Need help with a character concept...

[Tyger]

A northern shamanic barbarian. No, I don't want a Runescarred Berserker, I was thinking more of base cleric levels with barbarian... but I can't quite make it work in my head.

Books available is pretty much anything WotC and 3.5 (no Dragon mag stuff though) and level is currently 8-10ish.

I have some awesome ideas for RP, and have this look in my head, but can't make it work mechanically. Druid is out, we already have one in the party (though that could change too, the DM is running us through a meatgrinder of a trap filled dungeon!) but any suggestions are welcomed.

The optimization level of the party is variable, and I can do that fairly well myself - mostly just looking for class, PrC ideas that might fit that concept.

[Keld Denar]

You could blend a bit of Druid in with some Barbarian. Cast Shillelagh on your quarterstaff, Rage, and 2handed PA with it.

Otherwise, straight Druid with one of the UA ACFs that gets you rage and fast movement? Its a bit nerfed from normal Druid, but thats not really a bad thing...

[Kalaska'Agathas]

Can you use Pathfinder material? If so, you could go PF Barbarian (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/barbarian) 2/Oracle (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/oracle) 3/Rage Prophet (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/rage-prophet)10/whatever else 5 (I recommend more Oracle). This build would lose out on 8th and 9th level spells (though that may not be a problem for your concept) but it gives a definite 'Wild Shaman' sort of vibe. The classes would require some tweaks to fit 3.5, primarily their skills and the pre-reqs for Rage Prophet (just increase the skill requirements by 3 and you should be fine).

[Bonecrusher Doc]

What about Spirit Shaman, Adept, or Witch?

[gbprime]

Dragon Shaman perhaps?

Or Nentyar Hunter from Unapproachable East.

[Godskook]

Dragon Shaman perhaps?

Not a great class.

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@OP, what about a Totem Rager? Very "shaman" feel in that totemist has got some fairly druidic roots in their meldshaping.

[Kylarra]

Champion of Gwynharwyf might work, although it gets a really slow progression as far as actual spells go.

[Tyger]

Can you use Pathfinder material? If so, you could go PF Barbarian (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/barbarian) 2/Oracle (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/oracle) 3/Rage Prophet (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/rage-prophet)10/whatever else 5 (I recommend more Oracle). This build would lose out on 8th and 9th level spells (though that may not be a problem for your concept) but it gives a definite 'Wild Shaman' sort of vibe. The classes would require some tweaks to fit 3.5, primarily their skills and the pre-reqs for Rage Prophet (just increase the skill requirements by 3 and you should be fine).

Now this I like. We're playing 3.5, but this looks like it could be adaptable. Something to think about.

[Grelna the Blue]

Sentinel of Bharrai from BoXD could be a good choice (full caster progression, poor BAB advancement, bear shape at will at 3rd level, energy resistance), or Holt Warden from Complete Champion.

[Lord.Sorasen]

Totem barbarian seems like a natural fit.

How Northern are talking? I keep thinking snow and whatnot.. If you are then frostburn isn't a bad book to look through.

Perhaps bear warrior?

[Zaq]

What are the defining features of a "northern shamanic barbarian," in your mind? How magical are they? How heavily do they (ideally) use the standard barbarian tricks? Tell us what you want to do, and we can probably help you do it. Fluff is mutable, after all.

[Tyger]

That's a good question...

I am picturing a hulking northern warrior, stone axe over his shoulder and wrapped in furs. His strength is a legend among his tribe members, but even more so is his connection to the spirits/gods/ancestors that the tribe worships.

I like the idea of the bear warrior, tapping into the primal strength of the bear totem to take on its shape in combat. That one hadn't occurred to me before, but when I heard it, I loved it!

I have an idea that he has taken a vow of silence - well a vow of not-talking, so spell casting would be either through the Silent Spell feat, or through re-fluffing his magic to allow whistles and animal sounds for the Verbal components.

[Gnaritas]

Planar handbook has the Nonverbal Spell feat if i am mistaking, as well as the class Buomman (or something) that might fit your character.

[Eloel]

DMM Cleric, as always, can do it.

But what you're really looking for is here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/classes/psychicWarrior.htm).

[Gnaritas]

DMM Cleric, as always, can do it.

But what you're really looking for is here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/classes/psychicWarrior.htm).


Good point, the Psychic Warrior can easily be fluffed the way you want.