Half-ogre | |
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Rexxar without his mask. | |
Faction/Affiliation |
Independent, Mok'nathal, Horde, Unseen Path Formerly: Old Horde, Bladespire clan |
Character classes |
Warrior, Hunter, Shaman, Beastmaster Druid, Melee hunter, Bone crusher, Spirit champion, Wilderness stalker |
Racial capital | Mok'Nathal Village |
Racial leader(s) | Leoroxx |
Homeworld | Draenor |
Language(s) | Orcish, Ogre, Common |
Average height |
8' (244 cm) (male)[1] 7' (213 cm) (female)[1] |
Half-ogre (or Mok'nathal)[2] is a term used to describe the half-breed offspring of an ogre, or half-ogre parent, and an orc. Most of them are found within the Mok'Nathal clan.[3]
The mok'nathal were considered half-breeds, lesser than true orcs, by the Old Horde.[4] However, times changed under the New Horde, and their inclusion at the first Kosh'harg festival held on Azeroth could potentially put an end to their isolationist policy in Outland.[5]
History[]
- Main article: Mok'nathal
11 years before the opening of the Dark Portal, as the Gorian Empire was losing power on Draenor, Imperator Kelgrok of the Bladespire clan decided to make up for the ogres' low numbers, and ordered Bladespire sorcerers to conduct cruel experiments in order to create new creatures that could be used as labor. The greatest result came from selective breeding between ogres and enslaved orcs, and the children of these forced unions were called mok'nathal, possessing the strength of ogres and the intelligence of orcs. The Bladespire kept the half-breeds in chains and bred them together to create even more. To ensure their loyalty, the ogres threatened to kill entire families if even one of the members rebelled. They were later ordered to make war on the orcs of Frostfire Ridge, rampaging the region, and seizing many tracts of resource-rich land. In the meantime, the united Frostwolf clan and Whiteclaw clan army fought the Bladespire and managed to capture a number of mok'nathal, including their elder Leoroxx. After they learned that the mok'nathal were not willing servants but slaves, Garad and Leoroxx came to an agreement to destroy the Bladespire clan.
During the Battle of Bladespire, Leoroxx had incited rebellion among his kin, and together, both the orcs and mok'nathal drove the ogres out, while Leoroxx strangled Imperator Kelgrok with the chains of his slavery. The orcs and mok'nathal had won but at the cost of many lives. Afterward, Garad offered Leoroxx and his people land in Frostfire, but Leoroxx declined because he knew the half-breeds would never truly be accepted by the orcs. The mok'nathal later settled in a remote corner of Gorgrond to live in peace.[6]
Eventually, a force of orcs known as the Horde arose on Draenor. Warchief Blackhand offered ogres and mok'nathal a place in the Horde to increase his numbers.[7] After the fall of Shattrath City and the draenei, Warchief Blackhand considered annihilating the mok'nathal but stayed his hand. Rexxar, son of Leoroxx, had joined the Old Horde and convinced Blackhand to spare his people.[8]
Following the reopening of the Dark Portal, Garm Wolfbrother revealed that the mok'nathal were at Mok'Nathal Village within the eastern Blade's Edge Mountains, and that they were in danger.[9] Though Leoroxx had refused to cooperate with the Old Horde he was willing to work with the New Horde[10] Meanwhile, Rexxar discovered that the gronn were directing the ogres against the mok'nathal, and with Horde champions by his side, he eventually killed Gorgrom the Dragon-Eater and Goc.[11] With their deaths, Rexxar declared the Mok'nathal free.[12]
Appearance[]
The half-orcs possess the traits of both races which they inherit from their parents.
Half-orc half-ogres are taller than orcs due to the ogre blood in their veins, they notably average 8' tall for males and 7' for females.[1] They also have a much-developed musculature, such as Rexxar, whose half-breed's powerful legs allow him to keep up the pace as he followed his bear Misha on the run, keeping her within his sight.[13]
In World of Warcraft, every half-ogre has the model of the mag'har orc, and the idea of them being a mid-point between an orc and an ogre has stuck ever since.
Named[]
- Unnamed
- Warcraft III
- Main article: Beastmaster (Warcraft III)
- Gaz Boartusk
- Gish Eagle Eye
- Gorsh Talonfang
- Mag Bearmaul
- Maxx Rocmane
- Mok Rocksnout
- Tagar Bearclaw
- Possibly
In the RPG[]
Background[]
Before the existence of the Horde, the races that represent most of it today had never even heard of each other, such as half-ogres who were all but unheard of.[14]
Half-ogres, whom the orcs call mok'nathal, were created in the rare unions of orcs and ogres. Orcs originally bred half-ogres to combine the power of an ogre with the intelligence and cunning of an orc. However, half-ogres proved to be more stubborn than either race, bearing a horrendous independent streak. Little could change a half-ogre's mind once set, so the project was scrapped. Shamanistic orcs honored half-ogres as noble and savage creatures of the land, but quickly the race dwindled, as few orcs would willingly breed with the gigantic ogres.
