Your race is the heart of your character. It is who they are at their core. Their thoughts, feelings, and upbringing are influenced by their race. This week we’ll be taking a look into the races of D&D and how they shape your character. Today we’ll be talking about half-orcs.
Half-orcs are the breed of a human and an orc. They walk the line between civilization and savagery, constantly in an inner battle. The human side of them desire to be with their fellow people, but due to the orcish side of them, other humans keep their distance. And due to their human side, orcs see them as weaker and thus cast them aside. This leaves half-orcs as outcasts of both societies. This leads half-orcs to be one of the easiest races to translate into an adventurer. They have no ties or reasons to stay at home, but every reason to go out and prove themselves. They are the epitome of everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Half-orcs inner turmoil is exasperated by Gruumsh, the patron god of orcs. He whispers to all orcs, even half ones, to join the fold of battle. He inspires bloodlust in all of his children, and as one of those children, it’s your choice of if you’ll answer that call. Will you give in to the temptation of battle? Or will you control your inner animal? These questions lead to an interesting dynamic.
Half-orcs make for interesting characters that ask as much about themselves as they do the world around them. They are born into this struggle of nature versus nurture, always fighting against their odds. If you pick this race you’ll be in for more than just brutish fighting. What character will you create? Will it be a half-orc, or one of the other races that we’ll cover this week? Let me know in the comments below. Until then, keep those dice rolling high!
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