Orc Fall Migration

As the days, and especially nights, start to cool in advance of winter, many creatures - mostly birds and flying beasts - start an annual migration from the northern reaches to the southern lands where the snow and chill of winter won’t reach. While some orcs remain and endure the harsh winters, many migrate along with the beasts.

While most migrating orcs do so to head to a better environment, as most migratory beasts are not hunted by them, in some lands there may be beasts - usually ungulate mammals of plains like antelope and wildebeests - that they follow.

Taluman Aurochs

There is one land mammal that is followed by orcs - and may even have given them their name: aurochs. Ancient relatives, and likely ancestors of oxen, there are a few - maybe only one depending on your world - auroch herd(s) left. This large, wild relative of the bull has a thick hide with long grey fur and a black mane with wide horns. Their shoulders can easily tower over even the tallest orc. It has an aggressive temperament

Orcs have been known to mount them to ride into battle. These are not domesticated aurochs, but ones a special orc has gained the favor of and is allowed by the beast to ride it.

Whale Migration

Many of the orcs of Taluma, especially those that settled the island of Ijis, have adapted to life on the ocean. Many have become whalers. In Autumn, whales travel from the cooling waters of the Ciminy Sea and Maessus Ocean south to warmer water. This migration takes them right past Ijis Island and within short voyages by the orcs. They have their easiest attempts to hunt the huge beasts.

Whaling has been a large part of orcs making a place for themselves in the civilized world of Taluma. The by products of whales are used by the orcs, and also sold to other people including humans and dwarves. They do not find the meat of whales to be distatesteful as some people do so they are an important food source and they use the bones and skin for craft goods. In the Gaithean port of Tormorant, the orcs are able to sell the carcasses which are processed for many other byproducts especially its blubber including oil, spermaceti, and ambergris. Products made from whale parts include lamp oil, even perfume. Dwarves use the oil as a lubricant for the many devices they have been inventing and it is rumored they have created explosives from it.