A blessing can also be a curse - and the last thing the world needs is an Orcish confidence trickster with an enhanced intellect and a penchant for storybooks.
Appearance:
Physically, Utrik is a normal Orc - around six feet tall, broad-shouldered and narrow at the waist, with long, powerful limbs. His clothing and trappings depend on his situation, and he habitually carries a backpack with several (very different) outfits.
Background:
Utrik was born into a Orcish warband which raided primitive human settlements along the nothern frontier. His mother was the warband's chief cook, and his father could be any one of fifteen Orc warriors.
From birth, Utrik realised he was different. The sluggish thoughts of his comrades amused him at first, until he was old enough to realise the broader implications of his nature. He was different - intelligent, perceptive and adaptable. He survived in the vicious heirarchy of the warband by hiding his differences and playing the role of the typical Orc warrior.
In the summer of his sixteenth year, the warband fell upon a remote farmhouse and slaughtered the inhabitants. In the aftermath of the battle, while the others sated their various appetites, Utrik found himself drawn to the interior of the farmhouse. Inside, he found a collection of books - a history of the human civilisations, several farmer's almanacs, and a clutch of children's fables which belonged to the farmer's daughter. Intruiged, even though he didn't understand them, he collected them up and stashed them in his travelling back.
As the months progressed, he unravelled the complex notation the humans used to record their thoughts. Though his understanding was imperfect, it was enough to make him realise that he could have a better life surviving by his wits than he ever could relying on his sword arm and the questionable loyalties of his comrades.
The next spring, he pulled together his meager possessions and crossed the border, heading into human territory. He was no more than a dozen miles along the road when he was accosted by a party of grizzled hunters, heading north to cull the red deer. The hunters immediately attacked Utrik, who called out in a loud, clear voice that he was no Orc, but a maiden from a nearby village who had been transformed by a foul curse - a tale taken directly from the storybook he had found at he farm. The hunters paused, confused by this - but eventually accepted his tale and agreed to escort the unfortunate 'maiden' to the local wise man. When they camped, that first night, Utrik prepared a soporific draught for his saviours, then raided their pockets and supplies, cast their quivers into the fire, and continued south.
Since then, Utrik has lived by his wits, playing the 'transformed maiden' role a dozen times over the last ten years. At other times, he wraps himself in priestly robes and passes himself off as a travelling cleric or a questing Paladin of a humble order.
Roleplaying Notes:
Utrik is motivated by more than simple survival - he seeks amusement, and will often undertake difficult tasks or complex manipulations to make the irony of his deceit all the sweeter. He is well-versed in human prejudice and fantasy, and has taken advantage of them many times. He is an accomplished, first-class liar, able to convince even the most sceptical adversary that his outlandish tales are true. He has, in the memory of a kindly priest who aided him even after his orcish nature was revealed, vowed solemly to avoid violence wherever possible.
Scrolls
Twists, chapters, and details meant to stream with the submission — not general discussion.
No scrolls yet — leave one if you have a twist worth keeping.
Sign in to plant an idea scroll.
Enjoyed this? Sign in and cross blades for StrangeLands — five clashes, up to 25 XP.
Sign in to cross the blades.
Discussion
Reader talk, questions, and feedback — not scrolls.
No comments yet — be the first voice in the hall.
Sign in to join the discussion.
Retellings
No Retellings yet — the best compliment on the Citadel is a Retelling.
Bonds
Curated bonds across the Citadel — sign in to bind a bond. Kindred Favors are another thread in the same weave.
Interesting...
This character has a built in plot, a strong motivation, and a twist that makes it a bit different. Two thumbs and a tail up.
What will he do when encountering other orcs? And how will he make this fly against an adventuring party who has the best chance in actually determining if he/she is cursed and counter magics to change her.
Interesting points. I'd imagine that, if confronted by other Orcs, Utrik would either play the part of the stereotypical Orc fighter, then slip away as soon as possible, perhaps trying to pass off his possessions as booty or loot. In the case of the adventurers - well, if the party mage isn't buying the story, it's down to the GM to convince the others. 'Ah, but the results of a Detect Magic spell aren't guaranteed', or 'Perhaps it's a Clerical curse rather than a spell.' Conflict in the party could offer some very enticing opportunities for Utrik...
Perfect for a low-level party who lack the means to move continents and blast dragons from the sky ... or remove a divine curse.
It could actually be funny if the wizard succeeded in transforming the conniver into a fair human maiden *evil grin*
Just one big smile with this one. There are quite a few ideas about using bias against the PCs but to go a step farther and have this Orc use it against them is just great!
Just the sort of thing that could make my players poison my pizza, but I'll take the risk...
I occurs to me that in a world where the ability to detect magic is common, minor magical items that could screw things up would also be more common (e.g.: When he expects that he might be 'scanned' by a mage, he'll pull out a potion before the encounter and chug it, causing him to radiate magic...)
Another argument for the detection of magic to be a difficult and unreliable art.
A nice, complex character with lots of potential. I like it :)