The Quintessential Barbarian II
The Quintessential Barbarian II first edition cover
| Author | Patrick Younts |
| Series | Quintessential Series |
| Publisher | Mongoose Publishing |
| Publish date | 2004 |
| Pages | 128 |
| ISBN | 1-904854-31-1 |
| OGL Section 15 | qbbnii |
The material below is designated as Open Game Content
Selecting an Alternative Rage
Alternate rages are normally taken in lieu of the barbarian’s normal rage, instead of as a supplement to it. In order to select an alternative rage, the barbarian must meet all the following requirements.
- He must have selected barbarian as his first class level.
- He must meet the minimum ability score requirement, if any.
- If selecting an environmental rage, then he must have originally come from the appropriate terrain.
If he meets all these requirements, then he can select an alternative rage. An alternative rage can only be selected at two different points in the barbarian’s adventuring career, at 1st level or at 11th level. If the barbarian selects an alternative rage at 1st level, then he gains the base alternative rage benefits, which improve to the greater alternative rage benefits and then finally to the alternative mighty rage benefits when he reaches 20th level as a barbarian.
If he instead selects an alternative rage when he reaches 11th level, then he has two choices. He can either gain the greater alternative rage ability and replace his existing standard rage with
the appropriate base alternative rage, or he can keep his standard rage and gain the benefits of a base alternative rage in addition. Should he choose this latter route, then each time he rages he
can choose to either gain the benefits of his standard rage or his alternative rage.
A character who began the game at 1st level with an alternative rage can, upon reaching 11th level as a barbarian, exchange that environmental rage for either the standard rage and greater rage, or for the base alternative and greater rage abilities of a spiritual or elemental rage. At no time can a barbarian have two different alternative rages, nor can he divest himself of an elemental or spiritual rage that he selected at 1st level.
Mechanics of Alternative Rages
No matter their type, all alternative rages follow the same basic rules used for the standard rage, though in some cases some or all of the benefits and penalties a barbarian gains for entering a rage are dramatically changed. In general:
- The rules regarding what skills can and cannot be used while raging are unchanged, as are the mechanics for entering and leaving a rage.
- The barbarian using an alternative rage suffers the same fatigue penalties for ending a rage as he would when using a standard rage and gains the tireless rage ability.
The barbarian gains the tireless rage ability as normal when reaching 17th level as a barbarian but may receive an alternative ability, rather than indomitable will when he reaches 14th level. This alternative ability is listed with the appropriate alternative rage.
- Some alternative rages do not increase the barbarian’s Constitution score. To determine the length of an alternative rage of this sort, add the barbarian’s Constitution bonus to four rounds at 1st through 10th level, then increase it to his Constitution bonus + five rounds at 11th level when he receives greater rage and finally, to his Constitution modifier + six rounds if and when he receives the mighty rage class ability. Keep in mind that the rages presented below are intended to be balanced against the power of a standard barbarian rage. So while certain rages may give the barbarian who selects them the ability to deal more base damage, this will be balanced against the fact that the loss of modifiers to Strength and Constitution reduces the barbarian’s attack bonus and hit point totals.
Environmental Rages
The following alternative rages are intended for use by barbarians who hail from the appropriate terrain.
Elemental Rages
The following alternative rages represent a spiritual connection to the elements which make up mortal reality.
Spiritual Rages
The following rages represent primal fury and a connection to a spiritual essence that is different but no less powerful than the standard barbarian rage.
