Orcs

Orcs are the dominant species of the calabid family. Legends among both elves and orcs suggest that the orcs are a divergent species from elves, but this is not accurate. They are native to the Material Planes, whereas elves originated on the Plane of Vigor. Genetically, the calabid family to which they belong, is a branch of the order primates.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Orcs are generally tall, broad, and muscular. An average orc stands slightly over six feet tall and weighs between 200 and 220 pounds.

Their skin is earth-toned, ranging from green to gray. Like humans, they have a thin covering of body hair, and the hair on their heads is coarse and black, often worn tied back and long.

They have pointed ears, a heavy brow, and an inverted lower mandible with prominent tusks. Their noses are shaped somewhat like those of gorillass.

Genetics and Reproduction

Orcs reproduce sexually. They are also famously capable of reproducing with sylvans and hominins. These couplings produce Half-Orcs.

Interspecies Reproduction

Orcs can reproduce with both humans and sylvans, though the resulting offspring are very different.

With Sylvans

When an orc reproduces with a sylvan, fully half the time, their resulting Half-Orc offspring will be sterile. When it is not, any offspring it produces in turn will be fully orcish. Offspring of a union between a sylvan-heritage half-orc and another half-orc of any kind simply produces another half-orc.

Half-Orcs with sylvan parentage are lighter in color and will possess the eye and hair color of their sylvan parent.

With Humans

When an orc reproduces with a human, the offspring is always capable of reproduction in its own right. If the half-orc reproduces with an orc, the offspring is orcish. If they reproduce with a human, the offspring is human. If, however, two half-orcs of human heritage mate, the offspring is a grendel. These beings are extremely rare and grow larger and stronger than orcs; in fact, they grow as strong as weak giants. Grendels are feared and stories and legends have been spun about them, but in truth, they are as varied in personality and behavior as any other sentient creature.

Growth Rate & Stages

Orcs mature by their early teens and live less than a century.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

They have pointed ears, a heavy brow, and an inverted lower mandible with prominent tusks. Their noses are shaped somewhat like those of gorillas.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Orcs are ususally covered with rough greenish or greyish skin, though there is a variant with blue skin. They have straight, coarse hair on their heads, which is usually black, but there are examples of auburn, brown, or even blonde orcs. Their eye color is always brown, but there is a variety of shades of brown that can occur, from golden brown to nearly black.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

All of the calabids evolved to live in caves and burrows. Part of that adaptation includes the ability to see in low light and even apparently lightless conditions.

Proper Common Name

Orcs

Other Common Names

None

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Erectina

Genetic Descendants

• Half-Orc

Scientific Name

Animalia chordata mammailia primates calabidae erectina bellator

Related Ethnicities

• Crighua
• Meyzh
• Nadho

Orc Traits

Age

Young orcs mature quickly, reaching adult size by their twelfth or thirteenth year. They live less than a century.

Ability Score Increase

Orcs are known for strength and resilience. Increase your Strength score by 2, and your Constitution by 1. Alternatively, you may choose an ability of your choice to increase by 2 and a different one to increase by 1, or you may increase three different scores by 1. If you choose this alternative, explain why your character differs from the norm for their species.

Language

You can speak the language of your origin (usually an orcish language) and the Common language where the campaign begins.

Size

You are Medium

Adrenaline Rush

You can take the Dash action as a bonus action. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your providiciency 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 colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.

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 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.