Flavor Items for my Berserker [Archive] - Wizards Community

Flavor Items for my Berserker [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Edymnion
05-03-04, 08:05 PM I'm looking for ideas for flavorful items to give one of my characters. However, my character is a little... abnormal... so it'll take a second to get you the right flavor for him.

Mechanically, Durian (the character's name) is a Barbarian. Meaning he gets d12 hitdice, will get damage reduction, can go into a Rage, all that crunchy stuff. However, I am not playing him as an uncivilized barbarian type Barbarian.

I spent the skillpoints to not only make him literate, but even a few ranks in Speak Language to have him speak Elven. Mechanically, he is a Barbarian. Flavor wise though, he is practically the polar opposite of a barbarian. He's civilized (was born in well civilized society), has 0 ranks in Survival, and is all around a city boy. His ability to Rage I have worked in as a sort of curse (or blessing, depending on how you look at it) from Hextor. He does not want his ability to Rage, and tries to compensate for it by doing his best to control his temper and not to hurt anyone if at all possible. Has the feat (or soon will) from Book of Exalted Deeds that lets him do subdual damage without the -4, that sort of thing. He only freely kills while Raging, which is more like a Bruce Banner/Incredible Hulk type thing than it is just getting mad and hitting somebody. Only mechanic we broke was having him be Neutral Good (which is how my roleplaying of him made him come out to be), but DM is fine with that.

Now, I'm trying to find some good flavor items for my mild-mannered Berserker.

Currently on the slate, I've got the Arm of Nyr from Defenders of the Faith coming up. BBEG is a half-orc classical barbarian with a penchant for dismembering people he doesn't like, so he's going to lop off my character's arm to prove to the other players that he means business. They don't know its gonna happen, so it'll be a gruesom little surprise.

But what else can I get for the guy?
Other than the generic Adamantine Greatsword and a Mithril Breastplate, I don't know what kind of items I want him to get. Lol, I went and completely defined his character without the need for gear of any kind, and now I don't know what to shoot for :P

Classical Barbarian items don't really fit him because of their uncivilized/rage-centric themes.

So, can anyone help me think of some nice flavorful items that might be good for the big lug?
krichaiushii
05-03-04, 09:27 PM Most barbarians go for something that increases his Con, to better lengthen his rages, so perhaps an item that is "cursed" to reduce Con, but at the same time bettering something else?

Sounds like a custom item to me.

But then, he may desire something that casts Calm Emotions, in order to end his (and others') rages. Perhaps an item that permanently generates a Calm Emotions effect, that can only be overridden if a Will save is made vs DC something tough, but not impossible.

Weapons that only deal subdual damage, perhaps? I am sure there is some form of enhancement that does this, but cannot say where.

Perhaps weapons that are best for trapping, like nets or lassos.

Glasses/goggles that let him comprehend languages and/or provide a bonus to decipher languages. Or an item that provides a bonus to diplomacy checks and the tongues effect, coupled with a Cloak of Charisma, and make the barbarian the party spokesman.

For fun, isn't there a feat called vow of (some sort of nonviolence)? How would that work with your concept? Perhaps instead of the feat, your PC just takes a vow and strives to live by it, to his detriment, of course.
Raeph
05-03-04, 10:36 PM in the book: arms and equpment, there is an enchantment on weapons, merciful, or somthing, that gives it +1d6(2d6?) damage, but all damage is subdual, +1 enchantment bonus. I may be wrong though, better look it up.
olshanski_home
05-03-04, 10:45 PM A flavor item?
How about a stovepipe hat and an ivory pipe?

Is this a DMPC... Don't answer, I assume it is.
Edymnion
05-03-04, 11:19 PM Originally posted by olshanski_home
Is this a DMPC... Don't answer, I assume it is. No, it is not a DMPC. What makes you think it is?

He's the main tank of the party, and a Barbarian with a Greatsword excels in both taking damage and dishing it out without a whole lot of magical aid, so I don't need to focus on those aspects so much as I normally would. I'm thinking Adamantine greatsword, with Flaming, Exhausting, and possibly even Throwing and Returning for a bit of variety.

