D&D 5E (2014) Is there a literary or film archetype for the Ancestral Guardian barbarian or other subclasses???

[tommybahama]

I often wondered where they came up with the idea of an Ancestral Guardian barbarian. Is it from a book or film? I thought it might help role playing the special abilities if I knew how it was originally described rather than defaulting to, "I use my reaction on spirit shield."

If anybody has a list of the archetypes for the other subclasses then I'd be interested in those as well.

Thanks!

 

[MechaTarrasque]

I picture it similar to when Valeria's ghost saves Conan in the 1982 Conan the Barbarian movie.

 

[tommybahama]

Thank you for the reference. I watched the movie last night and the scene you mentioned plus the one where his friends had to fight the spirits to revivify Conan after his crucifixion were the kinds of inspiration I was looking for.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

I figure the PC having to pay attention to grandpa's ghost going "watch your back boy" or "what are you doing fighting when I don't have any grandkids yet?" is what uses the reaction.

I wish the "you have a variant of a concentration spell going while raging" type of barbarian subclass had seen more use. Arms of Hadar seems like they would make for an interesting possessed barbarian subclass.....

 

[humble minion]

I've always had trouble with the Ancestral Protectors ability of the Ancestral Guardian, myself.

You hit someone, and then your ancestral spirits make it harder for them to hit in return - unless they target you. Just seems counterintuitive. Why do your ancestors care about random other people, but not you? Did you forget grandad's birthday and his ghost holds a grudge or something?

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I've always had trouble with the Ancestral Protectors ability of the Ancestral Guardian, myself.

You hit someone, and then your ancestral spirits make it harder for them to hit in return - unless they target you. Just seems counterintuitive. Why do your ancestors care about random other people, but not you?

You are supposed to be a mighty warrior! Of course your ancestors want you to get all the glory!

 

[tommybahama]

Here's the clips from Conan if anyone's interested:

Valeria's "Spirit Shield":


Higher-resolution versions were blocked by YouTube from offsite viewing due to violence.

Mako's "Ancestral Protectors":