Orcs find status attractive, and those of lower station are drawn towards their betters, while those of higher status enjoy basking in the attention of their lesser brethren. Most orcs find it hard to balance their appeal for high status against their desire to grasp it for themselves. Those of higher status maintain the initiative in a relationship, and it is exceedingly rare for those of lower station to withdraw from an affair. Relationships where the hierarchy between the partners is unclear or subject to change are often brief and turbulent. As orcs reach higher age, they tend to be more prone to settle for a single partner, preferring security and stability over the struggles of their younger days.

Marriage is not a custom held by Kharbesh and Ograkk orcs. While they do form relationships, they do not have formalized bonds or religious ceremonies surrounding them.

The Arwondel orcs have lived among humans for generations, and the custom of marriage has been absorbed into their culture. A shaman, who urges the couple to yell out their names and their joining so that all gathered can hear, leads the wedding ceremony. The ritual ends in silence as the couple toast together with rum or liquor. The wedding is traditionally followed by a grand celebration. Not all Arwondel orcs enter wedlock and the fidelity of those who do is often lacking, even when compared to human standards.

Orc infants are presented to the tribe as a gift from the mother. Usually the infant is met with a jovial celebration where the collective inspects them and the mother boasts the qualities of her offspring. The child is kept with the mother as long as it suckles, but eventually she rejects it. Beyond that point litters are considered to belong to their tribe, and are raised collectively. Even if parents and children are aware of their relationship, the parents have no special responsibility towards their children and there are rarely emotional ties between them. Tribal leaders often recruit the young to secure their own position, offering leadership and protection in exchange for loyalty.

Courage, endurance and survival skills are stressed throughout the upbringing of the young, and the elders arrange tasks and competitions to nurture these abilities. Rivalry is commonly very strong between children, and is encouraged by the tribe. The leaders of the Ograkk orcs train their young, so that they can be used offensively against rivals and enemies. This training is often hard, and only the toughest excel. They learn to follow orders and hone practical skills that aid the tribe.

As they reach adolescence, orcs are encouraged to find a niche in which they show talent. It is common for juveniles to seek out an elder for mentorship, and master an occupation under their tutelage. The young among the Kharbesh orcs are expected to perform a feat of courage to earn themselves a place in the hierarchy of the adults. Such feats include slaying enemies, laying down prey and stealing cattle, and they are often conducted by packs of youngsters eager to prove themselves.

Orcs seldom bother to care for the remains of the dead, as the burdens of the living are usually more pressing. This is especially true if the deceased held a prestigious position of power, since the group demands the vacant position be filled at once in order to function properly again. Moreover, a cadaver serves as little use to anyone, unless someone caused the death and wants a token to flaunt their success. Corpses are usually disposed of at the local garbage heap, or in special bone piles that serve as final resting places.