So, I've got a bit of a problem. I've had this idea for a half-orc for the longest time, but I'm not sure what class to give him, and I don't want to multiclass.
Tusk is a half-orc who was born when a raiding party of orcs and ogres stole villagers from a village, including a war veteran's daughter. The veteran left the army to rescue his daughter and led a militia charge to rescue the villagers. He successfully rescued every single villager, but found that almost all had been raped, including his daughter, and every woman that was abducted ended up pregnant. They ended up allowing the half-orcs to be born and raised them under human society, but Tusk, the child of the veteran's daughter, wants revenge for the horrid atrocities inflicted on his village, especially when he learns that the orc that hurt his mother was none other than the orc war chief in charge. He now is off on his own journey with an adventuring party to try and track down the orc tribe and burn it to ash. Tusk considers himself part of human society, and uses his innate strength for combat. However, herein lies the problem of finding a class:
If Tusk is a fighter, it means his grandfather taught him everything he knows, and he will become a pinnacle warrior.
However, a Barbarian is interesting because it means Tusk has to deal with and channel the anger of his orcish rage into a constructive energy in combat.
On the other hand, Tasha's book is coming out soon, and I don't know if there are feats in that book that may emulate barbarian abilities into a fighter, which would solve my problem altogether.
A Paladin of Vengeance, while a bit cliche, could be a good choice for a civilized warrior Orc who is looking to avenge his mother and the city he calls home.
Otherwise, Fighter might make the most sense.
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"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
I agree with paladin. Conquest or vengeance. The only problem I have with this backstory is the abduction and ****. It's the most common way to have a half orc, and makes me frustrated about how orcs are just seen as marauding predators (both types). Although it is justified in this case, I personally prefer other half orc backstories. Paladin is my copper piece.
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'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I understand the frustration, but Tusk was created very early on my dnd career and I've grown attached to him, but I've encouraged my dm to add plot twists to his backstory. For instance, there was one instance where his father was actually an oni in orc form that could mind control his troops. A more powerful foe, and it added an explanation.
This sounds like a battlemaster fighter would work well... I think you can have a character who struggles with controlling their anger who doesn't necessarily have a barbarian's rage.
I don't think that being trained by his grandfather and barbarian are mutually exclusive. He's got all of the weapon skills, but he's also got his unbridled rage. To be a barbarian, he doesn't have to be a primitive, animal skin wearing tribal guy. He can be a highly skilled and even cultured guy, who's just got the toughness and endurance to take hits that would bring down your average joe. I've got a barbarian that I'd consider playing who's a duelist with a rapier and buckler. His rage isn't /anger/ it's combat focus.
For what you describe, I'd taking barbarian and not looking back, probably zealot barb. Given his grandfather's influence and training, he's probably carrying a montante/greatsword rather than the bog-standard greataxe and he's highly skilled and motivated. He's strong, yet precise and doesn't rely /strictly/ on ferocity and brute strength. He's a smooth operating barbarian, but make no mistake. He WILL kill you.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
SAMURAI. OK its probably just me but I like it for a civilized fighter. Not the greatest but hey it can be a lot of fun.
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"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
What about a Barbarian with the Path of Ancestors or whatever it's called (from Xanathar's)? He could call on the spirits of his departed family to aid him in combat.
What about a Barbarian with the Path of Ancestors or whatever it's called (from Xanathar's)? He could call on the spirits of his departed family to aid him in combat.
Oh, Ancestral Guardian wouldn’t be a bad idea. The raging represents his anger for the wrongs done to his family and home as well as representing his Orc heritage’s blood lust or warrior spirit, but the protective spirits represent his desire to shield others from harm and protect what he cares about. This could work for the character’s internal conflict.
The spirits can start as ancestral warrior from his mother’s side of the family or from the city he calls home, but over time as he makes peace with his Orcish blood (along with any potential plot twists), Orcish spirts also join in his protective aura to showcase him mastering both sides of his blood and accepting all of himself.
Thanks for your input, everyone- I think I'll go Barbarian, either as Berserker or Zealot.
The whole idea with him is that I want him to explore is that as he gets stronger, he gets more orcish power (like a tanarukk's reaction attack from berserker or a battle cry from zealot) that he has to make peace with.
2 of my first 3 characters were half-orcs. They were, as follows
-- Ortan Fang, my first character and a half-orc ROGUE. They were shunned by both sides of their family and grew up on the streets. I know it is poor for min-maxing, but it was fun (my group also though finnese gave the light property, so I dual-wielded rapiers for a while)
-- Sutha/Sseth Fang, a full min-max fighter/beserker, with a 20 str, 18 dex, 18 con and bracers of defense. AC of 20, and dishing out insane damage. They were originally female, but their gender was changed by [REDACTED] in the adventure [REDACTED]
Resisting is simply standing in front of the tide and pushing at it. Even if you endure at first, you will eventually break down. Adapting, by contrast, is turning into a fish.
-me
Rangers are not underpowered. They’re just exploration-oriented.
I've been playing a Half-Orc Oath of the Ancients paladin, named Audhild Swiftshield. His parents rescued the king, and as thanks, they were brought to stay in the castle. His name was changed from Aug to Audhild, and he learned manners quickly. Now he is in a secret organization, working as a field agent, and uses his knowledge of both the nobility and his connection to the outdoors to work well. I really love the idea of having a half-orc trying to fit in as a not bloodthirsty person.
Out of those 2, I would say he is a fighter. To me a barbarian does not come from civilization. Personally I would probably either make him a Paladin who swore an oath of vengeance or a Ranger who has a thing for orcs.
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So, I've got a bit of a problem. I've had this idea for a half-orc for the longest time, but I'm not sure what class to give him, and I don't want to multiclass.
