Orcs¶
In a long-lost language, the word oruk-"blood fire"-described the glowing appearance of the orc people when they push themselves to their limits. While orcs know one another as kanin ("the people") in their own language, they also use "orc" with great pride, especially when dealing with other folk.
Orc history spans the world and all its ages. They've settled into villages and cities, hot and cold climates, high in the mountains and deep underground. Most orcs live in diverse humanoid societies, though a few live secluded in the tropics. Though they are no more likely to stand in the way of adventurers' than any other folk, orcs who do fill the same roles as other humanoids: mercenaries, bounty hunters, garroters, guards, cultists, and corrupt kings.
Relentlessly Tough¶
Orcs grow to impressive heights. The veins that commonly stripe their tough-skinned faces can appear more vibrant when they're excited or driven. Their hair, which ranges from coarse to fine, extends from their heads and drapes across their shoulders like royal mantles. Strong tusks extend past their lips and guard the rest of their teeth.
Few other humanoids can match the endurance of an orc, and orcs who train for hunting and combat can rally themselves to move faster and prevail longer. Should an orc find themself on the brink of death, their veins instinctively surge with "blood fire," glowing brightly and invigorating them to perform one last attack. Blood fire often appears red, though orcs from the mountains and underground glow blue and white, respectively.
Innate Power¶
The intense power of an orc's spirit occasionally manifests as raw magic. Orc eyes of Grole hone their magic into a singular elemental affinity for focused manipulation. Orc terranovas move their magic through their feet, surging into the earth. Orc godcallers use song to spark the magic inherent in every creature's spirit.
Mohlers¶
Mohlers are spined, pig-like animals who corkscrew through the ground as fast as they can run. Native to deserts and forests, these burrowing creatures produce shallow networks of tunnels just below the surface. Where orcs go, mohlers are sure to follow. In times of peace, orcs domesticate them to plow the earth and eat pestsβand in times of war, mohlers reshape the battlefield to knock the orcs' enemies off their feet.
When an orc community has exceptional gratitude for the deeds of one of their own or an outsider, they bestow the companionship of a mohler upon the individual. Treated kindly, mohlers make steadfast companions, protecting their caregivers with their lives. If mistreated, a mohler returns to their original den, and the orcs hunt the responsible party.
Scyzas¶
Orcs rely on giant bipedal lizards called scyzas to carry them over great distances. They adorn these mounts, which originated in the tropics, with great harnesses that allow dozens of orcs to ride a scyza at the same time. The lizards are fearless in the face of danger, making them perfect battle mounts. A scyza's trunk-like legs and claws cleave through the ground and kick up terrible dust storms. Worse still are their battering head crests, which emit a terrible, bone-shaking ringing sound.
Orc Languages¶
Most orcs speak Caelian and Kalliak.
Orc Malice (Malice Features)¶
At the start of any orc's turn, you can spend Malice to activate one of the following features.
βοΈ Overwhelming March (3 Malice)
Each orc shifts up to their speed, moving through enemy spaces if they can. Each enemy passed through during this movement makes a Might test.
- β€11: 6 damage; prone
- 12-16: 4 damage; prone
- 17+: Push 2
π³ Mohler Trench (5 Malice)
An orc acting this turn summons 2 mohlers out of the ground, who dig a trench that is a 10 x 1 line within 10 squares when they appear. The trench is 2 squares deep and is difficult terrain. The trench can't be created directly underneath creatures.
π³ Mohler Cavity (7 Malice)
The ground shakes as a group of mohlers dig a 5 cube pit beneath an area where at least one creature is on the ground. The area is difficult terrain. Each orc in the area can shift into the nearest unoccupied space outside the pit before it is completed. Each nonorc in the area makes an Agility test.
- β€11: 4 damage; the target falls; prone and can't stand (EoT)
- 12-16: 4 damage; the target falls
- 17+: The target can shift into the nearest unoccupied space outside the pit.
