78 CHAPTER 3 | HALF-ORCS
families generally dislike the term “half-elf;”
they call themselves Khoravar, an Elven term
meaning “children of Khorvaire.”
Khoravar culture places a strong emphasis on
generosity and hospitality toward other Khoravar.
You aren’t expected to put yourself in danger for
a stranger, but when possible, half-elves do what
they can to help other Khoravar and to share
information. Khoravar communities have weekly
unity dinners where local news and events are
shared; if you’re playing a half-elf, a unity dinner
is a good opportunity for you to hear about local
events and rumors. Of course, this is a double-
edged sword; should you gain a reputation as
a capable adventurer, Khoravar in need may
approach you and ask for your assistance.
Khoravar speak both Common and Elven,
and among themselves they often blend these
two together. This pidgin makes perfect sense to
anyone who speaks both languages, but someone
who only speaks one of the two languages could
have to make an Intelligence check (DC 10) to
understand the full meaning of a statement.
While some Khoravar prefer to follow their
own paths, many espouse the idea of “the bridge
between:” encouraging Khoravar to facilitate
communication and cooperation between
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Khoravar often become mediators, diplomats,
translators, or bards. Others are fascinated by
their distant connection to the Fey, becoming
Greensinger druids or warlocks bargaining with
Archfey. As a Khoravar, do any of these paths
appeal to you?HALF-ELVES AND DRAGONMARKS
Half-elves families carry two dragonmarks.
House Medani holds the Mark of Detection,
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threat assessment, and security. House Lyrandar
carries the Mark of Storms. Lyrandar has long
dominated the shipping industry, and the recent
development of the airship has increased its
power and potential. House Lyrandar presents
itself as a pillar for the Khoravar, and even if you
don’t have a dragonmark you could work for the
house, whether as a sailor or a house agent.Half-Orcs ...................................................................
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—Kalaash’arrna,
Tharashk InquisitiveHalf-orcs can be found anywhere orcs and
humans meet. The Ghaash’kala orcs of the
Demon Wastes are devout servants of the Silver
Flame who devote their lives to containing
the evils of the Wastes; as a half-orc paladin,
you might have been sent south on a divine
mission, hoping your human blood will help
you deal with these soft creatures. You could
be the orphan child of an unusual pairing,
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the greatest concentration of half-orcs is in the
Shadow Marches, where humans and orcs have
coexisted for centuries. With the rise of the
dragonmarked House Tharashk, orcs and half-
orcs have spread out through the Five Nations
and beyond.
Overall, the people of the Five Nations know
little about half-orcs. The archetype of the
Tharashk half-orc is that of a bounty hunter
or inquisitive, though there’s also a touch of
“simpleton from the swamps.” People may be
uneasy around you or assume that you know little
about the ways of civilization. With that said,
while orcs are typically seen as primitives who
live on the fringes of civilization, in Eberron orcs
aren’t inherently EVIL. People may be afraid
of you because they think you’re a dangerous
bounty hunter, but there’s no immediate
assumption that you’re cruel or bloodthirsty...
Most of the time.HALF-ORCS OF THE SHADOW MARCHES
Where the people of the Five Nations know
little of your kind, in the swamps of the Shadow
Marches half-orcs are celebrated. Human
refugees settled in the Shadow Marches centuries
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bond between these outsiders and the native orcs.
Many Marchers feel that the half-orc carries the