Calibans

Orcs are unknown in Ravenloft, even as creatures

of legend. For this reason, no half-ores are

native to the Land of Mists. However, creatures do

exist that fill the half-ore's role: calibans.

The Player Characters

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Thankfully rare, Calibans are twisted humans

exposed to curses or foul magic while still in the

womb. The birth of a caliban in a community is

often seen as a sure sign of the presence of

witchcraft — specifically, the corrupting aura of a

hag.

Calibans are physically powerful but

misshapen humanoids. No two Calibans look

alike, but common deformities include twisted

backs or limbs, asymmetrical features, bristly skin,

or tusklike teeth. Calibans are widely considered

brutish, savage creatures; their name is a

corruption of "cannibal," stemming from their

most infamous reputed habit. In truth, many

Calibans are simple-minded, petty brutes, but this

is often the product of their upbringing. Rejected

as monsters, most calibans spend their lives hidden

in dank cellars or flee civilization to roam the

wilds. In truth, a Caliban's heart can be as pure and

noble as that of any human.

Use the racial characteristics of the Player's

Handbook half-ore when creating a caliban player

character.

Homelands: As creatures of unnatural origin,

calibans can hail from any populated domain.

Most are born in lands where magic is relatively

common, such as Darkon, Hazlan, and Tepest.

 

• +2 Strength, –2 Intelligence, –2 Charisma.

A half-orc’s starting Intelligence score is always at least 3. If this adjustment would lower the character’s score to 1 or 2, his score is nevertheless 3.

• Medium: As Medium creatures, half-orcs have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.

• Half-orc base land speed is 30 feet.

• Darkvision: Half-orcs (and orcs) can see in the dark up to 60 feet. Darkvision is black and white only, but it is otherwise like normal sight, and half-orcs can function just fine with no light at all.

• Orc Blood: For all effects related to race, a half-orc is considered an orc.

• Automatic Languages: Common and Orc. Bonus Languages: Draconic, Giant, Gnoll, Goblin, and Abyssal.

• Favored Class: Barbarian. A multiclass half-orc’s barbarian class does not count when determining whether he takes an experience point penalty.