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<blockquote data-quote="Dastari" data-source="post: 3289535" data-attributes="member: 38358"><p>It has bothered me since I was introduced to D&D that although orcs are a fantasy staple they are the only one of the <em>major</em> races that doesn't have any subraces. So to fill that gap I have made the following subraces. Two important notes to know are that I have alterred the base orc to add toughness as a bonus feat since I felt that orcs were short changed when balanced against elves, dwarves, humans, and the other common races. The other thing is that I've changed the term "Scab Orcs" to refer to full blooded orcs of the desert rather than half-orcs of the desert as Sandstorm refers to them. Now here are the subraces:</p><p></p><p><strong>SCAB-ORC</strong></p><p></p><p> Orcs seem capable of thriving in any climate, though it might be more accurate to say that they have few problems adapting to wherever they are forced to live. Such scab-orcs can be found in almost any terrain in the waste and are particularly common in the mountains. Indeed many bands of mountain raiders are composed of scab-orcs, and scab-orc nomads are the most eager of all nomads in the waste to raid other camps for supplies. </p><p> Scab-orcs look much like regular orcs but often wear more clothes and have darker almost jet black hair which is different from normal Orc gray. Scab-orcs tend to be followers of Shargaas and are known as his chosen people among the Orc race. They favor quick, stealthy, decisive attacks against foes as opposed to the protracted combat of other orc tribes. Few survive to tell the tale of attacks against their caravan in the Waste by followers of Shargaas. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Scab-Orc Racial Traits:</strong> (These traits are in addition to the mountain orc traits except where noted)</p><p>• Scab-orcs have low-light vision rather than darkvision.</p><p>• Scab-orcs do not suffer from light sensitivity.</p><p>• A scab-orc can go without water for four days (96 hours), plus a number of hours equal to his constitution score, before beginning to experience the ill effects of thirst (see Dehydration, Sandstorm page 15). </p><p>• Scab-orcs do not gain Toughness as a bonus feat. </p><p></p><p><strong>PYGMY ORC</strong></p><p></p><p> It is said by some men in dark taverns after they have had a bit to drink that in the steamy jungles of the south that a different kind of orc lives. This orc is more ferocious than any other orc and even eats its own kind. Few know of these orcs because few that have seen them have returned to live the tale. Rarely are such stories believed because along with them comes the description of a creature below 4 feet in height. This is the dreaded pygmy orc. </p><p> Pygmy orcs kill or capture anyone who crosses their path. Their ways are more wild than even other orcs and it is rumored that they prefer to catch their prey live because that is their preferred kind of food. Despite their small size, the pygmy orcs are more nimble than their larger cousins and even though not quite as strong they are incredibly strong for their size and can even overcome many larger creatures in a test of strength. </p><p> That is not to say that all pygmy orcs must be this way. It is just that none have been encountered that are any different. The possibility certainly exists for a pygmy orc to become enamored of the civilization that they sometimes spot from afar and wish to adventure out of their own lands to explore the wide world beyond. </p><p> Pygmy Orc males stand at 4” or taller and females tend to be about inches shorter. They tend to wear very little although many wear a small loincloth. Unlike other orcs who simply like to wear vivid colors, pygmy orcs tend to paint themselves blood red, mustard yellow, yellow-green, or deep purple with natural dyes. Otherwise pygmy orcs look like regular orcs. </p><p> Pygmy orcs are favored by the god Genki who is credited with their creation. Pygmy orcs are known for the creative deaths that they inflict upon their victims and Yurtrus takes great pride in these sacrifices. </p><p></p><p><strong>Pygmy Orc Racial Traits:</strong> (These traits are in addition to the mountain orc traits except where noted) </p><p>• +2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, -2 Intelligence, -2 Wisdom, -2 Charisma. These adjustments replace the mountain orc’s ability score adjustments.</p><p>• Small: As a Small creature, a pygmy orc gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide Checks, but she uses smaller weapons than humans use, and her lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of a medium character. This replaces the mountain orc’s size. </p><p>• Pygmy orc base land speed is 20ft. This replaces the mountain orc’s land speed. </p><p>• Pygmy orcs gain Run as a bonus feat. </p><p>• Pygmy orcs do not gain Toughness as a bonus feat. </p><p>• Pygmy orcs do not suffer from light sensitivity.