Scorc (5e Race)

Scorcs

“	The gods thought it would be funny to make these crazy freaks, in addition to the tlincalli and all the horrible, smelly orcs across the land as it was...	”
—Hesson Arcat, human treasure hunter

Physical Description

By Song Dae Sic

Scorcs, or scorpion orcs, are monstrous humanoids with orc bodies that have scorpion-like features. They usually have the skin tone of orcs, being green, grey, or even a greyish hue of violet. They have the musculature one would expect of orcs. Even their females have thick muscles that allow them to stand on equal footing with male members. The legs of scorcs are bent backwards, giving them a raptor-like gait and impressive running ability. Their feet are three-toed with claws, and there is a scorpion tail that extends out from their rear, at the bottom of their tailbone. This tail is tipped with a deadly and venomous stinger. Scorcs also usually have red eyes and pointed ears.

Being one for the dramatic, scorcs like to dress with a flair. Not only does it look good to them, but they like to wear things that frighten enemies with an air of power. This is why a lot of them will wear things like bones and spikey protrusions. Males opt for a more rugged appearance, usually, dressed in armor with motifs of death that strike fear into their opponents. Females, on the other hand, like a mix of what they pillage from victims, as well as frightening pieces of clothing. This usually means a mix of elegant trinkets or mementos and morbid dress. Whether or not these outfits may be appropriate to other races is not in their concern.

History

Scorcs are believed to be a remnant race from a bygone member of Gruumsh's council. Originally, scorcs claim, there was a sixth facet within the Tribe of He Who Watches. This sixth missing member was the origin of scorcs. The god's name has since been erased from mention by Gruumsh. While the mighty lord of orcs did not worry about betrayal as much as Maglubiyet, he was nonetheless so enraged by the actions of this particular general that they were erased and their history gone. Rumors have it that the general who created the scorcs might have been a daughter figure from Luthic and Gruumsh, which might be why the betrayal was so crushing. Others disagree that they could have had such a familial figure as a general. Nonetheless, the scorcs were created prior to this particular deity's fall. As a result, afterward, the scorcs were never again seen as part of the orc community. They were exiled from all orc circles and left to wander among other creatures within barren and unforgiving lands.

Society

Having originally lived with orcs, the scorc lifestyle is not that different. The exile more or less simply relocated them to different terrain. While orcs typically favored land that is cold and bitter like the Spine, scorcs were sent to the harshest of deserts to eke a living in competition with other fierce enemies like the tlincalli and various desert tribes of warriors. Such fostered a very regimented and hardcore society where might makes right. Scorc females are discouraged from frontline warrior roles unless they were designated barren. Those who were fertile tended towards shamanistic practices of curses and healing, similar to orc healers in the tradition of Luthic. Scorc females fared generally better than their orc counterparts, as they were not as easily dominated in entirety by males. The exile loosened Gruumsh's place as the center of their pantheon, and the father as the center of the family. Many scorcs actually spurn religion following their mistreatment. Scorcs are led in one large tribe by smaller bands, similar to orcs, which function as families. Tribe leaders were picked based on the strongest band leaders, be they male or female. Male scorcs are still able to take multiple wives, but their wives are allowed to challenge their strength. This usually is followed by a duel to the death to determine if the male is indeed too weak to support his wives, often ending in slaughter.

Scorcs are fierce warriors to the end, surrounded by forces that they fight everyday to survive against, be they other creatures or the environment. They usually kept to themselves, patrolling the borders of their war camp. However, they also frequently attacked passing caravans for food and raided nomadic tribes that passed by. Scorcs were not as well acclimated to the desert life as some creatures, so they could not withstand boiling temperatures and did not hunt or patrol during the highest heat of the day. These are times when they are most vulnerable. As such, they usually have stone caverns near their war camps which were cooler and blocked out the harsh heat and sun. They retreat to these areas daily, taking along any valuables, so that raiders will find nothing.

Names

Living within close proximity to many other tribes, as well as large trade routes through their barren lands, scorcs have a remarkably worldly grasp of their culture. They retain their Orcish tongue, but have integrated bits and pieces of newly acquired knowledge, whether it was from deciphering enemy language or gleaned from the screaming merchants they sometimes pillaged. Like orcs, their names are followed by titles and trademarks of battle and combat style.

Male Names: Grobil, Nugtec, Roq, Duzuma

Female Nnames: Bhuash, Neela, Huankutki, Sazuh

Titles: The Giant, The Bullish, The Crusher, The Foul

Racial Traits

Scorpion-tailed orcs
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength or Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. The Scorp-kin mature around the age of 14 or 15, and then live to be around 70 years old usually. Their actual lifespan is supposedly 200, but their lives of violence and hardship mean few ever reach such a venerable age.
Alignment. They tend to lean away from lawful alignments, but do not lean towards any alignment in particular.
Size. Your height is similar to that of a human, if not a little bigger. Your height ranges from 5 to 6 and a half feet. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Desert Vision. You have advantage on saving throws against being blinded by glaring light and sand.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Poison Tail. The tail of a scorc is sharp and lashes like a whip. You can use this natural weapon to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Dexterity modifier. Your tail attack reaches 5 feet more than a normal unarmed strike.
Poison Blood. The origin of scorcs, the unnamed child of Gruumsh and Luthic, was believed to have vile blood which was also a source of the poison within a scorc's tail. You are resistant to poison damage.
Poison Injection. In addition to stabbing, the potent venom within a scorc tail can be used when they penetrate enemy defenses. As a bonus action, you can make a special attack with your Tail. If the attack hits, it deals its normal damage, and it deals an additional 2d6 poison damage. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining all use after you finish a long rest.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write in Common and Orc.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
5′ 0''	+2d8	180 lb.	× (1d8) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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