Species Name: Barbaros, Half Orc
Type: Humanoid
Physical Traits: Barbaros average around 6 feet tall, with powerful builds and greenish or greyish skin. Their canine teeth often grow long enough to protrude from their mouths, and these tusks, combined with heavy brows and slightly pointed ears, give them their notoriously bestial appearance. Despite these obvious Orc traits, Barbaros are as varied as their human parents.
Height: 5.9 - 6.5ft
Weight: 155 - 225 lbs
Abilities: Infravision 60 feet
Mobility: Legs
Sensory Organs: Visual
Communication: Vocal
Reproduction: Sexual
INT: 3D6 -1, WIS: 3D6, STR: 3D6 +2, DEX: 3D6, CON: 3D6, CHA: 2D6 -1, MR: 2D6, HPs: CON +D8
Orbit/Climate: See Earth
Feeding Habits: Omnivore
Lifespan: 75 years
Technology: 2
Culture: Hostile, intolerant and aggressive, held in check by strong social customs. The Barbaros personality tends to be short tempered, sullen, and prone to action rather than thought. Half-orcs prefer simple pleasures: feasting, singing, wrestling and wild dancing. They have no interest in refined pursuits such as high art and philosophy.
Due to their Orcish blood, Barbaros are on poor terms with some of the other races. Relations are particularly troubled with Elves and Dwarves, due to racial enmity between Orcs and these races. It's not to say that it's impossible for a Barbaros to find camaraderie with an Elf or a Dwarf, however; Dwarves in particular are willing to befriend Barbaros who have proven themselves worthy of a dwarf's trust. Half-Elves tend to be sympathetic toward Barbaros, knowing the hardships of being an outcast from both of their parent races. Hauflin and Gnomes are generally accepting of half-orcs and happily interact with them. Barbaros adopt different attitudes to gain acceptance from those who are wary of their Orcish heritage. Some are reserved, some demonstrate public virtue, while others force acceptance through physical intimidation. Barbaros have no native lands; they most often live among Orcs. When not living among Orc tribes, Barbaros almost always live in human lands, as humans are more accepting than other races.
Barbaros often find companionship among adventurers, many of whom are fellow wanderers and outsiders. Their need to always prove themselves worthy encourages Barbaros to strive for power and greatness within the society around them. Unlike Half-Elves, where at least part of society's discrimination is born out of jealousy or attraction, Barbaros get the worst of both worlds: physically weaker than their Orc kin, they also tend to be feared or attacked outright by humans who don't bother making the distinction between full Orcs and half bloods. Even on the best of terms, Barbaros in civilized societies are not exactly accepted, and tend to be valued only for their physical abilities. On the other hand, Orc leaders have been known to deliberately spawn Barbaros, as the half breeds make up for their lack of physical strength with increased cunning and aggression, making them natural leaders and strategic advisors. Tribal leaders quietly recognize that Barbaros are often more clever than their Orc cousins and often apprentice them to the tribe's shaman, where their cunning might eventually strengthen the tribe. Apprenticeship to a shaman is a brutal and often short-lived distinction, however, and those Barbaros who survive it either become influential in the tribe or are eventually driven to leave.
Barbaros have a much more mixed experience in human society, where many cultures view them as little more than monsters. They often are unable even to get normal work, and are pressed into service in the military or sold into slavery. In these cultures, Barbaros often lead furtive lives, hiding their nature whenever possible. The dark underworld of society is often the most welcoming place, and many half-orcs wind up serving as enforcers for thieves guilds or other types of organized crime. Less commonly, human cities may allow half-orcs a more normal existence, even enabling them to develop small communities of their own. These communities are usually centred around the arena districts, the military, or mercenary organizations where their brute strength is valued and their appearance is more likely to be overlooked. Even surrounded by their own kind, half-orc life isn't easy. Bullying and physical confrontation comes easy to a people who have been raised with few other examples of behaviour. It is, however, one of the best places for young Barbaros to grow up without prejudice, and these small enclaves are one of the few places where half-orc marriages and children are truly accepted and sometimes cherished. Even more rarely, certain human cultures come to embrace Barbaros for their strength. There are stories of places where people see Barbaros children as a blessing and seek out Barbaros or Orc lovers. In these cultures, Barbaros lead lives not much different from full-blooded humans.
Government: Tribal Council
Population: 5,133,230