Making a Half-Orc Wizard (Evocationist) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Making a Half-Orc Wizard (Evocationist) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Saurenda
02-01-05, 11:19 PM I had the notion to play a half orc after reading more indepth about them in Races of Destiny. Rereading the small section dedicated to races in the PHB didn't seem to do much justice in retrospect, but one thing was clear to me. Half orcs had appeal, and I am going to make my next character with thier harsh realities in mind.

Now keeping in mind very realistic term for my next game: PHB material only, and at most 4d6 or Elitee array avilible I managed to get a build I liked.

Now one problem remains. Backstory. I have read articles from fellow players and DMs about it, but it just doesn't seem enough to tackle my question. Where does a Half orc, outcast in societies of every kind possibly learn wizardry?

My reasons for having him be an evocationist, as I read that Half orcs are quick to anger, boastful, and love to inflict triumph with thier strength wanted to use magic as a means of that strength. Half orcs are rarely intelligent and I realize that this character is going against the norm stated, though certainly not illegal.

My first impression keeping to a general outline, and not wanting to hamper the dm with useless details or kill his creativity with mine was say it was a simple matter of adoption.

Seemed good to me, but which race would work the best? Humans, I didn't feel so comofrtible with as they live such quick lives themselves and are quick to osterosize. Elves, no way. He's never stand a chance. Half Elves didn't seem to want to help out thier half blood counterparts from the other side of the fantasy tracks. Gnomes couldn't possibly do, half orcs grow to about 6 or 7 feet on average. Halflings didn't seem to do either.

Then I thought Dwarf. The PHB from what I remember, if correctly told me that Dwarves hate orcs, though judge half orcs on thier actions. Seemed good to me. The only way I saw it working was to have the child adopted as a baby, after dwarven warriors/wizards had slaughtered a nieghboring tribe or driven them off.

--Half orc adopted by Dwarven Wizard

But why? Why take in a child of the enemy, and teach it like your own?

Thoughts came to mind mostly that a dwarven wizard even with a life spawn longer than a human would let his work consume him and not have an apprentice or heir. Teaching a family member can be trying in a dwarven society as there is pressure on honor and ehtics. Here was a child, not protected by the laws of society, and with no alternative to go. He would have to learn, or perish. Seemed to fit. Half orcs are often treated cruely, and after a few years of adolesence beating and molding he'd be ready. If not dispose of the child secretly, and not tarnish a reputation.

Did I loose any believablity there?

--Half Orc Adopted by Dwarven Wizard
--Beaten into a ridgid lifestyle: Retains scars feature as penalty of ignorance and stupidity. Learns wizardry.
-- Half orcs are fond of pain and cruelty, thus focusing on evocation seemed to hold his concentration the most.

Now it came to my attention, why adventure? Getting away fromt eh old man seemed nice and for the young half orc to continue in hopes of fledgling wizardry. But it didn't seem right letting him go unless it added more drama.
Then I considered the Wizard would have been black mailed into revealing his apprentice. That would force the dwarf to expel the half orc from his custody. now the Half orc had no means of continuing his education, or supporting himself. His only option? Adventure. No mage guild would take such an apprentice under thier wing without proof of his willingess to learn or of his greatness. He needed to earn scars of battle, and magic duels in order to command respect.

Make sense?

--Half Orc Adopted by Dwarven Wizard
--Beaten into a ridgid lifestyle: Retains scars feature as penalty of ignorance and stupidity. Learns wizardry.
-- Half orcs are fond of pain and cruelty, thus focusing on evocation seemed to hold his concentration the most.
--Drawf Blackmailed into revealing terrible secret of raising a child of enemy and reputation would be tarnished. Dwarf expels student.
--Half orc cannot join mage guilds in teh area despite his intense training and focus, he has only one option. Adventure.

Well, I'm no veteran but it seemed to work with me. I just don't know if it will hold up against some old timers.

Hoping to choose Toad Familiar, and take Spell focus Evocation as First Level feat. Spells to start with will be Burning hands, Magic missle, Shield, Enlarge person, and Mage Armor.

^^ Any suggestions to help flesh this big guy out? I know he isn't the tradition smash bash, but he'll make a decent flash boom banger I'm hoping.
Mirikon
02-01-05, 11:47 PM I think you'd be more likely to get a Human wizard to give the half-orc a shot than a dwarven one. Here's a possible way to go:

Mother is human, and a member of the mage guild. However, while out on a mission for the guild, her party was ambushed, and she was captured. Eventually, she was ransomed by the guild, and freed. but during that time, the orcs took advantage of their 'pet', and she became pregnant. Hence, half-orc. Not wanting anything to do with the child, she gave him to the Guild, to do with how they wanted, so long as he was far from her. Guild raised the half-orc, and one of the wizards took him as an apprentice when he got to be the proper age. Jump forward to when the orc is actually a wizard, though a weak one. Political landscape of the guild shifts. The half-orc's mother comes to power, and has fellow guildmembers try to kill the half-orc and his teacher. Teacher dies, but half-orc escapes, and is framed for the murder. Now the guild has a bounty on him, dead or alive. To gain power so he has a chance at revenge (and avenging perhaps the only person who was actually nice to him?) he adventures. This also has the nice effect of helping him beat off bounty hunters.
Saurenda
02-02-05, 02:37 PM Sounds good ^^ and plasuable thanks.

