The Barbarian
From the frozen wastes to the north and the hellish jungles of the south come brave, even reckless warriors. Civilized people call them barbarians or berserkers and suspect them of mayhem, impiety, and atrocities. These "barbarians," however, have proven their mettle and their value to those who would be their allies. To enemies who underestimated them, they have proved their cunning, resourcefulness, persistence, and mercilessness.
Characteristics:
The barbarian is an excellent warrior. Where the fighter has training and discipline, however, the barbarian has a powerful rage. While in this berserk fury, he becomes stronger and tougher, better able to defeat his foes and withstand their attacks. These rages leave him winded, and he only has the energy for a few such spectacular displays per day, but those few rages are usually sufficient. He is at home in the wilds, and he runs at great speed.
Alignment:
Barbarians are never lawful. They may be honorable, but at heart they are wild. This wildness is their strength, and it could not live in a lawful soul. At best, chaotic barbarians are free and expressive. At worst, they are thoughtlessly destructive.
Religion:
Some barbarians distrust established religions and prefer and intuitive, natural relationship to the cosmos over formal worship. Others devote themselves to powerful deities, such as Kord, god of strength; Obad-Hai, god of nature; or Erythnul, god of slaughter. A barbarian is capable of fierce devotion to his god.
Races:
Human barbarians come from the distant wildlands on the edge of civilization. Orc, or Half-Orc Barbarians usually abandon theirown kind to live among human lands. Dwarf barbarians are rare, usually hailing from dwarven kingdoms that have fallen into barbarism as a result or recurrent war with goblinoids, orcs, and giants. Barbarians of other races are very rare.
Among the brutal humanoids, barbarians are more common than fighters. Orcs are especially likely to be barbarians.
Abilities:
Strength is important for barbarians because of its role in combat, and several barbarian skills are based on strength. Dexterity is also usful to barbarians, especially those that wear light armor. Wisdom is important for several barbarian skills. A high Constitution score lets a barbarian rage longer.
Special Ability:
When he needs to a barbarian can fly into a screaming blood frenzy. In a rage, a barbarian gains phenomenal strength and durability but becomes reckless and less able to defend himself. He temporarily gains +4 to Strength and Weapon Damage, +4 to Constitution, but suffers a -10 penalty to Soak. The increase in Constitution increases the barbarians hit points by 2 points per level, but these hit points go away at the end of the rage.
A barbarian can rage once a day, gaining an extra rage every 5 levels.
Barbarian Starting Package:
Studded leather armor
Greataxe (1d12, crit x3, 35 hp)
Shortbow (1d6, crit x3)
Dagger (1d4, crit x2)
Backpack with waterskin
One days trail rations
Bedroll
Sack
Flint and steel
Quiver with 20 arrows
8 gp
Barbarian Starting Hit Points:
20
Barbarian Attack and Evade Bonus as per Level:
| Level | Attack Percent | Evade Percent | Damage Bonus |
|---|
| 1 | 30% | 25% | +0 |
|---|
| 2 | 30% | 25% | +0 |
|---|
| 3 | 35% | 30% | +1 |
|---|
| 4 | 35% | 30% | +2 |
|---|
| 5 | 40% | 35% | +3 |
|---|
| 6 | 40%/30% | 35% | +4 |
|---|
| 7 | 45%/30% | 40% | +5 |
|---|
| 8 | 45%/35% | 40% | +6 |
|---|
| 9 | 50%/35% | 45% | +7 |
|---|
| 10 | 60%/40% | 55% | +8 |
|---|
| 11 | 60%/40% | 55% | +9 |
|---|
| 12 | 70%/45% | 65% | +10 |
|---|
| 13 | 70%/45% | 65% | +11 |
|---|
| 14 | 75%/50% | 70% | +12 |
|---|
15 | 75%/60% | 70% | +13 |
| 16 | 80%/60% | 75% | +14 |
|---|
| 17 | 85%/70% | 80% | +15 |
|---|
| 18 | 85%/70% | 80% | +16 |
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| 19 | 90%/75% | 85% | +16 |
|---|
| 20 | 90%/80% | 85% | +17 |
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