D&D 5E Al-Qadim Rogue Barber

[rgoodbb]

In 5^th edition, how would one build an Al-Qadim Rogue Barber?

In 2nd edition Al-Qadim, the Barber Rogue was a subclass of both the Thief and the Bard, and a very interesting character IMHO. I love that a subclass could be picked up from two separate classes, almost like a background.

Assuming Rogue or Bard, you are looking at a Lore or Valour Bard or (I presume) an Arcane Trickster.
· Good with Razor Blades (or knives)
· Backstreet surgeon and herbal healer
· Sly with persuasion and deception
· Knowledge of lore, gossip, fables and storytelling.
So are we looking at good Dex for the blades, good Cha for the storytelling, persuasion and deception and good Int for the lore/knowledge side of things?

I suppose you could dip 1 level of life/knowledge Cleric or go fast hands/healer feat human to cover all the bases but an actual subclass would help immensely.

The race screams Variant Human or Half-Elf to both cover the stats, skills and languages if you wanted to optimise

If Bard, Charm person/suggestion etc. spells might be ideal

What personality traits would you add (especially flaws)

Ps. I really hope that Al-Qadim or Dark Sun gets some support soon!

 

[aco175]

You could make it a 3rd level character path. If it was thief in 2nd edition, I may keep it there and add abilities to make it what you want but keep it from becoming Arcane Trickster. I would be interested in a partial healer thief rather than a partial mage trickster. although the bard could fit the bill with partial healer and partial mage.

 

[Ath'kethin]

I'd make it a background. There is no need for it to be a subclass.

 

[Mouseferatu]

I'd make it a background. There is no need for it to be a subclass.

I was just about to say something like this. Everything about the barber can be recreated using existing rogue subclasses, the right background, and maybe a feat. And I wouldn't even go with arcane trickster. The barber doesn't need magic, and certainly no more magic than you could get with a feat.

 

[guachi]

Either a background or a lightly modified Arcane Trickster similar to how the College of Swords Bard from the Kits of Old UA is a lightly modified Valor Bard. Maybe combine the two by picking or creating a recommended background for the Barber (conveniently called Barber)

Pick something to replace the 3rd level AT ability - probably something to do with healing for the bonus healing proficiency Barber's get.

The background could get two of (yes, I know backgrounds have set skills. I guess you could roll them into the 3rd level ability with healing but that seems a bit much) performance, persuasion, arcana, history. For the two languages/tools/instruments pick two of one language, gaming kit, disguise kit.

The Special Benefit of learning about magical items doesn't seem useful. I don't know how you could replace that with something useful. You could replace the 9th level Magical Ambush feature with.... I dunno.

The 13th level AT ability Versatile Trickster is an enhancement to mage hand so mimic that by enhancing the new 3rd level healing ability somehow (more heals/better heals)

 

[rgoodbb]

OK. How does this sound?

BACKGROUND: BARBER
The Barber is an odd individual. On the outside they are loud and talkative barbers ideally situated in crowded bazaars and on busy street corners. With Proficiency, a Barber can make a moderate living. But on the inside they can be something quite different indeed. They make excellent spies, assassins, gatherers of magical folklore, weavers of deception and dissent but also hush-hush backstreet surgeons.

Skill Proficiencies: Medicine and one from either Arcana, Deception, History or Sleight of Hand
Tool Proficiencies: A Baber’s Kit
Languages: 1 Language of your choice
Equipment: A barber’s kit, a healer’s kit, a set of common clothes, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp
Barber’s kit; 2 x Cut throat razors, a shoulder towel, a shaving brush and soap and a hanging strop for maintaining the razors edge.

FEATURE: GOSSIP AND LORE
Thanks to your profession, you are privy to all sorts of interesting information. Customers just seem to open up to you and need little cajoling to impart more. You are also experienced in sending and receiving secret messages whilst performing your service.

SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
d8 Personality Traits
1 When I acquire good Information, I spice it up tenfold and send it back out camouflaged
2 I am always in a position where I can shut up shop and move on at the first sign of trouble
3 I am always on the lookout for gossip, especially of magical items
4 I weave stories and untruths within normal customer conversation
5 I am always ready to stabilise a dying rebel whose cause is aligned with mine
6 I enjoy invisibly subverting the law right in front of their faces
7 When I first set up shop, I give local storekeepers a free shave to spread the word
8 The best place to hide is in the open

(Ideals, Bonds and Flaws are yours to choose from other backgrounds)

 

[Ath'kethin]

OK. How does this sound?

BACKGROUND: ROGUE BARBER
The Rogue Barber is an odd individual. On the outside they are loud and talkative barbers ideally situated in crowded bazaars and on busy street corners. With Proficiency, a Barber can make a moderate living. But on the inside they can be something quite different indeed. They make excellent spies, assassins, a gatherers of magical folklore, weavers of deception and dissent but also hush-hush backstreet surgeons.

Skill Proficiencies: Medicine and one from either Arcana, Deception, History or Sleight of Hand
Tool Proficiencies: A Baber’s Kit
Languages: 1 Language of your choice
Equipment: A barber’s kit, a healer’s kit, a set of common clothes, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp
Barber’s kit; 2 x Cut throat razors, a shoulder towel, a shaving brush and soap and a hanging strop for maintaining the razors edge.

FEATURE: GOSSIP AND LORE
Thanks to your profession, you are privy to all sorts of interesting information. Customers just seem to open up to you and need little cajoling to impart more. You are also experienced in sending and receiving secret messages whilst performing your service.

SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
d8 Personality Traits
1 A private shaving is always a good way to slit a throat
2 I am always in a position where I can shut up shop and move on at the first sign of trouble
3 I am always on the lookout for gossip, especially of magical items
4 I weave stories and untruths within normal customer conversation
5 I am always ready to stabilise a dying rebel whose cause is aligned with mine
6 I enjoy invisibly subverting the law right in front of their faces
7 When I first set up shop, I give local storekeepers a free shave to spread the word
8 The best place to hide is in the open

(Ideals, Bonds and Flaws are yours to choose from other backgrounds)

I'd focus a little less on throat-slitting, since that isn't a huge part of the concept/archetype, but aside from that I like it.

You also just might name the background "Barber," since it isn't very 5e to limit things to certain classes (even implicitly).

Overall I'm in.

 

[rgoodbb]

I'd focus a little less on throat-slitting, since that isn't a huge part of the concept/archetype, but aside from that I like it.

You also just might name the background "Barber," since it isn't very 5e to limit things to certain classes (even implicitly).

Overall I'm in.

Agreed. Done and done.

 

[Ath'kethin]

Agreed. Done and done.

Nice (though I'm not sure what "throat cut razors" are). I'd use this in my campaign, no problem.

 

[rgoodbb]

Nice (though I'm not sure what "throat cut razors" are). I'd use this in my campaign, no problem.

Cut throat razor



Although historically this is probably out by many, many centuries, It's fantasy.