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Orcs, also called Orsimer or "Pariah Folk" in ancient times, are sophisticated, beastlike people of the Wrothgarian Mountains, Dragontail Mountains, and Orsinium (literally translated as "Orc-Town"). They are noted for their unshakable courage in war and their unflinching endurance of hardships. In the past, Orcs have been widely feared and hated by the other nations and races of Tamriel, and were often considered to be goblin-ken. However, they have slowly won acceptance in the Empire, in particular for their distinguished service in the Emperor's Legions. Orc armorers are prized for their craftsmanship, and Orc warriors in heavy armor are among the finest front-line troops in the Empire, and are fearsome when using their berserker rage. Orcs have a lifespan similar to that of humans. Most Imperial citizens regard the Orc society as rough and cruel. The Orcs of the Iliac Bay region have developed their own language, known as Orcish, and have often had their own kingdom, Orsinium.

 

ORSIMER TRAITS                                                        

Your orc character has certain traits deriving from your orc ancestry.

    Attribute Score Increase. Your Endurance and Willpower scores increase by 1.

    Age. While they are Mer, Orcs do not live as long as their distant cousins. They could live up to 80 years old, but the Code of Malacath demands that an old Orc should end his life before he becomes weak and a burden to his clan. They rarely live longer than 50 years. They reach adulthood at age 16.

    Alignment. The orsimer are mostly lawful neutral. Orcs follow a code and are often extremely beholden to their traditions. They are dedicated to the strength of their clan over individuals.

    Size. Orcs are broad and hardy, they are usually around 6 feet tall, even the females, and weigh around 200 pounds. Your size in medium.

    Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

    Aggressive. As a bonus action, you can move up to your speed toward an enemy of your choice that you can see or hear. You must end this move closer to the enemy than you started.

    Berserk. As an action, for the next minute you gain temporary hit points equal to twice your character level. Additionally, you gain advantage on one attack on each of your turns. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

    Blood-Kin. You share kindred blood with all of your orc brothers and sisters. Using Honor or Strength, you may be able to avoid conflict with other orcs.

    Menacing. You have proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

    Tool Proficiency. You gain proficiency with the smith's tools.

    Languages. You can speak, read, and write Tamrielic and Orcish. Orcish is a harsh, grating language with had consonants.

    Subraces. Three main subraces of orcs populate the continent of Tamriel: City Orcs, Wild Orcs, and Wood Orcs.

 

CITY ORCS

Not all orcs choose to live in the strongholds. Those that choose to live in the cities live a much more cosmopolitan life, but they are derided by other orcs for doing so.

    Attribute Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1.

    Orcish Resilience. Your tough mind and body grants you resistance to force damage.

 

WILD ORCS

Traditional orc society is centered around living in stronghold settlements. These independent villages follow the Code of Malacath, and the strength of each tribe depends on their strongest warrior.

    Attribute Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.

    Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

 

WOOD ORCS

Valenwood is typically home to the Bosmer, but many tribes of orcs have made this forested province their home. Like other orcs, they prize strength and honor, but to the wood orcs this means having agility and mobility as much as it does muscular power and endurance.

    Attribute Score Increase. Your Agility score increases by 1.

    Keen Hearing and Smell. You have advantage on Willpower (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

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