Of half-orcs...

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Now, I have half a mind to make a half-orc NPC to my campaign (still need the players *rolleyes*) and I started to wonder about something...

In the rulebook it says (I think) that half-orcs are human/orc hybrids.... is this a requirement or are, say, orc/elf hybrids possible?

Because if human/elf is compactible as is human/orc, wouldn't that make orc/elf compactibble as well?

I know, I know.... strange. Blame the one throwing a tin can at the Vogon!

 

That one race(the orcs) is a very flexible race does not dictate that the other races(halflings,humans, elves etc) having offspring with it are flexible. If you think of it in a geometric way and use three circles to illustrate the reproductive abilities of each race, then you can place both the Human and elf circles partially in the Orc circle, but they don't necessarily need to overlap each other.

But I would say it is your choice, how far the overlap goes. It is always a charm when a DM's improvise rationally if you ask me, so good luck with your ideas . The background story for this male or female orc-elf would also be very interesting.

 

As the DM, you're able to create whatever race you deem interesting. You could have a character who is the offspring of a orc and a half-elf, if you wanted (1/2 orc, 1/4 human, 1/4 elf). Just think Piers Anthony, Xanth, and love springs.

 

Thou are mad! mad! but I like it! It could be possible but elf and orc despice each other.

That's the way I see it


+1 dex (elven ancestor)

+1 strenght (orcish ancestor)

-1 int, cha (orcish ancerstor)

+1 to listen, spot, and wilderness lore ( with the cunning of the elf and the barbaric lineage of the orc, they know how to live in the wild)

Automatic use of Long sword (as anybody with
elven blood)

Both elven and orcish blood ( they can use elven and orcish magic item with the same capacity of elf and orc)

M size

Favourite class: I'm taking suggestion^^


They gain some of the grace of elf and sme of strengh of orc, however their intellect in charisma are still below average thanks the their orcish oroging. On the other hand the Constitution penality from elf disapear since the orc people are made for battle in it show in their DNA.

When you're a it why not halfling/gnome ? and elf/dwarf*? dwarf*/orc human/dwarf*

THEY are Medium size humanoid after all

 

Thankies... I am pretty sure I can make this freaky NPC of mine to work...

 

The half-blood traits are given for the race with the more "dominant" bloodline. The half-orc would be more orcish than elven. Or vice versa.
Should just use half-elf if it's more of an elf than an orc.

if making races (in 3e) the stat bonus should always give or subtract a mod. A +1 stat bonus from race simply dont exist.

Now, if you want to create something "unique" try and subtract the the elf traits and the orc trais.

Orc: +4 +0 +0 -2 -2 -2
elf: +0 +2 -2 +0 +0 +0
----------------------
best of both worlds: +4 +2 -2 -2 -2 -2
cut in half: +2 0 0 -2 0 -2

sorta ends in half orc traits, so I'd go with that. If more elf-like, use half-elf traits. Probably combine the race he'll use with the society he's grown up in.

 

Given that in some cosmologies, orcs are warped and fallen elves, such acombo in that cosmology would be similar to a 1/2 baatzu, 1/2 deva -- sorta strange! But in other cosmologies, it could work.

 

What about a 1/4 Avariel, 1/4 Tiefling, 1/2 Orc. It might be interesting...

 

Oh yes, why not do a 1/4 Illithid, 1/4 Purple Worm and 1/2 Orc while you're at it.

 

@ Lokken:


Bah! I just guess that it was 8AM when I posted so D&D rules was wayyy ahead(SP?) of me!

Anyway why not 1/8 human 1/8 elf 1/8 gnome 1/8 dwarf 1/8 orc 1/8 halfling 1/8 ogre 1/8 Ilithid

I mean thos eight race *could* have children betwen them over the age and form this race the ¨1/8 human 1/8 elven 1/8 gnomish 1/8 dwarven 1/8 orcish 1/8 halflinish 1/8 ogrish 1/8 Ilithidish¨



Anyway elf/orc could make a good if role played right.

 

There are half-dwarves in the Dark Sun world, and an orc-elf hybrid is mentioned in Arcanum (In Arcanum orcs and elves are both derived from human stock, by way of "supernatural selection").


***ARCANUM SPOILER****


In one side quest it is mentioned that a conspiracy of gnomes attempted to interbreed orcs and elves in order to produce a race of super-bodyguards who were both strong and magically proficient. It didn't work, but I can't remember why not. If I find out, I'll post it - might provide some interesting inspiration for your elf/orc NPC.

 

hehe, well as an elf/orc, I wouldn't put that much weight in the race modifiers, more the story

That numbers are just numbers.. damn boring

 

Since elves and orcs are pretty much mortal enemies, I can't see it happening. Remember that it's not a good idea to apply genetics and other real sciences to D&D to that kind of extent.

Of course, if you really wanted to, no one's there to stop you. I just think it violates one of the fundamental Tolkeinesque concepts: Elves good, Orcs bad.

And whatever you do, please don't make the racial stat modifiers odd.

EDIT: if you're feeling really creative, go buy the Fiend Folio (from SP, of course!). Then you can experiment with Half-Fey, Half-Trolls, and Half-Illithids. Or the Manual of the Planes (ditto) - Elemental or Half-elemental creatures.

[ September 09, 2003, 03:47: Message edited by: Oaz ]

 

I suppose it is possible, depending on your world. If it's in say, Middle Earth, forget it. If it's in anything that even vaguely resembles Middle Earth, forget it.

 

Nooo! I am sick of everyone aluding orcs as bad and elves good...

 

@Lokken
In your example Orc's do not get +2 con.

I'll make a 1/3-solar 1/3-balor 1/3-Kobold. Don't ask about the threesome.

 

Heh...you'd like Arcanum. It's got a community of fascist elves and a political agitator trying to form Trade Unions for the poor, oppressed orcs.

 

Nice...

You know, this one LARP world has a description of orcs along the lines of: Orcs are spphisticated, hihgly intelligent and love their creature comforts. Their culture is highly advanced as well. Or was. Before elves and men drove them to the swamps and forests to live the life od foragers and woodsmen...

Edit: I havew come to the conclusion that my hybrid will, at least outwardly, resemble an Uruk-Hai. That is, one that bathes regularily Tall, muscled, bronzed, pointy-eared, pointy-teethed, not that hairy... and so forth.

[ September 11, 2003, 09:10: Message edited by: Arabwel ]

 

I'm thinking that the father of the orc/elf must be evil, because I don't think there will be a elf who will like an orc.

 

you apparently do't read the same stuff I do....

anyways, the backstory will be something along the lines of orc-molests-elf, elf-gets-pregnant, elf-dies-giving-birth, half-elf-finsd-the-baby, half-elf-raises-the-baby-because-(s)he-used-to-adventure-with-a-half-orc-of-note

or something like that anyway.

Although knowing me, I don't want to know what I'll come up with.