Half-Orc

When an orc mates with either a sylvan or a human, the resulting offspring is a half-orc.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Half-orcs are bipedal with broad heads, large frames, two arms, and two legs. Their lower jaws feature tusks, which are larger on adult males.

Genetics and Reproduction

Sylvan Heritage

Half-orcs of sylvan heritage are sterile half the time. When they are not, they reproduce sexually. Mating a sylvan or a human with a sylvan heritage half-orc will always result in fully orcish offspring. Reproducing with another half-orc of any kind produces another sylvan heritage half-orc.

Human Heritage

Half-orcs of human heritage are always fertile and they reproduce sexually. If a human heritage half-orc reproduces with an orc, the offspring is fully orcish. If they reproduce with a human, the offspring is fully human. If, however, two human heritage half-orcs mate, the resulting offspring is a grendel. These beings are extremely rare and grow larger and stronger than orcs; in fact, they grow as strong as weak giants. Grendels are feard and stories and legends have been spun about them, but in truth, they are as varied in personality and behavior as any other sentient creature.

Additional Information

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Sylvan heritage half-orcs are light green or pale gray in color. Their hair will mirror their sylvan parent's hair. Their eye color will also match their sylvan parent, thought their eye shape will be that of their orcish parent.

Human heritage half orcs tend are similarly light green or pale gray in color. Their hair, however will favor that of their orcish parent. Their eye color could be that of either parent.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Half-orcs are able to see in dim light and darkness.

Proper Common Name

Half-Orc

Other Common Name(s)

Halfbreed (pejorative), Mongrel (pejorative)

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Humans
• Orcs
• Sylvae

Scientific Name

Animalia chordata mammalia primates calabidae erectina hibrida

Half-Orc Traits

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age

Half-orcs mature a little faster than humans, reaching adulthood around age 14. They age noticeably faster and rarely live longer than 75 years.

Size

Half-orcs are somewhat larger and bulkier than humans or sylvans, and they range from 5 to well over 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your orc blood, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Menacing

You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

Relentless Endurance

When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.

Savage Attacks

When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, you can roll one of the weapon’s damage dice one additional time and add it to the extra damage of the critical hit.

Languages

You speak, read, and write the dialect of Orcish native to your home, as well as the Common language of the region where the campaign begins.