Homebrew Orcan Species Details
Those Orcans, you know if they used that freedom to build something instead of singing kumbaya and dawdling they could be great. But no, they'd rather spend their days playing games. Wasting their potential away until they eventually get taken over by someone else. Gods know we didn't need them, I hope they find some kind of meaning in their lives besides "having fun."
Orcan's are the poet warriors of the deep. The cunning, sleek, yet very powerful minstrels of the sea. Despite appearances they have a reputation for being quite intelligent, it just seems they use that power for better battle tactics, pure fun, and generally being nuisances to those who wish to have "proper societies" in the deep.
Tricksters of the Trench
The Orcan's origins are generally unknown. Some theorize they were simply a mixing between the more bipedal races and the aquatic fauna, some think they were an experiment from the gods to see what the species could do if given a more workable anatomy for societal development, but whatever the case they ultimately seem to be in it for the fun. To enjoy the company of others and thrive while doing so.
The Orcans love revelry, games, pranks, and all manner of fun activities. The amount of musicians, storytellers, and even dancers among this race would surprise you. Although their big smiles certainly conjure images of troublemakers and scalawags.
These Orcans have become well known among Triton and even surface dwelling societies for being either delightful or horribly annoying depending on their audiences tastes. Their songs and stories often include much humor, slapstick comedy, and biting sarcasm. The more lordly among the audience might not appreciate the criticism they slip into their merriment but they do it anyways, because who could truly hate such a wonderful smile?
Gentle Giants
As a result of their mischief and general distaste towards authority they often find themselves in trouble with those more motivated by power, fear, or greed. However, despite the playful nature of members of this race they are still known for being very strong, very capable warriors and tacticians. Members of this race rarely try to pick fights or dominate other folk, but some think that may just be out of generosity or hidden motives.
This perspective is widely believed, and the Orcans know it. Although they do it reluctantly, they sometimes leverage that belief to get themselves out of sticky situations. Often the people who are scared are much smaller than them. Not that people being smaller than them is too uncommon, standing at an average of over 7 feet tall they tower over most intelligent races in the deep.
Though not held to secrecy, Orcans aren't a well known people in the surface world. On the occasions that they come across a passing ship or a very lost dinghy they usually terrify the passengers before getting the chance to engage in some revelry.
Rebellious Nature
Despite their size the Orcans were once horribly enslaved by the Tritons. Escaping their captivity within the last few hundred years they've established their independence from them and its seems the Tritons don't want them back anytime soon. They just look on from a distance and sneer at the lost potential they feel they have.
Orcans are an affable, kind people. They would give you the clothes of their backs if you told them you were cold. Through the adversity of escaping their enslavement they came out the other side with an incredible sense of kinship with their fellow Orcans. Sharing is a core tenant of Orcan society, those who hog the meat shall be left as but a scrap.
This hardship has also given them a strong distaste for well established authority. Those who would call themselves ruler by divine right or otherwise should be taken down and replaced by the people. They believe that matters more than your fellow man, so those who believe they are above that should be be brought down to size.
Sharing is Caring
Orcan society is one of small groups that treat each other as if they are the closest kin or greatest friend. The kindness Orcans show to each other often astounds members of other races. They live and die by the adage, "From each according to their ability, to each according to their need."
Romance among Orcans is never treated lightly. If one finds themselves infatuated with another member of their pod they will often make huge sacrifices in order to please them. Giving up food, making elaborate art pieces, even fighting incredibly dangerous beasts to impress them. To an Orcan nothing is more important than the bonds with those you love, and so those bonds are treated with the highest respect and honor.
Strangers to the Surface
Given their isolation, most Orcans have never been to the surface world. They struggle with the idea that they can’t easily move up and down out of water, and the changing of the seasons mystifies them.
Orcans also find the variety of social institutions, kingdoms, and other customs bewildering. Having lived in deep sea tribes they find the lack of cooperation many surface dwellers to have strange. Currency, trade, everything to do with markets is an affront to their sharing nature.
With their large size and stark coloring they often stick out like a sore thumb in crowds. They have no trouble fitting in once they get comfy, but they'll get a lot of looks walking around town.
Orcan Names
Female Orcan Names: Shamu, Malia, Sari, Lona, Ara, Alra, Hani
Male Orcan Names: Orkid, Nakai, Makani, Tuar, Trua
Orcan Podnames: Crackfin, Swift-Tail, Smirk-Mouth, Sing-Song, Flipper-Fun
Orcan Traits
Your Orcan character has the following racial traits.Powerful Build
You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Bite
Your giant teeth are natural melee weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
Slick Skin
When unarmored you have an AC equal to 12 + any bonuses you may have.
Ability Score Increase
Your Strength, Constitution, and Intelligence increase by 1.
Age
Orcans live around the same as your average Human unless they are taken out of their home. Their life span is around 20 - 30 years out of water
Alignment
Orcans are typically Good or Neutral in alignment, Evil Orcans are an extreme rarity and are outcasts among the Pods.
Size
Orcans are typically well over 7 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a swimming speed of 30 feet.
Hold Breath
You can hold your breath for up to 1 hour at a time. Orcans typically gather and live around caves containing air pockets or on the deep sea floor near air vents.
Darkvision
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.
Friend of All
Aquatic beasts have an extraordinary affinity with your people. You can communicate simple ideas with beasts that can breathe water. They can understand the meaning of your words, though you have no special ability to understand them in return.
Thick Blubber
Adapted to even the most extreme ocean depths, you have resistance to cold damage.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial.
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