Path of the Inner Demon

The Path of the Inner Demon Barbarian embraces the classic trope of the cursed hero the likes of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or the Hulk. Starting out, your rage is something to be feared as at a moment's notice you could lose control and the "Other Guy" could take over, typically with a massive physical transformation with little regard for friend or foe. As you grow as an adventurer, however, you can choose to either better understand your counterpart or through sheer willpower force it into submission to gain a better grasp on when you rage and what occurs while you are in this state. Finally, you reach the point where you have come to terms with your inner chaos or completely conquered, allowing you to transform either partially, or completely at will.

Blackout Rage (Level 1)

THIS IS A FEATURE FOR LVL 1, ONLY POSTED AS LVL 3 FOR D&DBEYOND PURPOSES

Akin to an explosive without a timer, the inner beast can explode out at any moment of intense stimulus. Your rage is not initiated at your own will, but instead at the DM's discretion make a Wisdom Saving Throw during moments of intense stress outside of combat.

Avoiding/Inducing Rage DC

DC= 10 + 1/2 damage taken per round

If you wish to trigger a rage instead of avoid one, the roll becomes either a Persuasion or Intimidation Check with the same DC perimeters.

The rage buffs within combat last the normal rage duration, but the transformation can last anywhere from a few moments to an hour.

Transformed Equivalent Exchange

You gain advantage on STR checks and saving throws (not attacks), +4 melee attacks and damage with STR weapons but -4 to all INT checks and saving throws, resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, slashing damage. You can't cast or concentrate on spells while raging.

Priorities While Transformed

The beast within does not hold the same ties to allies that the host does. Within combat this means attacks are made at random (within reason accounting for obvious threats at the DM's discretion). Every turn while enraged, roll a d20, on an 11 or higher the beast will target the enemies to the party, but on a 10 or lower the beast feels threatened by the closest ally.

*Player/DM Warning*

It is HEAVILY advised to discuss with your DM/Player about what will occur while you are enraged. Will the DM or Player completely take charge of the player's actions during their rage transformation or something in between? What will the expectation be in combat versus role play? Have this discussion before gameplay during session zero and have regular check ins to ensure everyone is on the same page and having fun!

Lucid Rage

After spending time focusing, you have made a small breakthrough. While you can't fully control or reason with the beast within at least you can lessen the collateral damage in moments. The DC to Avoid/Induce rage is lessened along with the likelihood of targeting allies while enraged.

Avoiding/Inducing Rage DC

DC= 5 + 1/2 damage taken per round

If you wish to trigger a rage instead of avoid one, the roll becomes either a Persuasion or Intimidation Check with the same DC perimeters.

The rage buffs within combat last the normal rage duration, but the transformation can last anywhere from a few moments to an hour.

Transformed Equivalent Exchange

You gain advantage on STR checks and saving throws (not attacks), +4 melee attacks and damage with STR weapons but -4 to all INT checks and saving throws, resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, slashing damage. You can't cast or concentrate on spells while raging.

Priorities While Transformed

The beast within does not hold the same ties to allies that the host does. Within combat this means attacks are made at random (within reason accounting for obvious threats at the DM's discretion). Every turn while enraged, roll a d20, on an 6 or higher the beast will target the enemies to the party, but on a 5 or lower the beast feels threatened by the closest ally.

*Player/DM Warning*

It is HEAVILY advised to discuss with your DM/Player about what will occur while you are enraged. Will the DM or Player completely take charge of the player's actions during their rage transformation or something in between? What will the expectation be in combat versus role play? Have this discussion before gameplay during session zero and have regular check ins to ensure everyone is on the same page and having fun!

Turbulent Rage

You have diligently worked to further overpower or reason with the demon within and this has yielded promising results. The DC to Avoid/Induce rage is lessened even further along with the likelihood of targeting allies while enraged.

Avoiding/Inducing Rage DC

DC= 1/2 damage taken per round

If you wish to trigger a rage instead of avoid one, the roll becomes either a Persuasion or Intimidation Check with the same DC perimeters.

The rage buffs within combat last the normal rage duration, but the transformation can last anywhere from a few moments to an hour.

Transformed Equivalent Exchange

You gain advantage on STR checks and saving throws (not attacks), +4 melee attacks and damage with STR weapons but -4 to all INT checks and saving throws, resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, slashing damage. You can't cast or concentrate on spells while raging.

Priorities While Transformed

The beast within does not hold the same ties to allies that the host does. Within combat this means attacks are made at random (within reason accounting for obvious threats at the DM's discretion). Every turn while enraged, roll a d20, on a natural 1 the beast feels threatened by the closest ally.

*Player/DM Warning*

It is HEAVILY advised to discuss with your DM/Player about what will occur while you are enraged. Will the DM or Player completely take charge of the player's actions during their rage transformation or something in between? What will the expectation be in combat versus role play? Have this discussion before gameplay during session zero and have regular check ins to ensure everyone is on the same page and having fun!

Precision Rage

You and the Inner Demon have finally reached some point of reconciliation, whether through discussion or force. The player now has control of when a rage transformation occurs up to the standard number of times per day for a barbarian.

 

Transformed Equivalent Exchange

You gain advantage on STR checks and saving throws (not attacks), +5 melee attacks and damage with STR weapons but no longer have a penalty to INT checks and saves, resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, slashing damage. You can't cast or concentrate on spells while raging.

Priorities While Transformed

The beast within finally does not pose a flight risk to surrounding allies. While enraged you can freely choose who you target.

Enlightened Rage

Now that you have dealt with the initial problem in your own way, you can go into experimentation and mastery. As the line between you and your enraged beast blurs so does the line of your physical form.

Partial Transformation

You now have access to Enraged Maneuvers even if you are not transformed.

Empowered Strikes

Even while not raging you gain advantage on STR checks and saving throws (not attacks), +5 to melee attacks and damage with STR weapons.

Enraged Maneuvers

Whilst enraged your physical form is completely transformed. This means every move you make now has a lot more oomph to it. During this period your shear movement causes waves across the battlefield as you now have access to several maneuvers. In order to accomplish one of these you must use a bonus action along with meeting the Minimum Movement Requirement.