Scavenger

The Quintessential Barbarian
Author Robert Schwalb
Series Quintessential Series
Publisher Mongoose Publishing
Publish date 2003

Cowards, thieves, carrion, these barbarians are the weak and despised. Fearing for their lives, they lack the iron resolve to wage war with their brethren, instead hiding in the rear ranks, waiting for the conflict to subside so they might acquire the choice pick of the battle’s spoils. It is not for a lack of martial ability. It is simply because they would rather steal from the dead, who usually offer little danger to these thieves. The scavenger, in a party of adventurers, will rarely leap to the fore in combat, usually waiting to make use of his ambush tactics. A number of reasons drive scavengers to this miserable fate. Dishonour, disease, disfigurement and, in some harsher cultures, disability, are all possible causes for the scavenger’s febrile need to acquire the leavings of war.

The scavenger Non-Player Character is despicable and traitorous. He hates himself, but his need for Survival drives him to the depths of depravity, killing dying soldiers for a mere handful of coppers and looting stores for food and supplies. The scavenger is a base creature, having no regard for anyone other than himself.

Hit Die: d8

Requirements

To qualify to become a scavenger, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Alignment: Any evil
Skills: Appraise 4 ranks, Hide 4 ranks, Move Silently 4 ranks and Sleight of Hands 4 ranks
Feats: Dodge, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (Dagger)
Class Abilities: Rage 1/day, Sneak Attack +1d6, Uncanny Dodge (Dexterity bonus to AC)

Class Skills

The scavenger’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Intelligence), Bluff (Charisma), Disable Device (Intelligence), Escape Artist (Dexterity), Hide (Dexterity), Listen (Wisdom), Move Silently (Dexterity), Open Lock (Dexterity), Sleight of Hand (Dexterity) and Search (Intelligence).

Skill points at each level: 4 + Intelligence modifier.

Scavenger
Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special
1	+0	+0	+2	+0	Sneak Attack +1d6
2	+1	+0	+3	+0	Ambush
3	+1	+1	+3	+1	Sneak Attack +2d6
4	+2	+1	+4	+1	Swift End
5	+2	+1	+4	+1	Sneak Attack +3d6

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the scavenger prestige class.

Weapon and Armour Proficiency: The scavenger is proficient in all simple weapons and light armour. He does not have proficiency in shields. Note that armour check penalties for armour heavier than leather apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump, Move Silently, Pick Pocket and Tumble.

Sneak Attack: The scavenger is an opportunist. This ability conforms in all manners to the rules presented in SRD. Sneak Attack damage stacks with Sneak Attack damage derived from other classes. The scavenger’s Sneak Attack damage increases at 3rd and 5th level. Scavengers lie in wait for the proper moment when their victims are least likely to be able to react. When an opening presents itself, scavengers will strike. Usually they attack when their opponent is safely immobilised or unconscious.

Ambush (Ex): Scavengers are the masters of staying out of sight until such time as the fray has concluded. Their penchant for deception provides a +2 competence bonus to all Hide and Move Silently checks. This bonus extends to the Bluff ability whenever they attempt to feint in combat.

Swift End (Ex): The scavenger’s preferred enemy is the one already dying on the ground. At 5th level, whenever the scavenger performs a coup de grace action, he may do so as a move-equivalent action and not provoke an attack of opportunity. Scavengers frequently will determine the status of the fallen first and if still alive, they will give them a swift end with the point of their blade.