Tusk is a half-orc who was born when a raiding party of orcs and ogres stole villagers from a village, including a war veteran's daughter. The veteran left the army to rescue his daughter and led a militia charge to rescue the villagers. He successfully rescued every single villager, but found that almost all had been raped, including his daughter, and every woman that was abducted ended up pregnant. They ended up allowing the half-orcs to be born and raised them under human society, but Tusk, the child of the veteran's daughter, wants revenge for the horrid atrocities inflicted on his village, especially when he learns that the orc that hurt his mother was none other than the orc war chief in charge. He now is off on his own journey with an adventuring party to try and track down the orc tribe and burn it to ash. Tusk considers himself part of human society, and uses his innate strength for combat. However, herein lies the problem of finding a class:
If Tusk is a fighter, it means his grandfather taught him everything he knows, and he will become a pinnacle warrior.
However, a Barbarian is interesting because it means Tusk has to deal with and channel the anger of his orcish rage into a constructive energy in combat.
On the other hand, Tasha's book is coming out soon, and I don't know if there are feats in that book that may emulate barbarian abilities into a fighter, which would solve my problem altogether.
A Paladin of Vengeance, while a bit cliche, could be a good choice for a civilized warrior Orc who is looking to avenge his mother and the city he calls home.
Otherwise, Fighter might make the most sense.
"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
Characters for Tenebris Sine Fine
RoughCoronet's Greater Wills
I agree with paladin. Conquest or vengeance. The only problem I have with this backstory is the abduction and ****. It's the most common way to have a half orc, and makes me frustrated about how orcs are just seen as marauding predators (both types). Although it is justified in this case, I personally prefer other half orc backstories. Paladin is my copper piece.
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
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I understand the frustration, but Tusk was created very early on my dnd career and I've grown attached to him, but I've encouraged my dm to add plot twists to his backstory. For instance, there was one instance where his father was actually an oni in orc form that could mind control his troops. A more powerful foe, and it added an explanation.
I’d say a fighter
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This sounds like a battlemaster fighter would work well... I think you can have a character who struggles with controlling their anger who doesn't necessarily have a barbarian's rage.
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I don't think that being trained by his grandfather and barbarian are mutually exclusive. He's got all of the weapon skills, but he's also got his unbridled rage. To be a barbarian, he doesn't have to be a primitive, animal skin wearing tribal guy. He can be a highly skilled and even cultured guy, who's just got the toughness and endurance to take hits that would bring down your average joe. I've got a barbarian that I'd consider playing who's a duelist with a rapier and buckler. His rage isn't /anger/ it's combat focus.
For what you describe, I'd taking barbarian and not looking back, probably zealot barb. Given his grandfather's influence and training, he's probably carrying a montante/greatsword rather than the bog-standard greataxe and he's highly skilled and motivated. He's strong, yet precise and doesn't rely /strictly/ on ferocity and brute strength. He's a smooth operating barbarian, but make no mistake. He WILL kill you.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
SAMURAI. OK its probably just me but I like it for a civilized fighter. Not the greatest but hey it can be a lot of fun.
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
What about a Barbarian with the Path of Ancestors or whatever it's called (from Xanathar's)? He could call on the spirits of his departed family to aid him in combat.
Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club
Oh, Ancestral Guardian wouldn’t be a bad idea. The raging represents his anger for the wrongs done to his family and home as well as representing his Orc heritage’s blood lust or warrior spirit, but the protective spirits represent his desire to shield others from harm and protect what he cares about. This could work for the character’s internal conflict.
The spirits can start as ancestral warrior from his mother’s side of the family or from the city he calls home, but over time as he makes peace with his Orcish blood (along with any potential plot twists), Orcish spirts also join in his protective aura to showcase him mastering both sides of his blood and accepting all of himself.
"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
Characters for Tenebris Sine Fine
RoughCoronet's Greater Wills
Thanks for your input, everyone- I think I'll go Barbarian, either as Berserker or Zealot.
The whole idea with him is that I want him to explore is that as he gets stronger, he gets more orcish power (like a tanarukk's reaction attack from berserker or a battle cry from zealot) that he has to make peace with.
2 of my first 3 characters were half-orcs. They were, as follows
-- Ortan Fang, my first character and a half-orc ROGUE. They were shunned by both sides of their family and grew up on the streets. I know it is poor for min-maxing, but it was fun (my group also though finnese gave the light property, so I dual-wielded rapiers for a while)
-- Sutha/Sseth Fang, a full min-max fighter/beserker, with a 20 str, 18 dex, 18 con and bracers of defense. AC of 20, and dishing out insane damage. They were originally female, but their gender was changed by [REDACTED] in the adventure [REDACTED]
Proud poster on the Create a World thread
If it doesn’t rage, it isn’t a barbarian.
All hail the great and mighty platypus.
Resisting is simply standing in front of the tide and pushing at it. Even if you endure at first, you will eventually break down. Adapting, by contrast, is turning into a fish.
-me
Rangers are not underpowered. They’re just exploration-oriented.
My homebrew setting: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/94809-wakai-a-setting-inspired-by-japanese-folklore-and
This account is kinda old and I haven’t used it in a while
I've been playing a Half-Orc Oath of the Ancients paladin, named Audhild Swiftshield. His parents rescued the king, and as thanks, they were brought to stay in the castle. His name was changed from Aug to Audhild, and he learned manners quickly. Now he is in a secret organization, working as a field agent, and uses his knowledge of both the nobility and his connection to the outdoors to work well. I really love the idea of having a half-orc trying to fit in as a not bloodthirsty person.
Out of those 2, I would say he is a fighter. To me a barbarian does not come from civilization. Personally I would probably either make him a Paladin who swore an oath of vengeance or a Ranger who has a thing for orcs.