TEXT: EN World EN5IDER | Allies and Adversaries: Orc Life
  EN World EN5IDER | Allies and Adversaries: Orc Life
  T
  he Allies And 
  Adversaries series 
  provides GMs with 
  NPCs that can be quickly 
  and easily inserted into 
  any adventure or ongoing 
  campaign. Each NPC receives a 
  detailed treatment of character 
  traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws, 
  as well as game statistics, 
  physical description, backstory, 
  and tips on how this NPC may 
  be used in play.
   Orcs need not be evil, 
  but they sure are great at it. 
  Below are orcish NPCs of 
  diverse lifestyles, classes, 
  and alignments. Only some 
  of them conform to the “evil, 
  brutish, warmongering beast” 
  archetype of orcs, and those 
  that do can easily be altered 
  to suit different dispositions. 
  Instead, each of them is driven 
  by a need and a passion, like 
  any other character.
  Allies & Adversaries
  ORC LIFE
   
  writing Kiel Chenier
   color art Phil Stone
   
  editing James J. Haeck
   
  layout Eric Life-Putnam
  
  Allies and Adversaries: Orc Life | EN World EN5IDER
  Allies and Adversaries: Orc Life | EN World EN5IDER
  Gurk, Orc Painter in the Big City
  Background
  Gurk was an orphan raised in an orphanage in 
  the city run by goodly priestesses of a benevolent 
  deity. He was deposited on their doorstep as 
  a baby, and the priestesses could not bring 
  themselves to kill the orc. He was raised to be 
  good along with all the other orphans. 
   At fourteen years old, Gurk left the orphanage 
  to work as a blacksmith’s apprentice. While he 
  had no skill with a hammer or forge, he was 
  adept at sketching and making blueprints. The 
  blacksmith, being an eccentric, introduced Gurk 
  to her artist friends. While many of these artists 
  scoffed at the idea of an orc artist, some were 
  impressed with his talent, and took to teaching 
  him more advanced techniques. Gurk rose to 
  prominence quickly, selling his first painting to an 
  aristocrat when he was sixteen, and owning his 
  own studio by nineteen.
  Roleplaying Gurk
  Gurk is well-spoken and intelligent, surprising 
  those who see him as just a dumb orc. He knows 
  a great deal about art history and the prominent 
  artists and painters in the region. He enjoys 
  fine food and drink, but often is forced to live 
  meal-to-meal. 
   Gurk has become a sought-after painter, and 
  many established human and elven artists hate 
  that. Frequently Gurk is the target of racism and 
  attacks by thugs hired by these rival artists. Gurk 
  seeks out adventurers from time to time to help 
  him deal with such problems, drawing them into 
  a world of artistic rivalry and intrigue.
  The studio is spacious, filled with canvas, timber, and 
  paint. You hear humming coming from the corner. 
  A seven-foot-tall orc stands with his back to you. 
  Behind him are three unconscious human thugs, 
  blood spattered on the ground. The turns around 
  to you, wearing a leather smock, his nose is broken 
  and bleeding. He stands before a fresh painting of a 
  perfectly rendered glade, a palette and brush in his 
  hands. “Men tried interruptin’ me painting. Very 
  rude,” he comments with a chuckle.
  Statistics
  Traits. I have an eye for beauty, no matter its shape or 
  size, and am quick to comment on it.
  Ideal. Equality. I will be recognized as a great artist, 
  regardless of what people say of my race.
  Bond. Lydia, a gallery curator, often hosts my art. I’m 
  forever grateful to her.
  Flaw. I have a temper, and will not let an insult slide.
  Chaotic good Medium humanoid (orc) 
  Str 
  16 (+3)  
  Dex  14 (+2)  
  Con  12 (+1) 
  Int  8 (–1)  
  Wis  10 (+0)  
  Cha  14 (+2)
  Notes: Gurk is an orc commoner who lives in a big city. 
  He has Darkvision out to 60 feet and the Aggressive 
  feature, as an orc. 
  Possessions: Gurk dresses in plain cotton clothes, a 
  leather smock, and carries a purse with 22 gp and a 
  mouse skull in it. He owns the deed to a large studio 
  space in the artist/tradesperson district of the city. 
  The studio is filled with 300 gp worth of art supplies, 
  canvas, and paints.
  Physical Description
  Gurk is a handsome orc by human standards, 
  maybe even elven standards. He has a narrow 
  face and a strong chin, green skin, and shoulder-
  length black hair. His face is always covered in 
  thick stubble. 
  
