Homebrew Elf-Orc Species Details

Elf-orcs are the child of an orc and an elf, and incredibly rare, as these races are almost always enemies. On the rare occasion one is born, they are often rejected by their parents, although they are more often accepted into orc society. They have traits from both parents and are better for it.

Scarred and Strong

Elf-orcs exhibit a blend of orcish and elvish characteristics, and their appearance varies widely. They tend to have a slender but muscular builds. Grayish skin tones and pointed ears are the most common shared elements among these folk.

Orcs regard battle scars as tokens of pride and ornamental scars as things of beauty. Other scars, though, mark an orc, half-orc, or elf-orc as a former prisoner or a disgraced exile. Any elf-orc who has lived among or near orcs has scars, whether they are marks of humiliation or of pride, recounting their past exploits and injuries.

The Mark of Gruumsh

The one-eyed god Gruumsh—lord of war and fury—created the first orcs, and even those orcs who turn away from his worship carry his blessings of might and endurance. The same is true of half-orcs and Elf-Orks. Some half-orcs hear the whispers of Gruumsh in their dreams, calling them to unleash the rage that simmers within them. Others feel Gruumsh’s exultation when they join in melee combat — and either exult along with him or shiver with fear and loathing.

Beyond the rage of Gruumsh, half-orcs feel emotion powerfully. Rage doesn’t just quicken their pulse, it makes their bodies burn. An insult stings like acid, and sadness saps their strength. But they laugh loudly and heartily, and simple pleasures — feasting, drinking, wrestling, drumming, and wild dancing — fill their hearts with joy. They tend to be short-tempered and sometimes sullen, more inclined to action than contemplation and to fighting than arguing. And when their hearts swell with love, they leap to perform acts of great kindness and compassion.

Elf-Orc Names

Elf-orcs usually have orc names. 

Male Orc Names: Dench, Feng, Gell, Henk, Holg, Imsh, Keth, Krusk, Mhurren, Ront, Shump, Thokk

Female Orc Names: Baggi, Emen, Engong, Kansif, Myev, Neega, Ovak, Ownka, Shautha, Sutha, Vola, Volen, Yevelda

Elf-Orc Traits

Your elf-orc character has certain traits deriving from your orc and elf ancestry.

Fey Ancestry

You have advantage on saves against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score is increases by 2 and your strength score increases by 1   

Age

Elf-orcs mature a little faster than humans, reaching adulthood around age 14. They then age significantly slower, often living up to 500 years. 

Size

Half-orcs are somewhat larger and bulkier than humans, and they range from 5 to well over 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your orc and elf blood, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Menacing

You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

Savage Attacks

When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, you can roll one of the weapon’s damage dice one additional time and add it to the extra damage of the critical hit.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Elvish, and Orc. Orc is a harsh, grating language with hard consonants. It has no script of its own but is written in the Dwarvish script.