Page 28 - Critical Role: Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting

tal’dorei campaign guide

an advanced hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Some have ventured half-orcs
down into the Dividing Plains to roam as nomadic raid-
ers, taking what they wish from the unprotected few, but
the sundering of the Herd of Storms (see the Gazetteer Humans do not care for half-orc children. In their eyes,
of Tal’Dorei chapter) sent many wandering without pur- half-orcs are ugly, stupid, and destructive by nature—and
pose—quite a few have turned to mercenary work along the ultimately no different from their bloodthirsty orc parent.
Lucidian Coast to regain their sense of belonging. Orcs have no love for their half-human progeny, either. To
Others are sought for their unrivaled might and find a an orc, a half-orc is weak, their lust for slaughter dulled by
home in bandit clans that ravage the Ruins of O’Noa or the emotions and compassion of humanity.
the outskirts of Stilben. A small number of goliaths have Unloved by both parents, half-orcs must find ways to
been taken under the wing of the wealthy elite and given survive in a world that cares nothing for them. They are pas-
advanced study within Emon; some out of charity, others sionate, driven, and eager to prove themselves—and it is not
for these nobles’ own cruel amusement. uncommon for half-orcs to make trouble within the city slum
Most other people of Tal’Dorei meet goliaths not with or orcish chasm they call home. Living in such opposition,
animosity, but with curiosity. Many people of Westruun many half-orcs feel the urge to show their worth through
are still apprehensive about dealing with goliaths because action, and exemplary half-orc heroes have risen throughout
of Kevdak and the Herd of Storms’ brief occupation of history, renowned for their bravery and valor. The honor
their city, but they are doing their best to work through heaped upon half-orc heroes of the Scattered War and more
their instinctive fears. recent conflicts has helped calm tensions in Tal’Dorei’s larger
and more accepting cities, but the outlying settlements still
meet half-orcs with disrespect and even open violence. As
half-elves such, most half-orcs beyond Emon are still found living on
the outskirts of human colonies and villages.
Humans adore half-elven children. To them, it is not only a Some half-orcs reject humanity, having seen its ugliest
side. These half-orcs see both halves of their lineage as
great honor for a family to join their bloodline with that of
an elf, but it is also a point of patriotic pride, demonstrating equally monstrous; one side is just better at hiding it. They
wander the wilds with the primal herds of barbaric hunters,
the strength of the bond between Syngorn and Tal’Dorei.
Yet for as long as the humans of Tal’Dorei have loved like the Rivermaw of the Dividing Plains, using their brawn
to earn respect amongst their leaders. A tribe of rough-and-
their mixed-race children, the elves of Syngorn have looked
on them with contempt. They are called half-breeds, half- tumble warriors called the Icewalkers patrols where the
northern edge of the Cliffkeep Mountains meet the Never-
bloods, or “ill-born.” They carry the shame of impurity and
the mark of lessened potential by diluting their supe- fields, hunting the beasts that dwell there. And
rior, magical elven blood with that of humanity. That some choose to live among the orcs, hardened
a half-elf had no choice in the matter of their birth is and desensitized by their bestial family’s abuse.
irrelevant; they are reviled all the same.
Few half-elves find prominence in Syngorn.
Many half-elven adventurers are wander-
ers not by choice, but
because are driven out
from the forest by their
peers. These adventur-
ers are often untrusting
of others because of their
trauma, especially if they were
cast out at a young age.
Half-elf vagabonds typically find a
home within the cities of Tal’Dorei, where
acceptance and even praise for their nature
is much more common. A surprising number
make their home within the sunless depths
of Kraghammer, finding kinship with the
dwarves in their mutual dislike of elven
society. Others still settle in the free
lands of the Rifenmist Peninsula,
among wild folk who don’t
care what’s in your blood,
so long as you can heft
a hatchet.

chapter 1: campaigns in tal'dorei 27