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Half-Ork of the Steel Realms
Approximately 1.5m – 2.1m tall, grey/yellow-grey/dark grey [near black] eyes, dark grey to green skin, black-green hair where humanoids normally have it, some have slightly protruding tusks and/or abnormally large jaw and teeth. Part of the degenerate Orrish race, these creatures have changed little over thousands of years to reflect the general “Darkspawn” degeneration/adaptations. Half Orks are an affront the goodness in the lands of light on Helca, no matter the place. Half Orks are generally distrusted and not accepted due to their legendary temper and Orrish blood. The making and selling of goods for them, by default, involves higher charges and more scrutiny. It is generally considered stupid and dangerous to teach an unpredictable half-ork any of the mystic arts (assuming they can read) or any advanced combat.
@RP Impact: (RACISM) Reaction penalty; pay 20-50% more for goods and services; sometimes not be allowed in certain places. PCs of this species typically (or at least eventually) fall outside the normal Point of View of typical species members, and the Species Lore. As such, generally, they cannot be the target of Studied Adversary.
These halfbreeds are rare – roughly about 35,000 exist, and most (2/3 of them) in the Darklands. They are considered weak blood in the Darklands, but accepted only because they are useful as they are NOT affected by the Sun-Bane – unlike full Orrish. If a half-ork mates with another half-ork, it will produce a half ork; however there is a more than 50% chance it will be under the curse of the Sun-Bane.
Point of View
Those from the Darklands follow the Orrish POV but have the opportunity to develop into something more by just being exposed to slaves and prisoners of the upper world. Those raised outside the Darklands are influenced by the Orrish culture narrative, and primarily are taught by those who raise them to be useful and stay hidden as much as possible. Those who enter into society do so at great peril – all aspects of social norms are removed with bias and prejudice. Crimes done against individual may have no repercussions in some places. There are many instances too of the half-ork being accepted on a local level, if they have proved themselves useful over time. This usually requires some religious, political, or social institution to shield them and sponsor them through the most vulnerable early time of building this reputation. Many have sponsored them, thinking to control and use their fierce strength and temper. Having this work, is the best case scenario for half breed Orrish.
- The strong rule the weak.
Player Characters: PCs in the Darklands will either be raised to fight, scout or serve the priesthood of the Unholy Trio. Those delivered into the upper lands (by mothers wanting them to have a chance or as foundlings from raids on Orrish lairs under the earth have other options. They are typically raised by the Green Church and become part of its ranks and find jobs and purpose in its ranks, sometimes offsetting the social stigma around them. Their Otherness is apparent and cannot be masked.
Reactions based on POV
This represents a general bias based on typical POV. Pcs and NPCs may be able to change the Reactions through hard work and example… but face a major battle to change people’s biased opinion.
Unwelcome: Umbak (killed), Gladnor (usually run out within 24 hours, except the capital city of the High King), (eastern) Borderlands
Accepted: [Racism Applies] Dunstrand (south of Nanford River only), [No Racism] Free North (all the living are accepted and expected to fight the dead), [Isolated] They are often raised by the druids of the Wyld Faith to be guardians of the Briarwoods and assistants to the lesser druids.
Welcomed: [No Racism] Dwindor Swamp (the “Free Orrish”) – Dunstrand
Name of “Hendrahk”
Hendrahk is a common half ork name. He was a famous figure that fought against Lich Lords of the north in around CY 6700 and gained fame for his vigilance and hatred of the legions of skeletons and zombies. He wielded a massive sword that he used to cleave many an animation in two. He lived to a ripe old age of about 80, as a personal weapons trainer to the high born children of the free territory of Kaald. He died in comfort and with great respect. It is a common name for its good association with a positive figure of history; druids began using it for exceptional orphans they raised around CY 6800 and it has been in use that way ever sense.
D20
iCoreIncarna d20™ Class Details/Mechanics
d20 [specific] Requirements: Starting character template uses the ©PHB for 5e™ for Half Orc, except where noted. Additional Half-Ork Features:
- Half Orks have no body or facial hair – only the top of their head (if any); 90% of them are left-handed.
- Half Orks speak Gladnorean, and a a smattering of Orrisha; reversed if they grew up in the Darklands.
- Half Orks are literate in a single language, only if their Intelligence is 13 or higher, or they possess an academic class (Wizard, Cleric, etc.), background or upbringing.
- Ability Score Decrease: [starting] Sanity = 9
- Ability Score Decrease: -1 Charisma = 7
- Enhanced Sense: Wisdom (Perception) checks based on Hearing have double the Wisdom bonus applied. Inherited from Ork parent.
- Feature: Cultural Lag – These characters are raised in an isolated manner to protect them.
- Feature: Otherness; Their racial features completely ‘otherize’ them; 20% to 50% more on goods and services in most places.
- Intimidating Presence: When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can replace one attack with an attempt to demoralize one humanoid you can see within 30 feet of you that can see and hear you. Make a Charisma (Intimidation) check contested by the target’s Wisdom (Insight) check. If your check succeeds, the target is frightened until the end of your next turn. If your check fails, the target can’t be frightened by you in this way for 1 hour. Any negative Charisma modifiers are treated as positive for the Intimidation skill check.