Half-Orc 4e
Half-Orcs
Scions of a forbidden cross between orcs and humans who are inherently powerful and keenly aware.
Racial Traits
Average Height: 5'5 – 6'2
Average Weight: 140 – 240 lbs
Ability Scores: +2 Strength, +2 Wisdom
Size: Medium
Speed: 6 squares
Vision: Low-light vision
Languages: Common, Giant
Skill Bonuses: +2 Athletics, +2 Insight
Half-Orc Defense Bonuses: +1 to Fortitude, +1 Reflex
Dual Heritage: You can take feats that have either orc or human as a prerequisite (as well as those specifically for half-orcs) as long as you meet any other requirements.
Insightful Strike: You may add your Wisdom modifier to your attack bonus as an encounter power.
The scions of the blending of orcs and humans, half-orcs are a misunderstood race often rebuked by commoners but valued in battle.
Play a half-orc if you want...
- to be a lone but sensible warrior
- to be a pariah driven to isolation by two parent cultures
- to be a member of a race that favors the fighter, paladin, or ranger classes
Physical Qualities
Half-orcs tend to be larger and more stocky than humans but less muscular than orcs. Half-orcs have a range of complexions similar to that of humans, but their skin almost always has a gray or greenish tint and their nose is flatter than is typical for humans. The jaw of a half-orc also bears two large tusks, though smaller than those of an orc. Male half-orcs can grow beards and often sport them while females, nearly as large as the males, often sport long sideburns. Their hair is typically dark in color.
Half-orcs often adopt the attire of the culture they were raised in, either dressing in furs and primitive hides like an orc or the varying cloths of humanity. For example a half-orc raised in a rich merchant city might dress in fine robes, in spite of his savage heritage. However, it is more common to find half-orcs in rustic clothing, given their usually frontier origins and some half-orcs raised among humans still try to seek out and gather orcish clothing or jewelry in order to gain a closer connection with their heritage.
Half-orcs have lifespans comparable but slightly shorter than that of humans and like both halves of their ancestry half-orcs do not age well, growing weaker with each passing year after middle age.
Playing a Half-Orc
Half-orcs are more than just a combination of orcs and humans. They are powerful in battle, with the athletic skill of a full-blooded orc, as well as possessing the mental versatility that humans possess and orcs lack. But there is more to them and half-orcs are also keenly insightful and possess a strong sense for the world and its inhabitants, exceeding either humans or orcs in their capabilities in this respect.
Half-orcs know better than most how to survive on their own and often are experienced warriors at a young age. Even those that do not take up the banner of war however still have a knack for understanding the world that sets them apart from other races. Half-orcs, regardless of their motivation, value those who have lived longer than they have, and seek to learn from their more experienced companions in order to further their own skills.
Much like dwarves half-orcs are typically a gruff race that is naturally introverted. In a large part this is due to half-orcs’ status as outcasts amongst both humans and full-blooded orcs. However, most half-orcs do not possess the strong sense of honor or duty that a dwarf or a dragonborn does and in some ways are more like elves, prone to living in the moment rather than brooding on the past or worrying over the future.
Of all the races half-orcs probably identify the most with tieflings. Both races are outcasts in society and have learned how to make it on their own. However, if given the chance, many half-orcs will make strong bonds with dragonborn or even elves, in spite of the deep hatred between Gruumsh and Corellon. However, it is rare indeed when a half-orc finds common cause with a dwarf, in spite of the many similarities between their races.
Half-orcs often seek adventure because it is the only way they might find acceptance in society. Others are more opportunistic and care little for what the other races think of them, instead hoping to make a fortune from their considerable abilities. Either way half-orcs are powerful allies… and dangerous enemies.
Half-Orc Characteristics: Brave, insightful, rebellious, reserved, restless, self-reliant, vengeful
Male Names: Dench, Feng, Gell, Henk, Holg, Imsh, Keth, Ront, Shump, and Thokk
Female Names: Baggi, Emen, Engong, Myev, Neega, Ovak, Ownka, Shautha, Vola, and Volen
Some half-orcs who live amongst humans prefer names of a human origin or were named as such by their parents. For these names turn to the entry for humans in the Player’s Handbook.
Half-Orc Adventurers
Three half-orc adventurers are described below.
Henk is a half-orc fighter who specializes in great weapons and wanders the land, looking for challenging battles He was born amongst orcs but expelled at an early age for being “too weak.” Ever since he has sought to prove himself, training hard to become an unequaled fighter. He cares little for monetary rewards from battle, instead hoping only to meet one who can push him to his limits, forcing him to grow further as a warrior.
Ovak is a half-orc paladin sworn to the serve the sun god Pelor. Abandoned as a child Ovak was taken in by an order of paladins in the service of Pelor and raised by them. Possessing a strong sense of duty and honor Ovak serves as a beacon of hope in battle, traveling from one place to another in the hopes of alleviating suffering and doing good for those who are not as fortunate as she feels she was. As she travels she looks for clues as to who her parents might have been and why they would have abandoned her so long ago.
Thokk is a half-orc ranger. Thokk was raised by his parents on the frontiers of human civilization and his homeland was constantly under threat of invasion by orcs and other monstrous humanoids. In order to help his home and protect it Thokk serves as a scout for his local militia, spotting threats as they form and destroying them before they have a chance to attack his friends and family. Through his courage and wisdom Thokk, in spite of his dark heritage, has become an accepted and celebrated member of his local community.
Half-Orc Racial Feats
Heroic Tier Feats
Resilient Nature
Prerequisite: Half-orc
Benefit: You can use the warrior’s surge encounter power as a daily power.
