Viking Berserker [Archive] - Wizards Community

Viking Berserker [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DanielH
10-06-03, 03:22 PM Hello, I'm new to these boards so pardon me if I do anything wrong.

Well... I joined a campaign that’s going to start on Friday and I need to make my character. I want to base it on a Viking berserker so I chose the barbarian class (rage ability), and since I'm basing it on something real I went ahead and chose human for my race. I also thought about choosing a druid but 1) I need the rage skill 2) Base attack bonus, etc

So now I have a human barbarian. I went ahead and chose improved unarmed fighting so that I could fight normally with my fists incase my character drops his weapon and starts fighting like a bear or whatnot*. I also chose track because I decided to.... sort of make him into a hunter.

Then I chose the skills.

Climb - Obviously for climbing up a mountain or whatever else I have to. I'm not sure if a Viking would have to know how to climb well though.

Swim - I thought this would be good because of all the time that Viking’s spent on water. The only problem I could find is that I don't know/see any feats or skills for piloting (?) a boat or ship.

Craft (Weapon smithing) - I'm not entirely sure about this. I don't know wether or not something like this could be done in nature (using improvised weapons) or making my own spears, axes, and swords.

Intuit Direction - To help me find my direction and help with tracking, scouting, etc.

Wilderness Lore - Help with my track feat and live off of nature if needed.

Now after picking all my skills and feats I now have:

Race: Human
Class: Barbarian
Feats: Improved Unarmed Fighting/Track

Str - 18, Dex - 17, Con 16, Wis 12, Int 12, Cha 12

(Not putting the ranks and all that other information, I don't feel its necessary)
Climb
Swim
Craft
Intuit Direction
Wilderness Lore

That’s how my Viking berserker (barbarian) is basically built... Is it at all good, is it stupid, what do you think I can do to make it better? Thanks for your time and help.

(Sorry about how I wrote all of this. I have a bad headache so it’s all messy :()

* The reason he would fight like a bear is because he would believe that his god(s) are granting him the power to become a bear. He would probably only do this if he got drawn to deeply into the battle.

*****Edit*****
We can only use the PHB. Thanks and have a nice day.
Gingerbread Guy
10-06-03, 04:47 PM Hiho,

Well, a Viking Berzerker. Sounds good. My immediate concern is that there may be no such culture in your DM's world, or that you'll totally not fit in.

As a DM, I never allow my players to make characters without educating them on the basic cultures and geographic details in the game. I mean, it would suck to spend a lot of time working on a nordic barbarian when the game is set in a desert.

Assuming that your concept is approved, however, I have some other notes to add:

I don't think Crafts (weaponsmith) is a good idea.. you're probably going to be pretty poor, and won't be able to use this skill at all until a much higher level. Sure, it would be nice to maybe make a living out of it at some point, and to make yourself some cheap weapons, but it just isn't going to help you not die.

Instead, a sensory skill may be useful, such as Listen, or perhaps Handle Animal so that you could train some war dogs or something. ^_^

I think the Improved Unarmed Fighting is a great choice for a Feat. Get a spiked gauntlet and smash in some faces now and then. ^_^

BTW, I just wanted to mention that you could also try the Viking Bard approach. Instead of being a hide-wearing berzerker, he could be a warior poet who inspires his allies with war chants, and so on. I've always wanted to play one of those.

~Ginger
Trydan
10-07-03, 03:42 AM the only problem I could find is that I don't know/see any feats or skills for piloting (?) a boat or ship.

Hmm... have a look at Profession. I think there is a sub-skill Profession - Sailor (or it may be Mariner).

Climb is not unreasonable (he may be based on a "viking beserker", but he isn't one; so some variation is probably a Good Thing).

The others look fine.

So, the next question is: why rage? Okay, it is part of the concept, fine, but how did he get this ability? Divine intervention? Triggered by a specific incident in his past? Something else? Answering this question would provide some nice insights into the character's history.
DanielH
10-07-03, 07:29 PM "Climb is not unreasonable (he may be based on a "Viking beserker", but he isn't one; so some variation is probably a Good Thing)." -
I am going to add some variety to him because well... in real life they raped women and attacked their own allies and I don't think I'll have him doing that when the rest of the group is about 14 or so.

Thanks, I found the profession skill and it does list sailor.

Well he goes into rage because of his religious and mental training. When he does go into a rage its because he is in the heat of battle and gets to excited. I would get into more detail but not right now, I have to get off soon.

