Life and Times of the Orcs
Challenge Details
Orcs, in Tolkien's writing, are rather one-dimensional characters. They are evil embodied, utterly violent, obscenely cruel and only interested in where their next meal of man-flesh can be obtained. They are easy to hate, easy to kill, easy to disregard as living beings.
But is it possible to add other dimensions to this rather simplistic portrayal? Are Orcs really just evil killing machines and cannon fodder? Or is there another side, one we have not seen? What is it like, everyday life among the Orcs? How do they treat their women, their children? Do they have some sort of culture? A society? Loyalties beyond those enforced by fear? Are they capable of caring for anyone but themselves? Might they even *gasp* have the capacity to love? Note that treatment of orcs for the purpose of this challenge does not necessarily have to be positive.
Write a story that tells us about what it was like to be an Orc in Middle-Earth. You may also write an essay for this Challenge.
Challenge closes on: 28 August 2005
Entries with Stories
The following authors have entered a story in the Challenge.
- AmandaK - Enmities
- General Audience
- Last Updated: 16 Sep 04
- While men will fight for honor, renown and riches, women have other reasons to fight. A retrospective look at the War of the Ring from an unusual viewpoint. Written for the No Man's Woman-challenge. Mostly set in movieverse.
- Cold Like Fire - Blood of Your Enemies
- General Audience
- Last Updated: 31 Aug 04
- Not all the deaths were swift when many of Rohan's villages were invaded by Uruk-hai. Some were postponed, and used for a different purpose. Written for the "Three Colours Trilogy" and "The Life and Times of the Orcs" challenges.
- elanor of aquitania - On the Origin of Orcs
- General Audience
- Last Updated: 06 Sep 04
- An answer to the Challenge Life and Times of the Orcs
- Elena Tiriel - Alas, Poor Ufthak!
- General Audience
- Last Updated: 30 Jul 06
- Drabble: An orc guard of the Tower of Cirith Ungol laments a friend's demise... or does he?
- mageani - Orc's Prayer, An
- General Audience
- Last Updated: 26 Sep 05
- An orc with a hostage elf asks questions of Illuvatar.
- mageani - Star that Died, The
- Adult Audience
- Last Updated: 22 Feb 05
- An orc's perspective in a stormy battle with feral woodelves.
- The Lauderdale - Orc-brat
- Adult Audience
- Last Updated: 03 Mar 11
Maevyn is only nine when her family is slaughtered by a band of Orcs. The Orc Grushak takes her with him as his personal captive, planning to amuse himself with her torment and murder, but a vengeful Maevyn has sworn to see him dead.
- Werecat - You Will See Them at Night
- General Audience
- Last Updated: 30 Dec 06
- The tale of an orc bard. Seriously. Rated PG-13 for gore and violence, just to be safe.
2004 Galvorn Awards: Winner -Best Evil Character Trying to be Good
2004 Galvorn Awards: Winner -Best Characterisation (Improbable OC)
Mithrils 2005 - Finalist, Other Races
Mithrils 2005, Runner-up, Silmarillion - Werecat - Night Course in Pet Care
- General Audience
- Last Updated: 30 Dec 06
- A story inspired from this tantalising question: were fell beasts house-trained? Set in Carn Dûm, it sheds light to an unknown side of the Witch-king and his, well, household.
Introducing Fuinraw, the Chieftain of the Cats of Angmar.
MEFAs 2005: Third Place, Humor/Animals
Mithrils 2005: Winner, Humor - Werecat - Full Circle
- General Audience
- Last Updated: 27 Dec 05
- Beasts, they've called us. So end the days of Kolgrun, last warrior of the race of orcs.
MEFAs 2005: Third Place, Villains/Orcs - Werecat - Wish upon a Star
- Adult Audience
- Last Updated: 13 Mar 05
- Girl falls to Middle Earth, hoping to meet the object of her desire: Legolas. However, things turn quite differently from what she expected. AU, of course. Parody/Black humour. Rating and warning for violence and disturbing subjects, although nothing graphic.
- Werecat - Love me, Urgren.
- General Audience
- Last Updated: 15 Nov 04
- An Orcish love song. Seriously. Why should only elves and humans have all the fun? Rated PG-13 for some disturbing imagery, but nothing graphic.
Mithril Awards 2004 - Winner - Best Poetry – short form.
MEFAs 2004 - Winner - Best Romance Poetry
