Legends of Belariath

Barbarians

Barbarians can be said to exhibit and maintain the true primitive and original nature of all humankind. They have a more autocratic society and culture, and though they keep permanent settlements, they can be known to exude nomadic tendencies. What a true barbarian values is demonstrated by their choice of leaders. A good leader is strong and wise, able to lead his clan into battle and win, and come back home to wine, women and bawdy song. Magic is shrouded in superstition and treated with great respect, although it is not something many barbarians trust or indulge in. They trust what they see, smell and hear, as well as what their great hearts can feel.

An adult barbarian lives knowing that they have survived a childhood of hardship and character-building training, and has no doubt as to his or her value to the clan. Unlike high humans, barbarians do not create their societies depending on monetary assets or privilege. Among the barbarians, you fight for what you earn, and you keep it because you have the strength to defeat anyone who might have the courage or stupidity to try and take from you what is yours.

Character Creation

Starter Classes: Warrior, Bard, Shaman, Ranger, Druid, Artisan, Entertainer, Laymen, Healer, Thief

Advanced Classes: Mist Raider, Monk, Warlord, Necromancer, Seductress, Hierophant, All Elemental Classes

Starting Stats:

STR INT AGI RES STA SPL LFE
Basic Stats 4 3 2 1 6 4 6

Appearance:

The classical barbarian is one of a rough nature physically speaking. The might of their arm and nimble feet have kept these people alive through the ages. Their bronzed and leather-like skin formed from the harsh sun and environmental extremes from freezing cold to blazing heat have given these folks a rough appearance. Broad frames and thick skin allow these people to live in a variety of harsh environments not only by climate but also the dangerous regions that they have come to settle upon. Their height ranges from anywhere between five foot to seven foot with a large stature or frame. Eye, hair, and skin tones vary between individuals but as a race, they tend to favor darker earthen tones such as browns, tans, and black.

Advantages

Survival:

Barbarians grew up in harsh environments, not only from weather and location, but also due to repeated attacks and fighting with neighboring clans or villages. Barbarians aggressive nature has yielded them an uncanny ability to learn how to survive. Throughout their life, barbarian's are taught how to live off of the land and survive in the wilderness or climatic region that their clan is located. The key word is survive, not just endure. Barbarians can live off of the land effectively such as food gathering, water collection, shelter construction with defenses, etc. (This is essentially a Wilderness Survival Skill)

Adaptability:

Due to the harsh climate changes and fierce regions that they are found, their ability to adapt to harsh extremes sets them apart from other walks of humanity. Extreme temperatures, whether blistering hot or freezing cold, torrential rains or drought, gale force winds or eerie calm, the barbarian race can tolerate and are at ease to these extremities. The changes of environmental factors do not play havoc to their mind or physical discomforts as they are used to such displeasure as part of daily life. As a result of this physical tolerance to climatic extremities, barbarians also have an easier time shaking off minor injuries and paying little mind to them.

Disadvantages

Magical Ignorance:

Magic is a mysterious and often shunned commodity to Barbarians, studied only in any real part by the Bards, Shamans, and Druids, which certainly doesn't make up the most 'aggressive' disciplines of magic. Instead young Barbarians are taught how to defend themselves with more primitive (they would say 'reliable') means. Because of this lesser knowledge and experience with magic, Barbarians often do not entertain much thought about use of magic or rely heavily (if at all) on it.

Mistrust:

The barbarian lifestyle is such that their existence (and often preference) is to take what they need from others, whether it be luxury items, women or even the basic needs of survival such as food. Because of this reputation, few communities will feel completely at ease seeing a band of barbarians heading their way and that mistrust often carries down to an individual level. When a barbarian enters a room it is not uncommon that he be viewed with suspicion, especially by the more 'civilized' races who are most often the target of barbarian raids.

Societal Structure:

Barbarians come from tight knit clans that aid in their growth and protection. Clans may be large in numbers but they are broken up into smaller villages between 50 to 300 inhabitants. They are kept small due to the difficulty it would be to support large populations in harsh environments. Clans vary between barbarians but roughly hold the same values, religious beliefs, and morals; fight fiercely for what is yours, disdain trust of magic, and respect given towards nature and spirits.

Combat Modifiers

Disabilities and Their Mechanics
Type: Attack Defense Init
CloPhy RanPhy CloMag RanMag CloPhy RanPhy CloMag RanMag
Sight -30% -100% -30% -100% -30% -30% -30% -30% -50%
Hearing N/A N/A N/A N/A -25% -25% -25% -25% -25%
Speech N/A N/A -100% -100% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Hands/Arms*** -25% -25% -50% -50% -25% -25% -25% -25% -20%
Legs/Feet*** -25% -10% -25% -N/A -25% -20% -25% -25% -25%
* Attack/Defense Enchantments are not effected, penalties apply to base stats.
* Those temporarily blinded in one eye will receive half penalties for blindness to all attacks.
** All penalties are cumulative.
*** Penalties are cumulative per limb.
* Those temporarily blinded in one eye will receive half penalties for blindness to all attacks.