Good bye, maybe I'll write more information later.
goblinhero
10-08-03, 12:56 AM So now I have a human barbarian. I went ahead and chose improved unarmed fighting so that I could fight normally with my fists incase my character drops his weapon and starts fighting like a bear or whatnot*

use the Berserk prestige class in Dieties and Demigods.
exactly what you're looking for, imo, as well as Viking in theme.
Trydan
10-08-03, 04:10 AM in real life they raped women and attacked their own allies

Hmm... be wary of the difference between "history" and "legend". The Vikings of legend certainly have the bad reputation that you suggest - but mostly due to "bad press" that came about as recently as the 19th century.

For historical records, it seems that the vikings were more interested in taking slaves, loot and livestock, than burning and raping (although, like any form of warfare, it is obvious that some of the latter options existed too). And the concept of allies - in terms of nation states - was a strange one back in those days. However, viking loyalty, as far as the historical records indicate, was as fierce as anything of the surrounding cultures of the time.

What I'm trying to say, is that you are not avoiding any historical stereotypes. Just legendary ones.
DanielH
10-08-03, 02:39 PM Perhaps you are right. Its just that I read that in several places... and I didn't mean all Vikings just some berserkers.

- I'll look into your suggestion, thanks. (Now I just have to hope my DM approves it, heh we are all new to the game so who knows.)

*****Edit*****

Now that I think of it... what if I was to try and ask my DM to allow me to modify the druid or ranger classes?... wild shape...... just a thought.
Kharne
10-09-03, 05:08 PM To back up what Trydan said...I have always loved Vikings and felt a little wierd for liking them so much because of the "rape and pillage" concept that has haunted them.

However, I recently finished a class for my History degree titled "Anglo-Saxon Origins" and was amazed when I studied a certain viking definition:

Rape- a tract of land gifted to a warrior by his chief for his service

Like Trydan said...i'm not saying that what we define it as didn't take place as well...but not necessarily any more than in any other culture back then.

