I am currently playing a barbarian (invulnerable rager) who is atm kind of your typical barbarian from the north with honor sense etc. Since it was easy to play it in such a way at first.
I'd like to add some depth into the character and his objectives in life.
As an example some deeper reason, why he likes to fight/kill more than just that it's easy money.
Also he doesn't have any particular objectives than to become strong and maybe become a great gladiator champion in the city's famed blood arena.
Info of the character:
-Alignment: Chaotic neutral
-Age:20
-Race: Human
-Sex: Male
Game stat info:
-Level 2
-Attributes: str:20,dex:16,con:17,int:14,wis:16,cha:14
-Weapon: Greatsword
-Basic CAGM barbarian build.
Party:
LG Cleric a healer of sort.
CG Bard that dislikes killing but is growing to accept that sometimes violence is unavoidable.
Any advice on playing a barbarian and how to make him well more than just a simple barbarian kill machine? All advice deep and general is welcome.
Thanks!
I mean, however you envision your character is what you should write.
Have you tried the background generator in Ultimate Campaign? I have found that it is easier to generate a sense of the character if you have some idea of their background. Then you can envision what kind of goals such a person might have.
I mean, however you envision your character that what you should write.
Have you tried the background creation system in Ultimate Campaign? I have found that it is easier to generate a sense of the character if you have some idea of their background. Then you can envision what kind of goals such a person might have.
Ah yes I actually did that! almost forgot it.
Yes, basically all that happened in short version: he was abandoned and found by wandering entertainers, raised in a typical nordic society, murdered a jarl's (nobles) son because of an insult towards his family. Was hunted and wounded heavily, hid in a cave and lost consciouscness and was found by a necromancer who tried experimenting on him whom he escaped then and came south of his lands.-Dislikes and distrusts arcane magig and it's users.
-Takes insults seriously.
-Used to bloodshed.
-Usually mocks people he dislikes and his enemies.
-Very straightforward and doesn't hold his tongue.
But beyond that he has a very limited personality and that's the issue.
I'd like to get him some personal goals beyond become strong and kick ass.
After I saw the level 19 barbarian (death dealer) in npc codex. I thought that's cool and maybe he could kill for a higher reason?
Kind of trying to brainstorm here if people have ideas and already you are helping :)
What I could see with such a pc and party:
As a barbarian he first follows the "might makes right" philosophy, thinking that if he's a great man at arms he will be followed and honoured.
But by travelling with the party he could realize that there are different ways of life and that some people look less favourable on brutes like him. That could either destroy him mentally or make him adapt. And he could find joy in other things than just fighting. For example he could see/hear the bard perform and choose to learn some form of art himself. One way would be to give him perform (dance) and let him develop a fighting form that looks like dancing (RAW you can't perform: dance while raging but most GMs would allow it in such a case) to make fighting an art in several ways.
Or he might incorporate parts of the cleric's believe in his own religion, if he's not already be believer in one of the specific deities.
Hmmmm... That he wants to become strong suggests that he feels he needs to be strong to do something important to him. Defend his family or tribe, perhaps? Avenge somebody? Killing people for money/fame/sport seems like something a basically honourable person might do at a time they feel dishonoured or failed. Maybe he was set to guard something important, but failed, and exiled himself, aiming to return one day when he's stronger? A typical barbarian faced with civilization is a trope you can get much mileage from. Ideally, he will find certain parts of civilized life that agree with him, and realize that people want the same things, but the means to get them are different in a city. He might come to see his rage as a dangerous weapon, because it's all too easy to destroy things for himself with it, and find rage and honour different points of a compass.
What I could see with such a pc and party:
As a barbarian he first follows the "might makes right" philosophy, thinking that if he's a great man at arms he will be followed and honoured.
But by travelling with the party he could realize that there are different ways of life and that some people look less favourable on brutes like him. That could either destroy him mentally or make him adapt. And he could find joy in other things than just fighting. For example he could see/hear the bard perform and choose to learn some form of art himself. One way would be to give him perform (dance) and let him develop a fighting form that looks like dancing (RAW you can't perform: dance while raging but most GMs would allow it in such a case) to make fighting an art in several ways.
