Orc

## On Orcs

*"Vile scum who claim their one-eyed god grants them Dominion land. I spit on them the rare time I see one outside of the battlefield. Maglubiyet will end them all!"-Heb, goblin scout, to another agent of The Goblin Dominion.*

*"They have a closer respect for nature than most humans."-Mildrurand Greenvoice, centaur druid, when asked why he wasn't bothered by the orc druids under his command.*

*"They understand the need for battle. Like us it is all they know."-Host, warforged mercenary, on companionship and kinship.*

*"Those from Umgar ain't so bad, though I hear they mingle with humans there, if yah understand my meaning. I don't know any human fellow who'd mingle with an orc woman, course I never saw one before. If they aren't from Umgar you'd best stab first or run."- Jeg, human farmer, on his feelings about orcs.*

Orcs are a barbaric, superstitious race of warriors and raiders whose blood boils with the call of battle courtesy of their bloodthirsty god. A numerous, adaptable people, orcs are spread throughout Apia, living in caves, ruins or even small towns they call their own. Most worship Gruumsh, a one-eyed god that demands tribute and encourages his followers to raid and pillage across the lands. In Umgar, orcs and humans have long coexisted and, while most outsiders would call Umgar savage, there is a nobility to it few can deny. Aside from Umgar, orcs are most prominent in the Hill-Lands, those being almost exclusively blood-thirsty raiders. Orcs, like men, are capable of great evil but also great heroism.

## Physical Description:

Orcs vary wildly in appearance, based on region but all share certain physical qualities. Orcs of all kinds have grayish or greenish skin, coarse dark hair, low foreheads, large muscular bodies, and porcine faces prominently featuring lower canines that resembled boar tusks. Many also have wolf-like ears that ended in points, similar to elves. Their eyes are typically red in various shades but some have grey or yellow. Orcs are strong and well built, most close to six and a half feet with some as tall as seven. Orcs have bodies covered in scars, war-paint, tattoos and piercings, each signifying their prowess as a warrior or loyalty to their ancient gods. Rings placed on or in the tusks remains a poplar method of ornamentation among both sexes. Orcs are proud and fearsome, presenting themselves with excellent posture whenever entering a new area. Their clothing is simple yet practical made from heavy furs and leathers. Simple needlework and jewelry is used for decoration but, in general, an orc gives more attention to his weapons than his clothing.

## History:

Orcs are found all across Apia. Some say they came from another plane, partially true for the grey orcs, while others insist they were always present inside the Hollow before streaming up to the surface. The elves teach that the orcs were born from Gruumsh's divine blood, emerging from the drops that landed on Apian soil after Corellon Larethian cut out Gruumsh's eye during battle. Orcs themselves say that they are Gruumsh's children, however they claim a more direct approach. According to the orcs, when the gods did battle with aboleths and giants they were loosing badly. Understanding the need for warriors and not trusting the other gods to provide them, Gruumsh lay with his wife Luthic and birthed their son, Bahgtru. Bahgtru was divine like his parents but, needing to produce heirs, Bahgtru was given several wives by Gruumsh and commanded to multiply that orcs might win the day. Bahgtru's children were the first orcs. These warriors helped turn the tide and win the war for the gods.

Regardless of the truth of these claims orcs have been defined by two things; their need to conquer, and their need to multiply. These tenants fulfil all the commands of their divine parents. Orcs served as fighting slaves for the mind flayers and later the beholders. Many were taken down to the Hollow where they did not return. Still, despite the oppressive abberant empires, orcs and elves clashed over ancient disputes, each blaming the other for the actions of their gods. It wasn't until Latrell's rebellion that orcs and elves put aside their hatred and fought together. Rhokk One-Eye, the Bitter Butcher and chosen of Gruumsh was the great champion of orcish kind during this rebellion. Believed to be a demi-god son of Gruumsh and a mortal orcish woman, Rhokk was the first Eye of Gruumsh, orc battle shamans who gouge out one of their own eyes in tribute to Gruumsh and for great power. Rhokk demanded of Latrell that he and his orcs fight at the liberator's right hand, a claim protested by Khan Kalavor of the hobgoblins. Rhokk's failure to defeat Kalavor in battle led to a bitter rivalry between goblinoids and orcs that lasts until today. Despite this dishonor, Rhokk fought valiantly against the beholders and killed his fair share before dying during the final battle on the plains of Zarmahs. After Rhokk's death the orcs split, some followed Shimira the half-orc and others went east into the Hill-Lands. From that day forward all these were called hill orcs, regardless of whether they went into the Hill-Lands or Umgar. The orcs in Umgar followed the history of that nation, having great warriors and leaders, integrating with those peoples and shedding blood for them. The Hill-Lands orcs became fanatical and crazed, worshiping Gruumsh and attacking almost everyone around them. These wild pillagers made quite the impact on the surrounding nations, and raiding bands from the Hill-Lands can be found even west of the Za'icoran desert.

