ogre

from the helpfile

Race: Ogre
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Ogres are much larger and stronger than any other race in Ferdarchi. They aren't brilliant, however, as their heads are more filled with fangs than with brains. They can still learn simple trades such as farming and fish though, and are feared fighters for their sheer might. Their powerful frames and hardy constitution allows them to take risks and survive where another would have easily fallen. Since they have poor vision and are somewhat clumsy, many fear ogres as senseless brutes who carelessly destroy whatever gets in their way. This is far from true, as ogres often feel a great need to protect the "little ones". An ogre is a fierce and loyal companion.

from Frederic's "Bestiary"

Ogre

Some people may debate the choice of putting Ogres into the category of sentient creatures, but I say that type of attitude is unfair to these people. In comparison to the beings around them they seem slow and dull witted, but they are intelligent enough to use language and some even can read. While it is true that I have only once seen an ogre capable of using spells and never an ogre who was a grand academic, I maintain that the intelligence of ogres is generally underrated. In all my life I have only known one ogre who has aspired to be a spell caster, and I believe he was only too obtuse to realize that he could not be one, and too stubborn to give up. (On a personal note, I did contribute large sums to that ogre's education, partially because I felt sorry for the lad, partially because I was glad to see an ogre who felt that he did not have to exploit his strength in combat, but mostly because I just loved the contradiction in terms.)

To the best of my knowledge, ogres were originally hill and mountain dwellers. They lived in small villages with crude huts or in caves in small numbers, seldom more than three families living together in closely knit groups. Ogres tend to be frightened by outsiders and their natural reaction to fear is to attack. It is my theory that a small family or group of ogres was somehow befriended by someone of another race and taught the common tongue and brought to civilization. There are stories and legends of the first ogre ever seen not in the wild, some telling of an ogre carrying the body of a wounded traveler, usually a powerful human or sasquatch warrior, into a city because they felt sorry for the little person. Others tell of a battle where entire battalions of warriors were defeated by a small band of ogres who had been tricked into helping an evil mage. Whatever the case, they have integrated themselves somewhat into society. However, in recent years I have noticed a smaller number of ogres around. I believe it is because fewer ogres are coming to the city, and those who are already here tend to be less visible by spending more and more time out in the wilderness. It is a sad commentary on our society when even the ogres are bright enough to realize that there is something wrong.

In our civilization, ogres tend to be warriors or fill other jobs which require brute strength and natural aggression. An ogre makes an excellent addition to any group of travelers or explorers, as they tend to adopt their new group and are very protective of it, as they would be of their family or village, not to mention their ability to carry most of the gear. Generally, they realize that they are not overly intelligent, and defer leadership roles to others in their family groups, much preferring to be the group's protector than its leader.

Ogres are massive in every physical dimension. They are generally from ten to twelve feet tall and are they are the strongest of all the known intelligent races, with the exception of dragons--strong enough to rip ancient trees from the ground, roots and all. They are amazingly resilient, in fact I have seen an ogre, considered to be puny by his peers, fall over two hundred feet onto sharp stone and stand up, only slightly the worse for wear. Unfortunately, as well known as they are for their strength, they are known for their stupidity. I feel guilty to realize that I myself have used the phrase, "dumb as an ogre" already in this tome and I must apologize to any ogre who is either reading this or having it read to them.

Since entering society, their fear of outsiders is diminished, and they are far less aggressive than they once were. Strangely enough, they seem to be more fond of smaller races, who they feel need protecting. They are often found to be the friends of halflings and gnomes, even fuzzies. It could be that they don't perceive these people to be a threat. Inversely, they tend to react poorly towards the larger races, such as trolls and sasquatches. They seem to get along fine with orcs, possibly because they fill similar roles in society. Ogres have few natural predators, mostly because even the most unintelligent predator has enough brains to realize that attacking an ogre is not a good idea. Ogres themselves are omnivores, but they prefer meat which they generally cook, contrary to popular belief, but will eat raw if necessary.