Half-Orcs

Half-orcs are often believed to be monstrosities, thought to be the creation of previsions and violence—which may not always be the case. On a whole half-orcs are rarely the result of loving unions. This often leads them to grow up hard and fast, sometimes forcing them to look out for themselves at early ages. Constant discrimination by other races can make some half-orcs temperamental, making them strike first, either with words or fists, and only confirming the belief that they are a violent and barbaric race. Some half-orcs spend their entire lives trying to prove themselves. Others opt for trying to blend into human or orc society, consistently demonstrating that they either aren't monsters or that they are indeed robust and violent enough to make it in orc society. Their need to always prove themselves worthy encourages half-orcs to strive for power and greatness within the community around them.

Physical Description:

Half-orcs average around 6’5” feet tall, with powerful builds and greenish or grayish tinged skin. Their lower canine teeth often grow long enough to protrude from their mouths, and these “tusks,” combined with heavier brows and slightly pointed ears, give them a more brutish appearance. Despite these obvious orc traits, half-orcs are as varied in appearance as their human parents.

Lifespan:

Half-Orcs have the shortest lifespan of any PC race. Half-Orcs average about 120 years.

Society:

Half-orcs that are raised within Orc society usually don’t live to adulthood. Orcs are a brutal and nearly extinct race that lives in inhospitable lands. They constantly war among themselves and other races, which means that they are usually driven out or exterminated by other humanoid races. Half-orcs are an exception, believed to be a little more civilized than their ancestors, but not much.

Half-orcs have a much more mixed experience in humanoid society, where many cultures view them as little more than monsters. The can rarely get "normal" work, and are pressed into military service, service as bodyguards, or something similar. Those Half-orcs that try to live within the cultural norm often lead secretive lives, hiding their nature whenever possible. The criminal world is often the most welcoming place, and many half-orcs wind up serving as enforcers for mob families or other types of organized crime. Bullying and physical confrontation come easily to half-orcs who have were raised with few other examples of behavior. Though there are indeed exceptions, though most expect such behavior from a half-orc.

Very rarely, certain humanoid cultures come to embrace half-orcs for their strength. There are examples of rough neighborhoods where people see half-orc children as a blessing and seek out half-orc or orc lovers. In these cultures, half-orcs lead lives not much different from full-blooded humans.

Relations:

A lifetime of persecution leaves the average half-orc wary and quick to anger, yet people who break through his savage exterior might find a well-hidden core of empathy. Human societies with few orc problems tend to be the most accommodating, and half-orcs dwelling there can often find work as mercenaries and enforcers. Even in places where there is a general tolerance for half-orcs, however, many humanoids mistreat them when they can get away with it.