I recently made a new character: A Stout Halfling Barbarian who works for the Baulder's Gate Watch as a new-ish Sargent. This got me thinking: has anyone else tried to buck the cliche of the thick-headed, savage brute from the wilds? If so (probably so), how?
I've been playing a Wood Elf barbarian, bear totem path, who was the daughter to the Thane of her Grove (sorta like our campaigns version of the spires, but smaller and only for the wood elves). She was well educated and mannered (initially), though spending too much time in the grove barracks, picked up a feisty attitude and a pretty inappropriate sense of humor. I decided that being from a noble-ish background, she wasn't going to have a low INT, but instead suffered from having a low CHA due to being a bit sheltered. She tries to intimidate people, but because of her small size, I have my brother's character carry around a little fold-out stool to put under her feet every time she tries to threaten someone. My character truly believes people find her scary, but it's really the 7ft tall Dragonborn using prestidigitation, standing behind her clearing all the intimidation/persuasion checks.
It's created some really fun role-play moments within our group, and to be honest I love the character she's come to be.
I made a Halfling Barbarian that was a bartender from a family of bartenders, and he’s a Barbarian because he’s absolutely fed up with taxes. My favorite quote of his is:
“Ma da was a bartender, ma grand da was a bartender, my great grand da was just a drunk, and my great grand da was the best damn bartender you’ve ever heard of. Why do you think his son was a drunk?”
My latest character was educated by monks every summer for almost thirty years. He's a theologian, historian, and a cartographer who believes in logic and reason. He just happens to be the son of a brutal, ambitious would-be conqueror.
He may not be the strongest, but he can take a hit and outsmart you.
My Zealot Barbarian is an Acolyte. He was a temple guardian of The Six. I made him to be like an Avenger from 4e(except he is STR based) was the muscle of The Six.
My Dwarf comes from well-adjusted background (up till point where everyone has been murdered by raised evil god - campaign plot). Since then he wanders around and tries to find more information about the whole situation. He doesn't go into blind-berserker-rage, instead he channels his battle-prowess and endurance from the memory of his forefathers (Ancestral Guardian). As well, 10 INT and 14 WIS which makes him fairly reasonable fellow - for a dwarf. He's not very social with his 8 CHA, which I RP as no-bullshit-attitude, bordering on rude bluntness.
Yes, I did a divine-blooded NPC that specialized in feats of strength and had him as a champion warrior, often like showing off, very much larger than life type person.
I kind of went there... but it is left up to interpretation. I based my Barbarian on the Spartans from 300. He's civilized, but also looks down on non-warriors. Heck, he looks down on warriors simply because they aren't Spartans. If we fight beside each other, then they are at least worthy of my respect. Other than the fact he wears a leather brief with gauntlets, shin guards, sandals, and a red cape (not to mention his helmet, shield, spear, and sword), he's rather civilized.
Bane from Batman is a perfect example of an intelligent, "civil" barbarian, especially if you go from the comics. He is probably a better match, skill for skill, with Batman than anyone else. He's physically competent fighter and a brilliant tactician. His big downfall is obviously his hubris/selfishness. You'd need to re-skin the barb's "Rage" since Bane's fighting skill comes from intense focus and meditation rather than cutting loose his emotions. Otherwise, a great fit for a barb.
I waa just about to post a similar thread about a twist on the barbarian character concept. Everyone sees Barbarians as the type to gladly go into a frothy-mouthed, axe-biting rage at the first mean glance. But what if a Barbarian was afraid of their raging (possibly a multi-class for this concept)? This may not be a strictly-pacifist character as it would make for a very polar campaign: "I can't fight" *first hit* "KILL EVERYTHING". I'm thinking more of a warrior who either matures with age or goes through a traumatic experience. This character could grow to be a tactical leader, political envoy, guard captain, etc. but fights with a suppressed urge for pure release. In a way, think of The Hulk contained within a spartan warrior; someone who is already a formidable, competent, and comfortable warrior, but is also struggles internally against going pure-bloodbath.
For a bit of interesting context about the Berserker type of barbarian, I would direct you to watch the following: https://youtu.be/PBUGQkpk3RE. The YouTuber Lindybeige goes into detail about what a "Berserker" was. In reality, these were not savages, they did not (always) charge into battle naked, and were not nearly the loose-canons we believed them to be. The original title "Bersekr" - meaning "Bear-Shirt", not because of an animalistic rage, but because they wore distinctive pelts as status symbols - was given to those who served lords as a personal bodyguard and martial champion. When whipped into a frenzy (and spiked with some great mushrooms), they were certainly a singular force to be reckoned with. However, this was not their typical state and could be very reasonable people day-to-day.
