Most Orsimer have a naturally brawny complexion. This is usually just reinforced due to their most common occupations, developing their physicality. Their skin tones range from light grays to dark greens. Their jaw protrude slightly to accommodate salient tusks of varying sizes. That, alongside their usually flattened noses and smaller eyes, have give them a fame of resembling more beasts than Mer. They usually style their coarse, dark hair into different kinds of dreadlocks.

 

Orcish fashion nowadays could be described as practical. They wear outfits befitting their role in society. As examples, smiths wear non-flammable, cool clothes or warriors wear simple robes under their chainmails or orcish plate armors, always crafted in the most practical and utilitarian sense. Only the wealthiest and most important Orsimer wear robes made out of silk or other expensive materials.

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Culture

Orsimer culture is one deeply rooted in tradition, constantly set aback due to their endless conflict with the other inhabitants of Tamriel. Even though Orsinium is considered the home of the Orcs, they most commonly live in relatively simple but hardy strongholds dotted all around Wrothgar, Skyrim, High Rock, Dragontail Mountains, Valenwood, and Morrowind.

 

Within the strongholds, life isn't easy. Each stronghold has one chieftain that is supposed to be the strongest Orc, and much of the power projection and respect of each clan is measured on the chieftain's might. Only he can have wives and have offspring, the rest of the male Orcs are not allowed. Only the sons of the chieftain can inherit their father's title once one of them manages to kill him, takin his place. But that doesn't mean the women are just accessories to the chieftain. He has many wives, to the point that the female population of any given stronghold is composed of either wives or daughters of the chieftain, the latter waiting to be sent to other strongholds to establish alliances and improve diplomatic ties. His wives all fulfil a different role: huntswife, forgewife, hearthwife and shieldwives are among their roles. Usually, the mother of the chieftain becomes the wise woman, the spiritual guide.

 

It is thus common for many Orsimer to want to escape a life in which one is a worthless man with no real prospects of improving or a woman destined to become just another wife of the chieftain. Their martial and masterful forging skills grant them access to good lives in different cities or even joining the ranks of the Imperial Legion. These Orcs are branded as "city Orcs" by their stronghold counterparts, and considered soft and undeserving of their culture. The perception that other people have of them is mixed: their hardiness and strength in battle is recognized and respected, but at the same time they're seen as brutes.​

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Subcultures

Apart from the most common Wrothgarian Orc from which most other Orsimer originate from, there are many other subcultures that vary depending on their environment. These are...

• Wood Orcs: Living in the province of Valenwood, they're quite more agile and less physically imposing than their mountain cousins due to their treacherous environment. Apart from the geographical differences, they're every bit as Orcish as their other counterparts―brutish, stubborn, and fierce.

• Iron Orcs: Natives of the Dragontail Mountains of Craglorn. They worship stones and are known for their brutality even among Orsimer standards. They're adept at alchemy, and much more distinct culturally than other Orcs.

• Mountain Orcs: They inhabit Morrowind, and frequently clashed against the multiple Houses of the Dunmer. Historically, they have fought and side by side with Nords, Dunmer and Dwemer, due to their martial prowess.

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Cultural Equivalence & Influences

As many other races of The Elder Scrolls, the cultural influences of the Orsimer are more of a blend between cultures than any direct translation. In this case, the Orcs draw a lot from those nomadic tribes considered barbarians by most other civilizations like the Huns, Picts or more stereotypical vikings.