Orc
Orcs are one of Aesterias founding species, existing since before recorded history predominately in its south west in what is now the Lordless Lands. Orcs were one of the first victims of the Pale Elves imperialism, and were the first to fight against this.
This shifted the Orcs culture into a warrior one, though not one directly of war. For many Orcs life is a series of battles that you must overcome. Taking and succeeding in those battles no matter their size is a show of great strength.
- Creature Type: Humanoid
- Size: Medium (about 6–7 feet tall)
- Speed: 30 feet
- Adrenaline Rush. You can take the Dash Action as a Bonus Action. When you do so, you gain a number of Temporary Hit Points equal to your Proficiency Bonus. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.
- Darkvision. You have Darkvision with a range of 60 feet.
- Powerful Build. You count as one Size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
- Relentless Endurance. When you are reduced to 0 Hit Points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 Hit Point instead. Once you use this trait, you can’t do so again until you finish a Long Rest.
Basic Information
Biological Traits
Orcs are larger in build, and feature skin tones ranging from deep greens, to light browns, but are more often a desaturated green color. Orcs have two large tusks that extend up from the bottom of their mouth. Orcs have dark colored hair, often deep browns and blacks, and eyes that range in shades of browns, reds, and greens.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Orc names have hard sounds within them. Orc last names change, and many adopt to go by titles instead such as "the Drake', "the Worldly", or "the Blooded".
History
Orcs have been around longer than many other cultures, and were the first to be subjigated to the imperialism of the Pale Elves. They were also the first to fight back against that imperialism. With the fall of the Empire, the majority of Orcs began rebuilding their communities in the Lordless Lands.
Orcs form groups called "Malhadoms" or "Battle-kin". These groups are malleable, changing constantly for many and represent trusted individuals who an Orc believes will help them overcome the adversities of life, and who they would help in return. The adversities of life are to be defeated with every tool in one's arsenal, including those they trust.
There is a stereotype that Orcs are all fighter, but this is not true. No battle is really considered larger than another, and Orc artists and homemakers are just as respected as warriors. It's believed the conflicts and adversity an artist or cook encounters are just as worthy as those on the battlefield, but in different ways.
Orc war culture is quite different to others. Orcs believe death is to be a choice, you should not succumb to death unless you are ready to die - and so the majority of Orc warriors fight with complete readiness to give up their lives, which has led to a well deserved reputation that Orc fighters are some of the best.
Not every Orc prescribes to this culture and its mostly seen in the Lordless Lands, but a majority of Orcs hold themselves to at least a few aspects of it.
Lifespan
80 years
Geographic Distribution