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
I'm currently playing a Scourge Aasimar Barbarian, and granted I rolled pretty well but he's not the lunkhead savage that is often the stereotype for the class. Yes he has the Outlander background, but I always envisioned the idea of the Barbarian as one who has worked to control the fury within, and as such is normally quite calm. But when the fight is on, he lowers his inner walls and lets his anger out. In many ways he reminds me of Banner & The Hulk if Banner was in full(well, mostly full) control of when he transformed. "That's my secret, DM...I'm always raging"
It's not the normal path for a barbarian, but I would consider a swashbuckler/duelist dex barb. It's far from optimal, but wielding a rapier with no armor and shrugging off hits, seems very musketeerish to me. Maybe refluff the "rage" into a fighting style or trance.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
I think a storm herald barbarian might be a decent fit. Imagine your rage as turbulent emotions that must be controlled if you are to succeed. When you "rage" you actually calm yourself, forcing this turbulence out of your self where it coalesces into the strange weather effects around you. You become the eye of the storm, an island of calm tactical wit amidst the fury. What some see as "reckless attacks" are actually calculated risks, after all you're not a fool, you know how to take a hit, you can sense danger. Anyone who thinks your mental faculties are lacking don't comprehend the mental effort necessary to control yourself when containing the storm.
Mine is STR based, wears armour and carries a shield. He's the son of a minor nobleman. I've basically refluffed Rage as Combat Focus: instead of going frothing mad he goes into a cold, calculating "zone" almost like bullet time.
Mine is STR based, wears armour and carries a shield. He's the son of a minor nobleman. I've basically refluffed Rage as Combat Focus: instead of going frothing mad he goes into a cold, calculating "zone" almost like bullet time.
:)
Adrenaline does funny things to minds. To some people, it flares into near-insanity and mutes logical reasoning. To others, it has the opposite effect and increases the brain's ability to process information and perception becomes that time slows down.
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Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
My current character is a Scourge Aasimar Barbarian (like one of the other responders), and she grew up in the Feywilds as a changeling who was forced to fight other children, gladiator style. But since I rolled really well for her stats I decided to multiclass with a wizard level and so during the times that she's not punching other kids, she's hiding out in the fey library reading books, and since the Fey essentially imprisons the changelings in one area, books were her only way of getting excitement and new information. Her barbarian rages come from the fact that her godly parent is Vengeance and she's been sent vicious dreams about taking vague revenge and blood almost her whole life, and it's causes her to have problems controlling her emotions (esp her anger) and she often lashes out (causing rages).
TLdr: Barbarian basically as a nerdy kid growing up in an abusive environment learning to internalize anger enough to use it for fights.
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I recently made a new character: A Stout Halfling Barbarian who works for the Baulder's Gate Watch as a new-ish Sargent. This got me thinking: has anyone else tried to buck the cliche of the thick-headed, savage brute from the wilds? If so (probably so), how?
I've been playing a Wood Elf barbarian, bear totem path, who was the daughter to the Thane of her Grove (sorta like our campaigns version of the spires, but smaller and only for the wood elves). She was well educated and mannered (initially), though spending too much time in the grove barracks, picked up a feisty attitude and a pretty inappropriate sense of humor. I decided that being from a noble-ish background, she wasn't going to have a low INT, but instead suffered from having a low CHA due to being a bit sheltered. She tries to intimidate people, but because of her small size, I have my brother's character carry around a little fold-out stool to put under her feet every time she tries to threaten someone. My character truly believes people find her scary, but it's really the 7ft tall Dragonborn using prestidigitation, standing behind her clearing all the intimidation/persuasion checks.
It's created some really fun role-play moments within our group, and to be honest I love the character she's come to be.
I made a Halfling Barbarian that was a bartender from a family of bartenders, and he’s a Barbarian because he’s absolutely fed up with taxes. My favorite quote of his is:
“Ma da was a bartender, ma grand da was a bartender, my great grand da was just a drunk, and my great grand da was the best damn bartender you’ve ever heard of. Why do you think his son was a drunk?”
My latest character was educated by monks every summer for almost thirty years. He's a theologian, historian, and a cartographer who believes in logic and reason. He just happens to be the son of a brutal, ambitious would-be conqueror.
He may not be the strongest, but he can take a hit and outsmart you.
Hey! Thanks for stopping by! Why not show your support and check out my showreel? It couldn't hurt...
My Zealot Barbarian is an Acolyte. He was a temple guardian of The Six. I made him to be like an Avenger from 4e(except he is STR based) was the muscle of The Six.
I created a homebrew subclass called Path of the Rebel Misfit - basically an urban barbarian (a rioter,/punk/anarchist in concept).
Find a place in your setting, like Rashemen in the Realms, that has a strong tradition of berserker warriors.
My Dwarf comes from well-adjusted background (up till point where everyone has been murdered by raised evil god - campaign plot). Since then he wanders around and tries to find more information about the whole situation. He doesn't go into blind-berserker-rage, instead he channels his battle-prowess and endurance from the memory of his forefathers (Ancestral Guardian). As well, 10 INT and 14 WIS which makes him fairly reasonable fellow - for a dwarf. He's not very social with his 8 CHA, which I RP as no-bullshit-attitude, bordering on rude bluntness.
Who puts the Glad in Gladiator! Hercules!