Mohler¶
| Animal, Orc | - | Level 1 | Minion Ambusher | EV 3 for four minions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1S Size |
7 Speed |
4 Stamina |
1 Stability |
2 Free Strike |
| - Immunity |
Burrow Movement |
- | +2 bonus to speed With Captain |
- Weakness |
| +0 Might |
+2 Agility |
-4 Reason |
+1 Intuition |
-3 Presence |
π‘ Earth Bump (Signature Ability)
Melee, Strike, Weapon Main action π Melee 1 π― One creature or object per minion Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 2 damage
- 12-16: 4 damage
- 17+: 5 damage
Effect: The distance increases to melee 2. If the mohler is 1 or more squares beneath the target before they use this ability, a target who has M < 1 is also knocked prone.
βοΈ Seismic Sense
The mohler doesn't need line of effect to use abilities against creatures or objects touching the ground.
βοΈ Ground Grinder
The mohler can use the Dig maneuver at the start of the encounter. Additionally, while the mohler burrows within 1 square below the ground, the ground above where they burrow is difficult terrain.
Orc Blitzer¶
| Humanoid, Orc | - | Level 1 | Minion Harrier | EV 3 for four minions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M Size |
7 Speed |
4 Stamina |
0 Stability |
1 Free Strike |
| - Immunity |
- Movement |
- | +2 bonus to speed With Captain |
- Weakness |
| +1 Might |
+2 Agility |
0 Reason |
0 Intuition |
0 Presence |
π‘ Lugged Spear (Signature Ability)
Melee, Strike, Weapon Main action π Melee 1 π― One creature or object per minion Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 1 damage
- 12-16: 2 damage
- 17+: 3 damage
Effect: A target who starts their next turn adjacent to three or more blitzers takes 3 damage.
βοΈ Bloodfire Bur
If the blitzer is reduced to 0 Stamina, they can make a free strike before dying.
Orc Bloodspark¶
| Humanoid, Orc | - | Level 1 | Minion Artillery | EV 3 for four minions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M Size |
6 Speed |
3 Stamina |
0 Stability |
2 Free Strike |
| - Immunity |
- Movement |
- | +2 bonus to forced movement distance With Captain |
- Weakness |
| 0 Might |
+1 Agility |
0 Reason |
0 Intuition |
+2 Presence |
πΉ Explosive Mote (Signature Ability)
Magic, Ranged, Strike Main action π Ranged 10 π― One creature or object per minion Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 2 damage; push 1, or the bloodspark can shift 1 square away from the target
- 12-16: 4 damage; push 2, or the bloodspark shifts up to 2 squares away from the target
- 17+: 5 damage; push 4, or the bloodspark shifts up to 4 squares away from the target
βοΈ Bloodfire Bur
If the bloodspark is reduced to 0 Stamina, they can make a free strike before dying.
Orc Glorifier¶
| Humanoid, Orc | - | Level 1 | Minion Controller | EV 3 for four minions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M Size |
6 Speed |
3 Stamina |
0 Stability |
1 Free Strike |
| - Immunity |
- Movement |
- | +5 bonus to ranged distance With Captain |
- Weakness |
| 0 Might |
+1 Agility |
0 Reason |
0 Intuition |
+2 Presence |
βοΈ Call to Victory (Signature Ability)
Magic, Melee, Ranged, Strike Main action π Melee 1 or ranged 5 π― One creature or object per minion Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 1 sonic damage
- 12-16: 2 sonic damage; P < 1 slowed (save ends)
- 17+: 3 sonic damage; P < 2 slowed (save ends)
Effect: Allies gain an edge on melee strikes against the target until the glorifier and each other glorifier in their squad are killed.
βοΈ Bloodfire Burn
If the glorifier is reduced to 0 Stamina, they can make a free strike before dying.
Orc Razor¶
| Humanoid, Orc | - | Level 1 | Minion Brute | EV 3 for four minions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1L Size |
6 Speed |
5 Stamina |
0 Stability |
2 Free Strike |
| - Immunity |
- Movement |
- | +1 damage bonus to strikes With Captain |
- Weakness |
| +2 Might |
+1 Agility |
0 Reason |
0 Intuition |
0 Presence |
πΉ Boot and Blade (Signature Ability)
Melee, Strike, Weapon Main action π Melee 1 π― One creature or object per minion Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 2 damage
- 12-16: 4 damage; push 3
- 17+: 5 damage; push 3 or prone
Effect: The razor gains an edge against any target affected by a condition.
