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{{zonebox
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{{Racebox
  +
| image = Drann.JPG
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|faction=Neutral
 
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|name=Alterac Mountains
+
| name = Half-orcs
  +
| capital = None
−
|ruler=[[Aliden Perenolde]] (de facto)
 
  +
| faction = [[Horde]] or [[Alliance]],<ref>Horde Player's Guide,</ref> Independent
−
|ss=Ruins of Alterac.jpg
 
  +
| character = [[Warrior]], [[Assassin]], [[Barbarian]], [[Beastmaster]]
−
|races={{Human Race}}<br />{{Forsaken Race}}<br />{{Ogre Race}}
 
  +
| mount = None
−
|level=30-40
 
  +
| homeworld = [[Azeroth (world)|Azeroth]], [[Outland]]
−
|loc= Central [[Lordaeron]]
 
  +
| language = [[Common]], [[Orcish]]
|pop=Unknown
 
  +
| slang = Any
−
|major= [[Alterac City]] (1,000)<br />[[Strahnbrad]] (800)
 
 
| leader = Unknown
−
|affiliation= [[Syndicate]]}}
 
  +
| height = 5'8" - 7'8" (male) , 5'1" - 7'1" (female)
 
}}
   
  +
'''Half-orc''' is a term used to describe the offspring of an [[orc]] or half-orc parent and a parent of any other species. Since the beginning of the [[First War]], orcs have interbred with a number of species: mostly humans, but [[half-ogre]]s and [[half-draenei]] are not unheard of.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{ref book |author= Bennie, Scott |coauthors= Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch |title= [[Horde Player's Guide]] |isbn= 9781588467720 |pages=139}}</ref>{{Citation needed}}<!-- Cited as BtDP - but what page? --> It most often refers to a half orc/human, but can also be used to refer to a half-orc half-ogre, or half-orc half-draenei.
−
'''Alterac Mountains''' is the location of the former nation of [[Alterac]] and the city-state of [[Dalaran]], and its chief settlements included [[Ruins of Alterac|the City of Alterac]], Dalaran and [[Strahnbrad]]. The central mountains have been overrun by [[ogres]], while the organization called the [[Syndicate]] controls [[Strahnbrad]] and other areas. Dalaran was enclosed within an impregnable magic shell before the city was lifted in the air and moved to [[Northrend]]. A high, wooded region, the Alterac Mountains see much rainfall and its skies are constantly overcast. Crushridge ogres and the Syndicate, a wicked group of rogues led by fallen human nobles, clash repeatedly for control of this land.<ref name="World of Warcraft The Roleplaying Game 20">''[[World of Warcraft The Roleplaying Game]]'', pg. 20</ref>
 
   
  +
==Background==
−
Alterac Mountains is fairly unique in ''World of Warcraft'' as it is one of only two zones ([[Deadwind Pass]] being the other) that does not have a flight path.
 
  +
[[Orc]]s and [[human]]s can interbreed, and in this union create half-orcs. Humans and orcs have been enemies for decades and half-orcs represent something both races prefer not to think about. The half-orcs' genesis is usually violent and perverse, and their appearance — too bestial to be human and too clean to be orc — reminds the parent races of the rift between them and the horrible deeds each has performed on the other. Thus, most humans and orcs ignore half-orcs. Other races are little better, as the human-orc conflict is only one facet of the [[Alliance]]-[[Horde]] tensions upon which no one likes to dwell. Conversely, some see half-orcs as symbols of unity. Not all half-orcs are born to abused or victimized parents; some are the children of clandestine love.<ref>{{ref book |author= Bennie, Scott |coauthors= Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch |title= [[Horde Player's Guide]] |isbn= 9781588467720 |pages=8}}</ref><ref>http://justice.loyola.edu/~mcoffey/ce/war2/Odempis4.wav WAV file of Orc saying "You're good looking for a human."</ref> Perhaps half-orcs represent what could be accomplished if the races put aside their differences and lived in peace. After all, if humans and orcs, with their history of hatred and bloodshed and wildly different origins, can produce viable offspring, perhaps the races are not as different as they think.
   
