Tome of Battle 3.5 OEF
Tome of Battle 3.5 OEF
Tome of Battle 3.5 OEF
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Perfect Clarity of Mind and Body . . . . . . .35 Deepstone Sentinel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Reaping Talons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Eternal Blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Chapter 1: Disciples of the Sword . . . . . . . . . . .7
Scorching Sirocco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Jade Phoenix Mage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Crusader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Shards of Granite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Master of Nine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Swordsage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Stormguard Warrior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Ruby Knight Vindicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Human Swordsage Starting Package . . . .18
Shadow Sun Ninja. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Warblade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Chapter 3: Blade Magic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Martial Powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Chapter 6: The Nine Swords . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Chapter 2: Skills and Feats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Readying Maneuvers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Weapons of Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
New Skills and Uses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Initiating Maneuvers and Stances . . . . . . .38 Desert Wind (Desert Wind) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
Intimidate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Concentration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Faithful Avenger (Devoted Spirit) . . . . . . . . 134
Knowledge (Local) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Initiator Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Supernal Clarity (Diamond Mind) . . . . . . . 136
Martial Lore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Resolving a Maneuver or Stance . . . . . . . .39 Kamate (Iron Heart). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
New Feats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Recovering Expended Maneuvers . . . . . . .40 Eventide’s Edge (Setting Sun) . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Adaptive Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Martial Powers and Magic . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Umbral Awn (Shadow Hand) . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Avenging Strike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Maneuver and Stance Descriptions . . . . . . . .40 Unfettered (Stone Dragon) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Blade Meditation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Tiger Fang (Tiger Claw) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Desert Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Martial Discipline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Blade of the Last Citadel (White Raven) . . .145
Desert Wind Dodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
(Type) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Devoted Bulwark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Chapter 7: Magic Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
[Descriptor] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Divine Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Martial Scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Evasive Reflexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 New Weapon Special Abilities . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Prerequisite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Extra Granted Maneuver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Aptitude Weapon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Initiation Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Extra Readied Maneuver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Martial Discipline Weapon . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Falling Sun Attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 New Wondrous Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
Targeting a Maneuver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Instant Clarity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Crown of White Ravens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
Duration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Ironheart Aura . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Saving Throw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Chapter 8: Nine Swords Monsters . . . . . . . 151
Martial Stance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Spell Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Naityan Rakshasa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
Martial Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Descriptive Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Reth Dekala. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Psychic Renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Learning Maneuvers and Stances . . . . . . . . . .46 Valkyrie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Rapid Assault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Scribe Martial Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Chapter 4: Maneuvers and Stances . . . . . . . .47
Shadow Blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Maneuver and Stance Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Shadow Trickster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Desert Wind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Song of the White Raven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Devoted Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
SIDEBARS
Behind the Curtain: Blending Genres . . . . . . .6
Snap Kick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Diamond Mind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
The Nine Disciplines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Stone Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Iron Heart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Keeping Track of Readied
Sudden Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Setting Sun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
and Expended Maneuvers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Superior Unarmed Strike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Shadow Hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Incorporeal Subtype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Tiger Blooded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Stone Dragon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Shifters and the Bloodclaw Master . . . . . . . . .97
Unnerving Calm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Tiger Claw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Throw Anything . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Vital Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 White Raven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Stopping a Returning Weapon . . . . . . . . . . . .102
White Raven Defense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Chapter 5: Prestige Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95 Magic Items and Introducing
Tactical Feats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Advancing Martial Progression . . . . . . . . . . . .96 Martial Maneuvers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Clarion Commander. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Martial Adepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 Naityan Rakshasa Lore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Distant Horizon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Nonmartial Adepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 Another Rakshasa? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Faith Unswerving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Bloodclaw Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 Reth Dekala Lore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Gloom Razor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Bloodstorm Blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Valkyrie Lore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
3
Reshar comes to study at the hobgoblin
monastery of Ur-Thaldaar
am Harran Turiyeshor, the swordsage some- Attend now, young ones, and I will endeavor to teach you some
times called the Iron Dragon. It was I who small part of the truth of the sword.
defeated the High Inquisitor of Tiamat in
the Dragonskull Temple. It was I who slew The world of the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS game is filled with char-
the demon Varrash-Kral in the Ebon Tower. acters who pursue the ways of battle. Barbarians destroy their foes
And it was my comrades and I who excised in berserk frenzies, and rangers are masters of the hunt. Paladins
the mind flayer infestation from Darkvale three rely on their virtue and courage to sustain them against their
years ago, though two of my friends died horribly opponents. Fighters master an array of special maneuvers and
in the process. Such are my deeds. attacks to overcome the monsters and villains they encounter.
I have wandered the world for twenty years, studying the Sublime But the highest of a warrior’s arts is the Sublime Way—the secret
Illus. by W. England
Way and searching for my own true measure as a warrior and as a lore that teaches a fighting character how to meld his inner
person. I like to think that I am a little wiser now than when I started, strength, training, and discipline into the perfect weapon.
but I must leave that judgment to others. I spend my days teaching The Sublime Way is not magical—at least, not in a normal
now, that I may honor the path I have followed my whole life. sense. It is a fighting system that harnesses a student’s disci-
Some of my students fall from the Way and turn to other pursuits. pline and determination through knowledge, practice, and
Some become champions of good and justice. Others use my teachings study. A master of the Sublime Way can perform martial
to wreak terrible wrongs in the world. But all who seek the Way exploits that are nearly superhuman—and, in fact, some of
must be taught, because it is not for the swordsmith to say whether them actually transcend the natural.
his blades will spill the blood of the wicked or the innocent. Like all Like fighters, students of the Sublime Way master a number
knowledge, the Sublime Way can be used for good or ill. of special maneuvers and strikes to defeat their foes. But, while
4
a fighter’s list of feats represents various combat techniques that Setting Sun discipline teaches its adherents to avoid a foe’s
he can use for attack or defense, the maneuvers of a Sublime charge by stepping aside.
Way master represent small moments of clarity, self-knowledge, Strike: A strike is a special attack that draws on a discipline’s
piety, or perfection. A fighter uses Power Attack to strike harder, teachings to invoke a special effect. The Stone Dragon dis-
but a student of the Sublime Way who wants to accomplish the cipline, for example, teaches its adherents to slam into their
same goal performs a very specific mental and physical exercise enemies with crushing blows.
that results in a mighty blow—if it is executed just right. Martial Discipline: A martial discipline is a family or school
Some believe that a practitioner of the Sublime Way creates of maneuvers that share some common philosophy or effect. Nine
the power for his maneuvers by invoking a cosmic principle martial disciplines exist, each consisting of fifteen to twenty
of perfection. This theory holds that if the student moves in a maneuvers and stances. The nine disciplines are called Desert
precise pattern while calling to mind the very specific mental Wind, Devoted Spirit, Diamond Mind, Iron Heart, Setting Sun,
images or analogies corresponding to that maneuver, he forges Shadow Hand, Stone Dragon, Tiger Claw, and White Raven.
a brief connection with a source of power that lends strength Most martial adepts don’t have access to all the disciplines.
and precision to his strike. Others believe that followers of the Maneuvers Known: The collection of maneuvers a martial
Sublime Way draw the necessary power from their own souls adept has learned. You can think of this as the martial adept’s
by harnessing ki—the energy of life. But whatever the truth spellbook or spell list. A martial adept’s class and level deter-
of the matter, the results are spectacular. Few can match the mine the number and level of maneuvers she knows.
agility, strength, and skill of a master of the Sublime Way. Maneuvers Readied: Most martial adepts cannot keep all
maneuvers they know ready at all times. At the beginning of
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY each day, a martial adept chooses some of the maneuvers she
You need the three D&D core rulebooks—Player’s Handbook knows as her “readied” maneuvers (the number is determined
(PH), Dungeon Master’s Guide (DMG), and Monster Manual by her class and level). These are the maneuvers she can initi-
(MM)—to make the best use of Tome of Battle: The Book of ate. A martial adept can change her readied maneuvers at any
Nine Swords. This book occasionally mentions material from a time, but doing this requires 5 minutes of rest, meditation,
few D&D supplements, such as Monster Manual III, Complete prayer, or the performance of various practice routines. The
Adventurer, and Complete Warrior, but none of these supple- specific details depend on the martial adept’s class.
ments are necessary to get the most out of Tome of Battle. Stance: A stance is a special type of maneuver. Each stance is
a particular fighting pose that grants a martial adept special ben-
A QUICK PRIMER efits and options. For example, the Tiger Claw discipline teaches
TO THE SUBLIME WAY stances that allow the user to unlock her feral, animalistic nature.
Unlike other maneuvers, most stances can remain in effect for
Tome of Battle: The Book of Nine Swords describes a system of special
an indefinite time. All stances a character knows are available to
combat “spells” known as the Sublime Way, the Nine Disciplines,
her at all times. A character can adopt a stance, or change from
or blade magic. Here are some of the salient terms and facts you
one stance to another, as a swift action.
will need to be familiar with as you peruse this book.
Key Skill: Every martial maneuver is tied to a skill, such
Martial Adept: A character with one or more levels in
as Balance, Concentration, or Jump. Sometimes key skills
the crusader, swordsage, or warblade class is known as a
come into play in the initiation of a maneuver, but mostly they
martial adept.
represent the ideals around which their respective disciplines
Maneuver: A maneuver is a specific, one-shot effect that a
are centered.
martial adept initiates. In this way, a maneuver is functionally
Initiate: A martial adept uses a martial maneuver by initiat-
similar to a spell. However, a martial adept usually doesn’t
ing it. So instead of casting a spell or manifesting a power, a
use up or expend maneuvers during the course of a day of
character initiates a maneuver.
adventuring the way a spellcaster does. He begins each new
Initiator Level: Some maneuvers have effects that vary
encounter with all the maneuvers he readied for the day avail-
with the level of the character initiating them. Initiator
able to him. When a martial adept initiates a maneuver, it is
level is functionally equivalent to caster level or manifester
temporarily expended until he chooses to perform a special
level—it’s simply the relevant class level of the martial adept
action required to recover his expended maneuvers. The type
who initiates the power.
of action necessary varies for each martial adept class.
Crusader: The crusader is one of the three martial adept
The three basic types of maneuvers are boosts, counters,
standard classes described in Chapter 1. Crusaders are warriors
and strikes. In addition, martial adepts can learn special
who use their devotion and zeal to power martial maneuvers.
abilities known as stances (which are described later in
Swordsage: The swordsage is another of the martial
this introduction).
adept standard classes from Chapter 1. Swordsages are “blade
Boost: A boost augments a user’s abilities, usually attacks,
wizards”—mystic swordfighters who can accomplish aston-
in some manner. For example, a martial adept who studies
ishing feats of martial prowess. They know more martial
the Desert Wind discipline can wreathe his weapon in flame
maneuvers than other martial adepts, and they have access
to deal extra fire damage on a successful hit.
to the most martial disciplines.
Counter: A counter is an immediate action that allows a
Warblade: The third of the martial adept standard classes
martial adept to foil an opponent’s attacks. For example, the
described in Chapter 1 is the warblade. These pure warriors
5
are ascetic champions who use martial maneuvers in place of the principles, skills, and philosophy of the recipient’s first discipline.
the feats or rage that a fighter or barbarian would employ. “As long as these swords remain together, the Temple will never fail,”
he told the Nine Masters. “Now I go.” And he set off alone, on foot
Now I will speak of the Nine Swords. They are no mere legends, and unarmed, because he feared nothing in the world. No one ever
young one—I have seen two of them in my travels. This is the saw him again.
beginning of their story. A lifetime passed, and one by one Reshar’s original disciples died
Three lifetimes ago, a young human called Reshar came to or returned to their own lands. The students they left behind became
study at the hobgoblin monastery of Ur-Thaldaar. The hobgoblin masters in their own right, and they guarded the nine swords with
swordmasters administered cruel tests and challenges, but, to their great care. But one night, the rakshasa lord Kaziir-Thet came to
surprise, Reshar survived. They saw that he must be taught, and the Temple of the Nine Swords. He adopted the guise of a weary
so they permitted him to remain. traveler and was given welcome at the temple. Kaziir-Thet stole
From them, Reshar learned the secrets of the Iron Heart, the Supernal Clarity, the sword of Diamond Mind, and fled with it
most fierce and difficult school of bladework in the world. When into the wastelands. The masters pursued, but they could not catch
he had mastered the Iron Heart, Reshar took his leave and went the clever rakshasa prince.
next to the Great Golden Desert, where he presented himself to the From that day on, the temple began to fail. Slowly at first, the
Wind Dervishes of Andrama. When he had mastered the Desert students of the various disciplines fell to bickering, consumed by
Wind school, he went to the islands beyond the dawn and studied the question of which path was best. Boasts and arguments became
the ways of the Setting Sun. In the space of only three years, Reshar intrigues and deadly duels. In time, the remaining masters exiled
did what no one else has ever been able to do: He mastered all nine the Tiger Lord and the Shadow Master—who had plotted to murder
of the martial disciplines. the rest—from the temple to restore order and harmony.
In the days of Reshar, the individual schools, philosophies, and Enraged by their exile, the two outcast masters allied with each
traditions that we know as the Sublime Way were scattered hap- other, and together they raised an army of monsters in the wild
hazardly across the world. Adherents of the various disciplines were mountains. A year after their exile, they returned at the head of
the fiercest of rivals, each seeking to prove the superiority of his own a fearsome horde and destroyed the temple. It is said that all nine
school over all the others. masters died that night. According to legend, the Spirit Seeker
But having mastered all nine disciplines, Reshar set out to end slew the Shadow Master and was then torn apart by demons. The
this rivalry. He returned to each place where he had studied and Windlord and the Ironmaster defeated the Tiger Lord but afterward
took its single most promising student as his own apprentice. Then fell in battle against the giants and dragons of the evil army. Many
he led his nine apprentices to the Sunspire Mountains, where he treasures of the temple, including the eight remaining swords, were
founded the Temple of the Nine Swords. For many years, Reshar scattered to the four winds. Most were carried off by monsters from
and his Nine Masters sought the path to perfection, walking farther the Shadow Tiger horde, but at least two were rescued by temple
down the road of the Sublime Way than anyone had before—or students who managed to escape.
since. Hundreds of students came to them and learned much from You now know the beginning of the story of the Nine Swords.
their temple. But as you will see, each of the blades has its own story, and those
After a century of study and teaching, Reshar called his masters stories are not finished. It is said that someday the Nine Swords will
together and told them he was leaving to travel the world again. be brought together again, Reshar will return from his wandering,
Age had never touched him, other than to whiten his hair and line and harmony will be restored to the world. I do not know if any
his face. The masters begged him to stay, but Reshar refused. Before part of the tale I have told is true, but it is a good story, is it not?
he left, though, he gave each master a gift—a sword that embodied —Harran Turiyeshor, swordsage
6
The young warrior Reshar
survives the trials of the hobgoblin
swordmasters and learns the secrets
of the Iron Heart
t the heart of the Sublime Way, young The third road is the path of the swordsage—the road I have
students, lies one simple precept: The war- followed for most of my life. The swordsage seeks to know his own
rior who knows himself perfectly cannot be mind, and to perceive and act with perfect clarity. It is clearly the
defeated. You cannot predict where you will best of the three approaches—but then, I am a swordsage. What
fight, or what weapons you will find close at hand, else would you expect me to say?
or how your enemies will strike at you. But you can prepare yourself —Harran Turiyeshor
for that moment through constant practice, study, and reflection.
Conquer your own body, mind, and spirit, and you cannot help but Those who devote their lives to studying some aspect of the
be victorious over your enemies. Sublime Way are known as martial adepts. All are skilled in
From this basic premise stem three distinct roads. She who personal combat, but they rely on perception, learning, and
Illus. by W. Englad
embarks on the path of physical mastery becomes a warblade—one willpower, in addition to pure physical aptitude for battle.
of the most skillful and dedicated warriors in the world. Fierce and Martial adepts seek to fuse tangible physical prowess with
uncompromising, the warblade knows no fear. utmost control of the mind and spirit.
The crusader is a warrior who seeks victory through the dis- The three martial adept classes are the crusader, swordsage,
cipline of the spirit. Devotion, piety, and zeal are her weapons. A and warblade. These three standard classes are summarized
crusader becomes a living vessel of her deity’s will—an instrument below.
of justice or vengeance who can overcome the most insuperable of Crusader: This holy (or unholy) warrior is devoted to the
obstacles with only the sheer power of her faith and the strength service of a deity or principle. Through exercises of faith and
of her arm. inner strength, she gains the ability to execute spectacular
7
martial maneuvers and confront those foes that are anathema to channel the divine energies of their cause, but in a raw,
to her cause. untamed manner. A crusader has absolute faith in her abil-
Swordsage: Also known as a blade wizard, a swordsage ity to draw on the source of her power, but she never quite
is a martial artist who has learned how to invoke a unique knows how that power will manifest.
form of magic to accomplish truly superhuman (and super-
natural) exploits. MAKING A CRUSADER
Warblade: A warblade is an exemplar of pure martial skill. A crusader is primarily a front-line melee battler, much like
Though he lacks the supernatural power of the crusader or the fighter or paladin. Her martial maneuvers give her more
swordsage, he is fully equivalent to the barbarian or fighter in tactical flexibility than the fighter and make her a dynamic
terms of combat skills, relying on martial maneuvers instead and well-rounded combatant. Most crusaders also make good
of rage or feats. leaders, since they are both charismatic and dedicated.
Abilities: Strength and Constitution are vital to a cru-
CRUSADER sader, since she is often in harm’s way. Intelligence is useful
“Make your peace with whatever vile deity you worship, monster, for gaining plenty of skill points, which a crusader needs to
for I am the sword of Pelor, and I will not fail in my strike!” purchase the ranks in Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Balance,
—Daresa, crusader of Pelor the key skills for her martial disciplines. Dexterity is useful
for any character in combat, but a crusader’s ability to wear
Devoted knight, divine agent, instrument of vengeance, peer- heavy armor means that she is not as dependent on a high
less fighting machine—the crusader is a warrior dedicated Dexterity score as other characters.
Disciples of the Sword
to good, evil, law, chaos, or some other cause. She seeks out Races: Most crusaders are humans, half-elves, or dwarves,
and destroys the enemies of her chosen faith. Strengthened because the ideals of dedication, service, zeal, and courage are
by prayer or absolute devotion to a principle, armored by important in both dwarf and human cultures. Elves, gnomes,
unshakable faith, and driven by her convictions, a good and halflings generally lack the seriousness, single-minded
crusader is a mighty weapon against injustice and malice. devotion, and moderate fanaticism required to succeed as cru-
An evil crusader, on the other hand, is a cruel and fearsome saders. Half-orcs rarely become crusaders, but those who do
warrior of darkness. follow this path often excel at it. Many half-orcs spend their
A crusader who embraces a religion or holy faith is simi- lives searching for an ideal to believe in or a community to
lar to a paladin in that she commands a number of holy (or which they can belong, and the way of the crusader appeals
unholy) powers. However, a crusader has no skill with divine to such souls.
spellcasting; she is a martial adept whose maneuvers are Alignment: A crusader can choose any alignment except
unpredictable gifts of divine power. Trusting in the power neutral—she must stand for some ideal, whether chaos,
of her chosen deity, she allows faith and intuition to guide good, evil, law, or a combination of principles. To be a
her through battle. Many crusaders receive the call to their crusader is to devote oneself wholeheartedly to a cause or
cause early in life, but never study formally at a temple or deity, and this way of life leaves no room for indecision or
monastery. These warriors are gifted with a natural ability unwillingness to commit. A crusader’s alignment reflects
THE NINE DISCIPLINES The way of the Setting Sun changes weakness into strength and
I will speak now of the Nine Disciplines that comprise the Sublime folly into wisdom. A practitioner of this school studies the art of
Way. Attend carefully, young one. permitting an adversary to defeat himself.
Desert Wind is the discipline of movement. Speed is the weapon A follower of the Shadow Hand treads a lonely and dangerous
of the warrior who follows this path. He strikes and retreats con- path. His is the road of stealth, of deceit, of blows struck without
stantly, never standing still in battle. He is a leaping f lame—a answer, and of death in the dark. A Shadow Hand master kills
burning sirocco of the wastes. before his adversary even knows he is in peril.
Devoted Spirit is the discipline of self-knowledge and spirituality, Stone Dragon is the discipline of strength, of endurance, of pure
and those who follow this path arm themselves with purity and physical and spiritual power. A warrior of the Stone Dragon is a
faith. No other warrior is better suited to confront the minions of hardy foe with the strength of the mountain itself in his grasp.
evil—but beware, because some choose to pervert this discipline He who studies the Tiger Claw seeks to unleash his hidden
by worshiping powers of darkness instead of powers of light. savagery—the feral instincts and blind animal rage that lurk within.
To practice Diamond Mind is to learn the secret of action This warrior is strong, quick, and unpredictable, capable of tear-
without volition. A Diamond Mind adept can make the rain- ing most opponents apart with his bare hands.
drops stand still if he wishes. He understands that any battle is And finally, we come to the discipline of the White Raven—the
a contest of wills, and that victory is inevitable for the warrior path of the great captain, the leader of warriors, and the crusader.
who wins that contest. A White Raven disciple studies the art of fighting in concert with
Iron Heart is the quest for skill, pure and simple. A warrior who his allies, and uses his fierce war cries to great effect in battle.
follows this path studies ever more complex and difficult maneu- These are the Nine Disciplines. Some whisper of a secret Tenth
vers for battle. The deep communion he shares with the spirit of Path, but I think such rumors are no more than bard’s tales. Pay
steel causes a sword to become a living thing in his hands. them no attention, my student!
8
her chosen cause, and in some cases molds the maneuvers Upon reaching 4th level, and at every even-numbered
she can use. crusader level after that (6th, 8th, 10th, and so on), you
Good and lawful crusaders are more common than chaotic can choose to learn a new maneuver in place of one you
or evil ones, since obedience and service come more easily already know. In effect, you lose the old maneuver in
to characters of the former alignments. However, the rare exchange for the new one. You can choose a new maneuver
evil crusader is a force to be reckoned with. She is a cruel of any level you like, as long as you observe your restric-
and fearsome reaver—a scourge who preys on the weak and tion on the highest-level maneuvers you know; you need
defenseless to honor her dark patrons. not replace the old maneuver with a maneuver of the same
Starting Gold: 6d4×10 gp (150 gp). level. For example, upon reaching 10th level, you could
Starting Age: As paladin (PH 109). trade in a single 1st-, 2nd-, 3rd- or 4th-level maneuver for a
maneuver of 5th level or lower, as long as you
CLASS FEATURES meet the prerequisite of the new maneuver.
First and foremost, a crusader is a competent com- You can swap only a single maneuver at
batant. She fights as skillfully as a fighter, paladin, any given level.
or ranger does, relying on heavy armor Maneuvers Readied: You can ready
and a good selection of weapons to all five maneuvers you know at 1st
gain the edge over her opponents. level, but as you advance in level and
To this basic fighting prowess, learn more maneuvers, you must
she adds several abilities derived choose which maneuvers to ready.
9
Table 1–1: The Crusader Hit Die: d10
Base Fort Ref Will Maneuvers Maneuvers Stances
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special Known Readied Known
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Furious counterstrike, steely resolve 5 5 5 (2) 1
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Indomitable soul 5 5 (2) 2
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Zealous surge 6 5 (2) 2
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Steely resolve 10 6 5 (2) 2
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 — 7 5 (2) 2
6th +6/+1 +5 +2 +2 Smite 1/day 7 5 (2) 2
7th +7/+2 +5 +2 +2 — 8 5 (2) 2
8th +8/+3 +6 +2 +2 Steely resolve 15 8 5 (2) 3
9th +9/+4 +6 +3 +3 — 9 5 (2) 3
10th +10/+5 +7 +3 +3 Die Hard 9 6 (3) 3
11th +11/+6/+1 +7 +3 +3 — 10 6 (3) 3
12th +12/+7/+2 +8 +4 +4 Steely resolve 20 10 6 (3) 3
13th +13/+8/+3 +8 +4 +4 Mettle 11 6 (3) 3
14th +14/+9/+4 +9 +4 +4 — 11 6 (3) 4
15th +15/+10/+5 +9 +5 +5 — 12 6 (3) 4
16th +16/+11/+6/+1 +10 +5 +5 Steely resolve 25 12 6 (3) 4
17th +17/+12/+7/+2 +10 +5 +5 — 13 6 (3) 4
18th +18/+13/+8/+3 +11 +6 +6 Smite 2/day 13 6 (3) 4
19th +19/+14/+9/+4 +11 +6 +6 — 14 6 (3) 4
Disciples of the Sword
selection of readied maneuvers is granted to you. Over the your delayed damage pool, which then resets to 0. Any healing
course of a few rounds, all your maneuvers will eventually you receive can either increase your current hit point total as
be granted. normal or reduce the total damage in your delayed damage
If, at the end of your turn, you cannot be granted a maneu- pool. When you receive healing, you choose whether it affects
ver because you have no withheld maneuvers remaining, your damage pool, your hit points, or both (you can split the
you recover all expended maneuvers, and a new pair of amount of healing as you wish). Most crusaders opt to keep
readied maneuvers is granted to you. Randomly determine as much damage in their delayed damage pool as possible to
which of your maneuvers are granted and which are with- maximize the benefit of their furious counterstrike ability
held. At the end of your next turn, a withheld maneuver is (see below).
granted to you, and the whole process of divine inspiration Special effects tied to an attack, such as energy drain, stun,
begins again. and so forth, still affect you as normal, and their effects are
You begin an encounter with an additional granted maneu- not delayed by this ability. For example, if you are bitten
ver at 10th level (bringing your total to three), and again at by a venomous spider, you must still attempt a Fortitude
20th level (bringing your total to four). save against the poison immediately, even though the bite
Stances Known: You begin play with knowledge of one damage shifts into your delayed damage pool. By the same
1st-level stance from the Devoted Spirit, Stone Dragon, or token, any other special attack that imposes a condition,
White Raven discipline. At 2nd, 8th, and 14th level, you can such as a medusa’s petrifying gaze, takes immediate effect
choose an additional stance. Unlike maneuvers, stances are on you.
not expended, and you do not have to ready them. All the At 1st level, your delayed damage pool can hold up to 5
stances you know are available to you at all times, and you points of damage. Any damage beyond that comes off your
can change the stance you currently use as a swift action. A hit points as normal. The maximum damage your pool holds
stance is an extraordinary ability unless otherwise stated in increases by 5 at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 20th level.
the stance description. Furious Counterstrike (Ex): You can channel the pain
Unlike with maneuvers, you cannot learn a new stance at of your injuries into a boiling rage that lets you lash out at
higher levels in place of one you already know. your enemies with renewed vigor and power. Each attack
Steely Resolve (Ex): Your supreme dedication and intense that strikes you only pushes you onward to greater glory.
focus allow you to temporarily set aside the pain and hinder- During your turn, you gain a bonus on attack rolls and
ing effects of injuries. When an opponent strikes you, the damage rolls equal to the current value of your delayed
injury does not immediately affect you. damage pool (see steely resolve, above) divided by 5, and
You have a delayed damage pool that allows you to forestall rounding down (minimum +1). You can only gain a maxi-
the effects of many injuries. This pool begins at 0 with each mum bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls of +6 from
encounter. When you are attacked, any hit point damage the furious counterstrike. Use the table below to quickly
blow deals is added to your delayed damage pool. At the end determine the attack bonus and damage bonus from furi-
of your next turn, you take damage equal to the total stored in ous counterstrike, based on the amount of damage in your
10
delayed damage pool. This ability’s benefits last until the years to become a weapon worthy of your ideal. Where
end of your turn. others hesitate, you press on with certainty, unshakable
in your beliefs.
Delayed Damage Furious Counterstrike As a crusader, you undertake adventures according to
Pool Points Bonus the dictates of your cause, your temple, or your conscience.
1–9 +1
You might find yourself in a swampy mausoleum slaying
10–14 +2
15–19 +3 infidel trolls with a sword in one hand and a flask of acid in
20–24 +4 the other, or bouncing across sahuagin-infested waves on a
25–29 +5 halfling sloop because you owe a friend safe passage across
30+ +6 the straits. You might even find yourself on the cold, muddy
field of battle, charging shoulder to shoulder with peasants
Indomitable Soul (Ex): Beginning at 2nd level, you draw and soldiers, raising pitchforks and shields against the pelt-
upon the power of your unwavering faith to steel yourself ing ice storms of the enemy. The only constant is the depth
against the enemies you face. Your personality, energy, and of your devotion to your cause—the night winds will snuff
dedication to your faith make it possible for you to shrug off out the stars before your fidelity ever wavers.
attacks that target your willpower.
You add your Charisma bonus (if any) as a bonus on Will RELIGION
saves. This bonus does not stack with that from a paladin’s Your choice of deity is paramount, since religion is an obvi-
divine grace ability. ous target for the devotion and zeal embodied by this class.
11
and more powerful than they were before you were injured. embrace the Devoted Spirit discipline, you turn inward,
Furthermore, if opponents focus on you, they cannot injure cultivating wisdom and devout faith.
your allies. Thus, taking damage each round should be your
goal. The sooner you can engage the toughest opponent in HUMAN CRUSADER STARTING PACKAGE
melee, the faster you can bolster your attacks. As a crusader, Armor: Scale mail (+4 AC, armor check penalty –4, speed
you’re at your best when you can take on the monster or 20 ft., 30 lb.).
opponent that deals the most damage. Heavy wooden shield (+2 AC, armor check penalty –2,
Other tactics vary according to your chosen discipline. 10 lb.).
Stone Dragon crusaders favor head-on charges, boulder- Weapons: Longsword (1d8, crit 19–20/×2, 4 lb., one-handed
rolling into opponents and mountain-hammering anyone slashing).
left standing. If you have a high Strength score, you should Shortbow (1d6, crit ×3, range inc. 60 ft., 2 lb., piercing).
consider feats that take advantage of that ability if you choose Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 4 +
this path (such as Power Attack, Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Int modifier.
Improved Overrun, and Improved Sunder). As a Devoted
Spirit crusader, some of your maneuvers function only Skill Ranks Ability Armor Check Penalty
against creatures with opposed alignments. Devoted Spirit Balance 4 Dex —
Concentration 4 Con —
crusaders are often hunters on the battlefield, dedicated to
Diplomacy 4 Cha —
chasing down the most dangerous foes. If you are a White Intimidate 4 Cha —
Raven crusader, you are more group-oriented than other Jump 4 Str –6
Disciples of the Sword
crusaders. Fighting shoulder to shoulder with allies, direct- Martial Lore 4 Int —
ing flanks, coordinating charges, and covering a cleric while Ride 4 Dex —
he heals the wounded are among the specialties of a White Spot (cc) 2 Wis —
Raven crusader. Feat: Weapon Focus (longsword).
At high levels, your mettle ability affords you an extra Bonus Feat: Iron Will.
measure of confidence when you confront enemies that Gear: Backpack with waterskin, one day’s trail rations,
use spells or spell-like abilities. Many demons, devils, bedroll, sack, flint and steel, 3 torches, quiver with 20 arrows,
and other outsiders have spell-like abilities, and these are tent, traveler’s outfit, cold weather outfit, holy symbol.
precisely the foes that you are trained to vanquish (par- Gold: 2d4 gp.
ticularly if you’re a Devoted Spirit crusader). Combined
with the indomitable soul ability, mettle can prove to be CRUSADERS IN THE WORLD
surpassingly powerful. “Howling over the thunder, the antlered demons leapt down from
the peak. The demon blades were as numerous as the driving spikes
ADVANCEMENT of sleet, but the Vix Tholm crusaders held their ground. I began to
Ever since the Spirit Seeker was torn apart by demons believe that the mountain would slide out from under the crusaders’
during the catastrophic battle that ended in the destruction feet before they yielded an inch.”
and dispersal of the Shadow Tiger horde, master crusaders —Darh Nas’urb, dwarf pilgrim of Heironeous
have sought to attain his perfect harmony of spirit, body,
and weapon mastery. In three warring stone citadels, the Crusaders bring clashing steel, stirring speeches, and
combat masters of the Vix Tholm, the Ruby Knights of intense fervor to the campaign. The first sign of a crusader’s
Wee Jas, and the reth dekala (see page 154) each teach pil- presence might be a knight-herald riding alone down the
grims the three precepts of combat: skill, self-discipline, Processional to the King’s Fane, where he tacks a scroll
and knowledge. to the door and promptly gallops off, his helmeted visage
To take training at a citadel, you must maintain maximum revealing nothing.
ranks in your most important skills. Rare is a crusader who Crusaders can launch grand crusades, each of which
does not have maximum ranks in the skill most appropriate can serve as the foundation for a thousand adventures.
to her path (Balance for Stone Dragon, Intimidate for Devoted Crusaders who support less than popular causes might hold
Spirit, and Diplomacy for White Raven). In addition, you clandestine meetings in the night, fi lled with whispered
live and die by your discipline. If you hope to achieve true negotiations. Alternatively, if war has already broken out,
mastery, you must choose your discipline wisely and devote the campaign might feature battles along ramparts studded
yourself to it completely. If you’re physically weak, you would with ballistae and bombarded with flaming pitch. A crusade
be ill-advised to pursue the path of the Stone Dragon, but might be a one-time occurrence when a passing army moves
your strength of will might serve you well on the path of the through the kingdom’s hinterlands, or it might serve as
Devoted Spirit. the entire focus of the campaign, with the PCs moving up
If you’re advancing as a Stone Dragon adept, you seek to through the ranks of a holy army to lead the charge on the
acquire items, learn feats, and develop maneuver combina- infidels’ stronghold.
tions that emphasize strength and direct confrontation. Crusaders can also move through a campaign world
If yours is the path of the White Raven, you focus on your individually. Perhaps a PC crusader is the last adherent of
leadership abilities and the tactical details of combat. If you her cause, destined to make a glorious final stand against
12
an evil that has consumed her heritage. She might join with according to some—to serve the high priests and priest-
other adventurers, seeking strength in their company. A esses as the military arm of the Witch Goddess’s temples,
PC crusader could also be an evangelist from a far land who and they continue to do so. Crusader orders dedicated to
has come to the campaign area to spread the word of her Pelor, Hextor, Ehlonna, and Nerull also exist, and rumors
cause—and perhaps even to recruit adventurers whom she abound of hidden temples that house crusaders who nar-
can take back to her homeland to fight alongside her. Per- rowly escaped the purges.
haps a PC crusader is falsely accused of heresy and forced to In a large and openly acknowledged crusader order, pro-
travel alone, dodging bounty hunters and assassins, all while motion is based on battlefield performance. The battlefield,
upholding her ideals without the support or respect of her however, is generously defined. It could be a political battle-
erstwhile colleagues. field on which victory consists of the grant of the western
valley’s taxation rights from the Exchequer. It might also be
DAILY LIFE a specific battlefield, such as the hedge prison of a demon
A crusader views the world through the twin lenses of faith prince in an ancient dungeon, where victory can be attained
and battle. A farmer seeding the furrows, a merchant hawking by thwarting the captive’s attempts at escape. The battlefield
oranges and pottery, an apprentice toasting his fingers with could even be a spiritual one, where victory is the delivery of
an ironically misfired burning hands—to the crusader, these pilgrims to a holy site that will inspire them to new heights
everyday sights are not random occurrences, but building of religious fervor.
blocks in the battle between good and evil, law and chaos. In a persecuted crusader order, promotion is often based
For whom does the farmer toil, and to whom does he pay simply on survival. New blood is vital and special, so a
13
guarding pilgrim caravans, retrieving items from a rival faith and divine magic, but a battle tradition of slayers handed
religion’s vaults, or representing the organization at court. down over the centuries.
An evil crusader order might target the PCs’ homeland for
invasion or persecute all members of their race. The leader SAMPLE ENCOUNTER
of an evil crusader order can make an excellent recurring Crusaders pursue their causes, whatever they might be, with
villain for your campaign—especially if he uses his politi- an unmatched zeal. Any time the PCs become involved
cal clout to pass laws that make life difficult for the PCs. in an emotionally or politically charged adventure, a
For example, he might institute 2-hour delays at the city crusader might appear. A crusader is especially easy to
gates, forbid foreigners to possess mithral and adamantine, introduce within the context of a church, as a holy (or
require that all spellbooks be registered and copies stored unholy) knight dedicated to one distinct and specific
at the owner’s expense, or the like. aspect of his deity.
A crusader character expects that his combat prowess will EL 8: Miros Xavt is a crusader of Erythnul, although he
aid the party in its fights and that his religious affiliation will poses as a crusader of Heironeous shepherding a small flock
have meaningful consequences in the game world. Accord- of five human and seven dwarf pilgrims on a journey to the
ingly, you should populate your encounters with monsters sacred site of Koshtra Amnorn, the highest peak in the Sun-
that oppose your crusader’s ideals. Sketching out in advance spire Mountains, and the inspiration for Reshar’s lost epic
how a campaign’s important NPCs will react to zealot war- poem explaining his motivations in unifying the Nine Paths.
riors is time well spent. Miros is in fact leading a group of twelve disguised kenku
marauders. They beg the PCs to join them and help escort
Disciples of the Sword
14
SWORDSAGE significant by most who follow this path. Accordingly, a
“Thick armor indicates a lack of skill. If you lack the training to avoid typical swordsage has at least one neutral component in his
your enemies’ blows, perhaps you should leave the fighting to me.” alignment, representing a certain detachment from worldly
—Chen, swordsage matters. Good swordsages tend to be free-roaming champions
of the weak and downtrodden. The less commonplace evil
A master of martial maneuvers, the swordsage is a physical swordsages believe that their mastery of the martial arts has
adept—a blade wizard whose knowledge of the Sublime Way made them superior to everyone around them.
lets him unlock potent abilities, many of which are overtly Starting Gold: 4d4×10 (100 gp).
supernatural or magical in nature. Depending on which Starting Age: As monk.
disciplines he chooses to study, a swordsage might be capable
of walking through walls, leaping dozens of feet into the air, CLASS FEATURES
shattering boulders with a single touch, or even mastering Of all three martial adept classes, swordsages learn and
the elements of fire or shadow. Whatever his specific train- can ready the most maneuvers. This advantage gives them
ing, a swordsage blurs the line between martial prowess and unparalleled versatility in a given encounter. In one battle,
magical skill. a swordsage might fulfi ll the role of the rogue, lurking in
shadows and striking when foes are least prepared. In another,
MAKING A SWORDSAGE he might be scorching enemies with area attacks, much like
Despite his spectacular combat moves, a swordsage is not a a wizard. In still another fight, he might tear an enemy apart
typical front-line melee combatant. Although a fighter, bar- with his bare hands, matching a barbarian’s ferocity with his
15
Table 1–2: The Swordsage Hit Die: d8
Base Fort Ref Will Maneuvers Maneuvers Stances
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special Known Readied Known
1st +0 +0 +2 +2 Quick to act +1, 6 4 1
discipline focus (Weapon Focus)
2nd +1 +0 +3 +3 AC bonus 7 4 2
3rd +2 +1 +3 +3 — 8 5 2
4th +3 +1 +4 +4 Discipline focus (insightful strike) 9 5 2
5th +3 +1 +4 +4 Quick to act +2 10 6 3
6th +4 +2 +5 +5 — 11 6 3
7th +5 +2 +5 +5 Sense magic 12 6 3
8th +6/+1 +2 +6 +6 Discipline focus (defensive stance) 13 7 3
9th +6/+1 +3 +6 +6 Evasion 14 7 4
10th +7/+2 +3 +7 +7 Quick to act +3 15 8 4
11th +8/+3 +3 +7 +7 — 16 8 4
12th +9/+4 +4 +8 +8 Discipline focus (insightful strike) 17 8 4
13th +10/+5 +4 +8 +8 — 18 9 4
14th +10/+5 +4 +9 +9 — 19 9 5
15th +11/+6/+1 +5 +9 +9 Quick to act +4 20 10 5
16th +12/+7/+2 +5 +10 +10 Discipline focus (defensive stance) 21 10 5
17th +13/+8/+3 +5 +10 +10 Improved evasion 22 10 5
18th +13/+8/+3 +6 +11 +11 — 23 11 5
Disciples of the Sword
16
Evasion (Ex): At 9th level, you can avoid even magical and deity, you worship one who is remote and generally refrains
unusual attacks with great agility. If you make a successful from meddling in the lives of mortals. Boccob the Uncaring
Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals is a favorite among your fellow swordsages. A few, however,
damage on a successful save, you instead take no damage. choose to worship the Shalm, Obad-Hai, because his neutral-
Evasion can be used only if you are wearing light armor or ity aligns well with the swordsage notion that the truth of
no armor. If you are helpless, you do not gain the benefit steel is not what you want it to be, but simply what it is.
of evasion.
Improved Evasion (Ex): From 17th level on, you gain OTHER CLASSES
the benefit of improved evasion. You still take no damage if You have learned to look past the profession and see the
you make a successful Reflex save against an attack, and even individual, finding more truth in a person’s deeds than in
if you fail the Reflex save, you take only half damage from her abilities. Once you have ascertained the measure of her
the attack. If you are helpless, you do not gain the benefit of soul, you consider her profession and skills. You prize other
improved evasion. martial adepts—especially other swordsages—as friends and
Dual Boost (Ex): When you reach 20th level, you can allies, both for their combat prowess and for their ability to
use two boost maneuvers simultaneously. Whenever you play to each other’s strengths. Flanking rogues are also valu-
initiate a boost maneuver, you can also initiate any other able allies in battle. Clerics and arcane casters are invaluable
boost maneuver that you know as a free action. Both boosts companions, but you resent spellcasters who cast area spells,
you initiate are expended normally. You can use this ability wall spells, or similar dweomers that alter the battlefield and
three times per day. limit your mobility and options.
you find that truth in the burbling acid swamps south of the the greatest range of maneuvers of any martial adept, so you
Deluge Jungle, in a screeching jungle harpy roost, or in the should have multiple strikes, counters, stances, and boosts
gullet of a purple worm, you are driven to uncover it, learn available after just a few levels in the class.
it, and master it.
ADVANCEMENT
RELIGION Your training began when you won an apprenticeship with
Religion might be entirely immaterial to you, or you might a mentor—either an individual hermit swordsage or an
find comfort in the existence of the Upper (or Lower) Planes. instructor at an ancient swordsage temple dating back to the
If you are among the minority of swordsages who revere a Battle of the Shadow Tiger Horde. You knew that winning
17
a swordsage apprenticeship would not be easy—that in fact, SWORDSAGES IN THE WORLD
it would be an ordeal designed to test your worth in some “I could smell the jasmine perfume lingering in the torchlight. The
unusual way. Eighty Empresses had entered the castle here, through this door. The
The masters of the Harad Devin Temple are known to make sentinel, crumpled on the parapet, was still smiling.”
the young boys and girls wishing to undertake training wait —Kalin Stonehelm, castellan of Orlep Tor
in the courtyard for seasons on end, through rain, snow, and
the acid cloud storms of reth dekala attacks. Occasionally the The pontificating recluse, the wandering mystic, the martial
masters might send a pot of porridge to the courtyard for the scholar—all these and more are swordsages. These martial
aspirants, and even more occasionally—never more than once adepts bring a combination of mental acumen and physical
per season—they select one child to enter through the Ivory prowess to the world. With a potential to advance in a number
and Horn Gates. The Eighty Empresses have a different selec- of different directions—offensive, defensive, support, and
tion process for their protégés. The masters bring each young quick-strike—they make excellent additions to adventuring
lady separately into the Dressing Room of Opala I, whose parties. When the campaign action veers out of the dungeon
walls, mirrors, incense lamps, pots of rouge, and songbird and into the royal courts, darkened chambers, and diplomatic
cages are draped with 1,080 shimmering gold, red, pink, halls of the kingdom, a swordsage’s inclination toward intel-
orange, and fuchsia silk ribbons. The girl is allowed to stay lectual pursuits and his natural role as a scholar—martial
as long as she likes in the dressing room; she has but to give and otherwise—allow him to remain a strong contributor
a signal when she is ready to leave. After she is led away, one to the party.
ribbon is removed from the room. Then she is brought back.
Disciples of the Sword
If she can name the color of the ribbon that was removed, DAILY LIFE
she is accepted; otherwise, she is turned away forever. A swordsage spends the majority of his time perfecting
As a swordsage, your selection of disciplines and martial his art. The mental and spiritual demands of the Sublime
maneuvers is paramount to your success. You might choose Way require constant attention, so he can spare little time
to focus on maneuvers from a single discipline, but learning for carousing.
a few maneuvers from the other schools is almost always Art in all its forms is often a passion for swordsages. Many
advisable. True success in combat requires a wide variety of find refreshment and a wellspring of strength in the arts of
martial maneuvers. sculpting, painting, poetry, calligraphy, rock-stacking, or
illusory patterns.
HUMAN SWORDSAGE A swordsage with an apprentice spends much of his time
STARTING PACKAGE training his student. A swordsage without an apprentice
Armor: Studded leather (+3 AC, armor check penalty –1, might or might not spend time seeking one out, according
speed 30 ft., 20 lb.). to his whims.
Weapons: Longsword (1d8, crit 19–20/×2, 4 lb., one-handed
slashing). NOTABLES
Light crossbow (1d8, crit 19–20, range inc. 80 ft., 4 lb., Opala I, the Empress Incarnadine and founder of the Eighty
piercing). Empresses, was a swordsage. Known as much for her wisdom,
Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 6 + her dance, and her ribbons as for her swords, she is regarded
Int modifier. by many as the prototypical swordsage—serene, poised, and
deadly. Modern notable swordsages include the Sage of Snow
Skill Ranks Ability Armor Check Penalty and Shadow, who lives at the peak of one of the Sunspires
Balance 4 Dex –1 near Koshtra Amnorn, and Skurrgh, a half-orc pariah who is
Concentration 4 Con —
shunned by his native tribe for questioning the unmitigated
Heal 4 Wis —
Hide 4 Dex –1 war frenzy dictated by the shamans of He Who Watches.
Intimidate 4 Cha — Skurrgh is presently looking for an apprentice but has yet to
Jump 4 Str –1 fi nd one he considers suitable. Many of the more dedicated
Knowledge (local) 4 Int — aspirants prefer to wait in the rain and snow outside the
Martial Lore 4 Int — Harad Devin Temple rather than risk their training on a
Move Silently 4 Dex –1 rogue half-orc.
Ride 4 Dex —
Sense Motive 4 Wis —
Spot (cc) 2 Wis — ORGANIZATIONS
Tumble 4 Dex –1 The Harad Devin Temple has recruited and trained sword-
sages for centuries. Many of its alumni wear intricate tattoos
or brands on the inside of their forearms that record frag-
Feat: Dodge.
ments of the order’s history. It is said that if all the sages of
Bonus Feat: Improved Initiative.
the Harad Devin Temple were to line up, one could read the
Gear: Backpack with waterskin, one day’s trail rations,
entire history of the Sunspire Mountains and Deluge Jungle
bedroll, sack, flint and steel, 3 torches, quiver with 20 arrows,
regions from their tattoos, and that their brands are sigils that
tent, traveler’s outfit, cold weather outfit.
can unlock a spell of epic proportions.
Gold: 2d4 gp.
18
The women of the Eighty Empresses also carry the marks masters of martial knowledge: They appreciate the sword-
of their order, which in this case are ribbons. Each young sages’ sense of history and love of bardic arts but dislike
lady who wins acceptance to the order adopts the ribbon their tendency to take life seriously. Half-elves often dis-
from her induction ceremony as her personal symbol. Unlike like swordsages, seeing in their selective apprenticeship
the markings associated with the Harad Devin Temple, no process an echo of the exclusionary attitude that those
Illus. by K. Andrasofszky
legend connects the ribbons of the Eighty Empresses with of mixed blood sometimes experience.
any greater epic. In fact, these decorations appear to have no
meaning at all. No color, braidwork, or fringe signifies rank OTHER CLASSES
within the order, and no particular manner of display—hair- Swordsages tend to have more in common with clerics and
bow, choker, or wristband—has any meaning beyond the wizards than with the melee fighting classes. Barbarians in
preference of the individual member. particular are apt to be annoyed by a swordsage’s proclivity to
Many other swordsage organizations analyze or at least contemplate a combat before, during, and
exist as well. The typical order is a after the actual fighting. One of Opala’s favorite questions was,
small, well-organized, organic unit “How does a sword mean?” It is said that the orc barbarian
that exists for a single purpose. horde-king Blech Forktongue slew twenty subchieftains in a
One swordsage organization might rage while trying to discover the meaning of that question.
focus on the history of a particu-
lar combat style, while another is SWORDSAGE LORE
sworn to protect the ruler of a local Characters with ranks in Gather Information or Knowl-
19
excellent combat abilities, and magical flair ensure that he is Strikes—blistering flourish† (1st), charging minotaur†
equally at home in a dungeon, in the halls of a palace, and in (1st), death mark† (3rd), shadow blade technique
a wizard’s tower. A good enemy for a swordsage is one against (1st), stone bones (1st)
whom he must use all his skills, all his maneuvers, and all Boosts—burning blade (1st), burning brand† (2nd),
his knowledge. distracting ember (1st), wind stride (1st)
Counters—fire riposte† (2nd), zephyr dance† (3rd)
Disciplines: Desert Wind, Shadow Hand, Stone Dragon
ADAPTATION † Readied maneuver
The name “swordsage” naturally implies a character who car-
Abilities Str 14, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8
ries a sword or weapon of some kind. However, a swordsage
SQ able to notice secret or concealed doors
works very well as a supernatural martial artist of almost Feats Alertness, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus
any school or origin. To create a monklike character with (scimitar, light mace, light pick, spear, falchion)B
a tremendous array of fantastic moves and strikes, give the Skills Balance +13, Diplomacy +3, Gather Information +1,
swordsage the monk’s unarmed strike progression and Hide +11, Jump +13, Listen +5, Move Silently +11, Search
remove his light armor proficiency. If you prefer, you could +2, Sense Motive +10, Spot +5, Tumble +13
instead emphasize the magical talents of the swordsage by Possessions combat gear plus +2 studded leather,
giving the swordsage the ability to learn arcane spells in place masterwork scimitar, cloak of resistance +1, longbow
of maneuvers of equivalent level. In general, spells from the with 20 arrows
schools of abjuration, evocation, and transmutation are most
appropriate for a swordsage of this type, especially spells with WARBLADE
Disciples of the Sword
a range of personal or touch. The arcane spell is “cast” as if “I was born for war. I have the heart of a lion, the swiftness of an
it were a martial maneuver. In this case, you should remove eagle, and the strength of a dragon! In battle I find purpose, in
the class’s light armor proficiency and reduce the swordsage’s conflict perfection, and in victory exaltation. The gods themselves
Hit Die to d6. envy my hour of glory.”
—Arzimon, a warblade
SAMPLE ENCOUNTER
Swordsages can be encountered anywhere: in large cities, in The warblade was born for conflict. Swift, strong, enduring,
the wilderness, or on the road to nowhere. and utterly confident in his martial skills, he seeks to test
EL 6: The highwayman known as the Crimson Mask himself against worthy foes. Battle is beautiful to him—a
plagues the roads and pathways near the Free City. By draw- perfect moment in which life hangs suspended on the
ing on the power of his martial maneuvers, he swoops in bright edge of a sword. Sheer combat skill is important to a
to surprise his enemies, fights them to the brink of defeat, warblade, so he trains intensely with his chosen weapons. But
demands a ransom to cease his attack, then disappears back even more important are his athleticism, endurance, daring,
into the forest. Crimson Mask is, in truth, a worshiper of recklessness, and joy in the hour of danger. Warblades, often
Olidammara who seeks to steal from rich adventurers and called sword princes, live for the chance to test themselves
distribute the money to the needy. He cares little whether he in battle—the stronger the foe, the greater the glory once
steals from a heroic paladin or a heartless mercenary because an enemy is defeated.
he feels that neither is likely to do anything useful with the
money. Thus, he has no compunctions about taking it. MAKING A WARBLADE
A warblade is a front-line melee combatant, much like a
Crimson Mask CR 6 barbarian or fighter. He engages his enemies toe to toe and
Male half-elf swordsage 6 defeats them through skill at arms.
CG Medium humanoid (elf) Abilities: Pure physical perfection is a warblade’s ideal,
Init +8; Senses low-light vision; Listen +5, Spot +5 so Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution are all vital to
Languages Common, Elven him. Because mastering a bewildering variety of martial
AC 18, touch 13, flat-footed 16 maneuvers is difficult, Intelligence is also important to a
(Dex +2, Wis +1, armor +5) warblade, because he appreciates the bonus skill points,
hp 49 (6 HD) and many of his class features reward a high Intelligence
Immune sleep
bonus. Given the choice between Wisdom and Charisma,
Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +7 (+9 against enchantments)
a warblade is more likely to boost the latter—the better to
Speed 30 ft. wear the mantle of glory he hopes to win with his deeds
Melee mwk scimitar +7 (1d6+2/18–20)
on the battlefield.
Ranged longbow +6 (1d8/×3)
Base Atk +4; Grp +6 Races: The warrior cultures that give rise to warblades
Atk Options discipline focus (insightful strike—Desert are most often found in human, elf, and hobgoblin lands.
