ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

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Loremaster Greynot's Analysis of the Races - Chapter X - Ogres

Possibly the humanoid race with the most unusual appearance--tall, blue skinned, with many patches of white fur--Ogres are also among the least populous of all the Civilized Races.

Their rarity owes at least something due to their sheer size; standing at about 7 and a half feet tall on average, the Ogres are the largest Civilized race, weighing at least twice as much as any other civilized race, and, as a result, eat commensurately--as a result of their immense appetites, the Ogres attempt to keep their numbers under control to prevent starvation.

The Ogres are a somewhat mysterious race in origins, due in part to the fact that the first known records of them are discussions of their (eventually successful) attempts to gain refuge in Shalore during the Age of Allure (and fewer then 400 existed at that time). No further population has ever been found that does not trace back to the "refugees of Shalore".

Of the Ogrish character, some common misconceptions are worth dispelling; yes, they are somewhat clumsy, although that is due to their sheer size, and yes they have a great deal of magical talent that frequently goes to waste because of their distractable natures, but their distractability has more to do with their keen senses then with any innate flaw in their character. Yes, they are highly likely to be found as wandering traders and mercenaries outside of Shalore, but this is not due to any greed in their natures; it is merely because their great appetites and few numbers mean that any Ogres who leave Shalore are either doing so to support their families, or for sheer wanderlust, and both professions grant them the greatest opportunities for either gold or travel.