Barbarian skills
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| Barbarian skills | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Released | 3 July 2007 (Update) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Removal | 14 February 2024 (Update) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Also called | A record of Otto's instructions to me | ||||||||||||||||||
| Members | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| Quest item | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| Properties | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tradeable | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| Equipable | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stackable | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| Noteable | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| Options | Read, Destroy | ||||||||||||||||||
| Destroy | I can obtain another from Otto. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Examine | A record of Otto's instructions to me. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Values | |||||||||||||||||||
| Value | 0 coins | ||||||||||||||||||
| High alch | 0 coins | ||||||||||||||||||
| Low alch | 0 coins | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 0.01 kg | ||||||||||||||||||
| Advanced data | |||||||||||||||||||
| Item ID | 11340 | ||||||||||||||||||
Barbarian skills was a book that players could obtain from Otto Godblessed when embarking on Barbarian Training. It detailed the proper ways to use a number of skills the barbarians have honed over the centuries. If lost, it could be reobtained from Otto Godblessed or from the bookcase of a player-owned house if the player had previously stored it there.
It contained instructions on Fishing with a barbarian rod, fishing without a harpoon and lighting a fire without a tinderbox (by using a bow on logs).
Transcript
I have noted down what Otto has told me in this journal, so that I may not forget my tasks. His instructions are thus faithfully recorded for posterity.
'While you civilised folk use small, weak fishing rods, we barbarians are skilled with heavier tackle. We fish in the lake nearby. Take the rod from under the bed in my dwelling and fish in the lake. When you have caught a few fish I am sure you will be ready to talk more with me. You will know when you are ready, since inspiration will fill your mind. We do not use these fish quite as you might expect. When you return from Fishing we can speak more of this matter.'
'Your mind is as clear as the waters you have fished. This is good. These are fish which are fat with eggs rather than fat of flesh; this is what we will make use of.'
'First you must know more of harpoons through special study of fish that are usually caught with such a device. You must catch fish which are usually harpooned, without a harpoon. You will be using your skill and strength. Use your arm as bait. Wriggle your fingers as if they are a tasty snack and hungry tuna and swordfish will throng to be caught by you. This method also works with shark - though in this case the action must be more of a frenzied thrashing of the arm than a wriggle.'
'I sense you have more understanding of spears through your studies.'
'The first point in your progression is that of lighting fires without a tinderbox. For this process you will require a strung bow. You use the bow to quickly rotate pieces of wood against one another. As you rub, the wood becomes hot, eventually springing into flame. The spirits will aid you, the power they supply will guide your hands. Go and benefit from their guidance upon an oaken log.'
'Firemaking with your bow worked - fine news indeed, secrets of our spirit boats now await your attention.'
'If you use your knife upon the fat fish, several new fishy items will be produced. Fish parts can be used as bait; the roe or caviar is more useful for us. Mixing these items with two dose potions is what should be performed. This results in a nutritious slop, perfect for healing as well as imparting the effect of the potion. Roe can only be used for some of the more easily combined mixes, while caviar may be used for any of the mixes of which I am aware. You will discover that you are able to decant a four dose potion into an empty vial, thus giving two potions of two doses. This will aid you in the process. In this case I in fact require a potion, for my own stocks. Bring me a lesser attack potion combined with fish roe.'
'I see you have my potion. I will say no more than that I am eternally grateful.'
'The next step is to manufacture a spear, suitable for combat. Our distant cousins on Karamja are in need of help, however, and you must aid them before I can aid you. You must go now and complete the Tai Bwo Wannai Trio quest.'
Since I have completed this quest, he adds
'Many warriors complain that spears are difficult to find, we barbarians thus forge our own. If you use our special barbarian anvil here, you will find it ideal. Other forges are not sturdy enough or shaped appropriately for the forging work involved. Make any of our spears and return. Note well that you will require wood for the spear shafts, the quality of wood must be similar to that of the metal involved.'
The manufacture of spears is now yours as a speciality. Use your skill well. In addition, I am ready to reveal more spear-related crafts.'
'The next stage is quite complex, so listen well. In order to send our ancestors into the spirit world, their mortal remains must be burned with due ceremony. This can only be performed close to the water on the shore of the lake, just to our north-east. You will recognise the correct places by the ashes to be seen there. You will need to construct a small ship by using an axe upon logs in this area, then add the bones of a long dead barbarian hero. From the caverns beneath this lake. Many of our ancestors travelled to these caverns in order to hunt for glory and found only death. Their bones must still lie inside, their spirits trapped in torment. The spirit will ascend to glory, the pyre will send the earthly remains to the depths. You will also obtain a closer link to the spirit world. During this heightened contact, any bones you bury will have increased importance to the gods. The number of bones that may be buried, before the link fades, is increased with the difficulty of obtaining the wood which you use. I have little knowledge of the caverns, they are blocked from the sight of the spirits with whom I commune. I can only suspect that whatever slew barbarian heroes is indeed mighty. I would also suggest that these bones might well be very uncommon, since heroes are not found in vast numbers. Good luck. Dive into the whirlpool in the lake to the east. The spirits will use their abilities to ensure you arrive in the correct location, though their influence fades so you must find your own way out.'
'Hail to you, saviour of my ancestors. The spirits herald your presence with a spectral fanfare. On this great day you have my thanks, eternally. May you find riches while rescuing my spiritual ancestors in the caverns for many moons to come.'
Spirits laid to rest: [amount].
'The next step is to manufacture a one handed version of a spear, suitable for combat. Such a spear is known to us as a hasta. As you might suspect, our ways require greater understanding than is gained by simply looking at a weapon.
It is also the case that the process involves a differently- balanced spear.
Before you may use such a weapon in anger, you must make an example. Only then will you fully understand the poise and techniques involved. You may use our special anvil for this spear type too. As the ways of black and dragon spears are beyond our knowledge, however, these spears may not be created.'
'I see you have constructed your hasta, and are approaching readiness to live life to its fullest - that you may be a peaceful spirit when your time ends.'Trivia
- Barbarian training can be considered complete after all 21 pages within this book contain writing as it has no entry in the quest log.
- The book was removed alongside the update to rework Barbarian Training into a miniquest.[1]