Wind) Admiration for athletic prowess, the martial ideal, and sheer
Combat Gear 2 potions of cure light wounds physical daring is common among these races. The githyanki
Maneuvers and Stances Known (IL 6th): also take great pride in their martial skill, and a number of
Stances—child of shadow (1st), flame’s blessing (1st), warblades can be found among this race. Dwarves appreciate
holocaust cloak (3rd) a warblade’s martial prowess but might shy away from over-
20
Table 1–3: The Warblade Hit Die: d12
Base Fort Ref Will Maneuvers Maneuvers Stances
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special Known Readied Known
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Battle clarity (Reflex saves), 3 3 1
weapon aptitude
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Uncanny dodge 4 3 1
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Battle ardor (critical confirmation) 5 3 1
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 — 5 4 2
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Bonus feat 6 4 2
6th +6/+1 +5 +2 +2 Improved uncanny dodge 6 4 2
7th +7/+2 +5 +2 +2 Battle cunning (damage) 7 4 2
8th +8/+3 +6 +2 +2 — 7 4 2
9th +9/+4 +6 +3 +3 Bonus feat 8 4 2
10th +10/+5 +7 +3 +3 — 8 5 3
11th +11/+6/+1 +7 +3 +3 Battle skill (opposed checks) 9 5 3
12th +12/+7/+2 +8 +4 +4 — 9 5 3
13th +13/+8/+3 +8 +4 +4 Bonus feat 10 5 3
14th +14/+9/+4 +9 +4 +4 — 10 5 3
15th +15/+10/+5 +9 +5 +5 Battle mastery (attacks of opportunity) 11 6 3
16th +16/+11/+6/+1 +10 +5 +5 — 11 6 4
17th +17/+12/+7/+2 +10 +5 +5 Bonus feat 12 6 4
18th +18/+13/+8/+3 +11 +6 +6 — 12 6 4
21
any time you spend 5 minutes in practice, you can change Specialization, since you’re treated as being a 4th-level fighter
your readied maneuvers. for this purpose. These effective fighter levels stack with any
You begin an encounter with all your readied maneuvers actual fighter levels you have. Thus, a fighter 2/warblade 4
unexpended, regardless of how many times you might have would also qualify for Weapon Specialization.
already used them since you chose them. When you initiate You also have the flexibility to adjust your weapon train-
a maneuver, you expend it for the current encounter, so each ing. Each morning, you can spend 1 hour in weapon practice
of your readied maneuvers can be used once per encounter to change the designated weapon for any feat you have that
(until you recover them, as described below). applies only to a single weapon (such as Weapon Focus). You
You can recover all expended maneuvers with a single swift must have the newly designated weapon available during
action, which must be immediately followed in the same your practice session to make this change. For example, if
round with a melee at- you wish to change the
tack or using a standard designated weapon for
action to do nothing your Weapon Focus feat
else in the round (such from greatsword to long-
as executing a quick, sword, you must have a
harmless flourish with longsword available to
your weapon). You can- practice with during your
not initiate a maneuver practice session.
or change your stance You can adjust any
Disciples of the Sword
cal awareness of the battlefield around you. As long as you (barbarian or rogue, for example), you automatically gain
are not flat-footed, you gain an insight bonus equal to your improved uncanny dodge (see below) instead.
Intelligence bonus (maximum equals your warblade level) Battle Ardor (Ex): The sheer love of battle lends uncanny
on your Reflex saves. strength to your blows. Starting at 3rd level, you gain an
Weapon Aptitude (Ex): Your training with a wide range insight bonus equal to your Intelligence bonus on rolls made
of weaponry and tactics gives you great skill with particular to confirm critical hits.
weapons. You qualify for feats that usually require a minimum Bonus Feat: At 5th level, you gain a bonus feat from the
number of fighter levels (such as Weapon Specialization) as list given below. You must meet the prerequisite for the feat
if you had a fighter level equal to your warblade level –2. For you select. Every four levels thereafter (at 9th, 13th, and 17th
example, as a 6th-level warblade, you could take Weapon level), you choose another bonus feat from the list.
22
Bonus Feat List: Acrobatic, Agile, Athletic, Blade Medita- brash approach to life. Other good warblades favor Pelor,
tion*, Blind-Fight, Combat Reflexes, Diehard, Endurance, Heironeous, and, in rare cases, dour St. Cuthbert. If you are
Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Ironheart*, evil, you probably champion the cause of Erythnul or Hextor.
Lightning Reflexes, Quick Draw, Run, Stone Power*, Tiger A rumored secret sect of warblades follows Vecna, claiming to
Blooded*, Unnerving Calm*, White Raven Defense*. be the descendants of the loyal army that watched horrified
*New feats described in Chapter 2. as its commander, Kas, committed his famous betrayal.
Battle Cunning (Ex): Your instinct for seizing the
moment gives you a significant advantage over foes unpre- OTHER CLASSES
pared for your attack. At 7th level, you gain an insight bonus Because you appreciate the long years of study and practice
equal to your Intelligence bonus on melee damage rolls necessary to become a master of combat, you have great
against flat-footed or flanked opponents. respect for fighters and paladins—though you sometimes
Battle Skill (Ex): You anticipate your enemies’ ploys and feel a rivalry with them, as well. You don’t get along too well
tactics. At 11th level, you gain an insight bonus equal to your with barbarians because they seem incapable of properly
Intelligence bonus on any check made to oppose an enemy’s bestowing or receiving honor. Bards are among your favorite
bull rush, disarm, feint, overrun, sunder, or trip attempt. companions as long as they stay out of the way and leave the
Battle Mastery (Ex): You notice the most subtle openings glory of the fight to you—and sing of your success later in
and cues offered by your opponents. At 15th level, you gain tavern and hall. Both divine and arcane spellcasters are for-
an insight bonus equal to your Intelligence bonus on melee eign to your pursuit of physical perfection, so you see them as
attack rolls and melee damage rolls made whenever you make little more than a means of support for your own endeavors.
23
Your race matters little; anyone with the drive to win glory Warblades live by muscle and steel, but their interaction
through combat is a good candidate for warblade training. The with the campaign world is not limited to trading sword
first warblades to embark on the path of the Iron Heart were slashes for talon rakes. These characters are keenly aware of
hobgoblins. They were the first to teach Reshar, and their their social standing, and for them, glory and honor are at
discipline was the first that he mastered. In the centuries that least as important as gold and gems. Because these precious
have followed, hobgoblins have not forgotten this fact, and intangibles cannot be won by strength of blade alone, war-
that race still produces more warblades than many others. blades constantly find themselves embroiled in liaisons with
Elves and half-elves often take up this class because they generals, kings, princesses, archprelates, and others who can
appreciate the warblade’s view of battle as a glorious art, and confer the honor of an entire society upon a victorious hero.
the martial dwarves favor it as well. Outsiders often wonder The whispers of courtesans, the badinage of bards, and the
at a warblade academy in which synchronized lines of young wit of aristocrats can be as significant to a warblade’s career as
would-be warblades practice their weapon forms, especially the giants and phase spiders of the Sunspire Mountains—and
when they notice that these ordered ranks include elves, even more ferocious.
hobgoblins, and dwarves. But as a warblade, you know that Warblades in adventuring parties must strike a balance
it is the art of the sword that makes a true warrior, not a between group and individual goals. Ideally, the party’s path
coincidence of race. guarantees the warblade both the thrill of combat and the
As you become more skilled, your most important decisions laurels of an acclaimed hero. In cases where only one or the
are which maneuvers to learn. When selecting maneuvers, try other is possible (such as a stealth mission to extirpate a reth
not to choose any in isolation. Instead, pick two or three dekala cell operating in embarrassingly high government
Disciples of the Sword
that work well in synergy so that one maneuver can set circles, or a crucial escort mission in which the danger comes
up another. not from flashing swords but from the wayward nature of a
dauphin), the warblade must bide his time and accept the
HUMAN WARBLADE STARTING PACKAGE need to sacrifice one objective for another. Never for long,
Armor: Scale mail (+4 AC, armor check penalty –4, speed however, does a prince of the sword allow himself to forgo
20 ft., 30 lb.). tasting the heady rush of combat and the sweet adulation of
Heavy wooden shield (+2 AC, armor check penalty –2, the multitudes.
10 lb.).
Weapons: Longsword (1d8, crit 19–20/×2, 4 lb., one-handed DAILY LIFE
slashing). A warblade must train constantly to maintain his puissance.
Shortbow (1d6, crit ×3, range inc. 60 ft., 2 lb., piercing). Thus, much of his day is spent working through forms, jab-
Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 4 + Int bing at wooden effigies, and swinging weighted swords. Many
modifier. warblades are affiliated with sword temples or dojos that allow
them space to practice. While out adventuring, a prince of
Skill Ranks Ability Armor Check Penalty swords often spends his time at night on watch practicing
Concentration 4 Con — his breathing exercises and stretches. The character taking
Jump 4 Str –6
the next watch is likely to wake and find his predecessor in
Balance 4 Dex –6
Diplomacy 4 Cha — the trees, meditating with measured breaths and supported
Intimidate 4 Cha — only by a branch under each far-flung ankle.
Martial Lore 4 Int — Once he has reached a respectable level of accomplish-
Climb 4 Str –6 ment, a warblade might take the Leadership feat and begin
Knowledge (local) 4 Int — teaching his own pupils at a school—either his previous
Spot (cc) 2 Wis — academy or one he has founded. Teaching allows a warblade
to prove his worth to many students on a daily basis—and
Feat: Weapon Focus (longsword). the more prestigious they are, the better. Nobles’ daughters
Bonus Feat: Improved Initiative. and sons are highly sought-after students. A positive word
Gear: Backpack with waterskin, one day’s trail rations, from them, placed in the right ear, can earn a warblade honor,
bedroll, sack, flint and steel, 3 torches, quiver with 20 arrows, a royal audience, or even an honor guard and a ship for his
tent, traveler’s outfit, cold weather outfit. next journey.
Gold: 2d4 gp.
NOTABLES
WARBLADES IN THE WORLD Famous warblades fall into two categories: those who recruit
“The clicks and scrapes echoed off the limestone blocks, warning us of followers to found a sword temple or form an adventuring
danger ahead. The dwarf and I whispered, debating a retreat, but our band, and those who operate independently. Among the
third was a warblade and a student of the Bright Annis. He charged, warblades who have founded their own schools, the one
slicing the umber hulk’s mandibles off, then striking it seven times known as the Bright Annis is famous for her merciless
more before the creature’s jaw had clattered to the floor.” training techniques. Fewer than one in ten of her students
—Dorrom Veshthazrell, swordsage of the Murient Temple manage to complete her tutelage. Many perish while spar-
ring with their instructors or are lost in Bright Annis’s
24
ferocious quest for the heads of drow, whom she blames for RACES
the death of a lover long ago. Among the warblades who The stoic, taciturn, clan-oriented mindset of dwarves is
refuse to tie themselves to a particular school or demesne anathema to the free-thinking, brash, and individualist
are Allek Thrazt, an outcast of the hobgoblin masters of the warblade. But even so, a surprising number of dwarves (often
Iron Heart school. He is known to trade his former school’s outcasts from their clans) choose to take up this path. Con-
secrets for bright gold. The charcoal-skinned dwarf sword versely, warblades are often admired by the more gregarious
prince Mardilkuthor Pwarna, the scourge of the Seekers of races, including humans, halfl ings, and gnomes, for their
Reshar (a group that hopes to rediscover the Nine Swords life-on-the-edge, devil-may-care attitude.
and hasten Reshar’s return). Whether Mardilkuthor’s
motive is fear, jealousy, or an agenda he has managed to OTHER CLASSES
conceal even from the Sage of Snow and Shadow, the dwarf Fighters, paladins, and other front-line fighters welcome
reportedly hunts down martial adepts who seek to reunite warblades as brothers in steel. Mages, however, are often
the Nine Swords. suspicious of warblades and tend to give them a wide berth.
Rogues often see warblades as useful muscle, so eager for
ORGANIZATIONS glory and gold that they can easily be duped. In the absence
Because of their independent and sometimes downright of other motives, most classes and races regard warblades
chaotic natures, many warblades refuse to join traditional, with a cautious and hesitant eye. The chaotic and individu-
hierarchical organizations, though they are not averse to alist nature of warblades means that they sometimes make
the greater glory of founding one. Thus, some warblade- unreliable companions, and no one wants to be caught in
25
by a congregation that rises to its feet whenever he enters.
You might also consider making warblades revolutionaries
fighting for freedom rather than seekers of personal glory.
Their lack of magical skill plays well to the idea that war-
blades are oppressed fighters working to subvert a powerful
Illus. by E. Fiegenschuh
arcane regime that denies the use of magic to all but its
chosen agents.
SAMPLE ENCOUNTER
Warblades stay in one place only as long as they receive con-
stant adulation. Once their fame begins to die down, they
are on the road again.
EL 5: The warblade Vardalak Axebearer wanders the land in
search of a master who can lead him to glory. He challenges
any warrior who seems skilled to a nonlethal duel. If he loses,
he swears to serve the victor for a week. Unfortunately, his
service is a mixed blessing. Vardalak is tough and useful in
a fight, but his short temper, impetuosity, and rude nature
make him a burden outside of battle. His last two masters
Disciples of the Sword
Vardalak Axebearer CR 5
Male dwarf warblade 5
CN Medium humanoid
Init +4; Senses Listen +1, Spot +1; darkvision 60 ft.
Languages Common, Dwarven
AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 18; +4 AC against giants,
uncanny dodge
(Dex +1, armor +5, shield +2)
hp 53 (5 HD)
Resist stability
Vardalak Axebearer, a wandering warrior Fort +7 (+9 against poison), Ref +3, Will +1; +2 on saves
against spells and spell-like effects
sage, so that his first use of a martial maneuver becomes the Speed 20 ft.
fulfillment of a prophecy. Melee +1 dwarven waraxe +10 (1d10+4/×3)
Once warblades have become an established part of a Ranged javelin +6 (1d6+3)
campaign world, they find their niches on the battlefield, Atk Options +1 on attacks against orcs and goblinoids,
in the royal court, and in the twin arenas of public opinion battle ardor (+1 to confirm critical hits)
Base Atk +5; Grp +8
and public entertainment. With their crowd-pleasing mar-
Combat Gear 3 potions of cure light wounds
tial maneuvers, warblades make excellent gladiators, and
their thirst for glory often leads them to the public games. Maneuvers and Stances Known (IL 5th):
Stances—absolute steel stance (3rd), punishing
However, warblades are equally likely to become enmeshed
stance (1st)
in the webs of court intrigue, playing cardinals off dukes Strikes—exorcism of steel† (3rd), rabid wolf strike†
and infantas off dauphins in a game that they fi nd nearly as (2nd), steel wind† (1st), steely strike (1st)
rewarding and exciting as swordplay. Whereas a rogue might Boosts—sudden leap (1st)
lament the loss of his riches and a cleric his loss of faith, a Counters—wall of blades† (2nd)
warblade feels no deficiency more keenly than the loss of the Disciplines: Iron Heart, Tiger Claw
public’s admiration. † Readied maneuver
Abilities Str 16, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 6
ADAPTATION SQ stonecunning (PH 15), weapon aptitude
Campaign worlds without large, established nations or Feats Diehard, Quick DrawB , Weapon Focus (dwarven
organizations can still offer warblades a chance at glory. waraxe)
Becoming the hero of a village can be just as meaningful as Skills Balance +8, Concentration +11, Intimidate +6, Jump
becoming the hero of a nation—especially if the warblade +10, Martial Lore +9
Possessions combat gear plus +1 mithral shirt, masterwork
knows every person in the village, can inquire about the
heavy shield, +1 dwarven waraxe, 2 javelins
innkeeper’s grandchildren by name, and is met in the temple
26
Reshar travels to the islands
beyond the dawn and masters
the way of the Setting Sun
27
Ignore the Challenge: If your opponent ignores your challenge NEW FEATS
to engage in a contest of wills, make a DC 15 Intimidate check. Feats are the backbone of any warrior’s combat prowess, and
If you succeed, you gain a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls martial adepts are no exception. The following feats expand
against that opponent for 1 round. on the teachings and abilities embodied by the nine martial
Participate: Both you and your chosen foe must make an disciplines. Other feats in this section allow characters to
Intimidate check. The character with the higher result gains gain access to martial maneuvers without gaining levels as
a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls against a crusader, swordsage, or warblade.
the loser, and the loser takes a –1 penalty on attack rolls and
damage rolls against the winner. If the result is a tie, neither ADAPTIVE STYLE
character gains any benefit. These bonuses and penalties last With just a short period of meditation, you can change your
for the duration of the encounter. maneuvers and tactics to meet the threat you currently face.
Action: None. Instigating a duel of wills requires no action Prerequisite: Crusader, swordsage, or warblade level 1st.
and occurs before initiative is rolled. Benefit: You can change your readied maneuvers at any
Try Again: No, but you can instigate a second duel of wills time by taking a full-round action. If you’re a crusader, your
with the same target after 24 hours have passed. current granted maneuvers are lost and you gain new granted
Special: If you have the Unnerving Calm feat, you can maneuvers as if you had just readied your maneuvers for
use your Concentration skill in place of your Intimidate skill the day.
when engaging in a duel of wills. Normal: You can change maneuvers only by spending 5
minutes to do so.
KNOWLEDGE (LOCAL)
(INT; TRAINED ONLY) AVENGING STRIKE
Skills and Feats
You can use the Knowledge (local) skill to answer ques- Your strength of will and strong sense of justice allow you
tions about various martial practitioners and traditions. to smite your foes.
For example, you can attempt a Knowledge (local) check Prerequisite: Any good alignment.
to identify a monastic order or swordsage school known to Benefit: As a swift action, you can channel the power of
practice a particular martial discipline, to recall basic facts your faith and energy to enhance a single attack you make.
about the philosophy or teaching practices of a particular You gain a bonus equal to your Charisma bonus (if any) on
discipline, or to recall the adventures or exploits of famous the attack roll and damage roll for the next melee attack you
martial adepts. make against an outsider with the evil subtype. You can use
this ability a number of times per day equal to your Charisma
MARTIAL LORE bonus (minimum 1).
(INT; TRAINED ONLY)
You can use this skill to identify martial maneuvers as soon BLADE MEDITATION
as they are initiated. You have learned a meditation that grants you insight into
Check: You can identify maneuvers and disciplines used the martial disciplines you have studied.
by a combatant. The DCs for Martial Lore checks relating to Prerequisite: Concentration 1 rank, base attack bonus +4,
various tasks are summarized below. one maneuver from any discipline.
Benefit: When you take this feat, choose a discipline.
DC Task You gain a +1 bonus on damage rolls with all the preferred
10 + maneuver level Identify a maneuver being weapons of your chosen discipline when using a strike
initiated by someone you can
combat maneuver, as well as a +2 bonus on checks involving
see. No action required. No
retry. the discipline’s key skill. The save DCs of any maneuvers that
10 + maneuver level Identify a maneuver recorded you perform from the chosen discipline are increased by 1,
on a martial script. One try if they have a save DC.
per day. Requires a full-round The weapons and skills associated with each discipline are
action. given below.
20 + target’s initiator level Determine all disciplines known Desert Wind: Scimitar, light mace, light pick, spear, fal-
by a particular creature by
watching it initiate at least one
chion; Tumble.
maneuver. No action required. Devoted Spirit: Falchion, greatclub, maul*, longsword;
Retry only if the subject initiates Intimidate.
another maneuver. Diamond Mind: Rapier, shortspear, trident, bastard sword
(katana); Concentration.
Action: Varies, as noted above. Iron Heart: Bastard sword, dwarven waraxe, longsword,
Try Again: See above. two-bladed sword; Balance.
Special: A swordsage gains a +2 bonus on a Martial Lore Setting Sun: Short sword, nunchaku, unarmed strike,
check involving a maneuver in a discipline in which he has quarterstaff; Sense Motive.
discipline focus. Shadow Hand: Dagger, sai, siangham, short sword, spiked
chain, unarmed strike; Hide.
28
Illus. by T. Nordstrand
Skills and Feats
A swordsage uses Desert Wind Dodge
to avoid an ettin’s blows
Stone Dragon: Greatsword, greataxe, heavy mace, unarmed Special: Desert Wind Dodge can be used in place of Dodge
strike; Balance. to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special ability.
Tiger Claw: Kama, kukri, handaxe, claw, greataxe, unarmed If you already have Dodge when you select Desert Wind
strike; Jump. Dodge, you can choose to lose the Dodge feat and gain a
White Raven: Longsword, battleaxe, warhammer, great- new feat in its place. You must meet the prerequisite for
sword, halberd; Diplomacy. the new feat.
Special: A fighter can select Blade Meditation as a
bonus feat. DEVOTED BULWARK
*Described in the Complete Warrior supplement. Because of your staunch devotion to your cause and your
Devoted Spirit training, you can stand your ground even in
DESERT FIRE the face of an enemy’s resounding attack.
The power of the Desert Wind surges through you, and you Prerequisite: One Devoted Spirit maneuver.
find power in the motion of the hot winds and shifting sands Benefit: If an enemy deals damage to you with a melee
that you can channel into your Desert Wind strikes. attack, you gain a +1 morale bonus to your AC until the end
Prerequisite: One Desert Wind strike. of your next turn.
Benefit: If you move at least 10 feet away from your origi-
nal position before using a Desert Wind strike in the same DIVINE SPIRIT [DIVINE]
round, that strike deals an extra 1d6 points of damage. The fervor and dedication of the Devoted Spirit discipline,
combined with your fanatical adherence to a divine power,
DESERT WIND DODGE turns you into a font of spiritual energy. With only a
Your training in the Desert Wind discipline allows you to moment’s focus, you can channel power to enhance your
dance across the battlefield like a blistering sirocco. fighting talents.
Prerequisite: Dex 13, one Desert Wind maneuver. Prerequisite: Ability to turn or rebuke undead, one
Benefit: If you move at least 10 feet from your original Devoted Spirit stance.
position, you gain a +1 dodge bonus to AC and deal an extra 1 Benefit: While in a Devoted Spirit stance, you can expend a
point of fire damage with any attack you make with a scimitar, turn or rebuke undead attempt as an immediate action to heal
light mace, light pick, spear, or falchion. This benefit lasts yourself a number of hit points equal to 3 + your Charisma
until the start of your next turn. modifier, if any (minimum 1 point).
29
Table 2–1: New Feats
General Feats Prerequisites Benefit
Adaptive Style Crusader, swordsage, Change readied maneuvers with a full-round action
or warblade level 1st
Avenging Strike Any good alignment Add Cha bonus on attack and damage against an evil outsider
a few times per day
Blade Meditation1 Concentration 1 rank, +1 damage on strikes, +2 on skill check, +1 save DC with
base attack bonus +4, discipline-related weapons, skills, and maneuvers
one martial maneuver
from any discipline
Desert Fire One Desert Wind strike +1d6 skirmish damage when using a Desert Wind strike
Desert Wind Dodge Dex 13, Move 10 feet, +1 AC, +1 fire damage
one Desert Wind maneuver
Devoted Bulwark One Devoted Spirit maneuver +1 AC when foe damages you
Evasive Reflexes Dex 13 Instantly take 5-ft. step instead of an attack of opportunity
Extra Granted Maneuver Crusader level 1st Ready one more maneuver from your maneuvers known
Extra Readied Maneuver Swordsage level 1st Ready one more maneuver from your maneuvers known
Falling Sun Attack Stunning Fist, Make Setting Sun strike a stunning attack, +1 to DC of
one Setting Sun strike stunning attacks and Setting Sun strikes
Ironheart Aura One Iron Heart stance Adjacent allies gain +2 bonus on saves while you are
in an Iron Heart stance
Martial Stance1 One martial maneuver Learn one martial stance
Martial Study1 — Gain the use of a martial maneuver
Rapid Assault Base attack bonus +1 +1d6 melee damage in first round of combat
Skills and Feats
Shadow Blade One Shadow Hand maneuver Use Dex modifier instead of Str modifier on damage rolls with
Shadow Sun weapons
Shadow Trickster Caster level 1st, +1 bonus on save DCs of illusions while in a Shadow Hand stance
one Shadow Hand stance
Song of the White Raven Bardic music (inspire Use inspire courage as swift action while in a White Raven stance
courage), one White Raven maneuver
Snap Kick Improved Unarmed Strike, Make an extra attack, all attacks at –2
base attack bonus +6
Stone Power Str 13, Trade attack bonus for temporary hit points
one Stone Dragon maneuver
Sudden Recovery One martial maneuver Recover an expended maneuver as a swift action 1/day
Superior Unarmed Strike Improved Unarmed Strike, Deal greater unarmed damage
base attack bonus +3
Tiger Blooded Ability to rage, wild shape, Knock smaller foes back while raging or wild shaped
or shift; one Tiger Claw maneuver
Unnerving Calm Concentration 1 rank, Use Concentration in duel of wills, gain +2 bonus on attacks
one Diamond Mind strike after successful duel for 1 round
Vital Recovery Two martial maneuvers Heal 3 + level points of damage when you recover a maneuver
White Raven Defense One White Raven maneuver +1 bonus to AC while adjacent to ally; adjacent allies gain +1 AC
while you wield a White Raven weapon
1 A fighter can select this feat as one of his fighter bonus feats.
EVASIVE REFLEXES Benefit: You begin each encounter with one additional
When an opponent gives you an opening in combat, you readied maneuver granted. This feat also applies when you
know exactly what to do: slip away. determine a new set of granted maneuvers after recovering
Prerequisite: Dex 13. expended maneuvers. For example, if you are a 5th-level cru-
Benefit: When an opponent gives you a chance to make sader, you normally begin an encounter or finish recovering
an attack of opportunity, you can instead immediately take expended maneuvers with two of your five readied maneuvers
a 5-foot step. granted, and the remaining three maneuvers withheld. With
Special: Evasive Reflexes can be used in place of Combat this feat, three of your five readied maneuvers are granted, and
Reflexes to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special only two are withheld. Naturally, this benefit provides you
ability. You can take both this feat and Combat Reflexes. with a better array of maneuver options early in a battle.
Special: You can take this feat only once.
EXTRA GRANTED MANEUVER
You are especially devout or insightful, and you have more EXTRA READIED MANEUVER
control over which of your martial maneuvers are currently You are an unusually perspicacious student of the Sublime
granted than other crusaders. Way, and you find it easy to keep a large number of maneuvers
Prerequisite: Crusader level 1st. ready for use.
Prerequisite: Swordsage level 1st.
30
Table 2–1: New Feats (cont.)
Divine Feat Prerequisites Benefit
Divine Spirit Ability to turn or rebuke Instantly heal yourself while in a Devoted Spirit stance
undead, one Devoted Spirit stance
Benefit: Increase the number of maneuvers you can ready Prerequisite: One Iron Heart stance.
for your swordsage levels by one. For example, a 5th-level Benefit: While you are in any Iron Heart stance, adjacent
swordsage can normally ready six maneuvers. With this feat, allies gain a +2 morale bonus on saving throws.
she can ready seven.
Special: You can take this feat only once. MARTIAL STANCE
You have mastered the fundamentals of a martial discipline,
FALLING SUN ATTACK and you are now able to master one of its stances.
The discipline of the Setting Sun teaches you how to turn Prerequisite: One martial maneuver.
an opponent’s strengths into weaknesses. You can identify Benefit: When you gain this feat, you can select any
precisely the correct spot on your opponent’s body to deliver stance from a discipline in which you already know at least
a stunning attack. one maneuver. You must meet the normal prerequisite of
Prerequisite: Stunning Fist, one Setting Sun strike. the stance. Your martial adept level for using this maneuver
Benefit: You can declare any Setting Sun strike delivered is equal to your levels in martial adept classes (if any) + 1/2
with an unarmed strike to be a stunning attack. In addition, your levels in other classes.
add 1 to the save DC of your Stunning Fist attacks and 1 to the Special: You can choose this feat more than once. When
save DC of your Setting Sun strikes. Using this feat expends you take this feat again, you gain knowledge of a new
a use of your stunning attack for the day. stance. You do not have to choose a stance from the same
discipline you selected the first time, but you must know
INSTANT CLARITY [PSIONIC] at least one martial maneuver from the discipline of the
You have sharpened your concentration to the point that you can stance you choose.
focus your psionic abilities with just an instant’s thought. Special: A fighter can select Martial Stance as a bonus
Prerequisite: Concentration 7 ranks. feat.
Benefit: You can take a swift action to become psionically
focused after successfully initiating a martial strike. You can MARTIAL STUDY
use this ability three times per day. By studying the basics of a martial discipline, you learn to
Normal: A character without this feat must take a full- focus your ki and perfect the form needed to use a maneuver.
round action to become psionically focused. As a result, you gain the use of a combat maneuver.
Special: Instant Clarity can be used in place of the Psionic Benefit: When you gain this feat, you must choose a
Meditation feat (see Expanded Psionics Handbook) to qualify discipline of martial maneuvers, such as Desert Wind. The
for a feat, prestige class, or other special ability. You can take key skill for the chosen discipline becomes a class skill for
both this feat and Psionic Meditation. all your classes (current and future).
Select any maneuver from the chosen discipline for which
IRONHEART AURA you meet the prerequisite. If you have martial adept levels,
Your strength of spirit and martial training inspires those this maneuver becomes one of your maneuvers known.
around you. If you do not have martial adept levels, you can use this
31
maneuver once per encounter as a martial adept with an SHADOW BLADE
initiator level equal to 1/2 your character level. If you do not In the course of your training in the Shadow Hand discipline,
have martial adept levels when you take this feat, and you you learn to use your natural agility and speed to augment
later gain a level in a class that grants maneuvers known, your attacks with certain weapons.
these new maneuvers can be used only once per encounter Prerequisite: One Shadow Hand stance.
and have no recovery method. If you later gain levels in a Benefit: While you are in a Shadow Hand stance and
martial adept class (crusader, swordsage, or warblade), you attack with one of the discipline’s preferred weapons, you
use the recovery method for maneuvers learned as a result can add your Dexterity modifier as a bonus on melee damage
of those class levels, but your previous maneuvers (gained for attacks made with the weapon.
through this feat or through prestige class levels) do not Special: Shadow Blade can be used in place of Weapon
gain a recovery method. Finesse to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special
A maneuver learned through this feat cannot be ability. If this substitution allows you to gain a benefit that
exchanged for a different maneuver if you are a crusader, normally applies to all finesse weapons (those described in
swordsage, or warblade (see the class descriptions in Chapter the Weapon Finesse feat description), it instead applies only
1 for details on swapping out maneuvers as you gain levels). to the Shadow Hand discipline’s preferred weapons.
Once you choose a maneuver with this feat, you cannot
change it. SHADOW TRICKSTER
Special: You can take this feat up to three times. Each Your mastery of the Shadow Hand discipline lets you augment
time you take it after the first, you gain one of two ben- your illusion spells with the stuff of shadow.
efits. You can choose a new discipline, gaining one of its Prerequisite: Caster level 1st, one Shadow Hand strike.
maneuvers and its key skill as a class skill, as described Benefit: While you are in a Shadow Hand stance, the save
Skills and Feats
above. Alternatively, you can choose a maneuver from DC for any illusion spell you cast increases by 2.
a discipline to which you have already gained access You also gain a +2 bonus on damage rolls when making a
by means of this feat. In either case, you must meet the sneak attack, a sudden strike (see the ninja class description,
maneuver’s prerequisite. page 8 of Complete Adventurer), or when you flank your target.
Special: A fighter can select Martial Study as a bonus
feat. SONG OF THE WHITE RAVEN
The White Raven discipline shows you how to rouse dedica-
PSYCHIC RENEWAL [PSIONIC] tion and fervor within your allies’ hearts. Such teachings can
Your mental strength and psionic abilities allow you to augment and improve your musical ability.
focus your mind on combat and use your most devastating Prerequisite: Bardic music (inspire courage), one White
maneuvers more frequently. Raven maneuver.
Benefit: As a swift action, you can recover any expended Benefit: While you are in any White Raven stance, you
maneuver by expending your psionic focus and spending can activate your bardic music ability to inspire courage as
power points equal to the maneuver’s level. a swift action. Your crusader and warblade levels stack with
your bard levels to determine the bonus granted by your
RAPID ASSAULT inspire courage ability.
Your fighting style emphasizes taking foes down with quick,
powerful blows. SNAP KICK
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1. You have continued to hone your unarmed combat skills, and
Benefit: In the first round of combat, your melee attacks you deal more damage with your unarmed strikes.
deal an extra 1d6 points of damage. Prerequisite: Improved Unarmed Strike, base attack
bonus +6.
SCRIBE MARTIAL SCRIPT Benefit: When you make a melee attack with one or more
[ITEM CREATION] melee weapons (including a standard attack, full attack, or
You know the secret of creating martial scripts—small slips even a strike maneuver), you can make an additional attack at
of paper into which you infuse your own martial power and your highest attack bonus. This attack is an unarmed attack
skill. The user of a script you have created gains the ability that deals damage equal to your base unarmed attack damage
to use a maneuver you know. + 1/2 your Str bonus. You take a –2 penalty on all attack rolls
Prerequisite: Crusader or swordsage level 1st. you make this round.
Benefit: You can infuse the knowledge of any maneuver
you know into a martial script (see Martial Scripts, page 147). STONE POWER
The market price of a martial script is equal to the initiator The principles of the Stone Dragon discipline teach you
level × maneuver level × 50 gp. You must spend 1/25 of this how to gather and focus your raw, physical strength into
market price in XP and use materials costing 1/2 the market an attack.
price. Scribing a martial script takes one day for each 1,000 Prerequisite: Str 13, one Stone Dragon maneuver.
gp of its market price. Benefit: When you use an attack action or a full at-
Like a potion or scroll, a script can be used only once. tack action, or you initiate a Stone Dragon strike in melee
32
combat, you can take a penalty Prerequisite: Ability to rage,
of as much as –5 on your attack shift (such as the shifter ability from
rolls. This number cannot ex- the EBERRON campaign setting or the
ceed your base attack bonus. bloodclaw master prestige class fea-
You gain temporary hit points ture; see page 96), or wild shape; one
Illus. by K. Andrasofszky
equal to twice the number that Tiger Claw maneuver.
you subtract from your attack Benefit: While you are in
rolls (to a maximum of +10). a rage, shifted, or wild shaped
These temporary hit points into an animal form, you can
last until the beginning of attempt to knock back 5 feet a
your next turn. creature of your size category
Special: Stone Power or smaller that you hit with
can be used in place of a Tiger Claw strike unless it
Power Attack to qualify succeeds on a Fortitude save
for a feat, prestige class, or (DC 10 + 1/2 your character level
other special ability. You + your Str modifier). This move-
can take both this feat ment does not provoke attacks
and Power Attack. of opportunity.
SUDDEN UNNERVING
RECOVERY CALM
33
Prerequisite: One White Raven stance. opponent’s weaknesses in the current moment, as well as in
Benefit: When you are in a White Raven stance and the future. A blow struck now ruins an opponent’s defenses
adjacent to at least one ally, you gain a +1 bonus to AC. Fur- against your next volley of attacks.
thermore, when you are wielding one of the White Raven Prerequisite: Int 13, Falling Sun Attack, base attack bonus
discipline’s preferred weapons, each ally adjacent to you gains +6, two Setting Sun maneuvers.
a +1 bonus to AC. These bonuses don’t apply when you’re Benefit: The Distant Horizon feat enables the use of three
flat-footed. tactical options.
Continued Push: To use this option, you must move an
TACTICAL FEATS opponent at least 5 feet with a bull rush attack or a Setting
Feats with the tactical descriptor allow characters to perform Sun strike. On your next turn, you gain a +4 bonus on any
a number of powerful maneuvers. Strength, Dexterity, or grapple checks you make against
If you’re playing a character who has a tactical feat, it’s your that foe.
responsibility to keep track of the actions you’re performing Turn the Tables: To use this option, a foe must charge you and
as you set up the ability that the feat enables you to perform. either miss you with his charge attack or be unable to attempt
It’s also a good idea to briefly mention to the DM that you’re the attack (perhaps because of your use of a maneuver). On
working toward performing a tactical ability. your next turn, you can make a charge attack against that
Some of the tactical feats refer to the first round, second foe even if you cannot move more than 5 feet. You can also
round, and so on. These terms refer to the timing of the abil- make a charge attack against that enemy even if you cannot
ity, not the battle as a whole. For example, you don’t have to charge in a straight line.
use Combat Expertise in the first round of combat to begin Lasting Weak Spot: To use this option, you must hit a foe that
a tactical ability that uses that feat. The round in which you you flank with at least two melee attacks on your turn. On
Skills and Feats
use Combat Expertise to complete an ability is considered your next turn, as a standard action, you can make a single
the first round of the ability’s use. melee attack against your foe with a –2 penalty. If this attack
hits, your foe takes an extra 1 point of damage from every
CLARION COMMANDER melee attack that hits him for the next minute.
On the battlefield, you are a natural leader. You issue orders
and coordinate your allies, but you also learn to take advantage FAITH UNSWERVING
of their actions and maximize the fruits of teamwork. When The initiate of the Devoted Spirit knows that his fanaticism
you attack a foe with your allies, the combined result of your and devotion to a cause are enough to carry him through
efforts can be devastating. almost anything. This tactical feat allows you to draw on this
Prerequisite: White Raven Defense, base attack bonus reservoir of energy. As your foes injure you, you become a
+6, two White Raven maneuvers. more daunting foe.
Benefit: The Clarion Commander feat enables the use of Prerequisite: Devoted Bulwark, base attack bonus +6, two
three tactical options. Devoted Spirit maneuvers.
Following Up: To use this option, you must make a success- Benefit: The Faith Unswerving feat enables the use of
ful DC 20 Diplomacy check as a move action after hitting your three tactical options.
target with a melee attack. If you hit that target again on your Keep Up the Pressure: To use this option, you must make a
next turn, the target provokes an attack of opportunity from charge attack against a foe. If you hit, at any time before the
an ally of your choice (assuming at least one is in position to start of your next turn you can take an immediate action to
make such an attack). move up to your speed immediately after that foe moves, as
Perpetual Flank: To use this option, you make a DC 20 long as you end your movement adjacent to that target.
Intimidate check against an opponent as a standard action. If Take One for the Team: To use this option, you must hit an
this check succeeds and you make a successful melee attack opponent with a melee attack. At any time before the start of
against the same foe on your next turn, you and your allies your next turn, you can take an immediate action to block a
can treat that enemy as flanked for 1 minute. melee attack made by that opponent if he targets one of your
Pile On: To use this option, you must use the aid another allies. You must be adjacent to the ally to use this ability,
action (PH 154) to grant an ally a bonus on his next attack and you must decide to use this ability before you know the
roll against an opponent both of you threaten. If your ally result of the enemy’s attack roll. If the attack hits your ally,
attacks and hits that enemy, you can make an immediate roll 1d20 and add your AC to the result. If the result of this
attack of opportunity against that target. You gain this roll is greater than the opponent’s attack result, he hits you
benefit if your ally hits the foe before the start of your next instead, even if the attack roll’s result wouldn’t normally be
turn. You gain the attack of opportunity only on the first high enough to hit you.
successful attack. One Last Strike: To use this option, you must be the subject
of an attack, spell, or ability that reduces you to 0 or fewer
DISTANT HORIZON hit points. As an immediate action, you can move up to 5
An initiate of the Setting Sun sometimes learns a set of feet and make a single melee attack with a +5 bonus on the
combat maneuvers that combine to create the Distant Hori- attack roll. You gain a bonus on your damage roll equal to
zon fighting form. This form teaches you how to recognize an your character level. This attack is considered a strenuous
34
action. Regardless of the result of your attack, you still take REAPING TALONS
the damage from the attack that triggered this ability. You When fighting with the Tiger Claw discipline’s preferred
complete this immediate action before dropping to 0 or fewer weapons, you can use a variety of combat options that maxi-
hit points. mize the benefits of wielding two weapons.
Prerequisite: Two-Weapon Fighting, base attack bonus
GLOOM RAZOR +6, two Tiger Claw maneuvers.
The teachings of the Shadow Hand discipline allow you to Benefit: The Reaping Talons feat enables the use of three
confuse your enemies. Your attacks and parries are infused tactical options.
with the stuff of shadow. Through careful training and Focused Assault: To use this option, you must fight defen-
discipline, you learn to use your ki to inhibit a foe’s fighting sively, use the total defense action, or use the Combat
ability with your shadowy nature. Expertise feat to gain a +3 bonus to AC in return for a –3
Prerequisite: Hide 9 ranks, Shadow Blade, base attack penalty on attack rolls. You must also wield any two preferred
bonus +6, two Shadow Hand maneuvers. weapons of the Tiger Claw discipline and move no more than
Benefit: The Gloom Razor feat enables the use of three 5 feet. Keep track of each opponent that attacks you after you
tactical options. take that action. On your next turn, as a full-round action, you
Lingering Gloom: To use this option, your opponent must miss can make a single melee attack against each of the opponents
you due to concealment. On your next turn, you can make a that attacked you on the previous round at your highest attack
Hide check opposed by your foe’s Spot check as a swift action. bonus. You must still threaten the enemies you attack with
If this check succeeds, you gain the benefit of an invisibility this option.
spell against that foe until the end of your turn. Cornered Predator: To use this option, you must hit your
Moving Shadows: To use this option, you must deal damage foe with two attacks that each use one of the one-handed or
35
SHARDS OF GRANITE STORMGUARD
Like the great Stone Dragon, you hammer through WARRIOR
your opponents’ defenses using raw, brutal The Stormguard Warrior feat
strength. Each blow sunders steel, shat- encompasses a number of the
ters bone, and cleaves through more advanced tactics and tech-
flesh. With each successive at- niques you would use as a student
Illus. by B. Trott
tack you make, you hit with of the Iron Heart school.
greater force. Prerequisite: Proficiency with an Iron Heart preferred
Prerequisite: Stone weapon (bastard sword, dwarven waraxe, longsword, or two-
Power, base attack bonus bladed sword), Ironheart Aura, base attack bonus +6, two
+6, two Stone Dragon Iron Heart maneuvers.
maneuvers. Benefit: The Stormguard War-
Benefit: The Shards rior feat enables the use of three
of Granite feat enables tactical options.
the use of three tacti- Channel the Storm: To use this
cal options. option, you must choose to re-
Battering Smash: To frain from making one or more
use this option, you available attacks of opportuni-
must make a successful ty against a single opponent.
melee attack using one of the On your next turn, you gain
preferred weapons of the a +4 bonus on attack rolls
Skills and Feats
36
Reshar and his apprentices found
the Temple of the Nine Swords
in the Sunspire Mountains
he uncanny power of the Sublime Way Player’s Handbook. It covers the basics of the different types of
springs from a blend of physical skill, stances and maneuvers—strikes, counters, and boosts—and
mental self-discipline, and adherence presents information on how the maneuver system interacts
to distinct martial philosophies. Many with other game elements, such as spell resistance.
of the maneuvers of the various martial
disciplines aren’t magic at all—they are simply demonstra- MARTIAL POWERS
tions of near-superhuman skill and training. Although Martial powers fall into two broad categories: stances and
many of the maneuvers and methods taught by the Sublime maneuvers (which include boosts, counters, and strikes). A
Way are mundane in execution and effect, their results can martial maneuver is a discrete extraordinary or supernatural
sometimes rival spells. The warriors who study the nine effect that is temporarily expended after use. A stance is never
Illus. by W. England
schools are capable of battlefield feats beyond those that expended and is always available to you.
a traditionally schooled and trained warrior can hope to You can use a particular stance or maneuver as many
accomplish. The typical fighter might display great skill in times as you like in a single day, but each time you use a
a weapon’s basic cuts, thrusts, and parries, but a student of maneuver, you temporarily expend it—you lose a little of
the Sublime Way believes that mastering a weapon requires your mental focus, you exhaust some small portion of your
self-discipline and spiritual austerity in addition to learning personal ki or energy, or you simply fi nish the move out of
the correct physical postures and movements. position and can’t immediately launch the same attack again
This chapter covers all the basic guidelines and rules for without assuming the proper posture and mental state first.
using the maneuver system described in this book. Think In other words, you can’t use an expended maneuver again
of this material as analogous to that in Chapter 10 of the until you rest for a brief time or perform a specific action
37
in combat that allows you to recover one or more expended readied. In this case, use the class’s number of maneuvers
maneuvers. The type of action necessary depends on what readied. Add any modifiers from prestige classes to the class’s
type of martial adept you are; see Chapter 1 for details on number of maneuvers readied.
each class’s maneuver recovery mechanism. As a result, To ready maneuvers, you require a brief period of prac-
you can normally use each of your readied maneuvers once tice, exercise, meditation, or prayer. The exact nature of
per encounter, but sometimes you can recover one or more the exercise or meditation depends on your martial adept
maneuvers you used earlier in the encounter and use them class, but each class requires 5 minutes of preparation time.
again. You never expend or use up your stances, so they are Since each martial maneuver requires a precise combina-
always available. tion of techniques for gathering inner energy, training
muscle memory, speaking prayers or catechisms, and even
READYING MANEUVERS focusing the mind on specific concepts or analogies, most
You do not need to ready your stances ahead of time. Every martial adepts can’t keep every maneuver they know at
stance you know is always available to you. However, maneu- the forefront of their minds. You do not need to be well
vers require preparation in the form of exercise, prayer, rested to ready your maneuvers, but you do need to be able
meditation, or simple mental rehearsal. Therefore, you must to stand and move without restraint. As long as you are not
choose a selection of readied maneuvers from all the maneu- physically disturbed during your exercise and meditation,
vers you know. Only your readied maneuvers are available you can exchange your previously chosen set of readied
for immediate use. maneuvers for a new set of readied maneuvers. Unlike a
The number of maneuvers you can ready at one time wizard preparing her spells, you cannot choose to leave a
depends on your class and level. If you do not have any levels readied maneuver slot unfi lled.
in a martial adept class (for example, you learned a maneu-
ver by means of the Martial Study feat), you can ready each INITIATING MANEUVERS
Blade Magic
maneuver you know. For example, if you have chosen the AND STANCES
Martial Study feat two times and know two martial maneu- To initiate a maneuver or a stance, you must be able to move.
vers, you automatically ready both those maneuvers, and You do not need to be able to speak. You initiate a maneuver
you can use each of those maneuvers once per encounter. by taking the specified initiation action. A maneuver might
You can take the Martial Study feat a maximum of three require an immediate, swift, move, standard, or full-round
times. If you are a martial adept and you have the Martial action to initiate. The process of initiating a maneuver is
Study feat, you do not gain any bonus to your ability to ready similar to that of casting a spell or manifesting a psionic
maneuvers—the maneuver you learned with the feat is just power, although there are some key differences (see
one more maneuver known from which you can select your below). You can only choose to initiate a maneuver that
readied maneuvers. is currently readied and unexpended. In addition, if you
If you advance in a prestige class that grants you additional are a crusader, the maneuver you choose must be granted
maneuvers, that class details how many additional maneu- to you—you can’t choose to initiate a maneuver that is
vers you can ready. These extra maneuvers readied add to currently withheld.
your maximum number of maneuvers readied, whether you You initiate a stance as a swift action. A stance remains in
determine that number due to your class level in crusader, effect indefinitely and is not expended. You enjoy the benefit
swordsage, or warblade, or by the number of times you have your stance confers until you change to another stance you
taken the Martial Study feat. know as a swift action. You can remain in a stance outside
It is possible for a character to gain the Martial Study feat of combat situations, and you can enjoy its benefit while
before entering a class that grants a progression for powers exploring or traveling.
KEEPING TRACK OF READIED Keep your cards face down. To determine which maneuvers are
AND EXPENDED MANEUVERS granted to you, all you have to do is deal yourself a card. The
You might find it useful to manage your currently available face-up cards in front of you represent your granted maneuvers;
maneuvers by using physical objects to represent the maneu- the face-down cards are readied maneuvers that are currently
vers you have readied. A set of index cards or playing cards withheld. You recover your expended maneuvers when you go
labeled with the names of your maneuvers works very well. to draw a card and there are none left face down. At that point,
As you expend your readied maneuvers, simply turn the card shuffle all your maneuver cards together and draw new granted
face-down or start a “discard pile” of expended maneuvers. maneuvers for the next round.
When you recover an expended maneuver, return it to your If you know more than one stance, consider doing the
“hand” of available maneuvers. You could also use tokens same thing for your stances and keep a small hand of stances
such as poker chips in the same way, as long as you can label alongside your hand of maneuvers. Indicate which stance
them clearly. you are currently using by keeping that stance on top of the
If you’re a crusader, you also need to track your granted ma- others. When you change your stance, rearrange your stack of
neuvers. Label each card with the name of a readied maneuver. stances accordingly.
38
CONCENTRATION the highest-level maneuvers you can take. You still have to
Unlike with spells or psionic powers, you need not concen- meet a maneuver’s prerequisite to learn it.
trate to initiate a maneuver or stance. Furthermore, if you are For example, a 7th-level crusader/5th-level swordsage
injured or affected by hostile spells, powers, or maneuvers has an initiator level of 9th for determining the highest-
while initiating a maneuver or assuming a stance, you don’t level maneuvers he can take as a crusader. As a result, he
lose the maneuver or stance. can take 5th-level crusader maneuvers. As a swordsage, his
Enemy interference might make certain maneuvers initiator level is 8th, allowing him to take 4th-level sword-
impossible to complete. For example, if an enemy who sage maneuvers.
readied an action to trip you when you started your turn This process applies to all of a character’s levels, whether
knocks you prone, you would not be able to use a maneuver they are in martial adept classes or other classes.
that required you to charge. Similarly, if you begin your Prestige classes work a little differently. In most cases, you
turn grappled or pinned, you might fi nd that most of the add the full prestige class level to your martial adept level to
maneuvers available to you simply won’t be of any use until determine your initiator level. See the prestige class descrip-
you get free. tions in Chapter 5 for details.
If you initiate a maneuver and subsequently can’t use it
during your turn, the maneuver is still considered expended. SELECTING MARTIAL MANEUVERS
You are considered to have used its initiation action for the Much like spells, martial maneuvers are organized by level.
purpose of determining what actions remain available to you Higher-level maneuvers are more powerful than lower-
on your turn. level ones. As you gain levels, you have the option to select
You do not provoke attacks of opportunity when you initi- higher-level maneuvers. Your level in a martial adept class
ate a maneuver or stance unless its description explicitly says determines the highest-level maneuvers you can select. For
otherwise. Some maneuvers allow you to move, charge, and example, a 5th-level warblade can select maneuvers of 3rd
Blade Magic
take other actions that could provoke attacks of opportunity. level or lower.
Unless the maneuver description specifically says that such
actions do not provoke attacks of opportunity, they do. For Table 3–1: Highest-Level Maneuvers Known
example, if you use a maneuver to charge a foe, and during Initiator
that charge you move in a way that provokes attacks of oppor- Level Maneuver Level
1st–2nd 1st
tunity, you provoke them as normal unless the maneuver
3rd–4th 2nd
description explicitly says otherwise. 5th–6th 3rd
7th–8th 4th
INITIATOR LEVEL 9th–10th 5th
Some maneuvers and stances have variable effects (such as 11th–12th 6th
duration) that depend on initiator level. However, maneu- 13th–4th 7th
vers are not impacted as strongly by a user’s level as spells 15th–16th 8th
17th+ 9th
are. This difference in effect is primarily a balance and
game play issue. Since you can use maneuvers repeatedly, RESOLVING A MANEUVER
they tend to scale poorly. As you attain higher levels, you
usually use your low-level maneuvers less often (if you
OR STANCE
Once you have chosen a maneuver to initiate, you must
haven’t already traded them out for higher-level stances, as
resolve its effects.
described in the martial adept class descriptions in Chapter
Attack Rolls: Many maneuvers include an attack of
1). Many stances, boosts, and counters, however, remain
some kind. All offensive combat actions, even those that
useful across all levels.
don’t damage opponents (such as disarm and bull rush), are
If you are a single-class character, your initiator level
considered attacks. All maneuvers that opponents can resist
equals your level in the class that provides access to martial
with saving throws, that deal damage, or that otherwise harm
maneuvers (crusader, swordsage, or warblade). If you lack any
or hamper subjects are considered attacks.
martial adept levels, your initiator level is equal to 1/2 your
Bonus Types: Some maneuvers and stances grant bonuses
character level.
to ability scores or Armor Class, on attacks or damage, on
saves, or on a number of other variables. Each bonus has a type
MULTICLASS CHARACTERS
that indicates why or how it is granted. With the exception
Even when you gain levels in a class that does not grant
of dodge bonuses, two bonuses of the same type generally
martial maneuvers, your understanding of the martial
don’t stack.
disciplines still increases. A highly skilled fighter has the
If a maneuver or stance does not identify the type of bonus
basic combat training and experience needed to master
conferred, its effects stack with all other effects modify-
advanced maneuvers. If you are a multiclass martial adept,
ing the same characteristic or attribute. Untyped bonuses
and you learn a new maneuver by attaining a new level in a
always stack.
martial adept class, determine your initiator level by adding
Actions during a Maneuver: The Initiation Action line
together your level in that class + 1/2 your levels in all other
of a maneuver description provides the action required to
classes. Look up the result on the table below to determine
use that maneuver. For example, the initiation action of
39
the radiant charge maneuver is 1 full-round action. Thus, unless otherwise noted, giving an opponent little opportu-
as part of your full-round action, you bring about the effect nity to counter it.
in the maneuver description. In this case, the maneuver Extraordinary or Supernatural Abilities: Martial
allows you to make a charge attack with a number of maneuvers and stances are never spells or spell-like abilities.
additional benefits. Unless the description of the specific maneuver or stance
says otherwise, treat it as an extraordinary ability. Thus,
RECOVERING EXPENDED these abilities work just fine in an antimagic field or a dead
MANEUVERS magic zone. A maneuver or stance can’t be dispelled or
You begin each encounter with all your readied maneu- counterspelled, and initiating one does not provoke attacks
vers unexpended. When you initiate a maneuver, it is of opportunity.
expended—you cannot use it again until you recover it. If a maneuver is overtly magical or otherwise uses a super-
You can recover expended maneuvers in two ways: through natural power source, it is noted as a supernatural ability in its
special actions or at the end of an encounter. You never description. In this case, the maneuver obeys all the standard
expend a stance. rules for supernatural abilities.
Special Action: Most martial adepts can refresh some or Detecting Martial Maneuvers: Most maneuvers don’t
all of their expended maneuvers in the course of a battle by create persistent or long-lasting effects, and the results are
taking a special action to do so. The type of special action obvious to any observer. However, identifying a specific
required depends on a martial adept’s class (or feat) selection, maneuver, stance, or discipline requires the Martial Lore
as summarized below. skill (see page 28).
Crusader: A crusader recovers expended maneuvers when- Multiple Effects: Martial maneuvers and stances usually
ever no more withheld maneuvers can be granted to him work as described in Chapter 4, no matter how many other
(the round in which his last withheld maneuver is granted powers, spells, or magical effects happen to be operating in
Blade Magic
doesn’t count). the same area or on the same subject. Whenever a maneuver
Swordsage: A swordsage can recover one expended maneu- or stance has a specific effect on other maneuvers, powers, or
ver of his choice as a full-round action. spells, its description explains the effect. Most martial adepts
Warblade: A warblade can recover all of his expended can use only one stance at a time, but some high-level adepts
maneuvers as a swift action, followed by making a melee might be able to use two stances at once.
attack or using a standard action to do nothing else in the Stacking Effects: Maneuvers or stances that provide
round. If he initiates a maneuver or changes his stance during bonuses or penalties on attack rolls, damage rolls, saving
a round, he can’t recover his expended maneuvers. throws, and other attributes do not stack with each other
Multiclass Martial Adept: A character with two or more unless specifically noted within their descriptions.
martial adept classes keeps track of his readied maneuvers,
expended maneuvers, and recovery of expended maneuvers MANEUVER AND
separately for each class.
