3.5 Barbarian Help - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

3.5 Barbarian Help

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
f4m1m3
Oct 22, 2008 16:13:20 Hey i'm starting a new 3.5 D&D game friday and I was wondering if you could help me flesh out my charecter a little more?

He's going to be a barbarian who at 8th level is going to become a Bear Warrior which means when I rage I turn into a bear and get intense strength boosts

I based his beliefs somewhat off the Cheroke, he respects nature and will only hunt what he needs but the kill must be done with respect least the animal return from the grave as a ghost and haunt him.

I'm trying to figure out what charecter traits I can give him, I already have that he's very defensive about his culture and rules and gets pretty upset when anyone tries to say anything about his beliefs. Any other ideas?

On a final note, race! I was going to do half-orc but i don't know if I want to try something else, any other 3.5 core races that would make an interesting bear warrior?
#2
Zherog
Oct 22, 2008 16:26:30 You have a very nice concept, and a strong enough build in mind that you should be OK from that front.

I really dislike half-orcs, because they got the very-short end of the stick when it comes to stats and racial abilities. In my opinion, you're best off avoiding them.

Dwarves can make very good barbarians. A wild elf (a variant in the Monster Manual) can also make for an interesting and effective barbarian.

As far as your character concept... I wouldn't pack much more into it. Some stuff will develop naturally as you roleplay the character. However, some stuff to consider:

How does he view magic? Does he feel differently about arcane and divine magic, or is it all the same?
How does he view civilization? Do towns freak him out? Large cities?
How is he viewed by his tribe?
Why is he adventuring?

These sorts of questions should help you flesh out some more details.

Have fun!
#3
f4m1m3
Oct 22, 2008 16:49:56 I looked at Wild Elf and it exactly what I was looking for, what are some more Barbaric elf names? How does Ramlush (pronounced Ram-loosh) sound? Is it too wizardy?
#4
Zherog
Oct 22, 2008 17:42:22 Sounds like a fine name to me.
#5
drmorganes
Oct 22, 2008 20:28:12 If you're basing your barbarian off Cherokee culture, why not give him a Cherokee name? I don't necessarily mean an actual Cherokee name, but rather one of the descriptive names associated with Native Americans: Black Feather, Sitting Bull, etc.

Keep in mind that the original series of Dragonlance novels used this sort of naming convention with Riverwind and Goldmoon. If you want to get really exotic, you could translate the name into Elvish. Ferinstance, I have a wood elf ranger named Yávie Amrun. Translated to Common this is "Autumn Morning".

Or just stick with Ramlush. It's a good name!
#6
f4m1m3
Oct 22, 2008 20:49:45 I looked around the internets and have come up with this

Kuruk Cheveyo

which sounds like bastardized elven to me, it means some along the lines of bear spirit

and I decided to go with deep elf
#7
ioosef
Oct 22, 2008 21:01:37 If you really wanna put a lot of effort into your character try some of these questions.
#8
wizarddog
Oct 23, 2008 23:47:16
On a final note, race! I was going to do half-orc but i don't know if I want to try something else, any other 3.5 core races that would make an interesting bear warrior?

I think a human is fine for this kind of PC. You are after all basing off a human culture. Plus you can use that extra feat to take something like tracking. ;)
#9
lincoln_hills
Oct 24, 2008 17:43:27 I recommend half-elf. It fits the kind of spiritual code you're talking about. As for good ideas for the barbarian's personality, here are some quick 'barbarian principles':

* A man makes his own decisions. If he disagrees with his leader, he is free at any time to leave that leader's camp and strike out on his own. Similarly, only men whose judgement is widely respected can or should be leaders.

* A man promises only what he is able to deliver. Lies are a refuge of the weak.

* Violence is forbidden in certain places (best examples: the home, places of worship, peace conferences.) An enemy who brings violence into those places is untrustworthy.

I took those three from a recent read of mine: 'Chief Joseph - the Flight of the Nez Perce', which I recommend if you're up to reading a very tragic true story. Useful insights for players of the barbarian class. And, of course, my very favorite 'barbarian quote' - from The Two Towers:

"We men of Rohan boast seldom, and then perform - or die in the attempt."

