The Barbarian

From the frozen wastes of the north and the hellish jungles of the south come brave, even reckless, warriors. Civilized people call them barbarians or berserkers and charge them of mayhem, impiety, and much 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.

The barbarian class is a supplemental fighter class added to a human fighter or human ranger once the prerequisites are achieved. Like a bard, the player must announce their intent to become a barbarian at the outset of character creation and select one of the backgrounds listed below. Each background comes with a set of benefits and limitations.

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, barbarians of Chaotic alignment are free and expressive. At worst, they are thoughtlessly destructive.

Barbarian characters are adept at the many skills necessary for survival in a hostile wilderness, particularly of the type that raised them.

Most so-called “barbarians” of the world are actually 0-level humans, fighters or, more rarely, rangers. These make up the bulk of the warriors of their respective tribes.

However, special individuals can achieve a different status through deeds and a special ritual to become a true barbarian class as presented here.

A fighter or ranger with the proper background and prerequisites that is 3rd level can choose to become a barbarian going forward, adding supplemental abilities that will over-ride those of the base class. Thus, a barbarian may begin their career as a fighter, but soon transitions to their new class without any loss in level.

In addition to their base class requirements, a barbarian must have Strength and Constitution scores of no less than 15 each, a Dexterity score of 14 or better, and a Wisdom score of no greater than 16. Once a fighter or ranger transitions to become a barbarian, they lose any bonus to experience points for high ability scores as a barbarian is considered to have no principal attribute.

Barbarian Prerequisites

Race. Human (only)

Minimum Ability Scores. Strength (15), Dexterity (14), and Constitution (15)

Maximum Ability Scores. Wisdom (16)

Alignment. Any non-Lawful.

Class and Level. Fighter or Ranger (3rd); Cannot be above or below this level; Cannot be or become dual-classed.

Background. Must use a background template below and benefits/limitations carry forward for their entire career.

Ritual. Must have survived a special ritual or experience (per the DM, but examples are provided below).

Background

A background template MUST be chosen as a beginning 1st level ranger or fighter before being allowed to go on to become a barbarian. Provided are examples of background templates, although others may be developed working with the DM. When the fighter or ranger character is first created, use a template to build the character.

Jungle Savage. Your tribe is from the deepest jungles or remote islands of the south.

Armor Limitations. You cannot wear armor. Shields may be used but this is rare.
Weapon Proficiency Limitations. Club, dagger, dart, javelin, hand or throwing axe, sling, and spears. Cannot ever take proficiency in another weapon.
Skills. The jungle savage has the secondary skills of terrain survival and terrain knowledge (see below).
Special Abilities. A jungle savage is acclimated to heat and humidity and is never affected by the heat conditions of the jungle. This has no effect against other heat or fire effects. Jungle savages will frequently choose an animal totem that will form the basis for their attitude toward life and conflict.

Nomadic Warrior. Your tribe is from the northern steppes, dusty badlands, vast grassy plains, or sweltering deserts. Common among these cultures is the veneration and use of mounts.

Armor Limitations. Those from southern climes do not (cannot) wear armor. Those from northern areas can wear leather, padded, or studded leather. Shields may be used but these are normally reserved for troops on foot.
Weapon Proficiency Limitations. Club, dagger, hand or throwing axe, scimitar, short bow, sling, and spears. Cannot ever take proficiency in another weapon.
Skills. The nomadic warrior has the secondary skills of terrain survival and terrain knowledge (see below).
Special Abilities. A nomadic warrior has great proficiency in handling and fighting on the mounts of the region. They can use missile weapons while riding at the weapon’s full rate of fire and halve all penalties for firing from a moving mount (to a minimum of -1, rounding down).

Northmen. You are from the north, either from icy coasts, black forests, or snow-capped mountains.

Armor Limitations. You can wear leather, padded, or studded armor or ring, scale, or chain mail. Small or normal sized shields can be used.
Weapon Proficiency Limitations. Battle axe, dagger, hand or throwing axe, all swords, and spears. Cannot ever take proficiency in another weapon.
Skills. Northmen have the secondary skills of terrain survival and terrain knowledge (see below).
Special Abilities. A northman is acclimated to cold and snow and is not affected by the cold of the north if given time and materials to prepare. This has no effect against other cold effects. Sea faring tribes will be sailors and know how to fight effectively on ships or boats.
Special Penalties. Northmen, due to their superstitions, are especially susceptible to magic, gaining a -2 penalty to saving throws against magical effects.

Template Skills

These skills allow the character to operate effectively in their terrain. The DM will adjudicate any in game effects of these skills.

Terrain Survival. This includes the ability to obtain or produce shelter, warmth, and water. It includes the ability to hunt, trap, snare, fish, or whatever is necessary to obtain food. If water is in abundance, the ability to swim is included as is the ability to construct transport (canoe building).

