So, Elves and Orcs are always depicted to be enemies. And, depending on where you go on the internet, sometimes sometimes they have funny ways of expressing that animosity.
So, how would you show a Half-Elf-Half-Orc, mechanically? Would they function like a combination between the two halves? Would they have weirder stats? How would you go about depicting this? What challenges would this character face, both gameplay-wise, and story-wise?
And what would the lifespan on this sucker be? How ugly do you think it would be? Would it have a longer or shorter lifespan than it's parents?
So on and so forth. Discuss amongst yerselves.
Oh. I meant to post this in the homebrew section. Sorry guys!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
You should try using the race builder in the ARG. I would just take the Half-Elf and Half-Orc races and mix them together.
+2 to One Ability Score
Medium size
Normal speed
Darkvision probably, at least low-light vision
Skill focus (Intimidate) at 1st level?
Orf blooded: Counts as Elf and Orc
Orc Ferocity and Keen Senses; OR Elven Immunities adn Weapon Familiarity
Languages: Common, Orc, Elven, any other (except blah blah).
They would probably have a slightly longer life than an Orc.
The easiest way I can think of is to say that one side is dominant over the other and use either the half-orc or half-elf race, but change it physically to show traits from the other race. A half-elf with bigger muscles and sharp teeth. A half-orc with nicer skin and slender build.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Here's a stab at it:
Svartalf
In the lands around the Hold of Belkzen, the occasional orc and elf come together. These bastard children, found to be too frail of use in orcish encampments and too vile to be welcome in elven communities often live a hard-scrabble existence in the hinterlands and mountains of northern Avistan, where they have come to be known by the Ulfen term svartalfar.
The svartalfar are a tall race, with a lithe, sinewy build, combining both elven and orcish features. Their skin color varies widely, from a light stony gray through a mottled lime lichen to a deep mossy green. Their facial features are elfin in shape, with long pointed ears and slender countenance, but their eye colors tend toward golds and reds, and they sport a pair of tusks jutting from their lower jaw.
Svartalf Racial Traits:
Medium size Humanoid (elf, orc subtypes)
30' Move
+2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, -2 Charisma (Specialized, 1 RP)
Languages: Common, Elf, Orc. High Intelligence svartalfar can choose from the following list: Giant, Gnoll, Goblin, Sylvan, Undercommon.
Darkvision 60' (2 RP)
Orc Ferocity: Once per day, when a member of this race is reduced to fewer than 0 hit points but is not killed, it can fight on for 1 more round as if disabled. At the end of its next turn, unless brought to above 0 hit points, it immediately falls unconscious and begins to die. (2 RP)
Elven Immunities: Members of this race are immune to magic sleep effects and gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws made against enchantment spells and effects. (2 RP)
Camouflage: The mottled skin colors of the svartalf help them to hide deep in the wilderness. Svartalfar gain a +4 racial bonus on Stealth checks while within mountainous regions. (1 RP)
Weapon Familiarity: Svartalfar are proficient in falchions and bows, and elf and orc weapons are considered martial. (2 RP)
Elf Blood, Orc Blood: Svartalfar count as elves and as orcs for the effects of spells.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I actually am running a campaign right now where one of the players is exactly that. The only oddity is because we used a 20rp because he's supposed to be a divine avatar. He's a Paladin as well so he's pretty much a bright green elf with tiny tusks who's 16 charisma makes him 'pretty'.
You can use the race builder and it works just fine. He's a little more powerful then a normal race is because of the 20RP, but you could do it with 10 or 15 just fine and pick and place what you like. Nawtyit's is pretty close to what he has.
Life expectancy I would assume just the same as a Half-elf, if not a little shorter.
All of these ideas are really brilliant. Thank you all.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Mechanically, you should be able to get what you want by playing either a Half-Elf with the Racial Heritage (Orc) feat or a Half-Orc with the Racial Heritage (Elf) feat. The human blood thing is fairly easy to play down or ignore, after all.