</p><p>• Favored class: Ranger. This trait replaces the mountain orc’s favored class. Pygmy orcs find that their great strength and dexterity allows them to make excellent rangers and they are always at home in the wilds of their jungle homes. </p><p></p><p><strong>SWAMP ORC</strong></p><p></p><p> Many orcs that have been forced from their mountain strongholds have been forced to settle in fetid swamps and cold mires. Over time these orcs have almost become one with the swamps gaining them great bonuses to striking at foes who unknowingly enter their realm. </p><p> Swamp orcs tend towards neutrality. The swamp has become their home and they will defend it but they have no real care about what goes on in the outside world. A swamp orc adventures if he does not fit in with this mindset. He may desire power or territory or may just be curious about what lays outside. Other swamp orcs adventure to protect their swamps from outside threats. </p><p> Swamp orcs tends to be slightly shorter than other orcs. They fall within the normal height ranges for humans as opposed to mountain orcs. Swamp orcs have green fur and their eyes are brown instead of red. This aids in blending in with their natural habitat. Swamp orcs are more perceptive than normal orcs but also have an even more difficult time dealing with members of other races. Swamp orcs are favored by the god Savidge whose areas of concern include swamps, nature, and plants, which appeals greatly to the swamp orcs for obvious reasons. </p><p></p><p><strong>Swamp Orc Racial Traits:</strong> (These traits are in addition to the mountain orc traits except where noted) </p><p>• +4 Strength, -2 Intelligence, -4 Charisma. These adjustments replace the mountain orc’s ability score adjustments.</p><p>• +2 racial bonus on all Hide and Move Silently checks made in a swamp. Swamp orcs can move quietly and blend in when in their natural habitat. </p><p>• +2 racial bonus on Handle animal checks made on animals native to a swamp. Swamp orcs have learned how to get along with the denizens of their homes. </p><p>• Swamp orcs do not gain Toughness as a bonus feat. </p><p>• Uncanny Odor (Ex): Once per day a swamp orc may excrete a stench causing all non-swamp orcs within 30 feet to make a Fortitude save of DC 10 + ½ the swamp orc’s character level + his Constitution modifier. Any creature that fails the save is sickened for 10 rounds and the swamp orc suffers a –4 to all charisma checks for the next day with all creatures within 120 feet for the next 24 hours. A delay poison or neutralize poison spell removes the effect from the sickened creature. Creatures with immunity to poison are unaffected, and creatures resistant to poison receive their normal bonus on their saving throws. </p><p>• Favored class: Druid. This trait replaces the mountain orc’s favored class. The druid class allows the swamp orc to combine his love of his tribe with love of his home. At once becoming defender of the land and a healer of the tribe swamp orc druids are very prominent in their society and their great strength allows them to be formidable foes to any who oppose them. A swamp orc druid gains Swamp Stride instead of Wilderness Stride at 2nd level. This ability allows him to move through swamp terrain at his normal speed without taking damage or suffering any other impairment.</p><p></p><p><strong>FOREST ORC</strong></p><p></p><p> Orcs that have been forced to leave their caves and mountain strongholds sometimes need to live in the forests. Dense forests can provide protection and camouflage, a supply of fresh game, and protection from the sun. It is in such dark forests that orcs thrive to the point where they have become a separate race of forest orcs. </p><p> This is not to say that forest orcs are greatly different from their orc brethren. They do not love the forest in the manner of the elves. They are fine with hunting animals beyond their capacity to sustain their populations and cutting down innumerable trees. They are violent and vicious. However, they have learned to use the forest to a tactical advantage, which distances them from their cousins. </p><p> Forest orcs wear a great deal of green and brown and tend to cover themselves in pieces of bark and leaves so that they can blend with the forest. Their patron goddess is Kargyev who is credited with forming their race. As the goddess of forests, the hunt, and freedom she is ideally suited to be the patron of the forest orcs. Ironically to humans but obvious for orcs, she is also the goddess of fire. </p><p></p><p><strong>Forest Orc Racial Traits:</strong> (These traits are in addition to the mountain orc traits except where noted) </p><p>• Forest orcs gain Track as a bonus feat. This replaces the Toughness feat gained by mountain orcs. </p><p></p><p><strong>STORM-ORC</strong></p><p></p><p> Storm orcs live on islands far to the east that are known for their incredibly fierce winds, biting cold, and terrible lightning strikes. Yet out of such adversity comes a certain kind of order. Storm-orcs