[OnorAngulus]

Hi I'm a newbie to DnD, I've played other RPG's such as shadowrun, but have only played a few games of DnD. I was playing as a gnome illusionist but I decided to drop him because our group was full of spellcasters and needed more brut strength. So I created a 2nd level half-orc barbarian. I was wondering if anybody could give me any advice for playing the half-orc barbarian. I played using him for the first time tonight and had a lot of fun and decapitated a mummy with my orc double axe, but I was wanting to know a little bit more about the race with that class. I read Masters of The Wild but it did not tell me that much so any info that anyone could give me would be really helpful.
Thanks
-UrShadow

[Rintaran]

There are many things that can be done with a half-orc barbarian to make him both a powerful and interesting character to play. Here are a few hints on what will and will not make your character interesting and unique.

Character History

As always with characters, their history is pivotal in how you play the character. By reading a character's history you can understand the motivations behind many of the actions of the character. As a half-orc, you have many openings in this area. If he was raised by his orc parent then he would in all likeliness be brutish and rude, have numerous scars from infighting, and harbour an immense dislike of the 'goodly races'. If he was raised by his human parents you have to wonder what they were like. Did they beat him and despise him? Were they of the lower class? Was there a time when the honestly considered cooking him up and eating him because of some famine? Were they spell-casters themselves? Perhaps they were nobility and as a result of their taking care of the half-orc child they were dropped in rank and forced out of the city. If this were the case, the child would not know the comforts of being noble, but would definately nurtue a hatred of them as a result of the teachings of his parent(s). Was the character raised in a primitive or sophisticated tribe? Did others look out for him or ostracise him? Who was his best friend and what happened to him? Why has he left his home town or tribe and gone off in search of adventure? Just because he's a half-orc barbarian doesn't mean he's dim-witted, brutish individual with a horrid fear of magic {which is the common misconception}.

Ability Scores & Skill Points

These are of course essential to the creation of a character, but you have to think how these make sense with the character's background. No doubt as a half-orc barbarian you've already decided on high strength and either a low intelligence or wisdom. But what about the other scores? Perhaps when your char was younger he contracted a horrible ailment that weakened him immensely, leaving him with a low Con. Perhaps his tribe respected the ability not to get hit over being able to absorb blows, giving him a higher Dex. Perhaps he has been taught by intelligencia of the areas of higher learning, giving him an excellent intelligence. Perhaps he is very wise as he was trained in the ways of the land by his tribe's shaman. He could be badly mangled due to his being ostracised, or he could have a wonderful voice and skill at oration that can swing a crowd to his side. Think about where you are putting your skill points. Sure, Knowledge(Nature) goes without saying, but if you were raised in a tribe with a shaman you would probably have atleast a rank in Knowledge(Religion) enabling you to relate any number of stories about your tribe's gods and enact numerous religious celebrations on their behalf. For one trained by intelligencia, you have Knowledge(Philosophy) and Knowledge(History) {local, ancient, ect} you can consider. These all add depth to your character. Perhaps he has some skill in masonry and thus Profession(Mason) might not be a bad choice. If his tribe was nomadic, then he would certainly know a little bit of Knowledge(Geography), and if they weren't think about Knowledge(Agriculture). There's no sense in giving him ranks in Climb and Swim if he hasn't had ample opportunity to perform either of those actions {and once or twice is not ample opportunity}.

Visible and Mental Deficencies

As with most realistic characters, there is something about them that shows their troubles. A scar, a limb, an elbow that locks up every now and then, these are all common physical deficencies. But think about fears and mental ailments. Perhaps your half-orc was raised to fear dwarves, or more humorously, orcs. This fear could be either a debilitating fear, or one that causes him to run away screaming like a child. Imagine a half-orc with epilepsy, or attention deficit disorder. Perhaps he remembers a horrifying trauma everytime he sees a maple tree that causes him to blubber like a child for a short time. This adds depth and realism to your character.

Summary

The typical half-orc barbarian is dim-witted, brutish, uncouth, agressive and scared/enraged at magic.
The memorable half-orc barbarian is anything but typical. Try for the memorable character, they're always more fun anyways.

