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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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PFS StandardOrc Warchief

When orcs raid, the strongest is chosen as the leader, backed up by brothers, sisters, and other immediate family.

Recall Knowledge - Humanoid (Society): DC 16
Unspecific Lore: DC 14
Specific Lore: DC 11

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Changes from being Elite are marked in red below.
NOTE: The +2 damage bonus to non-strike offensive abilities (+4 if the ability is limited, such as spells) is NOT factored in.

Elite Orc WarchiefCreature 3

Legacy Content

CE Medium Humanoid Orc 
Source Bestiary pg. 257
Perception +13; darkvision
Languages Common, Orcish
Skills Athletics +10, Intimidation +8, Survival +7
Str +4, Dex +2, Con +1, Int -1, Wis +1, Cha +2
Items greatclub, hide armor, javelin (6)
AC 21; Fort +9, Ref +8, Will +9
HP 47
Attack of Opportunity [reaction] Ferocity [reaction]
Speed 25 feet
Melee [one-action] greatclub +12 [+7/+2] (backswing, shove), Damage 1d10+2+4 bludgeoningMelee [one-action] fist +12 [+8/+4] (agile, nonlethal), Damage 1d4+2+4 bludgeoningRanged [one-action] javelin +10 [+5/+0] (thrown 30 feet), Damage 1d6+2+4 piercingBattle Cry [one-action] (auditory, concentrate, emotion, mental) Bellowing mightily, the warchief gives themself and all orc allies within 60 feet a +1 status bonus to attack and damage rolls until the start of the orc warchief’s next turn.

All Monsters in "Orc"

NameLevel
Dromaar Mountaineer2
Orc Brute0
Orc Commander2
Orc Scrapper0
Orc Veteran1
Orc Warchief2
Orc Warrior1

Orc

Source Bestiary pg. 256
Orcs are violent, monstrous humanoids that live by the rule that might makes right. They amass in brutal warbands both large and small, decimating and robbing those unlucky enough to cross their path. Countless small settlements, outposts, and forts have fallen at the hands of orc raiders, whose fecundity and sheer destructiveness leave an indelible mark on the lands they conquer. Survivors of orc invasions are as likely to be fed to the orcs’ war beasts as they are to be taken as slaves. Unspeakable atrocities await any outsiders brought back to orc encampments, and to many, death is a far more preferable outcome compared to capture by orcs.

Physically, orcs tower over most humanoids and look practically custom-made for violence with their rough flesh, sturdy bone, and iron-hard muscle. For all their tough looks, however, orcs are far from invincible. They lack the discipline to conduct large-scale campaigns, for one thing, and they typically lose their heads in the heat of battle. Even their skin scars easily—though this is a source of pride to the orc people, since scars signify strength and experience in battle. To orcs, the crisscross of old wounds are a much a badge of pride and honor as any beheaded foe or claimed trophy.

Orcs are a people of violent passions in all that they do, not just war. Bonds of blood are especially strong among orcs, and lineage is important. The strongest orc bands are typically made up of brothers and sisters in more than arms; orcs fight harder when they are protecting their own kinsfolk, and orc warriors will fight tirelessly to avenge fallen family members. This emphasis on bloodlines is not an altruistic one, however, and is in fact a double-edged sword. Orcs whose families have been killed find themselves at the bottom of the clan’s totem pole, and even a famous chieftain can become powerless overnight if their brethren aren’t there to back them up.

The chaotic and fractious nature of orc culture results in a great variety of beliefs, superstitions, and legacies among different clans. This cultural divergence causes substantial infighting among orc bands, in many cases preventing the rise of larger orc nations. It can also frustrate many attempts at diplomacy, as the taboos of one band may be commonplace and thoroughly accepted practices among others. Navigating a specific band’s culture can often mean the difference between life and death to those who deal with orcs off the field of war. Although orcs, as a rule, rarely deal with outsiders, they recognize the benefits of trade and willingly swap resources with other violent peoples like hobgoblins, drow, and many humans.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Gods of War

Orcs worship violent deities that support their murderous instincts, chiefly Rovagug, but also Lamashtu and Gorum and sometimes demon lords like Nurgal and Shax.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Megafauna Mounts

Orcs are known for riding strange and fearsome beasts, particularly megafauna like dire wolves and smilodons. Given the opportunity, orcs also enlist drakes, manticores, and anything else big and frightening enough to suit their needs.