I just realized in writing it sounded more hostile than I intended at all. I should have rather typed out to simulate playing a character with a true penalty in the primary stat, it creates a rough experience and in an average campaign it will typically be less fun. I apologize for my hostile tone.
Back to topic, how is it that I am not playing an Orc if my ASIs aren't the recommended Orcs? I still have every other racial trait, the conflict of being an educated orc and both a connection and disconnect to orcish culture. Saying I wouldn't be an orc is reducing race to their ASIs when they are way more than that.
Also I don't think Goliaths get any penalty to dex? They have a neutral one and would be considered unoptimized but sounds like something I'd try to play. An inspiring loud goliath with war drums (maybe drum stick clubs for a more frontline build?) sounds like something fun to try later. They would be 'better' with a cha bonus and I'd likely be tempted to get the 16 using tasha's but a 14 is better than a 12 definitely, and pre tasha's I would have rolled with a 14.
The ASI are part of the race. A rather significant part as culture can change through upbringing (not to mention that even in the FR there would not be only a single culture for orcs). But your biology stays with you no matter what you do and the biology of what you play would be not orc but human or elf depending on how you change the stats. The struggles of having a low int are part of being an orc. If you change that the role you play is no different than for example being a dwarf wizard.
And I said translated into D&D because its from a different D20 game. Goliath or Half Orc would probably the closest approximation of what I play. Large race, big boost in strength with a dex penalty and a class which is a fragile supporter which requires charisma, intelligence and for combat dexterity.