Or he might incorporate parts of the cleric's believe in his own religion, if he's not already be believer in one of the specific deities.
Yes, might makes right philosophy I could expand upon him. Truly in his culture of (northern viking/celtic fusion culture?) nothing else matters than personal deeds and skills. No racism there just that the weak perish in the harsh country. Very much like space wolves planet in WH40K.
They aren't uncultured or primitive people, just seem barbaric to all the southern nations and somewhat well harsh like their country.
Coming into belief crossed my mind but I'm thinking of championing then some well god who deals with violence in some form, either protection or warfare etc.
My gm would allow the dance to be incorporated into fight, he encourages flavor and such even if it doesn't work RAW. Rule of fun and cool if it doesn't break the game or cause serious issues.
I am trying to find things that he would enjoy beyond fighting, that's why heart of the fields and maybe I can find some craft or profession for him.
Thanks, great ideas you've given me :) Do you have any god suggestions from golarion that might suit?
Gods that might be fitting:
- Gorum as THE god of war. Not much in the form of development there because gorum is all about fighting and warfare.
- Kurgess: A minor god of competition and fairness. As a follower you might become violent (at least verbally depending on the matter) if someone cheats. Fits with the might makes right because if you are mighty you don't need dirty fighting and backstabbing. So you could try to target sneak attackers first because they had it coming by using such lowly tactics.
- Sarenrae: She's the goddess of sun, fire and healing, her look on life is "give those who want to redeem a chance but kill those who don't want or who waste such a chance without hesitating". She can be played very nice with focus on healing but very harsh and brutal, too.
Hmmmm... That he wants to become strong suggests that he feels he needs to be strong to do something important to him. Defend his family or tribe, perhaps? Avenge somebody? Killing people for money/fame/sport seems like something a basically honourable person might do at a time they feel dishonoured or failed. Maybe he was set to guard something important, but failed, and exiled himself, aiming to return one day when he's stronger? A typical barbarian faced with civilization is a trope you can get much mileage from. Ideally, he will find certain parts of civilized life that agree with him, and realize that people want the same things, but the means to get them are different in a city. He might come to see his rage as a dangerous weapon, because it's all too easy to destroy things for himself with it, and find rage and honour different points of a compass.
I'm thinking of somewhat breaking his ''common'' honor code and making it somewhat of a personal honor code, not sure what kind of though. Some might think that his honor could be twisted or lacking morals? But loyalty to friends and companions, perhaps a harsh code of honor, very unforgiving?
Excellent point on the rage power, where does it come from and how might he handle it. Also honor and rage could be like jekyll and hide.
Great advice :)
I had a barbarian character that was Ulfen and raised in the Land of Linnorm Kings (traditional Viking setting) and part of the lore of the Land of Linnorm Kings was that in order to become a Linnorm King/Jarl of one of the cities you had to kill a Linnorm (fey dragon) and present it's head to the city.
My barbarian's goal was to slay Fafneir/Fanfeir (something like that, who is detailed in the Land of Linnorm Kings Companion guide) which is the legendary "all-father" of Linnorms, and if slain entitled you to be High King of the Land of Linnorm King (King of all the Kings). So my goal was to become powerful enough to slay the beast in one on one combat.
Gods that might be fitting:
- Gorum as THE god of war. Not much in the form of development there because gorum is all about fighting and warfare.
- Kurgess: A minor god of competition and fairness. As a follower you might become violent (at least verbally depending on the matter) if someone cheats. Fits with the might makes right because if you are mighty you don't need dirty fighting and backstabbing. So you could try to target sneak attackers first because they had it coming by using such lowly tactics.
- Sarenrae: She's the goddess of sun, fire and healing, her look on life is "give those who want to redeem a chance but kill those who don't want or who waste such a chance without hesitating". She can be played very nice with focus on healing but very harsh and brutal, too.
