Homebrew Crimson Orc Species Details

The Age of Sorcery 

Crimson Orcs are similar to other Orcs except that they have a larger affinity for spell casting instead of martial combat. They were once ridiculed for picking up a book instead of a weapon when they were of age to go to wars. But after proving to the chieftains and Zeratul time and time again that being a sorcerer is just as valuable and being a fighter they were more than welcomed into the Orc tribes. 

Crimson Orcs are easy to tell apart due to the magical symbols that they have tattooed all over their bodies that symbolise their innate talent in spell casting. They also dye their skin in the blood of their enemies so much so, that their skin colour has changed from a dark greyish green to a crimson red.

The Martial God

Before any Orc can remember, the martial god Zeratul only favoured beings that used their martial might to become more powerful. Any time a Crimson Orc was created, the blessings that Zeratul bestows upon his Orc worshipers would instantly be stripped from the crimson beings. He would often send revelations to the chieftains explaining his distaste for the magically adept beings. Saying “why should I, the martial god Zeratul bless beings who can’t even wield a sword”. Taking this to heart, the other Orcs would try to re-educate the Crimson Orcs to be more like everyone else. But as luck would have it, magically gifted Orcs were more essential to the Orc tribes than they originally thought. Thankfully they were just as stubborn as any other Orc and by proving themselves to Zeratul, he even blessed them also with his power. 

Crimson Orc Traits

Crimson Orcs share certain racial traits as a result of their crimson descent.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2 and your Constitution increases by 1

Age

Crimson Orcs reach adulthood at age 12 and live up to 50 years.

Alignment

Crimson Orcs are just as battle hungry as normal Orcs. Their constant thirst for fighting the strong and consuming their power is a common as ever. But, unlike normal Orcs, they’ll never attack the weak because even if they do, it won’t even come close to clenching their thirst. 

Size

Crimson Orcs are usually between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet 3 inches tall. They weigh between 95 and 120 kilograms. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet

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.

Shamans Intuition

You have proficiency in two of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Arcana, Insight, Intimidation, Medicine, Nature, Perception, and Survival.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Orc.

Crimsons Sorcery

You know the guidance cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the mage armor spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the hold person spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.