Half-Orc
Usually born under questionable circumstances at best, demi-euroz, Flan for half-orc, will usually retain some properties of both species, human and orc, wherever they are raised. Those brought up in orcish society (the male ones, at least) will be immersed in the brutal and militaristic orcish social philosphy. Though orcs have some degree of dislike for "half-humans" among them, they are also aware that such creatures generally possess more adaptability and cunning than a full orc, if they don't have the potential to be as strong as the average orc.
Unless rivalry between the half-orc and their peers ends their life at an early age, the half-orc will usually achieve a quite respectable position of power and influence in his tribe. Aware that he is not a full orc, the half-orc will probably feel much superior to orcs and assume added arrogance and pride--thus successfully mixing the worst of human qualities with the "best" of the orcish. These sorts of leaders are exceptionally dangerous, possessing enough foresight and intelligence to lead their tribes on much more widespread raiding, banditry, and war-making than is usual for orc bands.
Life is not all rosy for this type of leader, of course; rivalries, jealousies, and intrigues will probably continue within the tribe against him unless he becomes powerful enough to command immediate obedience at the risk of swift destruction. Orcish society is generally a male oriented one however, a few cases are known of half-orc women rising to positions of power within a tribe, or a cleric for one of the few orcish religions that permit female priests. In no known cases have female half-orcs become as widely feared or powerful (personally or politically) as male half-orcs, though this is not through any fault of their own. Orcish sexual prejudice is deep and strong.
Half-orcs raised in human society, usually without the orcish parent present, have a greater likelihood of adopting a variety of non-orcish attitudes and lifestyles, but even then will have some less savoury aspects to their nature as well. The average human has a dislike for orcs and anything with orcish ancestry; half-orcs will find themselves the objects of prejudice in most human communities.
Many half-orcs react to the local expectations of them in predictable ways, incidentally reinforcing those stereotypes. In other words, treat a half-orc as if it were dangerous and bad, and they will probably become dangerous and bad if they weren’t already. Half-orcs raised in a human community are very unlikely to be able to speak Orcish unless they have had formal study in it.
The major exception to the inherent prejudice most demi-euroz face is the Baklunish nation of Zeif where half-orcs form a respected part of their society in the form of the Eurozary Corp. This elite military unit serves as the personal guard of the Padishah himself. Descendants of the humanoid mercenaries used in the Suel Baklunish Wars, these fierce warriors form an honoured place in Zeifan society. Raised from birth to know nothing but battle and discipline. The Corp is made up exclusively of demi-euroz and demi-eiger, the oldest and most skilled in battle are rewarded for their long service to be mated to specially selected Zeifan women to produce the next generation of Eurozary. Overking Ivid V of Aerdy has recently established a similar personal guard recruited from the humanoid tribes of the Bone March.
Other than these, the vast majority of the half-orcs on the Flanaess live lives on the fringes of society, often in not exactly legal professions, many falling to murder and brigandage.
Dark of mood and nature, many half-orcs achieve renown despite their rejection by their parents’ folk and many others. They are found throughout the Flanaess but are especially common in the Pomarj, the Wild Coast, the Horned Society, the lands of Iuz, the Bandit Kingdoms and increasingly, the Great Kingdom. In civilized lands they are tolerated at best and run out of town on sight at worst. The City of Greyhawk has a sizable half-orc population where they are viewed more with disgust or pity and not outright hatred.
Demi-Euroz Traits
Ability Score Adjustment. +1 Strength, +1 Constitution, -2 Charisma
Age. Half-orcs have about the same lifespan as humans.
Alignment. Half-orcs have a tendency towards neutral alignment.
Size. Demi-euroz are often the same size as humans.
Movement. 120' / round.
Languages. Demi-euroz speak Euroz and Common. They may learn Orc, Goblin, Hobgoblin, and Ogre.
Monstrous Appearance. Demi-euroz have a -2 reaction penalty in all civilized lands unaccustomed to demi-euroz.
