In Fantasy Literature and Games:
* Magic or Divine Intervention: Orcs are often the result of a deity's creation or magical experimentation. They might be corrupted humans, or a separate race brought into existence for specific purposes.
* Breeding: In some stories, orcs are simply born from other orcs. There might be a distinction between "pureblood" and "half-orc" individuals, depending on the story's worldbuilding.
* Evolutionary Branch: Some narratives portray orcs as a more savage or brutal offshoot of a more civilized race like humans or elves.
Specific Examples:
* Lord of the Rings: Tolkien's orcs are corrupted elves, twisted by the will of Morgoth, a dark entity.
* Dungeons and Dragons: D&D lore has orcs as a distinct race with a rich history, sometimes descended from ancient beings or powerful magic.
* Warcraft: Warcraft orcs are portrayed as a fierce and powerful race, whose origins lie in a clash between opposing forces.
Beyond Fictional Worlds:
It's important to remember that orcs are a literary construct and not a real-life species. While their origins are explored through different fictional lenses, their existence solely resides within the realms of fantasy and imagination.