Humanoid

Orc

Orcs are proud, strong people with hardened physiques who value physical might and glory in combat.

Orcs are forged in the fires of violence and conflict, often from the moment they are born. As they live lives that are frequently cut brutally short, orcs revel in testing their strength against worthy foes, often by challenging a higher-ranking member of their community for dominance. Orcs often struggle to gain acceptance among other communities, who frequently see them as brutes. Those who earn the loyalty of an orc friend, however, soon learn that an orc’s fidelity and honesty are unparalleled. Orc culture teaches that they are shaped by the challenges they survive, and the most worthy survive the most hardships. Orcs who attain both a long life and great triumphs command immense respect.

If you want a character who is hardy, fearsome, and excels at feats of physical prowess, you should play an orc.

You Might…

Eagerly meet any chance to prove your strength in a physical contest.
View dying in glorious combat as preferable to a mundane death from old age or illness.

Others Probably…

See you as violent or lacking in discipline.
Admire your forthrightness and blunt honesty.

Physical Description

Orcs are tall and powerfully built, with long arms and stocky legs. Many orcs top 7 feet in height, though they tend to adopt broad, almost bow-legged stances and slouch forward at the shoulders. Orcs have rough skin, thick bones, and rock-hard muscles, making them suited to war and other physically demanding tasks. Many orcs have tusks which protrude up from their lower jaw. Orc skin color is typically some shade of gray, though some orcs have other skin colors that reflect adaptations to their environments. Most possess completely black eyes.

Orcs consider powerful builds, heavily scarred skin, large tusks, and tattoos attractive, regardless of gender. Orcs reach physical adulthood around the age of 17, with many orcs living to be up to 60 years old.

Society

Most orc communities—known as holds—define themselves through two things: pain and glory. Each earns respect in near equal measure, so long as the pain is borne with stoicism. An orc with many scars who walks uncomplaining with a broken leg draws as much admiration as one who wins a great victory on the battlefield. Additionally, power defines the dynamics among families and holds. Weaker orcs work at the behest of the strong, with power constantly shifting between orcs that prove their might. Orcs tend to share in familial duties, raising children as a community and sharing responsibilities among the entire hold.

Beliefs

Living violent, chaotic lives in violent, chaotic lands mean that most orcs tend to expect and accept violence. Belroth and Tylden are commonly worshiped among more war-minded orc communities, while less violent holds worship gods like Triceal, whose tenets of fire and honor hold some appeal to orc sensibilities.

While many orcs worship proper deities, some have a practice of elevating their local heroes to the status of god-hood. Many of these legendary figures possess innate magical powers in addition to unparalleled prowess in combat. As these heroes become more well-known, tales of their deeds often become exaggerated, attributing feats of strength, magic or wisdom beyond that of ordinary orcs. Most of these “hero-gods” are only worshiped during their own lifetime, but are said to be reincarnated as demons who will one day devour all of Riadus.

Popular Edicts become even stronger, share knowledge you won through pain, destroy the undead
Popular Anathema accept defeat without proof of strength, reshape or reanimate a creature into something lesser

Adventurers

A typical orc adventurer is a force to be reckoned with. Their robust frames ripple with raw power, and their tusked faces often bear the scars of countless battles. Orcs rarely shy away from a challenge – whether it’s the thrill of combat, the lure of forgotten treasure, or simply the primal urge to prove themselves against all odds. They might yearn for the respect so often denied their kind, striving to smash the stereotypes of savagery that follow them. Others seek adventure as an escape from the tribal constraints of their homeland, eager to forge their own path and make a name for themselves on their own terms. And some, touched by a strange wanderlust, simply crave the chance to see what lies beyond the horizon, driven by a fierce spirit of exploration that defies expectations.

Names

Orcish names are harsh and guttural, reflecting the brutal realities of their lives. They tend to be short, often incorporating hard consonant sounds like ‘K’, ‘G’, and ‘R’. Many are simple descriptors of physical traits while others refer to fearsome animals, implying strength or predatory prowess. Some orcs might earn nicknames over time, reflecting great deeds or notorious mishaps, further adding to the tapestry of their clan’s unique identity.

Sample Names

Brogg, Gazrak, Grizel, Grom, Gutrippa, Krag, Rashka, Rotfang, Skarback, Snagtusk, Throk, Zarga

Ethnicities

The different ethnicities of orcs represent how their people have adapted to different climates throughout Reylan. An orc may be of any ethnicity regardless of what region they call home.

Ghurrok are the orcs native to the Southern Continent. The tend to be shorter, with medium to dark brown skin, black hair and red eyes.
Khorgal are northern orcs native to Lethler and Luir, but are found throughout Reylan. They have gray, slate or navy skin with white or gray hair.
Sargash orcs native Ardmyre, but have tribes stretching as far north as Thassia. They are frequently tall, even for orcs, with yellow-green skin and dark hair.
Thromar are the eastern orcs native to The Broken Kingdoms. They are typically stocky, with tan-yellow-brown skin and dark hair.

Ancestry Mechanics

Hit Points

Size

Medium

Speed

25 Feet

Ability Boosts

Two free ability boosts

Languages

Common
Orcish
Additional languages equal to your Intelligence modifier (if it’s positive). Choose from goblin, harrath, jotun, pyric, and any other languages to which you have access (such as the languages prevalent in your region).

Darkvision

You can see in darkness and dim light just as well as you can see in bright light, though your vision in darkness is in black and white.