Barbarian

Barbaric characters typically come from remote regions, the fringes of society, or sometimes regions where combat is at the center of society. A Barbarian is a consummate survivalist and is a very hearty individual. The defining feature of a barbarian is resilience.   These barbarian cultures produce a tough bunch, and those who actually meet the conditions of the quasi-class have a quality called Barbaric Toughness. This Barbaric Toughness rating (see table) grants certain benefits.

• When wearing light armor (leather) or unarmored, it reduces damage from each physical attack that the character suffers by that amount, down to a minimum of one point of damage from each attack. Non-physical attacks, namely magical effects, are not affected by this damage reduction, explaining much of the barbarian's aversion to magic.
• The Barbaric Toughness rating is applied as a bonus to saves versus Poison, Disease, or Environmental Conditions (such as cold exposure or heat exhaustion).
• The Barbaric Toughness rating is applied as a bonus to healing effects, whether from rest periods or healing spells (applied only once per spell, effect, or rest period).
• A Barbarian is a skilled outdoors-man and should be able to accomplish most mundane tasks associated with “roughing it” or physical activities in natural settings (climbing, swimming, jumping, etc.). When necessary apply the Barbaric Toughness rating to such ability checks as a bonus.

  Taboos   When considering taboos for the Barbaric character, the taboo should be substantially limiting or otherwise come into play for the character while gaming. The odd behaviors of barbarians often demonstrates why most civilized regions have such skeptical views of them. The player is encouraged to be creative in designing taboos for the character in question. Often the Game Master may require several taboos over the course of a characters career, one taboo for every five character levels is suggested, but it could be more or less depending on the GM and his or her campaign. Some example taboos follow:  

• Character may not clean or bathe (often resulting in negative reactions).
• Character cannot have any possessions that he cannot personally carry (check encumbrance).
• Character will not utilize metal items (including weapons or armor), always using stone, wood, or bone alternatives.
• Character may not cut one's hair.
• Character may not touch a dead body, person of opposite gender, or certain castes.
• Character may not possess items of a certain color.
• Character makes daily offerings to spirits or totem.
• Character may not imbibe alcohol or intoxicants.
• Character may never ride upon an animal.
• Character has unnatural fear of a common animal.
• Character may not eat a common food type.
• Character must take the time to bury or otherwise conduct appropriate rites on slain foes.

  Some other odd behaviors to consider:  

• Arcane caster must tattoo spell formula upon body instead of keeping spell books.
• Divination spells cast use odd materials such as bones, blood, and/or repulsive behavior.
• Spells of certain type are to be avoided. Choose type (examples: fire spells, summoning, teleportation/travel)
• Thieves may not steal a certain type of valuable (such as gems, certain precious metals, etc)