tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post6438154453551576544..comments2024-02-27T01:17:39.925-08:00Comments on The Nine and Thirty Kingdoms: A Simple BarbarianTalysmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162328521343832412noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-72836483862754584822011-01-13T15:25:08.486-08:002011-01-13T15:25:08.486-08:00Gretir the Strong, however, had poor impulse contr...Gretir the Strong, however, had poor impulse control, but takes out a load of berserks when they try to raid his mate's farm. So poor impulse control <> berserk.<br /><br />But I take your point. If you use Conan as a model, you just get a sort of Fighter/Thief/Ranger with some cultural baggage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-63257789218628078662011-01-13T14:04:02.497-08:002011-01-13T14:04:02.497-08:00That looks way more complicated than what I'd ...That looks way more complicated than what I'd aim for... and I think it overstates berserk rage too much. Which is actually in keeping with later role-playing traditions: people have been pumping up berserk rage for years.<br /><br />Looking at historical berserkers (Egil Skallagrímsson,) "berserk rage" looks more like poor impulse control than anything else. Easiest way to handle that in-game: the player explains any mistakes made in combat as "battle rage".Talysmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02162328521343832412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-3922768256699804122011-01-13T02:50:38.997-08:002011-01-13T02:50:38.997-08:00It depends. Do you want a Robert E Howard/Fritz Li...It depends. Do you want a Robert E Howard/Fritz Lieber/Quasi Historical barbarian, or one that reflects roleplaying traditions?<br /><br />If the former, I'd do it like this: highly adaptable in terms of choice of kit and profession - any kit that works, any profession that pays as long as no manual labour is involved. <br /><br />Aside from weapons proficiency, what marks them out is their barbarian culture, which they still carry around with them, physical toughness, and environment skills.<br /><br />Disadvantages of being a barbarian:<br />-Nutty barbarian codes of conduct, e.g. blood feud, honour code, geises etc, no manual labour<br />-Drunkenness; hard to refuse alcohol.<br />-Berserk Rage: Happens randomly* in combat and other stressful situations and when drunk. Adds to damage and to hit roll. However, if the enemy pass a morale test and aren't intimidated, then reduces your armour class. Also, there's a chance* of target fixation, and also of defective FOF recognition.<br /><br />Also, berserker rage ends randomly, leaving you stunned, but with possibility of going berserk again.<br /><br />*Perhaps of you roll 5 or less on D20, using modifiers from wisdom.<br /><br />If you to go berserk deliberately, it permanently adds 1 to your chance of going berserk, up to a max of 10. You have the option to reset this at each new level.<br /><br />Going berserk in non combat situations causes you to wreck things and people, with no real control - think rock star plus hotel room....<br /><br />Somebody else can use their charisma to try to end your rampage. Though this is hazardous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com