Half-Orc

Whether united under the leadership of a shrewd ruler or having fought to a standstill after years of conflict, orc and human tribes sometimes form brief alliances. When these alliances are sealed by marriages, half-orcs are born. Those born into the tribes are treated with care and respect but are never able to attain roles of leadership. Somewhat ironically, half-orcs born into human civilization are often looked down upon and treated with distain. These half-orcs typically venture into the world to prove their worth among humans and other more civilized races.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Half-orcs’ flat noses, jutting jaws, prominent teeth, and towering builds make their orcish heritage plain for all to see. Half-orcs stand between 5 and 7 feet tall and usually weigh between 180 and 250 pounds. Their skin and eye colours vary depending on their human parent, however half-orcs that manage to retain the amber eyes of their orcish parents are more likely to be accepted by the tribes.

Genetics and Reproduction

Like all half-human breeds, half-orcs are rare.

Growth Rate & Stages

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

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Human
• Orc

Lifespan

60 years

Average Height

5 to 7 feet

Average Weight

180 to 250 pounds

Related Ethnicities

• Asturian
• Odakota

Game Stats

Half-Orc

Ability Score Increase Your Strength score increases by 2, and two other ability scores of your choice increase by 1.

Size Medium

Speed 30 feet

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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. Half-orcs learn the languages of the society in which they are raised.