Anyway...other than that, your character concept seems to work quite well. I think the idea of a Ranger/Druid multiclass might just work as well if you want the character to want to be able to eventually become a bear. Keep in mind that with one level of Barbarian, you will be able to rage at least once a day. ;)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DanielH 10-06-03, 03:22 PM	Hello, I'm new to these boards so pardon me if I do anything wrong. Well... I joined a campaign that’s going to start on Friday and I need to make my character. I want to base it on a Viking berserker so I chose the barbarian class (rage ability), and since I'm basing it on something real I went ahead and chose human for my race. I also thought about choosing a druid but 1) I need the rage skill 2) Base attack bonus, etc So now I have a human barbarian. I went ahead and chose improved unarmed fighting so that I could fight normally with my fists incase my character drops his weapon and starts fighting like a bear or whatnot. I also chose track because I decided to.... sort of make him into a hunter. Then I chose the skills. Climb - Obviously for climbing up a mountain or whatever else I have to. I'm not sure if a Viking would have to know how to climb well though. Swim - I thought this would be good because of all the time that Viking’s spent on water. The only problem I could find is that I don't know/see any feats or skills for piloting (?) a boat or ship. Craft (Weapon smithing) - I'm not entirely sure about this. I don't know wether or not something like this could be done in nature (using improvised weapons) or making my own spears, axes, and swords. Intuit Direction - To help me find my direction and help with tracking, scouting, etc. Wilderness Lore - Help with my track feat and live off of nature if needed. Now after picking all my skills and feats I now have: Race: Human Class: Barbarian Feats: Improved Unarmed Fighting/Track Str - 18, Dex - 17, Con 16, Wis 12, Int 12, Cha 12 (Not putting the ranks and all that other information, I don't feel its necessary) Climb Swim Craft Intuit Direction Wilderness Lore That’s how my Viking berserker (barbarian) is basically built... Is it at all good, is it stupid, what do you think I can do to make it better? Thanks for your time and help. (Sorry about how I wrote all of this. I have a bad headache so it’s all messy :() The reason he would fight like a bear is because he would believe that his god(s) are granting him the power to become a bear. He would probably only do this if he got drawn to deeply into the battle. ***Edit*** We can only use the PHB. Thanks and have a nice day.
Gingerbread Guy 10-06-03, 04:47 PM	Hiho, Well, a Viking Berzerker. Sounds good. My immediate concern is that there may be no such culture in your DM's world, or that you'll totally not fit in. As a DM, I never allow my players to make characters without educating them on the basic cultures and geographic details in the game. I mean, it would suck to spend a lot of time working on a nordic barbarian when the game is set in a desert. Assuming that your concept is approved, however, I have some other notes to add: I don't think Crafts (weaponsmith) is a good idea.. you're probably going to be pretty poor, and won't be able to use this skill at all until a much higher level. Sure, it would be nice to maybe make a living out of it at some point, and to make yourself some cheap weapons, but it just isn't going to help you not die. Instead, a sensory skill may be useful, such as Listen, or perhaps Handle Animal so that you could train some war dogs or something. ^_^ I think the Improved Unarmed Fighting is a great choice for a Feat. Get a spiked gauntlet and smash in some faces now and then. ^_^ BTW, I just wanted to mention that you could also try the Viking Bard approach. Instead of being a hide-wearing berzerker, he could be a warior poet who inspires his allies with war chants, and so on. I've always wanted to play one of those. ~Ginger
Trydan 10-07-03, 03:42 AM	the only problem I could find is that I don't know/see any feats or skills for piloting (?) a boat or ship. Hmm... have a look at Profession. I think there is a sub-skill Profession - Sailor (or it may be Mariner). Climb is not unreasonable (he may be based on a "viking beserker", but he isn't one; so some variation is probably a Good Thing). The others look fine. So, the next question is: why rage? Okay, it is part of the concept, fine, but how did he get this ability? Divine intervention? Triggered by a specific incident in his past? Something else? Answering this question would provide some nice insights into the character's history.
DanielH 10-07-03, 07:29 PM	"Climb is not unreasonable (he may be based on a "Viking beserker", but he isn't one; so some variation is probably a Good Thing)." - I am going to add some variety to him because well... in real life they raped women and attacked their own allies and I don't think I'll have him doing that when the rest of the group is about 14 or so. Thanks, I found the profession skill and it does list sailor. Well he goes into rage because of his religious and mental training. When he does go into a rage its because he is in the heat of battle and gets to excited. I would get into more detail but not right now, I have to get off soon. Good bye, maybe I'll write more information later.
goblinhero 10-08-03, 12:56 AM	So now I have a human barbarian. I went ahead and chose improved unarmed fighting so that I could fight normally with my fists incase my character drops his weapon and starts fighting like a bear or whatnot* use the Berserk prestige class in Dieties and Demigods. exactly what you're looking for, imo, as well as Viking in theme.
Trydan 10-08-03, 04:10 AM	in real life they raped women and attacked their own allies Hmm... be wary of the difference between "history" and "legend". The Vikings of legend certainly have the bad reputation that you suggest - but mostly due to "bad press" that came about as recently as the 19th century. For historical records, it seems that the vikings were more interested in taking slaves, loot and livestock, than burning and raping (although, like any form of warfare, it is obvious that some of the latter options existed too). And the concept of allies - in terms of nation states - was a strange one back in those days. However, viking loyalty, as far as the historical records indicate, was as fierce as anything of the surrounding cultures of the time. What I'm trying to say, is that you are not avoiding any historical stereotypes. Just legendary ones.
DanielH 10-08-03, 02:39 PM	Perhaps you are right. Its just that I read that in several places... and I didn't mean all Vikings just some berserkers. - I'll look into your suggestion, thanks. (Now I just have to hope my DM approves it, heh we are all new to the game so who knows.) ***Edit*** Now that I think of it... what if I was to try and ask my DM to allow me to modify the druid or ranger classes?... wild shape...... just a thought.
Kharne 10-09-03, 05:08 PM	To back up what Trydan said...I have always loved Vikings and felt a little wierd for liking them so much because of the "rape and pillage" concept that has haunted them. However, I recently finished a class for my History degree titled "Anglo-Saxon Origins" and was amazed when I studied a certain viking definition: Rape- a tract of land gifted to a warrior by his chief for his service Like Trydan said...i'm not saying that what we define it as didn't take place as well...but not necessarily any more than in any other culture back then. Anyway...other than that, your character concept seems to work quite well. I think the idea of a Ranger/Druid multiclass might just work as well if you want the character to want to be able to eventually become a bear. Keep in mind that with one level of Barbarian, you will be able to rage at least once a day. ;)