Half-Orc
Base 8, Darkvision, Fury – doubles damage on successful hit once per day.
Half-Orcs are large, often green, humanoids standing a head taller than humans on average with a naturally-muscular physique. They are most commonly the marriage of a human and orc, though other combinations have been known to occur from time to time. Rounded features with elongated sharp ears, severe eyes and small tusks speak of the mixed blood that courses through their veins. Half-Orcs are often seen as abominations by both sides of their blood and, of those that survive childbirth, many will tragically never live to see adulthood.
Language, Life and Longevity
Both sexes of half-orc stand between 6 and 7 feet tall, with powerful builds and green, blue, purple or gray skin tones. Their canines often grow long enough to protrude from their mouths, and these tusks, combined with heavy brows and slightly pointed ears, to give them their notoriously bestial appearance. While Half-Orcs may be impressive, few ever describe them as beautiful.
Feared, distrusted, and spat-upon, many Half-Orcs go on to consistently surprise their detractors with great deeds and unexpected wisdom—though sometimes it’s easier just to crack a few skulls. Half-Orcs can live as long as humans, though their penchant for violence dramatically reduces the average life-span to barely fifty years.
Relations
Physically weaker than their full-blooded Orc kin, they tend to be feared or attacked outright by the legions of humans who don’t care to make the distinction between full Orcs and “half-bloods”. While rarely ever being truly accepted, Half-Orcs in civilized societies tend to be valued for their martial prowess; many becoming champions favored among nobles. Orc leaders have also been known to spawn them intentionally, raising them as diplomats, couriers or slaves for jobs that require mental acuity.
A lifetime of persecution leaves the average Half-Orc wary and quick to anger, yet those who break through this savage exterior might find a well-hidden core of empathy. Elves and Dwarves tend to be the least accepting of Half-Orcs, seeing in them too great a resemblance to their racial enemies, but others aren’t much more understanding. Human settlements with few Orc problems tend to be the most accommodating, and Half-Orcs make natural guards, mercenaries and enforcers.
Most half-orcs are bitter, violent, and reclusive. Evil can come easily to them, but they are not evil by nature—rather, most Half-Orcs are simply neutral, having been taught by experience that there is little point in doing anything but that which directly benefits themselves.
Adventures
Staunchly independent, many half-orcs take to lives of adventure out of necessity, seeking to escape their painful pasts or improve their lot through force of arms. Others, more optimistic or desperate for acceptance, take up the mantle of crusaders in order to prove their worth to the world.
Racial Traits and Abilities
| Darkvision | The ability to see in the darkness with no light source. |
| Fury | Once per day, a Half-Orc may declare that they are going to strike with Fury. If the attack is successful, the attacker may double the damage rolled on their dice. If the attack is unsuccessful, they may use it again until it is successful. |