Two major events followed. The Gray Orc Invasion, also called The Gray Migration, was a turning point for most people, as swarms of gray orcs came bursting in through a multiplanar portal, intent on pillaging all of Apia Prime. These gray orcs clashed with the hill orcs as much as any other race before they were finally defeated in battle by the combined might of the Horse Lords of Druz, Griffon Knights from Vitteodel and the minotaur legions of Demauric. When the grey orc hoard was finally broken, they scattered, forming independent nomadic tribes that roamed the Hill-Lands and Great Plains. In time, some tribes intermarried and mingled with other orcs, but many stayed pure.

The animosity between gray orcs and hill orcs remains, though they can be united beneath one banner if Gruumsh shines his favor on one champion. This he did when the great prophet Numzug Bitter Sword, an eye of Gruumsh, received a vision of Apia burning. Though he was a hill orc he won the favor of both hill and gray orcs who followed his massive warband as they sought to lay claim to Druz and The Great Plains. Ultimately, the hoard was disbanded upon Numzug's death at the hands of the Tzar of Druz, Ulmaan Udvaar. Orcs haven't gathered in such numbers since, though they maintain a constant threat. Orcish raiders and mercenaries are common all across Apia, during the Apian Blood War many were even welcomed as better than demons. However, no new great war leader has emerged in some time. But there are whispers, rumors, they say Gruumsh and a dark goddess had a child together, a dark-skinned tel-amhothlan demigod destined to lead the orcs into glory again. But these are simply rumors, or one hopes...

## Geography:

Nowhere on Apia is safe from orcs. They are found in deserts, swamps, tundra, and tropical islands alike. The main concentrations of orcs are found in Umgar and the Hill-Lands, though these groups are quite different.

## Personality:

All orcs are defined by their need for conquest. Their blood runs hot with the fury of Gruumsh driving them onward in pursuit of ever greater glories. An orc needs to conquer, be that himself, his enemy, or some other challenge. Orcs refuse to back down from any slight or challenge, due to a combination of stubbornness, ride and a violent temper. Orcs explode with rage easily, taking insults and slights very poorly. Easily offended and impatient, orcs generally preferred violent solutions and rarely considered multiple ways of approaching a problem. However, in spite of this many orcs are excellent at getting results, since they are creatures of action. They are interested in maintaining honor, standing and "face" though what exactly this entrails changes depending on the individual orc's alignment. Most agree that retreat is cowardly and refusing an insult or challenge is unbearable. Beyond that, orcs are known for a few things. Firstly, for their deep religious reverence for their pantheon, with Gruumsh and the other orcish gods highly honored by the orcs. Secondly, orcs are known for their fine blacksmith work. Orcish weapons and armor are finely made and, while lacking the beauty of other culture's weapons, are both deadly effective and sturdy. Many orcs find gainful employment as smiths in non-orcish societies. Finally, they are known for a rich tradition of story-telling. Orcs recount their deeds in great detail to shamans and wisemen who, in turn, pass down these words to the future generations. Orcs, while savage, tend to live in harmony with nature. They firmly believe in survival of the fittest but do their best not to deplete resources they might want later. It wouldn't be practical. Orcs are as hot-blooded in matters of love and lust as they are in war. Gruumsh' command to multiply is taken quite seriously by orcs, which leads to the constant influx of new orcs, including many half-breeds. In fact only humans seem to produce more half-blood children.

## Society:

Orcs live in clans or tribes, usually a collection of several clans. Clans are led by chiefs and tribes by warlords. Without fail a chief is the largest, strongest, and most dangerous of his people because he is expected to maintain his claim against any challengers. Any orc who feels he is strong enough can challenge his chief in a fight for control, which ends in death for one. Cunning chiefs are usually well prepared for this eventuality. Beneath them are druids, priests and Eyes of Gruumsh, specialized priests and war-leaders who gouge out an eye in service to Gruumsh. This ritual grants them both great strength and magic; many warlords are Eyes themselves. Orc raiders are quick to range out, helping subsidize the tribe's hunters and gatherers with things they can't easily acquire or make themselves. Often it's just for the love of plunder. Orcs are capable miners, hunters and foragers and have decent craftsmen among them but it is usually not enough to feed the entire tribe. They raise wolves, worgs, axe beaks and boars in great number, both for eating and companionship. Additionally, things orcs covet, like fine art, furniture and magical items are often beyond their skill to craft and thus must be looted. Orc families can be monogamous or polygamus as the only real command Luthic gives is to produce large broods. Chiefs often have several wives but it is not required. Some orcs don't marry but others do. The role of women depends on the clan. Among some, women are fit only to be wives, shamans and midwives, their value measured in how many sons they produce. Among other clans they can do as they please so long as they continue producing heirs. Female orc warchiefs are extremely rare, as few are ultimately mighty enough to hold off all challengers.

