Third-Partystravaganza 8: Whitefur (Barbarian Archetype; Onyx Path and Nocturnal Publishing)
Emulating the fury and arctic adaptation of a polar bear, today we are looking at a barbarian that very much specializes in surviving the frozen north, as well as embodying the deadly nature of both the bears and the conditions of their habitat.
There are plenty of examples of characters emulating specific animals in first-party products, those this archetype makes a lot of sense. I imagine they might crop in arctic tribes that count bear shaman druids among their number.
Regardless, these barbarians emulate both the attack and defense of their totem, as well as adapting to and using the arctic climate to their advantage.
Fully mastering their icy home, these warriors not only are quite capable of surviving and traversing such places, but eventually they become sure-footed enough to ignore the slippery nature of icy terrain.
Though long-term exposure is still a problem, these barbarians become quite resistant to the chill of icy assault.
Emulating the grasp of a bear in their fighting style, foes have a hard time escaping their grip.
Finally, these braves learn a totemistic secret to channel their rage into an icy breath, harming foes and leaving them briefly overwhelmed. Foes they grapple cannot hope to escape such a blast.
With a little bit of arctic survivability this archetype is great for a polar adventure, and with their bonus to grapple and synergy with their breath weapon, I can imagine this archetype being used quite well with a grappling barbarian build, locking down foes in a grapple when possible.
While polar bears are fearsome predators of the arctic, it’s also important to remember that, like other bears, they are also well-known for the care and protection they give their young. As such, may whitefur barbarians are likely also protectors in addition to being infamously savage combatants.
Though not necessarily required for their abilities, it is traditional that every member of the Bearkin tribe hunt down one of their totem bears, either slaying it and taking its skin or merely subduing it, surviving its presense. However, occasionally the prospective braves run across deadly supernatural creatures that superficially resemble polar bears, such as the dreaded gnoph-keh or kokogiak.
Far from home and extremely out of place, the grippli pilgrim Erpo desires to meditate under the northern lights, channeling their energies into his mind and body. However, he will need an escort, as the Bear tribe is but the least of the concerns for anyone travelling out that far.
They say a primeval realm where dinosaurs and other beasts roam lies somewhere beyond the frozen mountains, where the whitefur barbarians forbid themselves to go, citing “Worms of terror” that guard it. Indeed, in addition to the saurian ecology, the hidden land is also home to many fey, including the fear eaters, who enjoy cultivating the taboo-inducing fear they foster in those beyond their supernaturally warm realm.
