RaceDescriptions-backstory

Beginning of the World

The histories of Men all fail before their arrival at the Old Continent. However, the long-lived Elves remember much more--though they are willing to speak only part of it. The Elves say that before thinking beings walked on the Old Continent, the speaking peoples dwelt in a land called Aon. Aon was the first place, and more beautiful than any land now known. The Woses, Humans, Trolls, Elves, Merfolk, and Dragons, and beings now forgotten all lived without knowing war. For a reason of which the Elves will not speak, the peace of Aon was broken, war and destruction came, and a remnant fled over the ocean. After a time some of the refugees tried to return to Aon, but no sign of it was ever discovered. Some believe that it Aon was sunk, or burned up, or simply taken away by a great magic. Aon cannot be reclaimed.

Life, Death, Belief

It is taken for granted by most beings on the Great Continent that the Body and Soul are distict, joined for a time in Life. Tales of the Undead demonstrate this, re-animated bodies evidence none of the personality of their former selves, while Ghosts of the restless undead show that the soul may outlast the body. In some cases a Soul may be forcibly joined to a re-animated body by powerful dark magic. Such states of being are regarded by most as terrible violations of the natural order, or at best as pale counterfits of natural life.

However the consequences of a natural death are less well understood. Niether Dark nor Light Magics can provide positive information on the condition of a Soul that has moved on. Each race has distinct beliefs, but it is generally held that the Soul continues indefinitely in a place beyond this world, and that the consequences of actions (weather good or ill) done in life will continue after life.

There are no Higher Power(s) who's actions can be clearly observed in the world around them.

Orcs & Goblins

The Orcs are a brutal, quick-tempered, and belligerent,-- eager to fight the other races of Wesnoth, and hardly hesitating to fight their own kind. However there is one fact that all Orcs agree on, that they were made for War. They do not agree on who made them, or from what, nor do they care much. Their ancestors are described as 'lesser' and 'unworthy', and scorned. Orcs embrace this purpose, War, whole-heartedly, their entire society is designed to prepare for war. Most Orcs wait for someone known as the 'War-Master' to lead them in the ultimate battle. From time to time leaders have risen and claimed to be the War-Master, and brought many of the Orc clans temporarily under their power.

Orcs are born in litters of four to eight. They are cared for by their mothers until their third spring, the Orc young are cast out to fend for themselves untill they learn to speak in adolescence. They roam the surroundly wild like voracious animals or steal from farms and villages. Many die. Orcish mothers often brand their children because honor is gained for those whose young become Orcs.

The strongest get most of the food and become fearsome Orc warriors- and often leaders, the highest caste of their race.
Those that survive by dexterity and cunning are known as Goblins. Though smaller and weaker they possess greater agility and speed, and enough empathy to lead their fellows in battle and train the great wolves that they ride. They are allowed a less honorable, but important place in the battle-line.
Orcs that barely survive childhood are known as Drudges. Weaker and duller-witted than other Orcs, they still posses great endurance. They are not allowed in battle or to breed, but treated as a slaves.

Orcs, Goblins and Drugdes have distinct roles in their society. Since the differences are physically obvious, caste distinctions are rigourously maintained. The Orcs always rule the clans, but Goblins often wield great power as advisors.

Orcs have little interest in technology-- the crossbow being a notable exception. In general they prefer to rely on brute strength or slaves. Magic is little developed among them. The crafting of arms and armor is their primary art-- they excel at making inelegant, but effective weapons. Money is seen primarily as a tool to prepare for war. Orcs who hold a looser version of their warrior's code will fight as mercenaries, while more rigourous Orcs will take only plunder and glory.

Old Orc Desription:

Orcs are a race of fierce, brown-skinned human-like creatures found across the wild places of the world. They came from across the sea, following the humans of the Green Isle. They are violent, quick-tempered, and belligerent, and hold an ancient hatred for the race of elves. Although orcs are disorganized and prone to infighting, warbands under a strong leader can cut bloody inroads into the boundaries where civilization meets wilderness. Most live in the Northland, away from the settled land of Wesnoth, whose people they are more often than not at war with. They are a greedy race, and often can be found fighting under the banner of a lich-lord or human, hoping to gain riches from those they defeat.

Goblins are a different breed than the orcs, smaller and weaker, but quicker. However, since they are the same species, they are considered by most the same race.

Trolls

Trolls are an enigma to the other races, even their allies the orcs know little about them. When the orcs invaded the Northlands from accross the sea, the Trolls occupied the same scattered territories that they do today. The orcs could not dislodge the Trolls from their hills and caves, and somehow their enmity turned to respect and then an alliance.

Trolls tell little about themselves, but are nearly as silent, stubborn, and strong as the rocks of their homelands. Trolls seem content to go for days without speaking or moving. Most accidental encounters with Troll end without the Troll having moved more than it's eyes. However an angered Troll is truely terrible. No other race can equal the raw power a Troll, barehanded they are a match for a well armed soldier. They also ignore ignore and can heal on the battle-field all but the most grevious wounds. The source of this ability, weather natural or magical, is unknown.

Trolls are clumsy, and are generally considered stupid, however it is difficult to judge the intelligence of a creature so inscrutable.

Trolls possess fewer arts than even the Orcs. Sometimes the mightiest trolls will accept armor from the orcs, but they trade little with other races nor do they keep slaves. They prefer living simply in caves near the surface. Trolls do not count years, but it is believed they live a very long time.

Troll Whelp

Describing a troll as a whelp is something of an oxymoron, given that their bodies are already much hardier than that of a grown man. They are clumsy and not yet capable of walking properly, forced instead to shamble about on all fours, but any inhibition this causes them is more than made up for by the raw strength of their race.

Troll

Trolls have been a mote to trouble the thoughts of humanity and dwarf-kind, who remain baffled at the origins of these creatures, and perhaps more importantly, the driving force behind their unnatural vitality and strength. A fully-grown troll towers above a man, and, even unarmed, would be a great threat in combat. The large clubs typically favored in fighting act as extensions of their arms, used for the same purpose of mauling their prey into submission.

Troll Rocklobber

The thought of throwing a boulder in combat has certainly occurred to many trolls, and some have taken to them as a weapon of choice. Because such stones are not always easy to find, Rocklobbers have taken to carrying them in sacks slung over their shoulders. The same leather out of which the sack is formed is easily adapted to a crude sling.

Troll Warrior

Trolls typically neither need nor prefer to use any proper armament in combat, as large 'sticks and stones' serve them all too well. However, trolls have been seen on numerous occasions clad in rough-shod armor and bearing metal hammers. It is speculated that their typical orcish allies are the source and often crafters of these, as expeditions into several forcibly-vacated troll holes have shown little evidence of tool use, and certainly no metalworking of any kind. Given how dangerous a troll is in combat, the thought of a troll in full armor is entirely unsettling.