I am working more on my characters, and I have gone back to a one that I was making a little while ago, to flesh him out more. He was initially a prisoner/slave of a band of Orcs, but he was a decent fighter for his age and was able to put on a good show, so they kept him alive as they enjoyed making him fight and watching his performances.
My question is; would Orcs hold the position of Gladiator in high regard, because I thought that through his performances, the character could have gained some measure of social status amongst the Orcs by being a good fighter and a decent showman?
Does this sound like something that might happen in standard Orc society?
Orcs in my world, at least, wouldn't waste resources on gladiator fights. Every orc fights already. If a war band wants to see blood that badly, the chief organizes a raid and they all make a profit. That isn't to say that orc sporting events don't get bloody and if two slaves started fighting each other, they might bet on the outcome. But unless your fighter is strapping on a sword, going out with the raiders and bringing home the bacon, orcs in my world wouldn't hold hold him in much esteem. Strong slaves can build walls or dig wells or chop wood or cut peat. A gladiator fight between two strong slaves is a waste of a strong slave. A staged fight between a strong slave and a weak slave wouldn't even be an entertaining fight.
Orcs in my world, at least, wouldn't waste resources on gladiator fights. Every orc fights already. If a war band wants to see blood that badly, the chief organizes a raid and they all make a profit. That isn't to say that orc sporting events don't get bloody and if two slaves started fighting each other, they might bet on the outcome. But unless your fighter is strapping on a sword, going out with the raiders and bringing home the bacon, orcs in my world wouldn't hold hold him in much esteem. Strong slaves can build walls or dig wells or chop wood or cut peat. A gladiator fight between two strong slaves is a waste of a strong slave. A staged fight between a strong slave and a weak slave wouldn't even be an entertaining fight.
They do not train at all and raiding is their only form of entertainment? So they are all essentially fanatic MMO players then?
They do not train at all and raiding is their only form of entertainment? So they are all essentially fanatic MMO players then?
That's a solid burn, but in defense of my orcs, raiding isn't their entertainment, it's their profession. Their outdoor games include rock-lifting, tug of war, wrestling, throwing stuff at each other, and a form of water polo played with a living wild boar. Their indoor games include board games, dice games, throwing stuff at each other, and a combination drinking contest and rap battle where, each round, you have to drink a horn of tar-flavored schnapps and then spit 16 hot bars. Whoever loses the ability to freestyle first loses and the other guy gets all their stuff.
They do not train at all and raiding is their only form of entertainment? So they are all essentially fanatic MMO players then?
That's a solid burn, but in defense of my orcs, raiding isn't their entertainment, it's their profession. Their outdoor games include rock-lifting, tug of war, wrestling, throwing stuff at each other, and a form of water polo played with a living wild boar. Their indoor games include board games, dice games, throwing stuff at each other, and a combination drinking contest and rap battle where, each round, you have to drink a horn of tar-flavored schnapps and then spit 16 hot bars. Whoever loses the ability to freestyle first loses and the other guy gets all their stuff.
I don't think gladiators would be fold heroes, but depending on the orcs, if there is a privileged class, they might waste slaves as a show of prosperity.
A prized slave could rise, if successful enough, but that would be dangerous. I could see assassinations by rival orcs to deal a blow to such a slave's master.
Thanks for your insights. Your thoughts are valuable to me as they help me to build better characters. Now that I know it is possible at least, I just need to ask the DM whose table this character will be played at, what Orcs are like in his world.
Cheers
Foxes
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A caffeinated nerd who has played TTRPGs or a number of years and is very much a fantasy adventure geek.
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Hi,
I am working more on my characters, and I have gone back to a one that I was making a little while ago, to flesh him out more. He was initially a prisoner/slave of a band of Orcs, but he was a decent fighter for his age and was able to put on a good show, so they kept him alive as they enjoyed making him fight and watching his performances.
My question is; would Orcs hold the position of Gladiator in high regard, because I thought that through his performances, the character could have gained some measure of social status amongst the Orcs by being a good fighter and a decent showman?
Does this sound like something that might happen in standard Orc society?
Thanks
Foxes
A caffeinated nerd who has played TTRPGs or a number of years and is very much a fantasy adventure geek.
Seems reasonable
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It definitely fits a bloodthirsty race of murdering beasts.
Cult of Sedge
Rangers are the best, and have always been the best
I love Homebrew
I hate paladins
Warrior Bovine
That’s a pretty narrow view of Orcs.
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orcs are pretty narrow in their views.
Cult of Sedge
Rangers are the best, and have always been the best
I love Homebrew
I hate paladins
Warrior Bovine
What gives you that impression? It all depends on what setting you’re in.
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Orcs in my world, at least, wouldn't waste resources on gladiator fights. Every orc fights already. If a war band wants to see blood that badly, the chief organizes a raid and they all make a profit. That isn't to say that orc sporting events don't get bloody and if two slaves started fighting each other, they might bet on the outcome. But unless your fighter is strapping on a sword, going out with the raiders and bringing home the bacon, orcs in my world wouldn't hold hold him in much esteem. Strong slaves can build walls or dig wells or chop wood or cut peat. A gladiator fight between two strong slaves is a waste of a strong slave. A staged fight between a strong slave and a weak slave wouldn't even be an entertaining fight.
😂🤣😂
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That's a solid burn, but in defense of my orcs, raiding isn't their entertainment, it's their profession. Their outdoor games include rock-lifting, tug of war, wrestling, throwing stuff at each other, and a form of water polo played with a living wild boar. Their indoor games include board games, dice games, throwing stuff at each other, and a combination drinking contest and rap battle where, each round, you have to drink a horn of tar-flavored schnapps and then spit 16 hot bars. Whoever loses the ability to freestyle first loses and the other guy gets all their stuff.
Amazing
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I don't think gladiators would be fold heroes, but depending on the orcs, if there is a privileged class, they might waste slaves as a show of prosperity.
A prized slave could rise, if successful enough, but that would be dangerous. I could see assassinations by rival orcs to deal a blow to such a slave's master.
Hi, guys
Thanks for your insights. Your thoughts are valuable to me as they help me to build better characters. Now that I know it is possible at least, I just need to ask the DM whose table this character will be played at, what Orcs are like in his world.
Cheers
Foxes
A caffeinated nerd who has played TTRPGs or a number of years and is very much a fantasy adventure geek.