Category: Social

Description: A savage is much like a Barbarian. Rather than living with a tribe, a savage lives a solitary existence. Many savages live in small family groups, but savages don't have social groups larger than that.

Savages are at an even lower level of technology than barbarians. Barbarians will have huts and possibly livestock. Savages live in caves (or worse) and have to spend most of them time hunting and gathering food.

It's possible to have people revert to savagery in a postapocalyptic world. In such a case, there might be savages wielding light sabers but living in holes in the ground.

Combat Technique: Savages have to be sneaky to hunt animals successfully. They usually rely upon some sort of guerilla warfare when possible.

Preferred Skills: Survival skills - savages must have more survival skills than anyone. Combat and hunting skills are also essential.

Benefit: Because they are so attuned to the natural world, savages should receive special bonuses when dealing with nature-related situations. This could be any of several things: an ability to sense danger, an ability to speak to animals, an ability to use herbs, immunity to disease caused by eating uncooked meat, or any number of other abilities. Exactly what abilities should be used should depend upon what's useful in the game world.

Disadvantage: Savages are primitive, so they can only have primitive equipment when they begin play. They can acquire better equipment later, but they are uncomfortable wearing armor that isn't made out of natural materials (such as leather). When wearing such army, they should suffer a small penalty to attack, damage, and skill rolls.

Also, their ignorance of civilized customs may cause them problems at time (primarily during interaction with civilized people).

Fictional Examples: Tarzan

Real World Examples:

Appropriate For: Anyone