D20 Brutal Barbarian Backstory Ideas

In this post, we’ll be delving into some ideas for barbarian characters in the realm of Dungeons and Dragons. From frozen tundra clans to nomadic werebears, we’ve got a broad range of ideas to choose from. So if you’re seeking to create a one-of-a-kind and memorable barbarian character for your next D&D campaign, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s delve into the savage world of barbarian backstories.

D20 Barbarian Backstory Rollable Table

1. Born and raised in a harsh, frozen tundra, you were forced to fight for survival from a young age. You eventually became the leader of your tribe, but were betrayed and left for dead during a hunting expedition. You were rescued by a group of dwarves, who taught you the ways of metalworking and helped you hone your combat skills.
2. As a child, you were taken from your family by a group of raiders and sold into slavery. You spent years toiling in the mines, until you finally managed to escape during a slave revolt. You have spent the years since then roaming the land, using your strength and fighting prowess to defend the weak and oppressed.
3. You grew up in a wealthy merchant family, but were always drawn to the thrill of adventure. Against you left your privileged life behind to seek out danger and excitement, eventually becoming a renowned warrior and leader among the barbarian tribes.
4. Your tribe was decimated by a group of dragons, who took pleasure in destroying everything in their path. You were the only survivor, and have dedicated your life to hunting and slaying dragons in revenge.
5. You were orphaned at a young age, and taken in by a group of nomadic barbarians. You learned the ways of the tribe, and became a skilled warrior and hunter. You eventually rose to become the leader of your tribe, but were forced to flee after a rival tribe attempted to overthrow you.
6. You were born with a natural talent for magic, but your powers were considered taboo among your tribe. You were cast out and left to fend for yourself, eventually finding acceptance among a group of arcane-savvy barbarians.
7. You were once a member of a highly advanced civilization, but were exiled for your rebellious nature and refusal to conform to societal norms. You have spent the years since then roaming the land, using your intelligence and strategic planning to survive and thrive in the wilderness.
8. You were born into a tribe of werebears, and were trained from a young age in the ways of the beast. You eventually left your tribe to explore the world and learn new fighting styles, but always feel a deep connection to your primal roots.
9. You were a member of a peaceful tribe, until you were invaded and conquered by a rival group. You were taken as a prisoner of war, and spent years being subjected to brutal training and conditioning. You eventually managed to escape, and have dedicated your life to freeing your people and reclaiming your homeland.
10. You were born with a deformity that made you an outcast among your tribe. You were forced to fend for yourself, and turned to a life of crime to survive. You eventually joined a group of mercenaries, and used your strength and cunning to rise through the ranks and become a respected leader.
11. You were born into a tribe of shape-shifters, and were trained in the art of stealth and deception. You eventually left your tribe to explore the world and learn new forms, using your abilities to infiltrate enemy strongholds and gather information.
12. You were the only survivor of a plague that wiped out your entire village. You were left alone in the wilderness, and were forced to rely on your primal instincts to survive. You eventually stumbled upon a group of barbarians, who took you in and taught you the ways of the warrior.
13. You were the leader of a powerful barbarian clan, but were betrayed and ousted by a rival seeking to take your place. You have spent the years since then wandering the land, gathering a group of loyal followers and seeking revenge against those who wronged you.
14. You were born into a brutal, warlike tribe, and were taught from a young age to embrace violence and bloodshed. You eventually became the leader of your clan, but were betrayed and left for dead during a raid. You have spent the years since then wandering the land, using your strength and ferocity to exact revenge against those who wronged you.
15. You were orphaned at a young age, and taken in by a group of barbarians who lived for battle and conquest. You quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the most feared and respected warriors in the tribe.
16. You were once a member of a peaceful, agrarian society, until your village was raided and burned to the ground by a group of bandits. You were the only survivor, and have spent the years since then hunting down the bandits and seeking revenge for the destruction of your home.
17. You were born with a natural talent for magic, but your powers were considered a curse by your tribe. You were cast out and left to fend for yourself, eventually finding acceptance among a group of barbarians who saw your abilities as a valuable asset in battle.
18. You were born into a tribe of werebears, and were trained from a young age in the ways of the beast. You eventually left your tribe to explore the world and learn new fighting styles, but always feel a deep connection to your primal roots.
19. You were a member of a powerful barbarian clan, but were forced to flee after a rival tribe attempted to overthrow you. You have spent the years since then roaming the land, gathering a group of loyal followers and seeking to reclaim your rightful place as leader.
20. You were born into a tribe of shape-shifters, and were trained in the art of stealth and deception. You eventually left your tribe to explore the world and learn new forms, using your abilities to infiltrate enemy strongholds and gather information.

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Our Tips for Playing a Barbarian

1. Embrace your character’s rage and use it to fuel your attacks. Remember that barbarians have access to the Rage ability, which increases their damage output but also imposes a penalty to their armor class. Use this ability wisely to maximize its effectiveness.
2. Don’t be afraid to use your Hit Dice to heal yourself during combat. Barbarians have a high number of Hit Dice, which means they have a lot of potential to heal themselves during combat.
3. Take advantage of your character’s Unarmored Defense ability. This allows you to add your Constitution modifier to your AC, which can help keep you alive in combat.
4. Make sure to select the right spells and abilities for your character. As a barbarian, you have access to a number of powerful spells and abilities that can help you in combat, such as the ability to knock enemies prone or move quickly across the battlefield.
5. Don’t neglect your character’s non-combat abilities. While barbarians are primarily focused on combat, they also have skills like Survival and Intimidation that can come in handy in certain situations.
6. Use your character’s mobility to your advantage. Many barbarian abilities, such as Reckless Attack and Brutal Critical, allow you to move around the battlefield and take out enemies from different angles.
7. Remember that barbarians have a limited number of rages per day. Make sure to use your rages wisely and save them for when they will be most effective.
8. Keep an eye on your character’s hit points. Barbarians have a high amount of hit points, but they can still be taken down if they aren’t careful. Make sure to use your hit dice and other healing abilities to keep yourself in the fight.
9. Don’t be afraid to use your character’s brute strength to solve problems. Whether it’s breaking down a door or lifting a heavy object, a barbarian’s strength can come in handy in a variety of situations.
10. Have fun playing your character! Barbarians are fierce and bold characters, and can be a lot of fun to play. Embrace your character’s personality and make the most of their abilities in combat and role-play situations.

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What is your Barbarians Backstory?

Comment Below!