I've been milling over a stealthy barbarian ever since this conversation, which led to the thought that Fear and Rage are really two sides of the same coin. This class is written using deus's Barbarian as a base and written for the BLACK STAR OF THE CANNIBAL KINGS setting. As such it's also written assuming Varya's Ultimate Fighter and Ultimate Thief. It can be adopted to other games by replacing the numerical bonuses to those associated with Fighters and Thieves in your system. It can be adopted to a different setting by replacing the King that are your family with a vampire, a dragon, imperial soliders or any other force that a child could only hope to hide from.
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Wretch//Avenger
Skills: 1. Scavenging 2. Cheating At Cards 3. Holding your Breath.
In a game with proficiency, you start with proficiencies as a Thief and gains the proficencies of a Fighter at template C.
Starting Equipment: Thread-Bare Cloak (as Unarmoured), Crooked Knife (Light), Soft-padded boots.
A: Little Mouse, Implicit Thunder, +1 to sneaking and saves.
B: Association of Vermin, +1 to sneaking and saves.
C: Cat Devouring Rat, +1 to-hit and HP.
D: Never Again, +1 to-hit and HP.
A:Little Mouse
You have lived too long with too little food. Your growth has been stunted, you will never grow as big as others. Everyone can see your a Wretch.
Roll your starting HP twice and take the lower result. You are always the least prominent member in any group and can shimmy through any opening that can fit your skull.
You always know when someone is watching you, thus can act during a Surprise Round set agains you.
A: Implicit Thunder
There is one thing that kept you going, when it was so easy to lay down and never rise again.
Gain a pool of Rage points, 2 at first level and +1 every level after that. You may spend a point when rolling a dexterity-related check to take a nat 20, or when combat initiates to enter a rage for the duration. While raging, you have a tendency to dodge weapon attacks that by all rights should have hit you with a 3-in-6 chance of success and must attack each round if able (if your only option is to attack an ally, you may save to end the rage early).
When you eat a rich feast, drink deep, and get a good night's rest, regain a point of Rage. When you go hungry, stay up all night, brooding over the might of your enemies, regain a point. If belittled while your Rage pool is full, save vs. flying right off the handle.
B: Association of Vermin
You’ve made a name for yourself among the criminal underworld, rebel circles and other dregs of society.
If you’ve kept a low profile, then you can always find whatever criminal services are available and buy them for a favorable price, be it in coin or services rendered.
If you have caused a big incident recently, prudent criminals avoid you but you can find d4 1 HD ruffians out for revenge. The GM chooses the target of their vengeance, these ruffians will work for free on adventures actively seeking to kill thier target. If you succeed in killing said target, these henchmen get +1 Morale forever after and you may choose one to be your lover.
C: Cat Devouring Rat
You may never be big, you will never again be weak. They will know you to be an Avenger.
You can choose to be the most prominent person in any group and may spend Rage when rolling a strength-related check to take a nat 20.
While Raging, gain a second attack and are immune to mind-altering effects (This includes the Command of Kings.), those who attempt to read your mind receive a concussion.
D: Never Again
Even on the most peaceful nights you still sometimes wake up in a cold sweat. There is no way around this, this lightning will course in your veins as long as you live.
When you witness a loved one (or someone who reminds you of them) get threatened with death and torture gain a point of Rage. You may only generate Rage off of each individual once per fight, but if the same threat is targeting multiple people, you may choose to generate Rage off of only one of them. If this would cause your Rage pool to overflow, the excess points become bonus actions you must resolve immediatly, regardless of turn order.