βοΈ Bloodfire Burn
If the razor is reduced to 0 Stamina, they can make a free strike before dying.
Orc Bloodrunner¶
| Humanoid, Orc | - | Level 3 | Platoon Harrier | EV 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M Size |
8 Speed |
50 Stamina |
0 Stability |
5 Free Strike |
| - Immunity |
- Movement |
- | - With Captain |
- Weakness |
| +2 Might |
+2 Agility |
0 Reason |
+1 Intuition |
+1 Presence |
π‘ Shield Bash (Signature Ability)
Melee, Strike, Weapon Main action π Melee 1 π― One creature or object Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 7 damage; push special
- 12-16: 10 damage; push special
- 17+: 13 damage; push special or prone
Effect: The forced movement distance is equal to the number of squares the bloodrunner moved on their turn before using this ability. An ally targeted by this ability ignores the damage and can move up to that same distance.
2 Malice: An ally targeted by this ability can make a free strike after the forced movement is resolved.
βοΈ Unimpeded
The bloodrunner can end their movement in a prone creature's space. The first time on a turn that a bloodrunner enters any creature's space, that creature takes 3 damage.
βοΈ Relentless
If the bloodrunner is reduced to 0 Stamina, they can make a free strike before dying. If the target of the free strike is reduced to 0 Stamina, the bloodrunner is reduced to 1 Stamina instead.
Orc Chainlock¶
| Humanoid, Orc | - | Level 1 | Platoon Hexer | EV 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1L Size |
5 Speed |
20 Stamina |
2 Stability |
3 Free Strike |
| - Immunity |
- Movement |
- | - With Captain |
- Weakness |
| +2 Might |
+2 Agility |
+1 Reason |
+0 Intuition |
+0 Presence |
π‘ Hook and Chain (Signature Ability)
Melee, Strike, Weapon Main action π Melee 3 π― One creature or object Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 5 damage; pull 1; M < 0 the target is hooked (save ends)
- 12-16: 7 damage; pull 2; M < 1 the target is hooked (save ends)
- 17+: 9 damage; pull 3; M < 2 the target is hooked (save ends)
Effect: A hooked target can't move more than 3 squares away from the chainlock's position when this ability is used.
πΉ Heavy Crossbolt (3 Malice)
Ranged, Strike, Weapon Main action π Ranged 5 π― One creature or object Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 5 damage; A < 0 slowed (save ends)
- 12-16: 7 damage; A < 1 slowed (save ends)
- 17+: 9 damage; prone; A < 2 slowed (save ends)
βοΈ Chain Link
Whenever the chainlock is force moved by a creature's melee ability, the creature is pulled the same distance toward the chainlock after the forced movement is resolved.
βοΈ Relentless
If the chainlock is reduced to 0 Stamina, they can make a free strike before dying. If the target of the free strike is reduced to 0 Stamina, the chainlock is reduced to 1 Stamina instead.
Orc Eye of Grole¶
| Humanoid, Orc | - | Level 1 | Platoon Artillery | EV 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M Size |
6 Speed |
20 Stamina |
0 Stability |
4 Free Strike |
| Cold, fire, or lightning Immunity |
- Movement |
- | - With Captain |
- Weakness |
| +1 Might |
+1 Agility |
+0 Reason |
+0 Intuition |
+2 Presence |
βοΈ Elemental Affinity
The eye has an affinity for one of the following damage types cold, fire, or lightning. The chosen type determines the eye's damage immunity and the damage dealt by their abilities.
πΉ Elemental Discharge (Signature Ability)
Magic, Ranged, Strike Main action π Ranged 10 π― One creature or object Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 6 damage; push 2, or the eye shifts up to 2 squares away from the target
- 12-16: 9 damage; slide 4, or the eye shifts up to 4 squares away from the target
- 17+: 12 damage; slide 6, or the eye shifts up to 6 squares away from the target
Effect: This ability deals cold, fire, or lightning damage.