Character with the Martial Study feat: A character who knows
STANCE DESCRIPTIONS
The various martial maneuvers available to practitioners of
one or more martial maneuvers through the Martial Study
the Sublime Way are described in Chapter 4: Maneuvers and
feat but does not otherwise have a level in a martial adept
Stances. The description of each power follows a standard
class cannot recover expended maneuvers through any sort
format, which is explained below.
of special action. He can only recover expended maneuvers
at the end of an encounter (see below).
End of the Encounter: When an encounter ends, a
NAME
This entry is the name by which the maneuver is generally
martial adept automatically recovers all expended maneu-
known. However, it’s fairly common for various schools or
vers. Even a few moments out of combat is sufficient to
traditions of the Sublime Way to bestow their own names
refresh all maneuvers expended in the previous battle. In
on maneuvers. For example, the swooping dragon strike
the case of a long, drawn-out series of fights, or if an adept
maneuver might be known as the dragon’s pounce, the
is out of combat entirely, assume that if a character makes
gentle reminder, or something as esoteric as Liam falling
no attacks of any kind, initiates no new maneuvers, and
down the mountain.
is not targeted by any enemy attacks for 1 full minute, he
can recover all expended maneuvers. If a character can’t
avoid attacking or being attacked for 1 minute, he can’t
MARTIAL DISCIPLINE
Each maneuver belongs to one of nine martial disciplines.
automatically recover his maneuvers and must use special
The maneuvers in a discipline are loosely linked by common
actions to do so instead.
effects, philosophies, or functions. The second line of a
maneuver or stance description provides the name of the
MARTIAL POWERS AND MAGIC relevant discipline, along with its type (see below).
In general, martial maneuvers and stances that create super-
Just like maneuver names, the names of martial disciplines
natural effects are transparent to magic or psionics. However,
vary widely from one locale to another. In fact, the term disci-
martial maneuvers rarely interact with spells or powers. Once
pline is not universally used. Disciplines might be known as
a maneuver is initiated, the effect lasts only for your turn
schools, traditions, philosophies, regimens, teachings, paths,
40
or styles. For example, the Desert Wind discipline might be
known in some areas as the Green Naga style or the Wakeful
Dreamer philosophy.
Each discipline is tied to a skill that might be used in the
execution of some of its maneuvers. In addition, various
weapons lend themselves to the philosophy or maneuvers of
different disciplines.
The nine disciplines include the following.
DESERT WIND
Speed and mobility are the hallmarks of the Desert Wind
discipline. Desert Wind maneuvers often involve blinding
flurries of blows, quick charges, and agile footwork. Some
maneuvers from this school, however, draw power from
the supernatural essence of the desert and allow an adept
practitioner to scour his foes with fire.
The key skill for Desert Wind maneuvers is Tumble. Weap-
ons associated with Desert Wind include the scimitar, light
mace, light pick, falchion, and spear.
DEVOTED SPIRIT
Faith, piety, and purity of body and mind are the wellsprings
Blade Magic
of a warrior’s true power. Devoted Spirit maneuvers harness
a practitioner’s spiritual strength and her zealous devotion to
a cause. This discipline includes energies baneful to a crea-
ture opposed to the Devoted Spirit student’s cause, abilities
that can keep an adept fighting long after a more mundane
warrior would fall to his enemies, and strikes infused with
vengeful, fanatical power.
Intimidate is the key skill for Devoted Spirit. Devoted
Spirit associated weapons include the falchion, greatclub,
longsword, and maul.
DIAMOND MIND
True quickness lies in the mind, not the body. A student of
the Diamond Mind discipline seeks to hone his perceptions
and discipline his thoughts so that he can act in slivers of
time so narrow that others cannot even perceive them. A
corollary of this speed of thought and action is the concept
of the mind as the battleground. An enemy defeated in
his mind must inevitably be defeated in the realm of the
physical as well.
Concentration is the key skill for Diamond Mind. The
rapier, shortspear, bastard sword (katana), and trident are
the associated weapons for Diamond Mind.
IRON HEART
Absolute mastery of the sword is the goal of the Iron Heart
Illus. by M. Phillipi
41
SETTING SUN Diplomacy is the key skill for White Raven. This disci-
Strength is an illusion. Adherents of the Setting Sun phi- pline’s associated weapons are the longsword, battleaxe,
losophy understand that no warrior can hope to be stronger, warhammer, greatsword, and halberd.
quicker, and more skillful than every one of her enemies. There-
fore, this discipline includes maneuvers that use an adversary’s (TYPE)
power and speed against him. Setting Sun maneuvers include Most martial powers fall into one of four categories: boost,
throws and imitative strikes. The highest forms of the Setting counter, stance, or strike. Some maneuvers don’t fall into
Sun require an adept to empty herself of preconception and any of these categories, but these are exceptions to the
impulse to become a hollow vessel unhindered by want. rule. The maneuver categories below refer to swift and
Sense Motive is the key skill for the Setting Sun discipline. immediate actions, a concept presented in earlier books
The associated weapons for Setting Sun are the short sword, such as Expanded Psionics Handbook and Complete Adventurer.
quarterstaff, nunchaku, and unarmed strike. If you are unfamiliar with them, see the Initiation Action
section below.
SHADOW HAND Boost: This category covers maneuvers that allow a
Never show an adversary what he expects to see. The Shadow warrior to focus himself, summon his ki energy or other
Hand discipline emphasizes deception, misdirection, and source of power, and unleash it through his melee attacks.
surprise. The most effective blow is one struck against an A crusader who draws a deep breath, shouts an invocation
enemy who does not even know he is in danger. Because to his god or cause, and then unleashes a mighty attack is
the study of deceit as a philosophy often leads into darker using a boost.
practices, some Shadow Hand maneuvers employ the super- A boost is a maneuver that grants a bonus, often on
natural cold and darkness of pure shadow. attack rolls or damage rolls, for the duration of your turn.
The key skill for the Shadow Hand discipline is Hide. A boost always requires a swift action, usually allowing
Blade Magic
Shadow Hand associated weapons include the dagger, short you to initiate it before unleashing a standard action or a
sword, sai, siangham, unarmed strike, and spiked chain. full attack. Some boosts impart additional effects, such as
stun or fatigue, to your attacks, and others provide some
STONE DRAGON additional effect on an enemy you have just successfully
The strength and endurance of the mountains epitomize struck in battle. If a boost affects your attacks, it applies
the Stone Dragon discipline. The methodical and relentless to all of your attacks for the round in which it was initi-
application of force allows a student of this philosophy to ated, but its effect ends at the end of your turn. A boost’s
defeat any foe. Strikes of superhuman power and mani- effect applies for its duration, no matter which weapon you
festations of perfect, idealized force make up the Stone might wield in that round. Even if you switch weapons
Dragon maneuvers. in the middle of your turn, the effect of the boost applies
Balance is the key skill for the Stone Dragon discipline. to your new weapon as readily as the previous weapon.
The associated weapons for Stone Dragon are greatsword, Each maneuver’s description gives you the details of each
greataxe, heavy mace, and unarmed strike. boost’s effect.
A boost doesn’t have to modify a melee attack. It could
TIGER CLAW provide a bonus on a skill check, to your speed, and so on,
Consciousness is the enemy of instinct. The Tiger Claw dis- but such maneuvers are relatively rare.
cipline teaches that martial superiority can be achieved by Counter: A counter is a fast, usually defensive maneuver
discarding the veneer of civilization, along with the higher that you use to foil your opponent’s actions. A swordsage who
thoughts that fetter a warrior’s actions. Tiger Claw maneuvers dodges to just beyond a rampaging minotaur’s reach is using
emulate the strikes, leaps, and pounces of animals. When a counter.
infused with ki power, some Tiger Claw maneuvers also The Setting Sun school features many counters, because it
allow a martial adept to take on animalistic characteristics, focuses on teaching students to turn an opponent’s strength
speed, and bloodlust. against him. Counters are immediate actions that you attempt
Tiger Claw emphasizes strength and speed, so Jump is the during a foe’s turn. Usually, your opponent must make a
key skill for this discipline. The kukri, kama, claw, handaxe, specific action, such as an attack against you, for you to use
greataxe, and unarmed strike are the associated weapons for a counter.
Tiger Claw. Strike: A strike is a maneuver that allows a special attack.
A warblade who delivers a single blow that slays an ogre is
WHITE RAVEN using a strike. A strike imparts some advantage or bonus over
No warrior fights in isolation. Cooperation, teamwork, and a standard attack, such as extra damage, an additional effect
leadership can give two warriors the strength of five, and five such as blinding a foe, and so forth.
warriors the strength of twenty. The student of the White Strikes almost always require a standard or full-round
Raven masters maneuvers that combine the strengths of two action to complete. Most of them involve a melee attack as
or more allies against a common foe. Shouts and battlecries part of completing the maneuver. If the attack hits, your
infused with ki are the signature maneuvers of the White opponent typically takes normal melee damage, as well as
Raven discipline. suffering the effect of the strike. When making a strike,
42
you use your base attack bonus, all attack and damage
modifiers, weapon damage, and so forth, as normal.
You can make a critical hit with a strike, and in a few
cases, a critical hit grants you additional benefits. You
do not multiply extra damage from a strike with a
successful critical hit. You treat it just as you would
extra damage from another special ability, such as
sneak attack.
Because strikes allow for a specific form of attack,
you cannot benefit from spells or effects that grant
you extra attacks when making a strike (such as the
haste spell or a speed weapon). You are not taking a
full attack action when you initiate a strike, even
if its initiation action is 1 full-round action. In
addition, you cannot combine special attacks
such as sunder or bull rush with strikes, even
if you have feats that make such special attacks
more potent. However, some strikes enable you
to make special attacks as part of their initiation;
see the specific maneuver descriptions in Chapter
4 for details.
Stance: A stance is not a maneuver, but a
Blade Magic
specific fighting method that you maintain from
round to round. So long as you maintain a stance,
you gain some benefit from it. A swordsage initiate
of the Shadow Hand school who creates a concealing
shroud of shadow energy while he moves is using
a stance.
You can initiate a stance as a swift action. When you
enter a stance, you immediately gain its benefit. You
continue to gain the benefit of a typical stance as long
as you remain in it. Some stances give you a benefit only
when you meet certain conditions. For example, a
stance might grant a bonus when you move, when you
remain in the same spot, or if you attack a stunned
or flat-footed opponent.
You can use a single swift action to end one
stance and begin another, or you can choose to
simply end your current stance without entering a
different one. You continue to gain a stance’s benefits
until you switch to a new stance or end your current
one. At the start of your turn, you might be in a stance
that grants you a bonus on attack rolls. You could make
your attacks—gaining the stance’s bonus—then use
a swift action to switch to a stance that gives you a
bonus to AC.
Your stance ends if you are rendered helpless for
any reason. If you later recover, you must use another
Illus. by H. Lyon
43
[DESCRIPTOR]
Some maneuvers have descriptors that further define them.
These descriptors appear on the same line as the discipline
of the maneuver.
The descriptors that can apply to maneuvers are cold, elec-
tricity, evil, fear, fire, force, good, mind-affecting, teleport,
and sonic. Most of these descriptors have no game effect by
themselves, but they govern how a maneuver interacts with
other maneuvers, powers, spells, or abilities.
LEVEL
This entry gives the martial adept class or classes that have
access to this maneuver: crusader, swordsage, or warblade. The
line also gives the maneuver’s level within that class.
You can learn any maneuver you like by choosing the
Martial Study feat, regardless of class. However, you must
still meet the prerequisite of the maneuver.
PREREQUISITE
In addition to meeting the class and level requirements before
you can learn a maneuver, you must meet a certain set of
requirements to be able to choose that maneuver as one you
Blade Magic
INITIATION ACTION
This entry describes the type of action you must expend
to activate a martial maneuver. In some cases, you initiate
a maneuver, and its effect lasts for the rest of your turn
(or beyond). In other cases, maneuvers last only as long
as the action required to initiate them (1 swift action, 1
immediate action, 1 move action, 1 standard action, or 1
full-round action).
Swift Action: A swift action consumes a very small
amount of time, but represents a larger expenditure of effort
and energy than a free action. You can perform one swift
action per turn without affecting your ability to perform
other actions. In that regard, a swift action is like a free
action. However, you can perform only a single swift action
per turn, regardless of what other actions you take. You can
take a swift action any time you would normally be allowed
to take a free action.
Illus. by J. Nentrup
44
swift action, and counts as your swift action for the turn. Area: Some maneuvers can affect an area. You might be able
You cannot use another immediate action or a swift action to choose the point where the maneuver’s effect originates,
until after your next turn if you have used an immediate but otherwise you usually don’t control which creatures or
action when it is not currently your turn (effectively, using objects an area maneuver affects.
an immediate action before your turn is equivalent to using Burst: A burst affects whatever it catches in its area, includ-
your swift action for the coming turn). ing creatures you can’t see. It can’t affect creatures that have
You cannot use an immediate action if you are currently total cover from its point of origin. The default shape for a
flat-footed. burst is a sphere.
Emanation: An emanation functions like a burst, except
RANGE that the effect continues to radiate from the point of origin
A maneuver’s range indicates how far from you it can reach. (often you) for the duration of the maneuver.
Many maneuvers are treated as Personal-range effects, Spread: A spread effect spreads out like a burst, but can turn
because you initiate the maneuver to give yourself a special corners. You select the point of origin, and the effect spreads
bonus or capability for the round. out a given distance in all directions.
Standard ranges include (but are not limited to) the Effect: Some maneuvers create something rather than
following: affecting things that are already present. You must designate
Personal: The maneuver affects only you (but might give the location where these things are to appear, either by seeing
you an unusual power or ability that affects others for the rest it or defining it. Range determines how far away an effect
of your turn). can appear.
Touch: You must touch a creature or object to affect it. A Line of Effect: Maneuvers that affect a target other
touch maneuver that deals damage can score a critical hit than you require line of effect. A line of effect is a straight,
just as a weapon can, although you do not multiply the extra unblocked path that indicates what an effect can affect. A
Blade Magic
damage from a maneuver on a successful critical hit. solid barrier cancels a line of effect, but line of effect is
Melee Attack: The maneuver affects any creature you not blocked by fog, darkness, and other factors that limit
make a successful melee attack against. normal sight.
Adjacent: The maneuver affects creatures within 1 square You must have a clear line of effect to any target that you
of you. Sometimes you only affect adjacent creatures at the initiate a maneuver against, or to any space in which you wish
beginning of your turn or at the end of your turn, but other to create an effect at range (if your maneuver allows that). A
maneuvers might affect any creature you move adjacent to burst or emanation affects only an area, creature, or objects
during the course of your turn. See the specific maneuver to which it has a line of effect from its origin.
descriptions for details. An otherwise solid barrier with a hole of at least 1 square
Range Expressed in Feet: Some maneuvers have no foot through it does not block a maneuver’s line of effect.
standard range category, just a range expressed in feet.
DURATION
TARGETING A MANEUVER A maneuver’s duration tells you how long its effect lasts.
You might have to make some choice about whom your End of Turn: The maneuver’s effect lasts until the end of
maneuver is to affect or where it will originate. This entry your turn, then ceases to function.
describes the maneuver’s target or targets, its effect, or its Instantaneous: The effect of the maneuver comes and goes
area, as appropriate. the instant the maneuver is initiated, though the consequences
Target or Targets: Most maneuvers affect a specific creature might be long-lasting. For example, the moment of alacrity
or object (or more than one creature or object) that you desig- boost takes only a swift action to initiate, but it improves your
nate as your target or targets. You must be able to see or touch initiative count for the duration of the combat.
the target, and you must specifically choose that target. One-Round Durations: Some durations are measured as
Some maneuvers can be initiated only on willing targets. 1 round. You gain the capability to perform whatever special
You can declare yourself a willing target at any time (even effect or attack the maneuver permits on your turn. Immedi-
if you’re flat-footed or it isn’t your turn). Unconscious char- ately before your action in the round after you initiated the
acters are always considered willing, but a character who maneuver, its effect comes to an end.
is conscious but immobilized or helpless is not automati- Stance: This duration indicates that the ability is a stance,
cally willing. and therefore ends only when you will it to end, when you
Some maneuvers target you (but they might confer an become helpless, or when you fulfi ll a specific condition
unusual ability to affect other creatures for the rest of your described in the stance’s description.
turn). If the target of a maneuver is “You,” you do not receive Timed Durations: Many maneuvers last some number of
a saving throw—you receive the benefit of the maneuver rounds or minutes. When the time is up, the energy sustain-
automatically as long as you meet any other requirements ing the effect fades, and the maneuver’s effect ends.
for initiating it successfully. No Duration: The effect of a maneuver without a duration
Other maneuvers affect a creature or creatures that you lasts only as long as it takes you to initiate the maneuver. Some
successfully hit with a melee attack, and some affect a creature maneuvers “last” less than a full round. Such is often the case
you successfully hit with a melee or ranged touch attack. for maneuvers that deal extra damage on top of your normal
45
melee damage. For example, a strike with an initiation action meditate, or pray. Martial adepts do not have to ready their
of 1 standard action would effectively have a duration of 1 stances; all stances known are available at all times.
standard action; the effect of the strike is tied to the action of
making the attack. When this is the case, no duration entry ADDING MANEUVERS AND STANCES
is given. Martial adepts usually learn new maneuvers and stances
when they attain a new level. Not every discipline is available
SAVING THROW to every character.
Sometimes, a maneuver with a special effect or supernatural Maneuvers and Stances Gained at a New Level: Martial
augmentation that targets an enemy allows the creature or adepts train, meditate, and practice between adventures and
object to make a saving throw to avoid some or all of the effect. while resting. When a martial adept learns a new maneuver
The saving throw line in a maneuver description defines or stance because she gained a level, you can assume that this
which type of saving throw a maneuver allows. new knowledge represents the effects of practice and study
Negates: The maneuver has no additional effect on a over the course of days, weeks, or even months.
subject that makes a successful saving throw. Independent Study: A martial adept can attempt to devise
Partial: The maneuver causes an effect on its subject, a new maneuver or stance independently, adding to an exist-
such as death. A successful saving throw means that some ing discipline. A DM decides if it’s possible for a character to
lesser effect occurs (such as being dealt damage rather than develop a new maneuver.
being killed). If a DM permits the creation of a new maneuver, observe
Half: The maneuver deals damage, and a successful saving the following guidelines.
throw halves the damage taken (round down). First, the martial adept requires a safe place to meditate
None: In a case where no saving throw is allowed, the and practice. This effort will take a number of days equal to
saving throw line is omitted. 3 × the maneuver’s level, so if the adept is devising a 7th-level
Blade Magic
Saving Throw Difficulty Class: The formula for deter- maneuver, the research will require 21 days. The adept pays 50
mining a saving throw DC against a maneuver’s special effect XP per day of study, which represents an intense regimen of
is provided in the maneuver’s description. meditation, fasting, and practice designed to focus the mind
and spirit on the task at hand.
SPELL RESISTANCE A martial adept can’t create a new maneuver of a higher
Unlike spell descriptions or power descriptions, martial level than the adept is capable of learning.
maneuvers don’t have a spell resistance or power resistance At the end of the requisite time for study and practice, the
entry. Since maneuvers are extraordinary or supernatural martial adept attempts a Martial Lore check (DC 25 + (2 × the
abilities, not spells or spell-like abilities, spell resistance does maneuver’s level).
not affect a maneuver. If the check succeeds, the character learns the maneuver
the next time she has an opportunity to learn a new maneu-
DESCRIPTIVE TEXT ver through level advancement or feat selection. If the check
This portion of the maneuver description explains what the fails, the new maneuver is not yet perfected, and she must
maneuver does and how it works. It begins with a sentence or go through the study and practice time again if she wants
two of italicized “read-aloud” text that gives players an image to keep trying (although she regains the XP she has spent
of how the maneuver does what it does. If one of the previous thus far).
lines in the maneuver description included “see text,” this A DM should work with the player before the attempt to
section is where you find the explanation. develop a new maneuver begins, and give her guidance on
the parameters under which a new maneuver or discipline
LEARNING MANEUVERS might be acceptable (see Creating New Spells, DMG 35).
AND STANCES SPECIAL ABILITIES
Martial adepts initiate martial maneuvers and stances. These
Some creatures are naturally gifted in the Sublime Way and can
maneuvers are manifestations of supreme martial skill,
make use of martial maneuvers without having levels in a martial
focus, and clarity. They also tap into a sublime universal
adept class. These inborn abilities function much like spell-like
energy or ki; by performing a maneuver to perfection, a
abilities or psi-like abilities. Characters using martial scripts
martial adept can achieve amazing feats of martial and
(see page 147) can also make use of martial maneuvers.
athletic prowess.
Initiating a maneuver through an innate ability, or by using
Martial adepts do not have “spellbooks,” but they do ready a
a magic item, works just like initiating a maneuver normally
selection of their maneuvers ahead of time. Unlike characters
does. You do not provoke attacks of opportunity, and your
who prepare spells, martial adepts can quickly choose a new
maneuvers are not subject to spell resistance.
selection of readied maneuvers with a brief pause to exercise,
46
A wizened Reshar leaves
the temple and entrusts its masters
with nine swords, each one embodying
a martial discipline
ou know by now that the Desert Wind Each of the nine disciplines of the Sublime Way is composed
masters study secrets of air and fire. From of a number of specific stances and maneuvers—namely,
the steel of their scimitars they bring forth strikes, boosts, and counters. Much like a sorcerer’s
flame to blind or kill their enemies. Yet the fire spells, each stance or maneuver is a specific ability that
does not reside in the steel, my student; it resides a character might know. But while a sorcerer’s spells
in the master, and the steel is simply a conduit through which the fire rely on arcane power that is depleted by continuous use,
is guided to the master’s purpose. To call forth the flame, the Desert a martial adept’s abilities are always available to him as
Wind master creates in his soul a barren and blasted place, a desert long as he has a few minutes to prepare the maneuvers
wasteland with a sun of killing strength close at hand. In his mind he wishes to use.
he recalls the focusing chants or words taught to him, hearing them The table below provides a summary of which disciplines
Illus. by W. England
in his own ears even if he does not speak them aloud; in his body are available to each of the three martial adept standard
he executes a precise physical movement, a quick pass of the sword classes. The lists of maneuvers and stances that begin on
in just the right arc and at just the right speed. For an instant, the the next page are organized by level in ascending order, and
link between mind, body, and spirit is perfect—and the fires of the alphabetically by discipline in each level’s list. In these lists,
desert sun surge forth at his command. So it is for each of the Nine the discipline names are truncated or reduced to one word
Disciplines, young one. Now, where shall we begin?” to save space.
—Harran Turiyeshor
47
Table 4–1: Discipline Access by Class Shadow Blade Technique: Strike—Roll two
Crusader Swordsage Warblade attacks, use lower result to deal bonus cold
Desert Wind No Yes No damage.
Devoted Spirit Yes No No
Stone Charging Minotaur: Strike—Charging bull rush
Diamond Mind No Yes Yes
Iron Heart No No Yes deals damage, ignores attacks of opportunity.
Setting Sun No Yes No Stone Bones: Strike—Gain DR 5/adamantine.
Shadow Hand No Yes No Stonefoot Stance: Stance—+2 bonus on Strength
Stone Dragon Yes Yes Yes checks, +2 bonus to AC against larger foes.
Tiger Claw No Yes Yes Tiger Blood in the Water: Stance—Gain +1 bonus on
White Raven Yes No Yes attacks and damage for each critical hit.
Hunter’s Sense: Stance—Gain scent.
MANEUVER AND Sudden Leap: Boost—Jump as a swift action.
STANCE LISTS Wolf Fang Strike: Strike—Attack with two
weapons.
White Bolstering Voice: Stance—Allies gain +2 bonus
1ST LEVEL on Will saves, +4 against fear.
DesertBlistering Flourish: Strike—Dazzle creatures
Douse the Flames: Strike—Target cannot make
around you.
attacks of opportunity for 1 round.
Burning Blade: Boost—Deal 1d6 fire + 1/initiator
Maneuvers and Stances
48
Tiger Claw at the Moon: Strike—Make Jump check, Stone Dragon’s Fury: Strike—Deal +4d6 damage
deal +2d6 damage. against objects, constructs.
Rabid Wolf Strike: Strike—+4 bonus on attack, Tiger Flesh Ripper: Strike—Foe’s attacks and AC have
deal +2d6 damage, –4 AC for 1 round. –4 penalty.
White Battle Leader’s Charge: Strike—No attacks of Leaping Dragon Stance: Stance—+10 on Jump
opportunity while charging, deal +10 damage. checks, always considered running for jumps.
Tactical Strike: Strike—Deal +2d6 damage, Soaring Raptor Strike: Strike—Attack larger foe
adjacent allies move 5 feet. from above with +4 bonus, deal +6d6 damage.
Wolverine Stance: Stance—Use any weapons
3RD LEVEL while grappled.
Desert Death Mark: Strike—Enemy takes extra fire White Lion’s Roar: Boost—Defeat enemy, allies deal
damage and explodes in a fiery spread. +5 damage.
Fan the Flames: Strike—Ranged touch attack Tactics of the Wolf: Stance—You and allies deal +1
deals 6d6 fire damage. damage/2 initiator levels against flanked target.
Holocaust Cloak: Stance—Attackers take 5 fire White Raven Tactics: Boost—Ally’s initiative
damage. changes, he can act again.
Zephyr Dance: Counter—+4 AC against single
attack. 4TH LEVEL
49
White Covering Strike: Boost—Every opponent you Pouncing Charge: Strike—When you charge,
strike cannot make attacks of opportunity for make multiple attacks.
3 rounds. White Flanking Maneuver: Strike—Hit flanked target,
White Raven Strike: Strike—Deal +4d6 damage, allies gain free attack.
target becomes flat-footed. Press the Advantage: Stance—Move +5 feet with
5-ft. step, move into difficult terrain.
5TH LEVEL
Desert Dragon’s Flame: Strike—Cone deals 6d6 fi re 6TH LEVEL
damage. Desert Desert Tempest: Strike—Attack foes as you move
Leaping Flame: Counter—Teleport adjacent to by them.
foe who attacks you. Fiery Assault: Stance—Melee attacks deal +1d6
Lingering Inferno: Strike—Deal +2d6 fire fire damage.
damage, and target takes 2d6 fire damage per round Ring of Fire: Strike—Surround foes with burning
for 3 rounds. flame.
Devo Daunting Strike: Strike—Target of attack Devo Aura of Chaos: Stance—Reroll and add maximum
becomes shaken. damage dice.
Doom Charge: Strike—Charge attack deals extra Aura of Perfect Order: Stance—Treat d20 result
damage against good, you gain DR 10/—. as 11.
Maneuvers and Stances
Law Bearer: Strike—Deal +4d6 damage, +8 attack Aura of Triumph: Stance—You and allies heal 4
against chaotic enemy, gain +5 on saves and AC. points with each attack against evil.
Radiant Charge: Strike—Deal +6d6 damage Aura of Tyranny: Stance—Drain hit points from
against evil foes, gain DR 10/—. allies.
Tide of Chaos: Strike—Charge attack deals extra Rallying Strike: Strike—Successful attack
damage against law, grants you concealment. allows you to heal 3d6 + 1/initiator level in 30-
Diam Disrupting Blow: Strike—Successful attack ft. burst.
causes foe to be unable to act for 1 round. Diam Greater Insightful Strike: Strike—Use double
Hearing the Air: Stance—Gain blindsense 30 ft., Concentration check to determine damage.
+5 bonus on Listen checks. Moment of Alacrity: Boost—Gain +20 bonus on
Rapid Counter: Counter—Strike opponent who initiative during battle.
provokes attack from you. Iron Iron Heart Endurance: Boost—Heal hit points
Iron Dancing Blade Form: Stance—+5-ft. reach equal to two times your level.
during your turn. Manticore Parry: Counter—Deflect attack and
Dazing Strike: Strike—Melee attack dazes redirect it against opponent.
opponent. Set Ballista Throw: Strike—Throw foe in 60-ft. line,
Iron Heart Focus: Counter—Reroll save. deal 6d6 damage to all in area.
Set Mirrored Pursuit: Counter—You match Scorpion Parry: Counter—Parry attack into
opponent’s movement. second opponent.
Shifting Defense: Stance—5-ft. step with each Shadow Ghost Blade: Strike—Target becomes
missed attack against you. flat-footed.
Soaring Throw: Strike—Grab foe, throw him Shadow Noose: Strike—Ranged touch attack
using leverage, strength. deals 8d6 damage and might stun flat-footed
Stalking Shadow: Counter—Move into foe’s target.
space as he tries to move away from you. Stalker in the Night: Strike—Move and attack
Shadow Bloodletting Strike: Boost—Strike deals 4 while remaining hidden.
Constitution damage. Stone Crushing Vise: Strike—Deal +4d6 damage,
Shadow Stride: Teleport 50 ft. through shadows attack immobilizes creature.
as move action. Iron Bones: Strike—Gain DR 10/adamantine.
Step of the Dancing Moth: Stance—Ignore Irresistible Mountain Strike: Strike—Deal
terrain, walk over liquid. +4d6 damage, target loses standard action.
Stone Elder Mountain Hammer: Strike—Deal +6d6 Tiger Rabid Bear Strike: Strike—Gain +4 on attack,
damage, overcome DR and hardness. deal +10d6 damage, –4 AC with attack.
Giant’s Stance: Stance—Deal damage as if you Wolf Climbs the Mountain: Strike—Enter
are one size category larger. larger foe’s space, deal +5d6 damage, gain cover
Mountain Avalanche: Strike—Gain ability to from foe.
trample foes. White Order Forged from Chaos: Allies move up to
Tiger Dancing Mongoose: Boost—Make one extra attack their speed during your turn.
with each weapon (max of two extra attacks). War Leader’s Charge: Strike—No attacks of
opportunity while charging, deal +35 damage.
50
7TH LEVEL Stance of Alacrity: Stance—Gain extra counter
Desert Inferno Blade: Boost—Melee attacks deal +3d6 each round.
fire damage + 1/initiator level. Iron Adamantine Hurricane: Strike—Two attacks
Salamander Charge: Strike—Charge and create against each adjacent foe, +4 bonus on each
trail of fire. attack.
Devo Castigating Strike: Strike—Deal +8d6 damage Lightning Throw: Strike—Use melee attack as
and trigger area blast. a line attack.
Shield Counter: Counter—Shield bash cancels Supreme Blade Parry: Stance—Gain DR 5/—.
foe’s attack. Set Fool’s Strike: Counter—Reflect foe’s attack.
Diam Avalanche of Blades: Strike—With each attack Ghostly Defense: Stance—Enemies hit target of
that hits, make another attack with increasing your choice while you have concealment.
penalty. Shadow Balance on the Sky: Stance—Walk on air.
Quicksilver Motion: Boost—Use swift action to Enervating Shadow Strike: Strike—Target of
complete move action. strike gains 1d4 negative levels.
Iron Finishing Move: Strike—Gain extra damage One With Shadow: Counter—Become incor-
against weakened foe. poreal for 1 round.
Scything Blade: Boost—Strike one foe, free Stone Adamantine Bones: Strike— Gain DR
attack against another one. 20/adamantine.
51
DESERT WIND
Desert Wind maneuvers focus on quick deal an extra 1d6 points of fire damage attack, you cause fire to erupt from your
movement and swirling, flaming strikes. + 1 point per initiator level. enemy’s body in a spread. The radius of
The scimitar, light mace, light pick, This maneuver is a supernatural the spread is determined by the size of
spear, and falchion are the preferred ability. the target creature, as indicated on the
weapons of the Desert Wind discipline. table below. All creatures in the area,
The complex spinning and slashing of BURNING BRAND including your enemy, take 6d6 points
the curved blade incorporated into Desert Wind (Boost) [Fire] of fire damage, with a Reflex save (DC 13
many Desert Wind maneuvers are Level: Swordsage 2 + your Wis modifier) for half. This radius
in fact carefully honed gestures that Initiation Action: 1 swift action is centered on the creature’s position.
evoke the power of fire, if performed Range: Personal You have immunity to the fire damage
correctly and with the proper focus. Target: You from your own death mark.
Tumble is the key skill for Desert Wind, Duration: End of turn This maneuver is a supernatural
providing the initiator with agility and ability.
maneuverability. Desert Wind maneu- Your weapon transforms into a roaring gout
vers are usable only by a swordsage, of flame. As you swing your burning blade, Size Spread Radius
unless you take the Martial Study feat it stretches out beyond your normal reach Small or smaller 5 feet
Medium 10 feet
(see page 31). to scorch your foes.
Maneuvers and Stances
Large 20 feet
Huge 30 feet
BLISTERING FLOURISH When you initiate this maneuver, your Gargantuan 40 feet
Desert Wind (Strike) weapon turns into a burning brand Colossal 50 feet
Level: Swordsage 1 for the rest of your turn. The brand
Initiation Action: 1 standard action increases your reach by 5 feet, and your DESERT TEMPEST
Range: 30 ft. melee attacks made with the brand deal Desert Wind (Strike)
Area: 30-ft.-radius burst centered fire damage equal to your normal melee Level: Swordsage 6
on you damage. You still gain all the normal Prerequisite: Two Desert Wind
Duration: 1 minute benefits from a high Strength score, maneuvers
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates feats, and other effects that increase Initiation Action: 1 full-round action
your melee damage. For example, an Range: Personal
Your weapon bursts into flames as you twirl attack with a longsword that normally Target: You
it over your head. With a flourish, you cause deals 1d8+4 points of slashing damage
the fire to explode with a blinding flash. would instead deal 1d8+4 points of fire You move in a blur, leaving scorch marks in
damage. You otherwise attack with your wake as you twirl around the battle-
When you use this strike, you gen- your weapon as normal. field, slicing into your foes as you move.
erate a burst of brilliant light. Any This maneuver is a supernatural
creature other than you caught in this ability. As part of this maneuver, you move
maneuver’s area must make a Fortitude up to your speed. Each time you exit
save (DC 11 + your Wis modifier) or be DEATH MARK a square adjacent to an enemy, you
dazzled for 1 minute. Desert Wind (Strike) [Fire] can first make a single melee attack
This maneuver is a supernatural Level: Swordsage 3 against that foe. You cannot attack a
ability. Initiation Action: 1 standard action single enemy more than once with this
Range: Melee attack maneuver. Your movement provokes
BURNING BLADE Target: One creature attacks of opportunity, as normal.
Desert Wind (Boost) [Fire] Area: Variable spread; see text
Level: Swordsage 1 Duration: Instantaneous DISTRACTING EMBER
Initiation Action: 1 swift action Saving Throw: Reflex half; see text Desert Wind (Boost)
Range: Personal Level: Swordsage 1
Target: You As your weapon strikes your foe, his body Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Duration: End of turn convulses as waves of flame run down your Range: 30 ft.
blade into his body. The fire causes him to Effect: One summoned fire elemental
Your blade bursts into flame as it sweeps briefly glow with a brilliant internal fire Duration: End of turn
toward your foe in an elegant arc. before the flames erupt from his body in a
terrible explosion. A wave of heat sweeps over the area, forms
A subtle yet precise twisting of your a small dust funnel, and ignites into flame
blade unlocks the power of flame. When you use the strike, you channel next to your foe.
When you initiate this maneuver, fire overwhelming fiery energy into the
trails from your melee weapon. For the body of your foe. In addition to deal- This boost allows you to conjure a Small
rest of your turn, your melee attacks ing normal melee damage with your fire elemental (MM 99) to threaten
52
your enemy, providing you or an ally If you make a successful ranged touch You drive your weapon into the ground,
with the benefit of a flanking position. attack, your target takes 6d6 points of causing a gout of fire to jet into the air. The
You can use this ability to place the fire damage. fire flows back to the ground and creeps ahead
elemental in any space within range. This maneuver is a supernatural like a serpent, sweeping over your enemies
The elemental remains until the end ability. and roasting them where they stand.
of your current turn. It threatens all
creatures within its reach. It takes FIERY ASSAULT When you initiate this maneuver, you
no actions or attacks of opportunity Desert Wind (Stance) [Fire] cause a line of fire to twist across an
during your turn. Level: Swordsage 6 area to burn your enemies. This line is
This maneuver is a supernatural Prerequisite: Two Desert Wind 60 feet long. Unlike a standard line, a
ability. maneuvers firesnake can bend and twist to hit your
Initiation Action: 1 swift action foes. A firesnake starts in an adjacent
DRAGON’S FLAME Range: Personal square. It can move up to 60 feet each
Desert Wind (Strike) [Fire] Target: You round. It can move out of your line
Level: Swordsage 5 Duration: Stance of sight or line of effect, but you gain
Prerequisite: Two Desert Wind no special knowledge of the areas it
maneuvers Fire dances along your arms and across your moves into.
Initiation Action: 1 standard action weapon, lending burning energy to every If a firesnake moves into a creature’s
53
Illus. by K. Andrasofszky
Maneuvers and Stances
A swordsage uses the flashing sun maneuver to strike the second wererat sneaking up behind him
FLASHING SUN Range: 30 ft. Fire trails from your blade as you spin it
Desert Wind (Strike) Area: Cone about, cloaking you in flames that leap out
Level: Swordsage 2 Duration: Instantaneous to burn those who attack you.
Prerequisite: One Desert Wind Saving Throw: Reflex half
maneuver The flame from your weapon hangs
Initiation Action: 1 full-round action You focus a burning aura of energy at the in midair, providing you with a fiery
Range: Personal end of your blade. It forms a seething sphere defense against your attackers. An
Target: You that, after a moment, bursts into a torrent adjacent opponent that hits you with a
of energy. melee attack while you are in this stance
Almost a blur of acceleration, your shining takes 5 points of fire damage. Your holo-
blade flashes as you attack with impos- The Desert Wind discipline teaches caust cloak does not harm a creature
sible speed. its students how to unleash their ki using a reach weapon to attack you.
as burning energy. This maneuver This stance is a supernatural ability.
Flashing sun allows you to make an allows you to create a wave of fire that
additional melee attack during this sweeps over your enemies. When you INFERNO BLADE
round. As part of this maneuver, you initiate this maneuver, you blast forth Desert Wind (Boost) [Fire]
take a full attack action and make your a cone of flame that deals 2d6 points Level: Swordsage 7
normal melee attacks. However, you can of fire damage. Initiation Action: 1 swift action
make one additional attack this round This maneuver is a supernatural Range: Personal
at your highest attack bonus. All the ability. Target: You
attacks you make this round, including Duration: End of turn
the extra attack granted by this maneu- HOLOCAUST CLOAK
ver, are made with a –2 penalty. Desert Wind (Stance) [Fire] A blinding light flashes from your weapon,
Level: Swordsage 3 and for a split second, it transforms into
HATCHLING’S FLAME Prerequisite: One Desert Wind burning magma.
Desert Wind (Strike) [Fire] maneuver
Level: Swordsage 2 Initiation Action: 1 swift action You convert your ki into fiery energy,
Prerequisite: One Desert Wind Range: Personal allowing it to flow down your arms
maneuver Target: You and across your weapon. Until the end
Initiation Action: 1 standard action Duration: Stance of your turn, your melee attacks deal
54
an extra 3d6 points of fire damage + 1 maneuver fails to function but is still The inferno erupts the first time you
point per initiator level. considered used. form a closed area. You cannot create
This maneuver is a supernatural This maneuver is a supernatural multiple areas in one move.
ability. ability. This maneuver is a supernatural
ability.
INFERNO BLAST LINGERING INFERNO
Desert Wind (Strike) [Fire] Desert Wind (Strike) [Fire] RISING PHOENIX
Level: Swordsage 9 Level: Swordsage 5 Desert Wind 8 (Stance) [Fire]
Prerequisite: Five Desert Wind Prerequisite: Two Desert Wind Level: Swordsage 8
maneuvers maneuvers Prerequisite: Three Desert Wind
Initiation Action: 1 full-round action Initiation Action: 1 standard action maneuvers
Range: 60 ft. Range: Melee attack Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Area: 60-ft.-radius burst centered Target: One creature Range: Personal
on you Duration: 3 rounds; see text Target: You
Duration: Instantaneous Duration: Stance
Saving Throw: Reflex half A blue, dancing flame appears on your
weapon. As you strike your foe, this flame Hot wind swirls about your feet, lifting you
Hot winds swirl about you, and a faint slides off your weapon and covers your skyward as flames begin to flicker below.
55
charge does not need to be in a straight SEARING CHARGE
line and is not impeded by difficult Desert Wind (Strike) [Fire]
terrain, or even other creatures. You Level: Swordsage 4
can change direction as much as you Prerequisite: One Desert Wind
want during your movement, and you maneuver
can also use your Tumble skill to avoid Initiation Action: 1 full round
Illus. by B. Trott
fire damage at the start of its turn. normally. On a successful hit, you deal
Creatures that move into or through an extra 5d6 points of fire damage to
the wall also take 6d6 points of fire the target of your charge.
damage. The wall lasts up to 5 This maneuver is a supernatural
rounds. You can automatically ability.
dispel the wall with a wave of
your hand (a swift action), and WIND STRIDE
the wall is automatically dispelled Desert Wind (Boost)
if you initiate another salamander Level: Swordsage 1
charge. The wall does not block line Initiation Action: 1 swift action
of sight or line of effect. Range: Personal
This maneuver is a supernatural Target: You
ability. Duration: End of turn
56
Masters of the Desert Wind can twirl and ZEPHYR DANCE You spin gracefully away from a foe’s attack,
spin their blades with such power that Desert Wind (Counter) whirling like the desert zephyr racing across
they can evoke a great burst of fire. When Level: Swordsage 3 the sands. Your enemy’s blade barely touches
you execute this maneuver, you blast forth Prerequisite: One Desert Wind your cloak as you nimbly dodge aside.
a cone of fire that deals 10d6 points of fire maneuver
damage to all in its area. Creatures in the Initiation Action: 1 immediate action You gain a +4 dodge bonus to AC
area can attempt a Reflex save (DC 18 + Range: Personal against a single attack. You can choose
your Wis modifier) for half damage. Target: You to use this maneuver after an opponent
This maneuver is a supernatural Duration: Instantaneous; see text resolves his attack but before he deter-
ability. mines damage.
DEVOTED SPIRIT
Devoted Spirit maneuvers focus on AURA OF PERFECT ORDER AURA OF TYRANNY
toughness, endurance, ripostes, and Devoted Spirit (Stance) [Law] Devoted Spirit (Stance) [Evil]
abilities designed to defeat a specific Level: Crusader 6 Level: Crusader 6
alignment. Those who follow the Prerequisite: Two Devoted Spirit Prerequisite: Two Devoted Spirit
Devoted Spirit discipline seek to support maneuvers maneuvers
57
attack’s point of impact. The target of this equal to the damage you deal or become DIVINE SURGE, GREATER
strike takes an extra 8d6 points of damage shaken for 1 minute. Devoted Spirit (Strike)
and must succeed on a Fortitude save Level: Crusader 8
(DC 17 + your Cha modifier) or take a –2 DEFENSIVE REBUKE Prerequisite: Two Devoted Spirit
penalty on attack rolls for 1 minute. Devoted Spirit (Boost) maneuvers
All of your opponents within a 30- Level: Crusader 3 Initiation Action: 1 full-round action
foot-radius burst of the target creature Prerequisite: One Devoted Spirit Range: Melee attack
must also succeed on a Fortitude save. maneuver Target: One creature
Those who fail take 5d6 points of Initiation Action: 1 swift action Duration: 1 round; see text
damage and take a –2 penalty on attack Range: Personal
rolls for 1 minute. A successful save Target: You A torrent of divine energy courses through
results in half damage and negates the Duration: 1 round you. With supreme force of will, you chan-
attack penalty. nel the energy into a devastating attack
You sweep your weapon in a wide, deadly even as it saps your mortal form.
CRUSADER’S STRIKE arc. When your blows strike home, you send
Devoted Spirit (Strike) your foe tumbling back on the defensive. He As part of this maneuver, you make a
Level: Crusader 1 must deal with you first, or leave himself single melee attack that deals an extra
Initiation Action: 1 standard action open to your deadly counter. 6d8 points of damage. In addition,
Maneuvers and Stances
58
Range: Melee attack Initiation Action: 1 swift action So long as you remain in this stance,
Target: One creature Range: Personal you cannot be killed or incapacitated
Duration: See text Target: You by effects or attacks that reduce you to
Duration: Stance 0 or fewer hit points. If you take such
You hack into your foe’s legs, forcing his move- damage, you can make a Fortitude save
Illus. by T. Nordstrand
ment to slow and his resolution to falter. with a DC equal to your negative hit
point total. If you fail this save, you die
As part of this maneuver, you or fall unconscious (as appropriate). If
make a melee attack against an this save is successful, you are still
opponent. Your attack deals an alive and conscious, with 1 hit
extra 2d6 points of damage. point remaining.
In addition, if your attack This stance provides no
hits, your target’s speed is protection against effects
reduced by 20 feet until that slay you without deal-
the end of its next turn, ing hit point damage, or
which might prevent it other effects that petrify,
from moving entirely. paralyze, and so forth. You
This penalty applies to can still be slain by a coup
Your devotion to your cause gives Using the foehammer maneuver, With a quick snarl and a glare that would
you boundless energy that allows a crusader of Moradin overcomes stop a charging barbarian in his tracks, you
you to smash through supernatural a rakshasa’s natural defenses spoil an opponent’s attack. Rather than
defenses. When you land an attack, strike his original target, your enemy turns
Despite the horrific wounds you suffer, the
you hit with such force that damage his attention toward you.
flash of searing spells, and the crash of a
reduction offers little resistance
foe’s mighty attacks, you stand resolute on
against you. While you are in this stance, any opponent
the field. So long as the potential for victory
When you use this maneuver, you that you threaten takes a –4 penalty on
exists, you fight on.
make a melee attack against a single foe. attack rolls against your allies. This pen-
This attack automatically overcomes alty does not apply to attacks made against
Death has little meaning to you in
the opponent’s damage reduction and you. Enemies you threaten become aware
light of the cause you fight for. So
deals an extra 2d6 points of damage. of the consequences of the stance.
long as the mission stands before you
uncompleted, or a battle remains in
IMMORTAL FORTITUDE LAW BEARER
doubt, you fight on. Stories abound
Devoted Spirit (Stance) Devoted Spirit (Strike) [Law]
of crusaders who, while in the grips
Level: Crusader 8 Class: Crusader 5
of this stance, fought for days on end
Prerequisite: Three Devoted Spirit Prerequisite: One Devoted Spirit
to hold a mountain pass against orcs,
maneuvers maneuver, lawful alignment
trolls, and other fiends.
59
Initiation Action: 1 full-round action You gather the power of your faith and yours. This foe must pose a threat to you
Range: Melee attack discipline, surrounding yourself in an aura or your allies in some direct, immediate
Target: One creature of blinding glory. way. If your attack hits, you or an ally
Duration: 1 round within 10 feet of you heals 3d6 points
You must make a charge attack as part of damage + 1 point per initiator level
The air around you hums with cosmic of this maneuver. If the target is evil- (maximum +10).
energy as the power of pure law surges aligned, your attack deals an extra 6d6
through you. For a moment, you take on points of damage. In addition, if your SHIELD BLOCK
the aspect of a perfect being as you charge charge attack hits and the target is Devoted Spirit (Counter)
forward to smite your foes. evil-aligned, you become wreathed in Level: Crusader 2
holy energy. You gain damage reduc- Initiation Action: 1 immediate action
You must make a charge attack as part tion 10/— until the beginning of your Range: Personal
of this maneuver. If the target is cha- next turn. Target: You
otic-aligned, you gain a +8 bonus on Duration: Instantaneous
your attack (in addition to the charge RALLYING STRIKE
bonus) and your attack deals an extra Devoted Spirit (Strike) With a heroic burst of effort, you thrust
4d6 points of damage. In addition, if Level: Crusader 6 your shield between your defenseless ally
your charge attack hits and the target is Prerequisite: Two Devoted Spirit and your enemy.
Maneuvers and Stances
60
Illus. by S. Ellis
Maneuvers and Stances
A crusader of Kord relies on her thicket of blades stance to guard against a pack of shadow demons
61
target you until the beginning of your Range: Melee attack As part of this maneuver, you make a
next turn. Target: One creature melee attack against an opponent you
threaten. If this attack hits, all your
VANGUARD STRIKE You batter aside your foes defenses with a allies gain a +4 bonus on ranged and
Devoted Spirit (Strike) vicious, overwhelming attack, leaving him melee attacks against that target until
Level: Crusader 1 vulnerable to your allies’ blows. the start of your next turn.
Initiation Action: 1 standard action
DIAMOND MIND
Diamond Mind maneuvers allow a Range: Melee attack also make a melee attack. You gain a +2
warrior to use her cunning, intellect, Target: One creature bonus on this attack. This maneuver is
and feel for the battlefield against her considered a charge attack when deter-
enemies. Time seems to flow slower to In a flashing blur of steel, you unleash a mining if feats and other abilities apply
a Diamond Mind initiate. The bastard devastating volley of deadly attacks against to your attack.
sword (or katana), rapier, shortspear, your enemy, striking it again and again.
and trident are this discipline’s favored DIAMOND DEFENSE
weapons. Concentration is the Diamond You lash at an opponent. If your attack Diamond Mind (Counter)
Mind discipline’s key skill. hits, you repeat the same attack again Level: Swordsage 8, warblade 8
Maneuvers and Stances
62
If your strike is a critical hit, you stack EMERALD RAZOR HEARING THE AIR
the multipliers as normal (PH 304). Diamond Mind (Strike) Diamond Mind (Stance)
Level: Swordsage 2, warblade 2 Level: Swordsage 5, warblade 5
DISRUPTING BLOW Prerequisite: One Diamond Mind Prerequisite: Two Diamond Mind
Diamond Mind (Strike) maneuver maneuvers
Level: Swordsage 5, warblade 5 Initiation Action: 1 standard action Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Prerequisite: Two Diamond Mind Range: Melee attack Range: Personal
maneuvers Target: One creature Target: You
Initiation Action: 1 standard action Duration: Stance
Range: Melee attack You stare at your enemy, studying his every
Target: One creature move. You mentally probe his defenses in Your perception becomes so fine that you
Saving Throw: Will negates search of a weakness. A lesser warrior could can hear the tiniest flutter of air moving
Duration: 1 round spent long minutes pondering this problem, past you. Invisible foes and other hidden
but you see an opening and seize upon it in threats become as plain as day in the area
With a combination of brute force, keen an instant. of your heightened senses.
timing, and exacting aim, you force your
opponent into an awkward position that Your understanding of combat, your Drawing on your combat training,
ruins his next action. keenly honed mind, and your capabil- sharpened senses, and capability to pre-
Illus. by J. Nentrup
63
Initiation Action: 1 standard action physical threats with the raw power of the initiative order changes accordingly.
Range: Melee attack your mind. This modifier applies at the end of the
Target: One creature You can use this maneuver any time round. Your place in the initiative order
you would be required to make a Forti- changes to reflect moment of alacrity’s
You study your opponent and spot a weak tude save. Make a Concentration check effect starting with the next round.
point in her armor. With a quick, decisive instead of the Fortitude save and use the
strike, you take advantage of this weakness result of that check to determine the MOMENT OF PERFECT MIND
with a devastating attack. save’s success. You must use this maneu- Diamond Mind (Counter)
ver before you attempt the Fortitude save. Level: Swordsage 1, warblade 1
Your mind rather than your physical A result of a natural 1 on your Concentra- Initiation Action: 1 immediate action
power allows you to deal grievous tion check is not an automatic failure. Range: Personal
injuries to your foes. When you attack, Target: You
your training and mental focus allow MIND STRIKE
you to score a telling blow. Diamond Mind (Strike) Your mental focus and martial study have
As part of this maneuver, make a melee Level: Swordsage 4, warblade 4 rendered your will into an unbreakable
attack. If this attack hits, you do not deal Prerequisite: Two Diamond Mind iron wall. When someone targets you with
normal damage. Instead, you make a maneuvers a spell that seeks to erode your willpower,
Concentration check and deal damage Initiation Action: 1 standard action you steel yourself against the attack.
Maneuvers and Stances
64
melee attack, you gain a +2 dodge bonus attack against the foe that provoked Range: Melee attack
to AC. This bonus lasts until the start the attack of opportunity. This attack Target: One creature
of your next turn and is cumulative for does not replace the normal attack of
the round. The bonus applies to any opportunity you receive. You can also Your study your enemy for a brief moment,
attacks made by all opponents until use this maneuver before making your watching his defensive maneuvers and
the beginning of your next turn. normal attack of opportunity when an making a strike timed to take advantage of
opponent provokes (or vice versa). a lull in his vigilance.
QUICKSILVER MOTION The attack granted by the maneuver is
Diamond Mind (Boost) not an extra attack of opportunity. You The sapphire nightmare blade is one of
Level: Swordsage 7, warblade 7 can initiate this maneuver before, after, the most basic, but important, maneu-
Prerequisite: Three Diamond Mind in addition to, or instead of making an vers that a Diamond Mind adept studies.
maneuvers attack of opportunity against an oppo- It illustrates that a keen mind can pierce
Initiation Action: 1 swift action nent (thus possibly saving your attack even the toughest defenses.
Range: Personal of opportunity to use against another You attempt a Concentration check as
Target: You enemy later in the round). part of this maneuver, using the target
creature’s AC as the DC of the check. You
In the blink of an eye, you make your move. RUBY NIGHTMARE BLADE then make a single melee attack against
Your speed, reflexes, and boundless confidence Diamond Mind (Strike) your target. The attack is also part of this
65
STANCE OF CLARITY While you are in this stance, you with a complex action carried out in a
Diamond Mind (Stance) must choose a single opponent as your tiny fraction of the time normally needed
Level: Swordsage 1, warblade 1 target at the start of your turn. You to complete it.
