Primitives [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Primitives [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Prince Vine
11-16-06, 11:22 PM I'm looking for good backgrounds and options to play a primitive (one that is illiterate like a Barbarian or Totemist) character from. Anyone have any good suggestions or supplementary rules? The current ones have some odd skills/proficencies and such that seem out of place in a less civilized society that wouldn't say know advanced arcane theory or have crossbows, but probably knows lots about the magical beasts they hunt and would rely on bows from youth.
JulesCARV
11-17-06, 06:36 PM There's the Savage Bard (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/unearthedCoreClass.html) from Unearthed Arcana, in the SRD.
LiXinjian
11-18-06, 05:22 AM I'm not sure what you are looking for exactly, but here's something: Even though your barbarian is considered proficient with a specific weapon, you don't have to make it so if you think it's out of character. The DM surely won't mind if you "cripple" your character.

As far as backgrounds go, why don't you get started by drawing a mental picture of your character's primitive homeland? How do they live, what do they look like, do they use body paints, etc. You can't create out of a vacuum.

I like the Golgari (from Magic: the Gathering) look and outlook - they're a bunch of half-savages who paint their faces white and for whom death is an important aspect of their lives. They look similar to the savages in the movie Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest. Their comely elf leader looks like this (http://www.wizards.com/magic/images/mtgcom/wallpapers/Wallpaper_SavraQueenoftheGolgari_1024x76 8.jpg), although *she* doesn't wear facial paint. If you want a character who's always indulging into morbid rituals and such, think about it. Imagine playing a druid who needs to break a crow's neck to cast Sanctuary or throw serpent blood at his allies when casting Cure spells. Messy, but flavourful.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Prince Vine 11-16-06, 11:22 PM	I'm looking for good backgrounds and options to play a primitive (one that is illiterate like a Barbarian or Totemist) character from. Anyone have any good suggestions or supplementary rules? The current ones have some odd skills/proficencies and such that seem out of place in a less civilized society that wouldn't say know advanced arcane theory or have crossbows, but probably knows lots about the magical beasts they hunt and would rely on bows from youth.
JulesCARV 11-17-06, 06:36 PM	There's the Savage Bard (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/unearthedCoreClass.html) from Unearthed Arcana, in the SRD.
LiXinjian 11-18-06, 05:22 AM	I'm not sure what you are looking for exactly, but here's something: Even though your barbarian is considered proficient with a specific weapon, you don't have to make it so if you think it's out of character. The DM surely won't mind if you "cripple" your character. As far as backgrounds go, why don't you get started by drawing a mental picture of your character's primitive homeland? How do they live, what do they look like, do they use body paints, etc. You can't create out of a vacuum. I like the Golgari (from Magic: the Gathering) look and outlook - they're a bunch of half-savages who paint their faces white and for whom death is an important aspect of their lives. They look similar to the savages in the movie Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest. Their comely elf leader looks like this (http://www.wizards.com/magic/images/mtgcom/wallpapers/Wallpaper_SavraQueenoftheGolgari_1024x76 8.jpg), although she doesn't wear facial paint. If you want a character who's always indulging into morbid rituals and such, think about it. Imagine playing a druid who needs to break a crow's neck to cast Sanctuary or throw serpent blood at his allies when casting Cure spells. Messy, but flavourful.