NotaDaedraWorshipper wrote: »
Yes it is odd. There is more to orsimer than just berserkers and chieftains. A lot more. Elder Scrolls orsimer are well implemented race in the setting with an unique lore to them and not the slightest lame in my opinion. Tropes aren't always bad either, far from, and who decides if an elf is different or not? Elves and creatures similar to them exist in numerous myths and folklore and they vary a lot.
How can someone even determine an orc is a chieftain or not?
Think too few people dress up their orcs in clothes and armour that honours Malacath and his code.
Supreme_Atromancer wrote: »spartaxoxo wrote: »What's wrong with the way ESO differentiates it's Orcs? I think it's kinda cool that Orcs aren't one note in this game.
It feels contrived for the sake of being "different". As if it were following a formula for being cool, and in doing so, missing the chemistry. When its done well, its integrated and organic, and seems to fit into the story. When its just a random "kimono on an orc", it just feels like a cheesy "combine 2 random things!"
Its the same with the Stags of Z'en thing. Like they went "you know what was cool in Morrowind? Insect armour! Let's do that!" when the original was integrated into the world, cool, unique, but believable, fit the tone and engineered right into the world.
Nomadic_Atmoran wrote: »H'Vak the Grimjawl of the Fahkrull Clan. Fahkrull Clan is notorious through out Wrothgar, High Rock and the North for their bloodlusted berserkers, blood magic, human sacrifices to Malacath and propensity for necromancy.
I simply made a casual comment where I said my thoughts that it was oddly specific, which it kinda is. Then replied to replies of said short comment that claimed that I was "controverisal" and stuff. I found the repies I got more critical and seeing things that wasn't there, but if it makes me appear critical then I suppose that's what I am. ¯\_(ツ)_/Supreme_Atromancer wrote: »
I think you're being oddly critical.
Thank you. My characters have backgrounds and such, being a massive roleplay nerd and proud of it, it's mandatory for me. But I usually don't share them much, even less so on things like the forum. Not really sure why.Supreme_Atromancer wrote: »btw, your orcs look awesome.
Supreme_Atromancer wrote: »spartaxoxo wrote: »What's wrong with the way ESO differentiates it's Orcs? I think it's kinda cool that Orcs aren't one note in this game.
It feels contrived for the sake of being "different". As if it were following a formula for being cool, and in doing so, missing the chemistry. When its done well, its integrated and organic, and seems to fit into the story. When its just a random "kimono on an orc", it just feels like a cheesy "combine 2 random things!"
Its the same with the Stags of Z'en thing. Like they went "you know what was cool in Morrowind? Insect armour! Let's do that!" when the original was integrated into the world, cool, unique, but believable, fit the tone and engineered right into the world.
I'm unsure why you bring up kimonos. The Orc garb seen in Wrothgar is inspired by Mongolian and Himalayan (e.g. Tibetan) designs, which fits both some clans' nomadic herding culture centered around Echateres, as well as the geography of the place. Orcs in other parts of Tamriel have different styles, precisely because of the materials they have to work with in their given environment and their mode of subsistence.
Of course you could argue that anything inspired by real-world cultures is boring, but then you'd have to axe most of Tamriel's cultures. Except Dunmer of course, Dunmer rock.
Supreme_Atromancer wrote: »Supreme_Atromancer wrote: »spartaxoxo wrote: »What's wrong with the way ESO differentiates it's Orcs? I think it's kinda cool that Orcs aren't one note in this game.
It feels contrived for the sake of being "different". As if it were following a formula for being cool, and in doing so, missing the chemistry. When its done well, its integrated and organic, and seems to fit into the story. When its just a random "kimono on an orc", it just feels like a cheesy "combine 2 random things!"
Its the same with the Stags of Z'en thing. Like they went "you know what was cool in Morrowind? Insect armour! Let's do that!" when the original was integrated into the world, cool, unique, but believable, fit the tone and engineered right into the world.
I'm unsure why you bring up kimonos. The Orc garb seen in Wrothgar is inspired by Mongolian and Himalayan (e.g. Tibetan) designs, which fits both some clans' nomadic herding culture centered around Echateres, as well as the geography of the place. Orcs in other parts of Tamriel have different styles, precisely because of the materials they have to work with in their given environment and their mode of subsistence.
Of course you could argue that anything inspired by real-world cultures is boring, but then you'd have to axe most of Tamriel's cultures. Except Dunmer of course, Dunmer rock.
It looked like tradtional east-Asian garb to me, and I didn't know a better description. But I see that you're absolutely right. The traditional name for the garb is "Deel".
I actually think that real-world inspirations are really cool, and agree that Mongolian stuff could be a great inspiration for nomadic orcs living in a cold, mountainous environment.
In my defence, none of the elements that really typify what you're talking about (and tell the most story) "Mongolian", "Nomadic Herder" "Echatere hunter" "Mountain geography" are apparent in the costume(s). Its stripped of any of the functional elements that might ground it, leaving only the "stylish", "classy" and "elegant" elements. And then those elements aren't integrated, but contrast drastically when juxtaposed upon the earthy, functional, heavy and practical style with geometric lines and stylised skulls established for the same expansion.
Some people will like the contrast, or look past how they're integrated. I don't want to crap on anyone's thoughts or anything, just explaining my original comment.
Supreme_Atromancer wrote: »Supreme_Atromancer wrote: »spartaxoxo wrote: »What's wrong with the way ESO differentiates it's Orcs? I think it's kinda cool that Orcs aren't one note in this game.
It feels contrived for the sake of being "different". As if it were following a formula for being cool, and in doing so, missing the chemistry. When its done well, its integrated and organic, and seems to fit into the story. When its just a random "kimono on an orc", it just feels like a cheesy "combine 2 random things!"