  +
Half-orcs face mixed reactions. Even more so than [[half-elves]], half-orcs are the targets of rage and derision brought about by stress. [[Azeroth (world)|Azeroth]] is a violent place and tensions thrum like taut wires. The [[Third War]] lives in recent memory, and most humans and orcs lost loved ones at the hands of the other side. Half-orcs find little welcome, though the situation is better in the larger, more enlightened settlements.
−
== History ==
 
−
The Alterac Mountains have traditionally been a home for the [[human]]s of [[Dalaran]] and [[Alterac]], members of the [[Alliance]]. Once the smallest nation in the Lordaeron Alliance, Alterac’s ruler, [[Lord Perenolde]], betrayed the Alliance in the Second War. Alterac's honor has been blemished ever since. The rogue faction known as the [[Syndicate]] struggles to regain control of a wild land, while ruins dot the mountainsides and ogres patrol their territory.<ref name="Lands of Conflict 88">''[[Lands of Conflict]]'', pg. 88</ref>
 
   
  +
Unlike half-elves, who prefer to wander or blend in to avoid prejudice, half-orcs are vocal, daring, and foolishly brave. A product of their parent races' pride, courage, and ferocity, half-orcs refuse to accept bias lightly. They demand attention. Half-orcs commit to audacious dares and acts of suicidal bravery to prove their worth to their parent races. Occasionally they succeed.<ref>{{ref book |author= Bennie, Scott |coauthors= Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch |title= [[Horde Player's Guide]] |isbn= 9781588467720 |pages=8-9}}</ref>
−
The three settlements were all bases of peaceful activity, and were in the beginning at peace with each other. Then, during the [[second war]], [[Alterac]] betrayed the Alliance and sided with the [[Horde]]. Enraged, the Alliance exiled the [[Aiden Perenolde|lord of Alterac]] and destroyed his capital, sending its people fleeing in all directions. Some of these people grew a hatred for the Alliance, and formed a new band of rogues and assassins dedicated to overthrowing the other human nations and reclaiming their home.<ref name="Lands of Conflict 85">''[[Lands of Conflict]]'', pg. 85</ref> They call themselves [[the Syndicate]].
 
   
  +
==Perspective==
−
The ruins of the city of Alterac has since been claimed by a tribe of [[ogre]]s, and the majestic city of [[Dalaran]] was annihilated by the demon lord [[Archimonde]] during the [[third war]], and is currently warring against the Forsaken. What little [[Alliance]] activity is left in the region is centered around Dalaran and the entrances to [[Alterac Valley]], where the [[Stormpike]] and [[Frostwolf]] factions vie for supremacy.
 
  +
Half-orcs, because of their mixed-breed nature, have an outsider's perspective on events; it seems unlikely that they will see things from the inside any time soon. Their unfortunate status as human-orc crossbreeds leaves them truly belonging to neither race, and forces them to find their own places in (usually) the Horde or (more rarely) the Alliance.<ref>{{ref book |author=Metzen, Chris |authorlink=Chris Metzen |coauthors=Bob Fitch, Luke Johnson, Seth Johnson, Mur Lafferty, James Maliszewski |title=[[Alliance & Horde Compendium]] |isbn=9781588460639 |pages=71}}</ref>
   
−
== Getting there ==
+
==Culture==
  +
===Languages===
−
;{{Horde Icon Small}}Horde:From [[Tarren Mill]] in the [[Hillsbrad Foothills]], follow the road west out of the town, and then turn north at the junction. Follow the road north for a short while. Or start in [[Silverpine]] or the [[Undercity]] and swim southeast through [[Lordamere Lake]].
 
  +
[[Image:Half-orc.jpg|thumb|A half-orc in "Horde Races" by Chris Metzen. (RPG)]]
−
;{{Alliance Icon Small}}Alliance:From [[Southshore]] in the [[Hillsbrad Foothills]], follow the road north out of the town, and then turn east at the junction. Follow the road east until just past a tower, where the road splits again. Take the north fork and continue straight past the next crossroads. When the terrain rises up beneath, you'll have reached Alterac.
 
   
  +
Half-orcs normally speak [[Common]] or [[Orcish]]. Half-orcs learn many languages, like their human parents.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{ref book |author= Bennie, Scott |coauthors= Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch |title= [[Horde Player's Guide]] |isbn= 9781588467720 |pages=9}}</ref>
−
== Geography ==
 
−
[[File:The Uplands.jpg|thumb|The Uplands]]
 
−
The Alterac Mountains are high peaks rising up north of the [[Hillsbrad Foothills]], and spreading to the border of the [[Western Plaguelands]] in the north and [[The Hinterlands]] in the east. Covered with snow at their highest point, these mountains were once the location of three major human settlements. Now two of these settlements, [[Ruins of Alterac|the City of Alterac]] and [[Strahnbrad]], lie in ruins and are controlled by hostile forces, while the third settlement, [[Dalaran|the city of Dalaran]] is sealed off by a magical barrier. The mountains themselves are home to several kinds of high-altitude flora and fauna, such as yeti, mountain lions and the rare herb [[Wintersbite]].
 