π³ Power Burst (3 Malice)
Area, Magic Main action π 5 x 2 line within 1 π― Each enemy in the area Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 3 damage; push 2
- 12-16: 5 damage; push 3
- 17+: 8 damage; push 4, prone
Effect: This ability deals cold, fire, or lightning damage, and any enemy targeted by the ability has damage weakness 3 to the same damage type (save ends).
βοΈ Relentless
If the eye is reduced to 0 Stamina, they can make a free strike before dying. If the target of the free strike is reduced to 0 Stamina, the eye is reduced to 1 Stamina instead.
Orc Garotter¶
| Humanoid, Orc | - | Level 1 | Platoon Ambusher | EV 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1L Size |
5 Speed |
30 Stamina |
0 Stability |
4 Free Strike |
| - Immunity |
- Movement |
- | - With Captain |
- Weakness |
| +1 Might |
+2 Agility |
+0 Reason |
+1 Intuition |
-1 Presence |
π‘ Dagger Feint (Signature Ability)
Melee, Strike, Weapon Main action π Melee 1 π― One creature or object Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 6 damage; the garroter can shift 1 square
- 12-16: 9 damage; the garroter shifts up to 2 squares
- 17+: 12 damage; the garroter shifts up to 3 squares
Effect: If this ability gains an edge or has a double edge, it deals an extra 4 damage.
π‘ Strangle
Melee, Strike, Weapon Main action π Melee 1 π― One creature Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 6 damage
- 12-16: 9 damage; I < 1 dazed (save ends)
- 17+: 12 damage; grabbed; I < 2 dazed (save ends)
Effect: While grabbed this way, a target can't communicate or use magic abilities.
π€ Chroma Cloak (1 Malice)
- Maneuver π - π― - The garroter turns invisible until the end of their turn. This invisibility ends early if they take damage or use an ability.
βοΈ Relentless
If the garroter is reduced to 0 Stamina, they can make a free strike before dying. If the target of the free strike is reduced to 0 Stamina, the garroter is reduced to 1 Stamina instead.
Orc Godcaller¶
| Humanoid, Orc | - | Level 1 | Platoon Support | EV 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M Size |
6 Speed |
30 Stamina |
0 Stability |
3 Free Strike |
| - Immunity |
- Movement |
- | - With Captain |
- Weakness |
| +1 Might |
+0 Agility |
+0 Reason |
+1 Intuition |
+2 Presence |
βοΈ Power Chord (Signature Ability)
Magic, Melee, Ranged, Strike Main action π Melee 1 or ranged 10 π― One creature or object Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 5 sonic damage
- 12-16: 7 sonic damage
- 17+: 9 sonic damage; P < 2 weakened (save ends)
πΉ Cadenza
Magic, Ranged Main action π Ranged 10 π― One ally Effect: The target moves up to their speed and can use a main action.
3 Malice: The godcaller targets a second ally.
πΉ Rallying Ostinato (2 Malice)
Magic, Ranged Maneuver π Ranged 10 π― Self and three allies Effect: Each target regains 15 Stamina and ignores difficult terrain until the end of the encounter.
βοΈ Relentless
If the godcaller is reduced to 0 Stamina, they can make a free strike before dying. If the target of the free strike is reduced to 0 Stamina, the godcaller is reduced to 1 Stamina instead.
Orc Juggernaut¶
| Humanoid, Orc | - | Level 3 | Platoon Brute | EV 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1L Size |
6 Speed |
60 Stamina |
0 Stability |
5 Free Strike |
| - Immunity |
- Movement |
- | - With Captain |
- Weakness |
| +2 Might |
+2 Agility |
-1 Reason |
-1 Intuition |
+2 Presence |
π‘ Haymaker Greataxe (Signature Ability)
Melee, Strike, Weapon Main action π Melee 1 π― One creature or object Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 7 damage
- 12-16: 11 damage; prone
- 17+: 14 damage; prone; M < 2 bleeding (save ends)
Effect: A target who is already prone takes an extra 6 damage.
