Eljin

Meaning ‘United Ones’ in Orcish, the Eljin are native to the city of Zelgrod in the North of Elvara. They are known for their muscular builds, large canine protrusions (often called tusks) and the cultural emphasis they place on struggle and unwavering tenacity. However, there is also a softer side too many, a side which favours art, music and poetry over combat.

Background

Known for their brawny builds, dark narrow eyes and tusks, the Eljin are orcish in origin. Before the formation of Zelgrod, orcs roamed freely in nomadic tribes.
Orcs have been treated unfavourably by the people of Elvara for centuries. Despite their role in the Alliance, which ensured the fall of the Mathidoni Empire, the orcish still faced extreme prejudice, and thus were forced Northward from the forests to The Barren Wastes.
Under the infamous Orcish warrior, Ulrog Kurdan, several orcish clans came together to form a settlement in the Wastes. To distinguish themselves from their nomadic brethren, they called themselves ‘Eljin’ meaning ‘United Ones’ in Orcish. Over time the camp has grown to incorporate more wanderers and tribesman.
With the birth of the Malvarri Empire 1331 AE. the last remaining forest clans have been forced north to the Wastes, with the fortress of Stronghold purposely constructed to keep them there. This has resulted in a growth to the population of Zelgrod but also growth in bloody conflicts, as Eljin and tribal clans fight for resources.
The Eljin are have learnt to survive through the clever means of desalinisation of saltwater from the Bitter River, and by learning to hunt the venomous and dangerous creatures found in the wastes.

Eljin Names

Eljin usually have names appropriate to the Zelgrodian culture in which they were raised. An Eljin living amongst humans might trade an orcish name for a Human name.
Male Eljin Names: Cragan, Derrod, Karrig, Madrum, Nakru, Porl, Rogdul, Sarrod, Targred, Varga
Female Eljin Names: Babra, Dura, Gayla, Issa, Lakra, Mazagra, Narragula, Nula, Sharn, Tugra

Eljin Traits

Image by Kyrcat

As a Jin, you’re hardier than most and have some resistance to poison.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Eljin reach adulthood around age 15. They age noticeably faster, but have an average life expectancy of 90 years.
Size. Eljin are definitely larger and bulkier than humans, and they range from 5’5" to well over 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
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 colour in darkness, only shades of grey.
Menacing. You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.
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. You can speak, read, and write Common Elvaran and Orcish.

The most important man in Zelgrod, Chief Rhogan, sat up in his sleeping-furs and stretched his bulging arms and chest with a groan, his narrow, dark eyes still clutching at sleep.
Feeling powerful arms wrap around his torso, he let out a low growl and tackled the offender backwards. They were too quick for him. Pinning his arms and tree-trunk thighs beneath him in one quick swoop.
‘Good morning,’ said the feminine voice with a giggle. Jara, his beautiful wife, lay on top of him, her pale skin a vision of green in the dawn sun.
‘Good morning,’ he said, nuzzling her with his flat nose and breathing in her floral scent. ‘Once again, you have me beaten, distracted by your beauty.’
‘Distracted? No match for my strength, more like,’ Jara said, brushing his long, braided hair out of his face. His hands trailed a path from her tatooed chest to her wide hips. ‘You’re to attend the arena today, remember?’ She looked at him with a thick raised eyebrow. ‘We have little time.’
‘Then tell them I’m taking the day off,’ he said sitting up to face her.
‘What for?’
‘I feel inspired to write poetry.’
He was master of a united tribe that could muster 5000 spears. A fearless war-chief, valued for his strength, cunning and endurance and yet he was an old romantic at heart.