RETCON NOTE: This post replaces portions of "Savants of Monvesia," which previously incorporated elements from the earlier "Warrirors of Monvesia" post. See also "Warriors of Monvesia - Men-at-Arms."There are warriors whose power and ability exist beyond mere training as men-at-arms. Though paladins draw power from their faith and rangers from their esoteric knowledge, these classes are not much different than the fighter class--even the point of demonstrating many of t
he same combat styles. Barbarian and monks, however, are more ascetic in their approach to empowered combat. These classes have a more mystic appreciation of the combat arts.
The designation "mystic" is borrowed from the Rules Cyclopedia, which uses the term for its version of a monk-like class. It is not to be confused with the Mystic class which has been presented as an optional psionic class.
Enhancements to the class features of both these classes can be found in Unearthed Arcana.
Barbarian
Barbarians are spiritual warriors from various traditions. While each path is bound to a particular culture, followers of those paths are not bound to those cultures.
Totem Warriors often emerge from Galtic druidism, which is a naturalistic faith that venerates alimal guides and guardians. These sacred warriors typically accompany and protect druids of the Circle of the Shepherd--though many barbarians of this path exist beyond the religious community as well.
Totem Warriors often emerge from Galtic druidism, which is a naturalistic faith that venerates alimal guides and guardians. These sacred warriors typically accompany and protect druids of the Circle of the Shepherd--though many barbarians of this path exist beyond the religious community as well.
New options for the totem warrior can be found in the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide.The Beast (Unearthed Arcana) draws on the same Galtic tradition as the Totem Warrior; with sacred warriors of this path more commonly associated with the Circle of the Moon. As with their counterparts above, barbarians of this path are not bound to "religious service" (though they are often considered the equivalent of Paladins).
The Shepherd/Totem and Moon/Beast dichotomy among Galtic druidism may represent an orthodox/heterodox schism in the original tradition. Which as much as the tw denominations have in common, they are dissimilar in in key doctrinal and practical areas.