Initiation Action: 1 swift action gain a +2 insight bonus to AC against
Range: Personal that foe until you change the target of In an unmatched burst of speed, agil-
Target: You this stance. You take a –2 penalty to AC ity, and decisive action, you move more
Duration: Stance against all other opponents while using quickly than the eye can follow. You
stance of clarity. can lash out with your blade, striking
You focus your efforts on a single opponent, your opponent so rapidly that observers
studying his moves and preparing an TIME STANDS STILL can’t keep track of your moves.
attack. Your other opponents fade from sight Diamond Mind (Strike) As part of this maneuver, you can
as your mind locks onto your target. Level: Swordsage 9, warblade 9 use a full attack action two times in
Prerequisite: Four Diamond Mind succession. Take your first full attack as
This stance allows you to focus on a maneuvers normal. Once you have resolved those
single opponent to the exclusion of Initiation Action: 1 full-round action attacks, you can then take another full
all others. You read your foe’s fighting Range: Personal attack action. You must resolve these
stance, his favored attacks, and the Target: You actions separately. You cannot combine
methods he used to train. By combin- the attacks provided by both actions as
Maneuvers and Stances
ing these factors into a single analysis The raindrops themselves stand still as you you wish. Instead, you must take them
of his abilities, you see how to foil act at the speed of thought. You move like separately and in order as normal for a
his attacks. a blur, catching your enemies by surprise full attack.
IRON HEART
The Iron Heart discipline focuses on You shift your weight to the back of your feet during your turn, you gain a +2 dodge
pure weapon skill. Its students learn and hold your blade carefully forward at the bonus to AC until the beginning of
to complete fighting maneuvers that ready. Your muscles twitch slightly as you your next turn.
border on the supernatural. The Iron prepare to dodge the next attack you face.
Heart’s preferred weapons are the bastard ADAMANTINE HURRICANE
sword, dwarven waraxe, longsword, and The absolute steel stance allows you Iron Heart (Strike)
two-bladed sword. Its key skill is Balance, to enhance your mobility and speed. Level: Warblade 8
because body control, good footing, and You move quickly, keep a sharp eye on Prerequisite: Three Iron Heart
impeccable timing are important to com- your enemies, and are ready to instantly maneuvers
pleting Iron Heart maneuvers. sidestep any incoming attacks. Initiation Action: 1 standard action
While you are in this stance, you Range: Melee attack
ABSOLUTE STEEL gain a +10-foot enhancement bonus to Targets: One or more adjacent crea-
Iron Heart (Stance) your speed. If you move at least 10 feet tures you threaten
Level: Warblade 3
Prerequisite: One Iron Heart
maneuver
Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Stance
Illus. by K. Andrasofszky
66
In a blur of motion, you make a short, DAZING STRIKE Duration: 1 minute
twisting leap in the air. As you turn, Iron Heart (Strike) Saving Throw: Will half
your weapon flashes through the enemies Level: Warblade 5
around you like a blazing comet. As you Prerequisite: Two Iron Heart You attack, striking not your foe, but his
drop back to the ground in your fighting maneuvers weapon, sending a shockwave up his arm
stance, your enemies crumple to the ground Initiation Action: 1 standard action that leaves him unable to strike with
around you. Range: Melee attack full force.
Target: One creature
You sweep your weapon in a circle Duration: 1 round Your mastery of the Iron Heart style
around you, striking out at nearby Saving Throw: Fortitude partial has taught you much about the power
enemies. You strike with the speed within a blade, and you can use this
and ferocity of a lightning bolt, forcing Through focus, raw power, and expert aim, knowledge to not only enhance your
your enemies to rely on their reflexes you make a mighty attack against your foe, own ability but also to deprive others
for protection rather than their armor leaving him temporarily knocked senseless of that power.
and shields. by your attack. When you initiate this maneuver,
You make two melee attacks against you attack your opponent’s weapon
each adjacent opponent you threaten The proper application of force to just (PH 158). This attack does not provoke
when you initiate this maneuver. You the right part of a foe’s anatomy allows attacks of opportunity. If you succeed,
67
the attack instead deals an extra 14d6 Target: You gaining a +2 morale bonus on attack
points of damage. Duration: See text rolls until the end of your next turn.
Prerequisite: Two Iron Heart defeat you. Prerequisite: Two Iron Heart
maneuvers maneuvers
Initiation Action: 1 swift action Initiation Action: 1 immediate action
Range: Personal Range: Personal
Target: You Target: You
You push aside the pain of your inju- Your foe twists out of the way of your initial
ries to fight on past mortal limits. attack, but your weapon becomes a blur
as you reverse direction and strike at him
If you have half or fewer of again with lightning speed. In the blink
your full normal hit points of an eye, you complete your attack and
remaining, you can initiate resume your defensive posture.
Maneuvers and Stances
68
melee damage (including damage from Your weapon becomes a blur of motion as you strike one opponent, you set yourself
your Strength modifier, feats, magical you swing it in a tight arc over your head. up perfectly to make a second attack
abilities on your weapon, and so forth), Once you build up enough speed, you explode against a different foe. As your weapon
plus an extra 12d6 points of damage. into a sweeping attack that chops into the strikes one opponent, it cuts into him,
Each creature in the attack’s area can enemies around you. then ricochets to your second target.
make a Reflex save with a DC equal to If the first melee attack you make
the result of your attack roll. A success- When you initiate this strike, you make during your turn hits, you can imme-
ful save halves the damage dealt. a melee attack against every opponent diately make a free attack at your
Your weapon automatically returns adjacent to you. Resolve each attack highest attack bonus against a differ-
to your hand at the end of the round. separately. You gain a +2 bonus on each ent enemy that you threaten. You can
of these attacks, which are otherwise only gain one free attack each time
MANTICORE PARRY made at your highest attack bonus. you initiate this maneuver, regardless
Iron Heart (Counter) of how many successful attacks you
Level: Warblade 6 PUNISHING STANCE make in this round.
Prerequisite: Two Iron Heart Iron Heart (Stance)
maneuvers Level: Warblade 1 STEEL WIND
Initiation Action: 1 immediate action Initiation Action: 1 swift action Iron Heart (Strike)
Range: Personal Range: Personal Level: Warblade 1
When you initiate this maneuver, you You hold your weapon overhead, allow- Through a combination of sheer power
can attempt to block an enemy’s melee ing you to chop down with superior and unmatched talent, you make an
attack that targets you and redirect it to force. However, this fighting stance attack that injures multiple opponents.
another target adjacent to you. Make leaves you vulnerable to an opponent’s As you initiate this strike, you make
a melee attack roll. If your result is attacks. Only an initiate of the Iron two melee attacks, each against a dif-
greater than your foe’s attack roll, you Heart tradition can manage the peril- ferent foe that you threaten. Resolve
bat aside the strike and direct it against ous balance between trading attack each attack separately.
a target of your choice that stands adja- power for defense. A lesser warrior
cent to you. You must decide whether would leave himself nearly helpless to STEELY STRIKE
to initiate this maneuver after the resist an opponent’s attacks. Iron Heart (Strike)
enemy attacks, but before you know While you are in this stance, you deal Level: Warblade 1
whether or not the attack you are an extra 1d6 points of damage with all Initiation Action: 1 standard action
attempting to deflect actually hits. If melee attacks. You also take a –2 penalty to Range: Melee attack
the attack misses, you can still attempt AC, because this fighting stance empha- Target: One creature
to deflect it. sizes power over a defensive posture. Duration: 1 round; see text
If you succeed in deflecting the
attack, use the result of your opponent’s SCYTHING BLADE You focus yourself for a single, accurate
attack roll to determine if it strikes the Iron Heart (Boost) attack, shrugging off your opponent’s blows
new target. Level: Warblade 7 and ignoring the need for defense as you
This maneuver functions only against Prerequisite: Three Iron Heart make your assault.
armed melee attacks. You cannot use it maneuvers
against unarmed attacks, natural weap- Initiation Action: 1 swift action The Iron Heart discipline teaches focus,
ons, or touch spells. Range: Personal allowing you to engage and defeat
Target: You one opponent at a time. Your other
MITHRAL TORNADO enemies mean nothing to you as you
Iron Heart (Strike) You strike at one foe with a long, high back- press your attack.
Level: Warblade 4 hand cut, then make a quick turn to continue You make a single melee attack as
Prerequisite: Two Iron Heart the stroke against another nearby enemy. part of this strike. You gain a +4 bonus
maneuvers on the attack roll. All opponents other
Initiation Action: 1 standard action You swing your weapon in a wide, deadly than the one you attacked gain a +4
Range: Melee attack arc. With your supreme skill and martial bonus on attack rolls against you for
Target: All adjacent opponents training, you aim your attack so that as 1 round.
69
STRIKE OF PERFECT CLARITY Level: Warblade 8 WALL OF BLADES
Iron Heart (Strike) Prerequisite: Three Iron Heart Iron Heart (Counter)
Level: Warblade 9 maneuvers Level: Warblade 2
Prerequisite: Four Iron Heart Initiation Action: 1 swift action Initiation Action: 1 immediate action
maneuvers Range: Personal Range: Personal
Initiation Action: 1 standard action Target: You Target: You
Range: Melee attack Duration: Stance
Target: One creature Your weapon sways back and forth in
You drop into a relaxed pose, allowing your your hand, ready to block incoming blows.
Your supreme focus and perfect fighting defenses to flow naturally and easily. Your With the speed of a thunderbolt, you clash
form allow you to make a single, devastat- blade lashes out to absorb or deflect each your weapon against your foe’s blade as he
ing attack. You execute a flawless strike to attack you face, blunting the force of your attempts to attack.
drop your foe with a single attack. enemies’ blows.
Your weapon mastery transforms
The ultimate Iron Heart maneuver As a student of the Iron Heart disci- your blade into an extension of your
teaches the precise, perfect cut neces- pline, you learn that a simple flick of arm, allowing you to wield it with the
sary to slay almost any creature. Only the wrist or turn of the blade can trans- speed and timing needed to make a
the mightiest foes can withstand this form a deadly strike into a wild miss. precise block.
Maneuvers and Stances
attack. Adepts of the Iron Heart tradi- In battle, you enter a steady rhythm When an enemy makes a melee or
tion seek to use this attack to end fights that makes you frustratingly difficult ranged attack against you, you can
as quickly as possible. You might open a to fight. You disrupt each attack with initiate this counter to oppose that
fight with a quick flurry of attacks, but a perfectly timed counter, leaving your attack by making an attack roll with
once a foe is injured, you seek to end the foes’ strikes weak and ineffectual. any melee weapon you are holding.
battle with this decisive strike. While you are in this stance, you Use the higher of your AC or your
You make a single melee attack as part gain damage reduction 5/— against attack roll as your effective AC against
of this strike. If your attack hits, it deals any opponent that does not catch you the incoming attack. You can’t use
an extra 100 points of damage (in addi- flat-footed. To gain this benefit, you this maneuver if you are denied your
tion to your normal melee damage). must be proficient with the weapon Dexterity bonus to AC against your
you carry. You gain this benefit while attacker. You can decide to use this
SUPREME BLADE PARRY unarmed only if you have the Improved ability after you learn the result of
Iron Heart (Stance) Unarmed Strike feat. your opponent’s attack.
SETTING SUN
The Setting Sun discipline teaches If your opponent strikes you on his You grab your opponent and spin like a top,
its initiates to turn their opponents’ turn, you can replace your AC with swinging him around before throwing him
strength against them. With a quick the result of a Sense Motive check as at your opponents like a bolt from a ballista.
shift in stance and a carefully aimed an immediate action. You must decide
attack, a Setting Sun warrior sends a whether to initiate this maneuver This maneuver functions like mighty
charging enemy tumbling in a new before you know the result of your throw (page 73), except as noted here.
direction. Setting Sun’s preferred weap- opponent’s attack (but after the attack As part of this maneuver, you must
ons are the quarterstaff, short sword, is declared). Your Sense Motive check succeed on a melee touch attack against
nunchaku, and unarmed strike. The applies to only one attack. You must be your foe. You can then make a trip
discipline’s key skill is Sense Motive. aware of the attack to which you will attempt against your enemy. You gain
apply the effect of this maneuver. If a +4 bonus on the ability check.
BAFFLING DEFENSE you are flat-footed against the incoming If you succeed in tripping your foe,
Setting Sun (Counter) attack, you cannot use this maneuver. you throw him in a 60-foot line. The
Level: Swordsage 2 target and all creatures in this area
Prerequisite: One Setting Sun BALLISTA THROW take 6d6 points of damage. The thrown
maneuver Setting Sun (Strike) creature lands prone at the end of this
Initiation Action: 1 immediate action Level: Swordsage 6 line. You must place the target in an
Range: Personal Prerequisite: Two Setting Sun empty space. If the space at the end
Target: You maneuvers of the line is occupied, your opponent
Initiation Action: 1 standard action falls prone in the open space closest to
You crouch balanced on one foot, hands Range: Touch and 60 ft.; see text the line’s endpoint.
held high over your head. Your foe hesi- Target: Creature touched
tates, unsure of how to attack you in this Area: 60-ft. line CLEVER POSITIONING
unlikely stance. Setting Sun (Strike)
Level: Swordsage 2
70
Initiation Action: 1 standard action As part of this maneuver, you must With this counter, you can attempt to
Range: Melee attack succeed on a melee touch attack against redirect a creature that intends to make
Target: One creature your foe. You can then make a trip a charge attack against you. Imme-
Saving Throw: Reflex partial attempt against your enemy. You gain diately before the creature makes its
a +4 bonus on the ability check. charge attack, make your choice of an
With a swift flurry of motion, you knock If you succeed in tripping your foe, opposed Strength or Dexterity check
you foe off balance, slip into his space, and you throw him up to 10 feet away from against it. The target makes its check
force him into the spot you just occupied. you in a direction of your choice. You using the same ability you chose for
select your enemy’s destination square. your check.
You make a melee attack, and while The target falls prone in that space and If you are of a larger size category
your opponent is slightly off balance takes 4d6 points of damage. For every 5 than the attacking creature, you use
from your blow, you find the leverage points by which you win the opposed your superior bulk to redirect your foe
needed to pull him into your space check, you gain an additional 5 feet of and gain a +4 bonus on your Strength
while moving into his space. throw range. For example, if you win by check (if you opt for a Strength check).
As part of this maneuver, you make 10, you can place your foe in any space If you are of a smaller size category, you
a single melee attack against a target. If within 20 feet of you. You can throw use leverage, misdirection, and trickery
your attack hits, the target takes damage your opponent into a space occupied by a to gain a +4 bonus on your Dexterity
normally and must make a Reflex save second foe. In this case, the opponent in check (if you use that option).
71
Range: Touch you know the result of the attack, You gain this stance’s benefit when
Target: Creature touched you can initiate this maneuver. If her an opponent’s attack against you has
attack misses, she provokes an attack a miss chance, such as from conceal-
Seizing your foe by the arm, you spin in a of opportunity from you. If her attack ment. Whenever an opponent’s melee or
quick half-circle and hurl him headlong of opportunity hits you, she provokes ranged attack misses you because of this
away from you. an attack of opportunity from any of miss chance, you can choose to change
your allies who threaten her. the target of the attack from you to
This maneuver functions like mighty another eligible target (other than your
throw (page 73), except as noted here. FOOL’S STRIKE attacker). For a melee attack, the new
To set up a devastating throw, you Setting Sun (Counter) target must be within your opponent’s
must move at least 15 feet. Level: Swordsage 8 reach and adjacent to you. For a ranged
As part of this maneuver, you must Prerequisite: Three Setting Sun attack, the new target must be adjacent
succeed on a melee touch attack against maneuvers to you, and your opponent must have
your foe. You can then make a trip Initiation Action: 1 immediate action line of effect to him. Use the result of
attempt against your enemy. You gain Range: Melee attack the original attack to determine if it hits
a +4 bonus on the ability check. Target: One creature the new target. Your foe does not check
If you succeed in tripping your foe, again for a miss chance, as you guide the
you throw him up to 10 feet away from A creature strikes, but you turn the blow attack directly to the new target. This
Maneuvers and Stances
you. The target falls prone in the des- straight back at it. ability applies only once per attack. If
tination space and takes 2d6 points of you use ghostly defense to redirect an
damage. You choose where he lands. For When an enemy attacks you on its turn, attack against a foe using this stance,
every 5 points by which you win the you can attempt to block the blow and he does not have the option to redirect
opposed check, you gain an additional send it back at that creature. You step into the attack again.
5 feet of throw distance. For example, the attack and redirect it. This maneuver You must be aware of an opponent’s
if you win by 10, you can place your foe pits your skill against that of your foe. attack to gain the benefit of this stance.
in any space within 20 feet of you. You If an opponent attacks you, you can ini- You cannot use it against attacks that
must place the target in an empty space. tiate this maneuver to make an opposed catch you flat-footed.
If you lack the distance to throw your attack roll as an immediate action. If
target into a clear space, he falls prone your foe’s result is higher, he attacks you GIANT KILLING STYLE
in his current space. as normal. If your result is higher, your Setting Sun (Stance)
foe rolls damage as normal for the attack Level: Swordsage 3
FEIGNED OPENING and takes that much damage. Prerequisite: One Setting Sun
Setting Sun (Counter) maneuver
Level: Swordsage 3 GHOSTLY DEFENSE Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Prerequisite: One Setting Sun Setting Sun (Stance) Range: Personal
maneuver Level: Swordsage 8 Target: You
Initiation Action: 1 swift action Prerequisite: Three Setting Sun Duration: Stance
Range: Personal maneuvers
Target: You Initiation Action: 1 swift action You dart between a giant’s legs, lashing at
Range: Personal his inner ankles and other vulnerable areas
You show your opponent a seemingly fatal Target: You while staying inside his reach where he
mistake in your defenses, but easily avoid Duration: Stance cannot hope to parry your attacks.
the ensuing attack and simultaneously
draw your foe into overextending. As she You lurk within concealing mist, luring The Setting Sun school teaches a fight-
fights to regain her balance, you make a your opponent into attacking you, only to ing style that emphasizes using an
swift counterattack. dodge out of the way and direct your enemy’s opponent’s strength and momentum
blow at an unwitting ally. against him. The giant killing strike
You can use this maneuver when an epitomizes this approach. By sizing
opponent attempts an attack of oppor- You are a ghost in the mist, capable of up a larger opponent and studying his
tunity against you. As you provoke the turning a foe against her allies. By gaug- fighting stance and tendencies, you aim
attack of opportunity, you position ing your opponent’s fighting stance, your strikes at vulnerable points on
yourself in such a way as to force your timing your dodge correctly, and plac- his lower body that he cannot defend
opponent to throw herself off balance to ing yourself in the right position, you effectively. You slice at tendons on your
strike you. Even if she succeeds in strik- can lead her into attacking one of her foe’s feet, smash his knees, and cut into
ing you, your foe might regret her attack allies rather than you. When your foe his hamstrings.
as your allies leap in to finish her. strikes, you duck out of the way. As she When you are in this stance, you gain
When your enemy makes an attack follows through with her attack, she a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +4 bonus
of opportunity against you, but before inadvertently attacks an ally. on damage rolls against opponents of
72
a larger size category than yours. This to throw your target into a clear space, The chosen creature is the new target
bonus applies to all attacks you make it falls prone in its current space. of your foe’s attack. Use your enemy’s
for the rest of your turn. An enemy you throw with this original attack roll result to determine
maneuver does not provoke attacks if he strikes the new target.
HYDRA SLAYING STRIKE of opportunity for passing through
Setting Sun (Strike) enemies’ threatened areas as part of the SHIFTING DEFENSE
Level: Swordsage 7 throw, and you can throw an enemy Setting Sun (Stance)
Prerequisite: Three Setting Sun through occupied squares. Level: Swordsage 5
maneuvers Prerequisite: Two Setting Sun
Initiation Action: 1 standard action MIRRORED PURSUIT maneuvers
Range: Melee attack Setting Sun (Counter) Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Target: One creature Level: Swordsage 5 Range: Personal
Prerequisite: Two Setting Sun Target: You
You take stock of an opponent’s fighting style maneuvers Duration: Stance
and make a single, carefully aimed attack Initiation Action: 1 immediate action
that leaves the creature unable to make all Range: Personal You duck and move as you dodge your
of its attacks. Target: You opponent’s attacks. Slowly but surely, each
attack gives you the opportunity to move
73
whichever is better. You gain a +4 bonus Range: Personal You are so closely attuned to your envi-
on the ability check. Target: You ronment that you easily pick out steady
If you succeed in tripping your spots in rough terrain. While others
foe, you throw him up to 20 feet away When the creature you are battling tries to struggle to move over broken ground,
from you. The target falls prone in back away, you step next to it in the blink of you slip across it with ease. When you
the destination space and takes 8d6 an eye, forcing it to stand and fight or suffer fight on rough ground, you turn the
points of damage. You choose where the consequences of withdrawal. uneven footing into an advantage. By
he lands. For every 5 points by which gauging how an opponent distributes
you win the opposed check, you gain Using your watchful eye and your abil- his weight, you strike at just the right
an additional 5 feet of throw distance. ity to judge an opponent’s actions, you moment and in the precise spot needed
For example, if you win by 10, you can move at precisely the same time your to send him tumbling to the ground.
place your foe in any space within 30 enemy begins to move. While you are in this stance, you
feet of you. You must place the target in If an opponent in a square adjacent to ignore penalties to speed, movement,
an empty space. If you lack the distance you moves, you can initiate this maneu- or skill checks associated with move-
to throw your target into a clear space, ver to make a 5-foot step into the space ment (such as Tumble, Jump, and Climb
he falls prone in his current space. (or one of the squares) it occupied. This checks) incurred by moving through
An enemy you throw with this movement does not provoke attacks difficult terrain. If you attack an oppo-
maneuver does not provoke attacks of opportunity. nent standing on difficult terrain while
Maneuvers and Stances
of opportunity for passing through you are in this stance, and if that foe
enemies’ threatened areas as part of the STEP OF THE WIND takes a movement penalty for moving
throw, and you can throw an enemy Setting Sun (Stance) through difficult terrain, you gain a +2
through occupied squares. Level: Swordsage 1 bonus on attack rolls and a +4 bonus
Initiation Action: 1 swift action on Strength or Dexterity checks made
STALKING SHADOW Range: Personal as part of a bull rush or trip attempt
Setting Sun (Counter) Target: You against that enemy. You gain this bonus
Level: Swordsage 5 Duration: Stance on checks made to either accomplish or
Prerequisite: Two resist a bull rush or trip.
Setting Sun You walk across rubble and other bro-
maneuvers ken terrain with deceptive STRIKE OF THE BROKEN
Initiation ease, allowing you to SHIELD
Action: 1 take advantage of your Setting Sun (Strike)
immedi- opponents as they Level: Swordsage 4
ate action struggle to move Prerequisite: Two Setting Sun
at full speed. maneuvers
Illus. by B. Trott
A dwarf swordsage easily avoids a frost giant’s blows using shifting defense
74
Initiation Action: 1 standard action Prerequisite: Five Setting Sun check. You can use your Dexterity
Range: Melee attack maneuvers or Strength modifier on this check,
Target: One creature Initiation Action: 1 full-round action whichever is better. You gain a +2 bonus
Saving Throw: Reflex partial Range: Melee attack on this check for every 5 feet that you
Target: One or more creatures have moved during your turn.
You study your opponent and deliver an If you succeed in tripping your
attack precisely aimed to ruin his defenses Like a whirlwind, you twist and spin foe, you throw him up to 10 feet away
and force him to scramble for his balance. across the battlefield, tossing foes away left from you. The target falls prone in
While he struggles to ready himself, he becomes and right. the destination space and takes 2d6
more vulnerable to your attacks. points of damage. You choose where
As part of initiating this maneuver, you he lands. For every 5 points by which
As part of this maneuver, make a single move up to your opponent, throw her you win the opposed check, you gain
melee attack. This attack deals an extra aside, and move again. You must move an additional 5 feet of throw distance
4d6 points of damage. In addition, the at least 10 feet before making your and the target takes an additional 1d6
target must make a Reflex save (DC throw. This movement and your move- points of damage. For example, if you
14 + your Str modifier) or become flat- ment after your throw provoke attacks win by 10, you can place your foe in
footed until the start of his next turn. of opportunity as normal. You can any space within 20 feet of you, and he
The target takes damage (normal melee move up to double your speed as part of takes a total of 4d6 points of damage.
SHADOW HAND
The Shadow Hand discipline teaches you to strike with deadly accuracy against stance. Moving upward requires you
the arts of stealth, deception, and an unprepared opponent. to spend 10 feet of movement for each
ambush. Its maneuvers allow a war- While you are in this stance, you gain 5 feet of elevation you gain.
rior to take on a shadowy aspect or to the sneak attack ability, if you do not You gain the benefit of air walk only
channel dark energy to sap an enemy’s already have it, which deals an extra while you maintain this stance. If for
strength. This discipline’s preferred 2d6 points of damage. If you already some reason your stance ends while you
weapons are the dagger, sai, short sword, have the sneak attack class feature, are in midair, you fall to the ground.
spiked chain, siangham, and unarmed your existing sneak attack ability deals This stance is a supernatural ability.
strike. Its key skill is Hide. an extra 2d6 points of damage. See the
rogue class feature (PH 50) for a com- BLOODLETTING STRIKE
ASSASSIN’S STANCE plete description of sneak attack. Shadow Hand (Strike)
Shadow Hand (Stance) Level: Swordsage 5
Level: Swordsage 3 BALANCE ON THE SKY Prerequisite: Two Shadow Hand
Prerequisite: One Shadow Hand Shadow Hand (Stance) maneuvers
maneuver Level: Swordsage 8 Initiation Action: 1 standard action
Initiation Action: 1 swift action Prerequisite: Three Shadow Hand Range: Melee attack
Range: Personal maneuvers Target: One creature
Target: You Initiation Action: 1 swift action Saving Throw: Fortitude partial
Duration: Stance Range: Personal
Target: You Spinning your blade in a butterflylike pat-
As your foe struggles to regain his defensive Duration: Stance tern, you administer a dozen precise cuts
posture, you line up an exacting strike that hits in an eyeblink. Blood flows from your foe’s
with superior accuracy and deadly force. With arms spread wide, you step onto the air. opened veins.
A shadow cast by a gap between two You gain the ability to use air walk (PH As part of this maneuver, you make
armored plates or a crease in a creature’s 196) on yourself only. You must keep at a single melee attack. If this attack
thick hide calls to your weapon, allowing least one hand empty while using this hits, your opponent takes 4 points
75
of Constitution damage in addition to Target: One creature spell (PH 245). You remain invisible
your attack’s normal damage. A suc- Saving Throw: Fortitude partial until the end of your current turn.
cessful Fortitude save (DC 15 + your This maneuver is a supernatural
Wis modifier) reduces this Constitution Your weapon transforms into solid dark- ability.
damage to 2 points, although the foe still ness. When it strikes home, it discharges
takes full normal melee damage. in a swirling orb of shadow that engulfs DANCE OF THE SPIDER
your foe’s eyes. Shadow Hand (Stance)
CHILD OF SHADOW Level: Swordsage 3
Shadow Hand (Stance) As part of this maneuver, you make a Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Level: Swordsage 1 single melee attack. If it hits, you deal Range: Personal
Initiation Action: 1 swift action an extra 1d6 points of damage, and your Target: You
Range: Personal opponent must make a successful For- Duration: Stance
Target: You titude save (DC 11 + your Wis modifier)
Duration: Stance or suffer a 20% miss chance on all melee Black, shadowy energy covers your hands
and ranged attacks for 1 round. A suc- and feet, allowing you to scuttle across the
As you move, shadows flutter and swarm cessful save negates the miss chance, walls and ceiling like a lurking spider.
around you. Even under the bright desert but not the extra damage.
sun, you are difficult to This maneuver is a supernatural While you are in this stance, you gain a
Maneuvers and Stances
spot as long as you ability. benefit similar to the spider climb spell
remain in motion. (PH 283). You gain a climb speed of 20
feet. You do not need to make a Climb
As an initiate of check to traverse a vertical or hori-
the Shadow Hand zontal surface, even if you attempt to
school, you learn move across a ceiling. You retain your
to channel and Dexterity bonus to AC while climbing,
control dark, and you must have at least one hand
shadowy ener- free to support yourself while you
gies. This energy climb. You do not take any penal-
flows around ties, nor do your opponents gain
you like a con- any bonus when attacking
cealing robe, you, while you climb.
hiding you You cannot take a run
from your action while climb-
opponents as ing in this manner.
they attempt to
strike you. DEATH IN
If you move at THE DARK
least 10 feet during your Shadow Hand
turn, you gain concealment (Strike)
against all melee and ranged Level: Swordsage 7
attacks until the start of your next Initiation Action: 1 stan-
turn. You also gain the standard ben- Arrows miss a halfling swordsage dard action
efits of concealment, but you cannot using the child of shadows stance Range: Melee attack
use this stance to hide in plain sight; Target: One creature
you must still use some other terrain CLOAK OF DECEPTION Saving Throw: Fortitude partial
feature that normally allows you to use Shadow Hand (Boost)
the Hide skill. The fluttering shadows Level: Swordsage 2 You catch your foe unaware, allowing you
make it difficult to specifically target Initiation Action: 1 swift action to deal a single, deadly strike that slays
you, but your enemies are aware of Range: Personal her instantly.
Illus. by S. Ellis
76
If her save succeeds, she takes an extra If the target has at least as many Result of 15–20: Struck in the heart.
5d6 points of damage. This maneuver negative levels as Hit Dice, it dies. Ability damage: 2d6 Dex, 2d6 Str.
functions only against opponents who Each negative level gives a creature a –1 Special effect: 2d6 points of Consti-
are vulnerable to critical hits. penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, tution damage.
skill checks, ability checks, and effec- A foe struck by this attack must make
DRAIN VITALITY tive level (for determining the power, a successful Fortitude save (DC 19 +
Shadow Hand (Strike) duration, DC, and other details of spells your Wis modifier) to resist its effects.
Level: Swordsage 2 or special abilities). Additionally, a On a successful save, the target ignores
Prerequisite: One Shadow Hand spellcaster loses one spell or spell slot any special effect from the attack and
maneuver from her highest available level. Nega- takes half the indicated ability damage
Initiation Action: 1 standard action tive levels stack. (but still takes normal melee damage
Range: Melee attack In addition to the negative levels, as well as the extra 15d6 points of
Target: One creature your attack deals normal damage, damage). Each of the special effects
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates even if the target succeeds on the lasts for 1d6 rounds.
saving throw. This maneuver is a supernatural
A faint nimbus of sickly gray shadow sur- This maneuver is a supernatural ability.
rounds your weapon. When you attack, this ability.
shadowy aura flows into the wound you GHOST BLADE
inflict, sapping your opponent’s strength, FIVE-SHADOW CREEPING
77
You draw upon the power of shadow to to rob your foe of her sight. Inky, black weapon to defend against. In most
render a single foe helpless. By touching energy burrows into her eyes, rendering her cases, the illusory weapon distracts
a specific nerve center and channeling blind for a few critical moments. your foe and allows your true attack to
your ki, you leave your enemy’s muscles hit. In some cases, both attacks strike
cold, locked, and useless. As a standard action, you can make home. In this case, the shadow blade
This maneuver functions only a single melee attack. If it hits, your discharges its magic and imbues your
against flat-footed opponents. As part opponent takes normal melee damage attack with cold energy.
of this maneuver, you make a melee plus an extra 5d6 points of damage. She As part of this maneuver, you make
touch attack against your opponent. If must also make a successful Fortitude a single melee attack against an oppo-
this attack hits, your opponent must save (DC 14 + your Wis modifier) or nent. Unlike on a normal attack, you
make a successful Fortitude save (DC suffer a 50% miss chance on all melee roll 2d20 and select which of the
14 + your Wis modifier) or be paralyzed and ranged attacks for 1 round. A suc- two die results to use. If you use the
for 1d3 rounds. cessful save negates the miss chance, higher die result, resolve your attack
but not the extra damage. as normal. (Your mystic double misses,
ISLAND OF BLADES This maneuver is a supernatural but your true attack might hit.) If you
Shadow Hand (Stance) ability. use the lower die result, or if both die
Level: Swordsage 1 results are the same, your attack deals
Initiation Action: 1 swift action ONE WITH SHADOW an extra 1d6 points of cold damage as
Maneuvers and Stances
Range: Personal Shadow Hand (Counter) both the mystic double’s attack and
Target: You Level: Swordsage 8 your true weapon strike home.
Duration: Stance Prerequisite: Three Shadow Hand This maneuver is a supernatural
maneuvers ability.
You cloak yourself in a swirling nimbus of Initiation Action: 1 immediate action
shadow energy. These shadows spin and Range: Personal SHADOW BLINK
flow around you, preventing any creature Target: You Shadow Hand [Teleportation]
near you from being able to anticipate Duration: See text Level: Swordsage 7
your attacks. Initiation Action: 1 swift action
You fade into the raw essence of shadow, Range: 50 ft.
Your turn your enemies’ strengths turning transparent, then insubstantial. Target: You
against them, improving your combat
ability as well as that of an ally. When As an immediate action, you become In the blink of an eye, you disappear and
you and a comrade move to attack an incorporeal. You gain all the benefits emerge from a mote of shadow energy across
opponent, you time your attacks and of the incorporeal subtype, along with the battlefield.
position yourself to frustrate your the drawbacks, as outlined in the Incor-
opponent’s defenses. poreal Subtype sidebar. All of your This maneuver functions as the shadow
If both you and an ally are adjacent to gear becomes incorporeal, although jaunt maneuver, except that it can be
the same creature, the two of you gain you cannot grant this state to a living initiated as a swift action.
the benefit for flanking that opponent. creature that you touch or carry. You
You can gain this benefit against mul- remain incorporeal until the begin- SHADOW GARROTE
tiple opponents at the same time, as can ning of your next turn. Shadow Hand (Strike)
your allies. If both you and an ally are Level: Swordsage 3
adjacent to the same two creatures, the SHADOW BLADE Initiation Action: 1 standard action
two of you gain the benefit of flanking TECHNIQUE Range: 60 ft.
against both creatures. Shadow Hand (Strike) Target: One living creature
Level: Swordsage 1 Duration: See text
OBSCURING SHADOW VEIL Initiation Action: 1 standard action Saving Throw: Fortitude partial
Shadow Hand (Strike) Range: Melee attack
Level: Swordsage 4 Target: One creature With a subtle gesture, you carve a slice of
Prerequisite: Two Shadow Hand shadow from the air around you and cast
maneuvers You weave your weapon in an elaborate it toward your foe. It wraps around the
Initiation Action: 1 standard action pattern, creating an illusory double that creature’s neck and squeezes the life from it.
Range: Melee attack glows with white energy. As you make
Target: One creature your attack, both your true weapon and As part of this maneuver, you create a
Duration: 1 round the illusion slash at your foe. strand of shadow that you hurl at an
Saving Throw: Fortitude partial opponent. The strand wraps around
This maneuver allows you to create a the target’s throat and chokes it. As part
As you strike your opponent, you summon mystical double of your weapon. As of this maneuver, you make a ranged
the fell energies of the Shadow Hand school you attack, your foe must decide which touch attack against a creature within
78
range. If your attack is successful, your As part of this maneuver, you disappear aloft. His limbs flail as he struggles to free
opponent takes 5d6 points of damage. in a cloud of darkness and teleport up to himself from the strangling noose.
In addition, it must make a success- 50 feet away. You must have line of sight
ful Fortitude save (DC 13 + your Wis and line of effect to your destination. As part of this maneuver, you form a
modifier) or become flat-footed until If you attempt to use this maneuver noose of shadow that wraps around
the start of its next turn. This strike has to move into an occupied space, you your target and strangles him. This
no effect against nonliving creatures, do not move, and the maneuver is maneuver works only against a flat-
such as constructs and undead. expended but has no effect. footed target. As part of this maneuver,
This maneuver is a supernatural you make a ranged touch attack against
ability. SHADOW NOOSE a flat-footed creature within range. If
Shadow Hand (Strike) it hits, your opponent takes 8d6 points
SHADOW JAUNT Level: Swordsage 6 of damage. In addition, he must make
Shadow Hand [Teleportation] Initiation Action: 1 standard action a successful Fortitude save (DC 16 +
Level: Swordsage 2 Range: 60 ft. your Wis modifier) or be stunned for
Initiation Action: 1 standard action Target: One flat-footed living creature 1 round. A successful save negates
Range: 50 ft. Duration: 1 round the stun, but not the extra damage.
Target: You Saving Throw: Fortitude partial This strike has no effect against non-
living creatures, such as constructs
INCORPOREAL SUBTYPE it is fired and can affect a corporeal target normally (no miss
The incorporeal subtype was updated in Monster Manual III for chance). Magic items possessed by an incorporeal creature
clarity. Reference this version of the subtype when you use the work normally with respect to their effects on the creature or on
one with shadow maneuver. another target. Similarly, spells cast by an incorporeal creature
Incorporeal Subtype: Some creatures are incorporeal by affect corporeal creatures normally.
nature, while others (such as those that become ghosts) can An incorporeal creature has no natural armor bonus but has
acquire the incorporeal subtype. An incorporeal creature has a deflection bonus equal to its Charisma bonus (always at least
no physical body. It can be harmed only by other incorporeal +1, even if the creature’s Charisma score does not normally
creatures, magic weapons or creatures that strike as magic provide a bonus).
weapons, and spells, spell-like abilities, or supernatural abilities. An incorporeal creature can enter or pass through solid ob-
It is immune to all nonmagical attack forms. Even when hit by jects, but must remain adjacent to the object’s exterior, and so
spells, including touch spells, or magic weapons, it has a 50% cannot pass entirely through an object whose space is larger than
chance to ignore any damage from a corporeal source (except its own. It can sense the presence of creatures or objects within
for positive energy, negative energy, force effects such as magic a square adjacent to its current location, but enemies have total
missile, or attacks made with ghost touch weapons). Nondamag- concealment (50% miss chance) from an incorporeal creature
ing spell effects affect incorporeal creatures normally unless that is inside an object. In order to see farther from the object it
they require corporeal targets to function (such as implosion) is in and attack normally, the incorporeal creature must emerge.
or they create a corporeal effect that incorporeal creatures An incorporeal creature inside an object has total cover, but when
would normally be unaffected by (such as a web or wall of stone it attacks a creature outside the object it only has cover, so a crea-
spell). Although it is not a magical attack, holy water can affect ture outside with a readied action could strike at it as it attacks.
incorporeal undead, but a hit with holy water has a 50% chance An incorporeal creature cannot pass through a force effect.
of not affecting an incorporeal creature. Incorporeal creatures pass through and operate in water
An incorporeal creature’s attacks pass through (ignore) as easily as they do in air. Incorporeal creatures cannot fall or
natural armor, armor, and shields, although deflection bonuses take falling damage. Incorporeal creatures cannot make trip or
and force effects (such as mage armor) work normally against grapple attacks, nor can they be tripped or grappled. In fact,
it. Nonmagical attacks made by an incorporeal creature with they cannot take any physical action that would move or ma-
a melee weapon have no effect on corporeal targets, and nipulate an opponent or its equipment, nor are they subject to
any melee attack an incorporeal creature makes with a magic such actions. Incorporeal creatures have no weight and do not
weapon against a corporeal target has a 50% miss chance, set off traps that are triggered by weight.
except for attacks it makes with a ghost touch weapon, which An incorporeal creature moves silently and cannot be heard
are made normally (no miss chance). with Listen checks if it doesn’t wish to be. It has no Strength
Any equipment worn or carried by an incorporeal creature is score, so its Dexterity modifier applies to both its melee at-
also incorporeal as long as it remains in the creature’s posses- tacks and its ranged attacks. Nonvisual senses, such as scent
sion. An object that the creature relinquishes loses its incorpo- and blindsight, are either ineffective or only partly effective with
real quality (and the creature loses the ability to manipulate the regard to incorporeal creatures. Incorporeal creatures have an
object). If an incorporeal creature uses a thrown weapon or a innate sense of direction and can move at full speed even when
ranged weapon, the projectile becomes corporeal as soon as they cannot see.
79
SHADOW STRIDE though you move and attack. As long as that fails to project more than 5 feet
Shadow Hand [Teleportation] you end your turn in a spot that allows above the ground, such as difficult ter-
Level: Swordsage 5 you to hide, your foes must make Spot rain, burning lava, water, and so forth.
Initiation Action: 1 move action and Listen checks as normal to discern In addition, you ignore the standard
Range: 50 ft. your presence. Your movement and this penalties on Hide and Move Silently
Target: You maneuver’s attack have no effect on checks for moving quickly.
your Hide and Move Silently results.
You dissipate into a puff of black shadow. STRENGTH DRAINING
A moment later, the shadow coalesces, and STEP OF THE DANCING STRIKE
you appear fifty feet away. MOTH Shadow Hand (Strike)
Shadow Hand (Stance) Level: Swordsage 3
This maneuver functions as the shadow Level: Swordsage 5 Prerequisite: One Shadow Hand
jaunt maneuver, except that it can be Prerequisite: Two Shadow Hand maneuver
initiated as a move action. maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 standard action
Initiation Action: 1 swift action Range: Melee attack
STALKER IN THE NIGHT Range: Personal Target: One creature
Shadow Hand (Strike) Target: You Saving Throw: Fortitude half
Level: Swordsage 6 Duration: Stance
Maneuvers and Stances
Initiation Action: 1 full-round action Liquid, black energy covers your weapon.
Range: Melee attack You focus your inner reserve of ki energy to As you strike your opponent, this material
Target: One creature generate flowing shadows that lift you off flows into the wound, spreads along his
the ground. You walk across the roughest veins, and leaves him weakened.
You slide through the dark like a bird of ground, even water, with ease.
prey, emerging only to strike down your foe As part of this maneuver, you make a
before sliding back into shadow’s welcom- While you are in this stance, you can single melee attack against an oppo-
ing embrace. walk up to 5 feet above the ground. nent. In addition to dealing normal
Your speed becomes 20 feet while you melee damage with the attack, you deal
As part of this maneuver, you move are in this stance, and you cannot run. 4 points of Strength damage. A success-
up to your speed and make a single You ignore any terrain feature ful Fortitude save (DC 13 + your Wis
melee attack at any point during your modifier) halves this Strength damage,
movement. If you were hidden before but has no effect on the normal melee
initiating this maneuver, you can damage you deal with the strike.
keep the results of your previ- This maneuver is a supernatu-
ous Hide and Move Silently ral ability.
checks even
Illus. by T. Nordstrand
A drow swordsage makes a successful strength draining strike against an elf ranger
80
STONE DRAGON
The Stone Dragon discipline focuses Target: One creature or unattended creature struck must succeed on a For-
on strength, power, and toughness. object titude save (DC 13 + your Str modifier)
Its teachings grant a martial adept the or its skeletal structure becomes mas-
ability to splinter steel with a single, You put the weight of a great mountain sively weakened, and all rolls made to
focused blow. Stone Dragon’s defen- behind your attack, pounding through confirm a critical hit against the target
sive abilities focus on tapping into armor and bone. gain a +10 bonus. A successful save does
the enduring power of stone to turn not negate the extra damage.
aside attacks. This discipline’s favored As part of this maneuver, you make a This effect lasts until the target’s
weapons are the greatsword, greataxe, single melee attack. This attack deals an hit points are restored to their full
heavy mace, and unarmed strike. Its extra 12d6 points of damage and auto- normal total, whether by magical or
key skill is Balance. matically overcomes damage reduction normal healing.
Unlike with other disciplines, adepts and hardness. Creatures without a discernible
of this school rely on an external force— anatomy or that are immune to critical
the power of the earth and stone—to BONESPLITTING STRIKE hits are immune to this maneuver’s
help power their maneuvers. As a Stone Dragon (Strike) special effect. The extra damage still
result, Stone Dragon maneuvers can Level: Crusader 4, swordsage 4, war- applies against such targets.
be initiated only if you are in contact blade 4
81
into an opponent, you crush him The overwhelming power behind your attack Range: 20 ft.
with concussive force and send him leaves your opponent unable to move. The pun- Area: 20-ft.-radius burst, centered
stumbling backward. ishing strike forces it to waste a few moments on you
As part of this maneuver, you make shrugging off the effects of your attack. Duration: Instantaneous
a bull rush attack (PH 154) as part of Saving Throw: Reflex negates
a charge. Neither the movement nor By making a powerful, focused blow,
the bull rush attack provokes attacks you leave your opponent unable to move. You swing your weapon in a wild arc, slam-
of opportunity. Resolve the bull rush The crushing weight of your attack ming it into the ground at your feet. Energy
attempt normally. If your Strength forces it to waste a precious moment surges out from you, causing the ground to
check exceeds the opponent’s result, regaining its footing. shudder with a sharp tremor.
you deal bludgeoning damage equal As part of this maneuver, you make a
to 2d6 + your Str modifier in addition melee attack. This attack deals an extra You channel ki into the earth with
to pushing the target back as normal. 4d6 points of damage. If the creature your mighty strike, causing the ground
Assuming your Strength check is high you hit is standing on the ground, your to rumble and shake briefly. Anyone
enough, you can push your target back attack also drops the target’s speed to 0 standing on the ground in this maneu-
more than 5 feet (as normal for a bull feet (for all movement types) for 1 round. ver’s area must make a successful Reflex
rush, but without having to follow). It can act normally in all other ways. save (DC 18 + your Str modifier) or be
This maneuver functions only against knocked prone. Any creature standing
COLOSSUS STRIKE
Maneuvers and Stances
opponents standing on the ground. A on the ground in this area that is cur-
Stone Dragon (Strike) flying creature or a levitating target is rently casting a spell must succeed on
Level: Crusader 7, swordsage 7, war- immune to the speed reducing effect, a Concentration check (DC 20 + spell
blade 7 but not to the extra damage. level) or lose the spell.
Prerequisite: Two Stone Dragon You are immune to the effect of the
maneuvers CRUSHING WEIGHT earthstrike quake maneuver. Your
Initiation Action: 1 standard action OF THE MOUNTAIN allies must still save as normal against
Range: Melee attack Stone Dragon (Stance) its effect.
Target: One creature Level: Crusader 3, swordsage 3, war- Walls and similar barriers don’t
Saving Throw: Fortitude partial blade 3 block the line of effect of an earth-
Prerequisite: One Stone Dragon strike quake.
Focusing your strength with a deep, rum- maneuver
bling shout, you execute an attack that sends Initiation Action: 1 swift action ELDER MOUNTAIN
your opponent flying through the air. Range: Personal HAMMER
Target: You Stone Dragon (Strike)
As part of this maneuver, you make Duration: Stance Level: Crusader 5, swordsage 5, war-
a melee attack against your foe. This blade 5
attack deals an extra 6d6 points of You crush your opponent beneath you, Prerequisite: Two Stone Dragon
damage, and the creature struck must squeezing the life out of him as you pin him maneuvers
succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 17 to the ground. Initiation Action: 1 standard action
+ your Str modifier) or be hurled 1d4 Range: Melee attack
squares away from you, falling prone in Engaging in close combat against you is, Target: One creature or unattended
that square. A creature of a smaller size at best, a foolish prospect. Drawing on object
category than yours gets a –2 penalty your understanding of the Stone Dragon
on this save; a creature of a larger size discipline, you squeeze a foe within your You draw strength from the earth beneath
category than yours gets a +2 bonus grasp and force the life from him. your feet and transfer it into ruinous
on the save. The enemy’s movement While you are in this stance, you gain power. Your next attack drops like an
doesn’t provoke attacks of opportunity. the ability to constrict for 2d6 points of avalanche upon your foe, hammering him
If an obstacle blocks the creature’s damage + 1-1/2 times your Str bonus (if into submission.
movement, it instead stops in the first any). You can constrict an opponent
unoccupied square. that you grapple by making a successful The students of the Stone Dragon disci-
grapple check. pline learn to tap into the power of the
CRUSHING VISE earth, channel its endless strength, and
Stone Dragon (Strike) EARTHSTRIKE QUAKE use it to grant their attacks tremendous
Level: Crusader 6, swordsage 6, war- Stone Dragon (Strike) force. A strike delivered by a Stone Dragon
blade 6 Level: Crusader 8, swordsage 8, war- adept can shatter a warrior’s shield, turn
Initiation Action: 1 standard action blade 8 a wooden door into splinters, or slay an
Range: Melee attack Prerequisite: Two Stone Dragon ogre with a single blow.
Target: One creature maneuvers When you use this maneuver, you
Duration: 1 round Initiation Action: 1 standard action make a single melee attack. That attack
82
deals an extra 6d6 points of damage This maneuver is an evolution of the
and automatically overcomes damage techniques and abilities covered by the
reduction and hardness. stone bones maneuver. Your medi-
tative focus, ki, and training allow
GIANT’S STANCE your mind to overcome matter.
Stone Dragon (Stance) Weapons bounce from you skin
Illus. by M. Phillipi
Level: Crusader 5, swordsage 5, and barely injure you.
warblade 5 When you use this maneuver,
Prerequisite: Two Stone Dragon you make a single melee attack. If this
maneuvers attack hits, you gain damage reduc-
Initiation Action: 1 swift action tion 10/adamantine for 1 round.
Range: Personal
Target: You IRRESISTIBLE
Duration: Stance MOUNTAIN STRIKE
Stone Dragon (Strike)
You swing your weapon in a Level: Crusader 6, swordsage 6,
wide, deadly arc that slams into warblade 6
your foe with incredible force. Initiation Action: 1 standard
83
MOUNTAIN AVALANCHE MOUNTAIN TOMBSTONE Level: Crusader 3, swordsage 3, war-
Stone Dragon (Strike) STRIKE blade 3
Level: Crusader 5, swordsage 5, war- Stone Dragon (Strike) Initiation Action: 1 swift action
blade 5 Level: Crusader 9, swordsage 9, war- Range: Personal
Prerequisite: Two Stone Dragon blade 9 Target: You
maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 standard action Duration: Stance
Initiation Action: 1 full-round action Range: Melee attack
Range: Personal Target: One creature You crouch and set your feet flat on the
Target: You ground, rooting yourself to the spot you stand.
Saving Throw: Reflex half; see text You slam into your foe, turning bones into Nothing can move you from this place.
dust and muscle into bloody pulp. Your foe’s
You wade through your enemies like a body is left a crippled, twisted mockery. Like a living mountain, you choose
stone giant rampaging through a mob of your position on the battlefield and sink
orcs. You crush them underfoot and drive Your attack causes damage to the struc- your roots into the earth. With your
them before you, leaving a trail of the dead ture of your foe’s body. As part of this spot chosen on the field, you cannot be
in your wake. maneuver, you make a single melee shifted from your position.
attack. If this attack hits, you deal 2d6 While you are in this stance, you
As part of this maneuver, you can points of Constitution damage in addi- gain a +10 bonus on checks to resist bull
Maneuvers and Stances
move up to double your speed and tion to your normal damage. rush, overrun, and trip attacks, as well
trample your opponents. You can enter as on grapple checks made to resist an
the space of any creature of your size OVERWHELMING opponent’s grapple attempt. Any crea-
category or smaller. If you enter and MOUNTAIN STRIKE ture that attempts to move through your
occupy all of the space occupied by Stone Dragon (Strike) threatened area or the space you occupy
such a creature, it takes damage equal Level: Crusader 4, swordsage 4, war- takes a –10 penalty on any Tumble
to 2d6 + 1-1/2 times your Str bonus blade 4 checks it makes. This stance also grants
(if any). Initiation Action: 1 standard action you damage reduction 2/—.
You can deal trampling damage to Range: Melee attack This stance immediately ends if you
a creature only once per round, no Target: One creature move more than 5 feet for any reason,
matter how many times you move into Duration: 1 round such as from a bull rush attack, a tele-
or through its space. You must move Saving Throw: Fortitude partial kinesis spell, and so forth.
into every square a creature occupies
to trample it. If you move over only Your mighty strike temporarily disorients STONE BONES
part of the space a creature occupies your opponent, costing him precious seconds Stone Dragon (Strike)
(for example, you are a Large creature as he shakes off the attack. Level: Crusader 1, swordsage 1, war-
moving over half the space of a Large blade 1
opponent), it can either attempt an You slam your foe with a mighty strike, Initiation Action: 1 standard action
attack of opportunity against you or almost knocking him from his feet and Range: Personal
it can attempt a Reflex save (DC 15 + forcing him to find his footing and Target: You
your Str modifier) to avoid half of your steady himself before he can react. Duration: 1 round
trampling damage. As part of this maneuver, you make a
melee attack. This attack deals an extra You focus your energy to enhance your
MOUNTAIN HAMMER 2d6 points of damage. If the creature defenses, drawing on the power of your
Stone Dragon (Strike) you hit is standing on the ground, your weapon’s impact with a foe to toughen
Level: Crusader 2, swordsage 2, war- attack also causes the target to lose yourself against a counterattack.
blade 2 its ability to take a move action for 1
Initiation Action: 1 standard action round. It can otherwise act normally. A The Stone Dragon tradition teaches its
Range: Melee attack successful Fortitude save (DC 14 + your disciples to shrug off attacks through a
Target: One creature or unattended Str modifier) by the creature struck combination of mental focus, pure tough-
object negates the loss of its move action, but ness, and resilience. When you make a
not the extra damage. successful melee attack, you attune your
Like a falling avalanche, you strike with the This maneuver functions only against mind and body to such an incredible
weight and fury of the mountain. opponents standing on the ground. A extent that only the sharpest weapons
flying creature or a levitating target need can injure you. Lesser armaments cause
As part of this maneuver, you make a not save against the action loss effect, but mere bruises and minor cuts.
single melee attack. This attack deals still takes the extra damage. When you use this maneuver, you
an extra 2d6 points of damage and auto- make a single melee attack. If this
matically overcomes damage reduction ROOTS OF THE MOUNTAIN attack hits, you gain damage reduction
and hardness. Stone Dragon (Stance) 5/adamantine for 1 round.