I like the idea of some Comprehend Languages and Tongues items, since he does try to talk his way out of a confrentation when he can. Be helpful to actually be able to talk to everything.

I could get some totally custom items (a couple have already been handed out in the campaign), but I can't really think of what he would be good with.
sidekick
05-04-04, 01:14 AM hey eddy, cool character!!!!:D

ok, gear

Main melee weapon - Adamantine greatsword - merciful, shock, thundering.

cool stuff - get a hat of disguise that is triggered to your rage, then you can truly go bruce banner/hulk style... ok maybe not.

get a ring of sustenace, they are just plain useful.

Ummm, i;m not too sure really, i feel weird giving you advice on a character... you could get him a monk's belt & a ring of the darkhidden, very useful against darkvision using BBEGs.

That's about all I can think of off the top of my head, my books are at home
Lady Ishtar
05-04-04, 03:13 AM as a civilized city boy fighter i would go with sword and shield instead of a greatsword, just seems more "civilized" if not as effective.

since you have that light nimble fighter thing going on (despite the greatsword), go for boots of springing and striding or boots of speed.

gloves of DEX, to milk that high max dex bonus for all its worth.

perhaps something that allows you to use dimention door, for more mobility.

ring of freedom of movement, mobility again.

i think there are bracers somewhere (magic of faerun i think) that allow you to treat any weapon you use as a speed weapon

there is also a gauntlet in players guide to faerun that allows you to treat any weapon you hold as throwing/returning

if you decide to use a shiled, get the psionic enchantment that allows you to throw it...how about this: bastard sword and throwing shield, throw your shield into somebodys eye, and while its away use the bastard sword two handed for maximum mayhem. when your shield has finished its business and comes back, just use the sword one handed
Tytalus
05-04-04, 03:53 AM How about a longsword and buckler? It's quite non-barbaric. Plus, when the rage hits, you can just use the sword 2-handed and do more damage (giving up the shield bonus).
Edymnion
05-04-04, 01:48 PM Originally posted by sidekick
you could get him a monk's belt Okay, I like that one, hadn't thought of it before. Let him do some bare handed combat. Yes, I like that one very much. Thanks for the idea :DOriginally posted by Lady Ishtar
as a civilized city boy fighter i would go with sword and shield instead of a greatsword, just seems more "civilized" if not as effective. He likes to use the greatsword for initimdation purposes. He's quite tall (6'2", my real height IRL) where most other people in the campaign world top out at about 5'8" it seems. Big guy, big sword. I like having him unsheath it and more or less drop the point to the ground so it gives a nice heavy THUNK of "Oh krikey thats a big sword..."

I thought about Gloves of Storing to store that greatsword in, but I've grown rather fond of him having the thing strapped to his back, mainly so he can [rooster] his head back at it to help get people to back down. Has smaller backup weapons in the form of a handaxe and a pair of daggers (both of which make for good utility tools).

Thinking of getting him a +1 Flaming Dagger and a +1 Frosting Dagger, just for utility. Start campfires by activating the flaming dagger and sticking it in the kindling, always have a nice cool drink by activating the frost dagger and holding it on the mug or sticking it in water for instant ice cubes. Perhaps I should look into an Adm handaxe while I'm at it. Make it really easy to cut firewood.

Not really into items to augment or limit his Rage ability. Its handy to have as a backup when he really needs it, and he already controls it pretty well. Come to think of it, he's half way to lvl 3 now, and he has yet to use his Rage in combat even once. Only Rages when the situation really calls for it from a RP standpoint. None of that typical barbarian rage over not finding the toy in the bottom of his box of cereal type stuff. ;)
Nimrud
05-04-04, 02:09 PM His name is... Durian? :rofl:

Definitely a "flavourful" name!

OK, armour spikes for sure.

Check this out http://www.hawaiifruit.net/fruitdata/image/durian.jpg
Edymnion
05-04-04, 02:33 PM :rofl:
niesl
05-04-04, 03:22 PM I think an armor with the 'glamered' property is nice for him. With that property on his armor he can walk around in the city an be ready for battle anytime, even in a bar or in a nobles estate.

Also I think a wand/rod/item of healing fits well, so he can heal people/companions he accidently hurts in his rage.

