Half-orc

Half-orcs are a diverse race of humanoids, having either one orc parent, or two half-orc parents.

Appearance
Half-orcs are most commonly born of human and orc heritage, or from two half-orcs of such ancestry. Half-orcs typically have protruding tusks and well developed muscles, though often not to the extent of full-blooded orcs. They tend to be taller than humans, being up to 6 ½ feet tall, and weighing between 180 and 250 pounds. A half-orc's skin tone can match either that of their parents, or can even be a two-toned mix between the two.

Besides humans, half-orcs can have other non-orcish parents, such as elves.

History
Half-orcs are among the youngest races to exist on Exandria. They are the progeny of human warriors and orc traitors in the final days of the Calamity. Because of their orcish heritage, it has been long thought that they have inherited a curse of ruin, the alleged curse from Gruumsh that drives orcs to commit acts of cruelty and violence. Only in recent years has this prejudice begun to wane.

Tal'Dorei
Half-orcs face a great deal of prejudice in Tal'Dorei, often being thought of as ugly brutes by humans, and weak runts by orcs. Some half-orcs reject human society, having seen its ugly side, preferring to live among the barbarian clans of the Dividing Plains, such as the Rivermaw Tribe. Others live among the tribes of their orcish parents, such as the brutal Ravagers.

Wildemount
Half-orcs in the Dwendalian Empire are renowned for being mighty soldiers, thanks the Odakar orc clan being incorporated into the Empire, forming the city of Bladegarden.

Within the Kryn Dynasty, many half-orcs have drow heritage. In the nomadic bands of Xhorhas, it is strictly taboo for orcs to interbreed with goblinoids, because goblinoids do tend to inherit the Curse of Strife and those of orcish blood are falsely believed to inherit a similar "curse of ruin", and the elders fear the madness that would befall an individual with both curses.

While half-orcs are uncommon in the Menagerie Coast, they are most often found within Othe, having come to seek peace through the spiritualism present in the city.

Powers and Abilities
Half-orcs are most often known for their might. They have been known to be capable of coming back from the brink of death, their orcish blood allowing them to survive what would otherwise be fatal blows.

PCs

 * Garthok: A member of the Clasp, and one-time ally of Vox Machina.

NPCs

 * Kern: A renowned pit fighter of The Crucible in Vasselheim.
 * Dr. Dranzel: Leader of Dr. Dranzel's Spectacular Traveling Troupe and spy for the Golden Grin.

Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting

 * Spireling Warren: The Clasp's assassin master, the Spireling of Blades, located in Emon.
 * Lorkathar: Fire Ashari firetamer leading the Flamereach Outpost, which watches over the Scar of the Cinder King on the outskirts of Emon.
 * Jorlund Vohr: Professor of archaeology and spirit-speaker who led the only expedition to ever return from the Ruins of Vos’sykriss (Visa Isle), only to have his notes and stone tablets (along with his apartment) immediately destroyed by Umbrasyl in the attack on Emon. Nine years earlier, he discovered a cache of Ioun stones in the Frostweald (related to the Cavern of Axiom), but his research and findings were stolen a week after he brought them to the Alabaster Lyceum.

PCs

 * Fjord: A warlock, formerly of Uk'otoa, and now paladin of The Wildmother, member of the Mighty Nein.

NPCs

 * Tuss Waccoh: Eccentric professor at the Marble Tomes Conservatory in Rosohna.