The rise and fall of an Orc Chieftain (Orc warrior NPC throughout his life)

[BLACKDIRGE]

Hargash, Orc Chieftain
Warrior L7; med humanoid; AL LE; CR 6; age 43 (middle age)
HD 7d8; hp 34;
Init +0; Spd 20 ft; AC 21;
BAB +7/+2; Atk +10/+5 melee or +7/+2 ranged;
SV Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +3;
Str 16, Dex 10, Con 11, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 09.

Skills (22 points): Climb +6 (9), Intimidate +10 (9), Jump +4 (7), Swim +3 (6)
Feats: Weapon Focus (longsword), Power Attack, Cleave
Languages: orc, common

Armor: Halfplate +1, +8 speed 20ft, 50 lbs.
Large Steel Shield +1, +3, 15 lbs.
Weapons: Longsword +1: Atk +12/+7 melee, Dmg 1d8+4, crit 19-20 x2
Javelins (3): Atk +7/+2 ranged, Dmg 1d6+3, crit x2, range 30ft
Other Gear: potion of bull’s strength, potion of cure moderate wounds (2), cloak of resistance +1

The prosperous reign of Hargash the Mighty has gleaned much power and success for clan Throat Ripper, so much success that his warriors have become complacent. They no longer need to raid caravans thanks to the monthly tribute paid by the nearby human towns and the humans have even given up on hiring bands of adventurers. Hargash knows his warriors are restless and has eagerly been searching for a new task to set them to but his overly ambitious elder son has been stirring up trouble for his father. Juka, Hargash’s oldest son has his sights set on his father’s throne and has been creating dissension among the younger males, trying to rile them up and eventually get them to revolt. Hargash has allowed his son some leeway because of the great potential the young orc shows, but he is no fool and will make an example of his son if things get out of hand.

Hargash now covered in battle scars is beginning to show his age, his tusks have yellowed and his main is streaked with gray. The creeping fingers of arthritis have seeped into his joints and every morning he finds it harder and harder to get up and get moving. Still, his rule is assured for now, no orc in his tribe can stand before him in battle and his continued alliance with Lumgok the adept has maintained Gruumsh’s blessing on him. Hargash has traded Lumgok a magic ring he took from a slain enemy adept in exchange for Lumgok enchanting his armor.

 

[MavrickWeirdo]

I like it very much. I had been planning on doing the longer lived races, but I hadn't considered the shorter lived races. I'm guessing that you are using the Half-Orc ageing chart.

I'm glad you have it set up so that to get the stats for Hasrgash's sons or bodyguards you just use younger versions of him.

I do have 3 "sugestions"

1. I thing he should have 22 skill points at level 7

2. For him to get 2 javelin attacks in a round he needs to have 2 javelins.

3. When I add ageing effects I reduce the CR, middle age is -.5, old age is -1, venerable is -1.5 (but that's just the way I do it it isn't a real rule.)

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

I like it very much. I had been planning on doing the longer lived races, but I hadn't considered the shorter lived races. I'm guessing that you are using the Half-Orc ageing chart.

I'm glad you have it set up so that to get the stats for Hasrgash's sons or bodyguards you just use younger versions of him.

I do have 3 "sugestions"

1. I thing he should have 22 skill points at level 7

2. For him to get 2 javelin attacks in a round he needs to have 2 javelins.

3. When I add ageing effects I reduce the CR, middle age is -.5, old age is -1, venerable is -1.5 (but that's just the way I do it it isn't a real rule.)

Thanks, I am glad you like it.

You're right, I did use the half-orc age table. Its probably not exactly how an orc would age but I figure its close enough. Do you think doubling the XP per year is accurate for the life of an orc? He gets up to level 10 in his seventies.

Fixed the skill points at level 7, I didn't account for him gaining a point in Int.

Yeah, I guess he would have to have two javelins in order to get two attacks, fixed it.

I didn't reduce his CR at middle age because I didn't think he lost enough to really matter. His strength is essentially the same and the loss of a point of dex has no effect in the game. He did lose a Con point which dropped hit hit points a bit, but I figured he made up for it with the new magic items.

I will, however, take your advice and reduce his CR at old and venerable.

