On the matter of half-orcs

[ProfessorCirno]

I think it's important to state that there are differences between "dark" and "mature." Having a lot of violence, death, oppression, rape, etc. certainly makes a game more dark, but I think it's a very different thing from mature. You can have a mature game that isn't neccisarily as dark as the one you're talking about. Sadly, my view on what makes something mature (difficult moral decisions, shades of grey) has become very different from what most mainstream media sees as mature (lots of pointless nudity, objectification of women, needlessly gratuitous violence, and other things that I ironically see as being far more immature then "mature").

 

[Kzach]

Who said orc chicks aren't hot?

I'd hit it...

 

[evilteddybear83]

never thought of the origins of half-orcs and never really cared.

The first character i played was a half-orc and i verver thought of the origins and i realise that i never cared. So some orcs raped some human woemn, Vikings did the same thing across northern europe during the dark ages. and they're not the only ones...

 

[SHARK]

Who said orc chicks aren't hot?

I'd hit it...

Greetings!

*Dayum*

Where'd that picture come from? I mean...who painted it, what book or edition or interpretation did that come from?

Most Orcs I've seen throughout the years have been usually tusked, beastial, dirty and monstrous-looking.

Certainly, they haven't been muscular, buffed, kick-ass *hottie* warrior women with sensual, attractive features rivalling a human's or elf's, though with smooth, green skin.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

 

[arscott]

That's Garona, of WarCraft fame. IIRC someone at Blizzard made that model for WarCraft III when they needed some cheesecake for a magazine cover (though the character doesn't actually appear in that game--she's from WC1).

It should be noted that Garona is a half-orc. (Though what the other half is isn't especially clear--Garona's Origin story is even more subject to interpretation than the 4e half orc's)

 

[Mallus]

There is a difference between what is appropriate for individual campaigns (ie, just about anything) and appropriate for a core rule book (ie, probably not rape as an integral part of a playable race's background).

 

[Raven Crowking]

There is a difference between what is appropriate for individual campaigns (ie, just about anything) and appropriate for a core rule book (ie, probably not rape as an integral part of a playable race's background).

I remember some folks saying something similar about tieflings, but I can't recall your agreeing with them then......?


RC

 

[Mallus]

I remember some folks saying something similar about tieflings, but I can't recall your agreeing with them then......?

Right. Because I believe tieflings (or cambions, or Melniboneans, or whatever you call them) are appropriate for a core book. It's an entirely different situation.

 

[Raven Crowking]

Right. Because I believe tieflings (or cambions, or Melniboneans, or whatever you call them) are appropriate for a core book. It's an entirely different situation.

Hrrmmm.

The only difference, AFAICT, is that you like one thing, and you don't like another. Half-demons are ultimately no more likely to be the product of a loving relationship than half-orcs. If you propose that half-demons have been around long enough to be a race unto themselves, you can say the same thing about half-orcs, and neither changes a whit about the origin of the species.

If there is any rational argument for the banning of half-orcs that doesn't apply equally (or even more strongly) to tieflings, I have never seen it. Saying "It's an entirely different situation" doesn't make it so. Indeed, I am very curious as to what difference you think there is? I have to assume that you don't think that infernal beings that personify evil are more capable of loving relationships than primitive mortal humanoids are?


RC

 

[billd91]

I still don't understand why/how half orcs made a come back for 3e. I didn't like them in 1e, and they didn't see the light of day in any 2e I was apart of.

Because 3e was something of a return to 1e sensibilities, including "Back to the Dungeon" slogans, but with updated mechanics.

I always liked half-orcs. There's something fun about playing a character with a brutish side and/or reputation getting about in civilized society.