Surprise Accuracy - The barbarian gains a +1 morale
bonus on one attack roll. This bonus increases by +1 for
every 4 levels the barbarian has attained. This power is
used as a swift action before the roll to hit is made. This
power can only be used once per rage.
Raging Vitality - Whenever you are raging, the morale bonus to your Constitution increases by +2. Your rage does not end if you become unconscious. While unconscious you must still expend rounds of rage per day each round.
+1 Scythe, Club, Silver Lucerne Hammer, 5 Javelins, 3 Cold Iron Javelins, +1 Breastplate, +1 Ring of Protection, +1 Cloak of Resistance, Backpack, Bedroll, Explorer's Outfit, Cold Weather Outfit, Crowbar, Flint & Steel, Grappling Hook, Wand of CLW (48), 8 days rations, 50' Hemp Rope, Snowshoes, 5 Torches, Waterskin, 1,451 gp, 8 sp, 5cp.
Background:
Ever since he can remember, people had called him "Strong Brute". "That's one strong brute you have there, Lord Gaskar.""Where'd you get that strong brute?""Did that strong brute come from Misery Row?" Slaves like him were not encouraged to seek an identity, but he had been bought as a small child, and no one had cared enough to name him.
Always large for his age, he swapped owners every couple of years, each lucky soul making double what they paid for him as he was steadily passed along as a human workhorse. He did twice, sometimes three times the work of his fellow slaves, depending on the task, and never complained. He certainly didn't suffer from any longings for freedom, having never known anything but the fields he worked in, planting and harvesting the crop, year in and year out.
Because of his output and genial personality, his owners were always kind to him, or at least left him to his own devices as long as he performed his work. That changed when he was sold to Lord Abelar. Lord Abelar was a sadist who routinely had his overseers beat his slaves for no other reason than to reinforce the idea that he could. While the strong brute was working one day, he felt the sharp sting of a whiplash.
Since he had been told that the slave had never raised his hand at a master in a decade and a half as a slave, the overseer was surprised when the huge man turned around with a growl of animal fury and quickly overwhelmed him, choking the life from him. Instantly remorseful after killing the overseer, but having no choice (beyond a horrible death), the strong brute fled.
The man splashed through streams and ran through woods and fields until his sides ached. For three days he walked and ran, anything to put distance between himself and the hunting party he was sure was after him. The sun baked his skin, forming pus pockets on his exposed face and arms, and blisters formed on his bare feet. On the verge of exhaustion, luck had a mounted man with a friendly disposition happen upon him.
The man (Cygar was his name) led the strong brute back to the small town of Kassen, thereafter nursing him back to health. The young ex-slave was physically strong and healthy, so his recovery did not take long. He has been doing odd jobs around the town, sleeping just outside the city at night. He tries to talk to Cygar every couple of days ('talk' being the strong brute sitting near the man, who shares his stories and opinions with the hulking youngster), who in turn occasionally mentions the need for 'muscle, and a lot of it' very soon. The strong brute doesn't know what Cygar might have in mind, but he admits to himself that he is excited about the possibility of doing more than just surviving.
Personality:
The strong brute is a man of few words. His facial expressions speak volumes, however, as he often worked alone when younger and has not learned to control his emotions. When pressed or angered he is full of overbearing hostility towards the aggravating party, otherwise he is calm and passive, allowing his team mates to take the lead.
Appearance:
A huge man, the strong brute stands closer to 7 than 6 feet tall and weighs close to 300 pounds. His dark blond hair is shaggy and usually unkempt, and his untamed facial hair, a lighter shade of blond, is usually splayed wildly. Bright blue eyes peer out from these twin nests, contracting against his deep tan from working in the fields.
