Anarea is an ignorant and savage place. The orcs are the dominant race in most areas, and Evil is the dominant Alignment. Plague and famine are frequent, and war is constant, varying only in scale and intensity. Old age is a most uncommon cause of death.
Amongst orcs, glory is measured by the number of persons one dominates by force of arms, and how long they are kept subjugated before one is killed. Warlords and states rise and fall. The two largest areas outside Hell that are most often under one rule are the Orcish Empires.
Knowledge is based largely on rumour and superstition, as Orcish has no written form. Art is crude, and mostly obscene, religious or martial. Craftsmanship is very basic, but is at its most developed in the field of weaponry and armour. The most advanced weapon is the crossbow, and most advanced armour is ringmail. Crossbows are rare, their manufacture being a secret jealously guarded by a few weaponmasters.
Clericism is widespread, but other forms of Magic-Using are rare. Thievery is highly developed, and has its own secret societies or cults: the notorious Brotherhoods. Trade is by theft, barter or armed seizure.
Wolves are orcs' friends, and mounts in battle. Trolls are orcs' allies, because they are stupid and easily manipulated.
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