Half Orc
Half Orcs are another race born on Alterra. However, they are only found in Orc cities, and rarely outside of that. Half-Orc that breed with either orcs or humans produce one or the other.
Orcs treat half orcs like they treat each other, so if they are physically weak they are less respected. However Half Orcs that wield magic are another subject, individuals with strong magical connections can push their way to respectability if their magical strength brings victory.
Depending on the cosmopolitanism of the city and it's history, half orcs may be shunned or accepted. Cities with histories of being invaded by Orc mercenaries or raiders may be more prejudiced than cities that have populations of Orcs living among them.
Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
Offspring of an Orc and a human. If a half-orc and a half-orc breed will breed a half-orc. There are are half orc tribes that are stable populations. Pregnancy lasts 9 months.
Growth Rate & Stages
Half-orcs reach puberty at age 8 and are adults at age 14. They have overall shorter lifespans than humans reaching 75 years of age.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
Forehead is slightly sloped, have tusks for canines, but both are less distinct than an orc. Eyes are usually human looking with either blue, green, or brown.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Most often found in orc cities and encampments. There are known half-orc tribes. Most are nomadic.
Average Intelligence
Have human intelligence but have impulse control issues and when excited, perturbed, angered or injured they act out strongly.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
have darkvision and can see in complete darkness in a grey scale.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
They use the dominant culture's naming, may adopt an orcish moniker or clan name if they are associated with it closely.
Beauty Ideals
Tends to follow their culture's trends.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Half Orcs have a tumultuous inner emotional life they have to either try to embrace or keep a lid on. Those that live with other half orcs embrace their orcish nature because they can indulge it. Those that live in cultures with more restraint will struggle or need to find release at some point. Many turn to being rangers, barbarians, or hermits to avoid both an live on their own terms.
History
Humans and Orcs have interbred prior to landing on Alterra. However with limited travel and needing to work together to settle the planet there was a lot of intermarriage and interactions. Over time the Half Orc race has developed, but culturally they adopt where ever they grew up.
Historical Figures
King Tyre the Axe Grinder. This half orc was king of a city on the long sea Cutho in the year 4450, and although his reign was short he had 50 wives and sired over 100 children. He was hoping to populate the city with more half elves and make them all nobles of the city. He reigned for 5 years and was eventually deposed by Queen Theona, and her daughter was made governor of the city. However Cutho has a large number of Half orcs to this day and make up a sizeable part of the city.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Half Orcs are by default not respected by full Orcs, and feared by humans. They have to decide early on if they are going to pick one group to emulate, or try to go a third way. Half Orcs and Half Elves do get along in some strange level, though they behave completely differently. They are both bridging worlds where at some point they are not living up to expectations or are the sum of all fears.
Origin
Alterra
Lifespan
75 years
Average Height
6'-0" to 7'-0"
Average Weight
180lb to 200lb
Average Physique
Human average frames with mesomorphic builds.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
light grey to light grey-blue. They often have scars and tattoos if they live in Orc cities and cultures.
Related Ethnicities
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