General Description

The Nordic Equinox orc's appearance is a mix of various used clothing and equipment. The gear is old and worn, reflecting the orc's preference for items with history and memories over new ones. The Nordic Equinox orcs have only been a part of this world for a few generations - enough to learn basic skills but not to perfect them. Additionally, most orcs take pride in their ability to create and maintain their equipment themselves, with little concern for aesthetics. Consequently, Nordic Equinox orc craftsmanship is not overly intricate - it is simple and practical.

 

Base colors are dull or dark, with brown being particularly useful for hiding mud and dirt stains. These may be complemented by individual bright-colored details such as blood-red or deep black. Weapons and armor are often painted or coated with dark colors to protect them from excessive rust. Both clothing and gear are marked with symbols identifying the orc, which are drawn, carved, or sewn onto the material.

Nordic Equinox orcs are a practical community, and their belongings reflect their harsh, physical lifestyle. Clothing is typically strong and resistant to wear and tear. Common materials include leather, sturdy burlap, and dense wool - all easily repairable and often patched by the orcs themselves. Seams and cuts are simple. Most orcs wear a basic tabard, often paired with a war skirt.

Weapons are large and stable, designed to endure heavy blows without breaking (appearance only - OG weapons must be lightweight and safe and must not be swung too hard) and intended more for crushing bones than slicing flesh.

Costume colors are natural tones (brown, green, gray, beige), with brown being the most common. Contrasts may come from primary colors like red or blue.

Costume materials are highly durable, such as wool, felt, canvas, but especially leather. Materials are often dyed or stained to protect them and to hide mud and dirt. To strengthen and join clothing, metal pieces, plates, or chainmail fragments can also be used.

Many items owned by Nordic Equinox orcs are torn or stained with rust, their appearance hopelessly marred by time and constant use. Orcs see this as necessary, giving items value, and care little for aesthetics. Any repairs to clothing or equipment are made using whatever materials are on hand. As mentioned, an orc takes pride in their self-sufficiency.

 

 

War Skirt

The war skirt is a very common piece of clothing among Nordic Equinox orcs. It is made from multiple layers and pieces of leather and fabric placed on top of each other and secured with a sturdy belt or cord. Lengths vary from floor-length to mid-thigh, with knee-length being the most common. Almost all Nordic Equinox orcs wear a war skirt, even if they are otherwise unclothed.

 

Arm and Leg Wraps

All Nordic Equinox orcs wear arm and leg wraps. Wrists and ankles are left uncovered only for slaves, as chains are attached to those areas. Showing wrists and ankles is considered shameful and taboo among orcs - akin to being publicly naked. In battle, wraps may be replaced by gloves and boots covered with arm or leg armor.

 

Armor

Layered armor, thick leather, chainmail, and plate armor are common. The armor is often worn and used. Metal armor is frequently rusted, and leather shows cut marks and dents. It is very unusual for an orc to wear a full set of armor. Instead, various mismatched pieces are collected and salvaged from dubious sources (graves, fallen enemies, etc.).

 

Symbols and Art

Orcs have a strong need to be well-defined members of a group. They possess a strong pack mentality and view group membership as part of their identity. As a result, they enjoy displaying and depicting their group or clan symbols whenever possible. An orc group may contain many different clans.

Orcs themselves generally add the symbols to their equipment. The simplest symbols are painted or drawn, but more skilled orcs burn, embroider, or sew symbols onto their belongings. Orcs dislike uniform appearances, so these symbols are often interpretations of a recurring theme rather than a specific design used by all. For example, in a clan whose symbol is a knife, each orc’s symbol might be of different color, size, and shape. As long as it signifies the orc's belonging to that clan, it serves its purpose. The underlying motif of the symbol is what matters - a visible representation of belonging.

Orc art is often dark, grim, and heavy. Sharp lines, abrupt edges, often depicted with chains or shackles, as well as military symbols such as weapons and armor or various body parts/limbs, are common themes.

 

If you want to play an orc, make sure your costume includes at least the following MINIMUM items:

Tabard - A strip of fabric as wide as the wearer's shoulders (usually 40-80 cm) and 2.5-3 meters long, with a hole in the middle for the head. The material should be brown leather, burlap, or coarse wool.

War Skirt - Multiple pieces of fabric and leather of varying sizes and relatively random shapes (make sure to include at least one leather piece with hair still on it), layered and secured with a leather belt or sturdy cord. If you have no specific idea, make it knee-length. Leather and fabric pieces can be obtained fairly cheaply. Fabrics should be burlap, wool, or linen. Primarily earth tones with occasional contrast.

Arm and Leg Wraps - Leg wraps should be 10 cm wide and 3-5 meters long, fastened with leather straps or strong cord. The length of the leather strip or cord should also be 2-3 meters (possibly tied together from smaller pieces). Arm wraps should be 5-6 cm wide and 2-3 meters long, similarly fastened with leather strips or cord. Leg wraps are tied differently depending on whether worn with pastels (reenactors can demonstrate how) or over boots. Arm wraps are tied like boxing or martial arts hand wraps (surely someone in the group can teach you). Wraps can be made of leather, burlap, wool, or strong linen.

These three items have been mandatory for all orcs in the orc camp since 2015!! So get to work!

(If you do not wish to wear or use these items, your costume must be significantly better than these three items would allow and must represent the Nordic Equinox orc theme.)