Stay tuned for the exciting continuation of "The Saga of Hargash".

 

[Capellan]

Skills (22 points): Climb +6 (9), Intimidate +10 (9), Jump +4 (7), Swim +3 (6)

I'm thoroughly enjoying this thread. Just one note: I think your skill results need adjustment.

Halfplate+1 is a -6 Armour Check
Large Steel Shield +1 is a -1 Armour Check

Total: -7

Climb is 9 ranks +3 (STR) - 7 = +5 total
Jump is 7 ranks +3 (STR) - 7 = +3 total

As for Swim ... Assuming he has no other gear, he's carrying 73 lbs of stuff. That's a -14 check penalty, so:

Swim is 6 ranks +3 (STR) - 14 = -5 total.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

I'm thoroughly enjoying this thread. Just one note: I think your skill results need adjustment.

Halfplate+1 is a -6 Armour Check
Large Steel Shield +1 is a -1 Armour Check

Total: -7

Climb is 9 ranks +3 (STR) - 7 = +5 total
Jump is 7 ranks +3 (STR) - 7 = +3 total

As for Swim ... Assuming he has no other gear, he's carrying 73 lbs of stuff. That's a -14 check penalty, so:

Swim is 6 ranks +3 (STR) - 14 = -5 total.

Yeah, I havn't been adjusting for armor check penalties, just adding in the appropriate ability modifier. When I have time I will go back and edit it.

Thanks for pointing it out.

Dirge

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Hargash, Orc Chieftain
Warrior L7; med humanoid; AL LE; CR 6; age 45 (old age, -2 Str, Dex, Con; +1 Int, Wis, Cha)
HD 7d8-7; hp 27;
Init -1; Spd 20 ft; AC 20;
BAB +7/+2; Atk +9/+4 melee or +6/+1 ranged;
SV Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +3;
Str 14, Dex 08, Con 09, Int 13, Wis 11, Cha 10.

Skills (22 points): Climb +6 (8), Intimidate +10, Jump +4 (6), Swim +3 (5)
Feats: Weapon Focus (longsword), Power Attack, Cleave
Languages: orc, common

Armor: Halfplate +1, +8 speed 20ft, 50 lbs.
Large Steel Shield +1, +3, 15 lbs.
Weapons: Longsword +1: Atk +11/+6 melee, Dmg 1d8+3, crit 19-20 x2
Javelin(3): Atk +6/+1 ranged, Dmg 1d6+2, crit x2, range 30ft
Other Gear: potion of bull’s strength, potion of cure moderate wounds (2), cloak of resistance +1

As he feared, Hargash’s oldest son Juka attempted to lead a revolt against his father and usurp leadership of the tribe. Warriors loyal to Hargash quickly crushed the rebels with aid from Lumgok and his adepts. After the battle Hargash offered his son a fair duel, which he had no choice but to except, and slew him without remorse. Even though Hargash emerged victorious from the attempted coup, the tribe has suffered. The young males, resentful of their defeat and the death of their leader have become more recalcitrant and harder to control; they yearn for the more chaotic ways before Hargash’s rule.

Hargash is an old orc, few orcs live to see his age and fewer still hold on to power as long as he has. Hargash suffers greatly from arthritis in his joints and his vision is losing its clarity, he hides these ailments well and is still the most feared orc in his tribe. The death of his son greatly disappoints him, he was hoping to pass his leadership along to his oldest child instead of eventually losing it in a senseless duel, but the chaotic nature of his people has betrayed him.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Hargash, Orc Chieftain
Warrior L8; med humanoid; AL LE; CR 6; age 52 (old age)
HD 8d8; hp 32;
Init +0; Spd 20 ft; AC 21;
BAB +8/+3; Atk +10/+5 melee or +7/+2 ranged;
SV Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +4;
Str 14, Dex 08, Con 10, Int 13, Wis 11, Cha 10.
(8th level stat bump +1 to Con)

Skills (25 points): Climb +6 (8), Intimidate +11, Jump +5 (7), Swim +3 (5)
Feats: Weapon Focus (longsword), Power Attack, Cleave
Languages: orc, common

