Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ivarrius 11-17-03, 09:04 PM	I am looking at playing a race and class I often stay away from, not for any reason other than I love to play caster. Going for a half-orc Ranger. I havent decided whether to go Archery or Two weapon yet, but either would be fun. I was thinking of eventually getting into the Lion of Talisid PrC, and making him the wild, but good hearted Half orc, having spent most of his time in the forests. Any ideas for further development?
TheMightyMcClaw 11-17-03, 11:00 PM	First off, I'd recomend going the TWF route. Melee is more of an orc thing. Just be sure to use the right weapons; I'd recomend a handaxe (which is also a nice tool in the woods) and some kind of sword (short, long, or bastard). Fairly effective, and looks cool. For background... he grew up the son of a widowed human cottager. She was raped by a wandering orcish scoundrel while out in the woods, and gave birth to her son nine months later. Though she fed and clothed her son, he was all but raised by the wilderness. She was a cold and distant figure who saw her son as unwanted. The young half-orc grew up sharp and tough, hunting from the time he was just a boy. Though he was never formally tought woodland survival skills, his natural wit (high wisdom) allowed him to watch the animals and see how they survived. He learned to live in the forest as a part of it, and learned it's secrets in a way no other could. He grew further and further from his mother, who eventually left for a village when he was seventeen. By this time, he was all but estranged from humanity, much more akin to the animals of the forest than a man or orc. Though he was a child of the wild, he was not completely estranged from humankind. He found himself occasionally coming down to the village in order to trade pelts for tools or food in hard times. Most villagers ostracized him for his orcish heritage and animal-like demeanor, some even meeting him with violence. He used this as justification for his life in the wild, seeing a life based on social interaction difficult and bizarre. Physical appearance: He is of a short, fairly stocky build. His skin is a burnt tan from exposure, and face shows his orcish heritage heavily. With a prominent jaw and protruding fangs, his face alone would suggest almost a full blooded orc. He dresses in simple, durable clothes and animal skins, and owns only those possesions he can carry on him. How's it sound? If you want more help, I can offer you a more specific history or imagery.
Trydan 11-18-03, 03:26 AM	Firstly, I'd agree that TWF suits a half-orc better, but I'd suggest that you go with whatever suits your story and/or playing style best. However, I'm a strong supporter of the "noble half-orc" idea (as opposed to the "outcast half-orc"). Rather than being ostracised from the start, the character was born into a loving family within a village of other half-orcs in the valleys of <insert name here>. Although he had a normal upbringing, he always found it easier to skill classes in the longhall school and instead spend his time wandering the glades on edges of the <name of mountains>. By the time he was in his late teans, he'd become quite god at tracking and stalking animals. He abandonned his studies and spent several years working as a hunter, selling foods to the village butcher to earn some money. With that, he bought better weapons, and not just the crude bow that he had made himself, with the help of his grandfather, another restless soul, but one who was now confined to the village due to his failing eyesight. The character eventually attracted the attention of the villiage militia, who recognised that the character would make an effective scout. Thus he began to venture further afield, to the south of the valleys, where the goblins lurked. And even beyond, where the character first met dwarves and men. etc., etc.
Morka 11-18-03, 10:05 AM	A just middle between both: after a raid in a village, the orc tribe kept some slaves. The half-orc mother was one of those slaves. Eventuallty, she is raped, and get pregnant. Helped by other slaves, she flee, and she hide in trees. She is finally helped by some druids. The druids believe the half-orc is the perfect example of what should be the balance: a NE orc father, a NG human mother. He grew up amongst them, but he is better with weapons than understanding the nature, so he becomes a ranger. As for the weapons, an half-orc archer looks good for me.
Dinue 11-18-03, 05:03 PM	I am also creating a Half-orc Ranger (although i will have a couple Barbarian levels too). I will be going the archery route (composite bow). oh i get to start at lvl 5. abandoned to the wild as an infant he was adopted by a mother wolf. he stayed with her till about age 5 (half-orcs mature pretty quickly). in the wild he became quite barbaric in order to survive. (thus the barbarian levels) around age 10 he was dicovered by an aging Half-elf Ranger. this ranger fealt pity for the wild child and decided to take him under his wing. over the next few years he taught him to speak (elvish and common) and write. the Half-elf also taught him much of the elven culture and trained him in the ways of the Ranger. His only possesions are those given to him by his half-elf friend, A masterwork Composite (+5) longbow, some plain studded leather armor, a Halberd, and an amulet engraved with elvish script commemerating their friendship. it reads Aust friend of Laucian Galanodel, as good hearted as any Aust was the name given to him by Laucian the Half-elf. at age 14 Aust found himself alone once again as his dear friend and mentor had passed on. He left his friend there in the wild to become one with nature erecting a small memorial for him. although he wanted to leave his mentor with all of his worldly possesions he decided to take his friends buckler, it was a marvelously crafted shield (masterwork), midnight blue depicting a crescent moon and a howling wolf, perhaps it was because it reminded him of his mother.
Ivarrius 11-18-03, 11:16 PM	Very good ideas everyone... They have helped me narrow my search a lot. I think what I would like to go for, in a little more detail, is this : A gentle spirited Half Orc, who spent much of his life growing up in the forests and wilds, after abandonment froma very young age. He has grown enough to know that sometimes things like that happen, especially for one of his blood and realizes that he may never be accepted by the humans, and definetly not by the orcs. Luckily, the animals in the wild knew nothing of such prejudice. Never alone, but never quite in the company of others, <char name> learned quickly, mostly through necessity, to keep himself alive in the wild. He thrives on hunting, but never for sport - He prefers to let the land do as the land wishes, even if that means feeding him. He has occasional trips to civilized settlements met with stares, glaring of others and most often unnacceptance, but he smiles at it as he would a small child. He has no hate in his heart for those whom he has his ancestry, but he secretly longs for a place among them. Until then he will sing his hoarse little tunes and travel the forests - protecting those who cannot do it themselves. Still trying to figure out if archery and a big sword is a good idea. I liek the idea of a big orcish bow.