Dalin Maxim - Servants of Evil

An alternative view of the confrontation between good and evil. Even if your opponent is not like you, this does not mean that he is the personification of evil, as they try to convince you. It is generally accepted that in the confrontation between orcs and elves, people should fight on the side of the elves. After all, they are beautiful, immortal, and can even bestow immortality on their most loyal supporters. And orcs are generally half-beasts and cannibals, they need to be destroyed. But the orcs turn out to be by no means barbarians; they have their own culture, science, and their idea of beauty. It’s just that their way of life is very difficult to understand.

An elven warrior is captured by a detachment of orcs. But he is not killed right away, and gradually he begins to understand that everything he believed in was a lie. And former enemies turn out to be more “humane” than those for whom he is used to fighting.

The focus of the story is not on the war itself, but on the clash between two distinct cultures. Although the culture of the orcs may seem foreign in many ways, it is not necessarily hostile. While they do have customs that may seem animalistic, their entire way of life is based on natural principles. In contrast, everything created by the elves is merely a skillful imitation. Additionally, the orcs strive to coexist peacefully with the world around them, while the elves, led by one queen, seek to eliminate anyone who differs from them. Furthermore, deception is one of their primary tactics.

Definitely recommended reading

Unique orc culture, different from generally accepted canons

Emphasis on confrontation between two different cultures, rather than military action