*cough*
Yes, I did a divine-blooded NPC that specialized in feats of strength and had him as a champion warrior, often like showing off, very much larger than life type person.
I kind of went there... but it is left up to interpretation. I based my Barbarian on the Spartans from 300. He's civilized, but also looks down on non-warriors. Heck, he looks down on warriors simply because they aren't Spartans. If we fight beside each other, then they are at least worthy of my respect. Other than the fact he wears a leather brief with gauntlets, shin guards, sandals, and a red cape (not to mention his helmet, shield, spear, and sword), he's rather civilized.
Bane from Batman is a perfect example of an intelligent, "civil" barbarian, especially if you go from the comics. He is probably a better match, skill for skill, with Batman than anyone else. He's physically competent fighter and a brilliant tactician. His big downfall is obviously his hubris/selfishness. You'd need to re-skin the barb's "Rage" since Bane's fighting skill comes from intense focus and meditation rather than cutting loose his emotions. Otherwise, a great fit for a barb.
I waa just about to post a similar thread about a twist on the barbarian character concept. Everyone sees Barbarians as the type to gladly go into a frothy-mouthed, axe-biting rage at the first mean glance. But what if a Barbarian was afraid of their raging (possibly a multi-class for this concept)? This may not be a strictly-pacifist character as it would make for a very polar campaign: "I can't fight" *first hit* "KILL EVERYTHING". I'm thinking more of a warrior who either matures with age or goes through a traumatic experience. This character could grow to be a tactical leader, political envoy, guard captain, etc. but fights with a suppressed urge for pure release. In a way, think of The Hulk contained within a spartan warrior; someone who is already a formidable, competent, and comfortable warrior, but is also struggles internally against going pure-bloodbath.
For a bit of interesting context about the Berserker type of barbarian, I would direct you to watch the following: https://youtu.be/PBUGQkpk3RE. The YouTuber Lindybeige goes into detail about what a "Berserker" was. In reality, these were not savages, they did not (always) charge into battle naked, and were not nearly the loose-canons we believed them to be. The original title "Bersekr" - meaning "Bear-Shirt", not because of an animalistic rage, but because they wore distinctive pelts as status symbols - was given to those who served lords as a personal bodyguard and martial champion. When whipped into a frenzy (and spiked with some great mushrooms), they were certainly a singular force to be reckoned with. However, this was not their typical state and could be very reasonable people day-to-day.
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Not sure which path he would be (Zealot? Ancestral Guardian?), but Prince Adam/He-Man is absolutely a barbarian with the noble background.
I'm currently playing a Scourge Aasimar Barbarian, and granted I rolled pretty well but he's not the lunkhead savage that is often the stereotype for the class. Yes he has the Outlander background, but I always envisioned the idea of the Barbarian as one who has worked to control the fury within, and as such is normally quite calm. But when the fight is on, he lowers his inner walls and lets his anger out. In many ways he reminds me of Banner & The Hulk if Banner was in full(well, mostly full) control of when he transformed. "That's my secret, DM...I'm always raging"
It's not the normal path for a barbarian, but I would consider a swashbuckler/duelist dex barb. It's far from optimal, but wielding a rapier with no armor and shrugging off hits, seems very musketeerish to me. Maybe refluff the "rage" into a fighting style or trance.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
I think a storm herald barbarian might be a decent fit. Imagine your rage as turbulent emotions that must be controlled if you are to succeed. When you "rage" you actually calm yourself, forcing this turbulence out of your self where it coalesces into the strange weather effects around you. You become the eye of the storm, an island of calm tactical wit amidst the fury. What some see as "reckless attacks" are actually calculated risks, after all you're not a fool, you know how to take a hit, you can sense danger. Anyone who thinks your mental faculties are lacking don't comprehend the mental effort necessary to control yourself when containing the storm.
I think a noble who has barbaric blood and instinctively rages would be interesting.
Mine is STR based, wears armour and carries a shield. He's the son of a minor nobleman. I've basically refluffed Rage as Combat Focus: instead of going frothing mad he goes into a cold, calculating "zone" almost like bullet time.
:)
Adrenaline does funny things to minds. To some people, it flares into near-insanity and mutes logical reasoning. To others, it has the opposite effect and increases the brain's ability to process information and perception becomes that time slows down.
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
My current character is a Scourge Aasimar Barbarian (like one of the other responders), and she grew up in the Feywilds as a changeling who was forced to fight other children, gladiator style. But since I rolled really well for her stats I decided to multiclass with a wizard level and so during the times that she's not punching other kids, she's hiding out in the fey library reading books, and since the Fey essentially imprisons the changelings in one area, books were her only way of getting excitement and new information. Her barbarian rages come from the fact that her godly parent is Vengeance and she's been sent vicious dreams about taking vague revenge and blood almost her whole life, and it's causes her to have problems controlling her emotions (esp her anger) and she often lashes out (causing rages).
TLdr: Barbarian basically as a nerdy kid growing up in an abusive environment learning to internalize anger enough to use it for fights.