βοΈ Hrraaaaaagh! (1 Malice)
- Free triggered action π Self π― Self Trigger: The juggernaut takes damage.
Effect: The juggernaut moves up to their speed and can make a free strike.
βοΈ Blood in the Water
Whenever the juggernaut willingly moves, they can move 3 additional squares if they end their movement closer to a prone creature.
βοΈ Relentless
If the juggernaut is reduced to 0 Stamina, they can make a free strike before dying. If the target of the free strike is reduced to 0 Stamina, the juggernaut is reduced to 1 Stamina instead.
Orc Rampart¶
| Humanoid, Orc | - | Level 2 | Platoon Defender | EV 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1L Size |
6 Speed |
59 Stamina |
2 Stability |
4 Free Strike |
| - Immunity |
- Movement |
- | - With Captain |
- Weakness |
| +2 Might |
+2 Agility |
+2 Reason |
+2 Intuition |
+2 Presence |
π‘ My Spear, My Foe (Signature Ability)
Melee, Strike, Weapon Main action π Melee 1 π― One creature or object Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 6 damage
- 12-16: 9 damage; taunted (EoT)
- 17+: 12 damage; taunted (EoT)
Effect: This ability has a double edge against any target who dealt damage to the rampart this round.
π€ Castling
- Maneuver π Self; see below π― One ally Effect: The rampart moves or shifts up to their speed adjacent to the target, then can swap places with the target.
βοΈ No.
- Triggered action π Self π― Self Trigger: A creature targets an ally adjacent to the rampart with an ability that doesn't also target the rampart.
Effect: The rampart becomes the target of the triggering ability instead.
βοΈ Relentless
If the rampart is reduced to 0 Stamina, they can make a free strike before dying. If the target of the free strike is reduced to 0 Stamina, the rampart is reduced to 1 Stamina instead.
Orc Terranova¶
| Humanoid, Orc | - | Level 2 | Platoon Controller | EV 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M Size |
6 Speed |
30 Stamina |
2 Stability |
4 Free Strike |
| - Immunity |
Burrow Movement |
- | - With Captain |
- Weakness |
| +1 Might |
+1 Agility |
+0 Reason |
+1 Intuition |
+2 Presence |
πΉ Earth Pillar (Signature Ability)
Magic, Ranged, Strike Main action π Ranged 10 π― Three creatures or objects Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 6 damage; A < 0 prone and can't stand (save ends)
- 12-16: 9 damage; A < 1 prone and can't stand (save ends)
- 17+: 12 damage; A < 2 prone and can't stand (save ends)
Effect: Each target must be on the ground, and the ground in each target's space rises 1 square.
βοΈ Sinkhole (3 Malice)
Area, Weapon Main action π 3 burst π― Each enemy and object in the area Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 4 damage; M < 0 restrained (save ends)
- 12-16: 7 damage; M < 1 restrained (save ends)
- 17+: 10 damage; M < 2 restrained (save ends)
Effect: The area is difficult terrain.
βοΈ Seismic Step
The terranova ignores difficult terrain. Additionally, they don't need line of effect to use abilities against creatures touching the ground.
βοΈ Relentless
If the terranova is reduced to 0 Stamina, they can make a free strike before dying. If the target of the free strike is reduced to 0 Stamina, the terranova is reduced to 1 Stamina instead.
Orc Warleader¶
| Humanoid, Orc | - | Level 3 | Leader | EV 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M Size |
6 Speed |
120 Stamina |
2 Stability |
5 Free Strike |
| - Immunity |
- Movement |
- | - With Captain |
- Weakness |
| +3 Might |
+2 Agility |
+1 Reason |
+2 Intuition |
+2 Presence |
πΉ Go. (Signature Ability)
Ranged Main action π Ranged 10 π― One ally Effect: The target moves up to their speed and can use a main action.