They are semi-nomadic with many tribes preferring to follow the great herds or trade caravans, setting up in caves or ruins. Others built large forts or town and set up permanent residence. This second type is more common in Umgar but still happens in the Hill-Lands. Orc tribes can be gathered into great war parties at the behest of a prophet or brilliant warchief but such events are rare. When they do happen the world trembles for few can stand against the might of a massive orc host. Cunning mayors can hire orcish clans and send them against other threats as, while orcs are quick tempered and brutish, they rarely turn down an opportunity to fight for money. As a result, orc mercenaries are found throughout Apia even in civilized lands. In Umgar, all clans ultimately answer to a high chief who rules over all of them; this is an unusual circumstance and not applicable to non Umgarans.

## Religion:

Orcs of all alignments worship Gruumsh and the orc pantheon, including Luthic and Bahgtru. How these gods are interpreted often depends on location and alignment, but all orcs agree that Gruumsh is the source of their strength. Some good-aligned orcs venerate Xoldarr or Asus instead and a rare few druids or hunters offer up their prayers to The Green Lord.

## Alignment:

Orcs of all alignments are found though they cling closer to chaos than they do to lawfulness. While many orcs are both chaotic and evil there are others who are neutral or even good. Some, particularly those of a more tribal or druidic path, tend to stick pretty close to purely neutral in an attempt to balance nature's wishes with their own desires. Neutral good or neutral evil orcs are also known to exist.

## Relations:

Orcs don't tend to get along well with many beings but they hold particular hatred for goblinoids. Animosity between orcs and goblinoids is legendary and they typically kill each other on sight. Even good aligned orcs and goblins struggle to work together without constant animosity. Orcs do work with trolls, ogres and other similar creatures, and Umgar orcs have good relationships with humans and wild elves (a rarity for orcish kind). Half-orcs can be considered kin or treated with contempt depending on tribe. Orcs respect the power of draconian races and are even a little intimidated by them. They hate elves with a passion and care little for dwarves, long racial animosity ensures that their feuds continue. Again even good aligned orcs struggle to put aside this animosity.

## Names:

Orc names tend to be simple, short words with a more grandiose secondary title, usually earned in battle or assigned by a tribal partner.

**Example Male names:** Brokk Ironhand, Bhug The Sick, Jug Doom Saber, Bhab The Repulsive, Jokzod The Vivid, Rabon The Great, Zodzokk The Warped, Rodzon Vermin Hammer, Brahzar The Merciless, Lutak Kidney Squelcher

**Example Female Names:** Gaom Brass Axe, Shak The Colossal, Gal Venom Smasher, Ziv The Vicious, Viegal Foot Crusher, Bevnoz The Vicious, Devgum Gore Vanquisher, Rhaddem The Unsightly, Enkye Vein Trampler, Degna War Squisher

## Adventurers:

Orcs are born adventurers. The need for battle and conquest can be easily satisfied by the slaughter of monsters. They are heaped with rewards and praise for these deeds, which delights them to no end. Umgar orc barbarians are common in many lands, as are orcs from other places. While many folk are wary of orcs individuals or small groups tend to be allowed into most towns across Apia. Orcish steel is well regarded, as is orcish brawn, even by those who find orcs untrustworthy.

## Traits:

Orc traits are described below...

Ability Score Modifiers: They gain +4 Strength, –2 Intelligence, –2 Charisma.

Type: Orcs are humanoids with the orc subtype.

Size: Orcs are Medium creatures and thus have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.

Base Speed: Orcs have a base speed of 30 feet.

Languages: Orcs begin play speaking Common and Orc. Orcs with high Intelligence scores can chose from the following: Dwarven, Giant, Gnoll, Goblin, Undercommon.

Ferocity: Orcs possess the ferocity ability which allows them to remain conscious and continue fighting even if their hit point totals fall below 0. Orcs are still staggered at 0 hit points or lower and lose 1 hit point each round as normal.

Weapon Familiarity: Orcs are always proficient with greataxes and falchions, and treat any weapon with the word “orc” in its name as a martial weapon.

Darkvision: Orcs can see perfectly in the dark up to 60 feet.

Light Sensitivity: Orcs are dazzled in areas of bright sunlight or within the radius of a daylight spell. Dazzled: The creature is unable to see well because of overstimulation of the eyes. A dazzled creature takes a –1 penalty on attack rolls, Search checks, and Spot checks.

Favored Class: Barbarian, Cleric, Druid, Fighter

## Sub-Races:

Gray Orc

Desert Orc

Orog