   
  +
===Names===
−
There are no flight paths, dungeons or raid dungeons in the [[Alterac Mountains]]. However, the [[Alterac Valley]], a high level PvP [[battleground]], lies within these mountains. In addition, the [[Ruins of Alterac]] are home to many ogres. They used to be elites until [[Patch 2.3.0]] and the area was considered a [[Dungeon|micro dungeon]].
 
  +
Half-orcs take the naming practices of the race in which they were raised. Half-orcs raised in human lands often take orc first names to display their heritage and vice versa.<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
  +
*Male Names: Galmak, Rogar, Dargal, Heiros
  +
*Female Names: Gauna, Bodi, Imarelle, Seera
  +
*Family Names: Dimmul, Blackaxe, Fierceblade, Greatarm
   
  +
==Appearance==
−
The layout of the Alterac Mountains zone may be confusing. It is effectively divided into two subregions. Apart from the mountain pass at [[Chillwind Point]] to the [[Western Plaguelands]] at the north, the "outer" green zone encircling the actual mountains has no clear-cut borders, instead smoothly transiting into [[Silverpine Forest]] and [[Hillsbrad Foothills]]. It is the outer zone that contains [[Dalaran]] (or, in WotLK, the place where it stood), Chillwind Point, the Uplands, and the soutern coast of [[Lordamere Lake]].
 
  +
<blockquote>"Half-orcs are a bit taller and heavier than humans, standing around 6-1/2 feet in height and weighing 200 to 250 pounds. Males are noticeably taller and heavier than females. Half-orc skin ranges from light green to grayish brown; half-orc hair is coarse like an orc's and ranges from brown to black in color. The orc lineage is unmistakable, but half-orc features are not as pronounced as those of the orc parent. A half-orc's ears are not quite as large, the nose not as piggish, and the tusks just far less. Both humans and orcs view half-orcs as physically ugly, a view which infects some half-orcs with self-loathing. Half-orcs live longer than their orc parents, with life spans equivalent to a human's."<ref name="ReferenceB"/></blockquote>
   
  +
It appears orc traits are generally dominant when it comes to interracial breeds as evidenced by [[Mok'nathal]], [[Half-draenei]], and Orc/Human hybrids.
−
The "inner" zone, containing the [[Ruins of Alterac]] and [[Strahnbrad]], looks very different. It is a snowy highland region surrounded by mountains, sharply transiting into the outer zone outside Stratholme. A traveler entering the inner area by road from Hillsbrad Foothills may mistake it for the entire Alterac Mountains zone, making it seem much smaller than it actually is.
 
   
  +
==Region==
−
=== Maps and subregions===
 
  +
If raised by humans, a half-orc most likely makes [[Theramore]] or [[Stormwind City|Stormwind]] his home. If raised by orcs, he probably comes from the city of [[Orgrimmar]] in [[Durotar]].
−
[[File:WorldMap-Alterac.jpg | 300px | thumb | Alterac Mountains | ]]<br />
 
−
{| class="darktable" width=50%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Chillwind Point]] • [[Corrahn's Dagger]] • [[Crushridge Hold]] • [[Dalaran Crater]] (formerly [[Dalaran]])
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Dandred's Fold]] • [[Gallows' Corner]] • [[Gavin's Naze]] • [[Growless Cave]]
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Lordamere Internment Camp]] • [[Misty Shore]] • [[Ruins of Alterac]] • [[Sofera's Naze]]
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Strahnbrad]] • [[Headland|The Headland]] • [[Uplands|The Uplands]]
 
−
----
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Alterac Valley]] ([[Alterac Valley#History and politics|Valleys of Alterac]]) • [[Barony Mordis]] (Manga) • [[Foothill Caverns]] (RPG) • [[King's Road]] (WC3)
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Lordamere Lake]] (other) • [[Ravenholdt Manor]] (other) • [[Slaughter Hollow]] (Game Guide)
 
|}
 
−
{{clrl}}
 
−
[http://wow.gamepressure.com/map.asp?ID=14 Topographic map of Alterac Mountains]
 
