Half-Orcs

Orcs are not very discerning when it comes to breeding, and typically create many cross-breeds. Orc/Human crosses tend to be most common, and most such creatures are sufficiently Human to pass for one.

Appearance:
Half-Orcs are typically very ugly and it is exceedingly rare to find a Half-orc with a charisma of greater than 12. They appear mostly Human, but some Orcish features will always be apparent; a piggish nose, abnormally large teeth (almost tusks in some cases), or some similar feature.

Half-orcs typically stand 5-1/2 to 6 feet tall and weigh about 180 pounds. They inherit their 30' infravision from their Orcish parent.

Personality:
By nature, Half-orcs tend to be ruthless, arrogant and quick to anger. Like Half-ogres, they remain largely outside the boundaries of civilization and tend to develop considerable wilderness survival skills. They tend to be largely hated by the Human communities due to their obvious Humanoid ancestry.

Half-orcs pay back this predjudice whenever possible.  Most Half-orcs eventually return to their Orcish parents where their mixed blood allows them to achieve higher levels and allows them to take leadership roles.

Lifestyle:
Half-orcs can subsist on nearly any sort of food, inheriting their Orcish parent's ability to digest nearly any organic substance. They are fond of strong drink and rarely become impaired by alcohol. Half-orcs have short life spans, rarely longer than 70 years, and most will perish in battles while they are still young.

Half-orcs cannot hire any non-Half-orc henchmen, but Orcish and Half-orcish will respond as if the character's charisma is 3 points higher (max. 18).

Names and Language:
The Half-orc language is merely Orcish with a number of Human words thrown in and sounds, to most ears, just like Ogrish; using the harsh consonants g, gn, k, l, n, r, s, sh, t, w, and z and the vowels a, i, u.  Guksar, Rarsha, and Tilgaz are typical Half-orcish names.

Equipment:
Most Half-orcs take excellent care of their equipment, knowing that the chances of being able to purchase it at fair prices is low.  It is typical of a somewhat piece-meal organization, typically taken in battle, but it is easier for a Half-orc to fit into Human and Elven armor than it is for a Half-ogre.  Like Half-ogres, they generally take better care of their weapons than any other equipment.

Pantheon:
Like Half-ogres, most Half-orcs worship Krushkor.  Though many become pessimistic and begin to follow Therarra (goddess of bad luck).

History:
Half-Orcs have also existed since the Stone Age when Humans and Orcs first clashed.  They, too, must exist with the consequences of the unfortunate circumstances of their creation (also typically the rape of Human women).  They are usually hated by the people of his mother because of what their birth means.  However, they are better viewed by Orcs than are Half-ogres by ogres and are mostly accepted, often into roles of leadership.

Half-Orcs rarely strive for greatness as do Half-ogres, but many have been know to return to command legions of orcs to the detriment of their human ancestry.

Half-Orcs as Player Characters

Classes and Kits
Half-orcs can be fighters, clerics, or theives, as well as fighter/clerics, figher/thieves or cleric/thieves.
Most Half-Orcs will take Barbarian or Savage kits.

Standard Abilities

• 30' Infravision

Additional Abilities

• None

Preferred Weapons

• Battle axe
• Two-handed sword
• Bastard sword

Bonus Non-Weapon Proficiencies

• Survival

Recommended Non-Weapon Proficiencies (1 required)

• Endurance
• Fire-building
• Fishing
• Gaming
• Mountaineering
• Hunting
• Running