are incredibly regimented and have a unified society in the empire of Quarnost. Yet, they are not completely different from mountain orcs. Storm orcs still place a great emphasis on family as family “houses” are the basic building blocks of their empire. Power is gained or lost by ones family associations based on all the deeds of the extended family. Prestige is gained mostly from prominence in battle whether that is in warfare or through duels. Duels are the fastest way to ascend in rank in the empire as it is naturally believed that those who succeed in battle are most fit to rule. </p><p> Denizens of Quarnost believe in a form of honor known as Sharg’troth the way of the warrior. All citizens are expected to live by Sharg’troth for it is felt that all citizens are in their own way members of the military effort. Sharg’troth teaches that an enemy must always be faced openly. Deception and sneak attacks are dishonorable. Crimes against a fellow citizen are also dishonorable. Yet it is important to note that murder by duel is not a crime nor is the taking of spoils after such a death. Murder by poison is a crime. Those who act counter to the teachings of Sharg’troth are either put to death or discommended. Discommendation is almost worth than death as no citizen is allowed to speak or interact with the discommendee save to forcibly remove them if they make a nuisance of themselves. A discommendee is a living ghost, unable to do anything and ignored by all. If anyone chooses to ignore the discommendation they too will be discommended or put to death. </p><p> Storm orcs tend towards evil as do other orcs but they strongly tend towards law. The harsh conditions that they are forced to contend with have made the storm orcs impose their own kind of order on their environment to survive. Storm orcs look in all ways like mountain orcs save for the fact that their coarse body hair is groomed and trimmed and their hair is usually cut short or tied in a knot to keep it from interfering in combat. Storm orcs often revere the god Bargvar, the brother of Gruumsh. Bargvar is said to have forged the storm orcs upon the anvil of the island of Quarnost with the hammer of lightning. Bargvar is credited with all the successes of the Quarnost Empire and his emphasis on warfare to instill order in the world resonates with the storm orcs’ natural tendencies. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Storm-Orc Racial Traits:</strong> (These traits are in addition to the mountain orc traits except where noted)</p><p>• +2 Constitution, -2 Dexterity </p><p>• Favored Class: Fighter. This trait replaces the mountain orc’s favored class. Fighting and the expansion of the Empire are everything to a storm orc and for that reason even most non-soldiers have a level or two of fighter.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Dastari, post: 3289535, member: 38358"] It has bothered me since I was introduced to D&D that although orcs are a fantasy staple they are the only one of the [I]major[/I] races that doesn't have any subraces. So to fill that gap I have made the following subraces. Two important notes to know are that I have alterred the base orc to add toughness as a bonus feat since I felt that orcs were short changed when balanced against elves, dwarves, humans, and the other common races. The other thing is that I've changed the term "Scab Orcs" to refer to full blooded orcs of the desert rather than half-orcs of the desert as Sandstorm refers to them. Now here are the subraces: [B]SCAB-ORC[/B] Orcs seem capable of thriving in any climate, though it might be more accurate to say that they have few problems adapting to wherever they are forced to live. Such scab-orcs can be found in almost any terrain in the waste and are particularly common in the mountains. Indeed many bands of mountain raiders are composed of scab-orcs, and scab-orc nomads are the most eager of all nomads in the waste to raid other camps for supplies. Scab-orcs look much like regular orcs but often wear more clothes and have darker almost jet black hair which is different from normal Orc gray. Scab-orcs tend to be followers of Shargaas and are known as his chosen people among the Orc race. They favor quick, stealthy, decisive attacks against foes as opposed to the protracted combat of other orc tribes. Few survive to tell the tale of attacks against their caravan in the Waste by followers of Shargaas. [B]Scab-Orc Racial Traits:[/B] (These traits are in addition to the mountain orc traits except where noted) • Scab-orcs have low-light vision rather than darkvision. • Scab-orcs do not suffer from light sensitivity. • A scab-orc can go without water for four days (96 hours), plus a number of hours equal to his constitution score, before beginning to experience the ill effects of thirst (see Dehydration, Sandstorm page 15). • Scab-orcs do not gain Toughness as a bonus feat. [B]PYGMY ORC[/B] It is said by some men in dark taverns after they have had a bit to drink that in the steamy jungles