Iberians can be Barbarians, Fighters, Druids, Rogues, Bards or Rangers.

Geography

Hispania was divided into two major regions, Hispania Citerior in the east, and Hispania Ulterior in the west. The eastern part of Hispania had been a Carthaginian territory until the Romans destroyed Carthage in 146 B.C. The Carthaginians had left an influence over the native Celtiberians , and they were seen as more civilized than their northern brethren in Gaul. However, although Hispania was one of Rome's first provinces outside of the Italian peninsula, it took a very long time to fully subdue, if it ever truly was. The hill tribes of the west, the Lusitanians, were fiercely independent and had strong fortresses in the mountains. The tribes in the Pyrenaie Montes also were hard to conquer due to the rough terrain in which they lived.

But, as a whole, Hispania had been heavily influenced by Rome for over 100 years, and it's major towns, and most of the country side were heavily Romanized. Hispania provided the major supply of garum, a fermented fish sauce popular to Romans, and also exported grain, olive oil and wine. Hispania was also rich in minerals, gold, copper, silver and iron were all mined.

Culture

The culture of the Hispania was very similar to that of Rome, with a little of the native Celtiberian culture mixed in. The major towns and most of the countryside was run on the Roman model, and had been for over 100 years. Roman architecture, trade, customs and society had almost completely overtaken. Little is known of the Celtiberian culture, although the few mentions made of it by Greek geographers indicate that it was very similar to that of the southern Gauls. (For more on the Celtic culture see Gallia ).

The Iberians were known as the best armorors and swordsmiths in the world, and the Roman gladius was based on an Iberian design.

Roleplaying

A character from Hispania could be one of many races, a Roman or Greek trader, from an old Carthaginian family, or a Celtiberian. (For information on Carthaginians see the Africa page.)

A typical Celtiberian would wear a simple tunic, long breeches and sandals. If they were living in a large town, they may have taken up the Roman custom of just wearing a longer tunic. Many Celtiberians were involved in farming, but trade was also a major activity. Hispania was a very wealthy province, and trade with the Empire was good.

The Iberian's developed several sword types. The first is the falcata, a two foot long single edged sword, curving slightly towards the edged side. It was primarily a slashing weapon, feared by the Romans when Hannibal used Iberian mercenaries. The second is the Iberian short sword, called a gladius by the Romans and adopted by the legions as it was a good thrusting blade for use in close, ranked combat. Treat both as short swords.

Chain mail was available, but too expensive, for the average Iberian. Shields and helms were usually worn in battle.

Classes

Iberians can be fighters, druids, rogues, bards or rangers. A few notes on the Iberian variants.

Barbarian

Barbarian rage:

Known as Riastarthae to the Celts. A barbarian character must attack any opponent still standing whilst in Rage. If there is no opponent standing, the barbarian will attack the closest person, friend or foe. A character cannot voluntarily come out of a rage before the number of rounds rolled unless the character make a Will save -2.

Bard

Bards can be Lawful, and most Celtic Bards are.

Celtic bards are considered in the priestly ranks, and usually attach themselves to a tribe as a scholar and advisor to the tribal chief.

Druid

The druid description as written in the 3rd Ed. Players Handbook is far closer to being a Celtic druid than it has been in the past. However, a few exceptions still remain.

Druids were somewhat rare in Hispania, as most of the inhabitants had converted over to the Roman religion, or had just forgotten their own.

Druids are actually priests of the Celtic religion, therefore they worship the Celtic gods. They are also usually the advisor to the chief of a tribe and tribe without a Druid is considered to be without honor. Most Druids live in the tribal center, or very close to it, rather than hidden away in the forest somewhere.

Druids preside over the three most important rituals of the year: Beltaine, to celebrate the beginning of summer; Lugnasadh, the end of summer; and Samhain, the beginning of winter. Some of the Druid rituals were said (by Caesar) to have involved human sacrifice. This was banned by the Romans when they occupied Gaul, but perhaps if an especially big favor was needed from the gods...

Druids can be of any alignment, they are people too!

Druids can use simple weapons, longswords and spears. They are proficient with Light armor.

The Druids wrote the Celtic language using the Greek alphabet, and they also used a form of simple script known as Ogham.

If a Druid knows another language it would either be Greek or Sidhe (Celtic Elvish).

Druids were also astrologers/astronomers and receive this as a free Skill.

Ranger

Celtic rangers gain their magical knowledge from the bards or druids in the area.

A Ranger's favored enemy can only be a creature that he has met before, therefore, at first level it will probably be some kind of animal, such as a wolf or wild boar. Any other nationality may be used as a favored enemy e.g. Roman.