I don't think he would be much of a redeemer considering his past and I think he might even give credit to creative fighters like them pansy rogues. Since might makes right no matter the methods in combat. There is naturally situations when you do not kill like if someone defended her family and thought of me as an aggressor. So it won't be CE with no morals.
I think a god of war could work, since I play in homebrew with homebrew gods I'll consult the GM on that.
I had a barbarian character that was Ulfen and raised in the Land of Linnorm Kings (traditional Viking setting) and part of the lore of the Land of Linnorm Kings was that in order to become a Linnorm King/Jarl of one of the cities you had to kill a Linnorm (fey dragon) and present it's head to the city.
My barbarian's goal was to slay Fafneir/Fanfeir (something like that, who is detailed in the Land of Linnorm Kings Companion guide) which is a legendary "all-father" Linnorm, and if slain entitled you to be High King of the Land of Linnorm King (King of all the Kings). So my goal was to become powerful enough to slay the beast in 1 on 1 combat.
Sounds like a truly legendary deed and one of utter insanity from my real perspective but from a mighty warriors perspective it would be glorious. I think that might inspire me to find a grand goal like defeat the only living champion of a deity in our homebrew since he has disappeared and is known through history of the world as undefeatable. Also testing ones strength is good and I need to form a very precise philosophy to my barbarian.
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If you have a way of dealing non-lethal damage, your barbarian can be a boisterous combatant sort of person. Duelling or brawling, helping the opponent come around, then buying a drink to ensure no hurt feelings. Something along those lines.
Though that might better serve a grappling Brutal Pugilist. What would you say happens when your character completely ignores an attack due to DR?
Sounds like a truly legendary deed and one of utter insanity from my real perspective but from a mighty warriors perspective it would be glorious. I think that might inspire me to find a grand goal like defeat the only living champion of a deity in our homebrew since he has disappeared and is known through history of the world as undefeatable. Also testing ones strength is good and I need to form a very precise philosophy to my barbarian.
Indeed, to have a chance at success your GM would really have to allow you to have some crazy powerful magical items well above WBL. The main problem being the death curses that Linnorms have. If you could get the drop of the Linnorm it wasn't so bad to kill him in one or two rounds before he could damage you enough...but surviving the death curses he placed on you meant your chance of not being killed after was low. And if you died then Fafneir respawns from your ruined corpse.
I planned to have a level 20 cleric nearby for afterwards, with a miracle already paid for a prepared to go because it was the only way to get rid of the curse if you failed the intital save.
If you have a way of dealing non-lethal damage, your barbarian can be a boisterous combatant sort of person. Duelling or brawling, helping the opponent come around, then buying a drink to ensure no hurt feelings. Something along those lines.
Though that might better serve a grappling Brutal Pugilist. What would you say happens when your character completely ignores an attack due to DR?
Hmm cannot say for sure, hasn't happened yet since it's only DR:1 atm.
But propably hmm... he either shrugs the blow off completely. While it is painful it does no real harm? Haven't ever given a thought to that before hand :)Do you have some suggestions or experience on DR being described in the story?
Sounds like a truly legendary deed and one of utter insanity from my real perspective but from a mighty warriors perspective it would be glorious. I think that might inspire me to find a grand goal like defeat the only living champion of a deity in our homebrew since he has disappeared and is known through history of the world as undefeatable. Also testing ones strength is good and I need to form a very precise philosophy to my barbarian.Indeed, to have a chance at success your GM would really have to allow you to have some crazy powerful magical items well above WBL. The main problem being the death curses that Linnorms have. If you could get the drop of the Linnorm it wasn't so bad to kill him in one or two rounds before he could damage you enough...but surviving the death curses he placed on you meant your chance of not being killed after was low. And if you died then Fafneir respawns from your ruined corpse.
I planned to have a level 20 cleric nearby for afterwards, with a miracle already paid for a prepared to go because it was the only way to get rid of the curse if you failed the intital save.