  EN World EN5IDER | Allies and Adversaries: Orc Life
  EN World EN5IDER | Allies and Adversaries: Orc Life
  Rathbone, Banished Orc War-Priestess
  Background
  Rathbone was brought up in a unique tribe 
  of nomadic orcs who worship a lawful orc 
  goddess, rather than the patron deity of orcs. 
  She was raised to be a war priestess, carrying 
  the commandments of her goddess with her into 
  battle. 
   Unfortunately, her tribe was slaughtered in a 
  night raid, with her and several other orc women 
  taken as prisoners. This did not deter Rathbone, 
  as she spent the next year converting her captors 
  to her chosen deity. Under her religious influence, 
  Rathbone’s new tribe flourished for a year before 
  falling to the blade of another orc tribe. She was 
  captured again. 
   This would become a trend, as Rathbone 
  successfully converted seven tribes to her deity, 
  and all seven of them have fallen to ruin under 
  her influence. Still, Rathbone keeps the faith. After 
  being banished from her eighth tribe, she wanders 
  the wilderness looking for a new tribe to call 
  home. 
   In her fifth tribe, Rathbone became the lover 
  of an orc chieftain named Balla. When the tribe 
  was later slaughtered by elves, Balla was taken 
  prisoner while Rathbone was left for dead. The 
  two have not seen each other in years.
  Roleplaying Rathbone
  Rathbone is a severe woman. She seldom 
  laughs or smiles. She respects only grand shows 
  of strength, and will gladly travel and fight 
  alongside those she views as strong, regardless 
  of their race. However, she also has a secret 
  weakness for cute things or people (halflings, 
  squirrels, gnomes).
   Rathbone seeks to see the enemies of her 
  goddess punished, and wants to find the elven 
  militia that stole Balla away killed. More than 
  that, she desperately wishes to see Balla again, 
  though she has trouble admitting it.
  An orc woman limps over the next ridge. Her head 
  is shaved, coarse hair fashioned into a mohawk. Clad 
  in bloodstained armor, dozens of arrow shafts stick 
  out of her back. She meets your eyes and quickens her 
  awkward gait. She raises a battle-axe, goblin skulls 
  affixed to the haft, and cries out to you: “I see you! 
  Fight me!” she wheezes. It is clear she is in a bad way.
  Statistics
  Traits. Me having orcish proverb or prayer for situa-
  tion, like “Don’t eat thing you haven’t killed or is too 
  big to lift.”
  Ideal. Strength. Goddess only value strong orc, so I be 
  strong.
  Bond. Balla, a previous orc lover. She am better than 
  Rathbone deserve. Miss her very!
  Flaw. Me am like to drink, but get sad when drunk. Cry 
  too much. 
  Lawful neutral Medium humanoid (orc) 
  Str  20 (+5)  
  Dex  14 (+2)  
  Con  16 (+3) 
  Int  6 (–2)  
  Wis  10 (+0)  
  Cha  8 (–1)
  Notes: Rathbone is an orc priest. She has Darkvision 
  out to 60 feet and the Aggressive feature, as an orc.  
  She is a 5th-level spellcaster with spells prepared as a 
  priest, and speaks Common and Orcish.
  Possessions: Rathbone carries a ceremonial battle axe 
  (1d8 + 5 slashing damage), a suit of ceremonial splint 
  mail armor (AC 17), a backpack, 3 goblin-fat candles, 
  2 days-worth of meat rations, 50 feet of hemp rope, 
  an empty waterskin, and a holy symbol of an orc 
  goddess.
  Physical Description
  Rathbone is a brawny battle-scarred orc, the 
  survivor of numerous raids, attacks, and duels. 
  Her hair is shaved and spiked in a mohawk, her 
  ‘tusk’ teeth jut out as far as a male orc’s would, 
  and she is almost always clad in armor. She smells 
  strongly of blood, sweat, and fresh-cut grass. She 
  seems to be perpetually scowling. 
  
