Orcs and Peons.

[Zasu]

I don't know enough about orcs. Or peons. Enlighten me.


Edit: For the peons, are you born into being a peon? Is it like a class system?

[Brakogar]

Orc History is very long and complex and one can easialy write a book on them so I will direct you to this link:

http://www.wowwiki.com/Orc

Its not fully detailed but it does give a good overview and you can get a more in depth story by following the links within the article.

About Peons..

As far as I know there is not any social caste in the Horde past or present.

There is not much lore backing this up as the Peons have just been subjects of comic relieve in the Lore so not much has been explained.

Peons are Orcs who have not developed or are naturaly inept on any form of combat skill and therefore not regarded very highly in a warrior society and culture. Although they are known for been lazy and falling asleep on the job they are fairly good builders and labourers.

Unfortunately they are considered second class citizens within Horde society as they do not have the combat skills or physical prowess that common Horde society values. However much like the real life Garbage Man, they are actualy an intricate part of the Horde that it could not do without.

[Zasu]

Thanks!

Still- if anyone has anything else to add about Peons, I would greatly appreciate it.

[EnheilRas]

Orcish Society is strange. It's made up of a cooperation of codependent clans. These Clans function like city-states of a nation. They are led by a Chieftain, who governs the laws and society of their clan. The Clans are led by the Warchief, whom is the predominant chieftain of not only his own clan (the WarChief is always a Chieftain, and of "royal" blood), but governs the other clans in a totalitarian grip.

Since the Horde's arrival, it had been the Blackrock Clan which held the predominant Warchief position. This was due to the fact that the Blackrock was the largest, and strongest militarily, of the other clans. As such, the Leader of the Blackrock Orcs controlled the majority of the forces.

The position of Warchief, however, is one of power. As such, might makes right, as the Orc code goes. Orgrim DoomHammer, Chieftain of the thunderlord (lightning's Blade) proved it and gained the position for himself. This is parallel to the Laws of Chieftain the Ogres follow (As seen from "tribute" runs and how Rexxar became Warlord of the Stonemaul Clan).

As far as Clan membership goes, it's fluid. Orcs are placed in whatever clan their abilities best suit them for. Although in some cases one may choose which to define loyalty, membership is usually divined at pubescence in according with a Hordeling's affinities. For example, back in the Old times, if an orc showed extreme potency with shamanistic powers, they would be sent to the Shadowmoon Clan, where Elder Seer Ner'zhul reigned as the religious Icon of the Planet. Had they a natural ability as a mounted fighter, the ThunderLord Clan would be prominant, as they trained and harnessed Wolf Riders for the Horde. Standard Grunts went to all sorts of clans, but the Blackrock and Bleeding Hollow absorbed most.

As for a social caste, the Orcs do have one. Consider them a Spartan Society a la the Pelopanessian War. The Peon was merely a label. Only those which showed absolutely no ability to fight, no affinity for magic, no knowledge of the elements, no guile for stealth, and no perception for archery. They are simply unable physically and mentally to attribute to the warrior society. All they can be are Peons. As such, Peons are made to do the utmost menial tasks, the base harvesting that is the foundation for the civilization. They are, after all, Orcs. As such, boring, thankless, repeatitive, menial tasks are easily understood and undertaken. Chopping lumber, Mining, Farming, construction, maintenance, and just plain hauling things are their life. They do the jobs that are not worth the time for the military to handle. In a warrior society, peons are the only true civilians.

Though slow, dim-witted, and unarmored and unarmed, Peons are still Orcs. As such, they are usually extremely strong from continuous, unending manual labor, and are tough brutes from being so strictly overseen by the bullyish taskmasters and overseers who have quotas to fill.