Barber

The roguish barber is a tradition in the Yusuf. One or more of them may be found in any bazaar, flashing their blades as well as their wit. Boldly they hawk their abilities and prowess - often while performing said tasks on their customers. Barbers perform more than just hair cutting and grooming. They also serve as doctors and surgeons of modest skill. Their talent with blades accounts in part for this medical bent. Equally important, barbers are well versed in the folk treatments and herbal medicines of the region. They learn of such things through long experience as well as by talking with customers. Members of this kit are founts of information (especially NPC barbers). Like their predecessors, they gather much of their knowledge while practicing their trade at the bazaar. Often barbers can advise one on the best course of action; certainly they are eager to do so. Just as often, they may recommend a course of action that would prove disastrous if followed. Barbers are nearly always entertaining, but rarely are they all-knowing. ​

Role

Barbers are cunning, streetwise showmen, gifted with quick wit and a glib tongue. It is said they’ll try to talk you out of more than just your gold; they’ll also try for the pouch that holds it, the belt from which the pouch hangs, and the pants that are held up by the belt. In folk tales, barbers are often portrayed as mad or insane, threatening their customers with their tools - or, worse yet, driving customers to distraction with long, unproductive, meaningless stories, each of which digresses into another tale, and then another and another, thereby trapping the unfortunate customer, who becomes desperate for escape. Not all barbers of Yusuf are mad, of course. But their reputation as being even a bit crazed helps ensure that their customers hold still for their ministrations. (Hence, a little deliberate flamboyance never hurts.) Furthermore, a touch of insanity suggests that barbers know of what they speak when describing genies, their fabulous riches, and other wonders - phenomenon that could certainly leave a person addled.

Barbers are most common in cities, where they are tolerated for their ability as well as their knowledge of rumors, gossip, and potentially valuable information. Those who stay long in one place are not held in great regard by the city’s denizens. Mere barbers have been known to parlay their common sense and advice into positions at the right hand of a local sultan, emir, or caliph. On the other hand, less astute and less fortunate barbers have managed to make a muddle of their learning, and in doing so may barely escape town with their skins. (Of course, a few bunglers may escape with someone else’s skin, too.) Legends, rumors, tales of great riches - all reach the ears of barbers, who in turn relate these tidbits to the deserving and the worthy.

Distinctive Appearance

None

Special Benefits

​All barbers gain a +3% bonus to their magic item identification per level. ​

Special Hindrances

​It takes time to gain the medicinal background required for barbering. As a result, barbers have less time to perfect their initial thieving abilities. Instead of 20 discretionary percentage points assigned to 1st-level thieving abilities, only 10 percentage points are available to bards using this kit. All other limitations apply, and additional percentage points are gained as usual for advancement in level by the bard. ​

Class

Bard ​

Attribute Requirements

None

Barred Beliefs

Barbers may be of either gender and any race. Some localities restrict female barbers to attending women, and male barbers to attending men - particularly in areas where the clergy of Church of Palanos is powerful. Barbers are limited to common spells.

Race Requirement

​Members of any race may be barbers. However, barbers of demihuman races often specialize in treatments favored by others of the same race. For example, barbering elves do well with perfumes, dwarves excel at beard braiding, and gnomes at razor-cuts. A demihuman barber tending a member of the same race gains a +2 bonus to the Grooming proficiency. ​

Bonus Weapon Proficiencies

Razor​

Required Weapon Proficiencies

None​

Recommended Weapon Proficiencies

None

Barred Weapon Proficiencies

None

Bonus Non-Weapon Proficiencies

Healing, Herbalism, Language (Modern), and Reading/Writing ​

Recommended Non-Weapon Proficiencies

Debate, Haggling, Heraldry, Singing, Spellcraft, Genie Lore, Language (Ancient), Spellcraft, History (Ancient), Appraising, Disguise, Gaming, Grooming, History (Local), Ventriloquism ​

Barred Non-Weapon Proficiencies

Etiquette ​

Equipment

​Barbers have no limitations beyond the normal restrictions for their class. They should, however, always purchase a barbering kit initially - or at least a straight razor. Each barber also needs a blanket or carpet upon which to set up shop. ​

Wealth Options

All barbers begin play with 2d6×10 gp. If any gold remains after they’ve purchased equipment, they’re free to lend it to other characters, charging whatever interest the market will bear. ​

Homeland Terrain

None

Economic System

​None​