Half-Orc

## **On Half-Orcs**

*"Weak blooded, half-human scum. They don't last in the Hill Country."- Lull Nose-Render, orc barbarian, underestimating his last opponent.*

*"I feel such pain when I'm near one. That could have been me. So easily could that have been me."- Venseris, half-elf diplomat, at lunch with a fellow half-elf.*

*"Always paid rent on time. Never made a mess, never made a fuss. I wish all my tenants were like him."- Qay Su, human innkeeper, on his favorite customer.*

*"Half-Orcs, half-orcs is anyone like them? They've got issues on both sides! Anger from that pesky human parent and fashion issues from the orc one! Or is it the other way round?- Velazora Shorthorns the Fair, piper bard, in her classic book* Witticisms on all Sentient, and not so Sentient, Life.

To be a half-orc is to have hot blood running though your veins, to feel the lust for battle and have strength beyond many of your peers. It also means lacking many of the social skills human children take for granted. Still, being a half-orc mostly depends on where you live. A half-orc born in the Hill-Lands is shunned and treated like dirt by his pure-blooded orc siblings. His weakness is made apparent to all in the tribe. A half-orc raised in Latrellus might get the odd dirty look or increased price at the bar from the ignorant or the mistrustful. A half-orc in Umgar is more than a common sight, he is a large percentage of the population there, including the upper portions of that society. His deeds are respected, his parents are likely together in a formal union. In Druz, he is a hard working farmer and frontiersman, known for his work ethic and courage. Half-Orcs are born warriors, given certain advantages from their orcish parents but they can accomplish any task they set their minds to. Many are accomplished wizards, clerics, bards or tacticians and more than a few are renowned heroes.

## **Physical Description:**

Half-orcs resemble orcs far more than they do humans. Both sexes are tall, with males easily topping six feet and most females similarly blessed. They are muscular, well built and sturdy. Skin tones range from human shades to the green-grey of the orcs. Noses are upturned, pig-like and orcish, with slanted ears, firm jaws and large foreheads. Eyes and hair can be the color of either parent though dark hair and yellow eyes are the majority. Tusks are near universal on half-orcs though the size runs the range depending on sex and the individual's bloodline. All these features can be greater or lesser but they are always present. Many dress in the manner of the orc, with rough practical clothing, though this is far from universal. The location a half-orc is raised in will certainly affect style of dress. Some half-orcs go for stylish and flamboyant clothes to help present the image that they want. Most half-orc clothing is also designed to accentuate the natural beauty of their physiques, rather than detract from it. Hair and beard styles range widely as does the acceptance of tattoos (and their designs) piercings and body modification. Even a civilized half-orc enjoys a good tribal tattoo now and again.

## **History:**

Orcs have always been native to Apia's many corners. Whether Gruumsh and Luthic were at one point mortal orcs who became gods or were always gods and spawned the race of orcs from their loins as they did their divine son Bahgtru (as the orcs claim) is irrelevant. Orcs and their gods are an Apian staple and always have been. The first half-orcs were born shortly after the arrival of humans during the time of the mind flayers. This aberrant overlords were obsessed with finding the perfect slave race, breeding humans and orcs together as one attempt at this.

Since then, orcs and humans have fought over resources, but those hot tempers can easily become passion. Each culture found much to admire about the other. Because of this, while some half-orcs were the results of war, and the brutality that comes with it, many were the results of attraction or genuine love between parents. Half-Orcs often have an impact on the world far beyond their station. Such as Shimira, Latrell's lover and one of the legendary heroes in the war against the beholders and her son Umgar the Great, who would go on to found one of the mightiest nations in history. His line includes all the mighty half-orc chiefs of Umgar after him. Half-Orcs can be valiant heroes like Zeneda the beautiful, paladin of Rila who saved Latrellus from 100 bodaks or Garogak the Mighty, a barbarian warrior who slew Vamphunkaargath Krivhazar, the red dragon tyrant of Black Peak. Half-Orcs have always made an impact for good or, tragically for evil. While often not afforded the respect of full blood orcs in the Hill-Lands, many half-orcs there become cunning war chiefs or brutal sorcerers who wreak havoc on the free people for miles around. Half-Orcs are not meant to be ignored, regardless of alignment or location.

## **Geography:**

Umgar holds a vast population of half-orcs, almost a third of that nation is half-orc. Half-Orcs are also a sizable population in the Hill-Lands, though these are likely the children or slaves or have less savory origins. Half-Orcs can be found in Druz, mostly the result of intermarriage between the more heroic orc tribes on the outskirts of the Hill-Lands and the Druzi natives who admire their strength. Most countries on Apia have at least a few half-orcs. The more wild and rugged a region the more likely half-orcs are to flock towards it, proving their worth by strength of arms.

