Half Orc

Orcs in the world of Etharis exist only as villains in fairy tales told to scare naughty children. They were described as violent brutes who lived only to inflict mayhem on everyone. Nevertheless, orcs roamed Etharis even before the elves or dwarves, and their description in fairy tales preserves a sinister truth. No one knows why the orcs disappeared from Etharis en masse, except that the last of them were seen in Valika, before they were presumably slain or bred out. However, all know the ominous reminder of their dark and violent past.

The half orcs of Etharis are tall, daunting, and fierce warriors. Some say these humanoids are the result of interbreeding between early human tribes and the last orcs. Others say they are the creation of a lost war god who wanted to immortalize his own image. In any case, the half orcs combine the best out of their two parts: the formidable resilience of an orc, and the adaptability of a human.

The only part of Etharis where half orcs gather under any form of organization is in the frozen north among the Valikan Clans. There, nomadic tribes of humans, half orcs, and giants roam the northern wastelands. The unforgiving climate seems to suit half orcs, and encourages humans to accept them for their hardiness. The other field where half orcs can thrive is war. Half orcs are often found among the raiding parties of the Valikan clans.

Outside of Valika, half orcs are a rare sight, but they can be found across various cities of the continent. The stereotypes involving their ancestors, combined with their intimidating appearance, strike fear among the other races, so the half orcs are rarely accepted or trusted despite their capabilities. Warriors of other races often prefer to mock what they fear, all while hoping they will never have to face an angry half orc on equal terms.