Recently, half-ogres reappeared in the world following the exploits of Rexxar, Champion of the Horde, the greatest Mok'nathal to ever live. While still rare, more and more half-ogres come out of the woods each day, trying to find a place to call their own.
Even in the presence of friends, a half-ogre is quiet and withdrawn, uncomfortable around creatures that talk back. A half-ogre would choose to be out hunting or exploring a new wilderness rather than take a drink at a bar, and most half-ogres exhibit signs of claustrophobia.
The ruling force in life for half-ogres is honor. A half-ogre's word is his life, even among the rare evil half-ogres. Once a half-ogre gives his friendship to a person, that person is a friend for life and the half-ogre will sacrifice himself for those under his protection or those he loves. Most half-ogres honor the vows of another half-ogre, and thus a person who earns the trust of one half-ogre is assured that she has earned the trust of all half-ogres.[15]
Appearance[]
Half-ogres are towering creatures who vaguely resemble their orc and ogre parents. They stand as big as a tauren — sometimes bigger — with broad and powerful shoulders, and thick, blunt skulls. Their eyes are small and usually black, while their massive lower jaws bear great tusks. Half-ogre skin tone is a non-metallic gold hue, with varying levels of yellow and red admixture. Most half-ogres are mistaken for small ogres, or rarely, massive orcs.[16]
Culture[]
Faith[]
Almost unanimously, half-ogres revere the nature that feeds and protects them. To them, the wild is much safer and more familiar than any civilization. Some of the greatest hunters and druids among the Horde's ranks are half-ogres, who combine both physical and spiritual strength in ways only the tauren can match. Many choose to be Beastmasters.[15]
Languages[]
Half-ogres usually speak Low Common or Common. Their ogre progenitors used to be part of the Horde, and some learn the languages of other savage creatures.[17]
Names[]
Half-ogre names are closer to ogre than orc names. Their first names are almost always single-syllable and guttural. A half-ogre's family name, however, always bears a beast or plant symbol — which may be the closest to a family that they have. Their surnames reflect their life choices and accomplishments, and the race wears them as badges of honor. Trials of rights are fought over family names, with the victor earning the name and the loser shamed.[18]
- Male names: Gaz, Gish, Gorsh, Mag, Tagar.
- Female names: Marr, Flaxxon, Genn, Lokt, Lukks.
- Family names: Bearmaul, Boartusk, Eagle Eye, Rocksnout, Rocmane, Talonfang.
Region[]
Half-ogres do not have a region to call their own. Solitary wanderers by nature, half-ogres are found sporadically in most woods in Kalimdor and Eastern Kingdoms. Most are found near major ogre settlements, or former settlements, leftovers from ogre aggressions and old habits of Legion-affiliated orcs.[15]
The majority are affiliated with the Horde. While half-ogres prefer animals to people, they realize that they have a greater part to play in the world. Following Rexxar the champion, most living half-ogres offered their assistance to the Horde. Many half-ogres still refuse to officially join the Horde, but Thrall knows that he may call upon half-ogres in times of need.[15]
Named[]
- Tagar Bearclaw (From the RPG)[19]
Other types of half-ogres[]
While all half-ogres are of ogre or half-ogre and orc descent in the main series, in the RPG there were other types of half-ogres.
- Half-ogres of human descent are called half-human half-ogres.
- Half-ogres of ogre magi descent include the half-ogre magi.
- In Manual of Monsters Appendix Three the Ogre, Half-Ogre is given a very similar description to the Warcraft universe half-ogre, while another type of half-ogre is described, the Ogrillon, however, the validity of the source is disputed.
Notes[]
- According to Warrith, the mok'nathal are bitter enemies of all draenei, having hunted them all but to extinction.[20]
- For all his savagery and violence, Grommash Hellscream had always given Rexxar the same respect he would show any warrior, even if he was a half-ogre half-orc.[4]
Gallery[]
Leoroxx in World of Warcraft.
Leoroxx in the Trading Card Game.
Beastmaster unit icon in Warcraft III: Reforged.
Rexxar's artwork in Heroes of the Storm.
Concept for Rexxar in Battle For Azeroth by Matthew McKeown.
References[]
- ^ a b c World of Warcraft: Traveler, pg. 93
- ^ Rexxar's character page
- ^ Rexxar's Hearthstone page
- ^ a b Beyond the Dark Portal, chapter 27
- ^ [50-70] The Kosh'harg
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, pg. 66 - 67
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, pg. 83
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, pg. 97
- ^ [20-30] The Spirits Have Voices
- ^ [20-30] Understanding the Mok'Nathal
- ^ [20-30] Gorgrom the Dragon-Eater
- ^ [20-30G] Showdown
- ^ Cycle of Hatred, chapter 8
- ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg. 165
- ^ a b c d Horde Player's Guide, pg. 6
- ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg. 6, 190
- ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg. 8
- ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg. 6 - 7
- ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg. 7
- ^ The Dragons of Outland
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