Mazes & Mondays: Pulp Fantasy Characters

Notes and Tips for Building a Barbarian Character in a Pulp Fantasy Setting

Creating a barbarian character in a pulp fantasy setting is all about capturing the energy and drama of the genre while crafting someone unique and memorable. Barbarians thrive in worlds of grand adventure, where untamed wildernesses and brutal conflicts test their mettle. Here are some key tips to help you build a character that stands out and fits perfectly into the bold, larger-than-life nature of pulp fantasy:

1. Root Their Backstory in the Harsh Wilds

• Start with a rugged origin. Did your character grow up in the frozen wastes, impenetrable jungles, or desolate steppes? How has this environment shaped their skills and worldview?
• Pulp fantasy thrives on extremes, so consider a backstory that ties your barbarian tightly to survival against overwhelming odds—be it battling rival clans, monstrous beasts, or an oppressive empire.
• Add a personal tragedy or triumph that fuels their current path. Maybe a vendetta against a sworn enemy, or a legendary act that earned them renown.

2. Craft a Bold and Flawed Personality

• Barbarians in pulp fantasy are rarely subtle. Lean into larger-than-life emotions and traits. Perhaps they are fiercely loyal but slow to trust, hot-tempered but courageous, or quick-thinking yet disdainful of authority.
• Give them a strong moral code or philosophy that drives their actions. Are they committed to protecting their people at all costs, or do they live by a creed of personal freedom?
• Don’t be afraid of their flaws or contradictions—they’ll make the character feel grounded and create opportunities for dramatic conflicts.

3. Highlight Iconic Skills and Abilities

• Focus on skills that emphasize their primal, untamed nature. Mastery of close-quarters combat, wilderness survival, beast taming, or even ritualistic shamanic practices can give them a distinct edge.
• Pulp fantasy loves spectacle, so give your barbarian a signature strength or talent. Maybe they wield a cursed greatsword forged from obsidian or can summon storms with their battle cries.
• Consider unconventional talents that give them a unique twist. Perhaps, despite their brute strength, they’re also a gifted storyteller or bearer of ancient knowledge.

4. Align Their Motivations with Pulp Drama

• Pulp fantasy heroes are almost always driven by intense personal stakes. Define what your barbarian is fighting for—revenge, redemption, glory, or something deeply personal like the survival of their clan.
• Add layer to their motivations by introducing internal conflict. Are they torn between loyalty to their people and the lure of adventure? Do they struggle to balance a dark past with their current goals?

5. Integrate them into the Exotic World

• Pulp fantasy worlds are vibrant and wild, so ground your character in this setting. What legends does your barbarian believe in? Which mysterious ruins or gods are tied to their story?
• Don’t shy away from giving them ties to the mystical or unknown. Maybe they guard an ancient artifact or carry the bloodline of a forgotten hero.

6. Make Them Visually Striking

• Appearance matters in pulp fantasy. Give your barbarian visual distinctions that are memorable and tell a story. Scars earned in battle, ritual tattoos, an intimidating physique, or an iconic piece of gear can set them apart.
• Equip them with weapons and tools that feel “otherworldly but functional.” That massive bone-axe forged from a dragon’s rib? Perfect.

7. Bring Out Their Humanity Through Relationships

• Even the toughest barbarians benefit from meaningful connections. Develop one or two key relationships with other characters, whether allies, rivals, or enemies with a shared history.
• Explore how they perceive the civilized world. Do they see it as corrupt and weak, or are they intrigued by its unfamiliar customs? Their interactions with outsiders can reveal hidden sides of their personality.

Above all, lean into the drama, action, and vivid storytelling that defines pulp fantasy. Your barbarian should be a force of nature—resilient, driven, and alive with contradictions that make them a perfect fit for the adventurous and untamed spirit of the genre.