I'm playin' FR in 4th edition.
I used to hate it in the past, so I don't know that much about the environment and even if I like the new "settings" format, they lack a bit of lore elements...
So, here's the thing: I play with a pretty "high level" group from a "storytelling point of view" (I'm not sayin' we're the best, just tellin' we do a lot of pure storytelling
) and one of the players wants to create an Orc character...Now: I don't know the whole FR past environments and (outside many arrows) I don't find any "hooks" or starting point to introduce an Orc character...
I don't usually ask questions like this, but this is important because I just don't want to do something stupid or uncoherent with the general environment and the player asked me to help him in the background creation.
So I need some ideas for an Orc character, Figher, GOOD alignement...He likes a lot "sad" stories and "honor" stuff (lookin' for redemption, in love with a human, etc).
Just shoot, but try to give me ideas "based" on the FR setting.
THANKS a lot and merry christmas. ;)
Where in the Realms will this game be located at?
18DELTA: we started in Baldur's Gate and now they're movin' to south, towards Candlekeep.
It's important, sorry...
Think about the fact that they're in a particular moment and I really need a good hook to introduce it, cause my players are pretty "good" and can do a full roleplayin' choice avoiding the orc.
It could have gotten some fighting pratice in the underworld of Baldurs Gate as an enforcer, or as a sailor.
You should work the background with the player wanting the orc PC though.
Baldur's Gate. Maybe a soldier working for the Lords of Baldur's Gate.
IRC The TEmple of the Sword is a homebrew place sfdragon and THe SIlversword were working on awhile back...;)
The idea of the "soldier" that works with a personality is good...merchant of lords, I don't know, but I'm thinkin' about it.
Anyway: I always work with my players; in this case the players asked me for some advices because he really wants to try to play an Orc in the environment, knowin' that it can be pretty difficult, but he doesn't find any good starting point and that's what I'm lookin' for.
I'll tell him your "previous and future" ideas and let him work on them.
Startin' with the point that "everything is possible" in rpgs...Is it coherent havin' an Orc serving some personality in Baldur? I think yes but...What about its past?
I mean: is there any SETTING hook? I know about the Many Arrows tribes...
Is there any "historical" happening about an "orc being socially redeemed"? ;)
Regarding the zone, im unsure (i dont know the region very well), perhaps the Cloak Woods; due to the presence of portals, a small tribe of orcs could have been displaced there.
Somewhat south you have the Realm of Muranndin (big on Orc and Ogre races) and possibly the Cloud Peaks.
Baldur's Gate is pretty darn big with heavy sea trade. The Orc could've been raised in Slavery, maybe as a Pit Fighter for his master in the city of Athkatla (south of both Candlekeep and BG). He grew up only knowning mostly Humans and maybe some were kind to him, they knew he was being bred for the arena and took pity. He in turn saw their compassion and this tempered his hatred for all other non-orc races save his own master who he despised.
The Master knew of a large "fight club" tournment in Baldur's Gate and went there with his prize fighter there to reap the rewards. The Orc then broke free, say by the club being discovered by the Flaming Fist or maybe even the Orc's master bet against him and the Orc won his freedom, defeating near impossible odds? After breaking free, he quickly realized that his master might want him back, so gaining a few allies to help him with this task would be his next objective.
OR another scenario...
The Orc grew up in the Citadel of Strategic Militancy (northeast of Baldur's Gate). Found by a roaming knight or paladin, he was taken there to grow up in a better environment than what would've been given to him by his own people. Taught, trained, and schooled in the art of war and weaponary he became a fierce soldier who was brought up in the ways of honor and courage, not blood-lust and fury. Finally reaching the time when he would need to face the world and forge his own destiny, the Orc strode from those hallowed halls to face new adventures and dangers.
Naturally the first city he'd probably go to would be Baldur's Gate, heading west and south. There, he's strong and quick with a blade/axe/etc.. but still naive and gets himself into trouble. He'll need allies in order to protect himself from the various and random threats along the road.
Hope some of this helps.
DIFFAN: thanks a lot for your effort! ;)
Baldur's Gate. Maybe a soldier working for the Lords of Baldur's Gate.
IRC The TEmple of the Sword is a homebrew place sfdragon and THe SIlversword were working on awhile back...;)
ummm no, I mean abbey of the sword... temple of tempus...
not something me or silversword dreamed up.
For the social reasons stated above, Vaasan orcs are the most likely to be of a good alignment in all of Faeruns orc populations.