84
STONE DRAGON’S FURY A successful Fortitude save (DC 12 STRENGTH OF STONE
Stone Dragon (Strike) + your Str modifier) by the creature Stone Dragon (Stance)
Level: Crusader 3, swordsage 3, war- struck negates the immobilization, but Level: Crusader 8, swordsage 8, war-
blade 3 not the extra damage. blade 8
Prerequisite: One Stone Dragon This maneuver functions only Prerequisite: Three Stone Dragon
maneuver against opponents standing on the maneuvers
Initiation Action: 1 standard action ground. A flying creature or a levitat- Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Range: Melee attack ing target need not save against the Range: Personal
Target: Creature or object struck speed reduction effect, but still takes Target: You
the extra damage. Duration: Stance
With a mighty war cry, you slam your
weapon into a slight crack or other fault in STONEFOOT STANCE You enter an impenetrable defensive stance,
an object. The object shudders for a moment Stone Dragon (Stance) making it almost impossible for an attack
before it collapses into broken shards. Level: Crusader 1, swordsage 1, war- to strike you in a vulnerable area.
blade 1
Your attunement to Stone Dragon’s Initiation Action: 1 swift action While you are in this stance, you focus
earth nature allows you to spot flaws Range: Personal your efforts on preventing any devas-
in objects with uncanny precision. Target: You tating attacks from penetrating your
85
TIGER CLAW
The Tiger Claw discipline embraces a great cat, you spring into the air and attack Level: Swordsage 5, warblade 5
feral rage that lurks within the heart of your foe from an unexpected direction. Prerequisite: Two Tiger Claw
its initiates. In battle, such warriors growl As part of this maneuver, you attempt a maneuvers
like wild animals, attack with a fury Jump check to leap into the air and make Initiation Action: 1 swift action
similar to that of a barbarian, and rely on a melee attack that targets your foe’s upper Range: Personal
overwhelming, vicious assaults to defeat body, face, and neck. The Jump check’s Target: You
their enemies. The Tiger Claw discipline’s DC is equal to your target’s AC. If this Duration: End of turn
favored weapons are the kukri, kama, check succeeds, your attack deals an
handaxe, claw, greataxe, and unarmed extra 2d6 points of damage. If this attack You swing your weapons about you in a
strike. Its key skill is Jump. threatens a critical hit, you gain a +4 bonus blur of speed, making a series of devastating
on your roll to confirm the critical hit. attacks in the space of a single breath.
BLOOD IN THE WATER If your check fails, you can still
Tiger Claw (Stance) attack, but you do not deal extra damage You make a flurry of deadly attacks.
Level: Swordsage 1, warblade 1 or gain a bonus on a roll to confirm a After initiating this boost, you can
Prerequisite: One Tiger Claw critical hit. The maneuver is still con- make one additional attack with each
maneuver sidered expended. weapon you wield (to a maximum of
Initiation Action: 1 swift action two extra attacks if you wield two or
Maneuvers and Stances
Range: Personal DANCING MONGOOSE more weapons). These extra attacks are
Target: You Tiger Claw (Boost) made at your highest attack bonus for
Duration: Stance each of your respective weapons. All
of these attacks must be directed
The smell of blood drives you into a against the same opponent.
fury. As you slash into your foe,
each fresh wound you inflict spurs DEATH FROM ABOVE
you onward. Tiger Claw (Strike)
Level: Swordsage 4, warblade 4
While you are in this stance, Prerequisite: One Tiger Claw
you whip yourself into a terrible maneuver
rage. When you score a critical Initiation Action: 1 standard
hit against an opponent, you action
enter a near frenzied state from Range: Melee attack
the sight and smell of blood. Target: One creature
You gain a +1 bonus on attack
rolls and damage rolls. Because With a war cry, you leap into the air
this is an untyped bonus, it and lift your weapon high over-
stacks with each successful head. As you arc downward, your
critical hit you score. weight and momentum lend bone-
If you go more than 1 crushing force to your attack.
minute without achieving a
critical hit, you no longer gain Like a thunderbolt, you slam
the benefit of the stance. into your foe from above. You
leap upon your enemy and
CLAW AT THE MOON drive him into the ground. The
Tiger Claw (Strike) impact of your attack gives you
Level: Swordsage 2, war- extra force, allowing you to
blade 2 score a deadly hit.
Initiation Action: 1 stan- To use this maneuver, you
Illus. by H. Lyon
86
Your attack deals an extra 4d6 points of Prerequisite: Two Tiger Claw prior to initiating this maneuver, the
damage, and your opponent is considered maneuvers save DC increases by 1.
flat-footed against this attack. You then Initiation Action: 1 standard action
land in any square adjacent to the target of Range: Melee attack GIRALLON WINDMILL
this attack, though no more than 20 feet Target: One creature FLESH RIP
away from your starting position. Duration: 1 round or more; see text Tiger Claw (Boost)
If your Jump check fails, you remain Saving Throw: Fortitude negates Level: Swordsage 8, warblade 8
in the last square you occupied before Prerequisite: Three Tiger Claw
the Jump check and can make a single With a mixture of careful precision and maneuvers
attack normally. The maneuver is still animal savagery, you tear into a foe to Initiation Action: 1 swift action
considered expended. produce jagged wounds that overwhelm Range: Melee attack
him with pain. Target: One or more creatures
FERAL DEATH BLOW Duration: End of turn
Tiger Claw (Strike) As part of this maneuver, you make a
Level: Swordsage 9, warblade 9 melee attack against a single opponent. Windmilling your arms in a furious blur,
Prerequisite: Four Tiger Claw If this attack hits, the target must make you strike your perplexed enemy from two
maneuvers a successful Fortitude save (DC 13 + directions at once, rending his flesh with
Initiation Action: 1 full-round action your Str modifier) or take a –4 penalty each strike.
87
HAMSTRING ATTACK Target: You With each foe you strike, your blood-
Tiger Claw (Strike) Duration: Stance lust and battle fury rises ever higher.
Level: Swordsage 7, warblade 7 After a brief moment of explosive rage,
Prerequisite: Three Tiger Claw Even when you are trapped in tight quarters the foes around you are left bloodied,
maneuvers and seemingly unable to move, a leap can torn, and moaning.
Initiation Action: 1 standard action send you flying gracefully through the air. Whenever an opponent within 10
Range: Melee attack feet of you drops to –1 or fewer hit
Target: One creature The Tiger Claw discipline teaches you points, whether from your attack,
Saving Throw: Fortitude half to assume a stance that allows you to sail an ally’s strike, or some other cause,
Duration: 1 minute through the air when jumping. You spring you can immediately make an attack
from the ground with an unmatched of opportunity against any opponent
You slice into your opponent’s legs, leaving burst of speed and strength. within your threatened area.
him hobbled and stumbling about. While you are in this stance, you
gain a +10-foot enhancement bonus on RABID BEAR STRIKE
As part of this maneuver, you make a Jump checks. In addition, any jumps Tiger Claw (Strike)
single melee attack. If this attack hits, you make while in this stance are con- Level: Swordsage 6, warblade 6
it deals damage as normal. In addition, sidered running jumps. Prerequisite: Two Tiger Claw
the target takes 1d8 points of Dexterity maneuvers
POUNCING CHARGE
Maneuvers and Stances
88
RAGING MONGOOSE SUDDEN LEAP enemies, unless you succeed on the
Tiger Claw (Boost) Tiger Claw (Boost) appropriate Tumble check.
Level: Swordsage 8, warblade 8 Level: Swordsage 1, warblade 1
Prerequisite: Three Tiger Claw Prerequisite: One Tiger Claw SWOOPING DRAGON STRIKE
maneuvers maneuver Tiger Claw (Strike)
Illus. by T. Nordstrand
Initiation Action: 1 swift action Initiation Action: 1 swift action Level: Swordsage 7, warblade 7
Range: Personal Range: Personal Prerequisite: Three Tiger Claw
Target: You Target: You maneuvers
Duration: End of turn Duration: Instantaneous Initiation Action: 1 standard action
Range: Melee attack
You unleash a ferocious volley of attacks, You leap to a new position in the blink of an Target: One creature
setting aside all thoughts of caution and eye, leaving your opponents baffled. Saving Throw: Fortitude partial
self-control.
Like a dragon, you swoop down upon your foe
You make a flurry of deadly attacks. and let loose with a devastating attack. You
After initiating this boost, you can leap over her and, as you soar through
make two additional attacks with each the air, unleash a devastating volley
weapon you wield (to a maximum of of attacks.
89
Prerequisite: Two Tiger Claw must fight with two weapons to use this movement does not provoke attacks
maneuvers maneuver. If you carry only one weapon, of opportunity from the creature you
Initiation Action: 1 full-round action you can choose to make an unarmed struck. You cannot use this stance to
Range: Melee attack strike with your off hand (as an unarmed move more than your current speed
Target: One creature attack) if you so wish. As part of this in a single round.
maneuver, you make an attack with
You slip between a larger foe’s legs and strike both weapons you wield against one WOLVERINE STANCE
its exposed side. You then find cover in the opponent. Both attacks must target the Tiger Claw (Stance)
shadow of your enemy’s bulk. same creature, and you take a –2 penalty Level: Swordsage 3, warblade 3
on each attack roll. If your first attack Prerequisite: One Tiger Claw
You can use this maneuver only against drops your foe to –1 hit points or fewer, maneuver
an opponent of a size category larger you cannot make a second attack. Initiation Action: 1 swift action
than yours. As part of this maneuver, Range: Personal
you enter your target’s square without WOLF PACK TACTICS Target: You
provoking an attack of opportunity. You Tiger Claw (Stance) Duration: Stance
can then attack your target as part of this Level: Swordsage 8, warblade 8
maneuver. Your attack deals an extra 5d6 Prerequisite: Two Tiger Claw Like a cornered wolverine, you fight with
points of damage. You remain within maneuvers unmatched ferocity and rage when your
Maneuvers and Stances
your opponent’s space after you complete Initiation Action: 1 swift action opponents force you into close quarters.
this maneuver. You gain cover against all Range: Personal
attacks as long as you remain in his space, Target: You When an opponent has you in his
including those made by the target. If Duration: Stance grasp, you transform into a snarling,
the target moves, it leaves you behind frothing, raging beast. You hack with
but provokes an attack of opportunity With each stinging attack that connects your weapon at your foe’s arms or
from you for leaving your space. against a foe, you slip around him, using the tentacles, your wild frenzy allowing
distraction provided by your attacks to pre- you to fight even with a large, awkward
WOLF FANG STRIKE vent him from hindering your movement. weapon. When you are in the grasp of
Tiger Claw (Strike) a larger foe, your frenzy ignites into an
Level: Swordsage 1, warblade 1 You prowl the battlefield like a mighty inferno as you desperately attempt to
Initiation Action: 1 standard action hunter. You pick your spots to attack, break free.
Range: Melee attack striking foes when they are most vulnera- While you are in this stance, you can
Target: One creature ble before moving on to attack elsewhere. attack a foe grappling you with any one-
Each attack allows you to move forward handed weapon. You do not take the –4
You lash out in a blur of movement with and press your advantage. penalty for fighting while grappled.
two weapons, hacking into your foe with a While you are in this stance, each If your foe is of a larger size category
combination of feral strength and speed. successful strike allows you to slowly than yours, your feral rage ignites and
work your way around an opponent. grants you a +4 bonus on damage rolls
You tap into the speed and strength Each time you make a successful against that creature while it continues
embodied within your feral spirit. You melee attack, you can move 5 feet. This to grapple you.
WHITE RAVEN
The White Raven discipline teaches Range: Melee attack
BOLSTERING VOICE
that the combined effort of several war- Target: One creature
White Raven (Stance)
riors working together far exceeds the
Level: Crusader 1, warblade 1
efforts of those same warriors working You lead from the front, charging your enemies
Initiation Action: 1 swift action
individually. Adherents of this tradition so that your allies can follow in your wake.
Range: 60 ft.
serve as leaders and inspiring figures on
Area: 60-ft.-radius emanation centered
the battlefield. This discipline’s favored The White Raven discipline teaches
on you
weapons are the longsword, battleaxe, that he who seizes the initiative also
Duration: Stance
greatsword, halberd, and warhammer. seizes victory. You have learned to lead
Its key skill is Diplomacy. an attack with a mighty charge, the
Your clarion voice strengthens the will of
better to disrupt the enemy and inspire
your comrades. So long as you remain on the
BATTLE LEADER’S CHARGE your allies in battle.
field of battle, your allies are strengthened
White Raven (Strike) As part of this maneuver, you charge
against attacks and effects that seek to sub-
Level: Crusader 2, warblade 2 an opponent. You do not provoke attacks
vert their willpower.
Prerequisite: One White Raven of opportunity for moving as part of this
maneuver charge. If your charge attack hits, it deals
The discipline of the White Raven
Initiation Action: 1 full-round action an extra 10 points of damage.
stresses that an army is effective only
90
when its members are motivated to buying your allies critical seconds needed to Initiation Action: 1 standard action
fight. In the face of a daunting enemy or slip past them unharmed. Range: Melee attack
unexpected hardship, the most skilled Target: One creature
warrior is worthless if he lacks strength By drawing on your combat experience
of will. When you adopt the bolstering and knowledge of how a warrior must Your keen leadership grants you and your
voice stance, you shout encouragement carry herself in battle, you make an allies a sudden advantage in combat. When
to your allies, disparage your foes, and attack that disrupts your opponents and you flank an opponent, you attack in such
lend much-needed support to raise your keeps them from taking advantage of a way as to maximize your allies’ openings.
allies’ spirits. By drawing on the example your allies’ lapses. By the same token, your friends’ ferocious,
you set, your allies harden their will to After you initiate this boost, you can accurate attacks give you multiple opportu-
fight and battle on despite your enemies’ make your attacks as normal. In addi- nities to pierce your foe’s defenses.
attempts to turn them aside. tion to taking normal melee damage
While you are in this stance, all allies from your blows, a foe you strike after When you flank an enemy with an ally
within range who can hear you gain a +2 initiating this maneuver cannot make who can see and hear your directions,
morale bonus on Will saves, or a +4 morale attacks of opportunity for 3 rounds. the two of you form a potent combina-
bonus on Will saves against fear effects. The target still threatens its normal tion. Your attacks complement each
area; it simply cannot make attacks other, leaving the flanked opponent in
CLARION CALL of opportunity. a tenuous position.
91
Illus. by H. Lyon
Maneuvers and Stances
92
When you initiate this maneuver, improve your allies’ teamwork. If you hits, you deal an extra 2d6 points of
all allies within 30 feet of you can are adjacent to one or more opponents, damage. In addition, each ally adjacent
immediately take a single move action your allies gain a +5 bonus on attack rolls to the target can take an immediate 5-
to move up to their speed. This move- made against any of those opponents. foot step that does not provoke attacks
ment provokes attacks of opportunity, of opportunity.
and it does not count toward fulfilling SWARMING ASSAULT
the minimum movement requirements White Raven (Strike) TACTICS OF THE WOLF
of any special abilities or feats, such as Level: Crusader 7, warblade 7 White Raven (Stance)
a scout’s skirmish ability. Prerequisite: Three White Raven Level: Crusader 3, warblade 3
maneuvers Prerequisite: One White Raven
PRESS THE ADVANTAGE Initiation Action: 1 standard action maneuver
White Raven (Stance) Range: Melee attack Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Level: Crusader 5, warblade 5 Target: One creature Range: Personal
Prerequisite: Two White Raven Target: You
maneuvers You attack an opponent with brutal force, Duration: Stance
Initiation Action: 1 swift action ruining his defenses. As you strike, you call
Range: Personal out sharp commands to your allies, spurring You shout orders that help coordinate your
Target: You them to action and allowing them to take allies’ efforts. They harass their enemies, shield
93
WAR MASTER’S CHARGE Target: One creature Range: Melee attack
White Raven (Strike) Duration: 1 round Target: One creature
Level: Crusader 9, warblade 9
Prerequisite: Four White Raven You slam your opponent with a mighty Your eye for tactics allows you to notice an
maneuvers attack to disrupt his senses and leave him enemy’s weak points and attack them with
Initiation Action: 1 full-round action unable to defend himself while your allies a mighty blow.
Illus. by J. Nentrup
94
The rakshasa Kaziir-Thet infiltrates
the Temple of the Nine Swords
and steals Supernal Clarity,
the sword of the Diamond Mind
any are the paths that comprise the Sublime Almost any swordsage tradition or crusader order could
Way. Across the wide lands of the world, the be considered a prestige class, because each one has its own
traveler might find crusader orders devoted particular philosophy, history, teachings, and special moves.
to any of a dozen different gods, wandering This chapter presents eight prestige classes, each representing
swordsages who travel and teach those who are a separate tradition of the Sublime Way.
willing and ready, and proud warblades by the score in search of their Bloodclaw Master: This feral warrior is a master of the
fleeting moments of fame. Orders, brotherhoods, secret societies, hidden Tiger Claw discipline. He takes on bestial characteristics
temples, forgotten monasteries, ninja clans—each passes on its own when he fights.
exercises, forms, stories, and techniques. I know of a few such martial Bloodstorm Blade: Master of thrown weapons, a blood-
traditions, and I will speak of them now. Doubtless you will discover storm blade can execute devastating ranged attacks with his
Illus. by W. England
95
Master of Nine: Rarest and most renowned of martial are learning applies to. Once this choice is made, it cannot
adepts, a master of nine wields the lore and power of all nine be changed.
martial disciplines.
Ruby Knight Vindicator: A secretive avenger, a vindicator NONMARTIAL ADEPTS
serves as Wee Jas’s final answer to threats against the faith. If you do not have any levels in a martial adept standard class
Shadow Sun Ninja: Spy, warrior, and assassin, a Shadow (crusader, swordsage, or warblade) before gaining levels in a
Sun ninja uses the powers of both light and darkness to defeat prestige class that improves your martial maneuver progres-
his foes. sion, some special rules apply.
Maneuvers Known: The number of maneuvers you know
ADVANCING MARTIAL is determined by the number of times you select the Martial
PROGRESSION Study feat, plus the number of new maneuvers known you
gain from your prestige class advancement.
Most of the prestige classes presented in this chapter offer
Maneuvers Readied: The number of maneuvers you
some amount of continuing progression to a character’s
can ready is equal to the number of maneuvers you have
existing maneuvers known and maneuvers readied. Martial
learned by means of the Martial Study feat, plus the number
abilities acquired through progression in a prestige class
of new maneuvers readied you gain from your prestige class
simply add to the character’s existing martial maneuvers.
advancement. If the number of maneuvers you know exceeds
If you have martial maneuvers from a feat, rather than
the number you are permitted to ready, you must choose
from a class, things work a little differently. The prestige
which maneuvers to ready and which to leave unreadied,
class grants you new maneuvers as normal. You simply add
just like a standard martial adept. You can change your
them to the maneuvers you know because of feats you have.
selection of readied maneuvers with 5 minutes of exercise
Prestige Classes
96
Table 5–1: The Bloodclaw Master Hit Die: d12
Base
Attack Fort Ref Will Maneuvers Maneuvers
Level Bonus Save Save Save Known Readied Special
1st +0 +2 +2 +0 1 0 Shifting 1/day, claws of the beast
2nd +1 +3 +3 +0 0 0 Superior two-weapon fighting, tiger claw synergy (stance)
3rd +2 +3 +3 +1 1 1 Pouncing strike, low-light vision, shifting 2/day
4th +3 +4 +4 +1 0 0 Tiger claw synergy (strike)
5th +3 +4 +4 +1 1 0 Rending claws, scent, shifting 3/day
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level): Balance, Climb, Handle Animal, Hide, Jump, Knowledge (nature), Listen, Martial
Lore*, Move Silently, Spot, Survival.
*New skill described on page 28.
or selecting the Martial Study feat enough times to meet claw as a light off-hand weapon while wielding a weapon in
the entry requirements. A few rogues also consider this your primary hand, but doing so incurs the normal penalties
class, because sneak attacks made with two weapons are for fighting with two weapons.
especially deadly. Shifting is a free action and lasts for a number of rounds
equal to your Con modifier + your bloodclaw master class
Entry Requirements level. At 3rd level and again at 5th level, you gain an additional
Skills: Jump 9 ranks. daily use of your shifting ability.
Feats: Multiattack or Two-Weapon Fighting. Claws of the Beast (Ex): When attacking with two dag-
Martial Maneuvers: Must know three Tiger Claw maneuvers.
gers or Tiger Claw weapons (kukri, kama, handaxe, unarmed
Prestige Classes
strike, or claws), you add your full Strength bonus to damage
CLASS FEATURES rolls made for your off-hand weapon.
As you advance as a bloodclaw master, you become more Superior Two-Weapon Fighting (Ex): Starting at 2nd
like the tiger that inspired your chosen martial discipline. level, when you attack with two daggers or Tiger Claw weap-
You gain mastery of more Tiger Claw maneuvers, while also ons, you do not take the –2 penalty on attack rolls for fighting
gaining the ability to shift into a feral form. with two weapons.
Maneuvers: At each odd-numbered level, you gain a Tiger Claw Synergy (Ex): Beginning at 2nd level, while
new maneuver known from the Tiger Claw discipline. You you are in a Tiger Claw stance, you can choose to gain either
must meet a maneuver’s prerequisite to learn it. You add a +1 dodge bonus to your Armor Class or a +10-foot bonus
your full bloodclaw master levels to your initiator level to to your base speed. You make this choice when you enter
determine your total initiator level and your highest-level the stance.
maneuvers known. At 4th level, you become more accurate at dealing Tiger
At 3rd level, you gain an additional maneuver readied Claw strikes. You gain a +1 bonus on any attack rolls made
per day. as part of a strike from the Tiger Claw discipline.
Shifting (Su): You can become more like a tiger by focus- Pouncing Strike (Ex): From 3rd level on, when wielding
ing your feral nature. Once per day, you can enter a state that two weapons, you can take a standard action to make a single
is superficially similar to a barbarian’s rage. While you are melee attack with each weapon. Each attack is made at your
shifting, your appearance takes on tigerlike aspects: Your highest attack bonus. You can also make an attack with each
fingernails become more pointed and clawlike, the irises of weapon against an opponent at the end of a charge.
your eyes become narrow, catlike slits, your ears grow more When you use pouncing strike, you lose the use of one
pointed, and so on. While shifting, you gain a +2 bonus to Tiger Claw strike you have readied for the current encoun-
Strength and you grow claws that can be used as natural ter, just as if you had initiated the strike (except you do
weapons. These claws deal 1d4 points of damage with each not also gain the strike’s normal effect). Once you use this
successful attack. You can attack with one claw as a standard ability, you can recover the maneuver you expended and
action or with two claws as a full attack action (as a primary use it normally.
natural weapon). You cannot attack more than once per round Low-Light Vision (Ex): At 3rd level, your eyes function
with a single claw, even if your base attack bonus is high better in dim light, as you adopt the senses of the tiger. You
enough to give you multiple attacks. You can attack with a gain low-light vision.
SHIFTERS AND
THE BLOODCLAW MASTER and the duration of the character’s racial shifting ability is
A shifter character, from the EBERRON campaign setting, gains increased by 1 round for each level he takes in this prestige
slightly different benefits from taking levels in this class. class. The PC is treated as having the razorclaw shifter trait
The class’s shifting ability instead grants the shifter one ad- for the purpose of meeting prerequisites (such as for other
ditional shift per day at 1st and 5th levels (but not 3rd level), shifter feats).
97
Rending Claws (Ex): At 5th level, while you are shifting so, every proclaimed student of the Tiger Claw will give you
and attacking with two daggers or two Tiger Claw weapons the honor and respect deserving of your expertise.
and you successfully hit an opponent with both weapons in
the same round, the second weapon that hits deals an extra COMBAT
2d6 points of damage. This effect is considered a boost from Half of a battle occurs before the fight begins. You prefer to
the Tiger Claw discipline. choose your battleground, to stalk your opponent into terrain
When you use rending claws, you lose the use of one Tiger that best suits your abilities. Once battle is joined, you become
Claw boost you have readied for the current encounter, just a frenzy of motion, striking quickly and at the most vulnerable
as if you had initiated the boost (except you do not also gain target available, hindering your opponents’ ability to react. You
the boost’s normal effect). Once you use this ability, you can lead with a charge, shifting along the way, to get yourself in
recover the maneuver you expended and use it normally. position where your claws or your kukris can deal the most
Scent (Ex): Once you have reached 5th level, your heightened damage. Taking advantage of your leaping skills, you jump to
animalistic senses also give you the ability to smell nearby any available high ground to gain an upper hand.
creatures. You gain the scent special ability (MM 314).
ADVANCEMENT
PLAYING A BLOODCLAW MASTER In your hands, small blades are like an extension of your own
Like the tiger, you are aloof and proud, but quick to act hands—like claws made of steel. The strikes and counters
when a situation demands it. Some mistake your demeanor of the Tiger Claw discipline are natural extensions of your
for arrogance, but you know your attitude is more like pa- own combat ability. Following the path of bloodclaw master
tience. You seek to learn the details around a circumstance speaks to your feral nature, letting you become one with the
before offering your input. When you speak, you beast in your heart. Masters of the Tiger Claw see
Prestige Classes
do so sagely, with confidence, even if you this spark within you, and through your
aren’t certain that you are actually training you have learned of the
correct. It is more important path of the beast and what you
that others believe you are must do to unlock it.
right, that you are infal- As a bloodclaw master,
lible. Your patience is not you have earned your way
infinite, however, and into an elite subsect of the
you are always eager to Tiger Claw school. Your
spring into action. Noth- abilities are revered by
ing bothers you more many, especially those
than spending a long pe- relatively new to the disci-
riod of time in a small, pline. Older masters who
enclosed room with have not embraced their
nothing to do and no own inner tigers might
one to kill. As you iden- view you with disdain, but
tify with your internal even they must recognize
tiger, you adopt exter- the power you wield.
nal ways of displaying To fully utilize some of
your bond, perhaps by the best Tiger Claw maneu-
striping your arms or vers, you will want to keep
face with black soot or your Jump skill maximized.
adorning yourself with If you haven’t already, you
jewelry fashioned from should take the Blade Medi-
tooth and claw. tation feat. Tiger Blooded is
Bloodclaw masters are an ideal feat to take if you
held in high esteem by have a barbarian level, and
many followers of the frac- you can use Martial Study
Illus. by H. Lyon
98
provide a demonstration of your abilities, showing your host DC 30: Characters who achieve this level of success can
the true nature of the tiger. Since the bloodclaw masters are learn important details about a specific notable bloodclaw
not a recognized group or authority, even within the Tiger master, the areas where he operates, and the kinds of activi-
Claw discipline, any additional support is unlikely. More ties he undertakes.
often, a master might provide a task or quest that serves his A character with the Gather Information skill can attempt
own ends, but you are not under any particular obligation a DC 25 check to locate a bloodclaw master, provided one
to accept it. is in the region. Alternately, he might attempt to locate a
master of the Tiger Claw discipline, who could at least provide
BLOODCLAW MASTERS information and background on the bloodclaw master and
IN THE WORLD the way of the beast. Doing so requires the master’s attitude
“What’s worse than a raging weretiger? A raging weretiger with to be helpful.
a huge axe.”
—Aubren Starchaser, ranger of the north BLOODCLAW MASTERS
IN THE GAME
Bloodclaw masters are feral fighters that represent the purest Bloodclaw masters epitomize the Tiger Claw discipline. A
form of the Tiger Claw discipline, at least in their own minds. campaign that incorporates multiple martial schools can use
They are a specialized extension of the martial classes, an bloodclaw masters to represent the more active members of
example of how a character might embody the essence of a the Tiger Claw school. Even a setting that is not entirely inte-
particular martial school. In the case of Tiger Claw, the follow- grated with the martial classes could incorporate a bloodclaw
ers of the discipline itself are fragmented and disorganized, master as a lone warrior.
and a bloodclaw master could just as easily be a valuable ally The class appeals greatly to players who want to focus a
Prestige Classes
or a memorable foe. martial adept character in the Tiger Claw school. Players
fond of dual-weapon- wielding characters will also be drawn
ORGANIZATION to this class. The specialist, rather than the generalist, will
It is said that a mountain can be home to only one tiger. In find the bloodclaw master appealing.
ages past, the Tiger Claw martial school had many monas-
teries and fighting colleges, but now the former order is ADAPTATION
fractured and in shambles after many of the masters met In the EBERRON setting, bloodclaw masters are typically
their end following the destruction of the Temple of the shifters who use the teachings of Tiger Claw and the way
Nine Swords and the death of the Tiger Lord. Now, masters of the bloodclaw master to bring themselves closer to their
of the Tiger Claw are few and far between. Although they animalistic heritage. Groups of Tiger Claw adepts and blood-
show each other courtesy, many work against each other claw masters share their martial knowledge in conclaves
for their own petty ends. Bloodclaw masters are seen by the throughout the Eldeen Reaches.
discipline’s masters as pawns they can use to gain personal
power, and even while they provide training, they secretly SAMPLE ENCOUNTER
plot to use their pupils against their rivals. Bloodclaw masters tend to stay on the fringe of civilization.
They are loners who rarely seek out the company of others
NPC REACTIONS unless they have a compelling reason to do so.
The sometimes outlandish appearance and marked stand- EL 9: Rhaskana the bloodclaw master is a scowling, foul-
offishness of bloodclaw masters tends to intimidate most tempered warrior. He takes any minor slight, perceived or
people. Those who have significant knowledge of the martial otherwise, as an excuse to duel one of the PCs.
paths give due respect to a bloodclaw master, but the recep-
tion by others depends on the venue. People in locales that Rhaskana CR 9
adventurers frequent are more likely to be indifferent to a Male human warblade 6/bloodclaw master 3
bloodclaw master, while those in more upscale environs tend NG Medium humanoid (human)
to be unfriendly. Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Listen +0, Spot +3
Languages Common, Elven
BLOODCLAW MASTER LORE AC 22, touch 14, flat-footed 22; Dodge
Characters with ranks in Martial Lore can research bloodclaw (+3 Dex, +7 armor, +1 deflection, +1 natural)
masters to learn more about them. When a character makes a hp 73 (9 HD)
Fort +9, Ref +9, Will +3
skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including the
information from lower DCs. Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
DC 10: Somehow, these people can turn in to tigers. Melee +1 kukri +12/+7 melee (1d4+5/18–20) and
+1 kukri +12/+7 melee (1d4+5/18–20) with Two-Weapon
DC 15: Bloodclaw masters are fierce two-weapon wielders
Fighting or
in combat. Melee +1 kukri +12/+7 melee (1d4+5/18–20) or
DC 20: They are masters of a martial discipline, known as Melee claws +10/+10 (1d4+2)
the Tiger Claw, that allows them to channel an inner beast to Base Atk +8; Grp +10
briefly transform themselves into a form not unlike a tiger.
99
Atk Options Blood Meditation (Tiger Claw), battle ardor +1, Entry Requirements
tiger claw synergy (stance) Skills: Balance 8 ranks.
Special Actions shifting 2/day (+2 Strength, 4 rounds) Feats: Point Blank Shot.
Combat Gear potion of endurance Martial Maneuvers: Must know one Iron Heart strike and
one Iron Heart stance.
Maneuvers and Stances Known (IL 9th):
Stances—blood in the water (1st), punishing stance (1st)
Strikes—claw at the moon† (2nd), death from above† Table 5–2: The Bloodstorm Blade Hit Die: d12
(4th), pouncing charge† (5th), soaring raptor strike Base
(3rd), steel wind (1st), wolf fang strike† (1st) Attack Fort Ref Will
Boosts—sudden leap† (1st) Level Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Returning attacks,
Counters—wall of blades (2nd)
Throw Anything,
Disciplines: Iron Heart, Tiger Claw
weapon aptitude
† Readied maneuver 2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Martial throw,
Abilities Str 14, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 8 thunderous throw
SQ Improved uncanny dodge 3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Bonus fighter feat
Feats Blade Meditation (Tiger Claw)*B, Dodge, Mobility, 4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Lightning ricochet
Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus (kukri), Weapon 5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Blood wind ricochet
Specialization (kukri) 6th +6 +5 +2 +2 Bonus fighter feat
*New feat described on page 28 7th +7 +5 +2 +2 Eye of the storm
Skills Balance +13, Climb +8, Concentration +2, Intimidate 8th +8 +6 +2 +2 Blood rain
+8, Jump +20, Martial Lore +13, Spot +3, Tumble +11 9th +9 +6 +3 +3 Bonus fighter feat
Possessions combat gear plus +2 breastplate, two +1 kukris, 10th +10 +7 +3 +3 Blade storm
Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level): Balance,
Prestige Classes
100
could change your Weapon Focus (greataxe) feat so its benefit attacks (adding two times the number subtracted from attack
applies to longswords instead. rolls as a bonus on damage rolls when throwing a two-
You can adjust any number of your feats in this way, and you handed weapon).
don’t have to adjust them all in the same way. You can’t change Bonus Fighter Feat: Bloodstorm blades study all aspects
the weapon choices in such a way that you no longer meet a feat’s of combat as they learn to rain blows down upon distant foes
prerequisite. For instance, you must be proficient with a weapon and enemies close at hand. At 3rd, 6th, and 9th level, you gain
Illus. by S. Ellis
chosen for Weapon Focus; and if you have both Weapon Focus a bonus feat chosen from the list of fighter bonus feats. You
and Weapon Specialization with the longsword, you couldn’t must meet the prerequisite of the feat to take it.
change Weapon Focus without also changing Weapon Special- Lightning Ricochet (Ex): From 4th level on, you can
ization to the same weapon. You must also have that weapon throw your weapon at a nearby foe and command it to
available during practice; if you don’t have a longsword handy, immediately bounce back to your grasp. Any time you make
you can’t assign your feats to affect longswords. a ranged attack with a thrown weapon on your turn, the
Martial Throw (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, you can initiate weapon immediately returns to you, and you can catch it as
a strike from the Iron Heart a free action. This ability allows you to make a full attack
discipline with a thrown entirely with thrown weapon attacks, or with a mix of thrown
weapon. The strike must and melee attacks.
be one that has a target Blood Wind
of one creature. A Ricochet (Ex): As
strike that targets a full-round ac-
multiple creatures tion, at 5th level
or objects cannot and higher, you
Prestige Classes
be used with mar- can hurl a weap-
tial throw. on at a foe and
Thunderous compel it to ric-
Throw (Ex): ochet to other
Beginning enemies before
at 2nd level, hurtling back
you build up to your waiting
incredible ten- hand. The weapon
sion as you ready you throw behaves as
yourself to throw though it has the returning
your weapon, special ability (DMG 225), ex-
which becomes cept that you determine the point
visible around during your turn when the weapon
you like heat waves. returns to you.
When you release When using this ability, you
your weapon, that pow- Varand Thunderhand, make a full attack with a thrown
er rushes out with your weapon. bloodstorm blade weapon, but each ranged attack must be resolved
As a swift action, you can choose to treat your against a separate target. You can choose the
ranged attack rolls with thrown weapons as melee attacks order in which you attack your foes. Range and cover penal-
for the rest of your turn. You use your melee attack bonus, ties are resolved for each attack after the first as though that
including Strength bonus, feats, and so forth, to determine attack originated from the space of the creature you last
your attack bonus for each attack as normal, but you apply the attacked. If a creature has total cover relative to you, you
standard modifiers for range penalties. Attacking into melee, cannot attack it.
through cover, and so forth incurs the standard penalties. When you use blood wind ricochet, you lose the use
In addition, you can apply 1-1/2 times your Strength bonus of one Iron Heart strike you have readied for the current
to damage if you wield the thrown weapon with two hands, encounter, just as if you had initiated the strike (except you
and you can use Power Attack with your thrown weapon do not also gain the strike’s normal effect). Once you use this
THROW ANYTHING
Originally presented in the Complete Warrior supplement, Benefit: You can throw a melee weapon you are proficient
this feat makes any weapon a deadly ranged weapon in your with as if it were a ranged weapon. The range increment of
hands. weapons used in conjunction with this feat is 10 feet.
Prerequisite: Dex 15, proficiency with weapon, base attack Normal: You can’t throw a melee weapon without taking a
bonus +2. –4 penalty unless it has a range increment (such as a hand axe
or dagger).
101
ability, you can recover the maneuver you expended and use When you use blade storm, you lose the use of one Iron
it normally. Heart strike you have readied for the current encounter, just
Eye of the Storm (Ex): At 7th level, you learn to center as if you had initiated the strike (except you do not also gain
your being and adopt a mindset of calm readiness despite the the strike’s normal effect). Once you use this ability, you can
furor of battle raging about you. While you are in an Iron recover the maneuver you expended and use it normally.
Heart stance, you can forgo its normal benefit as a swift action
to gain the effect of eye of the storm. This ability lasts as long PLAYING A BLOODSTORM BLADE
as you would maintain the Iron Heart stance, or as described Battle gives you a thrilling sense of lightness and the feeling that
below. You can also stop using eye of the storm and resume you command the very air that your weapon parts as it flies to and
gaining the normal benefit of the stance as a swift action. from your enemies. In combat, you need only cock your wrist
When you use this ability, you gain a +4 dodge bonus to in the right manner, and your consciousness seems to expand
Armor Class against ranged attacks and a +2 competence to encompass the whole fight. In that instant, your mind’s
bonus on Reflex saves. In addition, when a foe makes an attack eye clearly sees the angle and vector of your enemies’ limbs,
of opportunity against you when you make a ranged attack it detects the minute details and defects of their armor, and it
while threatened, you can make a single melee attack against knows with absolute certainty the distances that lie between.
that foe as a swift action (assuming you’re not unarmed and The moment you release your weapon, that queer knowledge
you threaten the foe). Such an attack does not count as an leaves you, but when the satisfying heft of your weapon slaps
attack of opportunity. To retain this defensive posture, you back into your waiting palm a moment later, you know that
can move no more than 10 feet on your turn. knowledge will be yours again with your next throw.
Blood Rain (Ex): Beginning at 8th level, you can enter a Your skill with thrown weapons is unmatched except
state that enables you to inflict a terrible bleeding wound on perhaps by other bloodstorm blades, and knowing that gives
Prestige Classes
any living creature you damage with a thrown weapon or a you tremendous confidence. You likely specialize in the use
melee attack. While you are in an Iron Heart stance, you can of a single kind of weapon, and with it in your possession,
forgo its normal benefit as a swift action to gain the effect of you feel unstoppable. Should you lose it, you still command
blood rain. This ability lasts as long as you would maintain amazing abilities, but you tend to be moody and irritable
the Iron Heart stance, or as described below. You can also until you regain your weapon or another of its kind.
stop using blood rain and resume gaining the normal benefit
of the stance as a swift action. COMBAT
The creature you hit with your attack takes 3 points of As a bloodstorm blade, you can fight at range and in melee
damage due to blood loss at the beginning of your turn with equal ferocity, but foes more than a stone’s throw away
each round. This effect ends if you stop using the stance. An can prove to be troublesome, so it’s always best to move close.
affected creature can end the effect by being the beneficiary Once you stand among your enemies, it’s time to unleash a
of any healing (such as a cure spell) or a DC 15 Heal check. storm of ranged attacks. If someone is brave enough to engage
The bleeding effect of blood rain does not stack with itself you in melee, you can battle him toe to toe, or step back and
or the blood rain ability of another bloodstorm blade. continue to rain blows across the battlefield.
Blade Storm (Ex): At 10th level, you can hurl your weapon At low levels, you fight much as you did before becoming
as a full-round action to make it seem as if you are attacking a a bloodstorm blade, but you have the added benefit of being
dozen foes at once. You become the center of a storm of steel as able to attack a foe at range using your melee weapon. Often,
your thrown weapon flies out to strike a foe, returns to ricochet the best use of this ability will be to throw your weapon at a
harmlessly off you, then flies out to attack another foe. foe as you close to melee range. Be sure not to leave yourself
You can make a ranged attack with a thrown weapon at unarmed. Wearing spiked gauntlets presents a simple solu-
your highest attack bonus against as many targets as you tion, but other options, such as the Quick Draw feat or shield
wish. You can attack each target just once with this attack, bash, might be more advantageous.
calculating range and cover penalties from your position on As you gain more bloodstorm blade abilities, your tactics
the battlefield. become more varied. You can use lightning ricochet to
STOPPING A RETURNING WEAPON For example, a creature could ready an action to close a door
It might seem logical to ready an action to grab a weapon that between itself and a bloodstorm blade when the blade throws
flies about the battlefield or somehow strike it from the air, but a weapon. If the readied action was contingent on the weapon
a thrown weapon is no more vulnerable to such tactics than an being thrown, the closed door would provide total cover against
arrow. Although a feat such as Deflect Arrows remains useful the attack. If the readied action was contingent on the weapon
protection, a thrown weapon with the returning special ability passing through the open door, the weapon would attack the
must be treated like any other thrown weapon. Once thrown, it is bloodstorm blade’s intended target, but would be prevented
in rapid constant motion and never hovers or hangs in the air. from returning and fall to the floor after making its attack
However, some of the tactics that work against arrows can be (whether successful or not), since line of effect no longer exists
effective against a bloodstorm blade’s thrown weapon attacks. between the weapon and its wielder.
102
attack a foe as you move and still ready your weapon before the BLOODSTORM BLADES
enemy closes to melee range. You can also use lightning rico- IN THE WORLD
chet after taking down a foe in melee, using a ranged attack “Like storms, they provide no warning. When you hear their thun-
to soften up an enemy you have not yet engaged. Using blood der, the lightning has already struck.”
wind ricochet and eye of the storm, you become a deadly —Thaku Alzull, hobgoblin warblade
ranged attacker with ample defenses against your enemies’
ranged attacks. The blood rain stance combines well with Bloodstorm blades and their githyanki nemeses can fill any
blood wind ricochet, but it truly comes into its own when of several roles in your campaign. Bloodstorm blades might
combined with a blood storm strike. Adopt the blood rain form a loose association of heroic individuals seeking to
stance and use blood storm as soon as most of your enemies share their knowledge despite the murderous attacks of the
are within range. After striking every enemy on the field of githyanki sword-cult. Alternatively, the practitioners outside
battle, you can maintain the blood rain stance to continue the Bloodstorm Guild might be wicked individuals who stole
dealing damage to them while you focus your melee attacks the special knowledge that should have remained in the oath-
on a single target. bounded hands of the guild. Your campaign could instead
host a blending of these ideas with virtuous and villainous
ADVANCEMENT bloodstorm blades and githyanki blademasters on three sides
Many students of the bloodstorm style learn their art covertly, of a morally murky secret war. If you would rather not use the
since the githyanki adepts who originally created this ancient Bloodstorm Guild and the secrecy of the bloodstorm style,
tradition seek to kill anyone outside their sword-cult who you can simply adopt the bloodstorm blade prestige class as
passes on its secrets. However, one notable group practices a way to include a cool villain.
its style in the open: the mercenary Bloodstorm Guild. These
Prestige Classes
skilled warriors train any suitable applicant who asks them, ORGANIZATION
in exchange for an oath of loyalty and a promise to never Not long ago, a secret society or sword-cult of githyanki
reveal the secrets of the technique to any who have not sworn warblades had sole possession of the bloodstorm techniques.
fealty to the guild. Devoted to study and mastery of the Iron Heart discipline,
Once you become a bloodstorm blade, you might or might the githyanki developed the signature abilities of the style
not try to keep that fact a secret. If you belong to the guild, the over the course of generations. Naturally, the githyanki saw
githyanki are not likely to single you out—the githyanki blade- no reason to share their secret knowledge with anyone, and
masters usually keep to an uneasy truce with the Bloodstorm those who pried too much about it found themselves facing
Guild. If you learn your abilities from some other practitioner, its lethal practitioners.
you might find yourself dogged by githyanki blademasters Then, about forty years ago, the secret got out. Some say a
intent on expunging all knowledge of this hidden tradition member betrayed the sword-cult by teaching the bloodstorm
outside their own race, beginning with you. Of course, in style to an outsider. Others say a brave human warblade stole
combat you make full use of your abilities regardless of who scripts detailing the maneuvers and learned the art from
might be looking on, but you rarely go out of your way to them. Regardless of how the githyanki lost it, knowledge of
advertise your knowledge to the general public. You never the bloodstorm blade style spread like wildfire, and despite
know who might be watching. efforts by the sword-cult to quash knowledge and eliminate
Your bloodstorm blade abilities lend themselves to mastery those who practice its techniques, many who study the
of a single melee weapon. Feats such as Weapon Focus and Iron Heart discipline choose to risk the githyanki wrath by
Weapon Specialization thus apply to both your melee and becoming bloodstorm blades.
thrown weapon attacks. Even so, when you have the oppor- The only nongith organization of martial adepts openly
tunity to take a feat, consider feats that improve your ranged practicing this style is the Bloodstorm Guild. Founded by a
capabilities, such as Far Shot and Precise Shot. renowned human warblade named Treyana di Vrada shortly
after the secrets of the style got out, the Guild is a loose associa-
RESOURCES tion of mercenaries and sellswords bound together by some
As a bloodstorm blade of the guild, your fellow members simple, nonbinding vows. Bloodstorm Guild members rarely
know you to be competent and reasonably trustworthy. serve employers as a group, and instead tend to hire themselves
Most members of the Bloodstorm Guild are helpful to you out as specialists, enforcers, and bodyguards. Guild members
in whatever manner they can manage. However, more than in the same region often frequent the same taverns, arming
a few members of the guild pay little heed to their loyalty grounds, and training arenas, and they might pass news of
oaths, and do as they please after they master the secrets of potential employment to one another. The guild has no true
the technique. You can’t always count on your fellows. hierarchy of leadership, although more junior members
Other bloodstorm blades can often rely on the help of usually defer to proven blades (those with more levels in
other illicit members of the class (especially those whom this prestige class). Before a bloodstorm blade consents to
they trained, or those who trained them) to hide from or instruct a potential student in the secrets of the technique,
repel attacks from the githyanki. Even bloodstorm blades he usually confers with other senior blades in the area.
with a long history of hatred for one another band together Characters who master this style without seeking out the
against the threat of the githyanki blademasters. Bloodstorm Guild usually do so through study of black-market
103
texts describing its use, or by studying for a time with another trying to kill a PC. Instead of adventures centered on the
bloodstorm blade. These master–student relationships don’t githyanki, consider having an NPC member of the Blood-
often last long, but usually result in lifelong friendship and storm Guild occasionally help or advise the PCs as they go
loyalty. Many teachers eventually build up a network of former about other adventures.
students, and students of their students, who will answer a If a player decides to be a member of the Bloodstorm
call for support or assistance of any kind. Guild, you can use rumors of black market texts describing
the bloodstorm techniques or githyanki assassin teams as
NPC REACTIONS adventure hooks.
Martial adepts who have heard of the bloodstorm technique
regard all its practitioners with a little awe, but this attitude ADAPTATION
doesn’t influence their reaction upon meeting bloodstorm Bloodstorm blades need not be attached to a fellowship of
blades. Bloodstorm blades typically regard one another sellswords or a secret githyanki cult. The class’s techniques
with a friendly attitude. Githyanki warblades are hostile to might be a development of the Iron Heart discipline that
all bloodstorm blades who do not belong to the guild, but anyone can learn, or the fighting style might have been
are merely unfriendly to guild members. A years-long feud discovered and used by another race.
between the gith sword-cult and Treyana di Vrada and her For example, you could decide that the abilities of this
followers left many dead on both sides, and the githyanki prestige class are used only by a group of halfl ings who are
have grudgingly allowed a truce of sorts . . . at least until they specialists with the sling. Calling themselves stonestorm
have the strength to eradicate the nongith practitioners of strikers, members of this prestige class gain Quick Draw
the art in one swift strike. instead of Throw Anything and have the ability to load a sling
with one hand as a free action instead of returning attacks.
Prestige Classes
BLOODSTORM BLADE LORE The other abilities of the class would work with sling attacks
Characters with ranks in Martial Lore can research blood- instead of thrown weapons.
storm blades to learn more about them. When a character
makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, includ- SAMPLE ENCOUNTER
ing the information from lower DCs. The PCs can encounter a bloodstorm blade as an ally or enemy in
DC 10: Bloodstorm blades have amazing powers with any manner you see fit. Bloodstorm blades might act as cohorts
thrown weapons. Many belong to the Bloodstorm Guild, a of a foe, or one could be the main villain in an adventure. The
mercenary fellowship of sorts. heroes might discover a githyanki text of bloodstorm knowl-
DC 15: The techniques used by bloodstorm blades were edge during the course of their adventures, only to find that the
known exclusively to the githyanki up until a few decades githyanki blademasters will do anything to get the text back.
ago. Now scripts describing the style are available only on EL 15: Varand Thunderhand is a member of the Bloodstorm
the black market. Guild, but his actions hide a terrible secret: He is a spy for the
DC 20: The secretive githyanki blademasters are respon- githyanki blademasters. He betrays other bloodstorm blades
sible for the attacks on bloodstorm blades and those who to the githyanki, hoping to use the fanatical blademasters to
traffic with them. The githyanki created the style and now remove rivals from the guild and pave the way for his eventual
seek to suppress knowledge of it. takeover. Varand intends to rule the guild with an iron fist,
A PC who wishes to learn about specific bloodstorm blades commanding a small army of loyal blades that he can use
or the Bloodstorm Guild will have a difficult time. He must however he sees fit.
make quiet inquiries at martial adept training halls and places If a PC is a member of the guild, Varand approaches the
frequented by those with connections to the black market, party hoping to gain aid in exploring a forlorn citadel, in whose
and then succeed on a DC 20 Gather Information check. vaults bloodstorm texts are supposedly hidden. If the PCs help
Publicly asking about bloodstorm blades likely results in him, Varand sets them up by arranging for a team of githyanki
the PC being rebuffed, and such queries might attract the warblades to ambush them. He intends to give the characters
attention of a vigilant githyanki blademaster. and the texts (if they’re even present) to the githyanki, and
keep the rest of the booty garnered from the adventure.
BLOODSTORM BLADES
IN THE GAME Varand Thunderhand CR 15
If one of your players decides to play a bloodstorm blade, Dwarf fighter 2/warblade 5/bloodstorm blade 8
the prestige class should fit in as easily as any martial adept CE Medium humanoid
class. You can make the Bloodstorm Guild or the githyanki Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen –1, Spot +11
blademasters as large or small a part of your campaign as Languages Common, Dwarven, Giant, Gnome
you like. AC 25, touch 13, flat-footed 25; +4 AC against giants,
If the githyanki sword-cult becomes a part of your cam- uncanny dodge
paign, be sure that its involvement doesn’t put too much of (+2 Dex, +9 armor, +3 shield, +1 deflection)
hp 160 (14 HD)
a spotlight on the bloodstorm blade. Too many githyanki
Resist stability (+4 against bull rush and trip)
attacks against the PCs will grow onerous, and the cult isn’t Fort +18 (+20 against poison), Ref +7, Will +5; +2 on saves
large enough to repeatedly expend the lives of its members against spells and spell-like effects
104
Speed 20 ft. (4 squares) class to their liking; typically, such characters multiclass
Melee +2 dwarven waraxe +24/+19/+14 (1d10+11/×3) or (often as rogues or scouts) to meet the skill requirement. On
Melee spiked gauntlet +20 (1d6+5) rare occasions, dwarf monks take up the mantle of deepstone
Ranged +2 dwarven waraxe +24/+19/+14 (1d10+11/×3) with sentinel, often moving on to crusader, swordsage, or warblade
thunderous throw and lightning ricochet upon completing progression in the class.
Base Atk +15; Grp +20
Atk Options Blade Meditation (Iron Heart), Point Blank
Shot, Precise Shot, Power Attack, +1 on attacks against Entry Requirements
Race: Dwarf.
orcs and goblinoids, martial throw, returning attacks,
Base Attack Bonus: +10.
thunderous throw Skills: Balance 13 ranks.
Special Actions blood rain, blood rain, blood wind ricochet, Feats: Power Attack or Stone Power*.
eye of the storm, lightning ricochet Martial Maneuvers: Must know at least two Stone Dragon
Combat Gear potion of barkskin +2, potion of cure light maneuvers and one Stone Dragon stance.
wounds, potion of heroism *New feat described on page 32.
Maneuvers and Stances Known (IL 10th):
Stances—punishing stance (1st), stonefoot stance (1st) CLASS FEATURES
Strikes—disarming strike† (2nd), exorcism of steel† The class allows you to continue to learn new maneuvers,
(DC 20, 3rd), mountain hammer† (2nd), steel wind
(1st), steely strike† (1st), stone bones (1st)
likely from the Stone Dragon discipline. It also grants special
Disciplines: Iron Heart, Stone Dragon combat prowess when utilizing Stone Dragon maneuvers.
† Readied maneuver Maneuvers: At each odd-numbered level, you gain a new
Abilities Str 20, Dex 15, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 8, Cha 8
maneuver known from the Stone Dragon discipline. You
SQ stonecunning (PH 15), weapon aptitude must meet a maneuver’s prerequisite to learn it. You add
Prestige Classes
Feats Blade Meditation (Iron Heart)*, Far Shot, Greater your full deepstone sentinel levels to your initiator level to
Weapon Focus (dwarven waraxe), Greater Weapon determine your total initiator level and your highest-level
Specialization (dwarven waraxe)B, Iron Will, Point Blank maneuvers known.
ShotB, Power AttackB, Precise Shot, Quick Draw, Throw At 3rd level, you gain an additional maneuver readied
AnythingB, Weapon Focus (dwarven waraxe)B, Weapon per day.
Specialization (dwarven waraxe)B Mountain Fortress Stance (Su): As a novice deepstone
*New feat described on page 28 sentinel, you learn to make yourself as impenetrable as a
Skills Balance +24, Climb +7, Concentration +10, Intimidate mountain fortress. This ability is a key component of this
+9, Jump +8, Martial Lore +6, Spot +11, Tumble +18
prestige class’s combat abilities. While you are in a Stone
Possessions combat gear plus +4 breastplate, +1 heavy steel
shield, +1 dwarven waraxe, spiked gauntlets, belt of giant Dragon stance, you can forgo its normal benefit as a swift
strength +4, ring of protection +1, cloak of resistance +1, action to gain the effect of mountain fortress stance. This
amulet of health +2 ability lasts as long as you would maintain the Stone Dragon
stance, or as described below. You can also stop using moun-
DEEPSTONE SENTINEL tain fortress stance and resume gaining the normal benefit
of the stance as a swift action.
