Homebrew Elf-Orc Species Details
"This city will eat you alive for being different. That's why us half-bloods have to stick together. Our differences are our bond, and our strength."
Whether united under the leadership of a mighty warlock or having fought to a standstill after years of conflict, orc tribes and elven clans sometimes form alliances, joining forces to stand against a greater threat than each other. When these alliances are sealed by marriages, elf-orcs are born. Some elf-orcs rise to become proud chiefs of orc tribes, the cunning and swiftness of their elven blood giving them a sharp edge over their competitors. Some venture into the world to prove their worth or to test themselves against greater dangers. Many of these become adventurers, achieving greatness for their mighty deeds and notoriety for their graceful yet savage presence in battle.
Harshly Beautiful, or Beautifully Harsh
Elf-orcs’ green-gray pigmentation, sloping foreheads, strong jaws, prominent teeth, and imposing builds make their orcish heritage plain for all to see. While their graceful frames, sharp cheekbones and noses, and piercing eyes proudly brandish their elven lineages. Elf-orcs stand between 5 and 6 feet tall and usually weigh between 160 and 200 pounds.
Orcs regard battle scars as tokens of pride and ornamental scars as things of beauty. Other scars, though, mark an orc, elf-orc, or half-orc as a former slave or a disgraced exile. Any elf-orc who has lived among or near orcs has scars, whether they are marks of humiliation or of pride, recounting their past exploits and injuries. Such an elf-orc living among humans might display these scars proudly or hide them in shame.
Despite the harshness of orc culture, life among elves often proves more difficult for elf-orcs, as finding acceptance among their long-lived relatives is often difficult. Despite this, there are several notable elf-orcs who have overcome the prejudice of their peers and risen to prominence in elven society as daring warriors or cunning political leaders.
Children of Nemesis Gods
Between the unending rage of Gruumsh, the one-eyed creator of the orcs, and Corellon, the proud and eternal creator of the elves, elf-orcs find themselves torn between the short-tempered rage of their orc blood and the serene patience of their elven progenitors. Which side wins out varies between different elf-orcs, and can change from day-to-day and as an elf-orc grows and matures, but the two opposing pulls are always present throughout an elf-orc's life. This has led some observers to consider elf-orcs unreliable or inconsistent, as they may be calm and stoic one day, then short-tempered and belligerent the next. And just as Gruumsh and Corellon have battled historically, elf-orcs too find themselves often feeling conflicted and at war with themselves as they struggle to balance an instinctual impulsiveness with a hardwired aloofness.
Tribes, Wanderers, and Slums
Elf-orcs often live among orcs, but most often find themselves wandering far from home. Of the other races, humans and other half-bloods are most likely to accept elf-orcs. Whether proving themselves among rough barbarian tribes, wandering far and wide on their own, navigating the viper pits of elven society, or scrabbling to survive in the slums of larger cities, elf-orcs get by on their physical might, graceful dexterity, and the cunning and battle prowess that both of their lineages pass on to them.
Elf-Orc Names
Elf-orcs usually have names appropriate to the culture in which they were raised. An elf-orc who wants to fit in among elves might trade an orc name for an elven name. Some elf-orcs with elven names decide to adopt a guttural orc name because they think it makes them more intimidating. Furthermore, some elf-orcs adopt human names or made-up monikers, seeking to disconnect from their heritage and pursue their own path.
Male Orc Names: Dench, Feng, Gell, Henk, Holg, Imsh, Keth, Krusk, Mhurren, Ront, Shump, Thokk
Male Elf Names: Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis, Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan, Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios, Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon, Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis
Female Orc Names: Baggi, Emen, Engong, Kansif, Myev, Neega, Ovak, Ownka, Shautha, Sutha, Vola, Volen, Yevelda
Female Elf Names: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia
GRUDGING ACCEPTANCE
Each elf-orc finds a way to gain acceptance from those who hate orcs. 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.
Elf-Orc Traits
Your elf-orc character has certain characteristics derived from their elven and orcish ancestry.Ability Score Increase
Choose either your Strength or your Dexterity score to increase by 1, and one other ability score of your choice to increase by 1.
Age
Elf-Orcs mature at the same rate humans do and reach adulthood around the age of 20. They live much longer than humans, however, often exceeding 150 years.
Size
Elf-Orcs bridge the gap between elvish and orc physicality, being larger and bulkier than elves but more slender than orcs, and ranging from 5 to 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision
Thanks to your mix of elvish and 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.
Prodigies & Pariahs
You gain proficiency in two skills of your choice.
Hybrid Resilience
You may add half your character level (minimum 1) to saving throws to resist magic that would charm you or put you to sleep and to your hit dice rolls to regain lost hit points.
Savage Precision
When you score a critical hit, reroll any 1 on the weapon's damage dice one time. You must take the new roll.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and Orc. Orc is a harsh, grating language with hard consonants. It has no script of its own but is written in the Dwarvish script.
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