Half-Ogre
by Wade Norton, Dragon #313
Ogre clans rarely develop the sophisticated agricultural or animal husbandry skills need to support their large numbers, and instead resort to taking what they need from more capable, though far weaker, neighbors. These interactions with neighboring peoples do not often result in offspring, but when they do, it is almost always shameful.
Half-ogre children are most often born to orc clans that share habitats with ogres, although half-ogre bugbears and gnolls also exist. Half-ogre humans are rare, and the offspring of ogres and other races even more so.
Half-ogres often stand out among their non-ogre kin as brutish louts, big on muscle and short on brains. Fortunately, this is exactly the sort of combination that makes them valuable to orc clans. Half-ogres born to orc clans face an uphill struggle, but once they reach maturity they are often thrust to the front of any combat.
In the ogre clans, they are considered weaker half-breeds that cannot carry their weight, but once they reach maturity, their slightly higher intelligence can propel them to positions of leadership.
Half-ogres are larger, cruder versions of their non-ogre parent. Their thick mottled skin is covered in coarse brown hair, and they are prone to warts.
Creating a Half-Ogre
"Half-ogre" is an inherited template that can be added to any creature of the giant, humanoid, or monstrous humanoid type (referred to hereafter as the "base creature") from Small to Huge in size.
A half-ogre uses all the base creature's statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Size and Type: The base creature's type does not change. If the creature is of Small or Medium size, it gains a size category, becoming Medium or Large respectively. See Creature Size Changer for changes to the base creature when it gains a size category. The changes in this template are in addition to the changes outlined there.
Speed: If the base creature's size increased due to the application of this template, its speeds increase by 10 feet.
Armor Class: The base creatures natural armor bonus improves by +2.
Special Qualities: A half-ogre has all the special qualities of the base creature, plus the following special quality.
Darkvision (Ex): A half-ogre has darkvision to a range of 60 feet.
Giant Blood (Ex): For all special abilities and effects, a half-ogre is considered a giant in addition to the base creature's type and subtype. Half-ogres can use magic items with racially specific powers as giants.
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Int -2, Cha -2.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature if it did not gain a size category, otherwise same as the base creature +1.
Alignment: Usually evil (any).
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature if it did not gain a size category, otherwise same as the base creature +1.