1 Malice: The warleader targets two allies.
3 Malice: The warleader targets one ally and a minion squad.
π‘ Mace Lariat
Melee, Strike, Weapon Main action π Melee 1 π― Each enemy Power Roll + 3:
- β€11: 7 damage; push 1; M < 1 dazed (save ends)
- 12-16: 10 damage; push 3; M < 2 dazed (save ends)
- 17+: 13 damage; push 5; M < 3 dazed (save ends)
πΉ Lockdown (3 Malice)
Ranged Maneuver π Self and ranged 10 π― Self and three allies Effect: Each target moves up to their speed and can use the Grab maneuver, which gains an edge.
βοΈ Courtesy Call
Ranged Triggered action π Ranged 10 π― One creature Trigger: The target obtains a tier 1 outcome on one power roll.
Effect: The target has a double edge on their next power roll before the end of the encounter.
β οΈ Close In (Villain Action 1)
Area - π 10 burst π― Each ally in the area Effect: Each target moves up to their speed. Each enemy adjacent to a target after this move makes an Intuition test.
- β€11: Frightened of the warleader (save ends)
- 12-16: Frightened of the warleader (EoT)
- 17+: No effect
β οΈ Familial Reinforcements (Villain Action 2)
Ranged - π Ranged 10 π― Self Effect: The warleader shifts up to their speed, and four orc blitzers appear in unoccupied spaces within distance.
β οΈ I'll Do This Myself (Villain Action 3)
- - π Self π― Self Effect: Three times in succession, the warleader shifts up to their speed and can use Mace Lariat.
βοΈ End Effect
At the end of each of their turns, the warleader can take 5 damage to end one effect on them that can be ended by a saving throw. This damage can't be reduced in any way.
βοΈ Relentless
If the warleader is reduced to 0 Stamina, they can make a free strike before dying. If the target of the free strike is reduced to 0 Stamina, the warleader is reduced to 1 Stamina instead.
Scyza¶
| Animal, Orc | - | Level 3 | Elite Mount | EV 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Size |
6 Speed |
100 Stamina |
3 Stability |
5 Free Strike |
| - Immunity |
- Movement |
- | - With Captain |
- Weakness |
| +2 Might |
-1 Agility |
-4 Reason |
+0 Intuition |
-1 Presence |
π‘ Clawed Kick (Signature Ability)
Melee, Strike, Weapon Main action π Melee 2 π― Two creatures or objects Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 7 damage
- 12-16: 11 damage; prone
- 17+: 14 damage; prone
Effect: The scyza roars, and if the target has I < 2, they are frightened (save ends).
π‘ Whiptail
Melee, Strike, Weapon Main action π Melee 3 π― One creature or object Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 8 damage
- 12-16: 13 damage; prone
- 17+: 16 damage; A < 2 bleeding (save ends)
Effect: Against a target on top of the scyza, this ability gains an edge, and the target is pushed into an unoccupied adjacent square and knocked prone.
π³ Crestfall (2 Malice)
Area, Ranged, Weapon Main action π 3 cube within 2 π― Each enemy in the area Power Roll + 2:
- β€11: 4 damage, 1 sonic damage; R < 0 dazed (save ends)
- 12-16: 7 damage, 2 sonic damage; R < 1 dazed (save ends)
- 17+: 9 damage, 3 sonic damage; R < 2 dazed (save ends)
βοΈ Sandstorm (3 Malice)
Area Maneuver π 3 burst π― Special Effect: The scyza kicks up a sandstorm, granting concealment to themself and any ally in the area until the end of the scyza's next turn. Each enemy in the area makes an Intuition test.
- β€11: 10 damage; prone; slowed (EoT)
- 12-16: 7 damage; slowed (EoT)
- 17+: 4 damage
βοΈ Brace and Break
- Triggered action π Self π― Self Trigger: The scyza or an ally riding the scyza is targeted by an ability.
Effect: Any damage dealt by the triggering ability is halved. If the creature or object who used the ability is within 3 squares of the scyza, the scyza can make a free strike against them.
βοΈ Terrible Beast
The scyza deals an extra 6 damage with abilities used against objects.
βοΈ War Harness
While riding the scyza, three size 1 allies can occupy the same space.