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 f4m1m3 Oct 22, 2008 16:13:20	Hey i'm starting a new 3.5 D&D game friday and I was wondering if you could help me flesh out my charecter a little more? He's going to be a barbarian who at 8th level is going to become a Bear Warrior which means when I rage I turn into a bear and get intense strength boosts I based his beliefs somewhat off the Cheroke, he respects nature and will only hunt what he needs but the kill must be done with respect least the animal return from the grave as a ghost and haunt him. I'm trying to figure out what charecter traits I can give him, I already have that he's very defensive about his culture and rules and gets pretty upset when anyone tries to say anything about his beliefs. Any other ideas? On a final note, race! I was going to do half-orc but i don't know if I want to try something else, any other 3.5 core races that would make an interesting bear warrior?
#2 Zherog Oct 22, 2008 16:26:30	You have a very nice concept, and a strong enough build in mind that you should be OK from that front. I really dislike half-orcs, because they got the very-short end of the stick when it comes to stats and racial abilities. In my opinion, you're best off avoiding them. Dwarves can make very good barbarians. A wild elf (a variant in the Monster Manual) can also make for an interesting and effective barbarian. As far as your character concept... I wouldn't pack much more into it. Some stuff will develop naturally as you roleplay the character. However, some stuff to consider: How does he view magic? Does he feel differently about arcane and divine magic, or is it all the same? How does he view civilization? Do towns freak him out? Large cities? How is he viewed by his tribe? Why is he adventuring? These sorts of questions should help you flesh out some more details. Have fun!
#3 f4m1m3 Oct 22, 2008 16:49:56	I looked at Wild Elf and it exactly what I was looking for, what are some more Barbaric elf names? How does Ramlush (pronounced Ram-loosh) sound? Is it too wizardy?
#4 Zherog Oct 22, 2008 17:42:22	Sounds like a fine name to me.
#5 drmorganes Oct 22, 2008 20:28:12	If you're basing your barbarian off Cherokee culture, why not give him a Cherokee name? I don't necessarily mean an actual Cherokee name, but rather one of the descriptive names associated with Native Americans: Black Feather, Sitting Bull, etc. Keep in mind that the original series of Dragonlance novels used this sort of naming convention with Riverwind and Goldmoon. If you want to get really exotic, you could translate the name into Elvish. Ferinstance, I have a wood elf ranger named Yávie Amrun. Translated to Common this is "Autumn Morning". Or just stick with Ramlush. It's a good name!
#6 f4m1m3 Oct 22, 2008 20:49:45	I looked around the internets and have come up with this Kuruk Cheveyo which sounds like bastardized elven to me, it means some along the lines of bear spirit and I decided to go with deep elf
#7 ioosef Oct 22, 2008 21:01:37	If you really wanna put a lot of effort into your character try some of these questions.
#8 wizarddog Oct 23, 2008 23:47:16	On a final note, race! I was going to do half-orc but i don't know if I want to try something else, any other 3.5 core races that would make an interesting bear warrior? I think a human is fine for this kind of PC. You are after all basing off a human culture. Plus you can use that extra feat to take something like tracking. ;)
#9 lincoln_hills Oct 24, 2008 17:43:27	I recommend half-elf. It fits the kind of spiritual code you're talking about. As for good ideas for the barbarian's personality, here are some quick 'barbarian principles': * A man makes his own decisions. If he disagrees with his leader, he is free at any time to leave that leader's camp and strike out on his own. Similarly, only men whose judgement is widely respected can or should be leaders. * A man promises only what he is able to deliver. Lies are a refuge of the weak. * Violence is forbidden in certain places (best examples: the home, places of worship, peace conferences.) An enemy who brings violence into those places is untrustworthy. I took those three from a recent read of mine: 'Chief Joseph - the Flight of the Nez Perce', which I recommend if you're up to reading a very tragic true story. Useful insights for players of the barbarian class. And, of course, my very favorite 'barbarian quote' - from The Two Towers: "We men of Rohan boast seldom, and then perform - or die in the attempt."