   
  +
[[Lands of Conflict]]'' mentions that about 3% of the population of [[Hillsbrad]] is half-orc (human/orc). This means that there are roughly 450 half-orcs in the area.<ref>{{ref book |author=Arthaus |title=[[Lands of Conflict]] |isbn=9781588469601 |pages=97}}</ref>
−
=== Battlegrounds ===
 
−
[[Alterac Valley]]: Both the Horde and Alliance entrances to Alterac Valley can be found in these mountains, just below the snow line.
 
   
  +
Half-orcs of ogre descent, the mok'nathal live in the [[Mok'Nathal Village]] in Outland.
−
=== Adjacent regions ===
 
−
{| class="darktable"
 
−
|-
 
−
! Zone Name
 
−
! Faction
 
−
! Level Range
 
−
! Direction
 
−
! Access
 
−
|-
 
−
| [[Silverpine Forest]] || {{Horde Icon Small}}
 
−
| 10-20 || Northwest || By swimming
 
−
|-
 
−
| [[Hillsbrad Foothills]]
 
−
| {{Alliance Icon Small}}{{Horde Icon Small}}
 
−
| 20-30 || South || By foot only
 
−
|-
 
−
| [[Western Plaguelands]]
 
−
| {{Alliance Icon Small}}{{Horde Icon Small}}
 
−
| 50-58 || Northeast || By foot only.
 
−
|}
 
   
  +
==Specific Half-orcs==
−
== Notable characters ==
 
  +
*{{RaceIcon|HalfOrc|Male|Small}} [[Drann]] - Half-orc of human descent.
−
[[File:Dalaran Crater close dome.jpg|thumb|Dalaran Crater] | 200px |]]
 
  +
*{{RaceIcon|HalfOrc|Female|Small}} [[Chauch-eta]] - [[Skeletal mage]], half-orc of human descent.
−
{{main|Alterac Mountains NPCs}}
 
  +
*{{RaceIconExt|Garona|Small}} [[Garona]] - Half-orc of draenei descent, though alleged to be half-human.
  +
*{{RaceIcon|HalfDraenei|Male|Small}} [[Lantresor of the Blade]] - Half-orc of draenei descent.
  +
*{{RaceIconExt|Med'an|Small}} [[Med'an]] -His mother, Garona is half-orc, half-draenei while his father, Medivh is fully human making him Half-Human, Quarter-Orc, Quarter-Draenei
  +
*{{RaceIconExt|Rexxar|Small}} [[Rexxar]] - Half-orc of ogre descent.
  +
*{{RaceIcon|Mok'Nathal|Male|Small}} [[Tagar Bearclaw]] - Half-orc of ogre descent.
  +
*{{RaceIcon|Mok'Nathal|Male|Small}} [[Leoroxx]] - Half-orc of ogre descent, father of Rexxar.
  +
Others; Mag Bearmaul, Gorsh Talonfang, Maxx Rocmane, Gaz Boartusk, Mok Rocksnout, Gish Eagle Eye.[http://www.battle.net/war3/neutral/beastmaster.shtml]
   
  +
''Note: Many of these names come from random beastmasters in The Frozen Throne (half-orcs of ogre descent). However the names are referenced in Horde Player's Guide.<ref>{{ref book |author= Bennie, Scott |coauthors= Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch |title= [[Horde Player's Guide]] |isbn= 9781588467720 |pages=7}}</ref>''
−
The Alterac Mountains are home to several characters of note. At the entrance to Alterac Valley, [[Lieutenant Haggerdin]] seeks aid in the battle against the Frost Wolves, and [[Warmaster Laggrond]] has similarly declared war on the Stormpikes. At his manor, [[Lord Jorach Ravenholdt]] attempts to teach adventuring rogues the true skills of their trade. And at Dalaran, [[Archmage Ansirem Runeweaver]] sends bold adventurers to the jungles of Stranglethorn in search of his missing daughter.
 
