The Orcs, sometimes known as Orsimer, are barbaric tribes found in the north of Tamriel, concentrated in High Rock’s Wrothgarian mountain range and with settlements in High Rock, Skyrim, and Hammerfell. Known for their ugly appearance (including but not limited to green or red skin, prominent tusks, and unusual facial bone structure), propensity for violence, and skill in metalcraft, the Orcs are commonly held to be the least of the races. Although officially accepted as citizens by the Cyrodilic Empire after the events of the Warp in the West, Tamriel’s populace still holds them in low regard, especially in the northwest. With the few exceptions of those living in cities or camps, most Orcs hail from Orsinium or a Stronghold, where they are raised from birth to defend their clan and family.
Orcs have been bred for centuries to survive harsh conditions and constant assault, and as such have a natural proficiency in hand-to-hand combat. Their sheer physical strength makes them formidable opponents when wearing heavy armor and wielding two-handed weapons, especially when using products of their own design. Most Orcs learn to work metal from a young age, and even those who do not choose the smithing profession have better skill to maintain their equipment. Orcs hailing from wilderness Strongholds are generally more ferocious than their Orsinium cousins, who tend to have more skill as craftsmen.
Orsimer Characteristic Baseline
Traits
Tough (1)
Tough (X)
Increase Wound Threshold by X.
Link to originalIf you’re using the rules for Alternate Wounds found in Physical Health, replace the text for the Tough (X) trait with “Character gains a +(10 * X) bonus to Shock Tests”.
Link to original
Resilient (3)
![[Resilient (X)]]
Resistance (Magic, 1)
Resistance (Y,X)
Characters with this trait reduce damage of * type by X after any other mitigation and gain a +10 bonus per X to tests made to resist non-damaging effects of the listed type. In cases where the character is not making the * related test, but rather a * related roll is being made against one of their Characteristics, increase that characteristic by 10 times X for the purposes of resolving that roll.
Link to original
Other
During character creation, Orsimer characters may choose to begin with the Profession [Smithing] skill trained to Novice rank for free.
Optional Rule: Alternate Wounds
If you’re using the rules for Alternate Wounds, replace the text for the Orsimer’s Tough trait with “Character gains a +10 bonus to Shock Tests”.