Half-orc
Whether willingly or not, history has seen cross-breeding between many races, but one of the most prolific mixes of all is the half-orc, a hybrid so commonly found across all of Faerûn that they are deemed a race in their own right.
While descendants of half-orc parents may face less prejudice, regrettably, the first generation of a human-orc mating is very likely to be considered a pariah by both races. While half-orcs can rise to become respected leaders of orc communities, more often than not they will have to do so by wielding might and fear over their full-blooded brethren, as most orcs - particularly tribals - consider and treat them as slaves or drudges. Prominent half-orcs in human and other civilised societies are a little more common, particularly when they have committed or acclimatise to the cultural norms of their environment, but are still likely to intermittently face the xenophobic antagonism common to the perception of orcs.
Most often, half-orcs that do not have access to a supportive community will leave (or escape) to seek better lives elsewhere, taking up professions as diverse as any other but usually seeking to utilise the size and strength that inherently comes from orcish genealogy. Half-orcs guards, mercenaries and adventurers are common everywhere.
Half-orcs exhibit a blend of orcish and human characteristics, and their appearance varies widely. Grey or green skin tones and prominent teeth are the most common shared elements among these folk.
Orcs regard battle scars as tokens of pride and ornamental scars as things of beauty. Other scars, though, mark an orc or half-orc as a criminal, prisoner of war, or disgraced exile, and any half-orc who has lived among or near orcs has scars, whether marks of humiliation or of pride, recounting their past exploits and injuries.
The one-eyed god, Gruumsh — lord of war and fury — created the first orcs, and even those orcs who turn away from His worship carry His blessings of might and endurance. The same is true of half-orcs: some hear the whispers of Gruumsh in their dreams, calling for the unleashing of the rage that simmers within them; others feel Gruumsh’s exaltation when they join in melee combat, either exalting along with Him or shivering with fear and loathing.
Beyond the rage of Gruumsh, half-orcs feel emotion powerfully. Rage doesn’t just quicken their pulse, it makes their bodies burn. An insult stings like acid, and sadness saps their strength, but they laugh loudly and heartily, and simple pleasures — feasting, drinking, wrestling, drumming, and wild dancing — fill their hearts with joy. They tend to be short-tempered and sometimes sullen, more inclined to action than contemplation and to fighting than arguing. And when their hearts swell with love, they may leap to perform acts of great kindness and compassion.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Half-orcs usually have names appropriate to the culture in which they were raised. A half-orc who wants to fit in among humans might trade an orc name for a human name. Some half-orcs with human names decide to adopt a guttural orc name because they think it makes them more intimidating.
Male: Dench, Feng, Gell, Henk, Holg, Imsh, Keth, Krusk, Mhurren, Ront, Shump, Thokk
Female: Baggi, Emen, Engong, Kansif, Myev, Neega, Ovak, Ownka, Shautha, Sutha, Vola, Volen, Yevelda
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