And maybe some items with bonusses on knowlegde skills or social skills, so he also can have some social interaction.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Edymnion 05-03-04, 08:05 PM	I'm looking for ideas for flavorful items to give one of my characters. However, my character is a little... abnormal... so it'll take a second to get you the right flavor for him. Mechanically, Durian (the character's name) is a Barbarian. Meaning he gets d12 hitdice, will get damage reduction, can go into a Rage, all that crunchy stuff. However, I am not playing him as an uncivilized barbarian type Barbarian. I spent the skillpoints to not only make him literate, but even a few ranks in Speak Language to have him speak Elven. Mechanically, he is a Barbarian. Flavor wise though, he is practically the polar opposite of a barbarian. He's civilized (was born in well civilized society), has 0 ranks in Survival, and is all around a city boy. His ability to Rage I have worked in as a sort of curse (or blessing, depending on how you look at it) from Hextor. He does not want his ability to Rage, and tries to compensate for it by doing his best to control his temper and not to hurt anyone if at all possible. Has the feat (or soon will) from Book of Exalted Deeds that lets him do subdual damage without the -4, that sort of thing. He only freely kills while Raging, which is more like a Bruce Banner/Incredible Hulk type thing than it is just getting mad and hitting somebody. Only mechanic we broke was having him be Neutral Good (which is how my roleplaying of him made him come out to be), but DM is fine with that. Now, I'm trying to find some good flavor items for my mild-mannered Berserker. Currently on the slate, I've got the Arm of Nyr from Defenders of the Faith coming up. BBEG is a half-orc classical barbarian with a penchant for dismembering people he doesn't like, so he's going to lop off my character's arm to prove to the other players that he means business. They don't know its gonna happen, so it'll be a gruesom little surprise. But what else can I get for the guy? Other than the generic Adamantine Greatsword and a Mithril Breastplate, I don't know what kind of items I want him to get. Lol, I went and completely defined his character without the need for gear of any kind, and now I don't know what to shoot for :P Classical Barbarian items don't really fit him because of their uncivilized/rage-centric themes. So, can anyone help me think of some nice flavorful items that might be good for the big lug?
krichaiushii 05-03-04, 09:27 PM	Most barbarians go for something that increases his Con, to better lengthen his rages, so perhaps an item that is "cursed" to reduce Con, but at the same time bettering something else? Sounds like a custom item to me. But then, he may desire something that casts Calm Emotions, in order to end his (and others') rages. Perhaps an item that permanently generates a Calm Emotions effect, that can only be overridden if a Will save is made vs DC something tough, but not impossible. Weapons that only deal subdual damage, perhaps? I am sure there is some form of enhancement that does this, but cannot say where. Perhaps weapons that are best for trapping, like nets or lassos. Glasses/goggles that let him comprehend languages and/or provide a bonus to decipher languages. Or an item that provides a bonus to diplomacy checks and the tongues effect, coupled with a Cloak of Charisma, and make the barbarian the party spokesman. For fun, isn't there a feat called vow of (some sort of nonviolence)? How would that work with your concept? Perhaps instead of the feat, your PC just takes a vow and strives to live by it, to his detriment, of course.
Raeph 05-03-04, 10:36 PM	in the book: arms and equpment, there is an enchantment on weapons, merciful, or somthing, that gives it +1d6(2d6?) damage, but all damage is subdual, +1 enchantment bonus. I may be wrong though, better look it up.
olshanski_home 05-03-04, 10:45 PM	A flavor item? How about a stovepipe hat and an ivory pipe? Is this a DMPC... Don't answer, I assume it is.
Edymnion 05-03-04, 11:19 PM	Originally posted by olshanski_home Is this a DMPC... Don't answer, I assume it is. No, it is not a DMPC. What makes you think it is? He's the main tank of the party, and a Barbarian with a Greatsword excels in both taking damage and dishing it out without a whole lot of magical aid, so I don't need to focus on those aspects so much as I normally would. I'm thinking Adamantine greatsword, with Flaming, Exhausting, and possibly even Throwing and Returning for a bit of variety. I like the idea of some Comprehend Languages and Tongues items, since he does try to talk his way out of a confrentation when he can. Be helpful to actually be able to talk to everything. I could get some totally custom items (a couple have already been handed out in the campaign), but I can't really think of what he would be good with.
