Historically, the term "barbarian" was used by Greeks and Romans to describe anyone who wasn't like them—from the tattooed Picts of Scotland to the Mayans of the Yucatan. This gives creators a massive palette to work with. Instead of the standard Viking, consider:
: Inspired by Conan the Cimmerian, who was not just a brute but a king and a scholar capable of correcting royal maps. Barbarian image
: Don't just show them standing; show them doing. A barbarian kicking down a door or throwing an enemy off a balcony communicates more personality than a static pose. Historically, the term "barbarian" was used by Greeks