The OSR is kicking around random tables to give demihuman characters a little on-the-fly background.
I don’t actually have the issue of Fight on! this references but I think I get it. There is already a really good orc table, but no one has claimed half-orcs as far as I know, so here goes; apologies if this isn’t in the proper pattern.
Many half-orcs (roll or pick d3)
- are ashamed of their orcish blood and try to pass for human
- are ashamed of their human blood and try to pass for orc
- are intrigued by the idea of cannibalism but haven’t tried it (yet)
- were raised in orphanages/monasteries and hope to find their parent(s)
- file their teeth and nails to points and use them as weapons
- are largely feral and cannot sleep indoors
- have worked as pit fighters or gladiators
- have a “slave mentality” and lack initiative
- have abnormally long arms
- are intensely jealous of half-elves, who have it friggin’ easy
- are bullies and will dominate weaker PCs until beaten in a fist fight
- can eat anything
- are attracted to any humanoid/demihuman of the opposite (same) sex
- are attracted only to elves of the opposite (same) sex
- find themselves drawn to human wizards and hope to serve as their lieutenants
- have a special affinity with dogs & wolves
- know how to make effective improvised weapons out of almost anything
- have a very acute sense of smell and can smell fear
- cannot grow facial hair and & go bald early
- can drink prodigious amounts of alcohol with little effect but are intoxicated by raw meat and blood
Some half orcs (roll d16)
- were raised by ignorant farmers who think they are human
- have stomachs that audibly growl if they go more than 2 hours without eating
- have orc-like tusks and claws
- favor using two weapons, whether or not they are ambidextrous
- are experts at identifying poisonous plants and fungi
- fear clerics and will not enter active temples
- have a strict, complicated code of honor
- belong to an organized crime “family” or criminal guild
- have an intense rivalry with one or more half-siblings (human, orc, half-orc, or half-elf)
- have a permanent squint
- have rotten teeth and horrible breath
- look down on humanoids as uncivilized savages and try to prove they are cultured/refined
- aspire to lead humanoid armies and be their king
- have several totally unrelated superstitions/taboos
- vehemently deny being half-orcs
- are expert brawlers from constant fighting as children
Starting equipment (roll d16)
- stuffed animal or dolly
- necklace made of human teeth
- knife concealed in belt buckle
- hooded cape with partial mask for the lower face
- locket with a portrait of a supposed human parent
- rusty manacle with broken chain, still locked on one or both wrists
- bag of interesting smooth pebbles
- garrote
- an illustrated book in a language he/she can’t read
- clumsy frame backpack holding all of their possessions
- worg pup which is cute but vicious
- wanted poster (of the him/her, or of some random criminal with a bounty on their head)
- heavy wooden toolbox with hammer, prybar, and files
- executioner’s hood
- 2 “heavy metal” gloves covered with spikes that reach the elbows
- a large ball of twine and string cobbled together from many bits
By the way, how exactly does one roll a d16? d8 + another die which is +0 (even)/+8 (odd)?
The more I see these popping up, the more I like them.
Excellent post!
Thanks!