sidekick 05-04-04, 01:14 AM	hey eddy, cool character!!!!:D ok, gear Main melee weapon - Adamantine greatsword - merciful, shock, thundering. cool stuff - get a hat of disguise that is triggered to your rage, then you can truly go bruce banner/hulk style... ok maybe not. get a ring of sustenace, they are just plain useful. Ummm, i;m not too sure really, i feel weird giving you advice on a character... you could get him a monk's belt & a ring of the darkhidden, very useful against darkvision using BBEGs. That's about all I can think of off the top of my head, my books are at home
Lady Ishtar 05-04-04, 03:13 AM	as a civilized city boy fighter i would go with sword and shield instead of a greatsword, just seems more "civilized" if not as effective. since you have that light nimble fighter thing going on (despite the greatsword), go for boots of springing and striding or boots of speed. gloves of DEX, to milk that high max dex bonus for all its worth. perhaps something that allows you to use dimention door, for more mobility. ring of freedom of movement, mobility again. i think there are bracers somewhere (magic of faerun i think) that allow you to treat any weapon you use as a speed weapon there is also a gauntlet in players guide to faerun that allows you to treat any weapon you hold as throwing/returning if you decide to use a shiled, get the psionic enchantment that allows you to throw it...how about this: bastard sword and throwing shield, throw your shield into somebodys eye, and while its away use the bastard sword two handed for maximum mayhem. when your shield has finished its business and comes back, just use the sword one handed
Tytalus 05-04-04, 03:53 AM	How about a longsword and buckler? It's quite non-barbaric. Plus, when the rage hits, you can just use the sword 2-handed and do more damage (giving up the shield bonus).
Edymnion 05-04-04, 01:48 PM	Originally posted by sidekick you could get him a monk's belt Okay, I like that one, hadn't thought of it before. Let him do some bare handed combat. Yes, I like that one very much. Thanks for the idea :DOriginally posted by Lady Ishtar as a civilized city boy fighter i would go with sword and shield instead of a greatsword, just seems more "civilized" if not as effective. He likes to use the greatsword for initimdation purposes. He's quite tall (6'2", my real height IRL) where most other people in the campaign world top out at about 5'8" it seems. Big guy, big sword. I like having him unsheath it and more or less drop the point to the ground so it gives a nice heavy THUNK of "Oh krikey thats a big sword..." I thought about Gloves of Storing to store that greatsword in, but I've grown rather fond of him having the thing strapped to his back, mainly so he can [rooster] his head back at it to help get people to back down. Has smaller backup weapons in the form of a handaxe and a pair of daggers (both of which make for good utility tools). Thinking of getting him a +1 Flaming Dagger and a +1 Frosting Dagger, just for utility. Start campfires by activating the flaming dagger and sticking it in the kindling, always have a nice cool drink by activating the frost dagger and holding it on the mug or sticking it in water for instant ice cubes. Perhaps I should look into an Adm handaxe while I'm at it. Make it really easy to cut firewood. Not really into items to augment or limit his Rage ability. Its handy to have as a backup when he really needs it, and he already controls it pretty well. Come to think of it, he's half way to lvl 3 now, and he has yet to use his Rage in combat even once. Only Rages when the situation really calls for it from a RP standpoint. None of that typical barbarian rage over not finding the toy in the bottom of his box of cereal type stuff. ;)
Nimrud 05-04-04, 02:09 PM	His name is... Durian? :rofl: Definitely a "flavourful" name! OK, armour spikes for sure. Check this out http://www.hawaiifruit.net/fruitdata/image/durian.jpg
Edymnion 05-04-04, 02:33 PM	:rofl:
niesl 05-04-04, 03:22 PM	I think an armor with the 'glamered' property is nice for him. With that property on his armor he can walk around in the city an be ready for battle anytime, even in a bar or in a nobles estate. Also I think a wand/rod/item of healing fits well, so he can heal people/companions he accidently hurts in his rage. And maybe some items with bonusses on knowlegde skills or social skills, so he also can have some social interaction.