Basic Information
The Barbarian Tribe isn't just one stock character - it's a whole pack of illiterate, uncultured, evil warriors. They descend upon helpless villages and towns, stealing whatever isn't nailed down and burning the rest.
Of course, that's what those effete wusses in the more "civilized" lands say. Crom's teeth! If they're stupid enough to put great big crosses on the buildings with the most gold in them, they shouldn't be surprised when those buildings get sacked!
Barbarian tribes have their own ethical codes, based on combat and upon honor. After all, the Barbarian Hero has to come from someplace. They even have an appreciation for culture; just not other peoples. Sometimes the Barbarian Tribe might even be regarded as Noble Savages.
Just try telling that to the guy whose barn is burning.
Related Tropes:
Sources
Game and Story Use
- They are usually Mooks, and serve as the faceless horde of heavies in settings where actual inhuman Orcs would seem out of place.
- Cyclical passage and raids from the roaming Tribe of Barbarians could be a recurring theme in your setting. Perhaps there's a certain time of year where cities lock up there gates and smart people don't travel the countryside.
Building This Character
- Low level, except for leader-types. Unless they're the scourge of the known world, in which case you may make even the lowliest grunts mid-level.
- Character Class
- Notice the word "Barbarian" in the title? Just sayin'.
- Physical Attributes are definitely the main focus - they don't win you over with charm or wit.
- Of those, the Barbarian Tribe values Strength and Stamina more than Agility or Appearance.
- Melee skills are the most important focus. If your game breaks it up further into Brawling vs Melee, or by weapon, these guys will have a lot. The four most common weapons of Barbarian Tribes in the movies are Battle Axe, Broad Sword, Spear, Hand Axe - and probably in just about that order. Barbarians in movies rarely use shields, and stick to light and crude armors.
- Athletics, especially Long-Distance Running and/or Endurance. They charge into battle.
- Intimidation and Bravery
- A Feat or Edge that boosts health or stamina is in order, as is anything that makes you harder to kill.
- Reputation, or even something that just literally makes their Battlecry more horrifying. It should be very unnerving to have the hordes of crazy barbarians charging down at you.
- The standard Barbarian education definitely has some holes in it. If the game has a way to penalize for that, it'd be appropriate. Otherwise, just play it up. Illiterate, beer-swilling, bloodthirsty killers with no appreciation of culture.
- These guys are Mooks.
Variants
- Nature Barbarians - A horde that lives off the land more than off its conquests will have skills that reflect it.
- Survival especially. Depending on the system, that alone might be enough to sum it up.
- Animal Handling, Hunting, Tracking, First Aid, Notice, and Stealth will all make it on the list.
- Leader types may be a bit like Druids, Shamans and/or Medicine Men.
- Horsemen Barbarians - Based very loosely off the Mongolians or horsemen of the Russian Steppe.
- Riding becomes the most important addition. Animal Handling and Animal Training become common as well.
- First Aid becomes more common - for falls from horseback, and for keeping your horse in good shape.
- Archery starts to matter more. Skirmishers have the ability to scout along an harass larger or more technologically advanced enemies, making the bow so practical it overcomes any notions of not being manly enough. See also Parthian Shot.