I'll give both as suggestions with your permission. Thank you.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Saurenda 02-01-05, 11:19 PM	I had the notion to play a half orc after reading more indepth about them in Races of Destiny. Rereading the small section dedicated to races in the PHB didn't seem to do much justice in retrospect, but one thing was clear to me. Half orcs had appeal, and I am going to make my next character with thier harsh realities in mind. Now keeping in mind very realistic term for my next game: PHB material only, and at most 4d6 or Elitee array avilible I managed to get a build I liked. Now one problem remains. Backstory. I have read articles from fellow players and DMs about it, but it just doesn't seem enough to tackle my question. Where does a Half orc, outcast in societies of every kind possibly learn wizardry? My reasons for having him be an evocationist, as I read that Half orcs are quick to anger, boastful, and love to inflict triumph with thier strength wanted to use magic as a means of that strength. Half orcs are rarely intelligent and I realize that this character is going against the norm stated, though certainly not illegal. My first impression keeping to a general outline, and not wanting to hamper the dm with useless details or kill his creativity with mine was say it was a simple matter of adoption. Seemed good to me, but which race would work the best? Humans, I didn't feel so comofrtible with as they live such quick lives themselves and are quick to osterosize. Elves, no way. He's never stand a chance. Half Elves didn't seem to want to help out thier half blood counterparts from the other side of the fantasy tracks. Gnomes couldn't possibly do, half orcs grow to about 6 or 7 feet on average. Halflings didn't seem to do either. Then I thought Dwarf. The PHB from what I remember, if correctly told me that Dwarves hate orcs, though judge half orcs on thier actions. Seemed good to me. The only way I saw it working was to have the child adopted as a baby, after dwarven warriors/wizards had slaughtered a nieghboring tribe or driven them off. --Half orc adopted by Dwarven Wizard But why? Why take in a child of the enemy, and teach it like your own? Thoughts came to mind mostly that a dwarven wizard even with a life spawn longer than a human would let his work consume him and not have an apprentice or heir. Teaching a family member can be trying in a dwarven society as there is pressure on honor and ehtics. Here was a child, not protected by the laws of society, and with no alternative to go. He would have to learn, or perish. Seemed to fit. Half orcs are often treated cruely, and after a few years of adolesence beating and molding he'd be ready. If not dispose of the child secretly, and not tarnish a reputation. Did I loose any believablity there? --Half Orc Adopted by Dwarven Wizard --Beaten into a ridgid lifestyle: Retains scars feature as penalty of ignorance and stupidity. Learns wizardry. -- Half orcs are fond of pain and cruelty, thus focusing on evocation seemed to hold his concentration the most. Now it came to my attention, why adventure? Getting away fromt eh old man seemed nice and for the young half orc to continue in hopes of fledgling wizardry. But it didn't seem right letting him go unless it added more drama. Then I considered the Wizard would have been black mailed into revealing his apprentice. That would force the dwarf to expel the half orc from his custody. now the Half orc had no means of continuing his education, or supporting himself. His only option? Adventure. No mage guild would take such an apprentice under thier wing without proof of his willingess to learn or of his greatness. He needed to earn scars of battle, and magic duels in order to command respect. Make sense? --Half Orc Adopted by Dwarven Wizard --Beaten into a ridgid lifestyle: Retains scars feature as penalty of ignorance and stupidity. Learns wizardry. -- Half orcs are fond of pain and cruelty, thus focusing on evocation seemed to hold his concentration the most. --Drawf Blackmailed into revealing terrible secret of raising a child of enemy and reputation would be tarnished. Dwarf expels student. --Half orc cannot join mage guilds in teh area despite his intense training and focus, he has only one option. Adventure. Well, I'm no veteran but it seemed to work with me. I just don't know if it will hold up against some old timers. Hoping to choose Toad Familiar, and take Spell focus Evocation as First Level feat. Spells to start with will be Burning hands, Magic missle, Shield, Enlarge person, and Mage Armor. ^^ Any suggestions to help flesh this big guy out? I know he isn't the tradition smash bash, but he'll make a decent flash boom banger I'm hoping.
Mirikon 02-01-05, 11:47 PM	I think you'd be more likely to get a Human wizard to give the half-orc a shot than a dwarven one. Here's a possible way to go: Mother is human, and a member of the mage guild. However, while out on a mission for the guild, her party was ambushed, and she was captured. Eventually, she was ransomed by the guild, and freed. but during that time, the orcs took advantage of their 'pet', and she became pregnant. Hence, half-orc. Not wanting anything to do with the child, she gave him to the Guild, to do with how they wanted, so long as he was far from her. Guild raised the half-orc, and one of the wizards took him as an apprentice when he got to be the proper age. Jump forward to when the orc is actually a wizard, though a weak one. Political landscape of the guild shifts. The half-orc's mother comes to power, and has fellow guildmembers try to kill the half-orc and his teacher. Teacher dies, but half-orc escapes, and is framed for the murder. Now the guild has a bounty on him, dead or alive. To gain power so he has a chance at revenge (and avenging perhaps the only person who was actually nice to him?) he adventures. This also has the nice effect of helping him beat off bounty hunters.
Saurenda 02-02-05, 02:37 PM	Sounds good ^^ and plasuable thanks. I'll give both as suggestions with your permission. Thank you.