Barber

The roguish Barber is a tradition in the Land of Fate. One or more of them may be found in any bazaar, flashing their blades as well as their wit. Boldly they hawk their abilities and prowess‹often while performing said tasks on their customers.

The historical Barbers after which this discipline is modelled performed more than just haircutting and grooming. They also served as doctors and surgeons of modest skill. Their talent with blades accounted in part for this medical bent. Equally important, Barbers were well versed in the folk treatments and herbal medicines of the time. They learned of such things though long experience as well as by talking with customers.

Members of this discipline are founts of information. Like their predecessors, they gather much of their knowledge while practising their trade at the bazaar. Often Barbers can advise one on the best course of action; certainly they are eager to do so. Just as often, they may recommend a course of action that would prove disastrous if followed. Barbers are nearly always entertaining, but rarely are they all-knowing.

Role: Barbers are cunning, streetwise showmen, gifted with quick wit and a glib tongue. It is said they'll try to talk you out of more than just your gold; they'll also try for the pouch that holds it, the belt from which the pouch hangs, and the pants that are held up by the belt.

In folk tales, Barbers are often portrayed as mad or insane, threatening their customers with their tools, or, worse yet, driving customers to distraction with long, unproductive, meaningless stories, each of which digresses into another tale, and then another and another, thereby trapping the unfortunate customer, who becomes desperate for escape. Not all Barbers of Zakhara are mad, of course. But their reputation as being even a bit crazed helps ensure that their customers hold still for their ministrations. (Hence, a little deliberate flamboyance never hurts.) Furthermore, a touch of insanity suggests that Barbers know of what they speak when describing genies, their fabulous riches, and other wonders and phenomenon that could certainly leave a person addled.

Barbers are most common in cities, where they are tolerated for their ability as well as their knowledge of rumours, gossip, and potentially valuable information. Those who stay long in one place may or may not be held in great regard by the city's denizens. Mere Barbers have been known to parlay their common sense and advice into positions at the right hand of a local sultan, emir, or caliph. On the other hand, less astute and less fortunate Barbers have managed to make a muddle of their learning, and in doing so may barely escape town with their skins. (Of course, a few bunglers may escape with someone else's skin, too.) In game play, Barbers provide a way of introducing new information to the PCs, much as the standard tavern in other lands provides a starting point for adventures. Legends, rumours, tales of great riches‹all reach the ears of Barbers, who in turn relate these titbits to the deserving and the worthy.

Equipment: Barbers should always purchase a Barbering kit initially, or at least a straight razor. Each Barber also needs a blanket or carpet upon which to set up shop. If any gold remains after they've purchased equipment, they're free to lend it to other characters, charging whatever interest the market will bear.

Important Attributes: Charisma and Dexterity

Restrictions: Members of any non-genie race may be Barbers. However, Barbers of non-human races often specialise in treatments favoured by others of the same race. For example, Barbering elves do well with perfumes, while dwarves excel at beard braiding, halflings at pedicures and relaxing. Shaves and braided hair are popular, too. Some localities restrict female Barbers to attending women, and male Barbers to attending men‹particularly in areas where the clergy of the Faith Moralistic is powerful. (See the Imam discipline.)

Karma Ritual: The Barber needs a customer to perform his Karma ritual, all the while talking, joking and grooming in the usual manner of the Barber. If the ritual is to have any effect besides providing the Barber with Karma, the time for the Karma ritual adds to the usual half-hour the grooming itself takes. Many Barbers will gladly spend an hour on this, or even several, regardless of wether the customer is willing. The Karma Ritual does not prevent the Barber from using other talents and abilities against his ³client².

Artisan Skills: Any

FIRST CIRCLE

Talents

• Arcane Mutterings (D)
• Avoid Blow (D)
• Grooming (AQ) (D)
• Haggle
• Karma Ritual
• Rumour Mill (D)

SECOND CIRCLE

Talents

• Durability (6/4)
• Item History
• Pin (EDC) (D)

THIRD CIRCLE

Talents

• Evaluate (AQ)
• Healing (AQ) (D)

FOURTH CIRCLE

Karma: The Barber may spend Karma on any action involving Charisma only.

Talents

• Disguise
• Thread Weaving (D)

FIFTH CIRCLE

Social Defence: Increase the Social Defence of the Barber by one.

Talents

• Taunt
• Read And Write Language

SIXTH CIRCLE

Endless Tirade: By continually speaking, the Barber may extend the duration of Charisma-based talents indefinitely. The normal duration of such talents is increased from rounds to minutes. This is mainly intended for talents like Taunt and Arcane mutterings. While using Endless Tirade, the Barber may only use Charisma and Charisma-based talents.

Talents

• Melee Weapons
• Slough Blame (EDC) (D)

NTH CIRCLE

Karma: The Barber may spend a Karma point on any roll involving Perception only.

Talents

• Enduring Art (AQ)
• Shackle Shrug (AQ)

EIGHTH CIRCLE

Physical Defence: Increase the Physical Defence of the Barber by one.

Talents

• Evidence Analysis
• Picking Pockets (D)

NINTH CIRCLE

Razor Sharpness: Add three additional steps to damage when the Barber uses a razor as a weapon. A normal razor has damage step 1. They may also spend Karma on both attack and damage tests using the razor.

Talents

• Book Memory
• Divination
• Perceive Station (AQ)

TENTH CIRCLE

Spell Defence: Increase the Barber's Spell Defence by one.

Recovery Tests: The Barber gains one additional Recovery Test per day.

Talents

• Book Recall (D)
• Critical Hit (EDC) (D)

ELEVENTH CIRCLE

Karma: The Barber may spend Karma on any action using Dexterity or Perception only.

Talents

• Bardic Voice (EDC) (D)
• Blade Juggle (EDC) (D)

TWELFTH CIRCLE

Initiative: Increase the Barber's Initiative by 2 steps.

Talents

• Spirit Talk
• Wound Transfer (EDC)

THIRTEENTH CIRCLE

Hands of Life: By taking two points of damage (that can be healed normally), the Barber can use his hands to remove blemishes and scars, as well as cause hair to grow and perform other minor cosmetic effects. The Grooming talent is used.

Talents

• Business
• Genie Binding (AQ)

FOURTEENTH CIRCLE

Karma: Increase the Barbers maximum Karma pool by 25.

Talents

• Graceful Exit (D)
• Speak Language

FIFTEENTH CIRCLE

Social Defence: Increase the Barbers Social Defence by 2.

Physical Defence: Increase the Barbers Physical Defence by 1.

Talents

• Quickblade (EDC)
• True Sight