Terrain Lore. This includes knowledge of the locales, persons, creatures, animals, and plants of the region. It also includes reading signs of weather and the ability to mark trails for others. In certain regions, this will include the ability to signal others (and interpret signals) using smoke or other means.

Becoming a Barbarian

When a fighter declares as a future barbarian, in addition to adhering to the strictures of their chosen background, they will need 10,001 experience points to get to 4th level (as opposed to their normal requirement of 8,001 points). Once the experience is gained, and if they meet all of the other prerequisites, they will undergo a special ritual, complete a quest, or survive an ordeal. This puts them on the path of becoming a barbarian and they effectively switch classes at that point.

Thus, the character will be a barbarian 4 (fighter 3) or, alternatively, a barbarian 4 (ranger 3). The “character level” of the PC is the sum of any fighter levels and barbarian levels.

No abilities of the original class are lost upon becoming a barbarian, although future abilities come only from the barbarian class. Thus, a ranger retains their ability to fight giant-class opponents and gain bonuses to surprise.

Prime Requisite. None
Minimum/Maximum Ability Scores. See prerequisites above.
Hit Dice. d12 (at starting level); Maximum 5d12 plus base class hit dice;
Alignment. Any non-Lawful alignment
Player Character Races. Human (U)
Armor. Based upon background;
Shield. Based upon background;
Initial Weapon Proficiencies. Based on base class (no additional at level 4);
Non-proficiency Penalty. -2
Added Weapon Proficiencies. 1 per 3 levels past the 3rd (6, 9, 12, etc.);
Weapons Allowed. Must be chosen from background list;
Use of Poison. Based on background (per DM)

Multiple Melee Attacks per round

These attacks work just as a fighter of the barbarian's level.

Iterative Attacks. High level fighters and their sub-classes will be able to execute a melee attack more than once per round with the same weapon. See the appropriate Attack Matrix. This ability excludes missile weapons which use their own attack rates.

Time Required. An iterative attack will come 3 segments after the normal attack routine. Weapon speed factor is not considered for any iterative attack. If an iterative attack is taken in any round before a normal attack, the fighter cannot take any further attacks during that round. i.e. The fighter attacks late in the previous round and their iterative attack spills into the current round. In this case, the fighter may choose to cancel the previous round’s iterative attack and attack normally (including any iterative attacks) in the current round. A weapon with a high weapon speed factor could cause this to happen every round.

Number of Melee Attacks per Round. Any odd number of attacks per round (e.g. 3/2 or 5/2) due to iterative attacks will come on each odd numbered round. Thus, a fighter with 3 attacks per 2 rounds will attack twice in the 1st round and once in the 2nd, then twice in the 3rd and so on. An iterative attack is considered a separate “attack routine”.

Whirlwind Attack. When a fighter or sub-class is in melee with creatures with less than a full hit die (HD less than 1d8), the fighter may declare a "whirlwind attack" which allows one melee attack for each level of experience the fighter has (e.g. a 3rd level fighter will get 3 melee attacks). This method of attack supersedes and replaces any normal melee attacks or iterative attacks. This is a melee attack action and cannot be used with missile weapons. This attack action must be declared and announced, and cannot be used when changing an action during the round. More than one attack per opponent is allowed.

Time Required. This “whirlwind” attack adds 3 segments to the standard attack mode and all attacks resolve in the same segment. This attack is considered one attack routine but allows attacking more than one opponent of less than one hit die.

Two-weapon Fighting. If a fighter is using two-weapons, the fighter may choose to attack with either weapon for any of the attacks. The fighter also does not add the +2 segment delay for fighting with two weapons when striking with a whirlwind attack (i.e. the whirlwind attack's +3 segment delay supersedes the two-weapon fighting delay).

Mixed Groups. If fighting a mixed group, this special attack mode does not allow any attacks against the higher hit die opponents and makes the fighter more vulnerable to attacks by higher hit die opponents. If a whirlwind attack is declared and a higher hit die opponent is or comes within melee range, they will be granted an immediate attack as if attacking the fighter's rear or rear flank (+2 to-hit, and no Dexterity modifiers or shield benefits to armor class). In certain situations, the fighter may not know there are higher hit die opponents present. The fact that there are, should become quickly apparent once the whirlwind attack form is declared...

(See Combat, Melee.)

Barbarian Abilities and Limitations

Armor Class Bonus

When wearing no armor or magic armor approved for use by their background, barbarians gain an armor class bonus of +2 due to speed, agility, and luck. Every 3 additional levels, a barbarian will add another +1 to this bonus. As with any AC bonus, this actually subtracts from the actual value (AC 6 becomes 4, etc.). This ability never changes the barbarian’s base armor rating, thus, no armor worn will be an armor rating of 10. Shields may be used normally (if permitted by background).

