Ogres¶
Mountains of flesh and appetite. Loyal to a fault. Devour young flesh to keep from aging. The Duke's bodyguards.
Native to the Aegis Mountains, ogres lived in scattered family groups until the Rag'narok came early for them. Their wild appetites and brutal customs made them impossible to integrate with neighboring civilizations, and they were exterminated one community at a time. The survivors, led by the warrior Khaurik, took refuge in Cadwallon at the invitation of Duke Vanius — who offered them a homeland in exchange for their service.
Wild ogre clans still survive in the most secluded sanctuaries of Aarklash (notably Bran-Ô-Kor and the island of Zoukhoï), but the majority of the race now lives in Cadwallon.
Nature¶
Ogres have no survival instinct, which makes them unpredictable and terrifying when angered. They are also naturally loyal to causes they have chosen — almost impossible to corrupt. This is why the Guard of Khaurik, the Duke's elite bodyguard, is exclusively ogre. They cannot be turned.
They have limited lifespans (~40 years) unless they eat the flesh of the young and innocent in sufficient quantity, in which case they stop aging. They attribute this voracious instinct to their god Hyffaid. The drive can be suppressed, but in moments of weakness or rage they have been known to devour defenseless victims — particularly maidens and children. To avoid the temptation of eating their own young, ogres entrust their children to godfathers of other races. Being an ogre godfather is expensive and difficult, but conveys enormous prestige and the loyal friendship of an ogre family.
Appearance¶
Males: 2.2m tall, ~280kg, mountainous bellies, small heads, careful Cadwë dress that cannot mask the carnivorous aura around them. Females: less massive, more sensitive (especially pregnant), simpler dress, often integrate more easily into wider society.
In Cadwallon¶
Ogrokh is built at ogre scale, with broad streets and reinforced architecture. The Duke's Guard of Khaurik is stationed throughout the city wherever the Duke goes. Beyond that, ogres are scattered through the lower city in jobs requiring strength or intimidation, and as godfathered children growing up in mixed families.
The ogres never coalesced into a nation and never picked an Alliance — they have no collective stake in the Rag'narok. They are, however, the most reliable mortals in Cadwallon by a significant margin.
An ogre godparent
Being asked to godparent an ogre child is an enormous honor and burden. It can also be a setup, a debt, or a slow-rolling assassination plot disguised as friendship.