Cannibal (4e Theme)

Cannibal

You are a person who has developed a taste for the forbidden flesh of your own kind. This can mean a great change in your psyche and physical body. Cannibals can be ritualistic or simply depraved people. Many adopt the idea of absorbing their prey, embodying them, so that their strength and person entwine with their own. It is, in a way, a continuation of their life. For the more perverse, those who are weak should be eaten because they are not strong enough to fight. And more disturbing still, there are those who simply eat their own kind because they feel like it or have strange voices and evil forces commanding them to do so, with no logic in sight.

Building

Cannibals can be pretty much anyone, since it is a lifestyle choice that isn't tied to a class. You may be more likely to encounter a cannibal shaman than a paladin, however, thematically. In terms of mechanics, the cannibal is largely skewed towards striker powers, so some of this may be redundant in that vein. Thus, this theme might pair better to cover bases for classes that otherwise lack some mobility options.

Class Prerequisites

None. Any class can be a cannibal if they so choose and various reasons, ranging from mental illness to religious mandate.

Race Prerequisites

You cannot be a lizardfolk. This is because cannibalism holds little to no special significance to them, so you would be a normal person. In that same vein, playing as any race where cannibalism is a normal activity also is moot.

Background

Cannibals, having developed this bizarre diet, also have an understanding of the creatures they eat, and are fiercely knowledgeable of the anatomy. Additionally, they are enduring survivors, with some having developed cannibalism out of necessity. In short, they are survivalists to the umpteenth degree who will do anything to outlast others, including break taboos.

Associated Skill: Heal, Endurance

Starting Feature

A cannibal must have a powerful immune system and stomach to extract the best material from their food of choice. They have developed a body which can digest the flesh of their own, and other forbidden meats, with little to no ill side effects.

Benefit

You are immune to being poisoned or contracting disease from means of food or drink. During a short or extended rest, you can devour the corpse of a Small or Medium sized creature. If you do, you gain a +1 to all attack rolls you make until the start of the next short or extended rest you take.

Additional Features

Level 5 Feature

Cannibals do not faze as easily as other people, being very adventurous and going against the norm. Just look at their diet for the proof.

Benefit

You gain a +1 power bonus to saving throws against fear effects and effects that render you dazed, dominated, or stunned.

Level 10 Feature

At some point, the bestial instincts of a cannibal become more pronounced. The sight of wounds and blood of their prey invigorate them to up their assault.

Benefit

You gain the cannibalizing frenzy power, which allows you to tap into your inherent bloodlust.

Cannibalizing Frenzy	Cannibal Attack
Seeing blood, your attacks quicken into a driven frenzy.
Encounter, weapon
Immediate Reaction	Melee weapon
Trigger: A creature within range of your weapon becomes bloodied.
Target: Bloodied creature Level 21: One or two creatures
Attack: Highest ability modifier Vs. AC
Hit: 2[W] damage
Level 21: 3[W] damage.

Optional Powers

Prey Attunement	Cannibal Utility 2
Sharpening your senses, you sense for weakness and strike.
Encounter
Minor Action	Personal
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, you have a +1 power bonus to attack rolls against bloodied enemies.

Bloodlust Charge	Cannibal Utility 6
Picking up on the scent of weakness, you lunge to get the first jump on the prey.
At-Will
Immediate Reaction	Personal
Trigger: A creature within 6 squares of you becomes bloodied
Effect: You make a charge against the bloodied creature.

Predator's Drive	Cannibal Utility 10
With the essence of your prey within, you pull out your survival instinct to escape harm.
Encounter
Immediate Reaction	Personal
Trigger: You become bloodied
Effect: You gain 10 temporary hit points and shift 2 squares.

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