Brute

D&D 3e (3.0/3.5) Rules

by James O'Rance

Medium-size Humanoid (Ogre)
Hit Dice: 3d8+12 (25 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 30 ft.
AC: 20 (+10 natural)
Attacks: Longsword +8/+3 melee; or mighty composite longbow +2 ranged
Damage: Longsword 1d8+9, mighty composite longbow 1d8+3
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Qualities: Blue warpaint
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +4
Abilities: Str 22, Dex 11, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 16
Skills: Climb +8, Intimidate +5, Jump +8, Profession (herbalist) +4, Swim +8
Feats: Power Attack
Climate/Terrain: Temperate and warm land
Organisation: Solitary, pair, or patrol (5-20)
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Often chaotic evil
Advancement: By character class

The brutes are a humanoid race brought to Ansalon from a mysterious island on the far side of the Courrain Ocean. Brutes were rarely seen in Ansalon prior to Ariakan's conquest of Ansalon in the Summer of Chaos.

Brutes stand about seven feet tall, with muscular, bulky bodies, thickly bearded faces, and pointed ears like those of an elf. They prefer to wear nothing more than a leather weapons belt, but can be convinced to wear loincloths, and often tie feathers into their hair. Brutes are famous for the rich blue paint with which they cover their bodies in battle.

Lord Ariakan convinced the brutes that following the Dark Knights would allow them to follow a path to honour and glory, thus bringing them into the service of the Knights of Takhisis. Brutes understand Common, but speak no languages other than their own—a complex tongue that sounds like dogs growling.

Combat

Brutes are incredible warriors, with inhuman strength and ferocity. They have a natural sense for strategy and tactics—they take best advantage of any favourable conditions, and never allow themselves to be flanked. If brutes are not provided with combat regularly, they begin fights among themselves in order to keep the battle reflexes sharp.

Brutes usually fight with longswords and mighty composite longbows, although longspears, throwing axes, and short swords are also favoured. They fire arrows that make an eerie whistle as they fly, disturbing those who fight them.

Blue Warpaint (Su): The blue war paint grants each brute a +10 natural armour bonus and Fast Healing 1 (limit of 20 hp healing). This warpaint requires ten minutes to fully apply, and lasts for only one application. No brute will discuss the mixture that creates the paint, believing that it is a sacred formula.

Brute Characters

Brutes can become warriors, barbarians, or (rarely) fighters. Their favoured class is warrior (page 39 of the Dungeon Master's Guide); the leaders of their patrols tend to be barbarians.

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