Legends of the 19th Century US - John Henry (4/5)

Caveats

• I own no source books and created this based solely on online info I explored after the dnd/ogl flap.
• I made some decisions based on keeping it (theoretically) viable over 100% accurate. Especially at later levels.
• Created on www.pathbuilder2e.com and it seems fairly accurate (non-premium as I am disabled and broke)
• The highlights will be the choices available on www.pathbuilder2e.com

Premise

[John Henry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Henry_(folklore)

Basic Idea - Frilled Lizardfolk Laborer Giant Instinct Barbarian

Starting Gear - Large Maul, Light Hammer, Light Hammer, Breastplate, Adventurer's Pack, Hammer, Piton, Tool (Short)=Chisel

Level 1

• Ancestry - Lizardfolk (decided not to go with the classic stong man of orc)
• Heritage - Frilled Lizardfolk (chosen for the intimidation because of John Henry's intimidating size)
• Ancestry Feat - Consult the Stars (chose thematically because John was probably/possibly a pure legend and his future would have been written in the stars)
• Background - Labourer (I preferred the Lore of Labor but Anti-Tech Activist could also work since thestory of John Henry is showing he is better than a steam-powered machine but woudld need a few small changes)
• Class - Barbarian (seemed right for a famed strongman)
• Instinct - Giant Instinct (For a legend who may have litterally been larger than life it seemed thematically fitting)
• Abilities (after selections) - 18 Str - 12 Dex - 14 Con - 8 Int - 14 Wis - 12 Cha

Initial Additional Skills

• Intimidation
• Survival
• Performance

Level 2

• Class Feat - Second Wind (perfect thematic fit for someone needing to beat a machine)
• Skill Feat - Titan Wrestler (another good choice for someone fighting things bigger than one man)

Level 3

• Skill Increase - Athletics (for John Henry's strength)
• General Feat - Toughness (another good thematic fit for the strongman)

Level 4

• Class Feat - Fast Movement (more speed while raging seemed to fit)
• Skill Feat - Experienced Professional (An experienced and highly skilled laborer deserves to be paid)

Level 5

• Ability Boost - 2 Str - 2 Con - 2 Wis - 2 Cha
• Skill Increase - Intimidation (for the intimidating, large man)
• Ancestry Feat - Guided by the Stars (Another skill worthy of a potential Legend)

Level 6

• Class Feat - Giant's Stature (Growing larger like John Henry's Legend is a good fit)
• Skill Feat - Intimidating Prowess (more intimidation)

Level 7

• Skill Increase - Intimidation
• General Feat - Battle Cry (fitting intimidation for someone cryng out during a competition)

Level 8

• Class Feat - Attack of Opportunity (a bit practical and maybe a little thematic)
• Skill Feat - Terrified Retreat (thematic fit for such an intimidating Legend)

Level 9

• Skill Increase - Athletics
• Ancestry Feat - Bone Magic (A bit of magic for the legend. I chose scatter scree for a thematic fit)

Level 10

• Ability Boost - 2 Str - 2 Con - 2 Wis - 2 Cha
• Class Feat - Terrifying Howl (intimidation everyone around with a howl seemed fitting)
• Skill Feat - Say that Again (A counter to someone trying to intimidate John Henry.... The nerve!

Level 11

• Skill Increase - Performance (time to put on a show to build your legend)
• General Feat - Fleet (mostly practical but speed can fit thematically)

Level 12

• Class Feat - Titan's Stature (John's Legend growing more and gaining more reach is a good fit)
• Skill Feat - Too Angry to Die (John Henry supposedly died at the end of his contest with the machine but like a true Legend they never really die)

Level 13

• Skill Increase - Performance
• Ancestry Feat - Primal Rampage (A little more magic for John and both are a mild thematic fit)

Level 14

• Class Feat - Whirlwind Strike (more of a practical/fun choice)
• Skill Feat - Impressive Performance (using performance instead of diplomacy to win fans is perfect for a legend)

Level 15

• Ability Boost - 2 Str - 2 Con - 2 Wis - 2 Cha
• Skill Increase - Intimidation
• General Feat - A Home in Every Port (great choice for a legend that everyone has heard of)

Level 16

• Class Feat - Silencing Strike (A practical and thematic choice that could evoke John Henry shutting up his doubters)
• Skill Feat - Group Coercion (intimidating crowds seems fitting)

Level 17

• Skill Increase - Athletics
• Ancestry Feat - Read the Stars (A final star reading skill for an actual legend but your skills dont really fit to make it useful)

Level 18

• Class Feat - Brutal Critical (stronger hits is a nice thematic fit)
• Skill Feat - Fascinating Performance (more performing)

Level 19

• Skill Increase - Performance
• General Feat - Incredible Scout (more of a practical choice. difficult to keep thematic later)

Level 20

• Ability Boost - 2 Str - 2 Dex - 2 Con - 2 Wis
• Class Feat - Quaking Stomp (good fit for soemone breaking up stone)
• Skill Feat - Quick Coercion (more practical than thematic)

A larger than life Barbarian who intimidates his opponents and fascinates everyone with his might and skill. Ended up as a nice frontliner.