## **Personality:**

Half-Orcs are hot blooded, passionate creatures, regardless of where they are born. The rage of Gruumsh runs in their blood making them quick to anger, quick to make rash judgments and quick to fight. It also makes them brave in the face of danger, passionate in matters of love or friendship and loyal to those they call kin. Just as they are quick to anger, many are quick to forgive and quicker to laugh. Half-Orcs love a good party, feasting, drinking, dancing, music and revelry are almost as beloved to them as the rush of battle leading many to spend their hard earned money with glee. They are quick to spend on simple pleasures because of a very "now" centered approach to life. With shorter lifespans than many other races, seizing the day becomes exceptionally important. Half-Orcs embrace simple pleasures with an enthusiasm so charming that it often inspires even the most despondent soul to join in. Many half-orcs are fiercely creative in their own way, singing battle songs that maintain a great beauty of their own, bards are surprisingly common among them. This applies mostly to half-orcs raised in Druz, Umgar or other human/mixed nations. Half-Orcs in the Hill-Lands, or among other savage orc tribes, tend to be blood-thirsty orcs in all respect, joining in on the raiding and slaughter that makes those vile kin so feared. They tend to be even more aggressive, embittered by their "weakness" in the eyes of those savage full blooded orc kind. Many savage half-orcs become dangerous warlords, driven to prove themselves over these naysayers in terms of sheer strength and brutality. This combined with human cunning, makes them dangerous indeed.

## **Society:**

Half-Orcs are valued for the strength of arms and strength of heart in most societies where they are found. Military service (or crime) is very common for half-orcs where they can earn great praise from their commanders. Others serve as bouncers, miners, farmers and other general laborers, where their strength and work ethic sees the most use. Many avoid civilized society all together, living happily in wild places as druids, rangers, scouts and barbarians, where their strength and natural instincts allow them true freedom. Many half-orcs are blacksmiths, as smithing is an activity considered borderline sacred by the peoples of Umgar, who teach it to their children. Even the most ardent racist will be hard-pressed to deny the quality of orcish steel which, aside from containing a simple rugged beauty in its design, can rival the dwarves in terms of quality (though this is hotly denied by those same dwarves.) How high in society a half-orc can rise depends on the land. In Umgar half-orcs can be great chiefs, in Druz, burghers and lords, Latrellus and the Dragon Empire tend to be more reserved, though half-orc knights/samurai are far from unheard of in these nations, including the privileges that come with the station. Among savage orcs, half-orcs are second class citizens and know it. Those who wish to prove themselves to their savage kin embrace brutality and cunning in equal measure and the odd half-orc can rise to the chief of an orcish raider band, or high shaman. These are among the most dangerous of all warlords, for they have the rage of Gruumsh and the mind of man, a lethal combination.

## **Religion:**

Half-Orcs of all alignments tend to revere Gruumsh as their patron and a somewhat distant, disapproving father. Good aligned half-orcs (notably in Umgar) have a somewhat altered view of Gruumsh, seeing him as a war god, a being of strength and independence, rather than all he actually entails. Evil half-orcs don't make this distinction. Other members of the orcish pantheon are equally popular. Xoldarr, Remus, Dozna, Latrell, Emdera Ruggedfist and Crom are all popular choices for good or neutral half-orcs. Evil ones will occasionally venerate Khudall or Burtix as well as Gruumsh.

## **Alignment:**

Half-Orcs can be of any alignment, though most have chaotic outlooks. Lawful half-orcs are far from uncommon however. They can be equally spread between good and evil.

## **Relations:**

Half-Orc relations depend on who raised them. Those raised by orcs will have the attitudes of the appropriate orcish group. Half-Orcs raised by humans usually get along well with full blooded orcs, tieflings, humans, half-dragons, dragonborn and goliaths. Anyone who relishes strength and a good fight is a friend to the half-orc. Half-Elves and half-orcs have a somewhat contentious interaction, as many half-orcs can feel half-elves got a better deal and resent them for it. Dwarves tend to be suspicious of half-orcs but mallatox embrace them. Many half-orcs are fortunate enough to be treated as individuals and not as a species, wherever they might go.

## **Names:**

While half-orcs can use human or orcish names, many also use their own unique names. Most simply have one name, though "Deed Names" or descriptive secondary names are likewise common.

**Example Male Names:** Orizall, Zugur, Orodak, Tanuz, Kuladak, Grumodurk, Korugar, Durobash, Ukriruk, Kuratir

**Example Female Names:** Shayuzar, Hurinur, Karetir, Zunumur, Vanezi, Ketazi, Gorime, Rasidar, Meramur, Zonadur

## **Adventurers:**

Most half-orcs are adventurers, seeing as it is a more legitimate source of income than raiding or pillaging. The opportunity to seek adventure, defeat great enemies and earn fortune and glory is enough to inspire many half-orcs to take up their weapons and strike out with a band of like-minded heroes. Some half-orcs are raised on the stories of famed half-orc heroes and attempt to emulate them as much as possible.

## **Traits:**

Half-Orc traits are identical to those in the players handbook.

## **Sub-Races:**

Tel-Amhothlan

Ogrillon