Umbrin

The umbrin are a race of peace-loving and dependable orc-like farmers, taking only what they need from the land to survive. They are close cousins of the orcs, but are very unlike their bloodthirsty relatives. Long ago, a clan of orcs separated themselves from their people, seeking a quiet and simple life, far from the battles and tensions of the others. They established small agrarian communities and learned, through much difficulty, to cooperate amongst themselves, and with their neighbors. Over time, through their unquestionable good deeds and sheer willpower, the umbrin became a well trusted people, exhibiting qualities of personal honor and forthrightness in spite of their origins. They now live alongside humans and other races, laboring as suppliers of food and quality goods for their own people and their neighbors.

Physical Qualities: Umbrin appear similar to their orcish kin, but appear calm and collected. They stand between 6 and 6½ feet tall, with a powerful build and ruddy-brown to dark brown skin. Their hair is black or dark brown, and eyes range from brown and black to very rarely blue or lavender. Like other orc or orc-kin, they have heavy brows, slightly pointed ears, and small tusks that protrude from their lower jaws. Umbrin usually wear earth-toned clothes of a strong weave, and have a calming countenance.

Society: The umbrin are peaceful agrarians that dwell in small, rural communities, and work beside other races within their vicinity. Their communities are lead by a governing body of powerful druids, with shops and homes within close proximity of each other. Many make their living as farmers, while other work as blacksmiths, storekeepers, and in other trades. They are an industrious race, and prefer to make their homes in fertile valleys, grasslands or hills, enabling them to plant and harvest crops for consumption and trade, all for the welfare of their family.

Relations: When threats from famine, attack from marauders, or other disasters arise, the umbrin band together for the mutual benefit of their community, and willingly aid other races during such times. Despite their orcish heritage, the umbrin get along well with dwarves, with whom their share an affinity with earth and stone. Humans, halflings and gnomes all take the umbrin at face value. It is the elves who are wary of the umbrin because of their bloodline, and years of ancestral hatred toward any of orcish descent. However, many have learned to put aside their racial prejudices and learned to work and even fight alongside them in a noble cause.

Alignment and Religion: Unlike their bloodthirsty counterparts, umbrin are a peaceful, congenial, salt-of-the-earth people that favor life and prosperity over death and destruction. The beauty of the natural world, wisdom, family, freedom, and justice are values held in high regard by the race. As such, they venerate deities who personify these qualities, most notably, gods of nature, justice, and the earth. The umbrin greatly despise their kin’s destructive nature, which they believe is paramount to their deities who promote the ideals of destruction, ruin, and blood. Thus, they will readily fight against the followers of such gods and their destructive influence.

Adventurers: Living in peace and harmony with their environment, the umbrin would sooner die themselves than take the life of another sentient being. However, due to the constant threat by marauders and bandits, many are trained in the rudiments of combat with simple weapons. They have no love of bloodshed, but willingly bear arms to protect their freedom, community, and way of life. Those found adventuring are often seeking a new life and will join human knights, elven archers, and dwarven warriors in any just cause. They prefer classes associated with their values and way of life, such as the druid, hunter, ranger, and shaman, while more militant umbrin prefer the paladin and warpriest.

Male Names: Eragar, Haven, Herron, Jok, Kainus, Kilo, Noldesh, Ogrin, Rell, Talos.

Female Names: Bogda, Dilga, Fawn, Fenel, Heshna, Loween, Sune, Ulva.

Umbrin Racial Traits (Advanced 12 RP)

• Type: Humanoid (orc). (0 RP)

• Ability Scores: Umbrin are physically strong and naturally wise, but their orc blood hinders their intelligence. They gain +4 Strength, +2 Wisdom, and –2 Intelligence. (4 RP)

• Medium: Umbrin are Medium creatures, and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size. (0 RP)

• Normal Speed: Umbrin have a base speed of 30 feet. (0 RP)

• Low-Light Vision: Umbrin can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light. (1 RP)

• Agrarian Knowledge: Umbrin receive a +2 bonus on Knowledge (nature) checks to identify unusual vegetation or minerals. (1 RP)

• Earthcunning: Umbrin receive a +2 bonus on Perception checks to potentially notice unusual earthworks, such as traps and hidden doors located in fields, plains, and forest floors. They receive a check to notice such features whenever they pass within 10 feet of them, whether or not they are actively looking. (1 RP)

• Fertile Soil: Umbrin have developed a unique affinity with the earth. Umbrin sorcerers with the Verdant bloodline treat their Charisma score as 2 points higher for all sorcerer spells and class abilities. Umbrin clerics (or druids) with the Plant domain use their domain powers and spells at +1 caster level. This trait does not give the umbrin early access to level-based powers; it only affects powers that they could already use without this trait. (2 RP)

• Stability: Umbrin gain a +4 bonus to their CMD when resisting a bull rush or trip attempt while standing on the ground. (1 RP)

• Weapon Familiarity: Umbrin are proficient with flails, picks (including heavy and light), and scythes, and treat any weapon with the word “orc” in its name as a martial weapon. (2 RP)

• Languages: Umbrin begin play speaking Common and Orc. Umbrin with high Intelligence scores can choose any of the following: Dwarven, Gnome, Halfling, Gnoll, Goblin, and Terran. (0 RP)