Grimlock (4e Race)
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Grimlocks[edit]
Cruel and savage denizens of the Underdark.
| Racial Traits |
| Average Height: 5’6”–6’2” |
| Average Weight: 135–220 lb. |
| Ability Scores: +2 Strength, +2 Wisdom or Constitution |
| Size: Medium |
| Speed: 6 squares |
| Vision: Blindsight 10 |
| Languages: Common, Deep Speech |
| Skill Bonuses: +2 Athletics, +2 Endurance |
| Blind: Your species has no eyes, and has developed a natural form of echolocation. You have the Blind keyword. Your race has no concept of written languages and cannot read or gain the Ritual Caster (or Alchemist) feat. If you take a class that grants the Ritual Caster (and/or Alchemist) feat, you do not get the feat but instead gain a +2 racial bonus to both the Arcana and Religion skills. |
| Grimlock Weapon Proficiency: You gain proficiency with the Handaxe, Battleaxe, and Greataxe. |
| Barbarian's Glee: You are incredibly empowered in the presence of weakened creatures. They cannot possibly hurt you. You have a minor bonus to all defenses against attacks made by bloodied creatures. |
| Offensive Shift: You gain the Offensive Shift encounter power. |
| Offensive Shift | Grimlock Racial Power |
| Sensing your friend is under attack, you leap to his aid. | |
| Encounter | |
| Immediate Reaction | Melee or Ranged weapon |
| Trigger: When an enemy moves within 2 squares of you and attacks an ally. | |
| Effect: You shift up to 2 squares and make a basic melee or ranged attack against the attacking enemy. | |
| Special: This power recharges when you are first bloodied. | |
Grimlocks are former barbarians from a tribe banished to the Underdark. As a result of their exile, their bodies evolved to become horrible blind things that relished barbaric practices like cannibalism. They can be found in many places beneath the earth, but come to the surface to raid for slaves and pillage. They prefer raw, fresh meat, preferably that of humanoids. Grimlocks normally live in small, primitive tribes but deep underground they may form larger communities that are lead by powerful grimlocks, or by a more intelligent creature, such as a medusa or mind flayer.
Play an Grimlock if you want...
- To be a creature with unique senses and immunity to gaze attacks.
- To be a feral outcast that instills fear.
- To be a member of a race that loves to feed on raw flesh.
- To be a member of a race that favours the Avenger, Barbarian, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Invoker, Shaman, and Warden classes.
Physical Qualities[edit]
Grimlocks are muscular humanoids with thick, grey, scaly skin and no eyes. Their hair is black and often wet and slimy from their life down in the drippy caves they call home. Their eyes have long receded and vanished from their physiology, leaving empty sockets of skin beneath their brow. Though blind, they have superior senses of smell and hearing to compensate.
Roleplaying a Grimlock[edit]
The very few grimlocks that rise above their primitive, feral nature will often leave their tribe and travel into the world trying to interact with others as near equals. Grimlocks that choose to travel the world are often the sole remnants of, or outcasts from, their tribes. Even enlightened grimlocks still see most other creatures as livestock, but are willing to withhold their hunger with selected individuals in order to learn more of the world. Grimlocks are always gleeful at the sense of weakened enemies, and it bolsters their powers to fight. They are not the type to shy away from picking on the weak or injured and have little sense of shame. This is further proven in grimlock tribes, where the elderly and weak often serve as food.
While they practice this cannibalism, they do not do so out of logic or utility like the lizardfolk. It is more so because of the vestigial barbarism practiced by their ancestors, which resulted in their exile in the first place. Violence and power are the greatest forces in their world, due to the little intelligence often found in their communities. However, if they find a very intelligent being, they will often rally to them. Being rather good at following orders, grimlocks are ideal party members for running headfirst into battle to cover for others.
Grimlock Characteristics: Feral, primitive, cruel, remorseless, violent, xenophobic
Male Names: Grol, Rawr, Kurr, Murd
Female Names: Huss, Aka, Ulum, Pono
Grimlock Adventurers[edit]
Three sample Grimlock adventurers are described below.
Lol is a grimlock barbarian. While still a child Lol's tribe was massacred by a band of orcs. He has lived in solitude for nearly a dozen years, attacking lone orcs and feeding on them for revenge. While stalking a band of orcs moving near his territory Lol witnessed a group of adventures destroying the hated creatures. As the group makes camp Lol decides to approach them and see if they will let him join them in their glorious hunt.
Muna is a grimlock cleric of Kord. As a young woman Muna recieved a "vision" from Kord. He bade her to travel into the surface world and find a great warrior, and that this warrior would attain greatness and power through the aid of Muna. With that she left her tribe and headed toward the largest surface settlement she knew of. It was there she came across an elven fighter that proved to be highly skilled for a non-grimlock. Muna has offered her services to the elf and his companions, and although weary they have allowed her to join them.
Kursh is a grimlock fighter. During a slave raid Kursh noticed the pure terror in a woman's voice as she cried out for the life of her child. Unable to shake the thought of these creatures as actual beings, he fled into the night and ran as far away from his people as he could. After traveling for more then a week he came upon a small floating village of halflings being attacked by a band of lizardfolk. Without hesitation he came to the aid of the halflings and helped them defeat the lizardfolk. When the attack was over a halfling came to him and told him he was part of an adventuring group and asked Kursh to join them. Although he is unsure of what all this means he has agreed to travel with the halfling and discover more about this strange world.
Grimlock Racial Feats[edit]
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Frenzied Attack | You are empowered to attack by the sensation of a weakened enemy. |
| Improved Echolocation | Your ability to discern surroundings without sight is enhanced by your wisdom. |
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Grimlock Rage | Hurting someone badly gives you a rush of euphoria that rejuvenates you temporarily. |
| Raging Attack | Your damaging power is boosted by your experience. |
| Name | Description |
|---|
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