Homebrew Ancient Orc Species Details

Walking out of the palace, a visible aura surrounds a massive-pale orc. The aura was filled with a thirst for blood and rage, yet also a calculating nature that would make even the bravest mans blood run cold. The warchief king Ardax raised his spear for tens of thousands of the most powerful orcs in the world to see. Pierced through his spear was the greatest human emperor known to man, their centuries old conflict had finally come to an end. He looked up to the far north and spoke. "You started this war, YOU came into OUR land, YOU killed and pillaged OUR people, YOU kidnap OUR woman and sell OUR children." After every line his voice got louder and louder until even orcs miles away started covering their ears. " He thrusted the spear handle down, shattering the hard stone beneath and planted the spear in the ground. " If your gods see us as nothing more than animals, then I shall even slay your gods." Arcs of lightning and hellfire began to rain down from the sky, the sun started to eclipse and a massive magic barrier began to surround the entire crown city, and all of the orcs inside it. Once the barrier was complete, the entire city vanished, leaving a massive crater in its wake going on for miles. Few orcs were outside the barrier, and the orcs outside were only foot soldier, all of their chieftains and leaders were inside the barrier, they were lost, confused, and without leadership, especially without their king. So they began to wander, and without the strength they had before they had to turn to the woods and forests to survive. Its been a few thousand years since then, the orcs of today are barely half the size that they used to be, they stopped using their brains and have become more primitive, they've regressed so much they're unrecognizable to who they once were. My tribe has continued on for thousands of years, passing the stories on from generation to generation, waiting. For one day when the king returns, and orcs will once again fight back!

— Orgun, the Wise

Whether united under the leadership of a mighty warlock or having fought to a standstill after years of conflict, orc and human tribes sometimes form alliances, ancient orcs on the other hand only ever really feel comfortable around other ancient orcs. The bonds they've built and dislike for other races after many wars has caused their opinions of other races to deteriorate, especially after not having contact with the other races for so long. Ancient orcs are natural warriors, and almost any member from any tribe can be a warrior that's twice as effective as other races warriors. The drawback to this is that most orcs ancient orcs cannot use magic, rare individuals have progressed very far into magic before, but most orcs bodies are just not compatible with it. Which provides innate magic resistance to most ancient orcs.

Thick Skin and Massive Stature.

Ancient orcs pigmentation varies from orc to orc, usually shaping around their personality, red orcs tend to be more violent, strong, and passionate where as blue orcs are more intelligent, cold, and calculating, the two anomalies to this are black or white orcs, they are usually a mix of these traits and all of their other orc features and strengths are heightened. sloping foreheads, strong jutting jaws, very prominent and thick tusks on the bottom of their mouths, and a towering and massive build, most ancient orcs are full of muscle. Their skin and bones are twice as dense as normal orcs and are usually much heavier. The ancient orcs weight does not effect their speed, in fact their added strength makes them faster then most in short burst movements. Ancient orcs stand between 7 and 9 feet tall and usually weigh between 260 and 450 pounds.

Orcs regard battle scars as tokens of pride and ornamental scars as things of beauty. Feats of strength or intelligence are highly valued by ancient orcs as a was to prove worth. Ancient orcs are very proud and very connected, but most of all, are always vying for attention from their king.

Bonded through the Soul

Ancient orcs fully devoted to their king had their souls branded by their king to show their allegiance. Any corruption or marks that plagued their souls was cleansed and from it a pious devout loyalty arose for their king. These orcs can feel a connection to their king even thousands of miles away. The king does not enforce or give restrictions to those bonded to him, in fact those bonded to him are rewarded by the strengthening of their souls. Orcs connected to the king feel a connection to other orcs that have also connected to the king and from that bond they can get a general idea of feelings or in some cases even thoughts and can build lasting and powerful relationships much easier. A common tradition among ancient orcs for finding a life partner is to see if you can read each others thought through the link. This includes battle brothers or even a significant other. Unlike orcs of today, ancient orcs are much more sophisticated and intelligent, although they still get a lust for battle, it doesn't completely overwhelm them. 

Naturally Magic Resistant

Ancient orcs bodies can very rarely handle magic, their body's just naturally repel it and makes them more resistant to it. To make up for their lack of magic, ancient orcs were vary industrial, there are many orcs that have become proficient smiths, armorers, builders, and because ancient orcs are naturally so strong and massive they're very effective at gather and collecting resources needed.  The few ancient orcs that can use magic, usually become enchanters or magic crafters to help and create or improve items, weapons and armor for the entire tribe. Any ancient orc that is able to use magic is very respected in the community and is usually very busy. 

Ancient Orc Names

Ancient orcs usually have names appropriate to the culture in which they were raised. Ancient orcs normally want to stand out, so most names are very individualistic to separate themselves from their already impressive tribesman. Some Ancient orcs choose less impressive names and decide to try and stand out with their actions alone.

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

Weary and Unknown

Ancient orcs have been gone for thousands of years and many races and civilizations still don't know they've returned, but any that do come upon them are shocked and very intimated by their appearance, very few will relate them to the orcs known today except for the fact that they have tusks and their very strong battle instincts.

Ancient Orc Traits

Your ancient orc traits originate before the orcs of today and are much stronger and less diluted.

Ability Score Increase

Ancient orcs are incredibly strong and much more durable. Your Strength score increases by 4, and your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

Ancient orcs mature much faster than humans, reaching adulthood around age 10. They do not age noticeably faster after that and can live up to 150 with their insane vitality.

Alignment

Ancient orcs normally try to keep a neutral stance, unless provoked ancient orcs do not go out of their way to cause destruction, although they have a thirst for battle, its more in the sense for honor and glory, rather then killing, just to kill.

Size

Ancient orcs are much larger and bulkier than regular orcs, and they range from 7 to well over 9 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 40 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.

For the King!

When you are reduced to 0 HP but not killed, you can drop to 1 HP instead once per long rest. If there is someone within 5ft of you, you can make an attack against them. You gain a +2 Strength bonus for 1 minute, but after words gain 1 point of exhaustion.

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 Ancient Orc. Ancient Orc is a Foreign, Ancient language with hard to pronounce consonants. Very few texts remain of ancient orcish.

Magic Resistant

Ancient orcs are naturally resistant to magic, which is why it is so rare for ancient orcs to be able to wield magic.