My orcs are decidedly the worst stereotypes of the Roman Empire and it's legions. Their deified first emperor claimed to be the descendant of the last Emperor of the Praetorian Empire* (which fell in the Cataclysm two centuries before the present day setting) and the orcs are highly organized and engage in the brutal conquest and enslavement of all "lesser" creatures to try and seize all the territory once held by the Praetorian Empire.

Only the decades long civil war between the Emperor's four heirs after his "ascension to godhood" keeps the orcs from just outright smashing the smaller powers of the region.

* Orcs in the setting are a specific breed of mutant human created by the unstable energies of the Cataclysm that swept across the world, so the claim could even be true. Regardless, they are essentially super-predators; stronger, faster and with superior senses (nightvision and scent) to ordinary humans. A fraction of them also just keep growing until they're 8-10 feet tall engines of death commonly called Ogres. They're just one of the threats to civilization that explain why PC Heroes are needed.

QuoteI think, would likely transform the tribal Orc society at least into a fairly well-organized Kingdom. Then, once a functioning government and leadership is secured, a more sophisticated and functioning economy and agriculture industry would no doubt develop quickly. At that point, with the diffusion of knowledge, technology, traditions, and skills, yeah, things get very interesting!

Just imagine what advanced agriculture processes would contribute? A huge increase in the population, as well as general health and longevity.

Perhaps an official "scholar class" may develop. More advanced armour, weaponry, and military organization in general. An increased efficiency in economy and trade, generating an increase in wealth and overall prosperity.

But would it? The thing is IIUC your Orcs are still Steppe society. Which means specific geopolitical conditions.
As you know as historian - Eurasian steppe was never stable in political terms for longer period of time, until times of Imperial Russia and modern industry made traditional cavalry way somehow obsolete.But in pre-modern era, any kingdoms were short lived - even Genghis Khan Empire dissolved despite his tactical genius and creation of law codes to uphold Empire.
Simply - Steppe sucks in estabilishing border.

Quote from: Wrath of God on June 08, 2022, 03:53:30 PM

QuoteI think, would likely transform the tribal Orc society at least into a fairly well-organized Kingdom. Then, once a functioning government and leadership is secured, a more sophisticated and functioning economy and agriculture industry would no doubt develop quickly. At that point, with the diffusion of knowledge, technology, traditions, and skills, yeah, things get very interesting!

Just imagine what advanced agriculture processes would contribute? A huge increase in the population, as well as general health and longevity.

Perhaps an official "scholar class" may develop. More advanced armour, weaponry, and military organization in general. An increased efficiency in economy and trade, generating an increase in wealth and overall prosperity.

But would it? The thing is IIUC your Orcs are still Steppe society. Which means specific geopolitical conditions.
As you know as historian - Eurasian steppe was never stable in political terms for longer period of time, until times of Imperial Russia and modern industry made traditional cavalry way somehow obsolete.But in pre-modern era, any kingdoms were short lived - even Genghis Khan Empire dissolved despite his tactical genius and creation of law codes to uphold Empire.
Simply - Steppe sucks in estabilishing border.

Greetings!

Yes, Wrath of God, trying to impose political order in a Steppe Environment is very difficult. However, while the Orcs I am discussing have a barbaric tribal culture, they primarily live in forests and hill country. They of course share some borders with steppeland regions.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

In this case moving towards more medieval society should be possible. Though I'm not sure if there are real life counterparts to do it - such societies in history usually harvested and sold slaves to decadent urbanites of Mediterrean region, not buy them in large quantities.