One thing I do wonder, if you killed the great linnorm and your killing blow would severe it's head, then you would have the head for the kingship right?
Then if you died to the curse and the linnorm would ressurect, would it's former bodies severed head still be around for someone to pick up?
Would be hilarious if it did :P
Sounds like a truly legendary deed and one of utter insanity from my real perspective but from a mighty warriors perspective it would be glorious. I think that might inspire me to find a grand goal like defeat the only living champion of a deity in our homebrew since he has disappeared and is known through history of the world as undefeatable. Also testing ones strength is good and I need to form a very precise philosophy to my barbarian.Indeed, to have a chance at success your GM would really have to allow you to have some crazy powerful magical items well above WBL. The main problem being the death curses that Linnorms have. If you could get the drop of the Linnorm it wasn't so bad to kill him in one or two rounds before he could damage you enough...but surviving the death curses he placed on you meant your chance of not being killed after was low. And if you died then Fafneir respawns from your ruined corpse.
I planned to have a level 20 cleric nearby for afterwards, with a miracle already paid for a prepared to go because it was the only way to get rid of the curse if you failed the intital save.
One thing I do wonder, if you killed the great linnorm and your killing blow would severe it's head, then you would have the head for the kingship right?
Then if you died to the curse and the linnorm would ressurect, would it's former bodies severed head still be around for someone to pick up?
Would be hilarious if it did :P
I'm not really sure. It would be an interesting story, a pretender to the throne finding the head and taking it back. Though, I think people might get suspicious unless the person appeared very powerful on their own. As well, I don't believe the tradition applies to non-Ulfen, so not just anyone will be accepted as high king.
I'm not really sure. It would be an interesting story, a pretender to the throne finding the head and taking it back. Though, I think people might get suspicious unless the person appeared very powerful on their own. As well, I don't believe the tradition applies to non-Ulfen, so not just anyone will be accepted as high king.Sounds like a truly legendary deed and one of utter insanity from my real perspective but from a mighty warriors perspective it would be glorious. I think that might inspire me to find a grand goal like defeat the only living champion of a deity in our homebrew since he has disappeared and is known through history of the world as undefeatable. Also testing ones strength is good and I need to form a very precise philosophy to my barbarian.Indeed, to have a chance at success your GM would really have to allow you to have some crazy powerful magical items well above WBL. The main problem being the death curses that Linnorms have. If you could get the drop of the Linnorm it wasn't so bad to kill him in one or two rounds before he could damage you enough...but surviving the death curses he placed on you meant your chance of not being killed after was low. And if you died then Fafneir respawns from your ruined corpse.
I planned to have a level 20 cleric nearby for afterwards, with a miracle already paid for a prepared to go because it was the only way to get rid of the curse if you failed the intital save.
One thing I do wonder, if you killed the great linnorm and your killing blow would severe it's head, then you would have the head for the kingship right?
Then if you died to the curse and the linnorm would ressurect, would it's former bodies severed head still be around for someone to pick up?
Would be hilarious if it did :P
That's true, but would be an interesting story like you said.
The greatest driver for developing your character are your adventures and the other party members.
Exposure to different people and different life philosophies can put you on a new road. Especially when you trust and respect the people holding these different philosophies.
If one of the party members is a particularly good friend you can start to see the world a little bit through his eyes and see that the Klingon-esque way of life the barbarian lives may not be the best fit for the world in which he lives.
The greatest driver for developing your character are your adventures and the other party members.
Exposure to different people and different life philosophies can put you on a new road. Especially when you trust and respect the people holding these different philosophies.
If one of the party members is a particularly good friend you can start to see the world a little bit through his eyes and see that the Klingon-esque way of life the barbarian lives may not be the best fit for the world in which he lives.
That's a great idea, I really have to try and see how his own morals and philosophy evolves since he has come to a completely foreign land exiled from his own. Also the trust is coming eventually, we've only played 4 times so far and level 2 so our character's haven't known for too long yet.