   
−
== Quests ==
+
==Other types of half-orcs==
  +
[[Image:Grislysecrets.jpg|thumb|A half-orc?]]
−
{{main|Alterac Mountains quests}}
 
−
Both Alliance and Horde quests in the [[Alterac Mountains]] begin in the low 30s and continue into the low 40s. The quests, for the most part, come from [[Southshore]] and [[Tarren Mill]], respectively, in the [[Hillsbrad Foothills]] which border the mountains. For some reason, most of the Horde's Alterac Mountains quests are categorized as Hillsbrad Foothills, though the Alliance quests seem to be more properly categorized. Alterac is unique in the game in having no proper quest hub for either faction. For this reason, many of the quests obtained in [[Hillsbrad Foothills]] send players north into [[Alterac]].
 
   
  +
The term half-orc is usually used to describe the union between a human and an orc, however, there are other half-orc hybrids:
−
== Resources ==
 
−
[[File:Ravenholdt.jpg|thumb|Ravenholdt Manor]]
 
−
* [[Herb]]s
 
−
** {{item|icon=|Stranglekelp}}
 
−
** {{item|icon=|Bruiseweed}}
 
−
** {{item|icon=|Wild Steelbloom}}
 
−
** {{item|icon=|Grave Moss}}
 
−
** {{item|icon=|Kingsblood}}
 
−
** {{item|icon=|Liferoot}}
 
−
** {{item|icon=|Fadeleaf}}
 
−
** {{item|icon=|Goldthorn}}
 
−
** {{item|icon=|Khadgar's Whisker}}
 
−
** {{item|icon=|Wintersbite}} (Alterac Mountains is the only zone you can gather it.)
 
−
* [[Ore]] - The Snowy Areas around the Ruins of Alterac are very abundant with Iron and sometimes Mithril, especially inside ogre mounds and caves.
 
−
** [[Copper Vein]]
 
−
** [[Tin Vein]]
 
−
** [[Silver Vein]]
 
−
** [[Iron Deposit]]
 
−
** [[Gold Vein]]
 
−
** [[Mithril Deposit]]
 
−
** [[Truesilver Deposit]]
 
   
  +
The [[Mok'Nathal]] are usually referred to as a type of [[half-ogres]], rather than half-orcs, due to more dominant ogre traits. The famous [[Rexxar]] is one well-known half-ogre. Sometimes the longer term "half-orc half-ogre" or "half orc/ogre" is used to describe the race, half-ogre being the short form. In ''[[Beyond the Dark Portal]]'', Rexxar is simply called a "half-orc" throughout much of the book.
−
== Wild creatures ==
 
−
[[File:Dandred's Fold.jpg|thumb|Dandred's Fold]]
 
−
* [[Bear]]s
 
−
* [[Mountain Lion]]s
 
−
* [[Spider]]s
 
−
* [[Turtle]]s
 
−
* [[Yeti]]s
 
−
* [[Narillasanz]] - a [[rare]] [[Elite creature|elite]] [[dragon]]
 
   
  +
A hybrid of an orc and a [[draenei]] can be called a "[[half-draenei]]",<ref name="ReferenceA"/> a "half-orc half-draenei", or an "orc-draenei half-breed". [[Brann]] believes that they show draenei physical traits.<ref>{{ref book |author= Bennie, Scott |coauthors= Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch |title= [[Horde Player's Guide]] |isbn= 9781588467720 |pages=169}}</ref> Half-draenei is used as the short form. [[Garona]] has been called simply "half-orc" in several sources as well.
−
==Cataclysm==
 
−
{{cata-section}}
 
−
[[Image:WorldMap-Alterac-cata.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Map of Alterac in ''Cataclysm'']]
 
   
  +
It appears that what half a character is called at any given time depends on which heritage is being focused on, as is the case of Rexxar and Garona being called "half-orcs" at times.
−
It is unknown what changes the Cataclysm has wrought upon Alterac.
 
   
−
== Trivia ==
+
==Inspiration==
  +
Traditionally, in classic fantasy settings such as the works of [[Wikipedia:J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] and later in [[Wikipedia:Dungeons & Dragons|D&D]], a half-orc by definition means an offspring that includes an orc and a human parent.<ref>http://www.glyphweb.com/ARDA/default.asp?url=http://www.glyphweb.com/ARDA/h/halforcs.html</ref><ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-orc</ref>
−
* The Alterac Mountains are one of the locations featured in ''South Park''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s "Make Love, Not ''Warcraft''" episode.
 