“I almost felt pity for Urthrad’s orcs as they charged our defensive
When you use this ability, you can choose to create a for-
line. Almost.”
tress of earth or rock, provided you are standing on earth,
—Orros the Bloodyhanded, sentinel of the Northern Reach
stone, rock, or a worked surface such as a cobblestone street
or a flagstone floor (as long as natural earth or rock is no
The Stone Dragon discipline traces its roots back to an
more than 1 foot below you). The square (or squares) that you
ancient order of dwarves that used the power of the earth to
occupy forms a pillar of earth or rock 5 feet tall, with you on
enhance their combat style. A deepstone sentinel immerses
top. Each square adjacent to you is buckled and steeply sloped,
himself in these ancient teachings to link himself to the
becoming difficult terrain. Any creature that attempts to
power of stone. Most deepstone sentinels use this power
enter or leave one of these squares must make a DC 10 Balance
in the defense of their fellow dwarves, though some take
check or fall prone in the last square of the area it occupied.
a more active approach battling the enemies of their people.
Creatures that ignore difficult terrain automatically succeed
In combat, a deepstone sentinel is a living mountain, a stony
on this check, and flying creatures are unaffected. Creatures
redoubt that provides shelter to his allies while crashing like
with four or more legs or the stability racial trait gain a +4
an avalanche upon his enemies. The ground shifts and churns
bonus on this Balance check.
under his feet. One moment he stands atop a small, earthen
You retain the benefit of mountain fortress stance until
mound that blocks his enemies—the next he summons an
you end your Stone Dragon stance or move more than 5 feet
earthquake to knock his foes to the ground.
in a round. You are unaffected by the difficult terrain you
create with this ability. If you move only 5 feet in a round,
BECOMING A the pillar of earth you have created moves with you, creating
DEEPSTONE SENTINEL new squares of difficult terrain in every square adjacent to
Most dwarves who follow the tradition of the deepstone
your new position. If creatures occupy those newly adjacent
sentinel begin as crusaders or warblades. Fighters, paladins,
squares, they do not need to immediately make Balance
and other martial-oriented characters might also find the
105
Table 5–3: The Deepstone Sentinel Hit Die: d10
Base
Attack Fort Ref Will Maneuvers Maneuvers
Level Bonus Save Save Save Known Readied Special
1st +0 +2 +0 +0 1 0 Mountain fortress stance, passwall
2nd +1 +3 +0 +0 0 0 Crashing mountain juggernaut
3rd +2 +3 +1 +1 1 1 Indomitable redoubt
4th +3 +4 +1 +1 0 0 Stone curse, dragon’s tooth
5th +3 +4 +1 +1 1 0 Awaken the stone dragon
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level): Balance, Concentration, Craft, Intimidate, Knowledge (dungeoneering), Listen, Martial
Lore*, Spot.
*New skill described on page 28.
checks as described above. However, if on their turn they Dragon’s Tooth (Su): From 4th level on, as a standard
attempt to leave the area of difficult terrain, they are affected action, you can cause a pillar of stone to erupt from the earth
by mountain fortress stance as normal, and squares that are within 60 feet of you. The pillar occupies one square and is 5
no longer adjacent to you return to their natural state. If you or 10 feet tall (your choice). You can call forth a stone pillar
move more than 5 feet in a round while using mountain only from natural, unworked earth or stone. A creature stand-
fortress stance, the effect ends, and the ground immediately ing in the square must succeed on a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2
returns to normal. your character level + your Str modifier) or be knocked prone.
Passwall (Sp): You can use passwall once per day per class You can dismiss a pillar you created as a standard action, but
level as a spell-like ability. Your caster level is equal to your otherwise the pillar remains where you called it forth.
Prestige Classes
deepstone sentinel class level. Awaken the Stone Dragon (Su): At 5th level, you can
Crashing Mountain Juggernaut (Su): Beginning at 2nd cause a localized earthquake to rumble through the ground
level, if you start your turn with mountain fortress stance around you. Through your study of Stone Dragon techniques
active, as a full-round action you can end the Stone Dragon and your strong connection to elemental earth, you can
stance you initiated to gain the benefit of this ability. When awaken the slumbering wrath of stone to send your enemies
you do so, the hill you created with mountain fortress stance tumbling to the ground. The earth churns, rocks explode into
suddenly sinks, sending any foes standing in squares adjacent cutting shards, and the ground rebels against your foes.
to you crashing to the ground. In addition, you tumble down Once per encounter as a swift action, you cause the
the crumbling hill like a living avalanche. ground around you to shudder and churn as if rocked by an
When you use this ability, all creatures within the area of earthquake. All enemies within a 60-foot radius must make
difficult terrain created by your mountain fortress stance must successful Reflex saves (DC 10 + 1/2 your character level +
make DC 15 Balance checks or fall prone. The bonus for stabil- your Str modifier) or take 12d6 points of damage and fall
ity or having extra legs does not apply. In addition, you can use prone. A successful save allows an opponent to take half
a charge to attack an enemy as part of this ability’s activation. If damage and remain standing. Improved stability (such as
your attack is successful, it deals an extra 2d6 points of damage a dwarf’s racial ability) does not help a creature avoid being
owing to the momentum you gain as you hurtle down your knocked prone by this ability.
temporary hill and slam into your opponent.
You cannot activate mountain fortress stance on the same PLAYING A DEEPSTONE SENTINEL
turn in which you use this ability. A deepstone sentinel embodies many classic dwarf traits. As a
Indomitable Redoubt (Ex): Once you attain 3rd level, sentinel, you are quiet, slow to anger, taciturn, and blunt. You
while you are in mountain fortress stance, you can also prefer to let your enemies come to you, rather than charge
initiate and gain the benefit of one additional Stone Dragon forward and expose your position. A steady, reliable advance
stance. This can be the stance you entered to initially activate works much better than a wild, risky gambit. Like the earth
mountain fortress stance, or another Stone Dragon stance beneath your feet, you are reliable, steady, and enduring. Other
you know. You must otherwise follow all the normal rules warriors might rely on flashy gambits and fluid tactics, but
for entering and maintaining a stance. you have little use for such stratagems. You are the rock that
Stone Curse (Su): From 4th level on, you can strike an endures, the impenetrable wall of defense that withstands the
opponent and channel the leaden weight of the earth into its enemy’s assault. When it is time to attack, you unleash your
arms and legs. For a brief moment, it labors in vain, unable fury in an avalanche of steel. Until then, you let your foes waste
to move under the crushing burden you impose. their efforts against your sturdy armor and thick shield.
As an immediate action, you can force an opponent you
hit with a melee attack to make a successful Will save (DC COMBAT
10 + 1/2 your character level + your Str modifier) or become A deepstone sentinel is, in essence, a mobile defensive posi-
unable to move for 1 round. The creature’s speed for all tion. Once you enter mountain fortress stance, you form a
movement modes except flight drops to 0 feet. A creature’s useful barrier against enemies who seek to skirt around you
fly speed remains unchanged. You must choose to use this and attack your allies. Once you gain the indomitable redoubt
ability after successfully attacking an opponent but before ability, you can combine mountain fortress stance with a
rolling damage. stance from the Stone Dragon discipline, such as roots of
106
the mountain, making you nearly impossible to circumvent RESOURCES
or overcome in battle. You can expect a place to sleep and more than enough food
Generally speaking, as a deepstone sentinel you should and drink from any dwarf clan home. The sentinels maintain
focus on staying in front of your companions. In most cases, outposts in most major dwarf cities and citadels built near
slower monsters such as giants, and other melee combatants orc, goblin, and giant hordes. As an adventurer, your fellow
should have to fight through you before they can attack your sentinels are likely eager for news of the outside world and of
allies. Your ability to stop a foe dead in his tracks with stone the rest of the order when you visit these bastions of dwarven
curse, particularly if you wield a reach weapon, makes any strength. If the dwarves face a threat of any sort, you will be
attempt to slip around you a risky gamble at best. You excel expected to contribute to a solution. Although this can be
at controlling the battlefield. Look to create chokepoints a burden, your position as a respected figure also makes it
that force an enemy to enter and remain in the area of easy for you to sway dwarf leaders and organize your people
your abilities. in the face of a threat. If you advise the dwarf king to send a
raiding party to slip into an orc stronghold and slay the red
ADVANCEMENT dragon that leads the tribes, you can expect smiths to forge
Joining the deepstone sentinels is a difficult task, since a sturdy armor and deadly weapons for the raiding party, while
prospective candidate must not only display great skill at clerics of Moradin and dwarf mages craft scrolls and potions
arms but also master difficult mystic secrets of the earth itself. that the group might need.
The sentinels tend to resist training adventurers and other
lone wolves. In battle, the sentinels are expected to form a DEEPSTONE SENTINELS
mighty defensive bulwark against more numerous enemies IN THE WORLD
of the dwarves, such as orcs, goblins, and ogres. A sentinel “When the sentinels came through the east gate, we halted our efforts
Prestige Classes
intent on learning the secrets of this order, then striking to reinforce the northern walls. Our fortifications had arrived.”
out on his own, is a poor investment in the order’s eyes. —General Rurik Axethrower, IX Rockhome Legion
An adventuring dwarf who becomes a sentinel must prove
himself in battle, usually Deepstone sentinels tend
by rendering a great ser- to remain within the dwarf
vice to a dwarf clan home, holds they have sworn to
or by showing that his defend. Typically, only a great
adventures directly aid the threat to the dwarf people, a
dwarf people. quest important to their con-
Once you become a sen- tinuing prosperity, or a threat
tinel, you can expect most from a distant land can cause
dwarves to treat you with one to become an adventurer.
respect and admiration. A PC dwarf might strive
Yet, these accolades come to join the order to prove
with expectations that you himself to his people, or the
will always fight hard and righteous nature of his quest
true for the dwarf people. might compel the sentinels
The sentinels have never to offer him training in their
broken and run from a mystic fighting style.
battle until their allies
have all safely withdrawn. ORGANIZATION
Legend has it that the The deepstone sentinels
first sentinel to break this practice their fighting art
tradition will be struck in vaults hidden far beneath
dead by Moradin himself. dwarfstrongholds. Beneath
Whether this tale is true the deepest mines, below
or not, the implication is the winding passages that
Illus. by H. Lyon
107
A deepstone sentinel is a member of an elite fighting unit, a daunting opponent. You could also change this class into
one that serves as both the fi rst and last line of defense for a druidic warrior or wild elf forest sentinel who creates an
the dwarves. In battle, they are the dauntless core that the entangle effect when he enters the basic stance of the class
dwarves rally around. When orcs and giants threaten a dwarf in an area of natural vegetation, and redesign the remaining
stronghold, the sentinels must stand resolute to protect key class abilities in accordance with this new concept.
passages, tunnels, and other entrances. If the sentinels fall,
the stronghold is often lost. SAMPLE ENCOUNTER
The PCs are likely to meet deepstone sentinels as allies, par-
NPC REACTIONS ticularly if they fight against giants and orcs. Should the PCs
Dwarves have a natural inclination to respect and admire undertake a quest for the dwarves, a sentinel might accompany
deepstone sentinels, since they are seen as embodiments of them to aid them in their task. In any major battle involving
three dwarven virtues—courage, loyalty, and wisdom in the dwarves, a unit of sentinels could be present.
lore of earth and stone. Nondwarves tend to know little of the EL 13: Karthak the Indomitable is a rare deepstone sen-
sentinels, because they rarely trumpet their talents or show off tinel who wanders the land as an adventurer. His home was
their abilities outside combat. Orcs and giants hate sentinels, destroyed by a rampaging dragon that now lairs within the
but they are forced to respect a sentinel’s fighting ability. halls of his former home. A sentinel’s training hall, located
far beneath the dwarf citadel, contains a number of powerful
DEEPSTONE SENTINEL LORE magic items that the dragon seeks. Karthak needs adventurers
Characters with ranks in Knowledge (history) can research willing to help him venture into the ruins to slay the dragon,
deepstone sentinels to learn more about them. When a char- along with its demonic and draconic allies, and recover the
acter makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, artifacts before the dragon gets its claws on them.
Prestige Classes
108
ETERNAL BLADE a great hero who led the blades to a great victory against
seemingly impossible odds.
“You face three millennia of fighting skill. Perhaps you should take
a moment and reconsider your decision.”
Entry Requirements
—Aedar Windblade, eternal blade of the Hidden Grove Race: Elf.
Base Attack Bonus: +10.
An eternal blade is an elf who learns a variety of exotic Feats: Weapon Focus (any).
fighting maneuvers with the aid and advice of the spirit of Martial Maneuvers: Any two Devoted Spirit or Diamond
a mighty, ancient elf warrior. The eternal blades once swore Mind maneuvers.
to defend the elves against the forces of evil, but in ages past,
the blades turned against each other, causing a schism that CLASS FEATURES
echoes to the present day. Some eternal blades embrace the As an eternal blade, you fight and train with the assistance
responsibilities that come with this class’s training. Others of a blade guide, the incorporeal spirit of an ancient member
seek to use their talents to further their own ends. of this order. The guide is similar to a familiar in that it
The eternal blades were once champions of Corellon Lar- confers benefits to you when you are in close proximity to
ethian. They served as guardians of the people, defenders of it. A blade guide also increases your flexibility, since it can
the faith, and wardens of the ancient elf forests. The blade teach you new maneuvers and lend you the wisdom of its
guides, the spirits of ancient eternal blades who serve as combat experience.
advisors and teachers to the current generation of warriors, Maneuvers: At each odd-numbered level, you gain a new
kept the blades on the path of righteousness, preserved their maneuver known from the Devoted Spirit, Diamond Mind,
teachings across each generation, and helped guide them in Iron Heart, or White Raven discipline. You must meet a
Prestige Classes
protecting elfkind. For thousands of years, the eternal blades maneuver’s prerequisite to learn it. You add your full eternal
beat back goblin invasions, would-be conquerors, and other blade levels to your initiator level to determine your total
threats. From the lone blade who slew an ogre that threatened initiator level and your highest-level maneuvers known.
a village, to the mighty general who commanded hundreds At 3rd level, 6th level, and 9th level, you gain an additional
of these warriors in battle, the eternal blades fought evil maneuver readied per day.
wherever and whenever it threatened their kin. Stances Known: At 5th level, you learn a new martial
Alas, all good things must come to an end. In time, the stance from the Devoted Spirit, Diamond Mind, Iron Heart,
eternal blades grew arrogant and aloof. After all, they had or White Raven disciplines. You must meet a stance’s prereq-
provided safety and security to the elf realms on countless uisite to learn it.
occasions. If they kept the elves safe, did it not follow that Blade Guide (Su): You gain a blade guide, the spirit of an
their brethren owed them something in return? A growing ancient member of the eternal blades, that provides you with
faction within the blades believed that the eternal blades advice, tactical assistance, and training. The blade guide is
were the only ones fit to rule the elves. Even worse, a number incorporeal, has hit points equal to your own, and is size Fine.
of the blade guides turned to evil and abandoned the order. Its AC is 18, and it can fly with perfect maneuverability and
In time, the eternal blades fell into disfavor. More and more a speed of 30 feet.
elves refused the blade guides’ call. Today, the order is a mere If your blade guide is destroyed, or it somehow moves out
shadow of its former glory, although legends tell of a heroic of your line of effect, it reappears in your space in 1d6 rounds.
warrior who will one day lead the order back to prominence. The guide is the physical manifestation of a spirit that resides
The remaining blades hope that this triumph lies in their on the Outer Planes. Destroying a blade guide’s form merely
future, but many elves believe the story to be nothing but severs its link to the Material Plane for a short time.
wishful thinking. A blade guide appears as a mote of white energy. It uses
your senses to see and hear, and communicates with you by
BECOMING AN ETERNAL BLADE telepathy. Thus, it cannot interact with objects and creatures
The elves hold that one does not choose to become an eter- that you cannot see. Your blade guide is meant to aid you in
nal blade. Rather, a blade guide, the spiritual companion to combat, not serve as a scout.
an eternal blade, chooses a young elf to walk this path and Sometimes, your guide appears as a ghostly image of how
manifests in a young elf’s dreams long before the child is it looked in life. This manifestation requires tremendous
ready to train as a warrior. Sometimes, these manifestations effort, and your guide chooses to attempt it only when it must
are merely flights of fancy. Other times, they are heralds of communicate with others under dire circumstances. When a
things to come. Most elves who become eternal blades begin blade guide manifests, it can speak with others as normal. A
their careers as warblades. Rangers, fighters, paladins, and blade guide can appear in this manner for up to 10 minutes
barbarians who learn maneuvers from the Diamond Mind per day. While it manifests, you lose access to your blade
or Devoted Spirit disciplines also commonly enter this guide and any class abilities that require it to function.
prestige class. If a blade guide must make a saving throw, it uses your
In a few cases, a blade guide appears to an elf late in life. save modifier. It lacks skill ranks, feats, Hit Dice, and ability
This occurrence is rare, and it usually signals an elf warrior score modifiers.
who is destined for great things. Legends tell that only five Eternal Training (Ex): Your blade guide offers you intense
elves have been selected in this manner. Each of them became martial training based on its years of combat experience in
109
Table 5–4: The Eternal Blade Hit Die: d10
Base
Attack Fort Ref Will Maneuvers Maneuvers Stances
Level Bonus Save Save Save Known Readied Known Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 1 0 0 Blade guide, eternal training 1/day
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 0 0 0 Guided strike
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 1 1 0 Armored uncanny dodge, eternal training 2/day
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 0 0 0 Eternal knowledge
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 1 0 1 Eternal training 3/day
6th +6 +5 +2 +2 0 1 0 Defensive insight
7th +7 +5 +2 +2 1 0 0 Eternal training 4/day
8th +8 +6 +2 +2 0 0 0 Tactical insight
9th +9 +6 +3 +3 1 1 0 Eternal training 5/day
10th +10 +7 +3 +3 0 0 0 Island in time
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level): Climb, Concentration, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Intimidate, Jump, Martial Lore*,
Ride, Sense Motive, Tumble.
*New skill described on page 28.
mortal life. Each night when you enter trance, your blade dodge. If you lose access to your blade guide, you lose this
guide enters your mind. In your dreams, the two of you spar ability until your guide returns. You can use uncanny dodge
and practice across a hundred different battlefields. You fight or improved uncanny dodge even if you wear medium or
ogres, trolls, and other monsters that your guide creates from heavy armor.
the ether of dreams. You practice maneuvers beyond your Eternal Knowledge (Ex): Your blade guide is an expert
Prestige Classes
normal capacity. With each night that passes, you become in a variety of areas. In addition to the tactical and strategic
more and more skilled in the fighting arts. guidance it offers, it also grants you access to great stores of
Once per day, you can draw upon this nightly training to lore. From history to planar phenomena, your guide has seen
aid you in a single battle. You can choose one of two benefits. almost everything.
Each of these benefits lasts for one encounter. When you attain 4th level, your blade guide can make
You gain an insight bonus equal to your Intelligence bonus Knowledge checks with a bonus equal to your eternal blade
(if any) on attack rolls and damage rolls against creatures of level + your Int modifier. When you first gain this ability,
a single type. If you select humanoid or outsider as the type, you can select two areas of knowledge. For each additional
you must also choose a subtype. two levels you gain in the eternal blade prestige class (at 6th,
Alternatively, you can gain the use of one maneuver from 8th, and 10th level), your guide gains access to another area
the Diamond Mind or Devoted Spirit discipline. You must of knowledge.
meet the prerequisite for this maneuver as normal. A cru- Defensive Insight (Ex): Your blade guide’s advice and
sader/eternal guardian who selects this option is immediately insights grant you an intellectual edge in combat, but there
granted this maneuver. A maneuver gained with eternal is a fine line between knowing how to do something and
training can be recovered with your normal recovery method executing it in combat. If you take a moment to focus yourself,
(if you have one) during the encounter, but knowledge of the you can apply your knowledge to the situation at hand.
maneuver fades immediately after the encounter ends. Beginning at 6th level, as a swift action, you can size up an
You gain an additional use per day of this ability at 3rd, 5th, opponent and use your tactical knowledge against him. You
7th, and 9th level. Even if you have multiple uses of this abil- gain a dodge bonus to AC equal to your Intelligence bonus (if
ity per day, you can use this ability only once per encounter. any) against a single foe of your choice until the beginning of
You can use this ability only while you have access to your your next turn. You can use this ability only while you have
blade guide. access to your blade guide.
Guided Strike (Ex): Your blade guide assesses your Tactical Insight (Ex): Although you might be young by
enemies, seeking out weak points in their armor and offer- the elves’ reckoning, your blade guide lends you the expe-
ing you advice on where and how to strike. Drawing on its rience and wisdom of one who has fought battles across
experience and keen eye for strategy and tactics, your guide countless fields. In almost any situation you face, you have
grants you advice that can render even the most daunting the experience, tactical lore, and knowledge needed to defeat
foe impotent. your enemy.
Beginning at 2nd level, as a swift action, you can confer From 8th level on, as a swift action, you can assess a tacti-
with your guide concerning a single foe that you face. For cal situation and make an attack that improves the attacks
the rest of your turn, you automatically overcome your foe’s of your allies. For the rest of your turn, any opponent you
damage reduction, if any. You can use this ability only while hit with a melee attack takes a penalty to AC equal to your
you have access to your blade guide. Intelligence bonus (if any) for 1 round. This penalty applies
Armored Uncanny Dodge (Ex): So long as your blade only to attacks made by your allies. If you lose access to your
guide is active, you gain the benefit of uncanny dodge starting blade guide, you lose this ability until it returns.
at 3rd level. See the rogue class feature (PH 50). If you already Island in Time (Ex): At 10th level, you can throw yourself
have uncanny dodge, you instead gain improved uncanny into a fight under your blade guide’s careful direction. You
110
meld with it, allowing it to control your actions while you guide knows is that its charge was chosen to become an
draw upon its vast combat experience. eternal blade. Its place is not to ask why, but to guide
Once per encounter, you can take your turn as an the young aspirant unfailingly.
immediate action. Using this ability does not change your Once you become an eternal blade, you
initiative count, and you can use all your actions as normal. might seek out the nearest redoubt of this or-
Illus. by K. Andrasofszky
For example, if your initiative count is 15, you could act der (if one still stands) and confer with its
normally, use this ability to act again on initiative elders. Some eternal blades never make
count 14, then act normally on the following round contact with the order, seeing it as a
on initiative count 15. If you lose access to your blade failure. Rather, they seek to strike
guide, you lose this ability until it returns. out on their own. Perhaps a mighty
warrior will someday pull these
PLAYING AN wanderers together into an effec-
ETERNAL BLADE tive fighting force.
A blade guide, in large part, shapes and When selecting feats and skills,
molds the persona of an eternal blade. The look to abilities that function in
guide acts as it did in life. Some are a wide range of circumstances.
gruff, demanding perfectionists. Some of your class features have a
Others are quiet and withdrawn limited number of uses, or function
masters who prefer to let their only when you use a swift action.
combat expertise speak for This puts them in competition with
them. Many eternal blades any boosts you might learn through
Prestige Classes
get along fine with their martial maneuvers. Don’t increase
guides, but some bicker this competition by acquiring many
and argue. In particular, a more abilities that require actions.
blade guide’s centuries of experience Instead, look for feats that provide a
sometimes clash with a younger eternal consistent, constant benefit, such as
blade’s thirst for action. When you are Weapon Specialization.
playing an eternal blade, your DM should
take on the role of your blade guide and help RESOURCES
you form a relationship with it. When the party Once, the eternal blades had a tre-
stops to discuss its plans, your guide likely makes mendous range of resources to
its opinions known. draw upon. Sadly, those glory
As a member of a dying order, you might want to days are gone. You can expect
strive to help pull the eternal blades back from little help from other eter-
the brink of oblivion. Remember, every action Aedar the eternal blade nal blades in the form of food,
you take reflects on your order as a whole. shelter, weapons, and armor. Most will glad-
ly stand beside you in battle, but the order is simply too
COMBAT weak to marshal an extensive store of material resources.
In combat, you are a war leader, a central focus of the group’s You are welcome in the few remaining blade-held castles,
melee resources. You must wade into combat to prevent but even these offer little comfort, with their crumbling
threatening monsters from getting to your group’s vulner- walls and faded glory.
able spellcasters. The key to your class abilities lies in your
talent to focus yourself for one encounter. A standard fighter ETERNAL BLADES IN THE WORLD
might have more feats, and thus do more damage with his “We retreated merely to ascertain the enemy’s strength. These upstart
typical swing, but your abilities allow you to push yourself elves will be defeated ere the sun rises again, I swear by my life.”
ahead of the curve. With judicious use of your eternal train- —Tergin Bloodoath, battle herald of Hextor (deceased)
ing, defensive insight, and tactical abilities, you can deal
impressive amounts of damage, absorb attacks, or set up an The eternal blades comprise a small, dying group that rarely
ally’s deadly attacks. ventures far beyond elf lands. The difficulty of introducing
a member of this prestige class into a campaign depends on
ADVANCEMENT when a player decides to take up the class. A character built
As noted above, you might not have selected this path so much from 1st level to enter this class might receive visions and
as it chose you. Becoming an eternal blade does not involve dreams from his blade guide throughout his career. The guide
an application process, an interview, or a test. Instead, the might shepherd the character along the eternal blade path,
blade guides select elf warriors based on a nebulous criterion. leading him where he is needed most, giving clues that lead
Sometimes, they see a spark for heroism and self-sacrifice, to lost treasure, ancient enemies, and so forth. For a higher-
and wish to cultivate it. In other cases, a blade guide cannot level character, the blade guide might simply manifest at a
guess how it came to be linked to a specific person. All a later age. Not every blade guide appears to an elf in childhood,
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and such a manifestation might herald an epic destiny for and lodging from any elves. Unfortunately for the blades, a
the character so chosen. dark chapter in their history prevents them from becoming
truly welcomed into the community. In ages past, a faction
ORGANIZATION of eternal blades attempted to seize control of the elf realms.
The good-aligned eternal blades gather in small groups called Elves who fall under the blades’ protection today appreciate
cadres. Each cadre is centered on a grove deep within the and welcome their assistance, but they take care to maintain
elven forests. These locations have names such as Blade Deep their independence from these warriors.
Grove, Ten Trees Stand, and the Eternal Redoubt. Many of Few nonelves have any knowledge of the eternal blades. The
these places were once majestic castles that housed hundreds few who remember regard the blades as stalwart defenders of
of elite warriors. Today, they are mostly empty, dusty remind- the realm. Dwarves and gnomes in particular treat them with
ers of past glory. A number of them are located far from elf respect, because on several occasions the eternal blades have
territories. In the long centuries since the groves were built, worked to form alliances between the elves and other folk.
the forests around them might have been burned, a diverted
river might have flooded them, and so forth. Orcs, goblins, ETERNAL BLADE LORE
or even a human king might occupy what was once an elf Characters with ranks in Knowledge (history) can research
fortress. In other areas, the blades’ redoubts have become eternal blades to learn more about them. When a character
monster-infested dungeons. makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, includ-
The eternal blades dwindle in numbers each year, and ing the information from lower DCs.
as their number grows smaller, they become increasingly DC 10: The eternal blades are an order of elf knights who
unable to offer protection to their people. Many elf towns fell into disfavor long ago for attempting to seize political
and cities haven’t seen a visiting eternal blade in centuries. control of several elf lands.
Prestige Classes
In some lands, these warriors are regarded as no more than DC 15: The eternal blades use a strange fighting style that
myths from a bygone, better time. is almost magical in nature.
A council of nine officers leads each grove, though in DC 20: An eternal blade communes with the spirit of
recent times many can’t muster such numbers. Typically, as an ancient warrior. This spirit aids the warrior in battle by
few as three or four senior elves coordinate the eternal blades providing advice, menacing his enemies, and lending him
of each grove. These warriors are usually too old to continue strength and support.
questing across the land. Instead, they seek to recruit new Finding an eternal blade is no easy task, since the few
eternal blades and provide what training they can offer. remaining members of this order dwell far from the realms
Although a council might work hard, a deep sense of doom, of humanity. The best way to find an eternal blade grove is
misery, and pessimism rests over most groves. The elders can to consult with elf sages or historians to find the supposed
remember when hundreds of eternal blades would gather to location of a grove, travel there, and hope that the place has
defeat a dragon or throw back an invasion. Today, the elders not yet fallen into neglect and ruin.
watch in sorrow as fewer and fewer blades return from the
quests they embark upon. ETERNAL BLADES IN THE GAME
In some cases, a grove and the castle associated with it Eternal blades are relatively easy to add to your game, since
have fallen to invasion or been abandoned to the elements. they are few in number and hard to find. The characters might
The eternal blades have lost the location of many of these not encounter any blades until well into the campaign, when
fortresses, and they are keen to reclaim them. Legend holds you have decided that it is dramatically appropriate for them
that a mighty artifact, the Blade of Endil, lies hidden in one to appear. They might be forgotten defenders of an ancient
such grove. Only when it is recovered can the eternal blades item that the party seeks, or an elf warblade in the party
once again return to power. might be the one prophesied to lead the eternal blades back
to glory. This latter plot idea can be even more interesting
NPC REACTIONS if the elf PC is a reluctant hero, one who would rather seek
Most folk know little of the eternal blades. Even deep within glory on his own than deal with leading an entire order of
ancient elf forests, the blades are known only as a small band warriors into battle.
of once-renowned knights. Many elves see them as well- Players with an interest in weaving epic plots and detailed
meaning but misguided. These elves wonder why the blades backgrounds around their characters might find the eternal
must cling to the shadows of a once-great past. As befits their blade an interesting class. As written, the class cries out for a
chaotic nature, most elves see life and history as a series of PC to take the role of the chosen warrior who leads the blades
changes. What worked in ages past might not be a good fit back to glory. Perhaps a great threat grows across the land, and
for today. In a typical elf community, an eternal blade is seen only the eternal blades have the martial power needed to battle
as an anachronism—a figure who has stepped out of history, it. Until a skilled leader, such as a PC, emerges, the blades are
yet refused to adapt to the modern world. too scattered and few in number to battle the threat.
Elves who enjoy the protection and aid of the eternal blades
have a much different view. These elves see the blades as ADAPTATION
helpful guardians. In the regions around their fortresses, the The eternal blades’ background casts them as rare, isolated,
eternal blades can expect at least a friendly welcome, food, and mostly forgotten to make them easy to integrate into a
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campaign. Almost any setting with elf kingdoms of any sort Each of Aedar’s maneuvers can be initiated once per
can play host to these talented warriors. encounter, with no recovery possible.
If you need a villain, or wish to add a sinister layer to the Abilities Str 18, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 10
blades, perhaps the schism within the blades’ ranks persists SQ able to notice secret or concealed doors, blade guide
to this day. The original elves who led the attempt to seize Feats Combat ExpertiseB, Greater Weapon Focus
control of the forests are now blade guides who corrupt the (longsword)B, Improved DisarmB, Improved InitiativeB,
order. Some of them have the ears of the blades’ leaders, and Iron Will, Martial Stance (pearl of black doubt), Martial
they use this access to render the blades ineffectual or self- Study (action before thought), Martial Study (emerald
razor), Martial Study (moment of perfect mind),
destructive. A young warrior who teeters between good and
Weapon Focus (longsword)B, Weapon Specialization
evil might have an evil blade guide, or even a pair of opposed (longsword)B
guides, fighting for his soul. Skills Concentration +18, Diplomacy +16, Intimidate +16
Possessions combat gear plus +3 full plate armor, +1 heavy
SAMPLE ENCOUNTER steel shield, +3 longsword, longbow with 20 arrows,
Aedar Windblade is an eternal blade who has taken it upon gauntlets of ogre power
himself to seek out and shepherd young blades. He hopes that,
by offering advice and help, he can guide young elf warriors JADE PHOENIX MAGE
to the order and help it regain its former glory. In particular, “If I should fall, I will only arise again in a new body. The flame
he is convinced that a messianic figure is destined to restore that is my soul cannot be quenched.”
the blades and lead them to a glorious victory. Perhaps the —Kuthar of Ironhame, Mage of the Jade Phoenix
prophecies and signs he has heard point to a PC elf as the
most likely candidate for this honor. Long ago, a fellowship of swordsages known as the Masters
Prestige Classes
EL 13: Aedar can be found wandering the land with his of the Jade Phoenix took up the study of arcane magic in
warhorse, Skychaser. He is a gregarious, friendly person with search of a new martial discipline. They discovered that the
a natural tendency to help others. He might come across the mental austerity and economy of action each swordsage had
PCs as they fight a monster in the wilds, or the PCs might cultivated in his martial studies opened the door to a pow-
find him attempting to defend a helpless family against a erful and unique form of arcane mastery. Properly applied,
gang of monsters. If the PCs show their mettle, and if an elf the stances and maneuvers of a martial discipline provided
warrior is in the group, Aedar strikes up a friendship and tries the mage with exceptional power and control in his arcane
to determine if the elf PC is a good candidate for his order. spellcasting—and by channeling the arcane energy of his
Even if the group lacks an elf, he might attempt to convince spells into his martial maneuvers, he achieved supernatural
the PCs to help the blades complete an important quest or perfection in his chosen disciplines.
drive off a humanoid invasion. For years, this secret society defended the land against
evil, perfecting this new path that wove together martial
Aedar Windblade CR 13 disciplines and arcane power. Then a terrible abomination,
Male elf fighter 10/eternal blade 3 known only as the Souldrake, descended on the world,
AL LG Medium humanoid wreaking unthinkable destruction across the land. The
Init +4; Senses low-light vision; Listen +1, Spot +1 realm defended by the masters of the Jade Phoenix was
Languages Common, Draconic, Elven swept into ruin, but the arcane swordsages gathered together
AC 24, touch 10, flat-footed 24; uncanny dodge and confronted this fearsome enemy. Many masters died,
(+11 armor, +3 shield) but at the end of the struggle, the awful Souldrake was
hp 102 (13 HD) bound and imprisoned in a hidden vault. To ensure that
Immune sleep
their foe would never break free, the thirteen surviving
Fort +12, Ref +4, Will +7 (+9 against enchantments)
members of the Jade Phoenix fellowship swore a mighty
Speed 20 ft. in full plate; base speed 30 ft. oath to walk the world for all eternity, maintaining the
Melee +3 longsword +22/+17/+12 (1d8+9/19–20)
Souldrake’s prison with their own unceasing vigilance.
Ranged longbow +13 (1d8/×3)
Base Atk +13; Grp +17 Such was the power of their oath that these spirits have been
Atk Options Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, eternal reborn again and again in the world, keeping the Souldrake
training 2/day, guided strike immured in its secret prison.
Combat Gear potion of shield of faith +4, potion of cure Today, thirteen Jade Phoenix mages walk the earth—no
moderate wounds more, no less. The instant one dies, a new one is born some-
Maneuvers and Stances Known (IL 8th): where in the world. As he grows and learns, he is inevitably
Stances—pearl of black doubt (3rd) drawn to both the Sublime Way and the magical arts—for
Strikes—emerald razor (2nd), insightful strike (3rd), he was a master swordsage and a mighty wizard in previous
ruby nightmare blade (4th) lives he has now forgotten. In time, another Jade Phoenix
Counters—action before thought (2nd), moment of master discovers the new incarnation of his old companion.
perfect mind (1st) In an age-old rite, the existing master awakens his newfound
Disciplines: Desert Wind, Diamond Mind, Stone Dragon, comrade to awareness of his past lives, renews the oaths of
Tiger Claw vigilance that bind the Souldrake in its prison, and reveals
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to him the ancient secrets of the order. Both Jade Phoenix CLASS FEATURES
brothers then go their own way, their ancient duty discharged The Jade Phoenix class features focus on improving your
until once again a Jade Phoenix mage dies and is reborn. arcane spellcasting ability, but they also vastly improve your
capabilities in melee combat by focusing your arcane energies
BECOMING A into increased melee damage and through the acquisition of
JADE PHOENIX MAGE new maneuvers.
Illus. by B. Trott
Most Jade Phoenix mages begin their careers as sorcerers, Spellcasting: At each level except 1st and 6th, you gain
warmages, or wizards. From this beginning, two paths lead new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells
to membership in the fellowship of the Jade Phoenix— known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in an
multiclassing in a martial adept arcane spellcasting class to which you belonged before adding
class (crusader, swordsage, or the prestige class level. You do not, however, gain any other
warblade), or choosing Martial benefit a character of that class would have gained. If you had
Study and Martial Stance feats more than one arcane spellcasting class before becoming a
to master the required number Jade Phoenix mage, you must decide to which class to
of martial maneuvers. The latter add each level for the purpose of determining spells
path is costly, since the number per day, caster level, and spells known.
of feats you must spend to pursue Maneuvers: At
this path is high, but that option each odd-numbered
is advantageous in that you do not level, you gain a new
need to take a level in a class that maneuver known
will not improve your from the Desert
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114
Table 5–5: The Jade Phoenix Mage Hit Die: d6
Base
Attack Fort Ref Will Man. Man. Stances
Level Bonus Save Save Save Known Readied Known Special Spellcasting
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 1 0 0 Arcane wrath, —
rite of waking
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 0 0 0 Mystic phoenix +1 level arcane spellcasting class
stance
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 1 1 0 — +1 level arcane spellcasting class
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 0 0 0 Empowering strike +1 level arcane spellcasting class
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 1 0 1 — +1 level arcane spellcasting class
6th +6 +5 +2 +2 0 1 0 Firebird stance, Jade —
Phoenix master
7th +7 +5 +2 +2 1 0 0 — +1 level arcane spellcasting class
8th +8 +6 +2 +2 0 0 0 Quickening strike +1 level arcane spellcasting class
9th +9 +6 +3 +3 1 1 0 — +1 level arcane spellcasting class
10th +10 +7 +3 +3 0 0 0 Emerald immolation +1 level arcane spellcasting class
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level): Climb, Concentration, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Intimidate, Jump, Martial Lore*,
Ride, Sense Motive, Tumble.
*New skill described on page 28.
remember places you visited, people you knew, and things you While this ability is active, you gain resistance to fire 10,
did in lifetimes long past. You gain a +2 bonus on Knowledge and your caster level when you cast any fi re spell increases
checks, and you can attempt a Knowledge check even if you by 3. In addition, you can choose to expend an arcane spell
Prestige Classes
are untrained in the appropriate Knowledge skill. You also slot when you activate the ability. If you do, you gain an aura
gain a +2 bonus on saving throws against death effects and that deals 1d6 points of damage per spell level to any creature
fear effects. within 10 feet (Reflex half, DC 14 + key spellcasting ability
Mystic Phoenix Stance (Su): At 2nd level, you learn modifier). Half the damage dealt by the aura is fire, and the
how to channel the energy from one of your stances in a other half is raw arcane energy (untyped damage). The aura
new way. While you are in a stance from any discipline you deals damage each round at the beginning of your turn. Once
know, you can forgo its normal benefit as a swift action to you activate this ability, the fiery aura lasts for 1 minute, after
gain the effect of mystic phoenix stance. This ability lasts which time the effect ends and the normal effect of your
as long as you would maintain the stance, or as described stance resumes.
below. You can also stop using mystic phoenix stance Jade Phoenix Master (Su): When you attain 6th level,
and resume gaining the normal benefit of the stance as you earn the right to call yourself a Jade Phoenix master.
a swift action. You can now perform the Rite of Waking for someone else,
While you use this ability, your caster level when you cast provided he or she is a suitable candidate and embodies the
arcane spells increases by 1, and you gain a +2 dodge bonus reincarnated spirit of one of the ancient masters. (The DM
to AC. In addition, when you first activate this ability, you decides if this is true for any given NPC.) You gain the abil-
can choose to expend an arcane spell slot. If you do, you also ity to sense the direction and distance to the nearest Jade
gain damage reduction against all but evil-aligned attacks as Phoenix mage, master, or candidate simply by meditating
long as you maintain the stance. The value of your damage for 1 minute without interruption.
reduction is equal to 2 × the level of the spell you expend Quickening Strike (Su): Starting at 8th level, when you
(maximum damage reduction 10/evil for expending a 5th- successfully attack an enemy with a martial strike, an arcane
level spell). spell of 5th level or lower that you cast before the end of your
Empowering Strike (Su): Beginning at 4th level, when next turn is quickened (as by the Quicken Spell metamagic
you successfully attack an enemy with a martial strike, an feat). Casting a spell that has been quickened by this ability
arcane spell that you cast before the end of your next turn is does not increase the effective level of the spell you cast. You
empowered (as by the Empower Spell metamagic feat). Cast- do not need to know the Quicken Spell feat to use this ability.
ing a spell that has been empowered through this ability does You can use this ability once per encounter.
not increase the effective level of a spell you cast. You do not Emerald Immolation (Sp): At 10th level, once per week
need to know the Empower Spell feat to use this ability. You you can perform the awesome emerald immolation. You
can use this ability once per encounter. explode in a searing blast of green fire that deals 20d6 points
Firebird Stance (Su): At 6th level, you learn another of damage in a 20-foot radius (Reflex half, DC 19 + key spell-
application for a stance you know. While you are in a stance casting ability modifier). Half the damage the blast deals is
from any discipline you know, you can forgo its normal fire, and the other half is raw arcane energy (untyped damage).
benefit as a swift action to gain the effect of firebird stance. Extraplanar creatures that fail their saves must immediately
This ability lasts as long as you would maintain the stance, succeed on a Will save (DC 19 + key spellcasting ability modi-
or as described below. You can also stop using firebird stance fier) or be dismissed to their native planes. This blast utterly
and resume gaining the normal benefit of the stance as a destroys you, but 1d6 rounds later, you re-form in the exact
swift action. spot where you were when you employed this ability. You
115
are dazed for 1 round after you reappear, but you are healed Although most of your combat prowess resides in your
of all damage (including ability drain or damage), blindness, martial maneuvers and spellcasting ability, don’t overlook
deafness, disease, paralysis, or poison. Any equipment you your highly useful stance-related abilities. The mystic phoe-
were wearing or objects you were holding or carrying when nix stance helps you survive close battles, and the firebird
you used this ability re-form with you, exactly as they were. stance can make you a dangerous target for enemies who
This ability is the equivalent of a 9th-level spell. rely on melee attacks. However, be careful with your arcane
spell slots. If you expend slots routinely on arcane wrath or
PLAYING A JADE PHOENIX MAGE to add power to your stance abilities while slinging spells
You have lived through a dozen lifetimes. You have roamed every round, you will find that you burn through your spell
the world from one end to the other, you have learned and slots faster than you might like.
forgotten countless pieces of information and names, you
have built empires, and you have fallen in abject, ignomini- ADVANCEMENT
ous defeat. While other heroes struggle to find their place in You already possessed some skill with magic and some
the world or wrestle with the consequences of their actions, mastery of the Sublime Way before you came to the atten-
you view all things with equanimity. Whatever the danger, tion of the other Jade Phoenix mages. When you are ready
whatever the injustice, whatever the evil that rises up to to accept the truth of who and what you really are, a Jade
threaten the world—it too shall pass. Phoenix master seeks you out, even if doing so takes years.
Given the long, wearying journey passing through lifetime Once you are found, the master typically observes you for
after lifetime, some Jade Phoenix mages become dispassion- a time to determine if you are in fact one of his ancient
ate and distant. Why form attachments to people, places, or comrades. Many masters feel that the best way to be sure of
causes, when sooner or later all will be lost again and a new your readiness is to challenge you to a contest of martial and
Prestige Classes
life begun somewhere else? Other members of the fellow- magical skill, but not all masters hold to this view. As long as
ship grow arrogant and insufferable, coming to think of you acquit yourself reasonably well in such a duel, you will
other mortals as lesser beings because they are limited to be told the truth about who you are; you do not need to win.
the experience and wisdom of a single lifetime. But most If you fight with courage but little skill, you will be left to
Jade Phoenix mages learn compassion, humility, and a wry go your own way for a time in the hope that in a year or two
sense of humor over their long journeys. Who else can better you might prove more ready. If you demonstrate cowardice
understand the magnificent jest of existence than someone or treachery, the testing master might elect to kill you—a
who has lived and died dozens of times? stain of evil would weaken the Souldrake’s prison, and after
Regardless of whether your long existence has left you all, your spirit will be reborn. You might be a better person
wise or weary, you are a clever and patient enemy of evil. You in your next incarnation.
despise tyranny and cruelty in any form, for these things Once you are awakened to your previous lives and your
blight the world—and you fear that a world whose spirit is sacred trust, you are left to resume your own affairs. You are
poisoned by too much wrong will be defenseless against the expected to aid another Jade Phoenix mage on the rare occa-
Souldrake. In her dark, dreaming prison she grows strong sions you meet with one, and should you discover that one
on the terror and misery of the innocent, and the day might of your old comrades has been reborn and awaits the Rite of
come when she awakens and breaks free. To prevent her Waking, you are expected to bring him to a master or bring
return, you fight oppression, injustice, and savagery wherever a master to him. When you reach the title of master, you
you find them. normally address the matter yourself without seeking the
advice or consent of your peers—you know the fellowship’s
COMBAT responsibilities because you have discharged them for a
Your combination of martial maneuvers and spellcasting dozen lifetimes.
gives you the ability to fight well in melee as well as at As you continue to gain levels, you might alternate
range. In fact, many of your defining abilities require you between your arcane spellcasting class, your martial adept
to prepare an arcane attack by executing martial maneuvers class (if any), and your Jade Phoenix levels. Most practitioners
or use your untapped spell energy to add power to your of this tradition follow the Jade Phoenix path exclusively
martial strikes. A battle in which you mix your martial for time—at least until they attain the level of mastery they
strikes with your arcane spells allows you to get the most had in their previous life. Feats, spells, and maneuvers that
out of your suite of abilities. Remember, you are not a make it easy for you to switch between melee attacks and
front-line fighter; you must rely on magic and guile to avoid arcane spellcasting are extremely useful. Consider learning
your enemies’ attacks when you close to melee to use your feats such as Combat Casting or Spring Attack; spells such
martial maneuvers. as fly; or martial maneuvers such as salamander charge or
You can easily adapt your tactics to the foes you face. If you wind stride. Ranks in Concentration or Tumble might also
find yourself confronting enemies who are highly resistant prove helpful.
to magic, use your arcane spell energy to add power to your
martial strikes and defeat them with the Sublime Way. If you RESOURCES
face enemies who are formidable in close combat, use your Jade Phoenix mages are few and far between. Most wander
martial strikes to set up devastating magical attacks. the world engaged in their own personal quests and struggles,
116
interacting with their peers only through chance and hap- Because the spirit of a Jade Phoenix mage is bound to
penstance. Even mortal peril is not always sufficient to gain the world and fated to be reborn, death is a different sort
the aid or sympathy of a fellow Jade Phoenix mage, since of experience for him. The spirit of a Jade Phoenix mage
your death is, after all, nothing more than a momentary does not voyage on to the afterlife in the planes, nor does
inconvenience in the eyes of the other masters. Sooner or it instantly reincarnate at the moment of death. The spirit
later, you will meet again. simply slumbers for a time, remaining discorporate for a few
Ironically, one of your more interesting and useful hours or days before it is drawn back to the world and reborn.
resources is yourself—specifically, yourself in a past life. During this time, raise dead and resurrection spells cast on the
Some Jade Phoenix mages make a point of secreting deceased character function normally. If a dead Jade Phoenix
useful things such as treasure, magic items, or simple mage is not brought back to life within this period of slum-
information in hidden caches all over the world, not ber, the spirit reincarnates and is born again as a new person
knowing when or if they might ever need them again. somewhere else. After this time, no resurrection magic can
The location and value of these old caches are up to your bring him back to his previous existence. In other words, if
DM, but magic items totaling 1,000 gp or less in value a player intends for his character to be raised, he has time
that you “remember” no more than once per Jade Phoenix to be brought back; if a player chooses for his character to
mage level would be reasonable. Of course, your caches remain dead, his spirit quickly reincarnates and begins life
might not be located anywhere nearby when you decide again elsewhere.
you need one, and you might have left traps or guardians
to protect them. ORGANIZATION
All Jade Phoenix mages fall into one of three categories: candi-
JADE PHOENIX MAGES dates, initiates, and masters. Candidates are those individuals
Prestige Classes
IN THE WORLD who harbor one of the thirteen ancient spirits, but simply
“You seem to have me at a disadvantage, human. You say that don’t know it yet. While they grow to adulthood and take up
we have met, but I am certain that I have never laid eyes on you the study of magic and martial prowess, other members of the
before today.” group might keep an eye on their progress, but the candidates
—Arexakarius, red dragon are not told of their true calling or ancient duty until such a
time as they are ready to accept these truths. Most candidates
The Jade Phoenix mage serves as a mystic wanderer, free- might come to realize that a mysterious sorcerer or wizard is
roaming troubleshooter, champion, and teacher who travels interested in their progress, and a few might even be tutored
the world with few ties to any place, person, or cause. Most directly by a Jade Phoenix mage who deems it necessary to
are willing to share their arcane knowledge or martial return his old comrade to full wakefulness in a hurry.
enlightenment with any apt student they encounter, whether Initiates are fully awakened Jade Phoenix mages—
or not that person harbors the spirit of an ancient comrade. characters who have taken at least one level in this prestige
A Jade Phoenix mage might therefore appear as an ally or class and undergone the Rite of Waking. All initiates sig-
mentor to player characters who study magic or follow the nify their allegiance to their ancient order by tattooing the
Sublime Way. emblem of a green phoenix prominently on their bodies—
Since a Jade Phoenix mage is exceptionally well traveled usually the chest or the back of the hand, but sometimes the
and familiar with the people and events of times long gone face or head.
by, he can also serve as a living witness to historic events. Masters are Jade Phoenix mages who have reached a level
Adventurers in search of hard-to-fi nd information about of significant magical and martial power in their current
events that happened long ago might find that a Jade Phoenix incarnation. The title is one that has little weight. The group
mage recalls the events in question much more accurately does not recognize any lasting precedence of rank or position,
than any scribe has ever set them down. A Jade Phoenix mage since each spirit must begin anew with each rebirth. At any
can therefore serve as a sage of sorts, aiding the player char- given time, one Jade Phoenix mage might be a 15-year-old
acters by passing along information they might otherwise candidate struggling to master her first spells while another
have no way to discover. is a 60-year-old archmage with command of epic spellcasting,
but both spirits are the same age and share the same ancient
DAILY LIFE (AND DEATH) duty. For a short time, the spirit in the younger body owes
A Jade Phoenix mage is free to pursue his own interests and some deference to the spirit who has experienced more and
do whatever he wishes with his life, so long as he honors the accomplished greater things in its current incarnation, but
basic tenets of the fellowship: Aid his fellows when asked, in a few short years the candidate will be the archmage, and
stand against corruption and tyranny, and keep the sacred the archmage will struggle to recall his old skill at magic.
watch alive by waking newly reincarnated fellows to their
ancient oaths and true identities when necessary. In practice, NPC REACTIONS
most Jade Phoenix mages become wanderers. Some choose Jade Phoenix mages are so rare that very few NPCs have any
to live and teach for a time at a monastery or temple of like- preconceived notions about the fellowship. Most of the time,
minded students of the Sublime Way, becoming renowned they are treated as any skilled warrior-mage might expect
masters in the process. to be treated. However, itinerant Jade Phoenix masters have
117
opposed tyrants, monsters, and villains all over the world, to the possibilities of describing the adventures, friends, and
so any particular master contends with the possibility that enemies of lifetimes now long past; if any character can say,
one or another of his twelve fellow mages might have made “I’ve seen something like that before” in almost any situation,
a name for the society in some land or another. More than it’s the Jade Phoenix mage.
one Jade Phoenix mage has wandered into a new land only
to discover that generations ago one of his old companions ADAPTATION
battled some mighty evil there, and is remembered by the The most interesting way to adapt the Jade Phoenix mages
people he fought for—or against. to your own campaign is to define a specific evil power
they keep imprisoned. In the FORGOTTEN R EALMS setting,
JADE PHOENIX MAGE LORE the Jade Phoenix mages might play a role in keeping
Characters with the Knowledge (history) skill can research Dendar, the Night Serpent, asleep in her vast prison
the fellowship of the Jade Phoenix to learn more about them. beneath the Peaks of Flame. In the world of the EBERRON
When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the campaign, the Jade Phoenix fellowship might keep some
following, including the information from lower DCs. monstrous offspring of Khyber immobile and insensate.
DC 10: I’ve heard old tales of strange sorcerers who mark As long as they still live, the demonspawn remains trapped
themselves with the image of an emerald phoenix. No one in the underworld.
knows who they are, where they come from, or where they For a real twist, consider making the Jade Phoenix
go when they leave. fellowship into the Ebon Phoenix. The thirteen ancient
DC 15: These individuals are known as the order of the swordsage-wizards were not servants of good, but instead the
Jade Phoenix. They’re an elite society of warrior-mages who chosen champions of some evil god-king. As long as they still
know powerful secrets of both martial and arcane lore. survive, the evil overlord cannot be wholly expunged from
Prestige Classes
DC 20: The group has only thirteen members at any the world, and so these terrible ancient spirits keep alive
one time. When one dies, they find another mage to join the hope of returning their dark master to power someday.
their order. They oppose the workings of evil wherever they Destroying all thirteen Ebon Phoenix mages would require
find it. an epic quest to find and ultimately imprison or destroy each
DC 25: The reason the group has only thirteen members spirit before it can reincarnate.
is because each Jade Phoenix mage is reborn when he dies.
These are the same thirteen masters who have made up the SAMPLE ENCOUNTER
society for hundreds of years. Long ago they swore an oath A Jade Phoenix mage is appropriate in any encounter where
to protect the world against some terrible demiurge known you might want to introduce a nonevil sorcerer or wizard as
as the Souldrake, who is imprisoned in a hidden magical an advisor, rival, or foil to the heroes.
vault. As long as they are faithful to their oaths, the Souldrake EL 10: When the PCs decide to explore an ancient tomb,
cannot escape. Kuthar of Ironhame intervenes, telling the heroes that
DC 30: Characters who achieve this level of success can they must not open the crypt. He knows that a powerful
learn important details about a specific Jade Phoenix mage demon is trapped within the tomb, because long ago Kuthar
in your campaign, including the areas where he operates, the trapped him there. He dares not take any chance of allowing
kinds of activities he undertakes, and at least one identity the demon to escape. This encounter works best if the PCs
of his previous incarnation, as well as some of his greater intend to explore the tomb no matter what Kuthar says—for
accomplishments in that life. example, if the characters need to retrieve an ancient book or
The fellowship of the Jade Phoenix does not maintain any key from within the tomb to solve another pressing challenge,
sort of temple, sanctuary, or stronghold. However, at any given their mission will put them squarely at odds with the Jade
time it’s not unusual for one or two masters to settle down in Phoenix mage.
a monastery or arcane guildhouse, and teach students who Rather than fight to the death against the whole party,
seek to learn both the Sublime Way and the arcane arts. A Kuthar offers to duel the party’s best to resolve the question
character must succeed on a DC 25 Gather Information check of whether or not the tomb will be opened. It might also be
to locate a Jade Phoenix master who has chosen to settle down possible for the PCs to persuade Kuthar to allow the tomb to
for a time. be opened if they offer to help him destroy the demon should
they encounter the creature.
