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
Plains
Plains, steppe or any flatlands devoid of any of the preceding features such as an abundance of trees, marked variations of elevation and swampy lowlands. Plains are the catchall for everything else. Usually these locations are vast stretches of grasslands, which are in turn home to herds of wild cattle, antelope and other grazing animals. Cultures dwelling in these lands are typically hunter-gatherers. They lack the shelter of the woodlands, or the high elevations of hills to protect themselves. Thus, many will be warlike and expansionistic.
Adventuring: Many reasons exist for a plains barbarian to leave the life of a nomad. Clearly, the very nature of their livelihood suggests a highly mobile society, thus allowing the tribes to reach new locales and peoples. Plains barbarians will often mingle with neighbouring societies providing mercenary duties, serving as caravan guards and any other number of activities.
Roleplaying: Plainsmen highly regard the passage of the seasons, the night sky and the other astronomical bodies. They are prone to see omens everywhere, acknowledging the smallest coincidence as a manifestation of the spirits’ will. Contrary to their cosmological beliefs, these barbarians are adaptable to almost any new environments. The only limitation is in confined spaces, out of the view of the sky. Most are claustrophobic and are unreliable in extended dungeon crawls.
Benefit Menu: Depending on the technology level of their native community, characters from plains regions may choose up to three of the following benefits: +5 to base speed, speak one additional language, Knowledge (astrology) as a class skill, +4 to Intuit Direction checks as long as the sky is in view or Alertness as a bonus feat.
