Description
Dwarven battleragers, or kuldjargh ("axe idiots"), are legendary berserker warriors who can enter a battle frenzy through ritualistic singing. They are believed to have been touched by the dwarven gods of battle, who taught them that if they die in battle, they will return to Faerûn stronger than before as a just reward. Therefore, they have no fear of death. They are given to drinking, rowdy and boisterous singing, and drunken dancing. Battleragers command grudging, if fearful, respect within dwarven society, where they are known to have coined such philosophically complex dwarven maxims like "head first" and "if it moves, kill it." Most live short, glorious lives.While enraged, a battlerager's face becomes distorted and twisted. His teeth grind together as spittle flies from his mouth and dribbles down his beard. His eyes enlarge, bulge, and become bloodshot. Charging into battle, he bellows forth his clan or holy war song, throwing his hammers and axes all the way, before cleaving his foes with his mighty dwarven waraxe. In short, he becomes almost unstoppable. Battleragers are often covered from head to toe in body art, from tattoos to brands to ritual scars. They prefer to wear spiked armor.
Battleragers are usually single classed barbarians before taking the prestige class, though multiclass barbarian/fighters are also common. Barbarians/rangers and barbarian/clerics (known as "vindicators") are not uncommon as well. Other multiclass combinations are almost unheard of.
The battlerager fills a particular niche in dwarf society and culture. He is a fearless and impulsive warrior, able to enter into an insane rampage. Battleragers are ruthlessly used by dwarf generals for their shock power against attacking armies. NPC battleragers often come from a familial clan made up predominantly of battleragers. These clans often form guilds or halls within dwarven society, though these "guilds" are often more akin to a family or fraternal order. Regardless, battlerager guilds are often located on the fringes of dwarven society, kept out of view and away from easily influenced dwarven children, who often hear of the kuldjarghs' fearlessness but rarely their folly. While heroic battle is honored in dwarven society and battleragers often excel in this, more often than not they also epitomize lives wasted in stupid rage, something most dwarves realize they cannot afford in a world filled with orcs and goblins.
Alignment Restriction: Any nonlawful.
Hit Die: d12
Proficiencies: Battleragers gain Heavy Armor Proficiency.
Skill Points: 3 + INT modifier
Class Skills: All Knowledges, Barter, Bluff, Diplomacy, Discipline, Heal, Intimidate, Perception, Perform, Sense Motive, Taunt, Tumble.
Primary Saving Throws: Fortitude & Reflex
Base Attack Bonus: + 1 Levels
Requirements
- Race: Dwarf
- Skills: Intimidate 8 ranks, Taunt 6 ranks
- Feats: Cleave, Toughness, Power Attack.
- Base Attack Bonus: +5
- Special: Ability to Rage.
| Level | Hit Dice* | BAB* | Fort | Reflex | Will | Feat | Rage Cooldown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1d12 | +1 | +2 | +2 | +0 | Brawler (Overwhelming Critical (unarmed strike)), Close-Quarter Fighting (Improved Unarmed Strike & Improved Critical (unarmed strike)) | - |
| 2nd | 2d12 | +2 | +3 | +3 | +0 | Resist Poison, Gruff | - |
| 3rd | 3d12 | +3 | +3 | +3 | +1 | Fearless, Battlerage | - |
| 4th | 4d12 | +4 | +4 | +4 | +1 | Great Cleave, Iron Hide | -1 minute |
| 5th | 5d12 | +5 | +4 | +4 | +1 | Reckless Offense, Epic Toughness I | -1 minute |
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Close-Quarter Fighting: The battlerager gains the Improved Unarmed Strike and the Improved Critical (unarmed strike) feats.
Brawler: The battlerager gains the Overwhelming Critical (unarmed strike) feat. Additionally, his unarmed attacks deal an additional 2d6 bludgeoning damage.
Gruff: Battleragers are known to be rude, uncouth, and violent. They suffer a -2 penalty on all charisma skill checks, except for Intimidate skill checks. Additionally, they receive a +4 bonus on all Intimidate and Taunt skill checks.
Battlerage: While raging, the battlerager’s successful strikes allow them to make melee touch attacks against all nearby enemies, dealing 1d6 + STR modifier damage.
Fearless: Battleragers are immune to fear and similar effects. They also gain a +2 bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting effects.
Iron Hide: The battlerager's flesh has become so scarred and corded with muscle that they gain 10% physical damage immunity. In addition, they reduce the cooldown of their (barbarian) Rage ability by 1 minute.
Reckless Offense: The battlerager adorns their armor in spikes, twisting and thrashing about while enraged. While raging, each time the battlerager is struck with a melee attack, he deals 2d4 + STR modifier piercing damage to the attacking enemy