Orcs worship Gruumsh, the one-eyed god of slaughter, and are savage, bloodthirsty marauders. They plague the civilized races of the world and also fight among themselves for scraps of food and treasure. They love close combat and plunge furiously into the thick of battle, giving no thought to retreat or surrender.
Description and Homelands
Combining the strength and hardiness of orcs with the cunning and ambition of humans, half-orcs are a tough breed indeed. Half-orcs arose long ago when fierce and violent tribes of humans wandered into lands where orc tribes dwelled, or vice versa. To this day people who display "orcish" traits occasionally surface in lands such as Vaasa or the North, and orcs of less bestial appearance and unusual cunning appear in various orc tribes. True half-orc communities are quite rare, but in lands where orc blood runs thick, people with half-orc characteristics may comprise a significant minority of the population.
Full-blooded orc heroes are much less common than half-orc heroes, despite the fact that there are many more full-blooded orcs than half-orcs in the world. Most orcs are murderous marauders who heed only the rumble of hungry stomachs and thirst for loot. However, in the years just before the Spellplague, a nation of orcs formed and has since managed to persevere. From within the Kingdom of Many-Arrows, a new kind of orc has emerged. While crude and barbaric traditions remain, many members of the race have come to appreciate the luxuries of civilization and the sense of satisfaction that can be achieved through creation and not destruction. Although marauding bands of orcs remain a problem throughout Faerûn, Many-Arrows has done much to change the reputation of this traditionally infamous race.
Orcs typically have foul temperaments and are quick to anger. Easily offended, orcs generally use violence to resolve problems. Although orcs rarely consider multiple solutions to a problem, they do excel at getting things done because they are creatures of action, not thought. Orcs are typically unintelligent and rash, yet exceptions do exist, such as King Obould, who are capable of accomplishing greatness despite ill heritage and racial predispositions.
Orc Racial Traits
Average Height: 6' 0"– 6' 5"
Average Weight: 200–230 lb.
Ability Scores: +2 Strength, +2 Constitution
Size: Medium
Speed: 6 squares
Vision: Low-light
Languages: Common, Giant
Running Charge: When you charge, add 2 to your speed.
Warrior's Surge: You can use warrior's surge as an encounter power.
| Warrior's Surge | Orc Racial Power |
| Spilling the blood of your enemy invigorates you. |
| Encounter ✦ Healing, Weapon |
| Standard Action | Melee weapon |
| Attack: Strength vs. AC |
| Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage, and you can spend a healing surge. |
| Increase to 2[W] + Strength modifier damage at 21st level. |