Orc Roleplay Questions

[crcata]

So I am back to warhammer, but only recently actually introduced to the lore. Of which I am really REALLY starting to like...like alot. Im also fairly new to RP in general.

I am enjoying the game so far, even in its imperfection, and plan on continuing to do so for probably quite a while. I'm here mainly for open world pvp and RP. And I am quite surprised with the amount of players. Relatively instant queue pops are always a good sign.

But I have some questions that I just cant seem to get answered in any type of specifics no matter the amount of research. Or mabye Im just to new to RP to understand the hidden answers I am reading.

Mainly the question revolves around orcs and their intelligence. I play a black orc specifcally if that helps.

I know Orcs are not very intelligent, and have a beastial intellect at best. But what are the limits to their intelligence? They seem from in game experience to possess basic "common sense" so to speak. But how far does that common sense reach? I am trying to see how intelligent I can be, without breaking lore.

So here is kinda a rough overview of how I plan on RPing my character, and justifying his actions, or lack thereof, and fighting styles through lore. Let me know if I'm breaking anything, or "skirting the edges" of lore.

Moolk is able to see multiple opponents and understand how likely victory, or if it is neigh impossible, and if engagment would almost certainly lead to death, he knows to retreat. "Run now chop lata"

Moolk knows the value or practicing the art of combat. Practice makes better principle.

Moolk knows when it is appropriate to use a 2 handed weapon as apposed to a sword/board combo. He would see it somewhat as..."When i am wif da boyz and 'ave a heala who can use da WAAAAGH! magic on me, It is betta ta use me ol blocka and ta keep da runts alive for us all to do mo choppin!! But sometimez I iz betta ta bring out me big choppa and just chop 'arder if I haz no boyz ta haf me back!" So basically if I have a group that I can trust I tank more so than DPS, but if I am in solo que or out alone or something I use my 2 hander for the leet deeps.

Moolk understands, if not atleast regretfully, the need for talking over fighting occasonally. This falls in line of the "big picture" of a war. Kinda like in Warhammer Total War. Sometimes you need allies, or no aggression pacts, etc...in order to keep on scrappin!

Moolk understands basic battle tactics, such as the value of high ground for archers, the value of flanking opponents and bashin them from behind, the value of cover and/or concealment.

Basically, he is not so brain dead as I sometimes imagine orcs to be. From my understanding, specifically black orcs, are more intelligent than other orcs. I'm aware they certainly dont read books or are scholars or anything. But basically are capable of basic reasoning and logic.

Anything here that breaks lore or is kinda a "special flower" pipe dream? Anything tips to RPing an orc? Any good youtubers who describe them very well?

Thanks for reading tinies!

[Jsnen]

Everything sounds fine. Orc intelligence varies, pretty much only applies to fightin' and can probably more aptly be described as cunning, which can include all the things you list. Orcs are far from bloodcrazed berserks (except maybe Savage Orcs) and may even spare a defeated enemy, if he put up a good fight and might do so again at a later point.

[ToXoS]

this video will help you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrhtFFf ... Mo&index=2

[Thunderforge]

"Many young beardlings will tell ye that Orcs are thick as three short halflings" muttered Thrang, running a hand down his scarred left arm. "But I can tell yer, they've got fierce cunning and they're a devil for learnin' fast. They're minds work different to ours, see? Everyone's does. Take a heavily defended wall; the proper way to deal with it is t' look back and find out the best way of doing it from hist'ry. Tried an' tested, that's the way. Manlings on the other hand will try to come up with new ways, try to think of somethin' no-one's ever thought of. Elves is different again, they'll use the 'path of least resistance', use the least force in the most vulnerable spot. Usually a harshly written poem to the general's wife. But Orcs? They don't even see the wall; they don't even see the men stood there. They see a map, they see a hundred teachers, they see a training manual; they ain't the same Orcs once they've broken through the wall. Every swing of a sword is like a page from a book to them, learnin', always learnin'.
"I've heard 'em talkin', in the night, about stances, styles, armour designs... 'Free fingaz below da nekk, das da rite stabby bitz onna sunz-knite' ...aye, they sound daft, but you look on a Knight o' the Blazing Sun and tell me there ain't a hairline weld where the plates meet three finger widths below the gorget! They only take the bits they need, but by Gazul do they know the bits they take!"

[Luicetarro]

While an Orc may not be able to value lessons of Alchemy, or fine arts he sure does know how to fight.
If they would be blunt like hell and don't even know what side of an axe they should use to hurt the enemy, instead of themself, they wouldn't put up a good fight.
I'm not into the lore of warhammer, but know a few bits and bobs (mostly from 40k though). But it won't strike me as logical for a race of brutal beasts, armed to their teeth, to not know some finer fighting mechanics, like tactics, or such.
If something will benefit them, enabling them to crush the enemy, they will remember that and test that very same thing again, until they know it was the reason of their victory. They might not call it 'tactic', but sure use it.

[Morbidmind]

The ability to conceive a Campaign strategy is a rare trait for an Orc Warboss, historically there are maybe three that really understood it, one of which was taking orders from Nagash. Orcs love, and are good at, fightin'. But when it comes to tactics they're not the most advanced. Typically boils down to, get a bunch of the boys and go hit it really hard. And if that didn't work, go get even more of the boys and this time hit it even harder.

[Thunderforge]

For Orc/k roleplay and fluff the very best source I know of is the Gorkamorka rulebook, it contains loads of background info about genetics, hierarchy and day to day life of the race. I'm a staunch dwarf player, and it was inspiring enough to build a 40k army of the green buggers!

[Morbidmind]

Was it ever confirmed by GW that warhammer Orcs are 40K Orks that just happened to show up on the planet? I forget for certain but I think I remember reading that they just sort of showed up and started fighting dwarfs/anyone around.

[Gobtar]

Black Orcs are said to be modified by chaos dwarfs to be bigger, meaner, and smarter than their Common Orc cousins. They are killjoys focusing purely on Martial prowess and lording over all those weaker than those, they are cunning and some are smart enough to read.

Their killjoy behavior has made much of the WAAAGH! surrounding them sour, they wont partake in usual orc revelry, and are extremely loathed to squabble among themselves. The Black Orc's combat process, adaptability, cunning, and 'uge array of choppas, makes the orc a fearsome and stubborn foe. A mere glance from the Black Orc would quell animosity of both Orcs and Goblins.

Roleplay wise: As an Orc, you follow a hierarchy, Bigger orcs are to be feared and respected, smaller Orcs are to be bossed about and lorded over. This is Orc life, if you don't like something, you smash it, if you think you are big enough to take on your boss, go for it!

The only real difference with the black orc is you can play the "long game", you are cunning enough to "wait fer an opportunity" or even be willing to take orders from someone smaller, "for da right price". The only real joy you have in life is smashing your enemy and prove just how much of a boss you are! The more loot, the best armour, the sharpest choppas, are just more to add to the stature. However get too big for your breeches and Warboss Grumlok take all your loot for himself.

As for speech and dialogue, they speak in a British Football Hooligan way. "If you fink you can be one o' da ladz cause of a bunch of... readin', youze gotta annuve fing coming"

[Thunderforge]

@Morbidmind
I don't think Orcs are Orks, there isn't supposed to be any consistent canon from fantasy to 40k. The official canon for orcs is that no-one really knows where they came from or that it was something to do with the Old Ones, fantasy always aeems to be a lot more open ended.