Vision. Demi-euroz have infravision of 60'.
Weapon Proficiencies: Bonus: choose two free weapon proficiencies from battle axe, crossbow, flail, hand axe, spear, bow (any), polearm (any), and sword (any).
Unless rivalry between the half-orc and their peers ends their life at an early age, the half-orc will usually achieve a quite respectable position of power and influence in his tribe. Aware that he is not a full orc, the half-orc will probably feel much superior to orcs and assume added arrogance and pride--thus successfully mixing the worst of human qualities with the "best" of the orcish. These sorts of leaders are exceptionally dangerous, possessing enough foresight and intelligence to lead their tribes on much more widespread raiding, banditry, and war-making than is usual for orc bands.
Life is not all rosy for this type of leader, of course; rivalries, jealousies, and intrigues will probably continue within the tribe against him unless he becomes powerful enough to command immediate obedience at the risk of swift destruction. Orcish society is generally a male oriented one however, a few cases are known of half-orc women rising to positions of power within a tribe, or a cleric for one of the few orcish religions that permit female priests. In no known cases have female half-orcs become as widely feared or powerful (personally or politically) as male half-orcs, though this is not through any fault of their own. Orcish sexual prejudice is deep and strong.
Half-orcs raised in human society, usually without the orcish parent present, have a greater likelihood of adopting a variety of non-orcish attitudes and lifestyles, but even then will have some less savoury aspects to their nature as well. The average human has a dislike for orcs and anything with orcish ancestry; half-orcs will find themselves the objects of prejudice in most human communities.
Many half-orcs react to the local expectations of them in predictable ways, incidentally reinforcing those stereotypes. In other words, treat a half-orc as if it were dangerous and bad, and they will probably become dangerous and bad if they weren’t already. Half-orcs raised in a human community are very unlikely to be able to speak Orcish unless they have had formal study in it.
The major exception to the inherent prejudice most demi-euroz face is the Baklunish nation of Zeif where half-orcs form a respected part of their society in the form of the Eurozary Corp. This elite military unit serves as the personal guard of the Padishah himself. Descendants of the humanoid mercenaries used in the Suel Baklunish Wars, these fierce warriors form an honoured place in Zeifan society. Raised from birth to know nothing but battle and discipline. The Corp is made up exclusively of demi-euroz and demi-eiger, the oldest and most skilled in battle are rewarded for their long service to be mated to specially selected Zeifan women to produce the next generation of Eurozary. Overking Ivid V of Aerdy has recently established a similar personal guard recruited from the humanoid tribes of the Bone March.
Other than these, the vast majority of the half-orcs on the Flanaess live lives on the fringes of society, often in not exactly legal professions, many falling to murder and brigandage.
Dark of mood and nature, many half-orcs achieve renown despite their rejection by their parents’ folk and many others. They are found throughout the Flanaess but are especially common in the Pomarj, the Wild Coast, the Horned Society, the lands of Iuz, the Bandit Kingdoms and increasingly, the Great Kingdom. In civilized lands they are tolerated at best and run out of town on sight at worst. The City of Greyhawk has a sizable half-orc population where they are viewed more with disgust or pity and not outright hatred.
Demi-Euroz Traits
Ability Score Adjustment. +1 Strength, +1 Constitution, -2 CharismaAge. Half-orcs have about the same lifespan as humans.
Alignment. Half-orcs have a tendency towards neutral alignment.
Size. Demi-euroz are often the same size as humans.
Movement. 120' / round.
Languages. Demi-euroz speak Euroz and Common. They may learn Orc, Goblin, Hobgoblin, and Ogre.
Monstrous Appearance. Demi-euroz have a -2 reaction penalty in all civilized lands unaccustomed to demi-euroz.
Vision. Demi-euroz have infravision of 60'.
Weapon Proficiencies: Bonus: choose two free weapon proficiencies from battle axe, crossbow, flail, hand axe, spear, bow (any), polearm (any), and sword (any).
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