Table of Contents
Barbarian
Return to Cultures - Return to Classes
Barbarians in Felwind are creatures drawing on a primal source of energy to fuel their power. This energy is older than the Arcane weave, a source of raw emotion and primeval power. Its origins are so far in the past they are not known today. Exactly how it works is not fully understood but those who wield the power wield it well and with furious effectiveness.
Barbarians are known to be more emotional than other classes, as their power normally comes from emotion such as rage, anger or hatred. Getting lost in the bloodlust of battle is sort of required for a Barbarian to do their work. Barbarians should also be confident in battle, drawing agro away from their squishy comrades and ready to face down numerous foes.
But this emotional power doesn't just have to end with anger. A Barbarian may be wiser than expected, Knowing their power they may recognise when another is suffering and be their as a guide. A Barbarian’s voice in the party may not be herd often but when it is it should be listened too.
There are no proper way for a Barbarian to become a Barbarian. Ways it could happen when a creature is pushed to their limits in combat. Learns about ancient primal paths from an elder of sorts, has a long heritage or linage of Barbarians, was trained by a very specific or unique teacher. Or another way you can think up. Selecting your Sub-Class can give a base of inspiration to figuring out how your barbarian became a Barbarian.
Where to Find Barbarians?
Barbarians are likely to be found all over the world of Felwind and the realms beyond. Their primal nature means their way of power has been around in the world for generations if not longer. The Adrenaline given when we experience sudden anger or rage is part of a Barbarian's power.
Finding them as mercenaries, Body guards, hunters, or perhaps humble loners living in the wilderness or within a small tribal community is the most common place to locate one. You often here stories of a Barbarian being hired for a mundane mercenary job to be then dropped in to an international event.
Strength to the End
A Barbarian can often be counted on when the odds are against them. The more desperate a situation becomes the more their primal power grows. Even when being pulled into deaths embrace their primal force holds them strong in the mortal realm. Its not wise to tussle with a Barbarian in combat least you expect death.
The Primal Crucible
Text
Barbarian Paths Sub-Classes
Ancestral Guardian
Source:
Xanathar's Guide to Everything, Pg 9
(Supplements)
Some barbarians hail from cultures that revere their ancestors. These tribes teach that the warriors of the past linger in the world as mighty spirits, who can guide and protect the living. When a barbarian who follows this path rages, the barbarian contacts the spirit world and calls on these guardian spirits for aid.
Barbarians who draw on their ancestral guardians can better fight to protect their tribes and their allies. In order to cement ties to their ancestral guardians, barbarians who follow this path cover themselves in elaborate tattoos that celebrate their ancestors’ deeds. These tattoos tell sagas of victories against terrible monsters and other fearsome rivals.
Battle-Rager
Source:
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
(Setting)
Known as Kuldjargh (literally “axe idiot”) in Dwarvish, Battleragers originated from dwarven followers of the gods of war. They specialize in wearing bulky, spiked armour and throwing themselves into combat, striking with their body itself and giving themselves over to the fury of battle. Though early in history this Primal-Path was a closely guarded secret, Today this Primal-Path is avalible to all species.
Beast
Source:
Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, Pg 24
(Supplement)
Barbarians who walk the Path of the Beast draw their rage from a bestial spark burning within their souls. That beast bursts forth in the throes of rage, physically transforming the barbarian.
Such a barbarian might be inhabited by a primal spirit or be descended from shape-shifters. You can choose the origin of your feral might or determine it by rolling on the Origin of the Beast table.
Berzerker
Source:
Player's Handbook, Pg 49
(Core)
For some barbarians, rage is a means to an end – that end being violence. The Path of the Berserker is a path of untrammeled fury, slick with blood. As you enter the berserker's rage, you thrill in the chaos of battle, heedless of your own health or well-being.
2024 Revision Available
Carrion
Source:
Grim Hollow Valika, Pg 85
(3rd Party)
Barbarians who walk the Path of the Carrion Raven wield the warrior spirit of a blood-soaked raven blessed with the gift of speech. This carrion bird aided Kentigern on his quest to slay Gormadraug so that the raven might feast on the heart of the Prismatic Wyrm. This path is popular among wanderers of the inhospitable wastes of Valika— yet most remain mistrusted outsiders, even among the hardened Valikan clans. They don’t mind. Barbarians who embody the Saga of the Carrion Raven prefer the company of beasts. This close proximity to animals grants them deeper insights into the raven’s search for power and survival at any cost. To them, it’s a high compliment. To other Valikans, it marks them as outsiders to be feared and kept away at spearpoint.
Fractured
Source:
Grim Hollow Pg 39
(3rd Party)
Barbarians are defined by their rage, channelling emotion to unleash brief but potent destruction on their enemies.
A rare few study esoteric psychological techniques that split their rage off from the rest of their psyche, dividing their identity into two parts: ego and id.
When their ego is in control 'the Fractured'; as these barbarians are known, are capable of a degree of self-control and cunning few other barbarians are. When they allow their id to take control, their countenance turns monstrous and their bodies swell with the power of rage made physically manifest
Giant
Source:
Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
(Not-Owned)
Barbarians who walk the Path of the Giant draw strength from the same primal forces as giants. As they rage, these barbarians surge with elemental power and grow in size, taking on forms that evoke the glory of giants.
