Description: Vaelgrin are the living contradiction of grace and grit. Born of elven and orcish bloodlines, they possess the sculpted musculature of orcs paired with the striking symmetry and ethereal features of elves. Their ears taper into points, though not always as sharply as a full elf's, and their skin ranges from dusky gray to olive or earthen green. Hair is typically dark and coarse, though silver or white strands are not uncommon. Their bodies are lean but powerful, with defined features and intense, expressive eyes. Many would call them beautiful, until they see the anger in their gaze.
Society: Vaelgrin are rarely born into peace. Their parentage often dooms them to lives of rejection, cruelty, or exploitation. Elven communities tend to see them as corrupted bloodlines; orcs often see them as too soft, too refined. As a result, most Vaelgrin grow up on the fringes, in slums, orphanages, underground fight pits, or among mercenary bands. Those who survive often form tight-knit bonds with other outcasts, forging new families from the wreckage of rejection. A Vaelgrin might become a knight who protects the weak, a bounty hunter with a code, or a rebel who burns the world that scorned them. Despite their hardships, many Vaelgrin carry a deep well of empathy for the downtrodden and are fiercely loyal to those who earn their trust.
Relations: Vaelgrin tend to distrust elves and orcs, even when those individuals show kindness. The scars of mistreatment run deep. However, they often find kinship with humans, half-elves, half-orcs, devilkin, and others who know what it means to straddle two worlds. Dwarves respect their resilience; catfolk and kobolds often find their dramatic intensity intimidating. Grippli, on the other hand, seem to like them just fine.
Male Names: Draeven, Korzhak, Velian
Female Names: Shayra, Orzali, Thirien
Standard Racial Traits
- Ability Score Modifiers: +2 STR, +2 CHA, –2 INT
- Type: Humanoid (Elf, Orc)
- Size: Medium
- Base Speed: 30ft
- Starting Languages: Elf or Orc, and Common
Other Traits
All Vaelgrin characters also can choose 3 of the following abilities. If multiple abilities affect an attribute or skill, only the highest bonus is applicable.
- Burning Drive: Gain a +2 bonus on initiative checks.
- Elven Focus: Gain a +2 bonus on concentration checks and Perception checks.
- Graceful Leap: You are always considered to have a running start when making Acrobatics checks to jump.
- Iron Soul: +2 bonus on saving throws against enchantment and fear effects.
- Low-Light Vision: Gain the ability to see twice as far as normal in dim light.
- Mixed Heritage: You count as both an elf and an orc for the purpose of qualifying for feats, spells, and effects.
- Relentless: Once per day, when reduced to 0 or fewer hit points but not killed, you can remain conscious and act normally for 1 round.
- Steel Will: Once per day, reroll a failed Will save.
- Unyielding Grace: Gain a +2 racial bonus on Acrobatics and Intimidate checks.
- Wounded Pride: Gain +1 to attack rolls when below half health.