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 designated as Open Game Content
Tunnel Fighter
In the warrens of a gnomish community, there is a need for a type of warrior who can halt the invasions of their enemies. Goblins, kobolds and other nasty humanoids lust after gnomish gem-cutting skills. As natural miners and craftsmen, most view gnomes as viable targets to exploit for their wealth and luxury. Thus, in the narrow passages of a subterranean city, there are a few gnome barbarians who bear the burden of halting the progress of the attacks by themselves until such time as assistance can arrive.
Adventuring: The tunnel fighter normally cannot leave his community for a life of adventure, for too much rests upon his shoulders. These characters mean the life or death of a gnome community. Yet, the burden of defending one’s people alone is a rather cumbersome responsibility. Many gnomes buckle under the pressure. Others fail to do their duty. Even fewer were simply not able to stave off the onslaught of the invaders. In these cases, the gnomes have nothing left but to leave the ruins of their failure and seek redemption. In their quest for self-forgiveness, these characters will, at times, ally themselves to other adventurers and see them as a means to reach absolution for their failures of the past.
Roleplaying: Tunnel fighters are almost universally pensive and moody. As failure is a prerequisite to becoming an adventurer, they bear a lot of guilt. At times, they sink into self-loathing and self-recrimination. Due to their bitterness, they are difficult characters to get to know. On the other hand, they are capable combatants. They will throw themselves to the defence of their companions, always seeking to protect the more bookish and less physically-active heroes. Loyal to a fault, these characters comprise the staunchest of allies.
Benefits: Whenever the tunnel fighter is in a cramped environment where there are walls on two sides of his base, he gains a +2 situational bonus to his AC. Furthermore, he is immune to all Bull Rush, Trip and Grapple attempts against him.
Penalties: The tunnel fighter’s training limits his usefulness to combat in tight locations. Due to this, whenever fighting weapons more than 10 feet from a wall, he suffers a -1 situational penalty to all attack and damage rolls.
