Orc

Uncommon Medium Humanoid Orc

Orcs are a proud, strong people with hardened physiques who value physical might and glory in combat, now ruling their own interstellar empires forged in the fires of conflict.

Among the ancestries that vanished from Riadus after the great Expansion, orcs re-emerged in a distant sector of the galaxy, with a millennia-old history all their own. Having no memory of Riadus, they carved out a number of distinct interstellar empires ruled by powerful warlords and bound by a tradition known as the Unbroken Chain. Orc culture teaches that they are shaped by the challenges they survive, and the most worthy are those who have endured the greatest hardships. Those who attain both a long life and great triumphs in this brutal cycle command immense respect from all orcs.

You Might…
  • Eagerly meet any chance to prove your strength in a physical contest.
  • Rely on intimidation or direct physical action to resolve conflicts.
  • Offer blunt, forthright honesty, even when it might be undiplomatic.
Others Probably…
  • See you as violent or lacking in discipline due to your warlike cultural background.
  • Admire your unparalleled fidelity and loyalty once they have earned your trust.
  • Mistake your stoicism in the face of pain for simple brutishness.

Physical Description

Orcs are tall and powerfully built, with long arms, stocky legs, and a tendency to slouch forward at the shoulders. Many stand over seven feet tall, with thick bones and rock-hard muscles that make them physically imposing. Their skin is typically a shade of gray, though other colors reflecting adaptations to the varied environments of their worlds are not uncommon. Many orcs have prominent tusks that protrude from their lower jaw, and their eyes are most often completely black. Heavily scarred skin, large tusks, tattoos, and powerful builds are considered attractive features in orc society. Orcs reach physical adulthood around age 17 and can live up to 60 years.

Society

Though they have largely abandoned savage brutality for a more structured, martial society, orcs remain aggressive and warlike. Their many empires and kingdoms are bound by a tradition known as the Unbroken Chain. This political system dictates that the warlord of a single empire becomes the supreme warlord over all orc-kind for a set period. After their term ends, the position shifts to the next empire in a predefined cycle. This rotation ensures no single empire holds permanent absolute power and discourages abuse, as any warlord knows their people will eventually be subject to the rule of those they now command. This harsh, structured society produces formidable warriors, and orcs who venture into the Core Worlds often find work as mercenaries, bodyguards, or in other roles where intimidation and brute force are assets. Others become pirates, preying on systems bordering their territory.

Language

The Orcish language is guttural, characterized by percussive, consonant-heavy sounds and clipped vowels. Its structure favors directness and economy of words over complex grammatical nuance, making it sound clipped and forceful to outsiders.

Names

Orcish names are often single syllables and feature prominent hard consonant sounds. They are not chosen for beauty but for strength, reflecting the virtues their culture admires. Female names often share the same root sounds as male names but frequently end in a vowel sound, such as ‘-a’ or ‘-el’. Over time, an orc might earn a new name or title that reflects a great deed, adding to their personal legend.

Example Names: Brogg, Gazrak, Grizel, Grom, Gutrippa, Korgath, Krag, Rashka, Rotfang, Throk, Varguk, Zarga.

Beliefs

Orc spiritual life is dominated by the worship of hero-gods and honored ancestors. They believe that the greatest heroes, particularly supreme warlords who die a glorious death while in service to the Unbroken Chain, can ascend to godhood. A small pantheon of universally admired legendary figures from their ancient past are also revered as gods. For most orcs, however, day-to-day worship is intensely personal and familial. Clans and families primarily revere their own deceased ancestors, provided they lived gloriously and died with honor. They make offerings and pray to these ancestral spirits for guidance, strength, and favor in their own trials.

Popular Edicts: Become stronger through daily trials, use your own pain as a tool to teach others, uphold the strength of the Chain.

Popular Anathema: Surrender at the cost of honor, suffer the weak to endanger the strong.

ORC MECHANICS

Hit Points

10

Size

Medium

Speed

25 feet

Attribute Boosts

Strength, Free

Languages
  • Orcish
  • Common
  • Additional languages equal to your Intelligence modifier (if it’s positive). Choose from Goblin, Harrath, Jotun, Pyric, and any other languages to which you have access (such as the languages prevalent in your region).
Darkvision

You can see in darkness and dim light just as well as you can see in bright light, though your vision in darkness is in black and white.

Orc Heritages & Feats

Orcs have access to all Orc heritages and feats from the Pathfinder Player Core rulebook.

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