Background

A barbarian must adhere to all limitations of their background throughout their career. They also continue to gain the benefits of the chosen background. If a barbarian does not adhere to the proscribed limitations, they will face the consequences outlined below (see Ancestral Retribution).

Constitution Bonus

If a barbarian has any Constitution adjustment for hit points (this is assumed to be at least +1 due to ability minimum requirements), it is increased by +1. Thus a Con 15 normally grants +1 hit points per level; A barbarian would gain +2. Similarly, a barbarian with an 18 Con would normally have +4 hit points per level; Once they become a barbarian, this is raised to +5 per level. When the character becomes a barbarian, all hit dice immediately gain the bonus hit points (e.g. normal Con bonus +1 h.p. per level).

Movement Bonus

All barbarians in non-bulky armor or no armor have a base movement of 15”. Those wearing armor bulkier than “non-” will move at their normal movement rate (12”). Encumbrance will reduce movement normally. Magical armor allows the faster movement if it can be worn based on the barbarian’s background.

Original Class Abilities and Limitations

Any abilities gained from the original class are retained, although these will not stack with like abilities of the barbarian (a ranger’s tracking ability or a fighter’s Constitution bonus). Thus, a barbarian who was formerly a ranger will retain their ability to damage giant-class and their modifiers to surprise. A ranger’s restrictions and strictures are retained with the exception of the number of rangers that may operate together (as the character is now a barbarian and may operate freely with up to three rangers). A barbarian can lose their ranger abilities while retaining barbarian abilities, for example, by becoming non-Good in alignment.

Reaction

All barbarians suffer a -15% reaction adjustment subtracted from their normal Charisma reaction adjustment. This reflects their xenophobic nature and initial tendencies toward hostile behavior. Any barbarian in a party will extend this penalty to the entire group.

Saving Throw Adjustments

Barbarians gain a +2 vs. all poison saving throws and fear effects. Also, if affected by any magical hold or paralysis effects, a barbarian is allowed an additional save at the end of each round after the first, to throw off the effect.

Skills

A barbarian gains the following thief abilities at their character level: Hide in Shadows, Move Silently, and Climb Walls. Thus, a 6th level barbarian operates in these skills as a 6th level thief.

Strictures

Like rangers, barbarians may own only those goods and treasure which they can carry on their person and/or place upon their mount. If formerly a ranger, all excess must be donated to a worthy tribal or clan cause (but never to another player character). Otherwise, barbarians will normally spend their wealth by over-paying NPCs for services or other goods.

Tracking

A barbarian can track as a ranger.

Being Named

When a barbarian reaches 8th level, they become “named”. The barbarian selects a new name—sometimes partially composed using their original, but is reflective of their deeds to date or background. e.g. “Red Knives”, “Bloodfist”, “Spirit Walker”, etc. All tribes will generally know named barbarians of other tribes and respect is given to tribes with larger numbers of named. Stories of battles go along with the name (often exaggerated) and these create a legacy as the barbarian gains levels and more stories are added including the defeat of other named barbarians. When dealing with members of their own tribe, they will convert the normally negative reaction noted above to positive (e.g. +15% to reaction checks).

Attracting Followers. Barbarians never automatically gain bands of followers or men-at-arms but may lead men normally and inspire loyalty normally. Barbarians may build strongholds, but this act does not automatically attract followers and most barbarians disdain static structures based on their background (although some groups of northmen will establish “halls” to combat the harsh climes).

Challenges. Most barbarians gain followers by defeating the tribe or clan chief in single combat. Any barbarian may challenge another to single combat and, if their opponent was a chief or leader, their men will become allied to the winner of the combat. The rules of the combat are simple, combat is fought one-on-one (no allies may assist and no magical summoning is permitted) in a ring of standing warriors and the one that survives wins.

Ancestral Retribution

Ideology. Barbarians are generally bold and act fearless. They are willing to die to protect their legacy or name—barbarians will flee against overwhelming odds but outright cowardice brings negative consequences. This is not to say that barbarians of evil or even neutral bent will not betray others or switch allegiances. Barbarians generally respect nature, knowing that their lives depend upon their ability to read it’s signs and act accordingly. A barbarian’s tribe may also add certain proscriptions a barbarian must follow as well, such as venerating a type of animal, religious rites, honoring the rules of a chief’s hall, etc.

If a barbarian performs acts against their background, strictures, or ideology, the DM may, by way of “ancestral retribution”, “the gods” or other force, enact a reprisal based upon the magnitude of the offense. Certain infractions will simply cause the barbarian to lose all experience gained down to the beginning of their current level and subject them to a fair or poor rating for experience performance for the rest of the level—for example, the wearing of armor not permitted by background or if the barbarian flees from a winnable battle. Other, more serious violations will cause the barbarian to lose all abilities, becoming a fighter of the same level (with the re-rolling of hit points as their life is blasted away by the spirits).