Homebrew Duergorc Species Details

Standing barely taller than the average duergar and built slightly smaller than the average orc, a Duergorc is a fierce sight. The strong dwarvish brow, stout nose, greyish or greenish skin and stunted tusks, a duergorc has a constant case of Resting Gnarl Face. The Pug of fantasy races, you can usually hear this abomination trying to breathe before you can see it. Duergorcs are often the result of orcish and duergar joint raiding forces.

Usually rallied together against a common enemy, orcs and duergar find themselves at a rare, yet seemingly understandable, intersection that fosters the birth of half-orc, half-duergar kin.  Both species having historically been dealt the proverbial short stick, duergar and orcs maintain an understanding and respect for one another, though the cautious and isolated natures of both communities usually hinders most unions of the two. 

 

Whether united under the leadership of a mighty warlock or having fought to a standstill after years of conflict, orc and duergar communities, sometimes form alliances. When these alliances are sealed by marriages, duergorcs are born. Born of two species generally reviled by the rest of society, duergorcs often find themselves in difficult social situations. Attempts to integrate into society are often met with caution and distrust by commoners, resulting in most duergorcs to live among small, isolated, nomadic communities. 

Of Two Worlds

Duergorcs exhibit a blend of orcish and dwarvish characteristics, and their appearance varies widely. Grayish skin tones and prominent teeth are the most common shared elements among these folk, alongside dense, muscled statures, large and thick beards, as well as black, grey, or brown hair. 

Orcs regard battle scars as tokens of pride and ornamental scars as things of beauty. Other scars, though, mark an orc or half-orc as a former prisoner or a disgraced exile. Any half-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. 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.

Underdark Influences

Duergar are dwarves whose ancestors were transformed by centuries living in the deepest places of the Underdark. That chthonic realm is saturated with strange magical energy, and over generations, early duergar absorbed traces of it. They were further altered when mind flayers and other Aberrations invaded and performed horrific experiments on them. Fueled by Underdark magic, those experiments left early duergar with psionic powers, which have been passed down to their descendants. In time, they liberated themselves from their aberrant tyrants and forged a new life for themselves in the Underdark and beyond.

Additionally, dwellers of the Underdark are more sensitive to sunlight then their surface-dwelling counterparts. Duergorcs have varying sensitivities to sunlight, ranging from full surface access to a burning sensation in the presence of the sun. 

 

Duergorc Traits

Your duergorc character has certain traits that can originate from either your orcish or duergar ancestry.

Age

Much like dwarves, duergar mature at the same rate as humans, but they’re considered young until they reach the age of 50. On average, they live about 350 years.

Size

Duergorcs are slightly larger than duergars, yet shorter than orcs, but no less dense. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your orc 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.

Adrenaline Rush

You can take the Dash action as a Bonus Action. When you do so, you gain a number of Temporary Hit Points equal to your Proficiency Bonus.

You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Short or Long Rest.

Languages

Your character can speak, read, and write Common,  and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character, as well as either Dwarvish or Orcish, depending on your character's parentage and upbringing. The Player’s Handbook offers a list of languages to choose from. The DM is free to modify that list for a campaign.