Class: Caveman
I have been wanting to do a Caveman class in homage to NetHack for a while, and finally got around to it. Big inspiration is the Chef class from Nathan's Super-NatheQuest, as well as just the general practice eating monsters in NetHack in order to get bonuses.
This is written up for The Dungeon Game, but you can just replace Knowledge with INT and you're basically fine. And yes, their main gimmick is indeed completely arbitrary and dependent on Referee ruling, but unless you want to do what Nathan did and just have specific list of monsters and then go down that list and say what bonus can be had from them, it's going to have to be that way. And I don't feel like doing that right now, so arbitrary rulings it is!
Caveman
Requirements: Minimum STR and CON of 13, Maximum KNW of 7.
Weapons: Staves, Clubs, Maces, Spears, Bows, Slings.
Armor: Leather, Shield
Saving Throw Bonus: +2 to save against death, disease and poison
Abilities
Primitive Tools: Cavemen are unfamiliar with metal tools and armor, and as such can not use them. Once a Caveman reaches level 4 they have been exposed to them enough that they may now use all melee weapons without restriction, but still can’t use firearms and can’t wear armor heavier than chain as they find it uncomfortable.
They also may not use bombs or any other advanced piece of technology. Cavemen also start with 2d6 gems, each worth 1d6x50 gilders instead of any starting money.
Illiterate: No matter what the Knowledge score of a Caveman is, they do not know how to read or write and may never learn to do so.
Magic Items: Cavemen can use any magical weapons and armor that is within their class restrictions. They also may use Cavemen-only magical items if they run into them.
Adaptive Survivor: Cavemen are able to gain various powers by devouring the flesh of recently slain enemies. They will not eat other humans, but otherwise are not squeamish about any other type of meat. If they spend a turn eating the raw and bloody meat of a recently slain foe, they may heal 1d3 hit points and may roll their Devour chance.
If they succeed they may gain a permanent benefit associated with the foe they have devoured. Those depend on what kind of creature is eaten, and are negotiated with the referee. Once a Caveman has the benefit associated with a specific creature they can not gain that benefit a second time, but may still devour them in order to heal.
Depending on the creature being devoured additional saving throws or other rolls might also be in order, and also not every creature provides some kind of permanent bonus.
Caveman Level Progression
| Level | XP Required | Hit Dice | Devour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1d10 | 20% |
| 2 | 2,500 | 2d10 | 30% |
| 3 | 5,000 | 3d10 | 35% |
| 4 | 10,000 | 4d10 | 45% |
| 5 | 20,000 | 5d10 | 60% |
| 6 | 40,000 | 6d10 | 65% |
| 7 | 80,000 | 7d10 | 75% |
Cavemen may not advance past level 7 and simply stop gaining experience once they reach it.