Its the same with the Stags of Z'en thing. Like they went "you know what was cool in Morrowind? Insect armour! Let's do that!" when the original was integrated into the world, cool, unique, but believable, fit the tone and engineered right into the world.
I'm unsure why you bring up kimonos. The Orc garb seen in Wrothgar is inspired by Mongolian and Himalayan (e.g. Tibetan) designs, which fits both some clans' nomadic herding culture centered around Echateres, as well as the geography of the place. Orcs in other parts of Tamriel have different styles, precisely because of the materials they have to work with in their given environment and their mode of subsistence.
Of course you could argue that anything inspired by real-world cultures is boring, but then you'd have to axe most of Tamriel's cultures. Except Dunmer of course, Dunmer rock.
It looked like tradtional east-Asian garb to me, and I didn't know a better description. But I see that you're absolutely right. The traditional name for the garb is "Deel".
I actually think that real-world inspirations are really cool, and agree that Mongolian stuff could be a great inspiration for nomadic orcs living in a cold, mountainous environment.
In my defence, none of the elements that really typify what you're talking about (and tell the most story) "Mongolian", "Nomadic Herder" "Echatere hunter" "Mountain geography" are apparent in the costume(s). Its stripped of any of the functional elements that might ground it, leaving only the "stylish", "classy" and "elegant" elements. And then those elements aren't integrated, but contrast drastically when juxtaposed upon the earthy, functional, heavy and practical style with geometric lines and stylised skulls established for the same expansion.
Some people will like the contrast, or look past how they're integrated. I don't want to crap on anyone's thoughts or anything, just explaining my original comment.
While Wrothgar is definitely my favorite zone in the game, it's also pretty clear that ZOS' world-building isn't as strong as Bethesda's, for example. They just can't fit the whole depth of a culture into a single DLC.
So you're absolutely right that the connection between the styles and their culture isn't as strong as it was in say, TES3 (also really miss the Orcish armor style from that game, which seemed comparatively ornate to what one might consider a rustic, generic "orcish" approach we saw in TES5, instead underlining their proficiency as crafters - TES4's Orcish armor fits kind of inbetween, and you can see a Mongolian influence there already).
In the case of Wrothgar, I think what happened was that they wanted to have elements of the Trinimac-worshipping, more "cultured" city Orcs and the rural chiefdoms, and the Deel (thanks for that word!) ended up as a mish-mash. That doesn't leave you with a strong identity, but that's what happens when you want to put too much "culture" into too little content.
Nevertheless, I think TES Orcs are kinda neat, at least in the lore.
Supreme_Atromancer wrote: »
This guy from the Skyrim loadscreen is the most badass barbarian-y orc ever.Supreme_Atromancer wrote: »Supreme_Atromancer wrote: »spartaxoxo wrote: »What's wrong with the way ESO differentiates it's Orcs? I think it's kinda cool that Orcs aren't one note in this game.
It feels contrived for the sake of being "different". As if it were following a formula for being cool, and in doing so, missing the chemistry. When its done well, its integrated and organic, and seems to fit into the story. When its just a random "kimono on an orc", it just feels like a cheesy "combine 2 random things!"
Its the same with the Stags of Z'en thing. Like they went "you know what was cool in Morrowind? Insect armour! Let's do that!" when the original was integrated into the world, cool, unique, but believable, fit the tone and engineered right into the world.
I'm unsure why you bring up kimonos. The Orc garb seen in Wrothgar is inspired by Mongolian and Himalayan (e.g. Tibetan) designs, which fits both some clans' nomadic herding culture centered around Echateres, as well as the geography of the place. Orcs in other parts of Tamriel have different styles, precisely because of the materials they have to work with in their given environment and their mode of subsistence.
Of course you could argue that anything inspired by real-world cultures is boring, but then you'd have to axe most of Tamriel's cultures. Except Dunmer of course, Dunmer rock.
It looked like tradtional east-Asian garb to me, and I didn't know a better description. But I see that you're absolutely right. The traditional name for the garb is "Deel".
I actually think that real-world inspirations are really cool, and agree that Mongolian stuff could be a great inspiration for nomadic orcs living in a cold, mountainous environment.
In my defence, none of the elements that really typify what you're talking about (and tell the most story) "Mongolian", "Nomadic Herder" "Echatere hunter" "Mountain geography" are apparent in the costume(s). Its stripped of any of the functional elements that might ground it, leaving only the "stylish", "classy" and "elegant" elements. And then those elements aren't integrated, but contrast drastically when juxtaposed upon the earthy, functional, heavy and practical style with geometric lines and stylised skulls established for the same expansion.
Some people will like the contrast, or look past how they're integrated. I don't want to crap on anyone's thoughts or anything, just explaining my original comment.
While Wrothgar is definitely my favorite zone in the game, it's also pretty clear that ZOS' world-building isn't as strong as Bethesda's, for example. They just can't fit the whole depth of a culture into a single DLC.
So you're absolutely right that the connection between the styles and their culture isn't as strong as it was in say, TES3 (also really miss the Orcish armor style from that game, which seemed comparatively ornate to what one might consider a rustic, generic "orcish" approach we saw in TES5, instead underlining their proficiency as crafters - TES4's Orcish armor fits kind of inbetween, and you can see a Mongolian influence there already).
In the case of Wrothgar, I think what happened was that they wanted to have elements of the Trinimac-worshipping, more "cultured" city Orcs and the rural chiefdoms, and the Deel (thanks for that word!) ended up as a mish-mash. That doesn't leave you with a strong identity, but that's what happens when you want to put too much "culture" into too little content.
Nevertheless, I think TES Orcs are kinda neat, at least in the lore.
Pretty much agree with everything you said. I'll also need to take a closer look at tes4's orcish armour.