JADE PHOENIX MAGES
IN THE GAME Kuthar of Ironhame CR 10
Jade Phoenix mages are more often allies than enemies. Even Male human warblade 1/wizard 5/Jade Phoenix mage 4
if no character in the party is particularly likely to join the NG Medium humanoid
prestige class, a Jade Phoenix mage can serve as an interest- Init +2; Senses Listen +2, Spot +2
ing mentor who appears from time to time, offering cryptic Languages Common, Draconic, Elf, Giant
advice and guidance to heroes in need. AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13; Dodge, Mobility
As a player character, a Jade Phoenix mage appeals to players (+2 Dex, +3 armor)
who like the challenge of creating innovative tactics combin- hp 58 (10 HD)
Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +5
ing spells and melee attacks. Other players might be attracted
Speed 30 ft.
118
Melee +1 greatsword +11/+6 (2d6+4), or a master of nine after selecting the Martial Study feat
Ranged shortbow +9/+4 (1d6) multiple times.
Base Atk +7; Grp +9
Atk Options Spring Attack, arcane wrath, empowering Entry Requirements
strike Skills: 10 ranks in four key discipline skills.
Special Actions mystic phoenix stance Feats: Adaptive Style*, Dodge, Blind-Fight, Improved
Combat Gear 2 potions of cure moderate wounds Initiative, Improved Unarmed Strike.
Maneuvers and Stances Known (IL 8th): Martial Maneuvers: Must know at least one maneuver from
Stances—stance of clarity (1st) six different disciplines.
Strikes—burning charge† (4th), charging minotaur (1st), *New feat described on page 28.
fan the flames† (3rd), stone bones† (1st)
Boosts—sudden leap† (1st) CLASS FEATURES
Disciplines: Desert Wind, Diamond Mind, Stone Dragon, The master of nine expands his knowledge of martial maneu-
Tiger Claw vers to include all nine martial disciplines. As he advances,
† Readied maneuver
he learns ways of combining maneuvers from different
Wizard Spells Prepared (CL 8th):
4th—Evard’s black tentacles (grapple +16), greater disciplines to great effect. Finally, his mastery of all nine
invisibility disciplines grants him a greater understanding of the path
3rd—dispel magic, fireball (DC 16), haste, protection of the martial adept.
from energy Maneuvers: At each odd-numbered level, you gain two
2nd—blur, false life, mirror image, scorching ray (ranged new maneuvers known from any of the nine disciplines.
touch +9) At each even-numbered level, you gain one new maneuver
1st—enlarge person, magic missile (3), shield
Prestige Classes
known from any of the nine disciplines. You must meet a
0—acid splash (ranged touch +9), ghost sound, ray of maneuver’s prerequisite to learn it. You add your full master
frost (ranged touch +9), touch of fatigue (touch +9) of nine levels to your initiator level to determine your total
Abilities Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 8 initiator level and your highest-level maneuvers known.
SQ Rite of Waking, weapon aptitude At each level, you gain an additional maneuver readied
Feats Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Vital Recovery, per day.
Weapon Focus (greatsword)
Stances Known: At 2nd level and again at 4th level, you
Skills Balance +13, Concentration +15, Decipher Script +7,
Jump +13, Knowledge (arcana) +8, Knowledge (history) learn a new martial stance from any discipline. You must
+5, Knowledge (religion) +5, Listen +2, Martial Lore +11, meet a stance’s prerequisite to learn it.
Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +11, Spot +2, Swim +4, Dual Stance (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, you can choose
Tumble +8. to not lose your current stance when you enter a different
Possessions combat gear plus +1 greatsword, shortbow stance from another discipline. The amount of time you can
with 20 arrows, gauntlets of ogre power, bracers of spend in two stances is limited. You can use this ability to
armor +3 gain the benefits of two stances for a maximum of 2 rounds
Spellbook spells prepared plus 0—all; 1st—color spray; per class level each day, split up as you desire among multiple
4th—dimension door, ice storm uses and multiple stance pairs.
Perfect Form (Ex): Beginning at 3rd level, you initiate
MASTER OF NINE your maneuvers with greater fluidity and grace. The save DC
“Tiger Claw. Shadow Hand. White Raven. All of these are not paths (if any) of any maneuver you initiate increases by 1.
in and of themselves. They are simply steps along the True Path, the Counter Stance (Ex): From 4th level on, whenever you
Path of which I am master.” initiate a counter maneuver, you can change your stance as
—Ninefold Sage of Crimson part of the counter’s action, even if it is not your turn.
Mastery of Nine (Ex): At 5th level, you have attained
Some savants of the Nine Disciplines believe that none of mastery of all nine disciplines. You gain a +2 bonus on
the paths are complete, true disciplines in and of themselves. attack rolls made when initiating any strike maneuver, and
They believe that the nine disciplines are perhaps more your strikes deal extra damage equal to the number of disci-
appropriately termed the Nine Steps, each a single portion plines you readied maneuvers from at the beginning of the
of a true, whole Way. These few masters strive to learn the day. For example, if you ready maneuvers from six different
secrets of each path, and in so doing become the masters of disciplines, you gain a +6 bonus on damage rolls when you
nine, using a martial style that combines all of the techniques initiate your strikes.
of the Temple of Nine Swords. Such martial sages are fluid and
unpredictable martial artists, capable of switching between PLAYING A MASTER OF NINE
styles and techniques to suit each situation. To you, each of the individual styles is incomplete. Each
discipline is like a single petal of a flower—beautiful, elegant
BECOMING A MASTER OF NINE and fi nely formed, perhaps, but each grants only a partial
A master of nine typically begins his career as a warblade understanding of the whole. Masters of nine often speak of
or swordsage, as those paths provide the broadest access to the Nine-Petal Blossom, the symbolic representation of this
martial disciplines. Occasionally, a crusader might become concept. You are driven, intent on learning the secrets of the
119
Table 5–6: The Master of Nine Hit Die: d8
Base
Attack Fort Ref Will Maneuvers Maneuvers Stances
Level Bonus Save Save Save Known Readied Known Special
1st +0 +0 +0 +2 2 1 0 —
2nd +1 +0 +0 +3 1 1 1 Dual stance
3rd +2 +1 +1 +3 2 1 0 Perfect form
4th +3 +1 +1 +4 1 1 1 Counter stance
5th +3 +1 +1 +4 2 1 0 Mastery of nine
Class Skills (6 + Int modifier per level): Balance, Climb, Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Hide, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge
(history), Knowledge (local), Martial Lore*, Sense Motive, Swim, Tumble.
*New skill described on page 28.
Ninefold Way. You tend to show some small amount of pity as possible. Your feat choices should reflect your amazing
for those who don’t see the whole picture and focus only on mastery of the Nine Ways. Many of the feats in this book
their one style, but you aren’t arrogant; you once stood in might help you, and feats such as Martial Study allow you to
their place. You simply can’t wait for their vision to broaden. further expand your maneuver selection.
Perhaps you can help them.
As a group, masters of nine have no overarching objectives RESOURCES
or plans. They are simply a group of martial adepts who have Though the masters of the nine sometimes gather to train
come to understand that as powerful as a single discipline is, together and share their insights, they value self-sufficiency.
when unified, they become something full of power, grace, As such, it is rare that they help one another in anything
Prestige Classes
and beauty. Your standing among other masters is determined but the most dire of circumstances. As puissant adepts of
by two things: your own progress in mastering the Ninefold martial discipline beyond the skill of most folk, they are
Way, and how many others you have instructed in the ways of happy to aid those who don’t share their level of enlighten-
the Nine-Petal Blossom, teaching them its secrets and setting ment however they can, but masters of nine believe that
them on the path. Those who not only have the wisdom to their peers should be capable of handling most situations
see the Blossom but also to show it to others are well regarded without aid. Only a threat to the masters as a whole, such
among the masters. as someone systematically hunting down or otherwise
persecuting the masters of nine, is likely to cause them to
COMBAT band together.
In battle, you are unpredictable and graceful. You prefer to
single out those among your foes who obviously have some MASTERS OF NINE IN THE WORLD
knowledge of the techniques of the Sublime Way, so that you “The techniques of the masters of nine are elegant and powerful—and
can best them. You want to dazzle your foe with a display greatly to be feared. Beware their wrath, lest you find yourself
of martial mastery, for who knows? Perhaps the enemy you battling your own strengths.”
battle today shall come to you for the wisdom of the Ninefold —Master Kosukan, archivist-monk
Way tomorrow. You also prefer the pure and personal nature of the Thousand-Petal Orchid Temple
of hand-to-hand combat.
Masters of nine are, in many ways, archetypal martial art-
ADVANCEMENT ists. They really seek only one goal: the perfection of their
Your vision was always wide as a martial adept. Perhaps you style. The best means of doing this is through adventuring.
saw connections between martial styles that seemed to share Masters of nine are fond of dueling other martial artists and
little in common with one another. You might have even had demonstrating their superiority (or, in some cases, discover-
multiple masters, trying desperately to learn what each of ing where their own abilities are lacking).
them had to teach without neglecting your advancement with
any one of them (you might have even succeeded, drawing ORGANIZATION
the attention of a master of nine). Regardless of the precise The masters of nine, though a network made up of masters
details of the past, the masters saw you as someone with the and former apprentices, are a loose society of peers. None
potential to behold the Nine-Petal Blossom, and one of them of them maintain any kind of authority over the others,
took you under his wing. except the informal authority given to those who have
Now, you are one of them. The insights that came with walked the Ninefold Path for some time and discovered many
your training were unlike any you had experienced before, of its secrets. Masters of nine do not train one another—once
though you suspected all along that something like this path a master succeeds at setting the feet of a martial adept
must exist somewhere in the world. Now, you are respon- onto the path, the student must walk it for himself. Each
sible for only two things: your own advancing mastery of master understands the Ninefold Path a little differently
the Ninefold Way, and helping to open the eyes of others and practices it in his own way. Masters enjoy the oppor-
to its potential. tunity to spar with one another. Such battles are quite a
From this point, you must maintain your edge. Keep sight to behold, full of breathtaking feats of martial mastery
advancing in the key skills of the nine disciplines as much and athleticism.
120
NPC REACTIONS MASTERS OF NINE IN THE GAME
Most people who encounter a master of nine don’t really A master of nine is often the proverbial Old Man of the Moun-
know enough about such folk to treat them any differently tain, an ascetic who seeks to test his body and technique to
than they would any other dedicated martial adept. Other master both. If your setting includes martial adepts already,
martial adepts, however, and those who are knowledge- it is simple enough to extrapolate the existence of masters
able in the lore of their kind, believe that the masters of of nine. If your setting does not, however, a visiting master
nine are simply dilettantes without the discipline to truly of nine is an excellent way of introducing the class into the
master a single style. Others feel that the masters are sages campaign without dramatically altering the setting assump-
who have unlocked a mystery of the martial disciplines. tions. Masters are not limited to kindly sages, however, and
All adepts understand that any master of nine they en- can easily fill the role of adversary, displaying such skill
counter is powerful and skilled, in defeating the party that the PCs realize that they,
and certainly not to be trifled too, must discover and follow the Ninefold Path to
with. Generally speaking, mar- defeat this new foe.
tial adepts give masters a friendly Players focused on and interested
reception, unless they are staunch in the martial adept classes and abili-
single-style enthusiasts, in which ties will fi nd enjoyment in this class,
case the reaction might be a bit which makes generalization a spe-
more confrontational. cialty. The master of nine is likely
to have the greatest access to a vari-
MASTER OF ety of fighting styles, allowing a
NINE LORE broad exploration of the various
Prestige Classes
Characters with ranks in Mar- discipline techniques.
tial Lore can research masters
of nine to learn more about ADAPTATION
them. When a character makes a A master of nine can fill the role
skill check, read or paraphrase the of the ultimate weapon master in
following, including the informa- your campaign. An order of elite knights, a
tion from lower DCs. secretive cabal of mystic warriors, or a group of
DC 10: Some powerful martial hidden masters sequestered in a distant mon-
adepts study all nine known disci- astery fit this class. You could also make the
plines. They are sometimes known masters of nine into an elite group of impe-
as masters of nine, masters of the rial servants, tasked with hunting down
Nine-Petal Blossom, or other such the enemies of the realm—whether
fanciful names. good or evil.
DC 15: The master of nine can
quickly adapt his style to exploit any SAMPLE ENCOUNTER
weakness a foe possesses. He knows A master of nine is likely to walk
more maneuvers than any other mar- the world in search of new fighting
tial adept. styles, tactics, and methods to incorporate
DC 20: A master of nine is a worthy into his studies. If the PCs are famous,
opponent, or a valued ally. Few pos- particularly if they are known for any
sess the breadth of abilities available distinctive tactics or fighting talents, a
to a master of nine, and few have the master is likely to seek them out simply
patience or ability to walk the Nine- for the purpose of trying his strength
fold Path. against the most skillful warrior or adept
DC 30: Characters who achieve this Vaunred the Walker, in the party.
level of success can learn important a master of nine EL 10: Vaunred the Walker has long
Illus. by K. Andrasofszky
details about a specific notable master of nine, sought to push his martial talents beyond their
the areas where he operates, and the kinds of activities limits. He looks to apprentice himself to a barbarian, ranger,
he undertakes. or paladin to study his new master’s techniques and abilities.
Setting up a meeting with a master of nine can be He makes an excellent cohort or ally.
difficult, since the masters maintain no chapterhouses
or colleges. Instead, the easiest way to find one involves Vaunred the Walker CR 10
going to any place with a strong focus on the martial Male human swordsage 7/master of nine 3
disciplines, for the masters often seek out new pupils NG Medium humanoid
in such places. At the very least, an experienced martial Init +9; Senses Spot +3, Listen +3
adept is likely to have some idea where a master of nine Languages Common
can be found. AC 22, touch 16, flat-footed 19
(+3 Dex, +3 Wis, +5 armor, +1 deflection)
121
hp 58 (10 HD) and his benefactors within the church sleep comfortably
Fort +4, Ref +9, Will +11 knowing the Ruby Knights always stand ready to do the
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares) church’s bidding.
Melee +2 greatsword +12/+7 melee (2d6+5/19–20) or
Melee improved unarmed strike +9/+4 melee (1d6+2) BECOMING A
Base Atk +7; Grp +9 RUBY KNIGHT VINDICATOR
Atk Options insightful strike (+3 on damage rolls with Due to the entry requirements, most Ruby Knight vindica-
Stone Dragon strikes) tors are multiclass crusader/clerics or paladins who have
Special Actions dual stance (6 rounds)
entered this class after learning a Devoted Spirit maneuver,
Combat Gear potion of cure moderate wounds, potion of
invisibility, potion of haste either by selecting the appropriate feats or by taking a level
Maneuvers and Stances Known (IL 10th): in the crusader class.
Stances—child of shadow (1st), giant killing style (3rd),
stance of clarity (1st) Entry Requirements
Strikes—bonecrusher† (DC 17) (3rd), charging Skills: Hide 4 ranks, Intimidate 4 ranks, Knowledge
minotaur (1st), dancing mongoose† (5th), death (religion) 8 ranks.
from above† (4th), fire snake† (DC 18) (4th), Martial Maneuvers: Must know at least one Devoted Spirit
mountain hammer (2nd), sapphire nightmare blade maneuver.
(1st), stone bones (1st), strength draining strike† Martial Stancess: Must know at least one Devoted Spirit
(DC 17) (3rd) stance.
Deity: Wee Jas.
Boosts—burning blade (1st), sudden leap (1st), wind
Special: Ability to turn or rebuke undead.
stride† (1st)
Counters—counter charge (1st), fire riposte† (2nd),
Prestige Classes
122
Table 5–7: The Ruby Knight Vindicator Hit Die: d8
Base
Attack Fort Ref Will Man. Man. Stances
Level Bonus Save Save Save Known Readied Known Special Spellcasting
1st +1 +0 +0 +2 0 0 1 — —
2nd +2 +0 +0 +3 1 0 0 Divine recovery +1 level divine spellcasting class
3rd +3 +1 +1 +3 0 0 0 — +1 level divine spellcasting class
4th +4 +1 +1 +4 1 0 0 — +1 level divine spellcasting class
5th +5 +1 +1 +4 0 1 0 Armored stealth +1 level divine spellcasting class
6th +6 +2 +2 +5 1 0 1 — —
7th +7 +2 +2 +5 0 0 0 Divine impetus +1 level divine spellcasting class
8th +8 +2 +2 +6 1 0 0 — +1 level divine spellcasting class
9th +9 +3 +3 +6 0 1 0 Divine fury +1 level divine spellcasting class
10th +10 +3 +3 +7 1 0 0 — +1 level divine spellcasting class
Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level): Balance, Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Heal, Hide, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge
(history), Knowledge (local), Knowledge (religion), Martial Lore*, Profession, Ride, Sense Motive, Spellcraft.
*New skill described on page 28.
level, you no longer take an armor check penalty on Hide secret location for a “situation briefing.” The mission in
checks. Your armor check penalty still applies to any other question usually requires a combination of subterfuge and
skills affected by armor check penalties. martial prowess—two areas in which you excel. Sample
Divine Impetus (Su): At 7th level, you learn how to use missions include capturing a thief who has stolen relics from
the divine power of the Stern Lady to quicken your reactions the church, spying on the activities of a troublesome cult, or
Prestige Classes
and act without hesitation. You can expend a turn or rebuke assassinating a hard-to-reach adversary who has persistently
undead attempt to gain one additional swift action this round. antagonized the church or its members. If you have friends
For example, you could use this ability to both change your or associates with skills that might help you complete your
stance and initiate a boost maneuver in the same turn, or if quest, you can use them as the situation warrants—leaders
you initiated a counter before your turn, you can activate this of the Jasite faith trust you to use your best discretion regard-
ability and then initiate a boost on your turn. ing methods and tactics. Once you complete your mission,
Divine Fury (Su): From 9th level on, you can directly you are free to return to your regular life until you’re called
channel Wee Jas’s divine energy into your martial strikes. As upon again.
a free action, you can spend a turn or rebuke undead attempt When you commit to a mission, nothing stands between
to add a +4 sacred (or profane, if you are evil) bonus on your you and its completion. You are highly focused and disci-
attack roll with one martial strike this turn. In addition plined, and no distraction except an assault on your church
to its normal effects, the strike deals an extra 1d10 points will deter you.
of damage. Church officials sometimes disavow a knight-vindicator
Multiclass Note: A paladin who becomes a Ruby Knight captured in the line of duty, since to admit complicity could
vindicator can continue advancing as a paladin. cast a dim shadow over the church or attract undue attention
to its activities. Death is another matter entirely. Unless you
PLAYING A have proven yourself inept by failing mission after mission,
RUBY KNIGHT VINDICATOR church officials will strive to resurrect you, their sworn
You are a dark knight who swoops in to help his church in knight, in the belief that you will continue to serve them
its time of need. You have served within the hierarchy of faithfully. More than a few Ruby Knights are brought back
Wee Jas’s faith, and you have won the right and privilege to continue their service in undeath as well.
of determining for yourself how best to advance the Ruby
Sorceress’s cause. You are, for the most part, an adventurer COMBAT
who is periodically asked to complete a specific mission that Unlike an assassin, a Ruby Knight doesn’t go out of his way
requires your brand of ruthlessness and stealth. You are the to hide from his enemies unless the mission at hand requires
living symbol of the Ruby Sorceress’s wrath, and this role stealth or subterfuge. In general, you want your enemies
within the church gives you a somewhat sinister mystique. to see you coming. You want them to tremble with fear as
You have enough clout and prestige to decline a mission for you close in for the kill. That said, you don’t want to plunge
any reason, but your zealous devotion almost always compels headlong into combat without first observing your foes and
you to complete a task in whatever manner you deem most analyzing the tactical situation. Wise knights-vindicator
effective. You are a weapon of the church, to be wielded only strike when doing so is most advantageous to them, not
in dire circumstances. Your conviction enables you to do the when their enemies clearly have a tactical edge. Your sword is
terrible deeds that other members of the church abhor or lack mightier than any pen, and you aren’t brought in to negotiate
the skills to accomplish. with your quarry.
Once the church determines that it needs your help, a You rely on your Shadow Hand stances and maneuvers to
high-ranking cleric uses a sending spell or similar device to approach your foes unseen, launch devastating attacks from
secretly contact you and invite you to the temple or some hiding, and confuse and befuddle those who stand between
123
you and your target. As a student of the Devoted Spirit and no cost. Unless the item is disposable, such as a potion,
Stone Dragon disciplines, you favor melee combat over ranged the church will expect you to return it once the mission
combat. You rely on your mastery of various maneuvers to is completed.
beat your hated foes into submission or into an early grave.
A stance that will serve you well against enemies of the faith RUBY KNIGHT VINDICATORS
includes martial spirit (to keep you alive). At higher levels, IN THE WORLD
Illus. by S. Ellis
consider the daunting strike maneuver or the aura of perfect “Shadow and steel! Cross the church, and you’ll have to deal
order stance. with them!”
—Jvesskah, a yuan-ti crimelord in Sasserine
ADVANCEMENT
Prove your loyalty to the church, master the dis- Good-aligned Jasite shrines use Ruby Knights to deal
cipline of the Devoted Spirit, and demonstrate a with evildoers, and evil-aligned temples use
predilection for violence, and you can become a Ruby them to spread fear and eliminate anyone
Knight vindicator. Even lawful good clerics of Wee Jas who challenges their dominance. Con-
can benefit from the services of sequently, it’s a simple matter to drop
a Ruby Knight vindicator, so Ruby Knights into your existing
the profession imposes no campaign. Just because they
alignment restrictions. If haven’t shown up before
the church to which you be- doesn’t mean they don’t
long recognizes your skills exist. When not execut-
as a vindicator, you are con- ing missions for the Witch
Prestige Classes
124
he serves or the skills he provides, and fewer still can SAMPLE ENCOUNTER
truly appreciate the terror he sows. High-ranking clerics Characters who undertake a quest of importance to Wee Jas’s
regard a Ruby Knight vindicator as a necessary evil, but faith or find themselves sharing a common enemy with the
they have good reason to fear him for the havoc he wreaks Jasite clerics might work alongside a Ruby Knight vindicator,
abroad. A vindicator sees things with sublime clarity and particularly if their objectives mesh. For example, characters
believes in his cause so fervently that clergy members infiltrating the lair of an evil cult might encounter a Ruby
who do not share his unswerving conviction are left to Knight vindicator assigned by his church to eliminate the
wonder whether the church needs and can control such cult’s nefarious leader.
terrible weapons. Similarly, it’s easy to imagine the PCs running afoul of an
evil-aligned temple of Wee Jas, and facing the wrath of a Ruby
RUBY KNIGHT VINDICATOR LORE Knight vindicator (or group of vindicators) who appears on
Characters with ranks in Knowledge (religion) can research the scene to dispatch them.
the Ruby Knights to learn more about them. When a char- EL 8: Ereth Nazbek keeps watch over a necropolis buried
acter makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, near a small town. Long ago, vampires killed his parents, and
including the information from lower DCs. the horror of the ordeal transformed him from a wide-eyed
DC 10: The Ruby Knights are the knights-templar of farmer’s son to a dour champion of law. For now he tends to
Wee Jas’s faith. They are temple guards, advisors, and body- a small farm and enjoys the simple pleasures of life, but he
guards to senior clerics, as well as soldiers who serve the maintains a vigilant watch over the hidden vaults and makes
Witch Goddess. sure that ill-intentioned strangers don’t unleash a plague of
DC 15: There are different ranks and titles within the Ruby undead over the area. Ereth has a wife, Izabel, and two well-
Knight hierarchy, including knights-vindicator. They take behaved young sons, Kalven and Errol. Farm life keeps him
Prestige Classes
on missions that the church doesn’t want the community to fit, but Ereth does not look or act like your typical rustic
know about. Most vindicators are overzealous thugs, punish- farmer. He stands well over 6 feet tall, has intimidating good
ing those who oppose their church or cause. looks and muscular development, and speaks with careful
DC 20: Ruby Knight vindicators primarily practice the precision. Only his wife knows of the service he provides
martial disciplines of Devoted Spirit and Shadow Hand. the church.
These disciplines help the knight harness his spiritual Given time to prepare for battle, Ereth drinks a potion of
strength and zealous devotion, as well as give him the ability bear’s endurance and casts shield of faith on himself before enter-
to strike with stealth and subtlety. ing combat. Once he corners his quarry, he enters a martial
DC 30: Ruby Knight vindicators generally work alone, spirit stance and attacks his foe using whatever strikes are
although they cultivate a network of associates outside the granted to him at the time (favoring higher-level maneuvers
church. Once in a while, a chapter of knights backed by a first over lower-level ones). While he is in the martial spirit
powerful or wealthy temple rears its ugly head, and woe be stance, he expends turn undead attempts to use his divine
to anyone who incurs that temple’s wrath. recovery abilities.
125
(4th), foehammer† (2nd), stone bones (1st), CLASS FEATURES
vanguard strike† (1st) A Shadow Sun ninja is a stealthy, unarmed warrior who draws
Disciplines: Devoted Spirit, Stone Dragon, White Raven on the power of light and dark. Many of her abilities come
† Readied maneuver in two forms. She must use the first form of a power before
Cleric Spells Prepared (CL 3rd): she can use the second. A Shadow Sun ninja cloaks herself
2nd—align weapon, hold person (Will DC 14), shield otherD
in darkness to hide from her enemies, then leaps from the
1st—bane (Will DC 13), divine favor, sanctuary D, shield
of faith shadows with a burst of light to blind her foes.
0—detect magic, guidance, light, read magic Maneuvers: At 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 9th level, you gain one
D: Domain spell. Deity: St. Cuthbert. Domains: new maneuver known from the Setting Sun or Shadow
Destruction, Protection. Hand disciplines. You must meet a maneuver’s prerequisite
Abilities Str 18, Dex 8, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 14 to learn it. You add your full Shadow Sun ninja levels to your
Feats Blade Meditation (Devoted Spirit), Blind-Fight, initiator level to determine your total initiator level and your
Devoted Bulwark, Improved Initiative highest-level maneuvers known.
Skills Concentration +11, Diplomacy +7, Heal +4, Hide –2, At 5th level and 10th level, you gain an additional maneuver
Intimidate +15, Jump +3, Knowledge (religion) +9, readied per day.
Martial Lore +9, Ride +4, Sense Motive +4 Stances Known: At 5th level, you learn a new martial
Possessions combat gear plus +1 banded mail, +1 falchion, stance from the Setting Sun or Shadow Hand disciplines.
gauntlets of ogre power, masterwork composite longbow You must meet a stance’s prerequisite to learn it.
(+4 Str), quiver with 20 arrows, two platinum rings (50
Monk Abilities: Your add your class level to your monk
gp each; foci for shield other spell), pouch containing
24 gp
level to determine your class-based AC bonus, unarmed
damage, unarmored speed bonus, penalty on your attacks
Prestige Classes
SHADOW SUN NINJA when using your flurry of blows ability, and the number of
daily attempts of your Stunning Fist feat.
“Even the brightest light must cast a shadow.”
If you have no monk levels, you gain the AC bonus of a
—Doomveil, initiate of the Shadow Sun clan
monk whose level equals your Shadow Sun ninja level. In
addition, you gain additional uses of the Stunning Fist feat as
A Shadow Sun ninja is a martial artist who studies the balance
a monk. (Your non-monk, non-Shadow Sun ninja class levels
between good and evil, light and dark. Founded by a reformed
provide one use per four levels and your monk, and Shadow
half-fiend, this fighting school teaches its students to find
Sun ninja class levels provide one use per level.)
power in balance. A Shadow Sun ninja uses dark energies to
You do not count your class levels for the purpose of deter-
drain his foe’s life, but then turns and uses the power of light
mining when you gain any other monk class features, such
to lend that stolen strength to an ally. A Shadow Sun ninja is
as bonus feats, evasion, or other special abilities.
a study in contrasts. She knows that evil lurks in the hearts
Touch of the Shadow Sun (Su): A Shadow Sun ninja
of all living creatures. Even the purest of the pure suffer
strikes a careful balance between light and dark, good and
temptation. By exploring her inner demons, bringing them
evil. Although your heart is dedicated to good, you know that
into the light, and accepting them as part of her soul, she
the shadow of evil will always be a part of you. This realiza-
achieves a deeper understanding of herself and the strength
tion, along with careful control of your ki energy, allows you
within her. A Shadow Sun ninja would argue that denying,
to wield the energy of both the dark and light aspects of your
rather than accepting, one’s base impulses would be the same
being. This understanding and mastery allows you to deal
as refusing to use one’s left arm.
damage with one attack, then turn and heal an ally with the
reverse of that harmful energy.
BECOMING A SHADOW SUN NINJA With a melee touch attack made as a standard action, you
Most Shadow Sun ninjas are monks or ninjas (see Complete
can deal negative energy damage equal to your base unarmed
Adventurer) who have studied the Setting Sun and Shadow
damage + your Wis modifier. Note that undead are healed by
Hand martial disciplines. In some cases, a swordsage
this attack, since it uses negative energy.
enters this class. A rogue or fighter who studied those two
In the round after you use this ability, you can touch a
disciplines is also eligible for this class, but such charac-
creature as a standard action and heal an amount of damage
ters usually lack the unarmed fighting abilities that this
equal to the damage you dealt with your negative energy
class demands.
touch on the previous round. If the target of this healing
touch makes no effort to prevent you from touching him,
Entry Requirements
Alignment: Any good. you can touch the creature as a swift action.
Base Attack Bonus: +3. You cannot use both aspects of this ability on the same
Skills: Hide 8 ranks. round, nor can you use the negative energy touch again in a
Feats: Improved Unarmed Strike. round after you have already successfully used it. After you
Martial Maneuvers: Must know one 2nd-level Setting Sun channel negative energy into a creature, you convert that
or Shadow Hand maneuver, one Setting Sun maneuver of energy into a positive energy charge that prevents you from
any level, and one Shadow Hand maneuver of any level.
using the negative energy aspect of this ability until the
positive energy has been discharged.
126
Table 5–8: The Shadow Sun Ninja Hit Die: d8
Base
Attack Fort Ref Will Maneuvers Maneuvers Stances
Level Bonus Save Save Save Known Readied Known Special
1st +0 +2 +2 +2 1 0 0 Monk abilities, touch of the Shadow Sun
2nd +1 +3 +3 +3 0 0 0 Flame of the Shadow Sun
3rd +2 +3 +3 +3 1 0 0 —
4th +3 +4 +4 +4 0 0 0 Light within darkness
5th +3 +4 +4 +4 0 1 1 Darkness within light
6th +4 +5 +5 +5 1 0 0 —
7th +5 +5 +5 +5 0 0 0 Void of the Shadow Sun
8th +6 +6 +6 +6 0 0 0 Child of shadow and light
9th +6 +6 +6 +6 1 0 0 —
10th +7 +7 +7 +7 0 1 0 Balance of light and dark
Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level): Balance, Climb, Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump,
Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (the planes), Knowledge (religion), Listen, Martial Lore*, Move Silently, Perform, Profession,
Sense Motive, Spot, Swim, and Tumble.
*New skill described on page 28.
Flame of the Shadow Sun (Su): Beginning at 2nd level, You suffer the penalties for being blinded and deafened
you can create a protective cloak of negative energy by until the start of your next turn. The blindness cannot be
using your ki. This cloak absorbs cold damage. You can negated through any means, magical or mundane, until that
then gather this energy, transform it, and unleash it as a time. You gain the benefit of this ability if you willingly turn
Prestige Classes
searing attack. off your sense of sight or if some effect, such as a blindness
As an immediate action, you can shroud yourself in shim- spell, robs you of your sight.
mering, dark energy that provides resistance to cold 10 until Void of the Shadow Sun (Su): You eventually learn to
the start of your next turn. If this resistance reduces the draw upon the power of light to shield you from attacks.
damage you take from any attack or effect, you can take a Even if an opponent manages to breach this shield, it is not
swift action on your next turn to hurl a bolt of fiery energy destroyed. Rather than fade away, the shield shifts into an
with a range of 60 feet. This bolt requires a ranged touch aura of icy cold, black energy that can harm your enemies.
attack to hit and deals 2d6 points of fire damage. Starting at 7th level, as a swift action you can wreath your-
Light within Darkness (Su): From 4th level on, the dark- self in a halo of bright, flaming light. You gain a +2 deflection
ness cannot muffle your inner light. Rather, the shadows bonus to AC. This ability lasts until the start of your next
cause it to seethe and roil as the light within you struggles turn. If an opponent successfully hits you despite your
to break free. improved AC, you lose the deflection bonus to AC and you
If you make a melee attack against an opponent on the cannot use this ability again on your next turn. However, you
round after you make a successful Hide check, you burst can project a pulse of frigid, black energy in a 30-foot-radius
into a searing corona of light. All opponents within 60 burst around you as a standard action in the round after your
feet of you that failed to detect you while you were hiding shield is pierced. Enemies in this area take 8d6 points of cold
must make Fortitude saves (DC 10 + 1/2 your character damage, with a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 your character
level + your Wis modifier) or be blinded for 1 round. level + your Wis modifier) for half damage.
Creatures who are aware of the ninja, such as those who Child of Shadow and Light (Su): As you learn to harness
made successful Spot checks to notice her, are unaffected the power of your ki, you become capable of spilling forth
by this attack. light and dark energy. Beginning at 8th level, you can focus
Darkness within Light (Su): You know that while light your power, engulfing the area around you in alternating
cannot exist without darkness, the opposite is also true. By patterns of light and dark.
focusing your ki and closing your eyes, you view the world in While you are in a Setting Sun or Shadow Hand stance,
a vague, shadowy form. Those also trapped within darkness you can forgo its normal benefit as a swift action to gain the
appear clear and distinct before you. effect of child of shadow and light. This ability lasts as long
Starting at 5th level, you can close your eyes and willfully as you would maintain the Setting Sun or Shadow Hand
ignore any other senses that confer the ability to pinpoint stance, or as described below. You can also stop using child
the location of a creature (such as blindsense, blindsight, of shadow and light and resume gaining the normal benefit
and scent). You become effectively blinded, but you gain a of the stance as a swift action.
special benefit on attacks made against targets that are also If you use this ability to exert light energy, the area around
blinded or effectively blinded. Against such foes, you ignore you fills with blinding light. All enemies within a 60-foot-
the drawbacks for fighting while blinded. Instead, you gain radius burst become dazzled (DMG 300) for 1 round. This is
a +4 bonus on melee attack rolls and a +4 bonus on melee a 9th-level spell for purposes of determining how it interacts
damage rolls against such enemies. In addition, if you have with magical darkness.
the Stunning Fist feat, blinded opponents take a –2 penalty If you exert dark energy, the area around you is cast into
on their saves to resist your stunning attacks. total darkness for 1 round in a 60-foot-radius burst. This
127
ability is considered a 9th-level spell for the purpose of champion of evil and an NPC. You retain access to all your
determining how it interacts with magical light. abilities in this prestige class and lack a normal vampire’s
As long as you maintain this stance, you alternate between vulnerability to sunlight. Your vampiric body forms in the
projecting light and darkness. If this ability is active at the spot where your mortal form perished.
beginning of your turn, its effects reverse. If it projects light, Legend holds that the souls of Shadow Sun ninjas who are
it now projects darkness, and vice versa. corrupted in this manner are imprisoned within the Iron
You cannot activate this ability in the same round in which City of Dis, Dispater’s capital within the depths of Hell. A
you end its effect. successful quest to free the soul from its prison cell destroys
Balance of Light and Dark (Su): As a Shadow Sun ninja, the vampire and restores the Shadow Sun ninja to life. Legend
you strive to control your dark side, even as you use it to power holds that several mighty Shadow Sun heroes languish within
your martial arts. Sometimes, particularly when you face a Dispater’s prison, waiting to be freed.
truly daunting foe, you can allow your inner shadow to run
rampant. In such cases, you undergo a terrible transforma- PLAYING A SHADOW SUN NINJA
tion. When you adopt this wrathful battle aspect, your foes As a Shadow Sun ninja, you walk the line between good
are doomed. Yet, each time you use this ability, you teeter and evil. You have seen the darkness that lurks within your
closer to damnation. own heart. As a heroic soul, you know that if darkness rests
At 10th level, once per day as a swift action, you can in you, it must dwell in every mortal’s heart. You are
transform into a creature of pure darkness for 1 min- naturally suspicious of others and prone
ute. Your body and all items you carry when you to seek out hidden threats. Even
transform become a deep, inky black. You gain while sitting in the midst of your
immunity to critical hits, mind-affecting companions in the warmest and
Prestige Classes
caster loses one spell or spell slot forces you to look at the worst parts of
from her highest available level. Doomveil the Shadow Sun ninja your soul without fl inching. Although
Negative levels stack. the ninjas of this order are strong enough
At the end of your transformation, you take 1 point of to endure such trials, few of them wish to be reminded
Constitution damage per negative level you bestowed. If of them. Shadow Sun dojos are usually austere, isolated
this damage drops your Constitution to 0 or lower, your places with the ambience of a graveyard or a tomb. Only
body dissipates into an inky cloud. Unless you are restored the Shadowspeaker, the dojo’s head trainer and master,
to life by true resurrection, you rise in 1d4 days as a vampire. dwells there on a permanent basis. A Shadow Sun ninja
Your alignment becomes evil, though your alignment on the seeks a Shadowspeaker’s advice only under the most press-
law–chaos axis remains the same. You are now a dedicated ing circumstances.
128
COMBAT SHADOW SUN NINJAS
In battle, you alternate between stealth and a vicious, frontal IN THE WORLD
assault. Your training focuses on the duality of your soul, “The pedestal lies empty because she never told us her name, nor
and this comes through in your tactics. Many of your abili- would she sit to allow us to capture her form in stone. Even if she
ties shift between light and dark effects. Thus, you might doesn’t want to be remembered, we will sing of her deeds. It isn’t
lurk in the shadows to take advantage of darkness abilities, every year that a hero slays a dragon.”
then leap into the fray to bathe your opponents in aveng- —Ardas Runemorn, Thane of the Eight Peak Spire
ing light. As the shadow returns, you slip away to start the
process again. Shadow Sun ninjas rarely gather in large numbers, walk
The Spring Attack feat is an excellent choice for you, as is the land in anonymity, and train in remote, inhospitable
Blind-Fight. Darkness shrouds you, but you have no special outposts. Thus, adding them to your campaign is relatively
ability to see through it. A magic item that grants darkvision easy. They could be active in a region for years, but little lore
provides you with an important edge. The original Shadow about them exists aside from tales of nameless strangers who
Sun ninjas were half-orcs and half-demons. When they devel- appear, defeat evil, and fade back into the night.
oped this fighting style, they gave little thought to creatures A character who might pursue this path is most likely to
who were blind in the dark. discover the Shadow Sun ninjas by accident. For example, a
Shadow Sun ninja might, if she sees a prospective member,
ADVANCEMENT secretly place a map to the nearest dojo within the possible
Those who seek the Shadow Sun path are usually tormented ninja’s possessions. If the petitioner can reach the dojo and
by some deep divide within their personalities. If you join survive the training, she becomes a ninja. Many Shadow Sun
this prestige class, you are likely no different. Half-orcs who warriors don’t even know the identities of the ninjas who set
Prestige Classes
struggle to walk a righteous path despite racially motivated them along this path.
hatred and taunts find the Shadow Sun path appealing,
particularly if those same individuals already follow the ORGANIZATION
monk’s path and make an effort to control the darkness that The Shadow Sun ninjas lack a formal, complex organization.
lies within them. They are wanderers and loners. At times, a Shadowspeaker
Once you join the Shadow Sun order and master its might send word to all the Shadow Sun ninjas he trained.
basic teachings (in game terms, take 1st level in this class), This event comes to pass only when the Shadowspeaker
you are on your own. The path of the Shadow Sun is one rests on death’s door, in which case the ninjas choose a new
meant for the individual. Others cannot help you find the Shadowspeaker from among their ranks, or if a great evil has
balance between your good and evil natures. Only you arisen. Such gatherings to defeat an evil being, called shadow
can achieve this. Some Shadow Sun ninjas never again hunts, happen perhaps once each century. If an evil power is
cross paths with a member of this order once they leave mighty enough to demand such attention, few of the Shadow
their dojo. Sun ninjas are likely to survive the battle against it.
As mentioned above, Spring Attack and Blind-Fight are The Shadow Sun ninjas lack any recorded history, aside
excellent feat choices for members of this prestige class. You from a few rare scrolls that compile information on the
should also consider gaining ranks in Hide, Move Silently, enemies they face. In the aftermath of a shadow hunt, the
Tumble, and Balance. These skills allow you to move about survivors build an elaborate tomb for their fallen comrades,
the battlefield more easily. record the events of their deaths, and store scrolls describing
the evil they faced for the benefit of future generations. To
RESOURCES avoid grave robbers and other despoilers, the Shadow Sun
Shadow Sun ninjas rely only upon themselves. Some of ninjas usually build these tombs far from civilization. If the
them long for the companionship of good, reliable friends. need is great enough, the ninjas share the location of these
Thus, they frequently join with heroic adventuring bands tombs with those who would benefit from the information
to fight injustice. However, Shadow Sun ninjas rarely develop hidden in them.
deep friendships.
Many Shadow Sun ninjas adopt new names to reflect NPC REACTIONS
the path they walk. A ninja uses this name when dealing Shadow Sun ninjas rarely provoke an extreme reaction,
with others but sometimes, when she forms a particularly since few know of their true nature, their powers, and their
close bond with an ally, she might share her birth name. goals. Members of this order are happiest when they can
This act shows deep trust and faith. To a Shadow Sun perform their deeds with few complications and little or no
ninja, her old name represents the turmoil that raged attention. Most common folk regard the ninjas as slightly
within her before she learned to control her dark side. In intimidating. Their quiet, reserved manner, combined with
essence, a ninja is giving her companion the name of the their great fighting talent, makes them vaguely menacing.
dark twin that resides within her soul. When a Shadow Some towns and cities drive off Shadow Sun ninjas for fear
Sun ninja overextends her powers and falls into darkness, that they consort with evil powers. The ninjas typically avoid
the vampire that arises in her place typically uses her such locations, but should evil arise in one of them, they
birth name. might simply work in secret.
129
SHADOW SUN LORE was a member of an evil monastic order dedicated to Hextor.
Characters with ranks in Knowledge (arcana) can research Born and raised in the monastery, she never knew anything
Shadow Sun ninjas to learn more about them. When a char- beyond combat training, devotional prayers to Hextor, and the
acter makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, occasional raid to quash a peasant uprising in the conquered
including the information from lower DCs. land around monastery. During one such raid, she met a
DC 10: Shadow Sun ninjas are loners who fight evil on cleric of Pelor who, recognizing the fundamental spark of
their own terms. good within her soul, convinced her to turn aside her evil
DC 15: Supposedly, these ninjas use the powers of darkness ways. Since then, Doomveil has trained as a Shadow Sun
against their enemies. ninja. If the characters fight against Hextor and his minions,
DC 20: Shadow Sun ninjas harness both dark and light in they might find her lurking at the edge of their struggle. She
battle. This represents the competition in their own souls provides assistance by passing along intelligence she gathers,
between their good and evil aspects. They are heroic, but they scouting Hextor’s temples in disguise, and so forth. If the
draw their power by skirting close to the powers of evil. characters are close to victory, she offers her direct assistance
One does not find a Shadow Sun ninja. Rather, a ninja to aid them.
finds you. Sometimes, gangs of toughs pose as members of
this prestige class to strike terror in commoners and other Doomveil CR 8
weak folk. Such antics end quickly if a real Shadow Sun ninja Female half-orc monk 6/Shadow Sun ninja 2
hears of them. AL LG Medium humanoid (orc)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., Listen +3, Spot +3
SHADOW SUN NINJAS Languages Common, Orc
IN THE GAME AC 19, touch 16, flat-footed 17;
Prestige Classes
A Shadow Sun ninja works well as a mysterious, perhaps (+2 Dex, +3 Wis, +1 class, +2 armor, +1 natural)
untrustworthy NPC who allies with the characters against hp 55 (8 HD)
Immune normal disease
a powerful, supernatural threat. A wandering ninja might
Resist evasion, cold 10 (flame of the shadow sun)
know something about a demon’s weaknesses, and the PCs Fort +11, Ref +11, Will +12 (+14 against enchantments)
must work with him to overcome the monster. However, the
Speed 50 ft. (10 squares)
ninja’s tendency toward suspicion makes her relationship
Melee unarmed strike +7 (1d10+2) or
with the party icy at best. The characters must decide whether Melee unarmed strike +6/+6 (1d10+2) with flurry of blows
to trust the ninja or strike out on their own. A villain might or
pose as a Shadow Sun ninja, using the order’s mysterious Melee mwk kama +8 (1d6+2) or
nature to cloak his true nature. Melee touch +7 (1d10+3 negative energy) with touch of the
This prestige class is a good choice for a player who likes a shadow sun
character with a tragic backstory. Many Shadow Sun ninjas Ranged touch +7 (2d6 fire) with flame of the shadow sun or
seek to escape a tragedy or mistake in their past. A PC labor- Ranged mwk light crossbow +8 (1d8/19–20)
ing under a dreadful curse, or one who is secretly a reformed Base Atk +5; Grp +7
villain, is a good match for this class. Atk Options Stunning Fist (DC 17, 6/day), flame of the
shadow sun, ki strike (magic), touch of the shadow sun
Combat Gear potion of cure moderate wounds
ADAPTATION
The word “ninja” strikes many DMs as an anachronism, Maneuvers Known (IL 5th):
or at least a misplaced cultural element, in the D&D game Strikes—mighty throw† (1st), shadow blade technique
(1st)
world. This prestige class could also represent an order of Counters—baffling defense† (2nd)
monster hunters, a band of good-aligned assassins that strikes Other—shadow jaunt† (2nd)
down evildoers, or a martial art taught by a specific, isolated Disciplines: Setting Sun, Shadow Hand
monastery. The key trait in this prestige class is the struggle † Readied maneuver
between light and dark that lies at its center. The rest of the Abilities Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 16, Cha 8
description is merely meant to inspire. If the descriptions SQ slow fall 30 ft.
don’t work for you, think of any races, religious orders, and Feats Deflect ArrowsB, Improved DisarmB, Improved
other aspects of your campaign where the struggle between Unarmed StrikeB, Martial Study (mighty throw), Martial
light and dark would be a good fit. Study (shadow blade technique), Martial Study (shadow
jaunt), Stunning FistB
SAMPLE ENCOUNTER Skills Hide +13, Move Silently +13, Sense Motive +14
The PCs are likely to encounter a Shadow Sun ninja at any time Possessions combat gear plus masterwork kama,
they fight against an evil force that threatens the land. masterwork light crossbow with 20 bolts, bracers of
armor +2, amulet of natural armor +1, brooch of shielding,
EL 8: Doomveil is a half-orc Shadow Sun ninja who seeks
cloak of resistance +1
to right the wrongs she committed in the past. Once, she
130
As tensions rise in the Temple of the
Nine Swords, the Masters of the Shadow Hand
and Tiger Claw plot the murder
of rivals and are summarily deprived
of their swords and exiled
he nine swords—weapons specifically The information on legacy weapons provided here is brief,
crafted to embody each of the martial but it should be sufficient for you to use the weapons featured
disciplines—are more than simple leg- in this book. For more details on incorporating legacy weap-
ends. They are relics that remain hidden ons into your campaign, consult Weapons of Legacy.
somewhere in the world. Many martial adepts Name and Description: Each legacy weapon description
spend a great deal of time seeking out these weapons because begins with the physical features of the item. Assuming the
each grants its wielder tremendous power and artistry in his character doesn’t already know the weapon’s name, it can be
chosen combat style. determined with a DC 15 Knowledge (history) check.
Nonlegacy Game Statistics: Every legacy weapon has
WEAPONS OF LEGACY certain magical properties that are accessible to any charac-
Illus. by W. England
A weapon of legacy has the capacity to grow in power as its ter. Information on those powers can be gleaned through
wielder advances in level. Ideally, a character would carry and the normal methods of identifying magic items. The cost
cherish the same weapon throughout his entire career. given here is for a normal magic item of the legacy weapon’s
Initially, a weapon of legacy might seem like nothing kind, assuming that its true status is still unknown. In fact,
more than a standard magic item. Only when the wielder however, legacy weapons are priceless.
learns something of its past does he begin to understand Omen: Every legacy item has an omen, a minor power that
that his weapon holds untapped potential. Uncovering the makes the item recognizable as something special.
weapon’s history provides him with the keys that unlock History: Every legacy weapon has a history, which might
its power. have been obscured by time. In its story are seeds of oppor-
tunity that a new wielder can exploit. Through research,
131
a character can learn what specific rites, procedures, or cer- Legacy Weapon Abilities: Unless noted otherwise, a
emonies are necessary to bond with a weapon and unlock character must be holding the weapon to activate an ability,
its powers. and activating a legacy ability is a standard action that does
Learning a piece of a weapon’s past requires a Knowl- not provoke attacks of opportunity. Continuously active abili-
edge (history) check, with increasingly difficult DCs for ties are in effect as long as the character carries the weapon
more esoteric or pertinent facts. If anyone succeeds on on his person.
such a check and communicates the relevant informa- The save DC for any legacy ability is equal to 10 + the level
tion to the wielder, he can uncover the ritual associated of the spell or effect + the minimum ability score needed to
with that part of the weapon’s legacy. The skill check DC cast that level of spell, just as normal for magic items. The
and the ritual gleaned from a successful check appear wielder’s Charisma modifier can be substituted for the abil-
parenthetically at the end of each relevant paragraph in ity modifier normally used by the item, if the save DC result
a weapon’s history. would be higher.
Legacy Rituals: Every legacy weapon in this book has
three rituals associated with it: a least, a lesser, and a greater DESERT WIND
ritual. In addition to any tasks required, every legacy ritual
has a gold piece cost for materials expended during its perfor-
(DESERT WIND)
Desert Wind is a slender and graceful scimitar crafted of shin-
mance. Performing these rituals grants access to a weapon’s
ing steel, lustrous ivory, and polished gold. Its hilt is set with
least, lesser, and greater abilities, respectively.
brilliant blue sapphires and fiery red rubies.
A wielder who meets a weapon’s requirements (see below)
Note: The original description of this weapon appeared
and completes the least legacy ritual can use that legacy
in the Weapons of Legacy supplement. Here, it has been
weapon’s least abilities. With each additional ritual com-
The Nine Swords
132
other rare sundries for which wizards were willing to pay With nothing to hold them at bay, the outsiders from
a high price but unwilling to risk their own necks. Given whom Rashid had profited began to close in on him. Desert
the nature of his business, it is unsurprising that Rashid Wind, once meant to be Rashid’s last line of defense, was
made several powerful enemies who would have delighted now his only protection. Mighty though the scimitar was,
in the emir’s death by slow torture. So Rashid hired the and skilled as Rashid was with a blade, he could not stand
finest bodyguards that money could buy and filled his alone against his adversaries. He ran. The life of a pauper
Illus. by B. Trott
home with enough magical wards and traps to protect an did not agree with Rashid, however, and he found he was
entire lost city. On top of these precautions, in case all his incapable of earning coin to pay for his keep. At long last,
defenses failed and his person was directly threatened, he was cornered by agents of the devil prince Glornoth the
Rashid commissioned the forging of Desert Wind by an Maleficent and dragged shrieking into the Nine Hells. Pop-
efreeti weaponsmith called Haqim. With steel mined from ular tales recount
the Elemental Plane of Earth and a forge flame born on his fate—to be
the Elemental Plane of Fire, Haqim created a magnificent daily torn apart
scimitar, for which Rashid paid handsomely. (DC 18; Rite by devils harvest-
of the Flame) ing his flesh, only to
Rashid received his sword, marveling at its razor sharp- be rejuvenated each morn-
ness, perfect balance, and near weightlessness, but still he ing to suffer the same fate
feared the coming of his enemies. He then took the scimi- again. Of Desert Wind’s fate, no
tar to a djinni of his acquaintance, a sorcerer named Malaq, fable speaks. (DC 31; Rite
to whom Rashid had sold many rare and valuable artifacts. of the Pauper)
Rashid asked Malaq to lay spells of protection and sure-
133
LEGACY WEAPON ABILITIES Fan the Flames (Su): Beginning at 15th level, you can
All the following are legacy abilities of Desert Wind. use the fan the flames maneuver (see page 53) at will, as if
Desert Child (Su): At 5th level, you take to the heat of you knew it. If you already know fan the flames, you instead
the desert days and the bitter chill of the desert nights as deal an extra 1 point of fire damage per die on your damage
though born to that environment. Beginning at 5th level, rolls with that maneuver. Caster level 10th.
you constantly benefit from the effect of an endure elements Flames of the Desert (Su): At 19th level and higher, you
Illus. by B. Trott
spell. Caster level 5th. can use the wyrm’s flame maneuver (see page 56) three times
Fiery Slash (Sp): At 6th level and higher, you can cause per day, as if you knew it. If you already know burst of flame,
Desert Wind to spray a fan of flame (like that produced by you instead deal an extra 1 point of fi re damage per die on
the burning hands spell) by slashing the blade in a broad arc. your damage rolls with that maneuver.
This ability is usable three times per day. The save DC is
11, or 11 + your Cha FAITHFUL AVENGER
modifier, which-
ever is higher. Caster
(DEVOTED SPIRIT)
Faithful Avenger is a cold iron falchion with a dull steel blade.
level 5th.
