Kholyn Orcs
There is a sizable population of Orcs and half Orcs living in Styx.
Orcs are originally from the lands far to the east beyond the Chasm of Umbrae.
A long time ago one clan of Orcs named Kholyn after their Clan-Elder Kholyn Yng came westward fleeing war and famine.
They found themselves in Aman-ya and became semi-nomadic travelling seasonally alongside their massive herds of Orcish Roadsheep.
The Kholyn found close allies in the Wsadniki Humans who'd been living in the area for centuries and were culturally similar although entirely unrelated to them.
Now the Kholyn remain mostly isolated to their strongholds while exchanging goods with the Sattal who then trade with society beyond. In Styx many perceive the Kholyn as violent savages and confuse or conflate them with their Sattal allies.
Kholyn culture is focused strongly on familiar clanship and honor, all members regardless of bodytype are trained to be able to defend their clan in times of strife and Kholyn warriors are known as fearsome foes across Aman-ya.
Outside of Styx there are clan strongholds where the Kholyn live but within Styx they form small communities of their own.
Kholyn that leave their clan stronghold are ostracised and shunned and may never return nor are they ever to be recognized by any Kholyn, even those related to them by blood again.
Kholyn are renowned as mercenary warriors and have no understanding of gender as the Sumraki-Ashai know it.
Within Kholyn society the body one is born with is meaningless and one's social role is chosen by each Kholyn when they come of age.
Rather than categorizing into male, female and wyreth the Kholyn see their people as warriors, artisans, hearthkeepers, rememberers, lawminders, defenders and scouts.
Kholyn do not traditionally speak honor to Gods. They see true divinity as a farce and view Gods and Divines as little better than common squabbling warlords and conniving nobles.
Instead place their faith in the wisdom of their forebears and elders as well as honoring the land and its spirits.
The Kholyn clan remember their founder, Kholyn Yng, as one of their wisest and most honorable and many seek to embody his qualities.
A Kholyn's honor is their everything and insults to ones honor are most often made right again with bloodshed.
Orcs can sire and bear children with other races resulting in Half Orcs.
Half Orcs make up a part of Kholyn society and are not treated with any kind of disdain by their full-blooded peers but as the Kholyn do not typically leave their strongholds or mingle with strangers from beyond most Half Orcs share Sattal ancestry.
D20 Race Entry
All options that do not conflict with the changes made for the Styx Setting are available.
Ability Score Modifiers: Orcs tend to be strong and verbally blunt. They gain +2 Strength, –2 Charisma.
Type: Orcs are humanoids with the orc subtype.
Size: Orcs are Medium creatures and thus have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Base Speed: Orcs have a base speed of 30 feet.
Ferocity: Orcs possess the ferocity ability which allows them to remain conscious and continue fighting even if their hit point totals fall below 0. Orcs are still staggered at 0 hit points or lower and lose 1 hit point each round as normal.
Weapon Familiarity: Orcs are always proficient with scimitars, all types of bows, and treat any weapon with the word “orc” in its name as a martial weapon.
Rider Folk: Orcs are trained in riding due to their cultural heritage and gain a racial +4 bonus to Ride checks.
Languages: Orcs can speak, read, and write Undercommon and Yarikhel Orcish. Yarikhel is a harsh, grating language with hard consonants. It has its own script. Orcs with high intelligence scores can choose from these Languages: Umbraen Elvish, Steinntung Dwarvish, Avvram Gnomish, Sattal Humanish, Rùkǒu Tongue, Gnoll.
Orcs are originally from the lands far to the east beyond the Chasm of Umbrae.
A long time ago one clan of Orcs named Kholyn after their Clan-Elder Kholyn Yng came westward fleeing war and famine.
They found themselves in Aman-ya and became semi-nomadic travelling seasonally alongside their massive herds of Orcish Roadsheep.
The Kholyn found close allies in the Wsadniki Humans who'd been living in the area for centuries and were culturally similar although entirely unrelated to them.
Now the Kholyn remain mostly isolated to their strongholds while exchanging goods with the Sattal who then trade with society beyond. In Styx many perceive the Kholyn as violent savages and confuse or conflate them with their Sattal allies.
Kholyn culture is focused strongly on familiar clanship and honor, all members regardless of bodytype are trained to be able to defend their clan in times of strife and Kholyn warriors are known as fearsome foes across Aman-ya.
Outside of Styx there are clan strongholds where the Kholyn live but within Styx they form small communities of their own.
Kholyn that leave their clan stronghold are ostracised and shunned and may never return nor are they ever to be recognized by any Kholyn, even those related to them by blood again.
Kholyn are renowned as mercenary warriors and have no understanding of gender as the Sumraki-Ashai know it.
Within Kholyn society the body one is born with is meaningless and one's social role is chosen by each Kholyn when they come of age.
Rather than categorizing into male, female and wyreth the Kholyn see their people as warriors, artisans, hearthkeepers, rememberers, lawminders, defenders and scouts.
Kholyn do not traditionally speak honor to Gods. They see true divinity as a farce and view Gods and Divines as little better than common squabbling warlords and conniving nobles.
Instead place their faith in the wisdom of their forebears and elders as well as honoring the land and its spirits.
The Kholyn clan remember their founder, Kholyn Yng, as one of their wisest and most honorable and many seek to embody his qualities.
A Kholyn's honor is their everything and insults to ones honor are most often made right again with bloodshed.
Orcs can sire and bear children with other races resulting in Half Orcs.
Half Orcs make up a part of Kholyn society and are not treated with any kind of disdain by their full-blooded peers but as the Kholyn do not typically leave their strongholds or mingle with strangers from beyond most Half Orcs share Sattal ancestry.
Orc Racial Characteristics:
D20 Race Entry
All options that do not conflict with the changes made for the Styx Setting are available.
Ability Score Modifiers: Orcs tend to be strong and verbally blunt. They gain +2 Strength, –2 Charisma.
Type: Orcs are humanoids with the orc subtype.
Size: Orcs are Medium creatures and thus have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Base Speed: Orcs have a base speed of 30 feet.
Ferocity: Orcs possess the ferocity ability which allows them to remain conscious and continue fighting even if their hit point totals fall below 0. Orcs are still staggered at 0 hit points or lower and lose 1 hit point each round as normal.
Weapon Familiarity: Orcs are always proficient with scimitars, all types of bows, and treat any weapon with the word “orc” in its name as a martial weapon.
Rider Folk: Orcs are trained in riding due to their cultural heritage and gain a racial +4 bonus to Ride checks.
Languages: Orcs can speak, read, and write Undercommon and Yarikhel Orcish. Yarikhel is a harsh, grating language with hard consonants. It has its own script. Orcs with high intelligence scores can choose from these Languages: Umbraen Elvish, Steinntung Dwarvish, Avvram Gnomish, Sattal Humanish, Rùkǒu Tongue, Gnoll.
Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
Orcs reproduce sexually like most humanoid species.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Orcs are biological omnivores and culturally tend to prefer a hearty cuisine.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
Orcs tend to have rough and broad facial features as well as prominent tusks in their lower jaw.
Civilization and Culture
Beauty Ideals
Orcs consider a strong body a beautiful body.
Gender Ideals
Gender is virtually meaningless to orcs, all members of society are expected to contribute in the same way according to their ability.
Relationship Ideals
Orcs live in extended families called clans, they are very closely knit.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Average Physique
Orcs are usually tall and broad with impressive muscles.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Orcs have skin colours ranging from earthy browns to dark green and grey.
Geographic Distribution
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