Barbarian Steppe Scythian

According to Herodotus :
‘For when men have no established cities or fortresses, but all are house-bearers and mounted archers, living not by tilling the soil but by cattle-rearing and carrying their dwellings on wagons, how should these not be invincible and unapproachable?’ (Histories, Book 4)

Overview

The Scythians (Σκύθης, Σκύθοι Skythoi) are a barbarian culture of the North. They have always maintained a certain independence from civilisation - keeping to themselves at the top of the Western Reach. They are a horse-riding, semi-nomadic group of Barbarians, but they number only a few thousand in population. Their heritage is that of Hercules, and they claim that the lands are blessed by Apollo the Far Shooter and that it never runs bare of game or fruits. The climate is perfect all year round.

Alliances

The Scythians have an informal agreement with the civilizations in the area - and largely keep to themselves but do trade on a very regular basis into the towns of the area.

Languages

The Doric Triglots - three highly related (some would say identical) languages are spoken on the Western Reach. These are ancient forms of language that go back to earlier ages. Barbarians here speak Scythian, this is actually derived from the speech of Hercules himself, which is itself the language of Doric. However, the naming of a spoken language as 'Doric' is not permitted. The Scythians consider Doric a sacred language. So in this regard, the Scythians speak Scythian, which is mutually intelligible with Herculean, another language of the region, and both are linked strongly to Doric. So a speaker of one - can be easily understood in the other two 'dialects'.

Scythians are directly descended from Hercules, and they are proud of this connection. The languages are effectively the same, a character with one of them who spends 3 months or more in a rural or urban area will pick up the other one automatically.

Birthright Selection

The Scythians choose the Way of the Horse as their main war-training method. After this stage they then have three directions within which they can train. Some choose the Way of the Eagle, others choose the Way of the Wolf, but many choose to remain on the Way of the Horse as they progress further in the ways of war. The Scythian must then choose to maintain their following of the Way of the Horse, or change and enter into either the Way of the Eagle or the Way of the Wolf.These choices are very sacred and it is rumored that the Eagle and Wolf Ways can both result in a special companion being gained for the Barbarian. However, such Barbarians entering into civilised areas always leave their animals out of the city - so none have been openly witnessed.

Those that choose the way of the Eagle are seen to carry on the idea that Hercules was a son of Zeus - and are mastering the Eagle as a way of gaining his favor.

Those that master the Way of the Wolf are seen as carrying on the idea that it was Hercules and his dog that led to the founding of the city of Tyre.

A Scythian at level 5 who has entered into the Way of the Eagle or the Way of the Wolf are allowed to wear something dyed with Tyrian Purple, which they are recognised as the main providers of to society. A Scythian who maintains their following of the Way of the Horse may use a Tyrian Purple Sash as a sign of their honor.

The Scythian warrior is said to be born in the saddle and that when a Scythian is born, an Arrow leaps from it's quiver, and the bow hums.

All Scythian warriors start with a mount automatically, these will be of the highest quality. If the character has Horse Selection as a skill than the specialised Hestur steed is available to that character.

Common Character Kits used by the Scythians, other than the Barbarian character, include:

FALCONER (WAY OF THE EAGLE FROM BIRTH)-Ranger - PHRB11 Complete Book of Rangers (62)

GUARDIAN (WAY OF THE HORSE) -Ranger - PHRB11 Complete Book of Rangers (62)

STALKER (called a GREENWAYS WALKER) -Ranger - PHRB11 Complete Book of Rangers (73)

BUCCANEER -Rogue - PHRB2 Complete Book of Thieves (34)


PIRATE/OUTLAW -Warrior - PHRB1 Complete Book of Fighters (30)


WILDERNESS WARRIOR -Warrior - PHRB1 Complete Book of Fighters (35)


EXPLORER -Ranger - PHRB11 Complete Book of Rangers (49)


PATHFINDER -Ranger - PHRB11 Complete Book of Rangers (67)


SCOUT - Rogue - PHRB1 Complete Book of Thieves (37)

Barbarian Class Non-Weapon Proficiencies

The Scythian Barbarian may choose the following Rogue related Non Weapon Proficiencies:

Animal Noise 1 Wisdom -1 The Complete Thief's Handbook (pg. 16) CThief 16


Venom Handling 1 Wisdom -2 The Complete Book of Necromancers (pg. 23)

Tumbling 1 Dexterity 0 Player's Handbook (pg. 64) PHB 64

Scythian Barbarian Only Non-Weapon Proficiencies

Etched Blade

All adventuring Barbarians Gain some form of Weapon-forging or enhancing as a part of their training - indeed it is often the reason why they start adventuring - in order to obtain the materials needed to forge an amazing weapon for which they will be renowned. In the case of the Scythians it is the Blade Etching skill that allows the development of their Weapon of Renown.


Blade Etching 1 Dexterity +2 Blade Etching skill


THE WAY OF THE HORSE:

A Scythian is a natural Horse master.


Any Scythian Barbarian at 5th level will gain a Mount Quest - like a Paladin, which will allow them to seek out and capture a Scythian Hestur Mount with five gait abilities.

However, from the start the Scythian Barbarian automatically gains the following three Non Weapon Proficiencies (Free):

Riding, Land-based 1 Wisdom 3 Player's Handbook (pg. 62) PHB 62


Animal Training (Horse) 1 Wisdom 0 Player's Handbook (pg. 56) PHB 56


Animal Lore 1 Intelligence 0 Player's Handbook (pg. 56) PHB 56

Beyond this, other Non Weapon Proficiencies must be purchased as normal - unless stated otherwise.


By Level 3 they are expected to have learned:
Direction Sense 1 Wisdom 1 Player's Handbook (pg. 56) PHB 56, and


Fire-building 1 Wisdom -1 Player's Handbook (pg. 58) PHB 58


By level 5 they are expected to gain:
Animal Handling 1 Wisdom -1 Player's Handbook (pg. 56) PHB 56

They also receive their Mount Quest, and after gaining the mount they may then choose to enter into the Way of the Eagle, they must then learn:


Falconry 1 Wisdom -1 The Complete Ranger's Handbook (pg. 83) CRang 83

OR
They choose to enter into the Way of the Wolf, in which case they must learn:

Animal Training (Dogs and Wolves) 1 Wisdom 0 Player's Handbook (pg. 56) PHB 56

OR they may remain as a warrior of the horse, and be designated as a Horse Master: in which case they may learn:

Riding, Horse Specialization 1 Wisdom 4 Al-Qadim Arabian Adventures (pg. 76) AlQadim 76



By level 7 the Scythian Barbarian must gain:
Weather Sense 1 Wisdom -1 Player's Handbook (pg. 65) PHB 65

Encompassed species

• Horses - Scythian Hester
• Human - Atlantean

Related Items

• Barbarian Weapon of Renown
• Weaponising Flask