Medium fiend (demon, orc), chaotic evil
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 95 (10d8 + 50)
Speed 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +3
Proficiency Bonus +5 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 (+4) | 13 (+1) | 20 (+5) | 9 (-1) | 9 (-1) | 9 (-1) |
Saving Throws (suggested) Str +7, Con +8
Skills Intimidation +2, Perception +2
Skills (suggested) Athletic +7, Intimidation +2, Perception +2
Damage Resistances fire, poison
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Abyssal, Common, Orc
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Aggressive. As a bonus action, the tanarukk can move up to its speed toward a hostile creature that it can see.
Magic Resistance. The tanarukk has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The tanarukk makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its greatsword.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
- Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
REACTIONS
- Unbridled Fury. In respome to being hit by a melee attack, the tanarukk can make one melee weapon attack with advantage against the attacker.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
A tanarruk is a monstrous hybrid of orc and demon, created by the dark magic of Baphomet, the Horned King. A tanarruk has the brutish features of an orc, but with a fiendish twist: its skin is gray-green or dub brown, its eyes glow red, and its head is adorned with horns, ridges, or bristles. A tanarruk also has a distinctive smell of brimstone, a sign of its abyssal heritage. A tanarruk is slightly shorter than an average orc, but much more muscular and heavy. Its teeth and tusks are razor-sharp, and its claws can ignite with hellish fire.
A tanarruk can be born from any orc tribe that has been tainted by demonic corruption, either by choice or by force. The demon lord Baphomet gladly shares the secret of creating tanarukks with those who entreat him for power. The process corrupts an unborn orc of the tribe, transforming it at birth into a creature much more savage than an orc. If a tanarrukk manages to breed, its blood taints numerous subsequent generations, so its female descendants randomly produce tanarukks. Rather than risk raising a natural-born tanarukk, most tribes slay such abominations.
COMBAT
A tanarruk is a savage and fearless warrior, driven by a bloodlust that rivals that of its demonic kin. A tanarruk rarely wears armor, relying on its thick skin and natural resilience to protect it from harm. It prefers to wield weapons that can cause maximum carnage, such as axes, mauls, or jagged blades. A tanarruk is also adept at using its innate fire magic, either to hurl bolts of flame at its enemies, or to enhance its melee attacks with searing heat. A tanarruk is aggressive and relentless in combat, charging at the nearest foe and fighting until either it or its opponent is dead.
Although tanarukks are fearsome fighters, they are a threat to their allies off the battlefield. Within the tribe’s lair, a tanarukk is destructive and volatile, and best kept imprisoned. Sooner or later, a free tanarukk rampages through the tribe, attempting to take over by force. Most such coups fail, but at great cost to the tribe. If a tanarukk does seize the leadership of a tribe, reckless war is the course it inevitably chooses.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
A tanarruk can be found in any place where orcs and demons have mingled, either by choice or by force. The most notorious origin of the tanarruk race was Hellgate Keep, a former elven city that was corrupted by the tanar’ri and turned into a breeding ground for fiendish orcs. The tanarrukks escaped from the keep when it was destroyed by an alliance of elves and dragons, and spread across the lands of Faerûn. Some tanarrukks joined existing orc tribes, while others formed their own bands of marauders. A tanarrukk society is chaotic and violent, ruled by the strongest and most cunning among them. Tanarrukks have little respect for their orc ancestors’ gods, instead worshipping Baphomet or other demon lords. Tanarrukks are also less patriarchal than orcs, treating their females better than their slaves.
ECOLOGY
A tanarruk is a living embodiment of destruction and corruption, leaving a trail of death and ashes wherever it goes. A tanarruk has no regard for the natural balance of life, and will kill any creature that stands in its way or sparks its interest. A tanarruk feeds on raw meat, preferably from fresh kills. A tanarruk can mate with any humanoid of similar size, producing either more tanarukks or half-fiends. A tanarruk has a lifespan of about 50 years, but few live that long due to their violent lifestyle.