Orcs are viewed in an incredibly negative light by almost all other races, being seen as uncivilised and barbaric creatures. This is no doubt the result of most races coming into conflict with the most violent sections of the orcish peoples, their raids, warriors, and mercenaries. In truth orcs are much like any other race, most are decent people who merely seek to ebb out existence in a cruel world, and a world that is crueller to orcs, they have been forced to live in the harshest environments and are excluded from many societies.
The majority of orcs live in harsh and arid environments, forming clans, warbands, and semi-nomadic tribes, however, since the creation of
Orrak Aahgith more and more orcs have sought to form kingdoms of their own.
Description
Orcs vary in appearance, based on region and their ethnicity, but all share certain physical qualities. Orcs vary greatly in skin tone, possessing tones as diverse as grey, green, and red, all however possess coarse hair, stooped postures, low foreheads, large muscular bodies, and porcine faces that feature lower canines that resembled boar tusks. Many orcs also have wolf-like ears that were pointed on the ends, similar to elves. Orcs are roughly the same size as humans and other similar humanoids, though usually robust and muscular.
Lifespan and maturity
Orcs of all ethnicities can reach above the age of 80, but most reach an early grave through violence and hazards of the professions orcs tend towards. A full blooded orc develops remarkably rapidly, and are considered adults anywhere between 10 and 12 years of age
Abilities
The orcs lack any innate magical abilities, solely relying upon their natural resistance. The orcs are a hardy race which is naturally disposed to strength, resilience, and aggressiveness..
Culture
The orcish culture the outside world sees is extremely combative and violent, with warbands dominated by the strong. However, what is not seen oft is a people who care for their young and elderly, and one which sees the value in basic education for all. The traditions of the orcs are based upon livestock rather than agriculture, with many orcs knowing how to ride or handle animals from an early age. Artistic pursuits are not overly common within orcish culture, perhaps as a result of orcs typically having to devote much of their time to survival.
Kingdoms
Orrak Aahgith, or in common the Great Homelands, was born in 533:Blood with the destruction of Hathban and Garthedd, when the orcs overran the lands lead by the Great Kain Shokk Swiftshot, the
Orc That Was Promised to destroy foul evil and unite his people.
Orrak Aahgith is the first modern kingdom in which the orcs have large political and cultural influence.
Orcs within the Kingdoms
It is rare for orcs to be found within the kingdoms of Runetalras, as they are viewed, practically everywhere, as violent savages and treated with disdain at best and violence at worst, further perpetuating the hatred between orcs and most of the mortal races. For the most part orcs stay to the fringes of society in all but subterranean kingdoms; it is the subterranean kingdoms where the orcs can find a modicum of acceptance for their honour, strength, and capabilities.
Orc Traits
Ability Score Increase. When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. You can't raise any of your scores above 20.
Creature Type. You are a Humanoid.
Size. You are Medium.
Speed. Your walking speed is 30 feet.
Adrenaline Rush. You can take the Dash action as a bonus action. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Whenever you use this trait, you gain a number of temporary hit points equal to your proficiency bonus.
Darkvision. 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 discern colours in that darkness only as shades of grey.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Relentless Endurance. When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. Once you use this trait, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.
Languages. Your character can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character. The Player’s Handbook offers a list of
Languages to choose from. The DM is free to modify that list for a campaign.
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