Homebrew Tanarukk Species Details

Whether united under the leadership of a mighty warlock or the result of a devilish deal, orcs and devils sometimes form alliances, joining forces into a larger horde to the horror of civilized lands nearby. Rather these alliances are sealed by contract or by some other terrible means, tanarukk are inevitaly born. Some tanarukk rise to become terrifying chiefs, warlocks or shamen of orc tribes, their devil blood giving them a decicive edge over their full-blooded orc rivals. Ever since the acendency of Asmodeus as a deity the race as a whole has significantly changed. Giving them a sort of self awareness that they didn't have before. Some tanarukk have begun venturing into the world to prove they are something more than just orc or devil. They attempt to live among humans and other more civilized races. Many of these have become adventurers, or even achieving greatness for their mighty deeds or notoriety for their barbaric customs and savage fury.

Diabolical Stature

A tanarukk's Dirt brown to grayish green pigmentation, sloping foreheads, prominent teeth, and towering builds make their orcish heritage plain for all to see, however the horns and tails, that some have, mark them as different breed all together. Something happened durring Asmodeus' acention to godhood. Much like how the tiefling were changed both physically and mentaly, the tanarukk were as well. No longer are they short stocky killing machines, they now stand between 6 and a towering 8 feet tall and usually weigh between 280 and 350 pounds.

These "new" tanarukk, at least the ones that remain with orc tribes, regard battle scars as tokens of pride and ornamental scars as things of beauty. Not having a lot of infernal heritage or customs to draw upon most often defaulting to orc traditional outlook. Any tanarukk who has lived among or near orcs have scars, whether they are marks of humiliation or of pride, recounting their past exploits and injuries. Tanarukk living among humans might display these scars proudly or hide them in shame. Otherwise tanarukk couldn't care one way or another about orcs or devils and have gone out in search of their own path.

The Mark and Asmodeus

It is said that the one-eyed god Gruumsh created the orcs, and they in turn with the help of demons created the first tanarukk, small chaotic killing machines just as likely to kill the orcs as it was to kill their enemies. When Asmodeus rose to godhood he stole the diminutive bloodline. The influence that Asmodeus has had on them and their blood has drastically affected them. The impact of both divine forces moderates the impact on their heritage in favor of a middle ground between rage and cunning. The “calling” that orcs and half-orcs, and to an extent tieflings, have described to the tanarukk is nonexistant. The tanarukk experience nothing like this at all. Tanarukk are evil by nature, but due to their changed perspective this is no longer the only road they walk. No longer restricted by any singular moral aspect, many have even become good, neutrality does seem to have become a common denominator.

They are brutish with an intellect, and cunning on par with humans they are extremely dangerous fighters. The tanarukks' instinctive ability to control flame has led many to become sorcerers. Other professions are not unheard of, bards, druids, and even a wizard has been spoken of. Still they can be found acting as muscle for cambions and other fiendish creatures. Violence however isn't always their first response to adversity, sometimes they will go out of their way to return a slite in kind or devise some cleverly planned out revenge. But when they laugh they do so loudly and heartily, and simple bodily pleasures—feasting, drinking, wrestling, drumming, and wild dancing—fill their hearts with joy. They tend to be even-tempered if sometimes sullen, equally inclined to action and diplomacy. The most accomplished tanarukk are those with enough self-control to get by in a civilized land. Regardless of their origin they have no love for their predecessors, earlier short versions of the tanarukk killing them when they have the opportunity. This need is unreasonable, they can't control it, it's something they do on instinct. Perhaps it stems from a devilish need to destroy the demonic influence of their past, but no one is truly certain why.

Tribes or Slums

Tanarukk just as likely to live among orcs as they are to live with humans. Of the other races, tiefling are likely to accept tanarukk seeing a kind of kinship in being manipulated by Asmodeus. Whether proving themselves among rough orc tribes or scrabbling to survive in the slums of human cities, tanarukk get by on their physical might, their endurance, and the devious mind that they inherit from their unfortunate ancestry.

Tanarukk Names

Tanarukk usually have names appropriate to the culture in which they were raised. A tanarukk who wants to fit in among humans might trade an orc name for a devil name. Some tanarukk with human names decide to adopt a guttural orc name because they think it makes them more intimidating. Surenames are taken as honorifics, ocupational, and even taking the names of other races and making them their own.

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

Infernal Names: Asmel, Bakir, Bilok, Klegel, Navari, Revius, Shalista, Skarakas, Thexes, Valeyra

Surnames: Masters, Clerc, Smith, Fletcher, Tlitharvera (Bloody Victory), Soulhammer

GRUDGING ACCEPTANCE

Each tanarukk finds a way to gain acceptance from those who hate orcs and devils in general. Some are reserved, trying not to draw attention to themselves. A few demonstrate piety and good-heartedness as publicly as they can (whether or not such demonstrations are genuine). And some simply try to be so tough that others just avoid them.

 

Tanarukk Traits

Your tanarukk character has certain traits deriving from your orc and devilish ancestry.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Tanarukk mature at the same rate as humans. They age noticeably faster and rarely live longer than their first century.

Alignment

Tanarukk are of two leniages one from that hells and one from the untamed orcs. You inherit a unique tendency toward Lawful bacause of the higher mental function granted by your hellish connection and Chaotic nature of the orcish side this forms a decicive neutral oulook among the tanarukk. Due to the connection of their orc and devilish parents, are not strongly inclined toward good but it dose happen. Tanarukk raised among orcs and willing to live out their lives among them are usually evil otherwise they belifes run the gamut of all nutral alignments. Some either abandoned at birth or exiled because of their differing beliefs, have denied their natural instincts.

Size

Tanarukk are somewhat larger and bulkier than Orcs, and they range from 6 to a towering 8 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Aggressive

As a bonus action, the tanarukk can move up to its speed toward a hostile creature that it can see. After this feature is used it can not be used again until after a short rest.

Flame Sculpter

You know the Control Flames cantrip.

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.

Hellish Resistance

You have resistance to Poison damage

Preditory

You gain proficiency in the Intimidation and Perception skills.

Unbridled Fury

As a reaction in responce to being hit by a melee attack you may make melee attack against that foe. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.

Tough Hide

Your skin is rough and thick providing a sort of armor. you have an unarmored AC of 13 + Dexterity modifier.This does not stack with any other features that provide the same type of bonus.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Infernal and Orc. Infrnal The tongue of the lesser baatezu was equal to any mortal tongue in complexity, used to communicate abstract concepts such as honor or hate. It was less gravelly than the tongue of the least baatezu, though not exactly musical. Most non-devils who learned Infernal learned these variation of the language. Orc on the other hand is a harsh, grating language with hard consonants. It has no script of its own but is written in the Dwarvish script.