Life Lessons From Playing A Barbarian

Key Traits Through Character: Barbarian

  For the longest time, I would vacillate between two distinct character builds: full martial powerhouse or full controller caster.  The times that I would move between the two were great learning experiences, but I would rarely find my stride.  Only recently have I had the opportunities to flex my character building muscles and engage in some great role-playing outside of that comfort zone (in no small part due to my team of GMs being in charge of their own groups that I can take part in).  
  But in the beginning, back in the beginnings of Pathfinder and before the debacle that was 4th Edition (still a decent system, just poorly received - more on that later), I would cut my teeth on playing Grignor, my half-orc barbarian.

Grignor was a product of some great physical rolls at character creation, so, as a balance, the DM and I agreed that he would be a little...off.  Speaking in a third-person-faux-russian accent most of the time, Grignor's average intelligence was undermined constantly by his impulsive nature and low wisdom, often getting the party into some zany antics...then, by sheer force of character and overwhelming power, pulling the party back through.
  It was the latter instances that taught me the most about the power the barbarian could possess.  The main mechanic of such a class, in many systems, is their Rage Feature.  Flying into a Rage grants the barbarian particular bonuses that give them the fighting edge in combat and often increase their survivability.  In a party of mostly casters and a custom rogue sub-type, the party would buff the heck out of Grignor and he would charge whatever the enemy was with the utmost confidence.  Dragons, land sharks, mind flayers, beholders, and a 100-foot tall flesh tornado...we would stand victorious through teamwork, and quite a lot of insane force of will and confidence.

  So here, in the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford, joining together with 2000 others as we sing along to Bad Wolves' cover of the Cranberries's Zombie; like one angry, tumultuous, sonic wave of force and rage - I am sent back to those days, and wonder what I learned so profoundly through playing that character, and how it has changed me to this day.

Here, let me share some life lessons learned from playing a Barbarian.

1) Anger Can Be A Tool

  I was a frustrated kid.  Though my standard disposition is pretty pleasant, and I was by no means one to wail against the system, but I was definitely weird.  I was prone to overthinking things, then responding in often angry or violent ways.  These were acts of frustration directed at my own inability to express myself; they weren't sudden - they built up over time, and they were always a product of directing that anger inward, toward self-improvement.  But when you're a weird kid anyway, and kids can be cruel, sometimes you lash out.
  These outbursts didn't help in making or keeping friends, so I worked out something.  
My anger could be a tool.  That powerful energy surging through me could be focused on a task - yard work, writing, exercising, composing - something that took my whole focus, and I could perform furiously without incurring penalty.  Later, through meditation and the martial arts, I would continue to control and send this energy into work or words or mental clarity (after a little "primal scream therapy," that is).
  My anger was not "wrong," it just needed to be funneled into something useful.  As a barbarian, your Rage is only used effectively in combat, and is done beautifully.  The rest of the time, you can be an otherwise intelligent, if not dopey (in my case) adventurer in high-flying shenanigans.  
  But WHEN you get angry - and let's face it, there's a lot to be angry at - take a deep breath and focus that surge of energy on something useful.  Any berserker knows that if you don't pick your targets, you're a danger to yourself, your party, and your enemies all at once - and nobody wants that.  Wield it like the great axe it is, and change something that needs it, instead of destroying what's closest.

2) Physical Prowess and Confidence Can Power You Through

  I was never an athlete, but my physicality has always been very important to me.  I never like feeling physically weak, and once I learned how to do a proper push-up, no one was going to stop me, but momentum was difficult.  I would often shift between months of intense work outs, and months of inactivity and excuses.
  During the former, I was often alert, focused, and confident - even on the days that I wasn't prepared for things.  Keeping a consistent workout schedule, even with hang-ups, shortening workouts, and a lack of results (more on that when we talk about the Monk) - kept my confidence flowing.  I knew how much I could lift, how many miles I could run, and my overall fitness level at all times.  I knew I could make my way through most of what was being thrown at me because I knew my limits, and where I could push.
  In play, the barbarian can back up their tough talk because they're built to be tanks.  They can, like Grignor, power themselves and their party through tough situations if by nothing but a primal force of will and the confidence that they won't go down without one hell of a fight.

3) Emotion Is The Breath Of Life

  In lives of tact and social preparedness, moments of raw emotion are often avoided.  
Unfortunately, I feel, such moments - no matter how intense - reveal our humanity in one of its greatest forms.  We are emotional beings.  We feel, we change, we influence, we inspire, and we create - through the expression of those raw emotions.  Some of my best work was produced from deep sadness, introspection, or unbridled anger.  When we feel these extremes and let them flow as energy, we become capable of great things and great change.
  Barbarians wield their high emotions as fuel for their Rage, often citing distinct background traits or triggers, and all are tied to their inner-most feelings.  It is this level of feeling that can put people off, or set them aflame, but it is an important aspect that further illustrates the depth to which the barbarian cares.  
  We are complex beings, not one-trick ponies, and our loves and hates run much deeper than we think.  Do not fear them - let them flow, then reflect on what they might mean.

Swing low, sweet greatsword.
I'll see you at the table.
​-Adamus