Mer really don't live that much longer than men do. Altmer live the longest thanks to their quest to never change, but even then they aren't naturally immortal (or even have several thousand year life-spans) like in other fictions. The only thing that mentions short life-spans for the Orcs is the story about Shor throwing Orkey's curse onto the Orcs, we really don't have any good indicator how long they live.
...interest in the mysterious and superior intelligence? Proficient in magik related abilities?
Gortwog seems quite interested in the mysteries of the world. He had a hand in Numidium's reawakening in the Illiac, as well as his push towards worshiping Trinimac. Also, as has been mentioned, several prominent Necromancers have been orcs. Also the orc shamans in Daggerfall were one of the stronger spell casters in the game. I think much of the current, although previous may be more accurate, attitude towards the orcs is just a result of profiling by the other races. They are expected to be savages, are treated like savages, so most of them act like savages.
...or even character or personality traits...
Not sure what you mean here.
Oh here we go...