Half-Orc
Half-orcs are one of the most common races found on Azimuth. They are strong and resilient humanoids, characterized by the tusks of their lower jaws. They are a diverse race of humanoids, having either one orc parent, or two half-orc parents.
Description
Appearance
Half-orcs are the natural result of the communion of human and orc societies. As the kingdoms of these races interact and citizens travel between, it is only natural for some to fall in love or lust, and half-orc children are the result of such pairings. Half-orcs are most commonly born of human and orc heritage, or from two half-orcs of such ancestry. To humans, they look like orcs, albeit less burly and less stocky in stature. To orcs, they appear not quite like a true orc. There is a visual difference that is immediately apparent. Due to this, it is hard for most half-orcs to hide their mixed heritage. Half-orcs typically have protruding tusks and well developed muscles, though often not to the extent of full-blooded orcs. A half-orc's skin tone can match either that of their parents, or can even be a two-toned mix between the two.Statistics
They tend to be taller than humans, being on average between 5 and 6 feet tall, and weighing between 175 and 250 pounds. Half-orcs mature a little faster than humans, reaching adulthood around age 14. They age noticeably faster and rarely live longer than 75 years.History
Early history and supposed creation
It is said the orcs came from the gods, the same way as the other races of the world. Orcish tribal tales tell tales of the first great war of the world, where the sky shook and the sea burned. The first orcs drank from the waters of the Red Lake in the First Age: The Age of Creations, which gave them the strength to conquer the land around them and they brought war to the elemental Primordials of that age. If there was some greater role they were to play or a singular god that crafted them, it has been lost to time and to the Severance, and now the orcs of Azimuth make their own way in the world. Unlike some of the other races of the world, half-orcs were not necessarily created by the first gods in the First Age, but rather came to be after those other races came into the world of Azimuth. Half-orcs are the natural result of the communion of human and orc societies.Additional History
The orcish kingdom of Keeleon emerged onto the world stage late in the Third Age when the tribal leader, Warlord Keel, used the rich veins of orichalcum in his lands to wage war and press his influence across northern Tarteria and unite the orc tribes under one banner. During the events of the Great War, many armies were gathered to fight the scourge of Esturk and his demonic and bestial forces. As they fought side by side, orc warriors and those of the other races shed blood together and fought and died for the fate of the world. The races of humans, elves, and dwarves were introduced to the valor of these warriors and the strength of their weapons, forged from orichalcum. Even more intermingling has occurred in the Fifth Age, with the growing orcish population in the dwarven Kingdom of Endor and the events of the Tarterian War. As a result, half-orcs can be found wherever humans and orcs reside.Society
In the perception of some humans, while they are physically strong, they see orcs as more primitive in nature, prone to violence, and with no places of higher learning. Though the bestial races suffer a more extreme version of this racial bias, orcs still suffer a degree of these views. The stories and deeds of the great orcish and half-orcish Zenethian Champions and Zenethian Heroes has done much to increase the perception of orcs in these societies, however even the most flattering stories shine the bulk of the highlights on their physical strengths and properties and not on their intelligence or wit. They view half-orcs with much the same prejudices. Half-orcs living in human kingdoms find a world set against them, pushing them towards roles that fit these perceptions, viewing them as brutes, bodyguards, or troublemakers. In contrast to this, orcs view half-orcs as a natural part of the world. They judge half-orcs by the same metrics they measure themselves; by their strength and willingness to fight for what they wish to protect. If a half-orc can keep up and work their fill, they can find a home among orcs. If they cannot keep up with the overwhelming power and pace of full orcs, then they may be perceived as weak and a burden. This has caused more than a few half-orcs to feel outcast even here, forced to find their own way to survive, or pushed into the ranks of organizations that do not care for where their heritage lays.Half-orcs in Gimora Major
