The Quintessential Barbarian
The Quintessential Barbarian cover
| Author | Robert Schwalb |
| Series | Quintessential Series |
| Publisher | Mongoose Publishing |
| Publish date | 2003 |
| Pages | 128 |
| ISBN | 1-903980-92-5 |
| OGL Section 15 | qbbn |
The material below is considered Open Game Content
Marsh
Bogs, swamps, fens and lowlands are all classified as marsh terrain. Barely hospitable to most humanoid life, they are better suited to snakes and insects. Despite their hostile clime, humanoids and intelligent life can thrive. There is plenty to eat, although most would deign to refuse. If water sits undisturbed, it becomes a prime location for all manner of contagion. Therefore, marsh dwellers search out sources of running water in the form of streams or even clean pools. Most people who dwell in marshland employ mud paint to
ward away mosquitoes and other biting insects. This body paint is startling to behold and instils superstitious prejudice in the unaccustomed.
Adventuring: Many reasons exist for luring these otherwise peaceful people out of their bog homes. Marshes, as havens
for undesirables, pestilence and monsters, are often drained, thus destroying the native flora and fauna prevalent to these locales. In some cases, large monsters, such as black dragons, will seize the land as a lair and attempt to enslave the other denizens of the swamp. Marsh folk will never leave of their own accord as they derive to much comfort from the ways of their people, enjoying the anonymity and the freedom from the decadences of the modern world.
Roleplaying: Easily identifiable by their odd appearance and strange customs, marsh barbarians stand out from almost any crowd. Furthermore, they adhere to unusual gods, venerating insects and serpents as the manifestations of divine will. For these reasons and more, marsh barbarians are outsiders and they play the part, feigning incomprehension to those who belittle their faith and growing violent if made to desist from their patterns and expressions of worship.
Benefit Menu: Depending on the technology level of their native community, characters from marsh regions may choose up to three of the following benefits: +2 inherent bonus to saves against Poison, +4 inherent bonus to saves against Disease, Profession (boater) as a class skill, +4 to Hide checks while in Marsh terrain or +4 to Move Silently checks while in marsh terrain.