   
  +
For example, in Tolkien's works, half-orcs were the creations of Saruman — between men and orcs:
==References==
 
  +
<blockquote>"But these creatures of Isengard, these half-orcs and goblin-men that the foul craft of Saruman has bred, they will not quail at the sun...'"</blockquote>
−
{{reflist}}
 
  +
-Two Towers III 7, Helm's Deep.
   
  +
This traditional view was used when ''Warcraft: Orcs & Humans'' was released, [[Garona]] stating in her own words that she was the product of a human and an orc union. It was later mentioned that both humans & orcs thought that she was half-human and half-orc{{Citation needed}}<!-- Cited as TLG - but what page? --><ref>{{ref book |author= Bennie, Scott |coauthors= Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch |title= [[Horde Player's Guide]] |isbn= 9781588467720 |pages=167}}</ref> or at least [[near-human]]. It has been confirmed that she is half-orc, [[half-draenei]].<ref>[[Conflicting Loyalties]]</ref>
−
== External links ==
 
−
{{elinks-zone|36}}
 
   
 
== References ==
  +
<references/>
   
  +
{{species}}
−
{{Alterac Mountains}}
 
−
{{Lordaeron}}
 
−
{{Eastern Kingdoms}}
 
   
  +
[[nl:Half-orc]]
−
[[fr:Montagnes d'Alterac]]
 
  +
−
{{lang|br=Alterac_Mountains}}
 
−
[[Category:Eastern Kingdoms]]
+
[[Category:Alliance races]]
−
[[Category:Alterac Mountains| ]]
+
[[Category:Horde races]]
−
[[Category:Mountain ranges]]
+
[[Category:Half-orcs| ]]

Revision as of 14:02, 26 April 2011

Template:Racebox

Half-orc is a term used to describe the offspring of an orc or half-orc parent and a parent of any other species. Since the beginning of the First War, orcs have interbred with a number of species: mostly humans, but half-ogres and half-draenei are not unheard of.[1][citation needed]  It most often refers to a half orc/human, but can also be used to refer to a half-orc half-ogre, or half-orc half-draenei.

Background

Orcs and humans can interbreed, and in this union create half-orcs. Humans and orcs have been enemies for decades and half-orcs represent something both races prefer not to think about. The half-orcs' genesis is usually violent and perverse, and their appearance — too bestial to be human and too clean to be orc — reminds the parent races of the rift between them and the horrible deeds each has performed on the other. Thus, most humans and orcs ignore half-orcs. Other races are little better, as the human-orc conflict is only one facet of the Alliance-Horde tensions upon which no one likes to dwell. Conversely, some see half-orcs as symbols of unity. Not all half-orcs are born to abused or victimized parents; some are the children of clandestine love.[2][3] Perhaps half-orcs represent what could be accomplished if the races put aside their differences and lived in peace. After all, if humans and orcs, with their history of hatred and bloodshed and wildly different origins, can produce viable offspring, perhaps the races are not as different as they think.

Half-orcs face mixed reactions. Even more so than half-elves, half-orcs are the targets of rage and derision brought about by stress. Azeroth is a violent place and tensions thrum like taut wires. The Third War lives in recent memory, and most humans and orcs lost loved ones at the hands of the other side. Half-orcs find little welcome, though the situation is better in the larger, more enlightened settlements.

Unlike half-elves, who prefer to wander or blend in to avoid prejudice, half-orcs are vocal, daring, and foolishly brave. A product of their parent races' pride, courage, and ferocity, half-orcs refuse to accept bias lightly. They demand attention. Half-orcs commit to audacious dares and acts of suicidal bravery to prove their worth to their parent races. Occasionally they succeed.[4]

Perspective

Half-orcs, because of their mixed-breed nature, have an outsider's perspective on events; it seems unlikely that they will see things from the inside any time soon. Their unfortunate status as human-orc crossbreeds leaves them truly belonging to neither race, and forces them to find their own places in (usually) the Horde or (more rarely) the Alliance.[5]

Culture

Languages

Half-orc

A half-orc in "Horde Races" by Chris Metzen. (RPG)

Half-orcs normally speak Common or Orcish. Half-orcs learn many languages, like their human parents.[6]

Names

Half-orcs take the naming practices of the race in which they were raised. Half-orcs raised in human lands often take orc first names to display their heritage and vice versa.[6]

  • Male Names: Galmak, Rogar, Dargal, Heiros
  • Female Names: Gauna, Bodi, Imarelle, Seera
  • Family Names: Dimmul, Blackaxe, Fierceblade, Greatarm

