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 pests—and 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.
Mohler
- Earth BumpMain actionSignature
- Seismic SenseTrait
- Ground GrinderTrait
Orc Blitzer
- Lugged SpearMain actionSignature
- Bloodfire BurTrait
Orc Bloodrunner
- Shield BashMain actionSignature
- UnimpededTrait
- RelentlessTrait
Orc Bloodspark
- Explosive MoteMain actionSignature
- Bloodfire BurTrait
Orc Chainlock
- Hook and ChainMain actionSignature
- Heavy CrossboltMain action3 Malice
- Chain LinkTrait
- RelentlessTrait
Orc Eye of Grole
- Elemental AffinityTrait
- Elemental DischargeMain actionSignature
- Power BurstMain action3 Malice
- RelentlessTrait
Orc Garotter
- Dagger FeintMain actionSignature
- StrangleMain action
- Chroma CloakManeuver1 Malice
- RelentlessTrait
Orc Glorifier
- Call to VictoryMain actionSignature
- Bloodfire BurnTrait
Orc Godcaller
- Power ChordMain actionSignature
- CadenzaMain action
- Rallying OstinatoManeuver2 Malice
- RelentlessTrait
Orc Juggernaut
- Haymaker GreataxeMain actionSignature
- Hrraaaaaagh!Free triggered action1 Malice
- Blood in the WaterTrait
- RelentlessTrait
Orc Rampart
- My Spear, My FoeMain actionSignature
- CastlingManeuver
- No.Triggered action
- RelentlessTrait
Orc Razor
- Boot and BladeMain actionSignature
- Bloodfire BurnTrait
Orc Terranova
- Earth PillarMain actionSignature
- SinkholeMain action3 Malice
- Seismic StepTrait
- RelentlessTrait
Orc Warleader
- Go.Main actionSignature
- Mace LariatMain action
- LockdownManeuver3 Malice
- Courtesy CallTriggered action
- Close InVillain Action 1
- Familial ReinforcementsVillain Action 2
- I'll Do This MyselfVillain Action 3
- End EffectTrait
- RelentlessTrait
Scyza
- Clawed KickMain actionSignature
- WhiptailMain action
- CrestfallMain action2 Malice
- SandstormManeuver3 Malice
- Brace and BreakTriggered action
- Terrible BeastTrait
- War HarnessTrait