  Allies and Adversaries: Orc Life | EN World EN5IDER
  Allies and Adversaries: Orc Life | EN World EN5IDER
  Vortch, Orc “Chef”
  A fire roars beneath a massive iron cauldron. A thick, 
  viscous stew bubbles inside. Steam rises from it into 
  a wide orc’s face, decorated with bone piercings and 
  ornamental scars. His piggish snout snorts up the 
  steam. He lowers a bone ladle into the stew, raising its 
  bubbling contents to his lips. He sips it delicately, then 
  puckers his lips. “Too pungent. It’s the ground fennel 
  seed that’s done it. It needs a sweetener...and we’re all 
  out of elf’s blood,” he sighs ruefully. 
  Statistics
  Traits. I’ve got the most refined palate in all the seven 
  tribes. 
  Ideal. Pride. Somethin’s not worth doin’ if you can’t do 
  it right.
  Bond. Clan Collarbreak, I owe those lumps my life, and 
  I will serve ‘em as best I can.
  Flaw. I cannot stand to be condescended to. I’ll break 
  an orc’s legs if he thinks he’s better than me.
  Chaotic evil Medium humanoid (orc) 
  Str  16 (+3)  
  Dex  14 (+2)  
  Con  16 (+3) 
  Int  12 (+2)  
  Wis  8 (–1)  
  Cha  10 (+1)
  Notes: Vortch is an orc thug and a member of Col-
  larbreak Orc Clan. He has Darkvision out to 60 feet 
  and the Aggressive feature, as an orc, and the Pack 
  Tactics feature, as a wolf. He speaks, reads, and 
  writes in Common and Orcish
  Possessions: Vortch wears studded leather armor (AC 
  14) and carries a longsword (1d8 + 3 slashing), a spear 
  (1d6 +3 piercing), and a massive cast-iron pan (2d4 + 
  3 bludgeoning). He carries with him 50 gp worth of 
  cooking utensils and tools, and 100 gp worth of spices 
  and assorted rare ingredients. He carries all of these 
  in a sack made from a dire boar’s stomach. 
  Physical Description
  Vortch is a brutish orc. His face is holds numerous 
  bone piercings and is covered in ornamental 
  tattoos. His head is shaved bald and his chin has 
  a black pointed beard. He is average in height for 
  an orc, but has a paunch of a belly. 
  Background
  Vortch was born into Clan Collarbreak, a tribe of 
  orcs known for smashing the collarbones of their 
  captives. Votch came to prominence in his clan for 
  having a sensitive tongue and nose, and was put 
  in charge of testing food and drink for poison and 
  rot.
   Years later, during a raid of a human village, 
  Vortch managed to salvage a human cookbook 
  and a number of kitchen tools. Over the next year, 
  Vortch taught himself how to cook and took his 
  place as the clan’s ration-master.
  Roleplaying Vortch
  Vortch is an odd sort of orc. He’s better-spoken 
  than his orc brothers and sisters, speaking in a 
  cockney accent, and he is better-versed in cuisine 
  and culinary techniques than most human chefs. 
  He is eager to boast about his knowledge and his 
  ingenuity in combining human cooking with the 
  kinds of foods orcs like to eat, all of which are foul 
  to “civilized” palates.
   Vortch is always looking for new herbs and 
  spices to improve his cooking, and will pay or 
  trade with outsiders for them. His clan isn’t 
  opposed to eating other sapient races, so PCs 
  might encounter him if they are ever taken captive 
  by orcs. He will gladly converse with them, even 
  bargain with them, as he’s preparing them to be 
  eaten. 
  
  EN World EN5IDER | Allies and Adversaries: Orc Life
  EN World EN5IDER | Allies and Adversaries: Orc Life
  Balla, Orc Dancer and Servant
  Physical Description
  Balla is a voluptuous beauty, even by human 
  standards. Her orcish features, tusks, snout, and 
  greenish skin, are diminished compared to other 
  orc women. She moves with uncommon grace, 
  and is dabbed with jasmine perfume.
  Background
  Balla was a member of an orc tribe that was 
  killed by an elven militia for encroaching too 
  close to elven lands. She was taken prisoner by 
  an elf archmage and aristocrat, Hez’bendiah of 
  the Unbent Willow. She immediately recognized 
  Balla’s beauty, and trained her to be a dancer and 
  consort for her burlesque house in the city.  
   Now, Balla dances on stage for the leering 
  eyes of elves and humans in the city. She suffers 
  Hez’bendiah’s cruel and lecherous treatment, 
  reduced to being little more than a slave to her 
  elven mistress.
  Roleplaying Balla
  Balla is an alluring and seductive dancer, but her 
  piercing eyes reveal the pain she feels as a woman 
  forced into her profession. She is otherwise quiet 
  and obedient, fearing punishment from her 
  mistress if she doesn’t do as she’s told. 
   If she gets someone who looks strong or 
  trustworthy alone, she will do everything she 
  can to get them to free her. She holds no love for 
  Hez’bendiah, but fears her magic. If speaking 
  with a half-orc, she will ask them if they know 
  of Rathbone, an orc war-priestess. She is Balla’s 
  only known connection to her previous life, and 
  someone she is sure would come to her rescue. e
  In a dimly-lit hall, patrons sit on cushions before a 
  stage. Opium-laced smoke trails from their lips, as 
  they sit mesmerized by the woman dancing upon the 
  stage; a voluptuous orc woman who shakes her body, 
  undulating and gyrating to the beat of an unseen 
  drum. As she dances, her sad eyes lock with yours. She 
  makes her way into the crowd, still dancing, and makes 
  her way to you. Her voice is raw as she whispers, 
  “Please, help me.” She gives you a pleading look, then 
  turns away, a showy smile on her face, to entertain the 
  other guests.
  Statistics
  Traits. I’ve got an indomitable will, and more patience 
  than an elf. 
  Ideal. Freedom. Orcs aren’t meant to be kept in chains.
  Bond. Rathbone, my lost love. I only hope she’s better 
  off than I am. 
  Flaw. I cannot bear to be hungry. I am as much a slave 
  to my stomach as I am my mistress.
  Chaotic neutral Medium humanoid (orc) 
  Str  13 (+1)  
  Dex  16 (+3)  
  Con 10 (+0) 
  Int  12 (+1)  
  Wis  8 (–1)  
  Cha 16 (+3)
  Notes: Balla is an orc commoner. She has Darkvision 
  out to 60 feet and the Aggressive feature, as an orc. 
  She speaks Common, Orcish, and Elvish.
  Possessions: Balla wears a satin bedlah (belly dancer’s 
  outfit) with beads and tassels affixed to it. She has no 
  other possessions to her name.
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Dungeons & Dragons [multi]/5th Edition (5e)/3rd Party/EN World EN5ider/EN5ider 072 - Orc Life.pdf