[ladyofdragons]

Quote

The typical half-orc barbarian is dim-witted, brutish, uncouth, agressive and scared/enraged at magic.
The memorable half-orc barbarian is anything but typical.  Try for the memorable character, they're always more fun anyways.

I played a half-orc barbarian for a short time during BrotherMouran's campaign, named "Krunk". based loosely off the Justice Friends character in Dexter's Laboratory, he had a sock puppet named "puppet pal Klem" (I actually took an old sock and put eyes on it, carried it around). He also liked to pick pretty flowers and play with children. He had a very short attention span and was currently wandering the world looking for his tribe, because he got very lost one day when chasing butterflies. But hey, point him at the bad guys and he'd crush 'em up good.

[Seven]

The only thing I would add is the fact that a half-orc barbarian can fit the stereotype but still be a memorable character. Instead of just assuming he is the stereotype, come up with reasons and give those traits depth. No matter what kind of character you play, you can make it more interesting with background and depth. Out-of-the-norm characters are great, but it's because, by definition, they require depth and background. There would be some serious explaining to do on the part of a dwarven bard weilding a fierce set of bagpipes, or a human barbarian with a sick, unnerving devotion to a stuffed monkey doll, which he believes is possesed by his dead girlfriend (Wohoo Wulfgar!). If you're character is not off the beaten path, throw some creativity into the mix and it will still come out groovy.

[OnorAngulus]

Thank you all very much for your help it is greatly appreciated I definitely know where to go for any further inquiries.
Thanks
-UrShadow

[Overlord]

You know, lotus, you've just given me an excellent idea for a camaign.

[Seven]

I did something constructive! Wohoo!

[Seven]

If your idea was the barbarian with the devotion to a doll, that's a character I played in a campaign held by Rintaran. Anyone who wants to see his history thus far can check it out at Rin's site at rintaran.tripod.com

[Overlord]

Kinda, but a fighter or a bard (havn't decided yet) who is completely insane and is being controlled by this doll (yet the players will think that he is just a crazy man who talks to this doll untill the doll does something). I think that it will be quite interesting. Any suggestions welcome and appreciated.

[Darius]

sounds like something straight out of Chthulu or Ravenloft.

[infinity]

It's fun playing a half-orc barbarian, and i guess you could if you wanted too, get rid of the stereotypes, but sometimes its fun to play as one. I was always the dumb, headstrong, smelly barbarian, only because most of the time, you need someone who'll break down the door, and start bar fights at random...heh at least where i play yah do


But do whatever you think is funnest. And don't limit yourself to what others think.

[Overlord]

Does it? I wouldn't know, I've never played either. I was thinking of buying ravenloft, though, even though it's 2nd edition and i'm playing 3rd. Can I ask, is it worth it, what does it contain, and what is it about?

[Shadow_Wolf]

White Wolf has acured the licence for the D20 (3rd eddition) Ravenloft. It is very good if you like gothic horor. I do. I have taken my party there (back when I ran 2nd ed) and it was one i my most memorable story arcs. and my person best as a DM. (not that I suck or anything, but I was just in the zone on that day). there is alot more to Ravenloft than meets the eye. there are also different levels of gameplay. there is something for almost any game system.

[Darius]

As Shadow_wolf says It is a great system if you like horror.It also changes your DM'ing style as well instead of "You see a Troll" its more "You see a large huminoid shape shambleing out of the mists/Darkness,you cant quite make it out but you have a feeling of un ease about it".theres also a lot of implied horror in it as well , one best of the sessions I ever had was one whwere the PC's never fought a monster but it scared the crap out of them(they had just been ported to Ravenloft and they were just wandering around trying to figure out where they were.As for "Call of Cuthulu" it simply the best horror game out.Lets put it this way ,If you die , your the lucky one!!
I think theres a D20 version coming out but even the original system is worth it , even if you dont playit ,it's good for ideas.

D

[Shadow_Wolf]

the D 20 system is already out.