Is a Ninja/Barbarian possible?

[Truth Seeker]

I like this idea. Visualize the ninja/barb's rage as him channeling ki and fury to get REALLY, REALLY pumped.

[sblock]

[/sblock]

This is the power mixed, you see?

 

[Truth Seeker]

"Yes Honored Grandfather."

"One of the chieftains of the steppes has insulted my honor. He must die."

"As you say grandfather."

"But, he msut die in true anguish. I wish you to join his tribe, befriend his family, then one day, years from now; you shall rise up & kill him. Let him see his killer's face. Let him know no one insults the honor the Grandfather of the Killing Lotus Clan."

"As you say, honored one."

Really. If you want to take the Fantasy ninja uber-killer route, what's so wrong with a ninja taking Barbarian levels? What better way to disguise yourself as a barbarian than to take levels in the class?

I have no problem with ANY ninja taking ANY class as a way to better serve his mission/lord/clan/etc. There are all sorts of fantasy stories about ninjas (and other assassins) living alternate lives for YEARS before finally attempting their mission.

The best way to 'Know thy enemy' id to 'Become thy enemy'.

So, a Ninja learing to harness the Rage of a barbarian? Seems pretty easy to me. If any class has the intensity/mindset to subsume one personality to take on another (and flip them on/off, or even combine them), Ninja would be it.

Bah! Gaijins always pevert our traditions...come, we will teach you, the true way.

 

[eyebeams]

Historically, the most famous ninja ryuha (family schools) existed in wilderness areas and were connected with shugendo (syncretic shinto/buddhist mysticism) and esoteric Buddhism. These families were considered to be less civilized than people in more urbane, lowland regions, and mountain msytics were more like charismatic shamans performing folks magic than the quasi-clerics you see in d20 games. Mikkyo (Buddhist esoteric spirituality) also involves exploring odd emotional states, as these are keys do different realsm of spiritual existence. Shugendo practice involves incredible feats of strength and endurance, including fast, long runs, enduring harsh weather and wilderness survival skills.

In this context, a ninja/barbarian is a warrior-mystic who's traded in organized espionage for the life of a warrior-ascetic who learns from anger, instead of trying to suppress it. His fast movement and toughness are both testaments to this training, as is the ability to channel his rage.

So there you go.

 

[pawsplay]

I do not think that the ki abilities, which reflect intense mental focus and reflection, can be used while raging. Currently, intelligence, charisma, and dexterity based skills can't be used while raging nor can abilities that require concentration or patience, nor spells, nor items that require a command word.

You can use sneak attack, Weapon Specialization, and Stunning Fist. The idea is that someone in a rage doesn't stop to think about things, not that they get stupid or forget how to fight. Ki abilities require neither concentration nor patience, just training.

As for becoming a barbarian later in life... I believe Drizzt is given a barbarian level or two, isn't he?