Gunter, the Barbarian Mage

[MongoJerry]

After witnessing the surprising popularity of the adventures of Grizabella, I searched around for a new character to play whose adventures others might enjoy reading about. A couple of people on diabloii.net jokingly suggested that now that I had made a sorceress who fights with a sword that maybe I should make a barbarian who casts spells. I laughed and out of silliness I looked into the idea. At first I was skeptical, because the Trang-Oul's set is the only item that allows a barbarian to cast sorceress attack spells and it didn't seem powerful enough to kill things on its own. But then I noticed how all of the new barbarian Warcry synergies fit together and thought, "Hm... this might be possible -- really really hard, but possible...". As I thought about the character, I started creating a back story -- the misunderstood barbarian who always wanted to be a sorcerer but was laughed at by his family and tribe. When I realized that I kept coming back to the idea of this barbarian, I knew I had to play him.

The result is Gunter, the Barbarian Mage. He has focused exclusively on Warcries and passive barbarian skills. Except for the Trang-Oul's set that he was awarded on the completion of nightmare difficulty, he is completely untwinked and is using only equipment he found in the wilderness or bought from the shop. He's about to step into hell for the first time and I plan to keep everyone up to date on his progess like I did with Grizabella. I'll detail his specific build and equipment in my next post, but first here is his story.

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GUNTER, THE BARBARIAN MAGE

Gunter was a misunderstood barbarian. While his friends were honing their skills with weaponry, Gunter dreamed of becoming a powerful sorcerer. His friends ridiculed him and his father would hear none of Gunter's "ridiculous ideas" of studying magic. His father, an elder of Harrogath, was a powerful warrior in his day and felt that Gunter's antics were bringing shame on the family's house. The only one in Harrogath who seemed to understand Gunter's plight was the elderly Malah who had an unfulfilled dream of becoming a sorceress herself. She encouraged Gunter in his basic magical studies and told him not to give up on his dream.

Then came the day that changed Gunter's life forever. The head of the sorceress order, Esmerelda, came to visit Harrogath. Rumors of the rise of the Three Prime Evils was spreading and Esmerelda wanted to be sure that Harrogath was prepared to defend Mt. Arreat should the rumors turn out to be true. Malah introduced Gunter to Esmerelda and asked Esmerelda if she would allow Gunter to travel back with her to be tutored in the ways of magic. Esmerelda examined Gunter for a moment and delivered some terrible news. Gunter lacked the innate ability to harness the elements. Gunter could not study to become a sorcerer. Gunter was devastated by the news.

Esmerelda saw Gunter's reaction and took pity on him. She said, "There is another way you can become a sorcerer. The suits of armor worn by the legendary Trang-Oul can allow a person who cannot otherwise harness the elements to cast Firewalls under the feet of his opponents and cast Meteors down on his foes. The sorceress order has a set of this armor, but it is precious and cannot be given away lightly. You must go out into the world and perform deeds of courage and daring to prove your worthiness to wear the armor of Trang-Oul. But know this. If you are to become a sorcerer, you must eschew the combat skills and weapons masteries of your people. Instead, you may study only the passive skills and warcries that are native to your people for they have a magical element to them and will greatly aid you when you do become a sorcerer."

Gunter thanked Esmerelda profusely and immediately set out to demonstrate his worthiness to wear the legendary armor of Trang-Oul.









Gunter had many adventures and grew more powerful every day. While he may have used a sword or a mace to vanquish foes at times, Gunter heeded Esmerelda's warning not to study the weapon skills of his people. Eventually, his booming War Cry became so powerful that he abandoned the use of weapons entirely. At long last Gunter returned to Esmerelda and told her of his adventures. Esmerelda was impressed and true to her word, she presented Gunter with the legendary set of armor worn by Trang-Oul.

"You have performed mighty deeds indeed," said Esmerelda. "Your tale shows that greatness cannot be measured by power alone. One must also consider a person's courage and conviction. But I must warn you that the trials you have passed through are merely precursor to what lies ahead. Go now to the Rogue Monastery near Tristram. Rumors have spread that tell of unspeakable evil springing up in that fair land. These are dark times for Sanctuary. I suspect that you will be called upon to defend our world from the darkest of evils. The fate of the world may well rest in your hands."

And so begins the adventures of Gunter, the Barbarian Mage. What fate lies in store for this misunderstood barbarian?