost close.

Sorry, the Orc women just aren't my thing. Have only seen one or two I thought were decent looking and they were very very heavily modded. They're just not what my eye is looking for in a woman. Not so much the being a Mer thing. Karliah and Faralda off the top of my head I found attractive, I'm sure there's more I just don't keep a list. If you played ESO at all Queen Ayrenn was the best looking npc in the whole game to me and she's an Altmer. No Orc females come to mind. The men though, almost every one of them looks pretty awesome.

No Haven't and probably won't play ESO... I prefer single player games, but also my internet is my phone's hotspot, so my data is kinda restricted. Oh yes...very heavily moded.. only way they look really good, but that can be said of Male Dunmer also... who IMO look like death warmed over.

Attractive... well we all look for different things, so that's an each to their own. I'm not sure I'd wanna kiss an Orc, but watching a male swing an axe at wood might be kinda fun... yeah cause... muscles.

From lore to gameplay, something got lost in translation. Mostly because of the mechanics of the game not really letting Orcs live up to their reputation. An Orc should be a stronger, more fearsome opponent on the battlefield, and it always bothers me when I'm fighting one and they yell something like, "Mercy!" That's not very Orc-like, imo. But over-all I was pleased with their aesthetics. I've made some very attractive Orc females, and very fierce looking Orc males. I think Orcs are far better looking at their ugliest than a Dunmer is as their prettiest.

I adore their culture, and the Code of Malacath. Most Orcs just want to be left alone, kept out of the nonsense, and away from the politics. They keep their strongholds far away from everyone else, and manage to stay self sufficient and free from outside influence. Although it should be noted not all Orcs are honorable, even within the strongholds. Look at Yamarz. He was such a disgrace even Malacath himself called him out on it, and let an outsider do what Yamarz couldn't for the tribe. Shameful. And there are plenty of Orcs wandering the roads or occupying old mines and forts that would kill you and rob you without blinking an eye. But what race doesn't have that? I wish Bethesda had done more with the Orcs.

They always show up in Arena when I try to wait....kill them all.

For my opinion, I think the Orcs are good providing they are socially nothing like a Dunmer or else there is no point to them. I much prefer the Orc identity in Morrowind. I don't like how Skyrim has made them taller. They are supposed to be the pig race - curse to be ugly and unpleasing to the eye. I prefer them shorter and stocky. Otherwise they are too much like the evil Orcs of Tolkien etc. They have tougher skin so don't need a height bonus. Races should be matched to balance out in their strengths and weaknesses (but all totally unique) including the aesthetics of a race.


I like to play Orcs in a barbarian horde / mountain warrior type of role. A bit like the Dothraki in GoT who don't live in a normal settled society. I hate Orcs in other fantasy like the Warcraft style of Orc. Too big and totally unrealistic looking. I prefer fantasy that mirrors real-life Earth (like GoT) and doesn't have too big weapons and armor.

Thank you for your answers! That turned out better than I expect!

May Malacath Walk With You All!