Homebrew High Orc Species Details
"It started in bloodshed, as it was always destined to. Since their birth, no race in the world has exceeded (matched yes, but exceeded no) them in courage, or pride. However, their existence is hated by both of their progenitor races, and thus until recently they stood nearly extinct and forgotten. At one time they had their own culture, for unlike their Half-Elven/Half-Orc cousins they breed true, and the destruction of that culture was one of the only unifying things between Elves and Orcs."
Over the long years and many conflicts between Elves and Orcs numerous High Orcs were created, commonly abandoned by Elves and Orcs who both found them disturbing. The number of High Orcs had only ever achieved significant numbers once, early on and before the Elves and Orcs learned they could successfully procreate. Once discovered this fledgling species had never been allowed to repopulate, but their numbers have begun to increase now from the marriages of Half-Elves and Half-Orcs, who are both generally rejected by their parent cultures, but who find acceptance and love together. Many Elves, especially the older ones, and most Orcs find this unwanted renewal of the High Orc race disquieting. Many High Orcs venture into the world to prove their worth among the other civilized races. Leading most of these to become adventurers, achieving greatness for their mighty deeds and recognized skills and notoriety for their savage fury, strength and uncanny battle prowess.
Noble and Proud
They are a noble race, despite their hunger to prove themselves. Their features are fair and proud, and their grace, power and discipline on the battlefield is rivaled by few. They have a noticeable orcish grayish-greenish pigmentation, slightly sloping foreheads, jutting jaws and jowls, prominent teeth, and towering builds make their orcish heritage plain for all to see. But they are not brutish like orcs, and instead their features are dignified and refined, with obviously elven ears, fine full heads of soft hair that nearly all wear long which is also found in the same colors as elves and a natural physical grace to any and all movement that betrays their elven blood. Generally standing between 6 to 8 feet tall and usually weighing between 200 to 300 pounds, they always appear physically fit and trim unlike any traditional orc.
Their pride is a result of both sides of their dual heritage and is best seen through their continual drive for self-improvement, which they believe demonstrates their superiority as a race as a whole, and not as an attempt to prove their worth as some have been known to whisper behind their backs. High Orcs value excellence and demonstrable skill in all things, leading them on lifelong quests to seek mastery of a chosen skill set. They hate failure, and push themselves to extreme efforts before they allow themselves to give up on anything. Each High Orc's excellence of skill is seen to reflect on the honor of all High Orcs, and to bring dishonor to the race can result in excommunication and exile from other High Orcs; the only means of redemption from this is to achieve demonstrable Mastery in their chosen skills before other High Orcs.
Marked by Two Gods
All High Orcs naturally follow a strange sort of honor, where strength and combat mastery/savagery appear to be respected above all other things. This is one of the more obvious signs of the one-eyed god Gruumsh, creator of the orcs. A less noticeable sign is the rage of Gruumsh that all feel simmering within them. They feel Gruumsh's exultation when they join in melee combat, many mistaking this feeling as their own and they either exult along with it or shiver with fear and loathing from it. While those who realize the truth about these feelings choose to either embrace it during combat or suppress it.
High Orcs feel all emotions powerfully, not just rage, and have a fierce and powerful sense of personal & racial pride that can make insults sting like a poison, sadness that saps their strength, anger which quickens their pulse and combat that can make their bodies burn! They also laugh loudly and heartily, wildly enjoying simple pleasures like feasting, drinking, wrestling, and dancing. These are the gifts from Corellon Larethian, the father/creator god of the elves. His chaotic nature, fuels these nearly overpowering emotions and pride, but he is a benevolent god and gave them the elven traits for self-reflection and self-discipline which allows them some control over these emotions while still fully experiencing and enjoying them.
Wanderlust and Culture
High Orcs no longer have lands of their own and thus tend to wander from place to place, city to city. In places populated enough where you can find Half-Elven and/or Half-Orc communities High Orcs can find welcome there. In most parts of the world however, they are a rare enough sight that someone could go years without meeting one if ever. Some High Orcs prefer to look for a place where High Orcs were reported to have had or could build a community, and wander the wilds as trappers, foresters, hunters, mercenaries and adventurers in their search. Visiting civilization rarely and then mostly only to resupply, or if they think they may have found someplace promising for their people reporting it. Like Elves, High Orcs are driven by a wanderlust that comes with longevity, but also experience the strong need for a homeland of their own to eventually return to. Though currently many small tribes enjoy the nomadic lifestyle. Moving with the wild herds of animals they hunt, but they have learned to be careful and avoid notice as anything other then a random tribe of Orcs/Half-Orcs. Driving out any existing Orcs in the area for their own safety.
High Orc Names
High Orcs born to high orcs use either orc or elven naming conventions. As if to emphasize that they don’t really fit in to either society, high orcs raised near orcs are often given elven names, and those raised close to elves often take orcish names. Although this is becoming increasingly rare as most high orcs are born to Half-Elf and Half-Orc parents (though a slowly growing number are being born of High Orc parents) who use both, either or neither naming convention as they wish. Often times if the name is of neither convention then their name tends to be that of a close friend of their parents whom they were named after.
Male High Orc Names: Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis, Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Dench, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan, Feng, Galinndan, Gell, Hadarai, Heian, Henk, Himo, Holg, Immeral, Imsh, Ivellios, Keth, Krusk, Laucian, Mhurren, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon, Rolen, Ront, Shump, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Thokk, Varis
Female High Orc Names: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Baggi, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia, Emen, Engong, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Kansif, Keyleth, Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Myev, Naivara, Neega, Ovak, Ownka, Quelenna, Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shautha, Shava, Silaqui, Sutha, Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Vola, Volen, Xanaphia, Yevelda
Each High Orc seeks and finds a way to gain acceptance from their fellow mixed bloods, Half-Elves, Half-Orcs and most importantly High Orcs. In their search some try to stay in the background fulfilling those duties and jobs such as blacksmiths, animal handlers, inn keepers, cooks, farmer/farm hands and public servants (cops or higher office work). Some even turn to the spiritual and serve as priests, clerics or paladins. While others train in magic or, most commonly, strive to become the strongest warrior there is.
High Orc Traits
Your High Orc character has certain traits deriving from your orc and elf ancestry.Ability Score Increase
Your Strength score increases by 2, your Dexterity and Charisma scores increase by 1.
Age
High Orcs mature a little slower then orcs, reaching adulthood around age 16. They age noticeably slower afterwards and often live longer than 175 years.
Alignment
High Orcs inherit a strong tendency toward chaos from their dual heritage. High Orcs also have a strong, nearly overpowering, sense of pride that can lead them to greatness, but can also send them down darker paths.
Size
High Orcs are larger and bulkier than elves, and they range from 6 to 8 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision
Thanks to both your elven and orcish 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.
Fey Ancestry
You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
Skill Versatility
You gain proficiency in Intimidation and one skill of your choice.
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, having no script of its own but instead uses the Dwarvish script.
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