Half-Orc

Half-orcs exist on the edges of society, little cared for by humans, orcs or others. Half-orcs are the offspring of a pairing between an orc and a human and are generally a dispirited and angry lot, accustomed to doing dangerous jobs for others. Indeed, most half-orcs only make consistent contact with others when their famed fighting skills are needed.

Half-orcs can be found in many regions of the world, haunting the periphery of settled lands. They often find orc tribe and kingdoms to their liking as those humanoids are an easy group to dominate. Within human communities, their roles range from hunted outcasts to elite warrior castes.

### **Description**

Half-orcs combine the worst features and orcs. Most have an unpleasant demeanor and some are repulsive and even hideous to look at. They typically have massive jaws, coarse hair and dark penetrating eyes. Their skin tends to be a ruddy, dark color, and resembles the rough textured skin common among orcs. Physiologically, however, half-orcs combine the best features of both their parent races. Half-orcs mirror humans in height or stand even taller. They are naturally muscular and agile, and do not suffer from light sensitivity as orcs do.

### **Personality**

Half-orcs are unsavory and contentious individuals. As outcasts they have few friends or allies, and often live miserable and lonely lives, wary of all. Even amongst themselves, there is little trust and great fear, as they jockey for positions of acceptance and status as mercenaries or in mo0re nefarious professions. The social stigma that half-orcs encounter throughout their lives, when combined with the militant aggressiveness of orcs and the competitiveness of humans, produces a nearly fearless warrior and a relentless foe.

           As outcasts, half-orcs find themselves in a constant search for like-minded individuals and others in whom they can place their trust and faith. As such, they are occasionally found in the company of travelers, mercenary bands, adventurers and others who, either willingly or by accident, are ostracized from their society. Friendly relations with half-elves are, uncannily, not uncommon for the two share similar social stigma. Half-orcs are a breed apart.

           Half-orcs are unswervingly loyal to those they trust and in whom they place their faith. On the other hand, to those who break that faith, half-orcs have an undying enmity and no effort will be spared in righting a wrong and taking revenge upon their enemies. Half-orcs can be both a friend and companion of immense value or a foe of terrible power.

### **Relationship**

Half-orcs typically care for themselves and themselves alone, avoiding even their own kind. No race finds them likeable, and they return the favor. Half-orcs are often found with orcs or smaller goblinoids, as those are the least discerning of the races, and are easily dominated. Other half-orcs tend to be found in larger human settlements, where, if they are lucky they can find a certain degree of anonymity.

### **Environment**

Half-orcs are found in most climes. They have no preference for any one environment and adapt well to any climate. They tend to live alone, even in larger cities where they are often found in ghettos, slums, and other areas where officials rarely patrol and thieves wander the night.

#### **Racial Traits and Abilities**

**Darkvision:** Half-orcs can see in complete darkness up to 60 feet. Darkvision produces images that are in shades of gray but otherwise like normal sight.

**Enhanced Sense of Smell:** This ability allows half-orcs to detect the presence but not the specific location of creatures within 30 feet or within 60 feet if the other creature is upwind. Strong smell like trash can be detected at twice the ranges, overpower scents can be detected at three times the ranges. If the half-orc becomes familiar with and individual he can learn the individual’s scent and recognize it. It should be noted that false, powerful odors can easily mask other sce3nts and completely spoil this ability.

**Martial Prowess:** Half-orcs come from very violent societies in which fights and contests of strength are common and necessary for survival. This has inured them to great amounts of pain and given most a great capacity to fend off blows and fight unarmed. As such, half-orcs receive +1 to their armor class whenever they are not wearing armor of any type. This ability combines with magical rings, robes, and other similar devices that confer an armor class bonus but are not armor. This bonus adds to the unarmored armor class of half-orc monks.

**Resistant to Disease:** Half-orcs possess a resistance to disease passed down from their parent. T hey receives +2 bonus to all disease saving throws.

**Language:** Common, Orc

**Bonus Language:** Goblinoid

**Size:** Medium

**Movement:** 30 feet.

**Typical Classes:** Fighter, Ranger, Rogue, Assassin, Barbarian, Monk, Cleric, Knight

**Attribute Modifiers:** +1 Constitution, +1 Strength, -2 Charisma

**Ranger Modifier:** +2 Track

##### **Half-Orc Starting Ages**

1. **Group 1: Assassin, Barbarian, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Rogue**
2. **Group 2: Paladin, Ranger, Knight**
3. **Group 3: Bard, Illusionist, Monk, Wizard**

### **Compatibility**

1. Castles and Crusades Generic Half-Orc.
2. d20/OSR System.