Armor: Halfplate +1, +8 speed 20ft, 50 lbs.
Large Steel Shield +1, +3, 15 lbs.
Weapons: Longsword +1: Atk +12/+7 melee, Dmg 1d8+3, crit 19-20 x2
Javelin (3): Atk +7/+2 ranged, Dmg 1d6+2, crit x2, range 30ft
Other Gear: potion of bull’s strength, potion of cure moderate wounds (2), cloak of resistance +1, amulet of natural armor +1

Old and hoary, Hargash now spends most of his time brooding and filled with regret. His grand designs for his tribe are crumbling around him. Each new generation of orcs has become harder to control and he has had to kill more than one young male who sought to get rid of the “old man”. In addition a group of orogs has joined the tribe and their leader Torkal, a huge and powerful fighter, has often locked horns with Hargash over how to rule the Throat Rippers. Hargash fears that Torkal may be a true threat to his leadership and has been working with the aged adept Lumgok on a way to be rid of him.

Hargash has regained some of his former vigor thanks to curative potions and salves Lumgok the adept has provided him, but it is clear that his youth is far behind him. Hargash has lost most of his hair and he has become gaunt having lost much of his former muscle mass. Hargash is still a potent warrior but he is worried about Torkal who is much larger, stronger, and younger if less experienced and Hargash is unsure if he would emerge the victor in a fight with the huge orog. Hargash has gained another magic item, an amulet of natural armor.

 

[MavrickWeirdo]

I like the irony of when he hits Old Age.

His attack bonus, damage bonus, armor class, and hit points will go down, but his Intimidate skill will go up.

Also there was something I did with my Warrior NPC, as his strength went down I paid attention to his carrying capacity. 65 lbs of armor should be no big deal if you have a 16 Str, but it should be a bit tougher at 11 Str. The game mechanics do not support this, but you might want to consider his armor getting lighter as he gets older.

 

[Tonguez]

I'm like the irony of when he hits Old Age.

His attack bonus, damage bonus, armor class, and hit points will go down, but his Intimidate skill will go up.

I still can't get over the big jump in HP that an old character gets (higher than in his youth - only at 34 has Hargashs HP been higher) but I think in this case a increase in intimidate is warranted - afterall Hargash is a 'legend'

great work btw

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Hargash, Orc Warrior
Warrior L8; med humanoid; AL LE; CR 6; age 60 (venerable, -3 Str, Dex, Con; +1 Int, Wis, Cha)
HD 8d8-16; hp 16;
Init -3; Spd 20 ft; AC 13;
BAB +8/+3; Atk +8/+3 melee or +5/+0 ranged;
SV Fort +5, Ref +0, Will +4;
Str 11, Dex 05, Con 07, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 11.

Skills (24 points): Climb +6, Intimidate +11, Jump +5, Swim +3
Feats: Weapon Focus (longsword), Power Attack, Cleave
Languages: orc, common

Armor: Chain Shirt, +4 speed 20ft, 25 lbs.
Large Wooden Shield, +2, 10 lbs.
Weapons: Longsword: Atk +9/+4 melee, Dmg 1d8, crit 19-20 x2
Javelin: Atk +5/+0 ranged, Dmg 1d6, crit x2, range 30ft
Other Gear: cloak of resistance +1,

Ancient by orc standards, Hargash has lost any trace of his vigorous youth. He is no longer chieftan, after losing a duel with Torkal the orog. Torkal allowed him to live, recognizing Hargash’s vast experience could be useful later on, but stripped him of all his most valued possessions. He was allowed to keep his cloak simply because Torkal was unaware of its magical properties. To make matters worse Hargash’s long time ally, Lumgok the adept, was slain by Torkal when he assumed leadership of the tribe, and has been replaced with a younger, more loyal, cleric of Gruumsh.

Hargash has been reduced to the state of a lowly guard; he spends his days filled with hatred and bitterness but is completely unable to change his circumstances. Hargash is now fully in the grip of advanced age, his bald skull is mottled with age spots and he has lost all vision in his left eye. He has taken to wearing a patch over his blind eye and some of the clergy are more than a little frightened of him due to the resemblance to their fierce deity. Although old and slow, he is still skilled with his weapon and has fatally surprised more than one orc who thought the decrepit old warrior would be easy prey.