Homebrew Arkos Orc Species Details

"Despite my curiosity of their culture, I simply refuse to stay even one night amongst them alone. I would not call them murderers, as they abide by specific laws just like all the other cultures found in Arkos, convicting and condemning murderers as they should.

Only what they believe to be murder and what I believe it to be are certainly two different things. Anyone could challenge me to a duel to the death for some perceived offence and a refusal on my part would be to forfeit of my life and that of my Annika's by default. Should I refuse to honorably take my own life after then the tribe would do it for me, not only killing me but butchering me in a most brutal and torturous fashion to shame me. Without reinforcements I would never escape the mountain and even if I did from then on, I would be marked. Should any Orc or Urgal lay eyes on me it would be their duty to put an end to my life by any means necessary or bring shame upon themselves.

They are a brutal people, who I am happy to learn about from afar."

— The Great Chronicler 

 

Sharp and Savage

Just as Ignis intended Orcs are a powerful foe to behold, with their intimidating stature and harsh features doing half the work even before they have threatened or attacked. However, they are not simple brutes and are more cunning and clever than they are often given credit for, making them just that more terrifying. Males and females have few noticeable differences beyond the obvious, they are of similar heights and weights while being equally strong. It is said that Ignis modeled them after the violent burning boars of the fire plane and thus they have sharp tusks and boiling blood. 

Orc's coloration ranges from blazing reds to ash grays to the very rare green. It is said that "green fire orcs" are lucky and almost always rise to become legends within their tribes. Their hair is typically black, but they can have any color that is typical for humans as well. One can spot an Orc from afar obviously by their tusks and stature but the intense scarification those of the tribe have on their skin mark them as Fanged Peak Orcs rather than an Orc raised elsewhere. 

 

Peirce and Scar

Orcs and Urgals believe suffering through pain by choice marks one's strength of character. Due to this belief Orcai often punish their skin, the piercings they bear a representation of their resolve and will. Scarification is a bit more complex than simple piercing as the scars often tell stories and mark certain chapters of an Orcai's life and/or a significant accomplishment. Unlike piercings which can be done by anyone, though it is silently encouraged that one should do it themselves, scarification must be done by a spiritual leader to the individual. This does not mean everyone must go to the shaman for their scaring but instead means it can be someone they said Orc greatly admires. A spiritual leader in a mentor sense often works as well here. 

Sometimes it is the Orc or Urgal's family member, sometimes it is the leader of their warband, and sometimes it is their mate. Scarification should never be done by the individual receiving it through because the scars are meant to represent you in a purer way, in a way in which you are perceived and thus always must be done by another who witnessed this deed or event. 

 

Strength and Significance 

The Orcai of the Fanged Peaks are known to favor those of strength, tying both an individual's worth to it as well as the several tribes that claim the mountains to it. Strength of will and might being their most favored and it is reflected perfectly in their traditions and people. Those who live are the strongest, the weak perish and they have no guilt over it. The weak would only drag them down. Statistically it makes sense that their society has developed even more brutally than what they were formerly known for before the Ascension, as afterwards resources and space only got scarcer while their birthrates didn't slow. If they didn't make changes, they all would have died of starvation from lack of resources or from disease due to lack of space. Thus, every individual on those mountains are the decedents of the Orcs and Urgals who survived the absolute bloodbath that erupted soon after the mist came. 

Even the dragons, especially the dragons, had to fight for their right to live as they were even more demanding of recourses and space than the Orcai. The culling was terrible but what emerged from the other side was an orderly if savage society. They are firm on traditions, as it is what has kept them alive all this time. Everything is for the betterment of one's tribe, one's family, and no one may slow the horde down. Everything is fought for, the right to speak, the right to lead, the right to claim an egg, and even the right to love. In this way the Orcai and their dragons have grown fierce, changing even the nature of hatchings and the claiming of a soul bond between dragon and rider. It is said that an egg will only hatch to a rider strong enough to tame it and from what the outside world has seen we are led to believe this is true. 

The relationship between dragon and orcai is not one of sweet, tender affection but a constant battle between them for dominance. Not only between them does the struggle happen though, an orcai must consistently prove to their dragon that they are strong enough to retain the right to ride them. If an orc or urgal proves themself disgraced the dragon will turn their back on the rider until they can once again prove themselves. Yet it is not just the orcai who must prove their worth but the dragon as well! The relationship is extremely unique in the world of Arkos. 

 

Undying Embers and Untamable Wildfire 

If Urgals are made to be untamable wildfire, then Orcs as a whole were crafted to be undying embers that can't be smothered, bursting to life again and again. Orcs have good lifespans, averaging ages of 90 when it comes to dying of natural causes. Not that many live to see it, only a select few who have fought for the right may be permitted to ascend to "guides" within the tribe. Only Guides may live out their lives without challenge once they have earned the right to learn magic. It is almost always a position that only elders within a tribe may try and obtain. Everyone else will ultimately die in some form of battle, whether by challenge, during a hunt, or in times of war. It is their way. Nonetheless it is impressive how far an Orc can be driven to the brink and come back from the jaws of death. 

 

Orcai Names

When Orcai are born they are typically given names that relate to what a parent hopes for them to accomplish, an act or attitude. Once they become adults however by making it through the "Culling" they are now gunning to earn a new name, their "deed" name. This name may only be given by Guides in the tribe after the young Orc has done something worthwhile. The Orcish language is loosely based on the Icelandic language. 

Child Names: Harka (Harsh), Mordni (Killer), Jall (Clever), Von (Hope), Bardaga (Battle), etc.

Adult Names: Goltavi (Boar Slayer), Felnur (Feller of Darkness), Himveida (Sky Stalker), Verjaheim (Defender of the Homeland), etc. 

Arkos Orc Traits

Born of fire and blood Orcai are a combustive race who burn bright and bold, respecting the cycles of life in all its beauty.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution rises by 2 and your Strength rises by 1 (If you wish you may place these points however you like but this is a typical Orc bonus)

Age

Orcs of Arkos reach maturity around age 20 and live around 90 years on average. 

Size

Orcs range from 6 to 7 feet tall and typically have powerful, muscled builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Fear the Fire

You have proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

Gift of Ignis

You can tolerate significant amounts of heat and are resistant to fire damage. Oftentimes this trait is useful in dragon care. 

Burning Resolve

You are hard to fell and even harder to kill. When being attacked, you can use your reaction to brace for the impact and use a hit die to lessen the damage. 

Undying Ember

When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. Once you use this trait, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Elvish and one other language. Elvish is fluid, with subtle intonations and intricate grammar. Elven literature is rich and varied, and their songs and poems are famous among other races. Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish ballads to their repertoires.