Ravager

To many, the Ravager represents the consummate barbarian - a savage, nearly invincible warrior who fights with unrivaled ferocity. Menacing in attitude and appearance, he has piercing eyes, rippling muscles, and a hair-trigger temper that intimidate friends and foes alike. But despite his fierce demeanor, the Ravager can be just and honorable, adhering to a rigid code of ethics.

Role

Culled from the strongest and most bloodthirsty members of their tribes, Ravagers serve as bodyguards and manhunters, trained to kill with weapons as well as their bare hands. So violent is their reputation, Ravagers are even feared by their fellow tribesmen, who consider them unpredictable and perhaps mentally unbalanced. Such distrust is unwarranted. Ravagers do not attack without provocation. They are outraged by injustice, dishonesty, and cowardice, and rarely employ their fighting skills for personal gain. They defend the innocent, protect the weak, and seek vengeance against the corrupt. A strong sense of pride is perhaps their biggest flaw; he who insults or offends a Ravager may pay with his blood, if not his life. In many barbarian societies, Ravagers are considered the personal property of the leaders. They are bound to obey the leader’s every command and may even be traded to other tribes. Ravagers often resist such servitude, abandoning their homelands for the life of a nomad. Other Ravagers are nomadic by nature, leaving their homelands for years at a time to explore the outworld. The Ravager’s companions find him loud, passionate, and brutal, quick to make war and scornful of negotiation. He is contemptuous of civilization and has no patience for intellectuals. He considers hygiene the province of the weak; he takes pride in his mud-caked skin, his filthy loincloth, and his greasy hair. He speaks his mind, even when his words sting; a person asking the Ravager his opinion should be prepared for a blunt response. The Ravager’s mood swings are dramatic, even frightening. One moment, he may return a wounded bird to its nest; the next, he may fly into a rage because he has misplaced his axe. He smashes trees with his fists and screams at the top of his lungs, then dissolve into laughter if a companion trips and falls.

Distinctive Appearance

None

Special Benefits

The Ravager has a natural Armor Class of 9. His AC improves as he increases in level, as shown on Table 24.

A Ravager may work himself into a fighting frenzy, increasing his effectiveness in combat. To use this ability, he must spend one round doing nothing but building up his rage; he chews on his shield, stomps his feet, and growls like a bear. At the end of this round, he saves vs. death magic. If the throw succeeds, he becomes enraged. If the save fails, he cannot work himself into a sufficient frenzy. He can make additional attempts for up to 10 consecutive rounds; on the 11th round, the attempt automatically succeeds. A Ravager remains enraged for a number of rounds equal to his Constitution. If he refrains from melee combat for two consecutive rounds, either by choice or circumstance, he loses his rage; he may continue to fight normally. He may also voluntarily end his rage at any time. An enraged Ravager acquires the following benefits, which last until his rage ends:

• He gains +2 on his attack and damage rolls.
• He gains a -2 bonus to Armor Class (to a max. AC 0)
• All attackers suffer a -1 penalty to their damage rolls.
• He gains +2 to all saves vs. charms or mental-based attacks.

When attacking with bare hands, the Ravager inflicts damage as if attacking with a club (ld6 hp damage against small and medium opponents, 1d3 hp damage against large opponents).

Special Hindrances

A Ravager suffers the following penalties when enraged:

An enraged Ravager must choose a particular opponent as his primary target. Once combat begins, he can’t change opponents until his primary target escapes or is slain. If he changes opponents, the Ravager automatically loses his rage.

When his rage ends, the Ravager must make another save vs. death magic. If the save succeeds, he suffers no ill effects from the rage. If the save fails, he immediately becomes exhausted. He endures the following penalties until he rests for one full hour:

• he can’t become enraged, voluntarily or involuntarily
• he suffers a -2 penalty to attack rolls
• his base movement is reduced to 12.

Certain events may cause the Ravager to lose his temper and become enraged involuntarily. Typical triggers: The Ravager is insulted or offended, a beloved friend or animal dies unexpectedly, he hears news of an enemy’s victory, an ally’s treachery, or a spouse’s unfaithfulness, a favorite weapon or piece of equipment is lost, stolen, misplaced, or damaged. The DM and player may add other events. When the DM decides that a triggering event has occurred, the Ravager clenches his fists, grinds his teeth, and growls, thereby warning his companions a state of rage is imminent; they have d4 rounds to hide or otherwise prepare themselves. At the end of d4 rounds, he saves vs. death magic. If the save succeeds, the Ravager suppresses his anger, and nothing happens. If the save fails, he flies into a rage, acquiring all benefits associated with a voluntary rage described above. The involuntary rage lasts for a number of rounds equal to the Ravager’s Constitution. Unlike a voluntary rage, an involuntary rage won’t end prematurely; it lasts a Constitution score’s worth of rounds, regardless of circumstance. The Ravager directs his rage at whoever insulted him, gave him the bad news, or harmed his companion; he attacks relentlessly. If he kills his victim, he continues his rage against the nearest innocent bystander (perhaps a fellow PC). If no victim or bystander is available, he directs his rage at the nearest inanimate object. His companions may attempt to restrain him until the rage subsides. When the rage ends, he makes another save vs. death magic to check for exhaustion, as described above.

Class

Barbarian

Attribute Requirements

None

Barred Beliefs

None

Race Requirement

None

Bonus Weapon Proficiencies

None

Required Weapon Proficiencies

None

Recommended Weapon Proficiencies

Axe, hand axe, dagger, club, spear

Barred Weapon Proficiencies

A Ravager will not become proficient in any type of thrown or missile weapon. (A spear is acceptable, as it can be used at close range.)

Bonus Non-Weapon Proficiencies

None

Recommended Non-Weapon Proficiencies

Alertness, Danger Sense, Blind-Fighting, Endurance, Weaponsmithing (Crude)

Barred Non-Weapon Proficiencies

Artistic Ability, Dancing, Crude Bowyer/Fletcher, Musical Instrument

Equipment

Normally, Ravagers won't use thrown or missile weapons, as they feel that long-distance combat is unworthy of a warrior. Though Ravagers will carry shields, they refuse to don armor of any type, considering it cowardly and a tacit admission of fear. Typically, they wear nothing more than fur loincloths or short tunics made of light animal skin. In cold or rainy climates, they may wear leather or fur garments for protection, but such garments don't grant bonuses to their natural Armor Class.

Wealth Options

The Ravager begins with 3d4 gp worth of animal products

Homeland Terrain

Jungle, Mountains, Plains, Swamp (any)

Economic System

Animal products barter