Races of the Shattered Lands, part IV: Half-Orcs

[KaiserKris]

Half-Orcs:

Before the Shattering, half-orcs were virtually unknown. Orcs certainly existed, but primarily as a minor threat native to bogs and swamps along the southern fringes of Illyria and in the Great Delta of Arcadia. The Shattering and the chaos that resulted from it allowed the Orcs to expand greatly, through much of the Shattered Lands and to menace the lands beyond. An inevitable result of the vast Orcish expansion was the birthing of a number of half-orcs, whom Orcs soon realized that, while not quite as strong as full-blooded Orcs, were more intelligent and ambitious. Orcish leaders began breeding half-orcs intentionally, thinking that that intelligent half-orcs would make fine shamans and war leaders.

They were right, but there were additional consequences.

One of the fundamental facts of Orcish existence is the malevolent voice of the foul Nameless Beast, a deity of almost limitless violence, that constantly whispers into their minds from birth. Orcs are naturally aggressive, but are not inherently evil- their malevolence comes from their constant exposure to the chaotic, destructive urges of the east. The half-orcs still heard the Beast's call, but far more quietly than any orc- and the strong-willed amongst them could effectively resist the Beast's foul call and act rationally, even nobly.

In the borderlands between civilization and the Shattered Lands, half-orcs multiplied and increasingly began finding each other and forming small tribes of their own. In the swamps of the Arcadian Delta, a similar process happened, to the extent that pure-blooded Orcs virtually do not exist anymore. In Arcadia, the half-Orcs of the Delta mostly find employment as mercenaries in the armies of lords as well as gladiators in the fighting arenas of Devil's Hook.

In the southern fringes of the Shattered Lands, however, something else has happened.

A great horde has formed under the command of a charismatic and brilliant half-orc warlord known as Morgrim Silvertongue, composed of all manner of beastly creatures, but with the elite core being a band of thousands of half-orcs. It is rumoured the Morgrim the Bard has learned of a castastrophic evil soon to emerge from the twisted heart of the Shattered Lands and intends to lead his horde to the relative safety of the Illyrian Westmarch, through the Shield Mountains and the fortress-cities of the Dwarves. The Dwarven thanes have already begun to gird their defenses, waiting for the inevitable onslaught of Morgrim Silvertongue and his great horde.

Most half-orcs live short and violent lives as mercenaries, enforcers, soldiers and adventurers of various types- for even with their greater intelligence and moral faculties than their Orcish ancestors, they are still considered to have the stain of Orc blood upon them.

Description: Few would consider half-orcs to be particularly attractive. Half-Orcs are typically slightly taller than humans and considerably more massively built, with dark greasy hair and grey, greenish, or brown-coloured skin. Half-Orcs typically have small tusks jutting out of their jaws.

Personality: Half-Orcs still hear the whisper of the Nameless Beast in their dreams, but unlike the vast majority of Orcs, they possess the mental fortitude and moral faculties to ignore the Beast's call and follow their own path, though there is an undeniable aggressive and violent streak that all but the very most peacefully inclined half-orcs must at least occasionally indulge. Many half-orcs seek various means of controlling or quieting the Beast's call, drowning it in sensual pleasures, countering its foul whispers with the exhortations of another deity or by cultivating a relentlessly practical worldview.

Half-Orcs make few friends in their lives and those people who show them true friendship will receive unswerving loyalty in return- though should they be betrayed, no inducement will sway most half-orcs from exacting bloody vengeance. To most half-orcs, trust is a coin far richer than gold and much dearer.

Racial Affinities: In short, there are none- no race particularly likes half-orcs and half-orcs don't especially favor any race. As a whole, they do the best with humans and in lands little bedevilled by orcs, they can find themselves useful for their strength and martial prowess. Dwarves particularly despise half-orcs and it is truly rare for a dwarf and half-orc to be anything but implacable foes to each other.

Environment: Orcs are native to swamp and desert regions throughout the world and half-orcs most commonly live in those areas where Orc and humans compete with each other. If living in human lands, they tend to prefer the relative anonymity of large cities.

Racial Traits and Abilities

Darkvision: As PHB

Enhanced Sense of Smell: As PHB

Ironguts: Half-Orcs are extremely resistant to diseases and toxins and get a +2 bonus to saves against disease and poisons of all types.

Orcish Endurance: Once per day, when a half-orc character is brought to 0 hit points or lower, they may take a single action immediately before falling unconscious and beginning to die.

Orcish Ferocity: When below half of maximum hit points, a half-orc gains a bonus of +1 to melee attack and damage rolls.

Language: Common and Orc, can learn Goblin and any human vernacular
Size: Medium
Movement: 30 feet
Typical Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue, Assassin, Barbarian, Monk
Attribute Modifiers: +2 Strength, +1 Constitution, -2 Charisma
Ranger Modifier: As PHB

[Lurker]

Nice

Yet again, I've never been a fan of half orcs, but with this write up, you tempt me