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Northman (Dragon 172)
| Ability Requirements: | Strength 14 |
| Prime Requisites: | Strength |
| Races Allowed: | Only humans may be nomads. |
| Alignments Allowed: | Any |
Description: The northman is a warrior from the cold fjords and mountains of the far north (obviously, he can be from the far south, too, and be known as a "southman'). In our own history, we can draw on the example of the Vikings. Northman lands are poor for farming, so the northmen take to he sea and raid warmer lands for food and treasure. Northmen are superb and daring sailors. Although they seem similar to the barbarians, northmen have a real civilization. They make excellent boats, armor, and weapons. Northmen are physically large, much more so than other peoples. They have pale skin, blue or gray eyes, and blonde or red hair. Rangers and fighters may be northmen, but paladins may not. When rolling height and weight, the player should use the above average random rolls.
Role: As with other cultures, northmen have a variety of attitudes. Some are chaotic and carefree, while others are grim and fatalistic. All have a zest for combat. Northmen adventurers are easily noticeable out of their home environment because of their size and appearance. Nobles often hire them as personal guards. Northmen are loyal to the death if they vow service to a chief or employer.
Secondary Skills: The sailor skill is appropriate.
Weapon Proficiencies: Required: battle axe, long sword. If the PC is a fighter and wishes to specialize, he must choose one of these above two weapons for specialization. Recommended: short bow, knife, spear, hand axe.
Nonweapon Proficiencies:Bonus proficiencies: Swimming, Seamanship. Recommended: Navigation, Survival (cold), Endurance, Rope Use, Fishing.
Equipment: Northmen are disdainful of armor heavier than chain mail and often wear armor lighter than that. In combat, they prefer large shields. A northman's goal in life often is to command a longship with full crew, either hired or volunteers, and go raiding to gain land and treasure. Ultimately, he wants to die gloriously in battle.
Recommended Traits: Direction Sense.
Benefits: The benefit of being a northman lies in his bonus proficiencies. In addition to being a fine swimmer, the northman is skilled in oars, sails, and keelboats.
Hindrances: Because of their raiding reputation, northmen have a +3 penalty on reaction rolls when in lands of the people who suffer from their raids.
Wealth: Northmen receive the normal 5d4 X 10 gp.
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