The Orcs of Lineage II: The Strongest Warriors of the Continent
Among all the races of Lineage II, few possess a history as proud and turbulent as the Orcs. Forged by the God of Fire, Pa'agrio, they were created to embody strength, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of power. Their story is one of conquest, sacrifice, betrayal, and survival.
The Creation of the First Orc
Pa'agrio, the God of Fire and child of Gran Kain and Einhasad, was unique among the gods. While other deities created life and left it to develop on its own, Pa'agrio intended his children to be an extension of himself on the mortal world.
Thus, the First Orc was born.
The original Orc was a colossal being whose hair burned like flames and whose veins carried molten fire instead of blood. Smoke poured from his mouth and nostrils with every breath, making him the most powerful creature to walk the world.
The other gods grew fearful of this immense power.
When the First Orc descended to the mortal realm, the forces of water, earth, and wind gradually weakened him. His fiery essence cooled into blood, and the smoke that surrounded him disappeared. Though saddened by the loss of his divine strength, Pa'agrio taught him that true power could be regained through discipline, training, and battle.
Eventually, the gods of water, earth, and wind united against him. Though they succeeded in killing the First Orc, his final act changed history forever.
With his last breath, he created the founders of the seven great Orc clans.
The Seven Founding Clans
The founders established the great Orc tribes:
Atuba
Neruga
Urutu
Duda-Mara
Gandi
Hestui
Ragna
Their descendants would eventually give rise to more than one hundred smaller clans spread throughout the continent.
The spirit of the clan founder Mor Tanqus remained within the Cave of Trials, where future generations of Orcs would receive guidance and training. Over time, the cave became a sacred site where great leaders and warriors were tested before earning the right to lead their people.
Traditionally, Orc chiefs were chosen from among the most powerful shamans who successfully completed these trials and earned symbols of authority from every major clan.
The Rise of the Orc Empire
Following the fall of the Giants, war erupted between the Orcs and the Elves.
Victorious in numerous campaigns, the Orcs became the dominant military force on the continent. During this golden age, three of the greatest cities in history were built:
Rune
Goddard
Schuttgart
At the height of their power, Orc influence stretched across much of the known world.
However, many conquered peoples resisted Orc rule, creating constant conflict throughout their expanding territories.
Wars Against the Gorgons and Lizardmen
One of the earliest threats came from the Gorgons, whose raids terrorized human settlements under Orc protection.
To stop these attacks, the Orc clan Neruga dispatched an army led by the warrior Dermot. After driving the Gorgons back, Dermot confronted their queen in battle. Though he succeeded in killing her, he was mortally wounded by a poisoned arrow and died shortly afterward.
His sacrifice became one of the most celebrated legends in Orc history.
The Orcs also fought long campaigns against the Leto Lizardmen in the region later known as the Lizardman Plains. During one decisive battle, the Orc hero Tonar confronted a massive fire serpent summoned by enemy shamans.
Unarmed, he leaped onto the beast's back and broke its neck. Though victorious, he suffered severe burns and died from his wounds soon after.
The Loss of the Continent
Despite their military strength, the Orcs eventually faced enemies on multiple fronts.
Humans and Elves formed alliances, while growing human kingdoms expanded across lands once controlled by the Orcs. Gradually, Orc territories were lost one by one.
Eventually, the Orcs were forced to retreat northward to their sacred homeland known as the Plateau of Spirits.
There they established the fortified Orc Village, centered around a great hall dedicated to Pa'agrio. Unlike other races, the Orcs relied heavily on self-sufficiency, producing their own weapons, armor, and supplies rather than trusting outsiders.
The War Against Beleth
A new threat soon emerged in the form of the dark mage Beleth.
Obsessed with forbidden knowledge and the power of the Giants, Beleth sought to conquer the world through armies of undead and dark magic.
In response, humans and Orcs joined forces.
One of the greatest Orc heroes of this era was Kiruna of the Urutu clan. Fighting alongside human armies, she formed a close bond with the human paladin Kaysha.
Together they won many victories against Beleth's forces.
When Kaysha was killed by dark spirits, Kiruna was devastated but continued fighting. During the final battles, she faced the Death Knight Mordrimos. While human soldiers fled in terror, Kiruna stood alone against the enemy.
She defeated Mordrimos but suffered fatal wounds in the process.
Refusing treatment, she accepted her fate and became one of the greatest heroes remembered by Orc history.
The Reign of Baium and Human Expansion
Years later, the ambitious human emperor Baium assembled the strongest military force in the history of the human kingdoms.
Ignoring old treaties, he pushed the Orcs from many remaining territories and expanded human influence throughout the continent.
Yet Baium's empire proved short-lived.
After his disappearance, the kingdom gradually fragmented, plunging the continent into chaos once again.
Civil War Among the Orcs
With human kingdoms weakened, the Orcs saw an opportunity to reclaim lost lands.
The ambitious king Kakai united several major clans and launched new campaigns across the northern regions of the continent.
Initially successful, these campaigns restored Orc influence and territory.
However, victory bred division.
The leaders of the Ragna clan and several allied tribes sought to overthrow Kakai and claim leadership for themselves. What began as a struggle for power soon escalated into open conflict between Orc clans.
For the first time in generations, Orcs found themselves fighting not against Elves or Humans, but against one another.
Legacy of the Orcs
The Orcs remain one of the most respected and feared races in Lineage II.
Their culture revolves around honor, discipline, strength, and loyalty to Pa'agrio. Ancient heroes such as Dermot, Tonar, Kiruna, and Kakai continue to inspire new generations of warriors.
Although their empire has long since fallen, the Orcs endure, preserving their traditions while waiting for the day they can once again prove their strength to the world.
Conclusion
The history of the Orcs is a story of divine origins, legendary warriors, devastating wars, and unwavering determination. From the creation of the First Orc by Pa'agrio to the rise and fall of their empire, the Orcs have left an indelible mark on the world of Lineage II and remain one of its most iconic races.