of the south that a different kind of orc lives. This orc is more ferocious than any other orc and even eats its own kind. Few know of these orcs because few that have seen them have returned to live the tale. Rarely are such stories believed because along with them comes the description of a creature below 4 feet in height. This is the dreaded pygmy orc. Pygmy orcs kill or capture anyone who crosses their path. Their ways are more wild than even other orcs and it is rumored that they prefer to catch their prey live because that is their preferred kind of food. Despite their small size, the pygmy orcs are more nimble than their larger cousins and even though not quite as strong they are incredibly strong for their size and can even overcome many larger creatures in a test of strength. That is not to say that all pygmy orcs must be this way. It is just that none have been encountered that are any different. The possibility certainly exists for a pygmy orc to become enamored of the civilization that they sometimes spot from afar and wish to adventure out of their own lands to explore the wide world beyond. Pygmy Orc males stand at 4” or taller and females tend to be about inches shorter. They tend to wear very little although many wear a small loincloth. Unlike other orcs who simply like to wear vivid colors, pygmy orcs tend to paint themselves blood red, mustard yellow, yellow-green, or deep purple with natural dyes. Otherwise pygmy orcs look like regular orcs. Pygmy orcs are favored by the god Genki who is credited with their creation. Pygmy orcs are known for the creative deaths that they inflict upon their victims and Yurtrus takes great pride in these sacrifices. [B]Pygmy Orc Racial Traits:[/B] (These traits are in addition to the mountain orc traits except where noted) • +2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, -2 Intelligence, -2 Wisdom, -2 Charisma. These adjustments replace the mountain orc’s ability score adjustments. • Small: As a Small creature, a pygmy orc gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide Checks, but she uses smaller weapons than humans use, and her lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of a medium character. This replaces the mountain orc’s size. • Pygmy orc base land speed is 20ft. This replaces the mountain orc’s land speed. • Pygmy orcs gain Run as a bonus feat. • Pygmy orcs do not gain Toughness as a bonus feat. • Pygmy orcs do not suffer from light sensitivity. • Favored class: Ranger. This trait replaces the mountain orc’s favored class. Pygmy orcs find that their great strength and dexterity allows them to make excellent rangers and they are always at home in the wilds of their jungle homes. [B]SWAMP ORC[/B] Many orcs that have been forced from their mountain strongholds have been forced to settle in fetid swamps and cold mires. Over time these orcs have almost become one with the swamps gaining them great bonuses to striking at foes who unknowingly enter their realm. Swamp orcs tend towards neutrality. The swamp has become their home and they will defend it but they have no real care about what goes on in the outside world. A swamp orc adventures if he does not fit in with this mindset. He may desire power or territory or may just be curious about what lays outside. Other swamp orcs adventure to protect their swamps from outside threats. Swamp orcs tends to be slightly shorter than other orcs. They fall within the normal height ranges for humans as opposed to mountain orcs. Swamp orcs have green fur and their eyes are brown instead of red. This aids in blending in with their natural habitat. Swamp orcs are more perceptive than normal orcs but also have an even more difficult time dealing with members of other races. Swamp orcs are favored by the god Savidge whose areas of concern include swamps, nature, and plants, which appeals greatly to the swamp orcs for obvious reasons. [B]Swamp Orc Racial Traits:[/B] (These traits are in addition to the mountain orc traits except where noted) • +4 Strength, -2 Intelligence, -4 Charisma. These adjustments replace the mountain orc’s ability score adjustments. • +2 racial bonus on all Hide and Move Silently checks made in a swamp. Swamp orcs can move quietly and blend in when in their natural habitat. • +2 racial bonus on Handle animal checks made on animals native to a swamp. Swamp orcs have learned how to get along with the denizens of their homes. • Swamp orcs do not gain Toughness as a bonus feat. • Uncanny Odor (Ex): Once per day a swamp orc may excrete a stench causing all non-swamp orcs within 30 feet to make a Fortitude save of DC 10 + ½ the swamp orc’s character level + his Constitution modifier. Any creature that fails the save is sickened for 10 rounds and the swamp orc suffers a –4 to all charisma checks for the next day with all creatures within 120 feet for the next 24 hours. A delay poison or neutralize poison spell removes the effect from the sickened creature. Creatures with immunity to poison are unaffected, and