Orog

Creating An Orog

Base Race: Half-Orc

  • Favored Class: Fighter
  • Alignment: Usually Chaotic Evil
  • ECL: +2
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
+4 -2 0 0 -2 +2
  • Natural AC Bonus: +1
  • Fire Resistance: +10
  • Cold Resistance: +10
  • Darkvision
  • Forging: +1
  • Languages: Common;Undercommon;Orc -__

Notes

Starting city: Andunor

Introduction

Although everyone in Faerûn knows about the orc hordes of the North (the mountain orcs) and the nomadic orcs of the East (the gray orcs), only a relative few know of the third sub race that hails from the deeps below ground. The Underdark is the chosen haunt of these terrible creatures, the orogs. On Arelith, orogs have built themselves a reputation as not only fierce and disciplined warriors and soldiers, but as acomplished leaders as well.

Appearance

Arelithian orogs have become strikingly different than their surface kin. While mountain orcs and gray orcs have a feral,almost bestial look to them, orogs tend to have a more civilized aspect, even if no less brutal. Their eyes are huge and pale,their ears large and their skin tones range from deep greens,blues and blacks, to charcoal grays and dirty browns. On average, they measure six and a half feet tall which, combined with their cunning and charisma, makes for an intimidating presence.

History

Orogs are descended from the Skullbiter Tribe of Mountain orcs who lived in the Spine of the World mountain range millennia ago. After a failed invasion of Netheril in -3605 DR, they were chased back by elven and Netherese armies until they sought refuge in a narrow cave at the end of a valley. This cave led to the Underdark,where they became lost but were not followed by their enemies. Delving further underground they bred in great numbers and expanded into many surrounding caverns, subjugating the creatures already living there and eventually split into a dozen different tribes. Over the ages, these orcs adapted and evolved to survive in their new surroundings, eventualy becoming the modern, lethal orogs. On Arelith's portion of the Underdark, the orogs were not among the first to settle in the wild and vast cave systems that stretch for miles under the island. When the first of them began to arrive, however, they quickly assumed positions of power and influence. Throughout the years, orogs have fought and started wars, ruled settlements and commanded armies and, though their numbers have never been vast, they have always made their mark.

Deities

Orogs brought the worship of Gruumsh with them into the Underdark and have more or less forgotten the other various deities. War itself is both a way of life and a near-religion for most orogs and many of them serve their deities through combat. Rather than building elaborate temples, they will give praise through bloodspilling. Furthermore, blacksmiths and their workshops are often revered and greatly respected, as they make the tools of death with which orogs can honor Gruumsh and his pantheon. Arelithian orogs tend to favor the worship of the One-Eye, but many have been known to follow other orc gods. A fringe minority among them worships other gods.

Orog Society

Deep underground the orogs use slave labour to expand caverns into well-defended cities. These cities are completely enclosed in the rock and consist of huge, seemingly endless rooms connected by numerous large processionals and public squares. Orog cities often consist of layers, with rooms atop rooms atop rooms. Nobility usually resides in the highest chambers, which are accessed by trapped stairwells and vertical shafts with crude rope lifts. Orog cities such as these can house upwards of eight thousand orogs and up to three times that many slaves. The one thing that binds together all orog societies is the placement of the forges. Orogs have a long tradition of armour smithing and weapon forging, and the first thing a tribe of orogs look for when they pick a site for a new town is a natural place to set up a forge. Volcanic vents and pools of magma are favourites, but more traditional forges built on epic scales serve as well. Orog forges are community-held, and any orog is welcome to build armour and weaponry at the forge just as long as what is produced is either put to immediate personal use or placed in the community armory. Orogs have never built exclusive cities of their own on Arelith, but they have carved niches for themselves in most settlements that they have joined with,often molding them to their own needs and preferences. The isolated nature of Arelith's Underdark has forced the orogs to work and live closely with other denizens of the Deep Realms, which has been both a source of conflict and tension, as well as advancement and profit. Despite the individual orog's drive to prove himself superior to both his own kind and outsiders, they do tend to stick together or, at least, preserve a sense of kinship with each other.

Orog Characters

Most orog characters are fighters or barbarians and because orogs have higher Charisma scores than other orc races, a significant minority of them are bards and sorcerers. Orogs on Arelith have traditionaly occupied positions as warlords, generals and tyrants, adventuring and mercenary work also being favorite occupations. They often chase feats of might and glory, like fighting in epic battles or testing their mettle against legendary beasts.

External links:

http://wiki.arelith.com/Orog
http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Orog http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Orc_pantheon