Appearance

"Half-orcs are a bit taller and heavier than humans, standing around 6-1/2 feet in height and weighing 200 to 250 pounds. Males are noticeably taller and heavier than females. Half-orc skin ranges from light green to grayish brown; half-orc hair is coarse like an orc's and ranges from brown to black in color. The orc lineage is unmistakable, but half-orc features are not as pronounced as those of the orc parent. A half-orc's ears are not quite as large, the nose not as piggish, and the tusks just far less. Both humans and orcs view half-orcs as physically ugly, a view which infects some half-orcs with self-loathing. Half-orcs live longer than their orc parents, with life spans equivalent to a human's."[6]

It appears orc traits are generally dominant when it comes to interracial breeds as evidenced by Mok'nathal, Half-draenei, and Orc/Human hybrids.

Region

If raised by humans, a half-orc most likely makes Theramore or Stormwind his home. If raised by orcs, he probably comes from the city of Orgrimmar in Durotar.

Lands of Conflict mentions that about 3% of the population of Hillsbrad is half-orc (human/orc). This means that there are roughly 450 half-orcs in the area.[7]

Half-orcs of ogre descent, the mok'nathal live in the Mok'Nathal Village in Outland.

Specific Half-orcs

Others; Mag Bearmaul, Gorsh Talonfang, Maxx Rocmane, Gaz Boartusk, Mok Rocksnout, Gish Eagle Eye.[1]

Note: Many of these names come from random beastmasters in The Frozen Throne (half-orcs of ogre descent). However the names are referenced in Horde Player's Guide.[8]

Other types of half-orcs

Grislysecrets

A half-orc?

The term half-orc is usually used to describe the union between a human and an orc, however, there are other half-orc hybrids:

The Mok'Nathal are usually referred to as a type of half-ogres, rather than half-orcs, due to more dominant ogre traits. The famous Rexxar is one well-known half-ogre. Sometimes the longer term "half-orc half-ogre" or "half orc/ogre" is used to describe the race, half-ogre being the short form. In Beyond the Dark Portal, Rexxar is simply called a "half-orc" throughout much of the book.

A hybrid of an orc and a draenei can be called a "half-draenei",[1] a "half-orc half-draenei", or an "orc-draenei half-breed". Brann believes that they show draenei physical traits.[9] Half-draenei is used as the short form. Garona has been called simply "half-orc" in several sources as well.

It appears that what half a character is called at any given time depends on which heritage is being focused on, as is the case of Rexxar and Garona being called "half-orcs" at times.

Inspiration

Traditionally, in classic fantasy settings such as the works of Tolkien and later in D&D, a half-orc by definition means an offspring that includes an orc and a human parent.[10][11]

For example, in Tolkien's works, half-orcs were the creations of Saruman — between men and orcs:

"But these creatures of Isengard, these half-orcs and goblin-men that the foul craft of Saruman has bred, they will not quail at the sun...'"

-Two Towers III 7, Helm's Deep.

This traditional view was used when Warcraft: Orcs & Humans was released, Garona stating in her own words that she was the product of a human and an orc union. It was later mentioned that both humans & orcs thought that she was half-human and half-orc[citation needed] [12] or at least near-human. It has been confirmed that she is half-orc, half-draenei.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 139. ISBN 9781588467720. 
  2. ^ Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 8. ISBN 9781588467720. 
  3. ^ http://justice.loyola.edu/~mcoffey/ce/war2/Odempis4.wav WAV file of Orc saying "You're good looking for a human."
  4. ^ Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 8-9. ISBN 9781588467720. 
  5. ^ Metzen, Chris; Bob Fitch, Luke Johnson, Seth Johnson, Mur Lafferty, James Maliszewski. Alliance & Horde Compendium, 71. ISBN 9781588460639. 
  6. ^ a b c Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 9. ISBN 9781588467720. 
  7. ^ Arthaus. Lands of Conflict, 97. ISBN 9781588469601. 
  8. ^ Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 7. ISBN 9781588467720. 
  9. ^ Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 169. ISBN 9781588467720. 
  10. ^ http://www.glyphweb.com/ARDA/default.asp?url=http://www.glyphweb.com/ARDA/h/halforcs.html
  11. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-orc
  12. ^ Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 167. ISBN 9781588467720. 
  13. ^ Conflicting Loyalties

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