creatures resistant to poison receive their normal bonus on their saving throws. • Favored class: Druid. This trait replaces the mountain orc’s favored class. The druid class allows the swamp orc to combine his love of his tribe with love of his home. At once becoming defender of the land and a healer of the tribe swamp orc druids are very prominent in their society and their great strength allows them to be formidable foes to any who oppose them. A swamp orc druid gains Swamp Stride instead of Wilderness Stride at 2nd level. This ability allows him to move through swamp terrain at his normal speed without taking damage or suffering any other impairment. [B]FOREST ORC[/B] Orcs that have been forced to leave their caves and mountain strongholds sometimes need to live in the forests. Dense forests can provide protection and camouflage, a supply of fresh game, and protection from the sun. It is in such dark forests that orcs thrive to the point where they have become a separate race of forest orcs. This is not to say that forest orcs are greatly different from their orc brethren. They do not love the forest in the manner of the elves. They are fine with hunting animals beyond their capacity to sustain their populations and cutting down innumerable trees. They are violent and vicious. However, they have learned to use the forest to a tactical advantage, which distances them from their cousins. Forest orcs wear a great deal of green and brown and tend to cover themselves in pieces of bark and leaves so that they can blend with the forest. Their patron goddess is Kargyev who is credited with forming their race. As the goddess of forests, the hunt, and freedom she is ideally suited to be the patron of the forest orcs. Ironically to humans but obvious for orcs, she is also the goddess of fire. [B]Forest Orc Racial Traits:[/B] (These traits are in addition to the mountain orc traits except where noted) • Forest orcs gain Track as a bonus feat. This replaces the Toughness feat gained by mountain orcs. [B]STORM-ORC[/B] Storm orcs live on islands far to the east that are known for their incredibly fierce winds, biting cold, and terrible lightning strikes. Yet out of such adversity comes a certain kind of order. Storm-orcs are incredibly regimented and have a unified society in the empire of Quarnost. Yet, they are not completely different from mountain orcs. Storm orcs still place a great emphasis on family as family “houses” are the basic building blocks of their empire. Power is gained or lost by ones family associations based on all the deeds of the extended family. Prestige is gained mostly from prominence in battle whether that is in warfare or through duels. Duels are the fastest way to ascend in rank in the empire as it is naturally believed that those who succeed in battle are most fit to rule. Denizens of Quarnost believe in a form of honor known as Sharg’troth the way of the warrior. All citizens are expected to live by Sharg’troth for it is felt that all citizens are in their own way members of the military effort. Sharg’troth teaches that an enemy must always be faced openly. Deception and sneak attacks are dishonorable. Crimes against a fellow citizen are also dishonorable. Yet it is important to note that murder by duel is not a crime nor is the taking of spoils after such a death. Murder by poison is a crime. Those who act counter to the teachings of Sharg’troth are either put to death or discommended. Discommendation is almost worth than death as no citizen is allowed to speak or interact with the discommendee save to forcibly remove them if they make a nuisance of themselves. A discommendee is a living ghost, unable to do anything and ignored by all. If anyone chooses to ignore the discommendation they too will be discommended or put to death. Storm orcs tend towards evil as do other orcs but they strongly tend towards law. The harsh conditions that they are forced to contend with have made the storm orcs impose their own kind of order on their environment to survive. Storm orcs look in all ways like mountain orcs save for the fact that their coarse body hair is groomed and trimmed and their hair is usually cut short or tied in a knot to keep it from interfering in combat. Storm orcs often revere the god Bargvar, the brother of Gruumsh. Bargvar is said to have forged the storm orcs upon the anvil of the island of Quarnost with the hammer of lightning. Bargvar is credited with all the successes of the Quarnost Empire and his emphasis on warfare to instill order in the world resonates with the storm orcs’ natural tendencies. [B]Storm-Orc Racial Traits:[/B] (These traits are in addition to the mountain orc traits except where noted) • +2 Constitution, -2 Dexterity • Favored Class: Fighter. This trait replaces the mountain orc’s favored class. Fighting and the expansion of the Empire are everything to a storm orc and for that reason even most non-soldiers have a level or two of fighter. [/QUOTE]
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