Mor'Lag was inspired by unpleasant philosophers I don't necessarily agree with IRL, but can't claim to fully understand, either. Most notably, Nietzche. I have to give credit to the show Andromeda for modeling it.

Strength is a the cardinal virtue, followed by tenacity. Her culture exalts animals as moral exemplars. The Ogres never surrender and seek only to further their own goals, followed by the goals of their clan. They acknowledge authority only by blood- either in kinship or the fear of its shedding. Honor, to them, is just a gloss to cover thus fact, and they disdain the orcs for actually making a virtue of it.

Mor's hatred of magic is a huge cultural departure, a mental illness by the standards of her people, and trying to become a mage represents healing.

That said- Mor'Lag is not evil, merely aggressively neutral, in DnD terms. She has no malice or sadism in her, just a total lack of sympathy.