Barbarian

A barbarian equipped for cold weather adventuring, with light armor and an axe in hand.

## Adventuring

### Subclasses

Primal Paths: *Ancestral Guardian, Berserker, Storm Herald, Totem Warrior, Zealot.*

## Sociocultural Information

### Places

Wilderness.

“
*I'm not locked in here with you, you're locked in here with me!*
”
— Ulknthanz Gargleschift, Berserker.
**Barbarians** are ferocious warriors impelled into battle by their fearsome rage. Although their origins, rationale, and methodology varies widely, barbarians give into the course of their fury all the way to the bitter end. Whether driven by an internal reservoir of anger or a communion with fierce natural spirits, or other sources entirely, barbarians are rightly lauded by their friends and feared by their enemies.

## Abilities

Barbarians are feared for their primal and powerful rage, an all-consuming state of fury. Convictions carry great heft insofar as they align one's life and essence in a certain direction: Much like a Paladin derives power from the swearing and following of an Oath, a Barbarian finds power in the all-consuming fury of their rage.

## History

There is little recorded history of barbarians throughout the world. That said, it is widely known that barbarians have existed in the world for as long as there have been people in it.

## Organizations

Because of their free-spirited independence, there are few Barbarian organizations. However, many barbarians in the wild find themselves falling into close camraderie with local Druid circles. Half-Orc tribes are known to produce many barbarians, who go on to become great chieftains and leaders. Dwarves with uncommonly deep grudges may also become Barbarians. Nonetheless, the path and calling of an individual is an intensely individual one.

## Subclasses

### Path of the Ancestral Guardian

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. Such barbarians may seek to avenge a terrible crime done against their family, whether in the present or in the past, or to accomplish a task one of their ancestors failed to complete. These barbarians are commonly known as **Guardians**.

### Path of the Berserker

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. *Homebrew: The **Frenzy** ability does not give you 1 exhaustion. Rather, you may only enter a frenzy up to a number of times equal to half your rages rounded up.* Such barbarians are known as **Berserkers**.

### Path of the Storm Herald

Some barbarians are capable of utilizing their rage to fuel a mantle of primal magic. These barbarians, capable of creating powerful magical effects, are almost always close to Druid circles or lodges, where they work with Druids, especially members of the Circle of the Moon, and Rangers.

### Path of the Totem Warrior

The Path of the Totem Warrior is a spiritual journey, as the barbarian accepts a spirit animal as guide, protector, and inspiration. In battle, your totem spirit fills you with supernatural might, adding magical fuel to your barbarian rage. Such barbarians are known as Totemists.

### Path of the Zealot

Some of the gods inspire their followers to fight for them with ferocious fury. These barbarians are known as Zealots, who wield a modicum of divine power to complement their ferocity in battle.

## Notable Barbarians

* Chlingng-Chnchk: Half-Orc leader of the Chnchk tribe.
* Klodricgn-Njencjn: Half-Orc leader of the Njencjn tribe.
* Tunchaft the Goblin-Eater: Dwarven captain of the army of Stavendelft. His entire family captured and cooked alive by Goblins of the Deepfell, Tunchaft became blood-mad. He lost both of his arms in combat many decades ago, but he remains one of the strongest warriors of Dwarvenkind, fighting with his bare teeth. After biting his way through hordes of goblins, many say he enjoys collecting the survivors and roasting and eating them alive.

## Appendix

Classes
Artificer • **Barbarian** • Bard • Cleric • Druid • Fighter • Monk
Paladin • Ranger • Rogue • Sorcerer • Warlock • Wizard

## References

1. ↑ Xanathar's Guide to Everything
2. ↑ Player's Handbook
3. ↑ Xanathar's Guide to Everything
4. ↑ Player's Handbook
5. ↑ Xanathar's Guide to Everything