Gray Orcs are open?

[Kimono]

gray orcs...hobgoblins... bah they all just add opportunities for dwarven bigotry.

[Iso]

That does raise a few ideas in my head, though.. Would it hurt anyone if I tried to make a Gray Orc work?

We've got plenty of plot hooks. Their tribe could have easily been wiped out, with the few remaining survivors taking to wandering. After a few poor encounters you could be the only remaining survivor.

As an arcanist you were always ridiculed and belittled. You didn't consider sensible things and were becoming a burden to your people, so after much hardship and prayer you decided to strike out on your own. Determined to develop your powers in the arcane, one day you will return to your tribe and show them the meaning of true strength.

After your tribe was attacked unprepared and during a celebration to your god you managed to escape, but rival Clerics that branded you an unforgivable blasphemer are still hot on your heels. Using your best Common and knowledge gained from countless incursions on human territory, you managed to fool your way into civilized lands by pretending to be a half-blood. Catching a boat to take you up along the coast, you emerge in Sundren, hopefully far enough away from your pursuers you can stop to catch your breath.

Also, characters aren't on rails. An Orc starting out in one place could over time come to see the power and glory of Banites and decide he too will seize power through fear and strength as his new lord does. Sure, a Gray Orc Blackguard might fall miles behind a Human Cleric, but your character is still cooler.