PhoenixPhyre
2019-06-13, 03:30 PM
As part of my effort to create "tweaked" variant races/sub-races for all 5e races without sub-races and due to some campaign events, I'm introducing a new subrace for my orcs. Feedback on balance requested. The first part is setting-specific.
Hell-bred
These orcs are the descendants of those orcs that entered Godsfall before the Cataclysm and were altered by abyssal magic during the reign of Kul'Assad. While not demonic themselves, they bear the visible stigma and carry that hellish magic in their blood. Shorter and wider than most orcs, they have reddened skin and more prominent tusks. Unlike Dynastic orcs, they do not consider themselves tribe-bound and live in a society much more similar to a wall-builder. They do not carry the tribal tattoos of other orcs.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Fearsome Mien. You gain proficiency in Intimidation.
Abyssal Legacy. You know the resistance cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the darkness spell as a 2nd level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so once you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the fear spell as a 3rd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Base Orcish race (note--this replaces the Half-orc and orc races in their entirety. Half-orcs are a sub-race now, not a full race).
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength and Constitution scores each increase by 1.
Age. Orcs mature a little faster than humans, reaching adulthood around age 14. They age slightly faster and rarely live longer than 75 years.
Size. Orcs are somewhat larger and bulkier than humans, and they range from 5’5” to well over 6’. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. One of the modifications made by the ancient aelvar was superior vision in dark or dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of grey.
Relentless Endurance. When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Ard-Teang (Orcish).
Hell-bred
These orcs are the descendants of those orcs that entered Godsfall before the Cataclysm and were altered by abyssal magic during the reign of Kul'Assad. While not demonic themselves, they bear the visible stigma and carry that hellish magic in their blood. Shorter and wider than most orcs, they have reddened skin and more prominent tusks. Unlike Dynastic orcs, they do not consider themselves tribe-bound and live in a society much more similar to a wall-builder. They do not carry the tribal tattoos of other orcs.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Fearsome Mien. You gain proficiency in Intimidation.
Abyssal Legacy. You know the resistance cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the darkness spell as a 2nd level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so once you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the fear spell as a 3rd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Base Orcish race (note--this replaces the Half-orc and orc races in their entirety. Half-orcs are a sub-race now, not a full race).
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength and Constitution scores each increase by 1.
Age. Orcs mature a little faster than humans, reaching adulthood around age 14. They age slightly faster and rarely live longer than 75 years.
Size. Orcs are somewhat larger and bulkier than humans, and they range from 5’5” to well over 6’. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. One of the modifications made by the ancient aelvar was superior vision in dark or dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of grey.
Relentless Endurance. When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Ard-Teang (Orcish).