Berserker

"I never in my life saw something like that. I’ve faced down orcs, zombies, even a dragon once, but I never imagined I’d almost die at the hands of a man who seemed to be made up of all three!"
——Darius Valasko, retired adventurer.

Barbarians are well known for their savagery in combat. However, the legends told in more civilized areas of the almost inhuman prowess and reckless disregard for life displayed by these warriors, who can supposedly defeat small armies single handedly, destroy buildings in moments, and conquer giant beasts with fearless tenacity, are owed to the feats of Berserkers. Much like how a king has many soldiers and few knights, the people of the plains have Barbarians, and then every tribe has but a few Berserkers.

The Berserker is a three stage Talent.

Berserker I

The Berserker has accepted to trade the complete loss of control in exchange for even greater power and mastery of violence. They can cover greater distances when attacking, their attacks become far stronger while in a blind rage, and they are almost unreachable by inconveniences like fear and sympathy. This also means that they cannot distinguish friend from foe until they are able to slay all their enemies, or calm themselves down enough to regain their sanity.

Prerequisites

  • Martial Rank 5
  • Barbaric Rage Class Feature
  • Cost: 3 Destiny Points

Features

♦ Raging Charge
While raging, when you Charge an opponent, increase the distance of your Skirmish or Sprint movement by 20ft.
♦ Blind Rage
You gain the Blind Rage ability.
Blind Rage
Berserker Class Feature
Prerequisites: You must have the Barbaric Rage class feature.
No Action
Limitation: Once per rest.
Trigger: You are utilizing the Barbaric Rage ability.
Effect: Your rage becomes limitless and all consuming. For the duration of your Barbaric Rage, you no longer recognize friend from foe, attacking all creatures in your midst with abandon. During your Barbaric Rage, you must take the following actions (in order):
  1. Attack the closest creature within your reach. If two creatures are potential targets, roll randomly to determine who is attacked.
  2. If no creature exists within reach, move towards the nearest creature (Lunging or Charging if possible).
  3. If you are subject to a Status Effect that prevents you from attacking or moving, use the Recovery Action to attempt to Save against that effect.
  4. If no creatures exist within Line of Perception, your Barbaric Rage ends.

While in a Blind Rage, you are required to upkeep your Barbaric Rage ability (providing you have enough energy to do so). At the end of each round you may make a free Saving Throw [ST 3d10 vs WIS] to end the Rage. Otherwise, your Blind Rage will continue until you no longer perceive any creatures within the area. Alternatively, if you do not have enough energy to upkeep your Barbaric Rage, the rage automatically ends.

For the duration of your Blind Rage, you also gain the following benefits (in addition to the normal Barbaric Rage benefits):

  • +1 WD bonus to Melee Attacks.
  • Gain a +10% bonus to Critical Strike Chance.
  • Gain one additional Fury per round.
  • Gain one Fury when you reduce a creature to 0 hitpoints.
  • You are Immune to Morale Damage and Morale based effects.
  • You are Immune Fear or Charm effects.
  • You cannot use Social Skills and are immune to any abilities that require a Social Skill Check.
Master Augment, Manic Rage
[Berserker II]
Effect: Your Blind Rage gains the following additional benefits:
  • Gain an additional +1 WD bonus to Melee Attacks (bringing the total bonus to +2 WD).
  • Gain an additional +10% bonus to Critical Strike chance (bringing the total bonus to +20%).
  • You are now Immune to the Dazed and Stunned conditions.
Master Augment, Frenzied Rage
[Berserker III]
Effect: Your Blind Rage gains the following additional benefits:
  • Gain an additional +1 WD bonus to Melee Attacks (brining the total bonus to +3 WD).
  • Gain an additional +10% bonus to Critical Strike chance (bringing the total bonus to +30%).
  • You are now immune to all Mind-Affecting abilities.
  • You are now Immune to the Stupefied condition.

Berserker II

The Berserker no longer understands concepts meant for lesser beings, such as pain and death. Their attacks become more devastating, and transcend even further beyond the limits of emotion and focus.

Prerequisites

  • Berserker I
  • Martial Rank 6
  • Cost: 2 Destiny Points

Features

♦ Painless Rage
While Raging, you are Immune to the effects of Pain. When your Rage ends, you become immediately susceptible to any Pain effects imposed before or during your Rage.
♦ Deathless Rage
Your Barbaric Rage and Blind Rage no longer ends if you are Disabled. Additionally, while Disabled you are no longer Staggered and you do not grant an Advantage.

Berserker III

The Berserker is now sustained by the anger they have mastered. It is as easy for them to invoke as breathing, and in this chaos they have found strength. The Berserker can constantly reinvigorate themselves regardless of their wounds, and even when their rage ends, they are still filled with seething intensity. Instead of being tired after a rage, the Berserker is now constantly alert, always ready for the next moment that they may unleash their fury!

Prerequisites

  • Berserker II
  • Martial Rank 7
  • Cost: 2 Destiny Points

Features

♦ End of Weariness
When you end a Rage, you no longer gain Fatigue.
♦ Invigorating Rage
You gain the Invigorating Rage ability.
Invigorating Rage
Berserker Class Feature
Immediate Action
Cost: 1 Fury
Effect: You gain Temporary Hitpoints equal to [3 x Martial Rank].