Half-Orc

The half-orcs: a study in duality and an exploration into the marriage of two worlds. Their existence is testament to the fact that the world is never as black and white as some textbooks might suggest. Many are quick to judge based on their brutish appearance, taking the pronounced tusks and sturdy frames as mere indicators of a barbaric nature. But oh, how simplifications can lead us astray! In my travels around the Sword Coast, from Neverwinter to Baldur's Gate, I've found the half-orcs to be some of the most layered individuals.
Growing up as a half-orc is no simple tale. Straddling the line between the human settlements and orcish warbands, many have faced prejudice, suspicion, and outright hostility. Yet, it's precisely this life on the fringes that often gives them a unique perspective. A half-orc bard in Waterdeep once told me, as we shared stories over a crackling fire, "Being in two worlds means seeing twice as much." There's a depth there, a resilience forged in adversity, which I've come to deeply respect.
It's also been fascinating to witness their approach to heritage and identity. Some embrace their orcish roots, proud of their lineage and strength, while others lean more into the cultures of their human kin. Yet others create a blend that is entirely their own, a new culture born from a mingling of two. As an academic, it's a reminder that cultures aren't stagnant entities, but ever-evolving constructs. The half-orcs are a living testament to the beauty of diversity and the strength that comes from merging worlds.