Why no Half-elf/Half-orcs?

[Shortman McLeod]

I
...I wonder why the same wasn't always applied to half-orcs (orc/humans): I'd say that they're usually the result of rape, too, and humans are probably not that much friendlier towards orcs than elves. So a human mother (or her family, neighbours and so on) would probably act the same.

You obviously aren't a mother. A mother isn't necessarily so quick to kill her own baby (although of course that can happen). I can see a human mother being *protective* of her half-orc spawn. "Back off! He's my baby! I don't care what his father was!" Also, remember that many half-orcs look similar enough to humans to pass as "ugly humans" instead of "tusk-toothed monsters".

As for half-orcs born from orc parents, I assume that most wouldn't survive that long, because they're weak.

Half-orcs aren't always the result of rape, though . . . I don't have my PHB in front of me, but it says something like "Out in the wild frontier regions human and orc barbarian tribes often intermingle, blah blah blah". It is suggested that barbaric humans have no problem willingly mating with an orc from a friendly or neutral tribe.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

You obviously aren't a mother.

Nope. Would be quite a trick, too.

A mother isn't necessarily so quick to kill her own baby (although of course that can happen).

That's why I included family and friends.

I can see a human mother being *protective* of her half-orc spawn. "Back off! He's my baby! I don't care what his father was!"

I never was in the situation, but I can see how mothers that were subject to rape are more likely to hate their children, them being a reminder of the traumatic events they had to endure.

And there's abortion. It happens a lot in this world, and I can see it happen in a D&D world. I'm sure there's ways to do that without today's high-tech hospitals.

 

[Zurai]

And there's abortion. It happens a lot in this world, and I can see it happen in a D&D world. I'm sure there's ways to do that without today's high-tech hospitals.

Tansy causes miscarriages in pregnant women even if consumed in nonlethal quantities. I've seen references to it being used as an aborticant (is that a word?) before.

 

[Shortman McLeod]

Tansy causes miscarriages in pregnant women even if consumed in nonlethal quantities. I've seen references to it being used as an aborticant (is that a word?) before.

Not to be cranky or anything, but is an abortion discussion really where we want this thread to go? If ever there was a combination of religion and politics, it is the topic of abortion.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

As for half-orcs born from orc parents, I assume that most wouldn't survive that long, because they're weak.

eh, mostly balanced in the daylight, plus they can scout better and unlike orcs have one casting stat they aren't penalized in. I wonder if half orcs raised among orcs should have favored class ranger instead of barbarian, seems like more the niche they would fill in an orc tribe...

 

[Klaus]

eh, mostly balanced in the daylight, plus they can scout better and unlike orcs have one casting stat they aren't penalized in. I wonder if half orcs raised among orcs should have favored class ranger instead of barbarian, seems like more the niche they would fill in an orc tribe...

When I wrote the article "Orc Blood!?" for Fiery Dragon, I postulated that half-orcs growing up among orcs could never rise to lead a tribe openly, but were clever and alert enough to become a "power behind the throne". And they become priests easier than full-blooded orcs.

 

[rossik]

maybe humans are more...fertile

 

[The Grumpy Celt]

I should think an Orc/Drow combination quite potent.

If you cross elves and orcs you get humans.

 

[Gez]

If you cross elves and orcs you get humans.

Or, as Drowbane said, with dark elves and orcs you get dorcs.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

maybe humans are more...fertile

Promiscuous?