During the events of the Tarterian War, many orcs were displaced. It was through the efforts of the Zenethian Heroes that a number of those displaced found their way to the Kingdom of Endor where High King Thorik Oathenhammer welcomed them to dwarvish lands. A sizable orcish and half-orcish population can be found in Endor.Half-orcs in Gimora Minor
The Iron Highway brings some orcs farther afield to the lands of central and eastern Gimora. Of note, the shop Grank's Ten-Foot Pole Emporium is located in the southern Wild Lands.Half-orcs in Haradren Gaer Arnad
As a push against their isolationism, a new burgh within Soretta's capital would be founded there, named in honor of the Zenethian Gruknock. A number of orcish persons can be found within this burgh.Half-orcs in Tarteria
The Queendom of Keeleon is the homeland of the orcish people, and they are widespread throughout, from the Orog Range to the Northern Orcish Plains. Many half-orcs are either born in Tarteria or venture here at some point in their life. The same prejudices that follow them in other lands do not weigh on them here, and if they can make their way among the orcs, then they are welcome members of the community.Half-orcs in Northwest Seas
Eastern Santeem has a dwindling population of orcs that were transposed here after the destruction of the Kingdom of Keeleon and the events of the end of the Fourth Age. During this time, great numbers of orc refugees fled Tarteria and tried to find aid or refuge in the human kingdom. Due to the meddling of Esturk, The World's End, orcs and half-orcs in Santeem lands were imprisoned. Though most orcs were liberated from this fate and brought by the Zenethian Heroes east to the Kingdom of Endor, not all could make the journey and not all could be saved. Today, some small groupings can be found surviving on the outskirts of the towns and frontiers. There are many prejudices that exist against those of orc kind, and there are incredibly few orcs who can prosper here. Any orcs that remain do so because they do not have the means to leave, or do not know where else they may go. The animosity felt between these races as a result of the imprisoning of orcish refugees can still be felt in racial relations today.Subraces
Dworc
When the Kingdom of Endor took in the orcs liberated from Stephan's Folly, they began to grow into their own subculture in the mountain city. Influenced by the dwarf world they were now in, over the quick generations of orcs they would grow to appreciate finer craftmanship and embrace learning and mastery as a goal. Often called Dworcs by those that wish to disparage them, this style of orc culture is causing shifts across the continent of Tarteria.Notable Half-orcs
Campaign One: Zenethian Heroes
Player Characters
- Trip, the One Who Fell: One of the prophecized Zenethian Children and member of the Zenethian Heroes.
- Brigitte, the Grayguard: One of the prophecized Zenethian Children and member of the Zenethian Heroes.
- Gruknock, Captain of Burland: Ally of the Zenethian Children that fell in battle at the World Tree.
Non-Player Characters
- Sanazi, Wielder of the Zenethian Armor: Zenethian Champion and mother of Brigitte.
- Morazar, Wielder of the Zenethian Swords: Zenethian Champion and mother of Trip.
Azimuth Anthology: The Lost Vessel
Player Characters
- Durak Hamarhart: Paladin of Chedae, The Heaven's Light, and member of the Lost Vessel Seekers.
Campaign Two: Lightbringers
Player Characters
- Demitri: Former ward of Adamski Sokolov and member of the 5A 352 Santeem Republic aid caravan.
Azimuth Anthology: Alarming Farming Festival
Player Characters
- Borga Gorehide: Half-orc barbarian and member of the Turnip Tillers.
Type
Humanoid Size
Medium Age of Adulthood
Around 14 Lifespan
Around 75 years Average Height
Between 5 to 6 feet Average weight
Between 175 and 250 pounds Skin color
Ranging from gray to green, rarely can be blue-tinted Planes
Material Plane Primary Locations
Humanoid Size
Medium Age of Adulthood
Around 14 Lifespan
Around 75 years Average Height
Between 5 to 6 feet Average weight
Between 175 and 250 pounds Skin color
Ranging from gray to green, rarely can be blue-tinted Planes
Material Plane Primary Locations
