Homebrew Elf Orc Species Details

Physical Description

Elf-orcs combine the best and worst of the natures of both of their parents. They are quick to take offense and short-tempered. They also tend to remain aloof; not thinking that anyone (except perhaps another elf-orc but even then they are skeptical) can understand what they have been through. As such they tend to be cynical in their dealings with others tending to try and get what they want from deception or intimidation. Why bother to care about someone who wouldn’t extend the same courtesy to you?

Still, someone who takes the time to show the elf-orc that they are a loyal friend will find such loyalty returned. An elf-orc that makes a friend will follow that friend into hell. Beware betraying this friendship, though. An elf-orc that has been betrayed by a friend shows a rage unmatched by even their full orc brethren.

History

Elf Orcs do not have a history of their own, but instead share in the culture of both Elves and Orcs.

Society

Elf Orcs are shunned from both societies, and instead turn to settlements of other races, such as humans and even, amusingly, Dwarves, who seem to be fairly accepting of the mixed breed that incorporates everything they respect in their two enemies with none of the pomp or savagery.

Elf Orcs that are raised by Elves are often treated as low class if not out right shunned. Often finding themselves trained as disposable warrior or scouts. Elves see Elf Orcs as an insult to their race at best and abominations at worst.

Elf Orcs that are raised by Orcs if are allowed to live are treated as bad omens or prized trophies. Orcs will use the Elf Orc to insult elves or be abused on behalf of their elven heritage. Those few Elf Orcs that fight back and get tougher my earn a great amount of respect and honor among the Orcs.  

Elf Orcs that are born out of their parentage race homes find themselves more among humans or mixed raced lands. Not having a history or people of their own they strive to make their own history.

Elf Orcs raised among their own mixed blood form into tribes that have strong shamanistic traditions dealing with fey and nature magics.

 

Language

Regardless of who raises them, the elf-orc typically finds that they learn orc and elf at some point in their lives. Orc has no written language of its own but orcs use the dwarven alphabet if they choose to write something down. Still, elves say that elf-orcs using their language make it sound harsh and guttural whereas orcs think that elf-orcs speaking orc make it sound too poetic and soft. Thus, many elf-orcs simply speak common when they have something to say.

 

 

Elf Orc Traits

+2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, -2 Constitution, -2 Intelligence

Sleep Immunity

Immunity to sleep spells and similar magical effects, and a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against enchantments or effects.

Orc Blood

• For all effects related to race, an elf-orc is considered an orc. Elf-orcs, for example, are just as vulnerable to special effects that affect orcs as their orc ancestors are, and they can use magic items that are only usable by orcs.

 

Automatic Languages

Common, Orc and Elven.  Bonus Languages: Draconic, Gnoll, Gnome, Goblin, Dwarven, Sylvan, Giant, and Abyssal. Smart elf-orcs tend to know the languages of the enemies or friends of their ancestors.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Elven Blood

For all effects related to race, an elf-orc is considered an elf. Elf-orcs for example are just as vulnerable to special effects that affect elves as their ancestors are, and they can use magic items that are usable only by elves.

Alignment

The Elf-orc almost always takes after chaos due to the heritage of both of its parents. An elf-orc raised by orcs or savage humanoids tends towards evil whereas one raised by elves tends towards good. If raised in human lands, the elf-orc has no predisposition towards good or evil although a large proportion of these become chaotic neutral. In some special cases, elf-orcs have been known to be lawful if raised by humans of extreme moral stature. There is even a story of one that became a Paladin…

Size

 Elf orcs bridge the physique between elf and orc and are easily about 5 to over 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Elf-orcs (and orcs) can see in the dark up to 60 feet. Darkvision is black and white only, but it is otherwise like normal sight, and elf-orcs can function just fine with no light at all.

Menacing

You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

Relentless Endurance

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

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 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.