Some barbarians look like oversized versions of themselves, perhaps with a hint of elemental energy flaring in their eyes and around their weapons. Others transform more dramatically, taking on the appearance of an actual giant or a form similar to an Elemental, wreathed in fire, frost, or lightning.
Haze-Rager
Source:
Guide to Drakenhime, Pg 150
(3rd Party)
The first warriors who ventured into Drakkenheim were doomed. Few returned from these early expeditions, and those few who survived were forever changed by the experience. A rare few wrestle the madness of the Haze through a supernatural rage which allows them to channel the eldritch energies of delerium. These Haze-Ragers thrive on the contaminated power of delerium, transforming madness and fear into a weapon. Their practice has given them unnatural tolerance for contamination, and some have told legends of these barbarians surviving even the most horrific mutations.
Old Gods
Source:
Guide to Drakenhime, Pg 151
(3rd Party)
These barbarians consider themselves natural weapons, born of the gods to stand against the enemies of their chosen deity. The Old Gods represent raw power, the untamed wild, and traditional worship. A barbarian who follows the Old Gods is often close to nature, and sees glorious battle as the arena of their gods, and their purpose is to destroy the enemies of their chosen god.
Primal Spirit
Source:
Grim Hollow Pg 40
(3rd Party)
Many barbarians are in tune with the natural world, but few are as mystically intertwined with it as those who walk the Path of the Primal Spirit.
These barbarians forge powerful connections with the beasts and natural spirits of the world, inspiring such ethereal beings to manifest and journey with them on far-flung adventures. Barbarians who follow this path have a deep reverence for the ecological cycle of the natural world. Such barbarians are as likely to accept quests and pleas for aid from local wildlife as they are other humanoids.
This respect for animals doesn’t cross into naivety—no barbarian better understands the circle of life and the delicate balance between the needs of predator and prey better than those who walk the Path of the Primal Spirit.
Storm Herald
Source:
Xanathar's Guide to Everything, Pg 10
(Supplement)
Typical barbarians harbour a fury that dwells within. Their rage grants them superior strength, durability, and speed. Barbarians who follow the Path of the Storm Herald learn instead to transform their rage into a mantle of primal magic that swirls around them. When in a fury, a barbarian of this path taps into nature to create powerful, magical effects.
Storm heralds are typically elite champions who train alongside druids, rangers, and others sworn to protect the natural realm. Other storm heralds hone their craft in elite lodges founded in regions wracked by storms, in the frozen reaches at the world’s end, or deep in the hottest deserts.
Wild Heart
Also Known as Totem Warrior
Source:
Player's Handbook, Pg 50
(Core)
The Path of the Wild Heart is a spiritual journey, as the barbarian accepts a spirit animal as guide, protector, and inspiration. In battle, your spirit animal fills you with supernatural might, adding magical fuel to your barbarian rage.
Most barbarian tribes consider a spiritual animal to be kin to a particular clan. In such cases, it is unusual for an individual to have more than one animal spirit, though exceptions exist.
2024 Revision Available as Wild Heart
Wild Magic
Source:
Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, Pg 25
(Supplement)
Many places in the multiverse abound with beauty, intense emotion, and rampant magic; the Feywild, the Upper Planes, and other realms of supernatural power radiate with such forces and can profoundly influence people.
As folk of deep feeling, barbarians are especially susceptible to these wild influences, with some barbarians being transformed by the magic. These magic-suffused barbarians walk the Path of Wild Magic. Elf, tiefling, aasimar, and genasi barbarians often seek this path, eager to manifest the otherworldly magic of their ancestors.
Witch
Source:
Hexbound, Pg 49
(3rd Party)
Barbarians fill a strange role in the ways of the witch community. Instead of seeking renowned mentors, the first of them took their learnings and went deep into the wilds in search of ancient witchcraft.
Some are taught by old spirits, others by hags, and fewer still by the voices of the woods themselves. They grow an internal force of explosive witchcraft, and often roam the world to release their magic on whatever they see fit.
World Tree
Source:
2024 Player's Handbook
(Core)
Trace the Roots and Branches of the Multiverse. Barbarians who follow the Path of the World Tree connect with the cosmic tree Yggdrasil through their Rage. This tree grows among the Outer Planes, connecting them to each other and the Material Plane. These Barbarians draw on the tree’s magic for vitality and as a means of dimensional travel.
Zealot
Source:
Xanathar's Guide to Everything, Pg 11
(Supplements)
Some deities inspire their followers to pitch themselves into a ferocious battle fury. These barbarians are zealots – warriors who channel their rage into powerful displays of divine power.
A variety of gods across the realm of Felwind and realms beyond inspire their followers to embrace this path.
Hoar The Poet of Vengeance
Bane The Black Lord and
Glaren the Lizard of Life
are all prime examples. In general, the gods who inspire zealots are deities of combat, destruction, and violence. Not all are evil, but few are good.
2024 Revision Available