Shadowclan Orc
A tall, impressively-built general, clad in blackened armor, adorned nearly head to toe in spikes holds completely still with dark hand raised, while his shadowclan men impatiently await for the signal to move. Somewhere miles below, a small band of shadowclan skirmishers skulk through the subterranean darkness, poised to attack an enemy camp before they are able to establish a foothold. With the same silent gesture, both groups swiftly strike.
A Race Evolved
Just as modern humans believe they have evolved from the primitive goliath mountainfolk, so do the shadowclan hold that they are the next level of progression for the orcish peoples. Standing at an average of close to 7 feet tall and with highly muscular bodies that often weigh upwards of 300lbs, the shadowclan possess the power and ferocity of their orc cousins, but they also show the intelligence and cunning of more civilized cultures. To that end, these black-skinned orcs see themselves as the natural rulers of all the orcish races.
Typically dressed in dark or black colors, the shadowclan blend well into the darkness, even when wearing armor, using the marshy oils at their disposal to blacken the leather or metal. Enemies of the shadowclan often never see them coming until their large, pointed teeth prove it’s too late.
An Empire Resurfaced
The shadowclan were once a part of the orcish clans of southeastern Sularia, a powerful and brutish horde that terrorized the land. Being a smaller species of orc with magical aptitude granted to them by Mat’Ta’Riel, the orcish
god of the night, they served as shamen and sooth-sayers within the clans. However, they were not fond of the cruelty and savagery exhibited by their brethren, and in accordance with the teachings of their deity, denounced the orcish god, Gruumsh, and the acts he encouraged.
When magic failed and brought the onset of the
Age of Madness the power wielded by the shadowclan
faltered. This allowed the larger, more physically
powerful orcs, always eager to exploit any advantage,
to subdue the outspoken shadowclan, driving them underground.
Forced to live in the Underdark, the scattered
shadowclan banded together to form their own society, developing their current sense of focus and self-control.
When Mat’Ta’Riel transcended himself by taking the elemental power of Shadow, his mortal servants were
infused with his might. This newfound superiority
allowed the shadowclan to forge their way back to
the surface, conquering the orcish clans that had
previously persecuted them, sentencing their former
brethren to the same fate that had been carried out
against them.
Since then, the shadowclan have continued to expand
their territory, calling their emerging empire Mat’Tak’Urai, the Land of the Night.
A Clan of Warriors
Very few commoners exist in their shadowclan society, with nearly every member being put through rigorous weapon training before electing to focus on a combat specialization. The role of commoners falls instead upon the subjugated orcish races the shadowclan have conquered, serving as the farmers and laborers, a role they are not quite dissatisfied with, as their masters are often much less cruel than their former leaders.
In battle, the shadowclan are a fearsome adversary, demonstrating their exceptional combat and tactical training. Foes find themselves frequently outmatched and overwhelmed by the howling, black-skinned horde of nightmarish brutes.
Shadowclan Traits
Your shadowclan character has the following traits.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Intelligence is increased by 1. Your Charisma score is decreased by 1.
Age. Shadowclan reach adulthood at the age of 16, and often live up to 150 years.
Size. Shadowclan are taller and larger than their orc-kin, averaging at least 7 feet tall and weighing between 280 and 350 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. Shadowclan have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.
Menacing. You have proficiency with the Intimidation skill.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Shadowclan Combat Training. Shadowclan are trained from birth for combat and show their dominance on the battlefield using techniques passed down to them through generations of warriors. You gain the following benefits:
- You are proficient with the heavy kusarigama (chain scythe).
- You have Combat Superiority, as detailed on page 73 of the Player’s Handbook. You have one superiority die, which is a d8. If another feature allows you to gain superiority dice, the total number of superiority dice is combined.
- You learn two maneuvers: Combination Blow, which is detailed below, and another of your choice, which are detailed under “Maneuvers” on page 74 of the Player’s Handbook. The saving throw DC for your maneuvers is 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength modifier.
- Combination Blow. You can spend a superiority die and use a bonus action on your turn to make an unarmed attack against a creature. You add the superiority die to the attack’s damage roll. If you missed the creature with an attack this turn, this attack has advantage.
Favored of the Night. When you reach 5th level, you can cast darkness once per day. Your spellcasting ability for this spell is Intelligence.
Languages. You can speak, read and write Common and your choice of either Orc or Undercommon.
Shadowclan Feats
As a shadowclan, you have access to exclusive talents and expertise that grant you special capabilities. It embodies training, experience, and abilities beyond what a class provides.
Fury of the Underdark
Prerequisite: Shadowclan
You are at home in the shadows of darkness. You gain the following benefits:
- Increase your Intelligence score by 1, up to a maximum of 20.
- Your darkvision improves to 120 feet.
- When you are in dim light or darkness, you have advantage on attack rolls and Dexterity saving throws.
Shadowclan Tactics
Prerequisite: Shadowclan
Your expertise in the techniques practiced by your ancestors is unparalleled. You gain the following benefits:
- Increase your Strength or
Constitution score by 1, up to
a maximum of 20. - When engaging in two-weapon
fighting with a kusarigama, you can
add your ability modifier to the damage
of the second attack. - Your Combat Superiority improves. You gain
another superiority die and learn an additional
maneuver of your choice. In addition, when you use the Combination Blow maneuver, you always have advantage on the attack.
Art Credits
- Page 1: Orc by PopovAndreyAMP
- Page 2: OrcChick by Evgeny Sovolev