Half-Orc

"They call us brutes. They call us mongrels. They call us a lot of things they wouldn't say if we were standing closer."
— Grishka Stonefist, pit fighter turned caravan guard

Half-orcs carry the blood of two peoples and the welcome of neither. In orcish territory, they're weaklings — too human, too soft, too inclined to think before hitting. In human cities, they're monsters wearing a thin disguise — too strong, too angry, too orcish. The reality, as usual, is more complicated than the prejudice. Half-orcs are survivors, and survivors learn fast which rooms they're welcome in and which they'll have to fight through.

Physical Description

Half-orcs are tall — 5'8" to 6'6" — and built heavy, with the dense musculature of their orcish heritage softened only slightly by their human blood. Skin ranges from pale green to dusky grey-green, though some pass for human in poor light. Pronounced canines (often called tusks), heavy brows, and square jaws mark their orcish lineage. Their eyes tend toward dark colours with an amber or yellow cast. They look, frankly, dangerous — which is accurate, but not the whole story.

Society

Half-orcs don't have a homeland. In the Hold of Belkzen, they occupy the lowest rungs of orcish society — useful enough to keep alive, not orcish enough to lead. In human cities like Canorate or Eranmas, they find work where strength is valued and heritage isn't questioned: the docks, the arenas, the mercenary companies, the front ranks of armies that need bodies more than pedigree.

Molthune's Imperial Army takes half-orc recruits without hesitation. The Iron Legion doesn't care what you look like if you can march thirty miles in kit and hold a shield wall. For many half-orcs, military service is the only path to something resembling respect — and they pay for it in blood and scars and the quiet knowledge that respect earned with a sword isn't the same as respect earned with a name.

Relations

• Humans: Ranges from grudging acceptance to open hostility. Half-orcs in human cities learn quickly which neighbourhoods to avoid and which taverns won't water their drinks.
• Elves: Mutual wariness. Elves see orcish blood and remember ancient wars. Half-orcs see elven grace and feel every rough edge on their own frame.
• Dwarves: Surprisingly functional. Dwarves respect toughness, and half-orcs have it. The relationship works best when neither party talks about history.
• Kender: Kender treat half-orcs exactly like everyone else, which is disorienting. Being casually accepted by someone a third your size who just stole your belt knife is a unique experience.
• Mul (Iron-Blood): A kinship of the margins. Both races know what it means to be judged before you open your mouth. Half-orcs and mul drink together in the Sootward taverns that don't check papers.

Alignment and Religion

Half-orcs trend Chaotic Neutral — survivors who've learned that rules protect the people who made them, not the people they're applied to. Those who find purpose often drift toward Neutral Good or even Lawful Good, especially through military service. Gorum, Our Lord in Iron (strength, battle) is the obvious patron. Cayden Cailean, the Lucky Drunk (freedom, courage) appeals to those who want more than just survival. Sarenrae, The Dawnflower (redemption, healing) calls to half-orcs who believe they can be more than what others expect.

Racial Traits

Core Abilities

• Intimidating: +2 racial bonus on Intimidate checks.
• Orc Ferocity: Once per day, when reduced below 0 HP but not killed, you can fight on for 1 more round as if disabled (staggered). At the end of your next turn, you fall unconscious unless brought to 1+ HP.
• Weapon Familiarity: Proficient with greataxes and falchions. Treat any weapon with "orc" in its name as a martial weapon.
• Darkvision: See in the dark up to 60 feet.
• Orc Blood: Count as both human and orc for all effects related to race.

Adventurers

Half-orc adventurers are people who decided the margins weren't enough. A pit fighter who killed the wrong man and had to run. A soldier who earned her rank and lost it when the wrong officer saw her tusks. A wanderer looking for a place where strength serves something worth serving. Common classes include Fighter, Barbarian, Ranger, Bloodrager, and Warpriest.