Bearsarker

While the gods do not normally interfere in the lives of mortals, save for the most heroic, there are those who have been touched by the gods and granted power through them. Some are not merely granted powers, but are transformed by the contact with the gods. One of these mortals so altered are the Bearsarkers, a cult dedicated to the worship of Wotan and the glory of the spear-din.

The Bearsarker Cult is a sacred order of men and women who have dedicated their lives Wotan. There are many reasons they choose to do so, but the most common is that they feel an intense desire to enter a savage fury and commit rampant acts of slaughter. This urge to rage is even greater during battle, and so in order to control this drive and have a place in society, the Bearsarker Cult of Wotan has formed. Through esoteric arts, ritual drunkenness, and great personal sacrifice, the Bearsarker not only tames their inner fire, but also learns to become a whirling spirit of death and destruction, when the time for such action is called for. Most do not live long, especially when one considers that their rituals are fairly violent and often result in severe injury and maiming. It is not unusual to find a Bearsarker who has plucked out one of their own eyes to gain wisdom, or who has spent time mediating while hung on a tree of woe.

Members of the cult undergo extensive training in order to learn to control their rage, as well as training in religion and the esoteric arts. Although inwardly highly meditative and thoughtful people, the outward appearance of the Bearsarkers gives others pause, considering the reputation of the cult for great savagery barely contained as well as incredible feats of stamina and strength. As per their religious dictates, Bearsarkers do not bathe except for rare ritual purification purposes, clad themselves only in a loincloth and bear robe, and never cut their hair or beards. This shaggy, unkempt and wild appearance is the means by which the cult is known, and seeing a Bearsarker on the other side of a battlefield has been known to turn the morale of even the most hardy of warriors. Also, despite, or because of, their sacred status, Bearsarkers are afforded a great deal of leeway in their actions and behavior.

Bearsarkers must be good or neutral aligned, must maintain the unkempt appearance of their faith, worship Wotan above all other gods, remain honorable, forsake marriage, children and wealth, and live to serve the Northlander people as a whole. Some Bearsarkers cults have formed around other aspects of the All Father and exist in lands far removed from the Northlands, and serve those aspects and people instead of Wotan. Members of this archetype automatically suffer a -2 penalty to all Charisma-based skills, except Intimidate.

Fury of the Gods (Ex)

This works the same as a barbarian’s normal rage class feature; however, the number of rounds per day a bearsarker can rage is equal to 4 + their Wisdom modifier rather than Constitution.

They gain additional rounds at the normal rate. Also, bearsarkers gain Knowledge (religion) as a class skill.

This replaces rage.

Berserk Fury (Ex)

At 2nd level, a bearsarker that enters their fury of the gods inspires fear in enemies who witness it. Any enemy who sees this display of savagery must make a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the bearsarker’s level + the bearsarker’s Wisdom modifier) or become shaken for the duration of the bearsarker’s fury. Each additional bearsarker in a fury at the same time adds +1 to the Will save DC to a maximum of +5, but one bearsarker must be chosen who leads the fury to determine its duration and whose Wisdom modifier is used to determine the save DC.

This ability replaces uncanny dodge.

Naked Fury (Ex)

At 3rd level a bearsarker who is not wearing armor and is lightly encumbered gains a +2 dodge bonus to AC. This bonus increases by +2 every three barbarian levels thereafter.

This replaces trap sense.

Unarmed Fury (Su)

At 5th level, a bearsarker’s hands actually transform into bear claws while in a fury. The bearsarker cannot wield any weapons but gains 2 claw attacks that deal 1d6 points of damage + both the bearsarker’s Strength and Wisdom modifiers. The bearsarker can suppress this transformation if they choose to do so, but each round they do so reduces the number of rounds they can use their fury of the gods that day by 1 round.

This replaces improved uncanny dodge.

Fanged Fury (Su)

At 7th level, whenever a bearsarker uses their unarmed fury ability, they gains the benefits of a greater magic fang spell (cannot be dispelled) granting them a +1 enhancement bonus to their claw attacks and any other natural attacks they may have (through the animal fury rage power, for example). This bonus increases by +1 every three barbarian levels thereafter.

This replaces damage reduction.

Rage Powers: The following rage powers complement the bearsarker archetype: come and get me*, flesh wound*, good for what ails you*, inspire ferocity*, knockback, liquid courage*, roaring drunk*, smasher*, and terrifying howl.