Orcs

In ancient times ferocious Orc warbands were the dread of every land. They were eventually defeated by a combined force of many races, and were punished with equal brutality, their grown men slaughtered to the last, and their women and children thrown into chattel slavery. In these modern times slavery has been abolished but it is too late for the Orcish race. There are no more pure orcs left, only half-orcs, and their population is very low compared to the other races. They have no homeland of their own and make such livings as they can among the other races, and they face a lot of racism. They do find a certain amount of cachet as mercenaries or private security. If you call an orc a "Tusker" you better either be Orcish yourself or otherwise be prepared for a fight.

Culturally, the Orcs dislike just about everybody except for the Svartalves, with whom they feel a certain kinship. Most orcs accept that the warbands of old had it coming, but think that the reprisal went too far. There is a shared sense of gloom and doom among orcs; that their race has no future and is destined to fade away. This fatalism leads some to depression, others to rage. Some, however, have come to equanimity by means of meditation, forming monastic orders. The martial arts developed by these peaceful warriors have drawn the interest of high and low alike, and many non-orcs come to study. The various governments hosting these monasteries tend to keep an eye on these orders, but so long as the monks swear fealty and agree to come to the state's defense if necessary, they are tolerated.