Its hilt is inlaid with ivory and onyx.
Dance of Flame and
Nonlegacy Game Statistics: +1 cold iron falchion; Cost
Wind (Su): At 7th level,
4,330 gp; Weight 4 lb.
you gain a +2 enhance-
Omen: Whenever Faithful Avenger scores a critical hit
ment bonus to Dexterity.
while wielded by a good-aligned creature, it flashes with a
This bonus increases to
yellow-white light. If the bearer is evil, the flash is a sicken-
+4 at 14th level and to +6
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134
LEGACY RITUALS against opponents of diametrically opposed alignments.
The following three rituals are required to unlock all the For example, if you are a lawful good 6th-level warblade
abilities of Faithful Avenger. wielding Faithful Avenger against a chaotic evil enemy, you
Awakening: You must spend 24 hours in contempla- gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls against
tion, weighing the good and evil deeds in which the sword that foe.
has played a part. At the end of this day, you can unlock Your bonuses from this ability are halved against an
either its good or its evil legacy. Once this choice is made, enemy that has only one alignment component diametri-
it cannot be changed until the sword is passed to a new cally opposed to yours, rounding down (minimum +1).
wielder. Cost: 1,500 gp. Feat Granted: Least Legacy (Faith- In the above example, if you were fighting a neutral evil
ful Avenger). enemy, you would gain a +1 bonus on attack rolls and
Nurturing: When you have slain an opponent who has a damage rolls.
Challenge Rating equal to your character level, whose align- Blessing of Faith (Su): Your affiliation with the legacy
ment opposes your own, you can meditate again to unlock of Faithful Avenger makes you hardier. At 9th level, you gain
Faithful Avenger’s lesser legacy and determine what great foe a +2 enhancement bonus to your Constitution score. This
you will eventually defeat. Cost: 13,000 gp. Feat Granted: bonus increases to +4 at 15th level and to +6 at 19th level.
Lesser Legacy (Faithful Avenger). Detect Evil (Sp): At 10th level and higher, you can use
Commanding: To perform the final ritual, you must detect evil, as the spell, at will (CL 10th).
find a shrine that is sacred to an alignment that opposes Lesser Restoration (Sp): At 11th level, you can use lesser
yours and lock yourself within it for 24 hours. During this restoration, as the spell, three times per day (CL 10th).
time, you will be challenged. If you are good-aligned, you Boundless Determination (Ex): When you attain 16th
must face a horned devil; if you are evil, you must defeat level, you gain the ability to assume the immortal fortitude
135
SUPERNAL CLARITY strengths. Throughout the years that he walked the lands
with it, Radigan searched long and hard for the secret that
(DIAMOND MIND) would unlock this last reservoir of power, but he found
Supernal Clarity is a perfectly balanced rapier made of no sign. Then, on a whim, Radigan made his way to the
glistening mithral. Its grip is tightly wrapped with dark Astral Plane, hoping that some descendant of the blade’s
blue leather. creator might still survive. To his great surprise, Veselka
Nonlegacy Game Statistics: +1 rapier; Cost 2,820 gp; was still working her eternal forge, laboring endlessly
Weight 1 lb. to repeat her greatest achievement. Awed to stand in the
Omen: Each time Supernal Clarity is drawn, time seems to presence of such a revered swordsmith, Radigan unhesi-
slow for a split second. This momentary trick of perception tatingly offered to return Supernal Clarity to her. “I have
doesn’t provide any benefit or hindrance to the wielder. proven myself incapable of learning its final secrets,” he
said, “so must I be unworthy to wield this great blade.”
HISTORY Veselka smiled at the naïve adept’s words, and though it
The blade known as Supernal Clarity was brought to the tore at her heart to do so, she declined the great gift that
Temple of the Nine Swords by Reshar, the first true master Radigan offered. She knew that her time with the blade
of the Sublime Way. Though some martial adepts curse the had ended a lifetime ago, and that she had wasted every day
sword’s name, claiming that lust for this blade initiated the since in a futile pursuit. Instead, she asked to accompany
downfall of the temple, all know in their hearts that a weapon Radigan to the ruins of the Temple of the Nine Swords
is merely the extension of its wielder and can never be blamed to pay homage to Reshar, the blade’s greatest wielder. The
for its use—or its misuse. (DC 15) swordsage agreed, not realizing that he was accompany-
Kaziir-Thet’s theft of Supernal Clarity proved to be the be- ing Veselka on her final journey.
The Nine Swords
ginning of the end of the golden age for the Temple of the When the githyanki arrived at the temple and met Reshar,
Nine Swords. Why the rakshasa prince stole that particular her life’s putpose had been fulfilled. A moment later, she
sword was widely discussed, but the truth was never really slumped to the floor and died quietly. Her life, which in
known because the thief was never brought to justice. Some truth had ended when Reshar took the blade away, was
say that the rakshasa’s crime forever tainted the sword’s pow- now rightly over, and her spirit was free. (DC 31; An End
er, but more open minds to Desire)
wonder if the weapon was
meant to be
claimed
in such
a manner.
After all, does Supernal Clarity LEGACY RITUALS
action without Three rituals are required to unlock all the abilities of Super-
hesitation not capture the essence of this blade? (DC 18; nal Clarity.
Act of Audacity) Act of Audacity: You must steal Supernal Clarity from
No human hand crafted Supernal Clarity; it was created a wielder whose Challenge Rating exceeds your character
on the Astral Plane by a githyanki swordsmith named level. If you find the blade unguarded, you must first
Veselka, using a dragonfire-fueled forge. Though she ensure that it finds worthy hands before you can unlock
had already crafted many fine magic blades, Veselka its powers. Cost: 1,500 gp. Feat Granted: Least Legacy
regarded this one as her most elegant creation. Despite its (Supernal Clarity).
simplicity of appearance, the swordsmith knew that this Forge of Dragonfire: You must endure the fiery breath
blade—which bore no name at the time—was destined weapon of a hostile dragon whose Challenge Rating is at least
for greatness. equal to your character level. (Though most wielders choose a
Only by besting its wielder, one of the most famous red dragon, any true dragon with a breath weapon that deals
warblades ever known to the githyanki race, did Reshar fire damage satisfies this prerequisite.) Cost: 13,000 gp. Feat
prove his worthiness to take the blade from its home Granted: Lesser Legacy (Supernal Clarity).
plane. Veselka never gave up hope that she might see the An End to Desire: You must travel to the Forge of Veselka
Illus. by J. Nentrup
blade again, and while she mourned its loss every day of on the Astral Plane. There you must spend 24 hours in prayer
her life, she had always known that it could not reach and meditation. Whether or not the forge is still occupied (or
its full potential unless she gave it up. (DC 25; Forge operating) is up to the DM. Cost: 39,000 gp. Feat Granted:
of Dragonfire) Greater Legacy (Supernal Clarity).
Many long years after the battle that scattered the
Nine Swords across the world, Supernal Clarity came into WIELDER REQUIREMENTS
the possession of a humble swordsage named Radigan. Supernal Clarity is best suited for a swordsage or a warblade,
Though the blade was already a weapon of great power, its though any character can meet the requirements by 5th or
wielders had always sensed that it concealed some hidden 6th level.
136
Table 6–3: Supernal Clarity would normally allow you to do so. See the barbarian class
———Personal Costs——— feature (PH 26).
Wielder Attack Fort Save Hit Point Legacy Freedom of Movement (Sp): Losing control of his
Level Penalty Penalty Loss Abilities
own body is every warrior’s worst nightmare, but Supernal
5th — — — Intimidating strike
6th –1 — — — Clarity grants you respite from that fear. Starting at 16th
7th — –1 2 Diamond strike level, you can cast freedom of movement on yourself once
8th — — 2 Psychic poise per day as an immediate action. This ability functions
9th — –2 — — as the spell, except that the duration is 1 minute. Caster
10th — — 2 +2 rapier level 10th.
11th — — — Haste Time Stop (Sp): When you unlock the final legacy power
12th — — — +2 keen rapier
13th –2 — — Uncanny dodge
of Supernal Clarity at 20th level, you gain the ability to move
14th — — 2 — so quickly that time seems to halt in place. Once per day
15th — –3 — +3 keen rapier on command, you can use time stop as the spell. Caster
16th — — 2 Freedom of level 20th.
movement
17th
18th
—
—
—
—
—
—
+4 keen rapier
—
KAMATE (IRON HEART)
Kamate is a bastard sword of simple, but not crude, construc-
19th — — — +5 keen rapier
20th — –4 2 Time stop tion. Its hilt and pommel are unadorned with decoration
or filigree of any sort, and neither rune nor image mars its
Supernal Clarity Wielder Requirements perfectly smooth, razor-sharp blade.
Base attack bonus +3 Nonlegacy Game Statistics: +1 bastard sword; Cost 2,335
into the inherent speed held within Supernal Clarity. tribe’s adept answered simply, “It is death.” Since that
You can use haste (self only) for 1 round as a swift day, that first blade, Kamate, has been passed down
action. This ability is usable up to five times per day. through the generations of hobgoblins. (DC 18; The
Caster level 10th. First Forge)
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): As a wielder of Supernal One of the earliest wielders of Kamate, a hobgoblin
Clarity, you learn to be ready for battle at all times. named Kuyibet, once fled from a horde of angry dwarf
Beginning at 13th level, you cannot be caught flat- warriors bent on his destruction. Pursued day and night
footed, and you react to danger before your senses Kamate up steep cliffs and winding mountain pathways, the
137
exhausted hobgoblin eventually found himself perched LEGACY RITUALS
on the highest peak of the land. With no escape route Three rituals are required to unlock all the abilities of
available, Kuyibet bravely turned to face his doom. But Kamate.
at that very instant, a blue-white crack of lightning split the The First Forge: You must spend the night outdoors in a
cloudless sky, opening a great crevasse at the feet of his thunderstorm, with no protection other than normal cloth-
pursuers. Down they hurtled into the dark depths, leav- ing. Cost: 2,500 gp. Feat Granted: Least Legacy (Kamate).
ing the hobgoblin alone and unscathed. (DC 25; Holding Holding the Sky: You must scale a mountain peak at least
the Sky) 10,000 feet tall without resting for more than 4 hours in any
Though the hobgoblins are loath to admit it, Kamate 24-hour period. Once at the top, you must meditate for 24
has not always remained in their hands. Tales of winning hours without food or drink. Cost: 13,000 gp. Feat Granted:
the sword back through force of arms or even treachery Lesser Legacy (Kamate).
are well received by goblinoids, but the most important Standing Ready to Die: You must single-handedly defeat
tale regarding reclamation of the blade is known only to at least ten enemies in one battle. Each enemy’s Challenge
true devotees of the Iron Heart discipline. When Reshar, Rating can be no more than 4 points below your own. Cost:
who would one day be known as the fi rst Master of Nine, 41,000 gp. Feat Granted: Greater Legacy (Kamate).
came to the hobgoblin monastery of Ur-Thaldaar, none of
the swordmasters believed he would survive, much less WIELDER REQUIREMENTS
master the Iron Heart discipline. But Reshar completed Warblades most often wield Kamate, though fighters, pala-
every test and mastered every challenge, eventually learn- dins, and other martial-oriented characters can qualify to
ing the secrets of the fiercest and most difficult school of do so without too much difficulty.
bladework in the world. Many years later, he returned to
The Nine Swords
138
this effect, you must speak the command word and gesture there in hopes that a passing ship might see the smoke
with Kamate. The save DC is 16, or 14 + your Cha modifier, and investigate. What the boy’s signal drew, however,
whichever is higher. This ability is usable once per day. Caster was not a ship, but another giant. Having found his kin
level 15th. dead near the beach, this one was even more enraged,
Perfect Strike (Su): At 20th level, while you are hold- and not likely to underestimate the small boy with the
ing Kamate, you can gain a +20 competence bonus on a deadly sword. But the giant was truly baffled by the boy’s
Illus. by J. Nentrup
single attack roll. You must choose to activate this ability fighting style. Every one of the giant’s blows that should
(an immediate action) before you make the attack roll it is have struck true seemed to strike only empty air. When
to modify. This ability is usable once per day. the giant finally fell off the cliff (thanks to a well-placed
shove from the boy), he wondered briefly how he could
EVENTIDE’S EDGE have so many small cuts, and be pushed off a cliff, when
(SETTING SUN) that scrawny little man had nary a scratch. (DC 25; The
Harder They Fall)
The mithral blade known as Eventide’s Edge is faceted and
For months, the boy scratched out a spartan existence
highly reflective—so much so that it sends shards of
on the island. Eventually he realized that the only way he
light scattering about the room when it swings through
could get off the island was to convince the giants to help
the air.
him get past the kraken. He knew they had an arrange-
Nonlegacy Game Statistics: +1 mithral short sword; Cost
ment of some kind with the monster because he had seen
2,510 gp; Weight 1 lb.
the hulking brutes take their great fishing rafts into its
Omen: Whenever Eventide’s Edge is unsheathed, a bright
territory and place some sort of offering in its mighty
yellow light shines within the blade. This glow quickly fades
tentacles. So the boy approached the giant chieftain, who
139
sun, while using the blade of Eventide’s Edge to reflect the Table 6–5: Eventide’s Edge
sunlight onto your face. Cost: 39,000 gp. Feat Granted: Greater ———Personal Costs———
Legacy (Eventide’s Edge). Wielder Attack Fort Save Hit Point Legacy
Level Penalty Penalty Loss Abilities
5th — — — Crux of balance
WIELDER REQUIREMENTS 6th –1 — — —
Any creature that prefers light, piercing weapons but expects 7th — –1 2 +1 defending
to face larger foes might be interested in unlocking the mithral short sword
legacy of Eventide’s Edge. Characters who follow the Setting 8th — — 2 Sting like a bee +1d6
Sun discipline (such as a swordsage, or even a rogue or ninja 9th — –2 — —
who took the Martial Study feat) stand to gain the most from 10th — — 2 AC bonus
11th — — — Baffling defense
its powers. 12th — — — —
13th –2 — — +2 defending
Eventide’s Edge Wielder Requirements mithral short sword
Base attack bonus +3 14th — — 2 Evasive defense
Knowledge of at least one maneuver from Setting Sun 15th — –3 — —
discipline 16th — — 2 +3 defending
Weapon Proficiency (short sword) mithral short sword
Small or Medium size 17th — — — Sting like a bee +2d6
18th — — — +3 defending
LEGACY WEAPON ABILITIES mithral short sword
All the following are legacy abilities of Eventide’s Edge. 19th — — — +4 defending
mithral short sword
The Nine Swords
Crux of Balance (Ex): When you first unlock the least 20th — –4 2 Dance into the sun
legacy abilities of Eventide’s Edge at 5th level, you have an
easier time adjusting your position and balance when
affected by another creature. You gain a +4 bonus on checks
UMBRAL AWN
made to execute a bull rush, overrun, or trip, and to resist (SHADOW HAND)
those maneuvers. Umbral Awn is a simple-looking dagger of the sort that a young
Sting Like a Bee (Ex): Beginning at 8th level, you deal martial adept might take to his first academy. But although
an extra 1d6 points of damage when you use Eventide’s Edge it appears relatively ordinary, closer observation reveals that
to make a melee attack against a foe of a larger size category it never seems to reflect light of any sort.
than yours. When you attain 17th level, this extra damage Nonlegacy Game Statistics: +1 dagger; Cost 2,302 gp;
increases to 2d6, provided you have performed Eventide’s Weight 1 lb.
Edge’s greater legacy ritual. Omen: Using Umbral Awn causes a shadow to fall across
AC Bonus (Ex): Starting at 10th level, you add your the wielder’s face.
Wisdom bonus (if any) to your AC when you are unar-
mored, unencumbered, and wielding Eventide’s Edge. This HISTORY
bonus applies even against touch attacks or when you are Umbral Awn exists as an example to others who might
flat-footed. You lose this bonus when you are immobilized try to master the secrets of the Shadow Hand discipline.
or helpless, or if you wear any armor or carry a shield. If Although the dagger can be a deadly weapon in trained
you already add your Wisdom bonus to your AC (from the hands, its legacy has forged a trail of death through its
monk AC bonus class feature, for instance), you instead gain wielders. Those who perished did so because they tried
a +1 bonus to AC. to circumvent the training of the Shadow Hand disci-
Baffl ing Defense (Ex): At 11th level, you can use the pline without understanding the true nature of its power.
comet throw maneuver (see page 71), as if you knew it. If you Reshar presented Umbral Awn to the Shadow Master of
already know comet throw, you gain a +2 bonus on melee the Temple of the Nine Swords as a gift, but also as a
touch attacks made while initiating the maneuver. reminder of what happens to those who desire undeserved
Evasive Defense (Ex): At 14th level, you can automatically power. (DC 15)
succeed on your Sense Motive check when using baffling The first bearer of Umbral Awn was Yustek, a confident,
defense against an opponent of a larger size category than arrogant disciple of the Shadow Hand. He believed that
yours. This ability is usable three times per day. his master was delaying his training on purpose, not real-
Dance into the Sun (Su): When you are in just the right izing that it was his own overconfidence that kept him
position, you can become lost in the glare of the setting sun. from advancing. Frustrated with the stagnation in his
The final legacy ability of Eventide’s Edge, which you gain progress, he thought long and hard about the meaning
at 20th level, allows you to disappear into the glare of your of the Shadow Hand. His unenlightened mind settled
sword with a dazzling flash of light. This ability functions on the assumption that since its power was drawn from
like greater invisibility and is usable two times per day. Caster shadows, the best way to harness that power would be to
level 10th. channel Shadow itself. This line of thought led him to
the incorrect conclusion that by joining with one of the
140
undead creatures called shadows, he would gain limit- Touch of Shadow: You must suffer the touch of a shadow,
less power. Instead, his encounter with the shadow went then perform the ritual before the Strength damage is healed.
as might be expected, with the creature draining away Cost: 1,500 gp. Feat Granted: Least Legacy (Umbral Awn).
his strength and life. Yustek did become one with the Touch of Death: You must feel negative energy cours-
shadow—in fact, he became a shadow himself—but he ing through you by gaining a negative level. You must then
never achieved the power that he had expected. (DC 20; perform the ritual before the negative level is removed. Only
Illus. by B. Trott
Touch of Shadow) negative levels that have a chance of causing permanent
The dagger was passed along to Maristev, an- level drain can be used for this ritual—enervation and
other student of the Shadow Hand. The tale of similar spells do not work. Cost: 13,000 gp. Feat Grant-
Yustek’s demise served as a warning to him and ed: Lesser Legacy (Umbral Awn).
others who might think they could gain mastery of Path of Shadow: The last ritual can be complet-
this most dangerous of disciplines without proper ed only on the Plane of Shadow. You must overcome
training. But Maristev had his own muddled in- three encounters (drawn from the Random Encoun-
sights into the source of the discipline’s power. ters list on page 152 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide or
He had noticed that the Shadow Hand school page 64 of Manual of the Planes) within a 4-hour period,
drew upon negative energy for many then focus the energies of the plane into the
of its most challenging maneuvers, blade using a ritual that takes 1 hour. Cost:
and he rationalized that if he could 39,000 gp. Feat Granted: Greater Legacy
just gain some firsthand knowledge (Umbral Awn).
of how negative energy worked, he
could analyze it to achieve his own mastery of WIELDER REQUIREMENTS
141
Shadowstrike (Ex): When you attain 11th level, your HISTORY
connection to Umbral Awn and your mastery of the After spending years in slavery to a band of frost giants, an
Shadow Hand discipline let you take greater advantage elderly dwarf weaponsmith named Thungrim was given a
of flanking positions. If you are maintaining a Shadow servant to do the heavy lifting around his forge. This servant,
Hand stance when you flank a target with an ally, you a goliath named Kanithiak Amunugathua, took quickly to the
gain a +4 bonus on your attack rolls against that target, art of swordcrafting. Together, master and servant worked in
instead of the usual +2. secret for many months to create a special blade, which they
Invisibility (Sp): When you attain 16th level, Umbral Awn named Unfettered. (DC 15)
lets you meld into your own shadow. You can use invisibility The act of creating Unfettered gave Thungrim a measure of
at will, as the spell. Caster Level: 10th. hope that he hadn’t known in many years. No slavemaster had
Shadowstep (Su): At 20th level, you unlock the final legacy commanded him to craft the weapon; indeed, if its existence
power of Umbral Awn, which grants you the ability to move had become known, grave punishment would certainly have
as a shadow. Three times per day, as a swift action, you can been forthcoming. This quiet act of disobedience—along
become incorporeal until the beginning of your next turn with the youthful exuberance of the goliath Kanithiak—gave
(see the Incorporeal Subtype sidebar on page 79 for details). Thungrim the will to survive despite backbreaking labor
Because Umbral Awn is a ghost touch weapon, you can still and mistreatment at the hands of his giant captors. (DC 18;
attack corporeal foes. Unchain the Mind)
As Unfettered neared completion, the frost giants began to
Table 6–6: Umbral Awn suspect that something was amiss. The overseer had expected
———Personal Costs——— Thungrim to grow too weak to operate his forge, but the dwarf
Wielder Attack Fort Save Hit Point Legacy seemed more vigorous each day. A close investigation of the
The Nine Swords
142
LEGACY RITUALS Table 6–7: Unfettered
Three rituals are required to unlock all the abilities of ———Personal Costs———
Unfettered. Wielder Attack Ref Save Hit Point Legacy
Level Penalty Penalty Loss Abilities
Unchain the Mind: You must single-handedly craft a
5th — — — Charging minotaur
weapon worth at least 10 gp without pausing for sleep or 6th –1 — — —
meals, though drinking water is allowed. Cost: 2,500 gp. Feat 7th — –1 2 +2 greatsword
Granted: Least Legacy (Unfettered). 8th — — 2 —
Unbind the Hand: You must slay a giant whose Challenge 9th — –2 — Strength
Rating equals or exceeds your character level. Cost: 12,500 enhancement +2
gp. Feat Granted: Lesser Legacy (Unfettered). 10th — — 2 Enlarge
11th — — — +3 greatsword
Unshackle the Soul: You must visit the final resting place 12th — — — Meld into stone
of Kanithiak the goliath, a cave that lies high on a distant and 13th –2 — — Strength
treacherous mountain peak. Once there, you must meditate enhancement +4
uninterrupted for 24 hours. Cost: 45,000 gp. Feat Granted: 14th — — 2 —
Greater Legacy (Unfettered). 15th — –3 — +4 greatsword
16th — — 2 Light fortification
WIELDER REQUIREMENTS 17th — — — Strength
enhancement +6
Martial adepts of all kinds can learn to wield Unfet- 18th — — — +5 greatsword
tered with little effort. Barbarians and fighters also 19th — — — Stoneskin
fi nd the weapon to their liking, though cross-class 20th — –4 2 Disembodied blade
skill purchasing is required.
Unfettered
143
TIGER FANG he could be, Khasparat jumped into the midst of the demons,
slicing brutally with his father’s kukri until all four were de-
(TIGER CLAW) stroyed. Unfortunately, before the sorcerer was overcome by
Tiger Fang’s steel blade is etched with a stylized tiger whose the rajah’s reinforcements, he managed to deliver a mortal
claws and fangs mark its keen edge. The hilt of this razor- blow to Khasparat. As the young man lay dying, the rajah as-
sharp kukri is wrapped in alternating colors of leather—black sured him that he could not have done his father any greater
and brown —to emulate a tiger’s stripes. honor. (DC 31; Battle Frenzy)
Nonlegacy Game Statistics: +1 kukri; Cost 2,308 gp;
Weight 2 lb. LEGACY RITUALS
Omen: When Tiger’s Fang is swung through the air, a faint Three rituals are required to unlock all the abilities of
roar accompanies its passing instead of the usual whistling Tiger Fang.
sound a weapon makes. Greater Numbers: You must act first in a combat against
greater numbers and immediately charge the strongest oppo-
HISTORY nent. You must accept no healing during the fight, though
On his deathbed, an aging warrior passed Tiger Fang along to your allies can assist you. After the battle, you must focus
his only son, Khasparat, who vowed to use it to prove himself and meditate for 1 hour. Cost: 1,500 gp. Feat Granted: Least
a mighty warrior in honor of his father. But the rajah who Legacy (Tiger Fang).
ruled the village could not bear to send a widow’s only son One on One: You must defeat an opponent with a Challenge
into battle, so he refused to allow Khasparat into the army. Rating equal to or greater than your character level –1 in
Nevertheless, Khasparat knew that someday he would find single combat, using only the abilities of Tiger Fang, Tiger Claw
a way to prove himself. (DC 15) maneuvers, or melee attacks. You can use an off-hand weapon
The Nine Swords
Khasparat’s first chance to display his prowess came so long as Tiger Fang remains your primary weapon. After the
when a tribe of lizardfolk raided his village. While the army battle you must spend one night in meditation. Cost: 13,000
engaged the brunt of the lizardfolk strike force, Khasparat gp. Feat Granted: Lesser Legacy (Tiger Fang).
noted another squad of the scaly humanoids moving toward Battle Frenzy: In a single encounter, you must success-
an undefended part of the town. Heedless of his own safety, fully land a critical hit on four different opponents, each of
he rushed into the heart of the reptile band, slashing about which must have a Challenge Rating equal to or greater than
with his father’s kukri until the entire squad had retreated. your character level –3. After the battle, you must spend a day
But instead of the gratitude and respect he had expected in meditation with Tiger Fang. Cost: 39,000 gp. Feat Granted:
for his selfless deed, Khasparat received an admonishment Greater Legacy (Tiger Fang).
from the rajah for endangering himself in the fight. (DC 20;
Greater Numbers) WIELDER REQUIREMENTS
Khasparat still could not honor his father with his battle Wielders of Tiger Fang generally prefer melee combat, and the
prowess because he was still not allowed to join the army. weapon has an affinity for barbarians and shifters. A martial
Then one day, a great tiger attacked the village while the adept focused on the Tiger Claw school would do well to use
army was away. With Tiger Fang in his hand and his father in Tiger Fang as one of his two weapons.
his heart, Khasparat charged forward, hacking at the great
beast until it finally fell dead. The rajah was impressed, but Tiger Fang Wielder Requirements
still disappointed that Khasparat would risk his own life in Base attack bonus +3
this way. (DC 25; One on One) Weapon Proficiency (kukri)
Jump 5 ranks
Khasparat had nearly given up on proving himself because
he could see no way to honor his father with valorous deeds.
So he went one last time to request permission from the rajah LEGACY WEAPON ABILITIES
to join the army. Just as he posed his question, an old sorcer- All the following are legacy abilities of Tiger Fang
ous enemy of the rajah who had entered the village by stealth Frenzied Charge (Ex): Strike fast, strike hard, and tear
appeared by the leader’s side. The rajah’s guards were put to your enemies to pieces. The first legacy ability of Tiger Fang,
sleep in an instant, and the sorcerer summoned four demons which you gain at 5th level, grants you the power to take
to finish off the rajah and one additional attack with Tiger Fang at the end of a charge.
Illus. by J. Nentrup
144
you attain 6th level, Tiger Fang becomes an extension of your
own hand when you wield it. So long as you are conscious,
BLADE OF THE LAST
you cannot be disarmed of Tiger Fang unless you will it. CITADEL (WHITE RAVEN)
You automatically succeed on checks made to resist disarm The Blade of the Last Citadel (sometimes called simply Citadel’s
attempts, and you do not drop Tiger Fang if you become Blade) is an adamantine longsword. The pommel is bound in
panicked or stunned. white leather, and the crossguard resembles a crenellated wall,
Tiger Leap (Ex): At 7th level, you find more spring in your with the white enameled crenellations facing the blade.
step, gaining a +5 bonus on Jump checks whenever you wield Nonlegacy Game Statistics: Adamantine longsword;
Tiger Fang. Cost 3,315 gp.
Battle Fever (Su): At 10th level, you are invigorated when- Omen: If used to injure an innocent sentient being, Citadel’s
ever you use Tiger Fang in melee. Three times per day, you can Blade weeps blood until the wielder receives an atonement
use a swift action to heal yourself of 1d8 points of damage, so or gives up the blade to another.
long as you have used Tiger Fang to make an attack against a
living foe during that same round. Using this ability does not HISTORY
provoke attacks of opportunity. At 16th level, you can use battle No legend relates the creation of the Blade of the Last Citadel.
fever five times per day, and it heals 2d8 damage each time. The first story of the weapon describes how the great knight
Sharp Claw (Ex): Once you have performed the lesser Iulian wielded it against a small army of giants attacking
legacy ritual at 11th level, you find that Tiger Fang is perfectly a desolate mountain outpost. Knowing that their humble
balanced for use with Tiger Claw maneuvers. As long as you tower was the last line of defense between the giants and the
have a Tiger Claw stance active, you deal an extra 1 point of populated valley below, the protectors of the outpost fought
damage with all your melee attacks, including strikes, made to the last man. Eventually, however, the stronghold fell to
145
the villagers, could not protect themselves. Such calmness attack, you gain a +1 bonus on the first attack roll you make
and clarity did the man display that the townsfolk couldn’t during the round in which you initiate the maneuver. Caster
help but lead him to their hero’s last resting place. There, the level 5th.
warrior bowed his head in quiet meditation and remained Prayer (Sp): Beginning at 10th level, you can use prayer
motionless for three full nights. When dawn broke on the once per day. Caster level 7th.
fourth day, both he and the blade were gone. (DC 31; Rite Remove Fear (Sp): At 12th level, you gain the ability to
of Respect) use remove fear as an immediate action, though it affects only
a single creature up to 50 feet away, and you can’t use it on
LEGACY RITUALS yourself. This ability is usable three times per day. Caster
Three rituals are required to unlock all the abilities of Blade level 10th.
of the Last Citadel. Cure Critical Wounds (Sp): At 16th level, you can use
Rite of Repentance: You must seek forgiveness from cure critical wounds on yourself once per day as a swift action.
someone you have wronged. The details of the situation are Caster level 11th.
between the player and the DM, but attaining forgiveness Blade Barrier (Sp): Beginning at 18th level, you can trans-
might require some work on your part. Cost: 2,500 gp. Feat form Blade of the Last Citadel into a ring-shaped blade barrier
Granted: Least Legacy (Blade of the Last Citadel). centered on you. While the sword is in blade barrier form, you
Rite of Selfless Defense: You must perform some service can add its enhancement bonus to your AC as if using the
in defense of a community and accept no reward for your defending property of the weapon. At any time during the
actions. Examples include defeating a local threat (EL equal to duration, you can dismiss the effect as a swift action, which
or exceeding your character level +1), recovering a treasured returns Blade of the Last Citadel to your hand (or to a spot at
heirloom, or averting a significant crisis. Cost: 12,500 gp. Feat your feet if your hands are full). This ability is usable three
The Nine Swords
Granted: Lesser Legacy (Blade of the Last Citadel). times per day. Caster level 15th.
Rite of Respect: You must meditate for 8 hours per night Heal (Sp): At 20th level, you can use heal on yourself once
on the three nights of a full moon. Cost: 44,000 gp. Feat per day as a swift action. Caster level 17th.
Granted: Greater Legacy (Blade of the Last Citadel).
Table 6–9: Blade of the Last Citadel
WIELDER REQUIREMENTS ———Personal Costs———
Crusaders, paladins, and knights (see Player’s Handbook II) Wielder Attack Save Hit Point Legacy
Level Penalty Penalty Loss Abilities
are the most likely wielders of Citadel’s Blade. Clerics and
5th — — — Leading the attack
favored souls (Complete Divine) of Heironeous (or similar 6th — — 4 +1 longsword
deities) might also fi nd the blade to their liking. It has also 7th — — — —
been wielded by bards, fighters, marshals (see Miniatures 8th — –1 — +2 longsword
Handbook), and many others who put the defense of others 9th –1 — 2 —
above their own lives. 10th — — — Prayer
11th — — — +3 longsword
12th — — 2 Remove fear
Blade of the Last Citadel Wielder Requirements 13th –2 — — —
Any nonevil alignment
14th — — — +4 longsword
Base attack bonus +3
15th — — 2 —
Weapon Proficiency (longsword)
16th — –2 — Cure critical wounds
Diplomacy 4 ranks
17th — — — +5 defending
longsword
LEGACY WEAPON ABILITIES 18th –3 — — Blade barrier
All of the following are legacy abilities of Blade of the Last 19th — — 2 —
Citadel. 20th — — 2 Heal
Leading the Attack (Ex): When you first unlock the
legacy abilities of Blade of the Last Citadel at 5th level, you can
use the leading the attack maneuver (see page 91) five times
per day, as if you knew it. If you already know leading the
Illus. by J. Nentrup
Blade of
the Last Citadel
146
The exiles return with a monstrous horde
to destroy the Temple of the Nine Swords
he use of the Nine Swords disciplines strong for initiator level 12th to 20th, and overpowering for
has led to the creation of many differ- initiator level 21st or higher).
ent magic items, from martial scripts to Anyone who can read the language of the script can
wondrous items. This chapter describes determine what it does, and it can also be identified by any
just a few of these items. of the standard methods of magic item identification. Fur-
thermore, characters with ranks in Martial Lore can identify
MARTIAL SCRIPTS the function of a script without knowing the language in
A martial script is a small strip of paper or cloth marked with which it is written (Martial Lore DC 15 + the martial adept
delicate lettering that holds the secret of a martial maneuver. level associated with the script). Making this check does
Any given script grants the use of the maneuver recorded on not grant that character the ability to use the script—only
Illus. by W. England
147
you must succeed on a Martial Lore check (DC 20 + the Prerequisite: Anyone can wield an aptitude weapon, but
martial adept level associated with the script). Success to gain any benefit from it, a wielder must have feats that are
gives you the option of using the script immediately or tied to the use of a particular weapon type.
readying for later use. Activation: An aptitude weapon’s magic is worthless in the
Reading a script is a standard action that provokes an hands of someone who lacks the appropriate feats, but
attack of opportunity. anyone with the right feats gains the weapon’s
Illus. by S. Ellis
Use: When you read a script, you gain the benefits just by wielding it.
ability to use the single martial maneuver Effect: A wielder who has feats that
recorded on it for one encounter. If the affect the use of a particular type of
maneuver can be used only once per weapon, such as Weapon Focus,
encounter or has other use restric- Greater Weapon Focus, Weap-
tions, all those limitations apply to on Specialization, or the like,
your use of it. Using a script does can apply the benefits of those
not allow you to break the nor- feats to any weapon that has the
mal usage rules for maneuvers. aptitude quality. In addition,
For example, if you would nor- if any of the wielder’s weapon
mally be limited to using one use feats are specifically keyed
stance at a time, that restric- to the aptitude weapon’s type,
tion still applies. he gains a +1 bonus on attack
You need not use the and damage rolls.
maneuver right away; you Aura/Caster Level: Faint
can hold it ready for use for evocation.
Magic Items
148
the wielder must use a maneuver from the correct discipline Description: Three types of crowns of White Ravens exist:
while attacking. novice, scholar, and master. Each looks like a crown of white
Effect: Each martial discipline weapon is keyed to a par- alabaster, carved with delicate fluting and spindles that rise
ticular martial discipline. For someone who doesn’t know from it like castle towers. Novice crowns of White Ravens have
any maneuvers from that discipline, this property provides the simplest appearance and the fewest spires, while a master
no benefit. But when the weapon is wielded by a martial crown of White Ravens bears more than a dozen towers and
adept who knows at least one maneuver from the associated some highly ornate carvings.
discipline, the property provides a +1 bonus on attack rolls. Prerequisite: Anyone can wear a crown of White Ravens,
And when the wielder is actually using a maneuver from the but to gain any benefit from it, a wearer must meet the pre-
appropriate discipline, the bonus on attack rolls increases requisite of the desired maneuver.
to +3. Activation: A crown of White Ravens requires a day to attune
A martial discipline weapon can bear multiple martial to its wearer once it is donned. After wearing it continually
discipline special abilities, as long as each is keyed to a dif- for 24 hours, the wearer must choose one of the White Raven
ferent discipline. Thus, a martial adept could have a +1 Stone maneuvers that the item can grant for which he meets the
Dragon Shadow Hand greatsword. In the hands of someone prerequisite. He then gains knowledge of that maneuver and
who knows maneuvers from both disciplines, such a weapon can use it as long as the crown is worn. Should the crown
would provide a +3 bonus on attack rolls. If the wielder were be removed and then replaced, it requires another day to
actually using maneuvers from both schools—for example, attune itself to the wearer before it can grant knowledge of
a Stone Dragon stance with a Shadow Hand strike—it any maneuvers.
would provide a +7 bonus on attack rolls. Most martial Effect: A person who has worn a crown of White Ravens for
adepts use this extra bonus in conjunction with feats such 24 hours gains the use of a single White Raven maneuver for
as Combat Expertise and Power Attack, or with maneuvers which he meets the prerequisite. The maneuver can be of a
Magic Items
that decrease their chances of hitting a foe in exchange for martial adept level up to the highest level the item grants. A
some other benefit. novice crown of White Ravens grants a maneuver of up to 3rd
Aura/Caster Level: Faint evocation. level, a scholar crown of White Ravens grants a maneuver of
Construction: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, knowl- up to 6th level, and a master crown of White Ravens grants a
edge of a maneuver from the discipline to which the weapon maneuver of up to 9th level.
is keyed. Aura/Caster Level: Faint divination (novice), moderate
Weight: As normal for the weapon. divination (scholar), or strong divination (master). CL 5th
Price: +1 bonus. (novice), 10th (scholar), or 15th (master).
Construction (Novice): Craft Wondrous Item, knowledge
NEW WONDROUS ITEMS of a maneuver from the White Raven discipline; 1,500 gp,
The wondrous items presented here can be used both by 120 XP, 3 days.
martial adepts and by those who have no knowledge of the Construction (Scholar): Craft Wondrous Item, knowl-
martial disciplines. edge of a maneuver from the White Raven discipline; 7,500
gp, 600 XP, 15 days.
CROWN OF WHITE RAVENS Construction (Master): Craft Wondrous Item, knowledge
A crown of White Ravens is one of several items that grants of a maneuver
its wearer the use of a maneuver. The crown’s wearer need
not be a martial adept, but knowledge of other maneu-
vers and ranks in the discipline’s key skill
give the wearer access to more powerful
maneuvers.
Lore: Elf scholars insist that mem-
bers of their race were the first to
create crowns of White Ravens, and all
other similar items, such as Desert
Wind cloaks and slippers of the Setting
Illus. by J. Nentrup
149
from the White Raven discipline; 22,500 gp, 1,800 XP, band set with a diamond, but anyone peering closely into the
45 days. stone can see the visage of the wearer, or of the last person
Variants: Eight variants of the crown of White Ravens exist, to wear the ring if no one currently wears it.
one for each of the other martial disciplines. Like the crown Shadow Hands: Shadow Hands look like hands carved of jet.
of White Ravens, each has a novice, scholar, and master ver- The carvings are incredibly detailed, depicting every mark of
sion. In all respects, they function in the same manner as a humanoid hand, down to fingerprints and every crack in
Illus. by S. Ellis
the crown of White Ravens does, except that each grants the palm and knuckle. When someone places
access to a maneuver from a different disci- both hands over the Shadow Hands so
pline and occupies a different place on that his shadow falls over them, the
the wearer’s body. carved hands vanish, and a pair
Desert Wind Cloak: Desert Wind of black silk gloves appears on
cloaks are the color of wind- the person’s hands. These
blown sand, and they always gloves can be removed nor-
shift and flutter as if dis- mally, whereupon they
turbed by a breeze, even become hands carved of
indoors and on calm days. jet that look exactly like
Most bear decorative the wearer’s hands.
stitching around the edg- Slippers of the Setting
es in gold and red thread Sun: Each of these beau-
depicting flaming scim- tifully crafted red silk
itars, picks that trail slippers bears an emblem
smoke, and maces that of the setting sun upon the
Magic Items
150
The Temple of Nine Swords falls,
and survivors of the onslaught
steal the nine swords,
scattering them across the world
he influence of the Nine Swords extends punishment by angry deities. Unlike other rakshasas, naityan
far beyond the Material Plane, and crea- rakshasas lack innate spellcasting ability and instead possess
tures all over the multiverse employ the the power to take specific monstrous forms that grant them
techniques the swords symbolize. Most martial maneuvers and other abilities.
notably, the githzerai and githyanki learn
maneuvers of the nine disciplines, and many of them become Naityan Rakshasa CR 7
masters. This chapter describes some of the other creatures Always NE Medium outsider (native)
associated with the disciplines. Some, like the naityan rak- Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +6, Spot +6
shasa, are born martial adepts, just as some creatures enter Aura detect thoughts (DC 18)
life with sorcerous powers. Languages Common, Infernal, Undercommon
Illus. by W. England
151
Special Actions change shape, style shapes a +2 bonus to natural armor and can use the strength of
Abilities Str 16, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 18 stone stance and the mountain hammer (strike) and
Feats Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Multiattack, charging minotaur (strike) maneuvers.
Weapon Focus (bite) Hellfire Hunter: In this shape, a naityan rakshasa
Skills Balance +10, Bluff +13, Concentration +8, Diplomacy +8, looks like a hell hound in humanoid form. While it is in
Disguise +13 (+15 acting), Gather Information +6, Hide hellfire hunter shape, it gains scent and can use the
+11, Intimidate +14, Jump +21, Listen +6, Martial Lore +5, flame’s blessing stance and the fire riposte (counter)
Move Silently +11, Sense Motive +12, Spot +6, Tumble +15 and flashing sun (strike) maneuvers.
Advancement by character class; Favored Class swordsage Night Creeper: In this shape, the naityan rakshasa looks
Possessions masterwork greatsword like a slick eel-like humanoid. While it is in night creeper
shape, it gains a swim speed of 30 feet, sneak attack +1d6,
Detect Thoughts (Su) A naityan rakshasa can continuously and can use the island of blades stance and the ghost
use detect thoughts as the spell (caster level 18th; Will blade (strike) and shadow garrote (strike) maneuvers.
DC 18 negates). It can suppress or resume the ability as Elusive Adversary: In this shape, the naityan rakshasa
a free action. The save DC is Charisma-based. has a head and fur like a displacer beast, and its arms
Change Shape (Su) A naityan rakshasa can assume the take the form of displacer beast tentacles with hands
form of any Medium humanoid. coated in hooks. While it is in elusive adversary shape, it
Style Shapes (Su) A naityan rakshasa gains the maneuvers gains a speed of 60 feet and can use the shifting
of particular martial disciplines and other abilities by defense stance and the baffling defense (counter) and
adopting specific shapes using its change shape ability. feigned opening (counter) maneuvers.
When changing into one of these shapes, the rakshasa
Nine Swords Monsters
152
ECOLOGY in their natural forms only in youth, upon death, or with
Naityan rakshasas need not eat, but they find the taste of true seeing.
humanoid blood, in all its varieties, exquisite. This vice can Alignment: Naityan rakshasas are always neutral evil.
become an obsession for rakshasas who in-
dulge their bloodlust too often. Some SOCIETY
naityan rakshasas find themselves Although their
Illus. by S. Ellis
driven to collect humanoids change shape
slaves of various races or even ability makes
to bottle and store blood like it impossible to
vintners—a critical flaw know their exact
that often leads to their numbers, sages
undoing. speculate that
Naityan rakshasas few rakshasas ex-
can mate with hu- ist compared to
manoids when in the number of
a shape com- humans or even
patible with dwarves. Naity-
the race of an rakshasas
the human- represent a
ANOTHER RAKSHASA? change shape ability. (Losing change shape doesn’t significantly
Is the original rakshasa enough for your game? If you’re familiar affect the naityan rakshasa’s CR.) In this way you can use the
with the rakshasa presented in the Monster Manual III supple- hellfire hunter, earth serpent, night creeper, and elusive adver-
ment, do you draw the line at having three? In either case, sary each as a new monster. If you do so, you should change the
consider using the naityan rakshasa by keeping it constantly in creature’s damage reduction to something that doesn’t remind
one style shape as the creature’s natural form and removing the players of the rakshasa but that is equally uncommon.
153
NAITYAN RAKSHASAS Maneuvers and Stances Known (IL 5th):
WITH CLASS LEVELS Stances—martial spirit (1st), thicket of blades (3rd)
Naityan rakshasas advance by class, and their favored class is Strikes—daunting strike (5th), death from above (4th),
swordsage. Naityan rakshasas advance as swordsages normally, disarming strike (2nd), entangling blade (4th)
but they have the added benefit of being able to simultane- Counters—wall of blades (2nd)
ously maintain a style shape stance and a stance granted by Abilities Str 18, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 15
the swordsage class. Feats Combat Reflexes, Weapon Focus (halberd)
Level Adjustment: +6. Skills Balance +11, Concentration +11, Diplomacy +4,
Intimidate +10, Jump +13, Listen +6, Martial Lore +8,
RETH DEKALA Sense Motive +10, Spellcraft +8, Spot +6
Advancement by character class; Favored Class sorcerer
A terrible armored figure confronts you. Much of its body is composed Possessions masterwork breastplate, masterwork halberd
of sorcerous green fire, leaving only the chest, arms, and helmed head
Air Walk (Ex) A reth dekala cannot truly fly, but it naturally
floating in midair. It wears an ornate breastplate and carries a wicked remains aloft. It moves as if constantly under the effects
halberd in its taloned hands. of an air walk spell.
Aligned Strike (Su) A reth dekala’s natural weapons, as well
Long ago, a race of mortal warriors known as the reth dekala as any weapons it wields, are treated as lawful-aligned
sold their souls to an infernal power in exchange for the power and evil-aligned for the purposes of overcoming damage
to destroy all who opposed them. For a time, they were the reduction.
scourge of their world, undisputed masters over the wide lands Fortification (Ex) Due to its unusual body composition, a
Nine Swords Monsters
they had conquered—and when they died, their debt came due reth dekala has a 50% chance to ignore the extra
and they were enslaved by the archdevil who had aided them. damage dealt by a critical hit or sneak attack.
The reth dekala served their master as fierce warriors, fighting Martial Maneuvers A reth dekala knows several martial
maneuvers and stances (initiator level 5th). It recovers
in the endless wars of the lower planes, but when the archdevil
expended maneuvers by resting and meditating for 5
turned them against their own mortal descendants, the reth minutes. It can use each maneuver once per encounter.
dekala rebelled against their infernal lord. The archdevil cursed Vilefire Aura (Su) The corrupt fire that comprises a reth
his faithless warriors, setting in their very flesh the perpetual dekala’s body burns and sickens those who close with it.
torment of his corrupt flames—but the reth dekala destroyed Each round at the beginning of the reth dekala’s turn,
their former master and took his crimson citadel on the iron creatures adjacent to the reth dekala take 1d6 points of
plains of Acheron for their own. damage; living creatures also become sickened for 1
The reth dekala now exist as cursed infernal warriors, round. A DC 15 Fort save negates both effects. Half the
eternally tormented by the sorcerous flames that consume damage dealt is acid damage and half is fire damage.
but do not kill them. To end their torment they must fulfi ll The save DC is Constitution-based.
Vilefire Blast (Su) A reth dekala can attack foes at range by
the oath they broke long ago, and destroy every one of their
lashing out with bolts of the corrupt flames that
own living descendants. But their mortal lives were long ago, compose its body. This is a ranged touch attack with a
and many generations have passed, so hundreds of individuals range of 60 feet that deals 1d8 points of damage. Half
scattered around the world now carry traces of reth dekala the damage dealt is acid damage and half is fire damage.
blood. The cursed warriors seek out these living scions of Living creatures struck by a vilefire blast must succeed
their own race, and slay them wherever they are found. While on a Fortitude save (DC 15) or become sickened for 1
they search, they serve as capable mercenaries, guardians, round. The save DC is Constitution-based.
and overseers for those who appreciate strength and honor Skills A reth dekala has a +4 racial bonus on Balance and
untempered by mercy. Jump checks.
154
foes (rogues, skirmishers, or minions) and seek out a suitable The most unusual feature of the reth dekala is the foul magi-
captain, champion, or commander to duel in melee. It usually cal flame that perpetually consumes their bodies—the curse
hovers about 5 feet above the ground, giving it the +1 higher bestowed on their race by their former master. Their lower torsos
ground attack bonus. The creature uses its vilefire blast only simply trail off into a sickening incandescent vapor. Greenish-
when confronting enemy spellcasters or archers who avoid yellow flames smolder here and there all over their bodies, as if
close combat. The creature usually begins a battle with its the flesh itself is frozen in the midst of some awful disintegra-
Illus. by A. Swekel
thicket of blades stance active, and switches to martial tion, but the flames themselves are part of the warriors’ bodies
spirit once it (or its allies) have been wounded and loosely conform to the shape of the missing trunk and
Reth dekala often have crusader, swordsage, or legs. This “vilefire” combines some of the properties of both
warblade levels, and many are also skilled sorcerers. acid and fire, sickening living mortals who come
These advanced foes can serve as masterminds, in contact with it.
tyrants, or oppressors, marshalling the forces Environment: The reth dekala are
of evil to subjugate the weak. natives of Thuldanin, second layer of
the Infernal Battlefield of Acheron. A
SAMPLE ENCOUNTER few roam the broken debris-fields of
Reth dekala are highly disciplined and the layer, or stand lonely vigils in iso-
hierarchical. They do little for indi- lated watchtowers scattered across
vidual gain, and they follow the the plane, but most reth dekala
orders of their superiors with remain in or near the vast fortress-
155
the Material Plane unless ordered. For example, a reth dekala lawful neutral alignment. A few rare individuals abandon or
might be ordered to garner wealth and prestige for the Crimson pervert their oaths and become nothing more than malicious
Citadel by fulfilling a suitable mercenary contract, to scour the reavers of neutral evil or chaotic evil alignment.
countryside of a Material Plane kingdom in search of hidden
reth descendants, or to seek out and destroy the members of TYPICAL TREASURE
a knightly order opposed to reth dekala activity. The reth dekala have little use for wealth other than as a status
Most reth dekala are known as dekarchs; above these are symbol. In their convoluted codes of honor and obedience,
the ur-dekarchs, the thaumakarchs, and the high thauma- the right to levy tribute on one’s inferiors is a key duty and
karchs. To earn the title of thaumakarch, a reth dekala must privilege of those who hold power. Reth dekala abide by
learn to complement its martial abilities with sorcerer spell- tribute arrangements scrupulously, and the cursed warriors
casting, so the highest-ranking reth dekala are dangerous do not harm those who meet their demands, although these
sorcerers as well as martial foes. Exacting oaths of fealty and might be ruinously heavy at times.
behavior dictate their behavior toward one another, creating a In addition to gems, art objects, and coinage, reth dekala
complex hierarchy of fealty and obligation from the common highly value magic items—especially armor and weapons.
dekarch all the way up to the High Lord Thaumakarch of the Most reth dekala wield the best magic weapons they can find.
Crimson Citadel. Reth dekala with levels of sorcerer also make use of scrolls
Above all, the reth dekala seek to be free of the horrible curse and wands.
laid upon them by the archdevil they rebelled against. To break
the vilefire curse, they must fulfill the oath of obedience they RETH DEKALA WITH CLASS LEVELS
Nine Swords Monsters
broke—each surviving mortal reth must die, as the overlord of The ancient reth were formidable warrior-sorcerers, and the reth
the Crimson Citadel ordered long ago. The realm of the reth no dekala still possess an innate talent for sorcery. Sorcerer is the
longer exists, but across the world hundreds, perhaps thousands, favored class of the race. Reth dekala who take levels in a martial
of people (mostly human) still carry traces of the reth bloodline. adept class can add their reth dekala Hit Dice to their martial
The reth were a heroic race in their day, and more than a few adept class level to determine their initiator level and highest-
of these surviving scions are heroes in their own right. Some level maneuvers known. Their innate martial maneuvers remain
know of their ancient heritage and the danger posed by the in a separate pool from any new ones they gain from class levels,
reth dekala, but most are ignorant of their peril. although they do count for the purpose of meeting prerequisites
Alignment: Reth dekala are rigid and inflexible. They for martial maneuvers gained through class level. They cannot
care little for the troubles of other creatures, and in fact view recover expended maneuvers from their reth dekala martial
themselves as an elite race of martial overlords to whom lesser ability during an encounter (but they can recover maneuvers
beings owe tribute. Some reth dekala lack the cruelty and acquired from a martial adept class normally).
conquering drive of their fellows, and use their strict honor The reth dekala destroyed the only being whom they might
code as the sole guide to their existence; these lean toward a have considered a patron deity, and therefore do not worship
any gods. During their uprising against their overlord, they
slew those few of their fellows who were clerics of their
RETH DEKALA LORE infernal master. Reth dekala clerics are still quite rare, and
Characters with ranks in Knowledge (the planes) or Martial Lore are most likely to venerate Hextor or the principles of law,
can learn more about reth dekala. When a character makes a tyranny, and war.
successful skill check, the following lore is revealed, including Reth dekala have a racial +4 bonus on Balance and Jump
the information from lower DCs. checks. Martial adept classes and fighter-like classes (any class
with full attack progression) are considered associated classes
Knowledge (the Planes) or Martial Lore for purposes of determining an advanced reth dekala’s CR.
DC Result
14 The reth dekala are a race of mysterious warriors Level Adjustment: +5. Reth dekala can move through the
from some infernal plane. They are cruel and air with ease and have a number of special resistances and
merciless mercenaries whose bodies are partially defenses.
composed of eerie greenish vapor.
19 Reth dekala are outsiders native to the Infernal
Battlefield of Acheron. They are skilled martial adepts
VALKYRIE
With a peal of thunder, a vision of fury appears before you. With
and have innate abilities resembling those found
wings like storm clouds and eyes that spit lightning, this fierce
in the Devoted Spirit, Iron Heart, and Tiger Claw
disciplines. The yellow-green mist that forms their womanlike creature stomps a hoofed foot and waves two swords in
lower bodies is a sickening mixture of fire and acid. your direction, each crackling with electricity.
24 Reth dekala are resistant to acid, fire, critical hits,
and sneak attacks. They are cruel and pitiless, Valkyries, often called storm angels by the ignorant, soar
but they abide by a strict code of honor and never through the skies of Ysgard seeking battle with the plane’s
deviate from it. They seek out and kill mortals most valiant warriors. Fearless paragons of martial prowess,
belonging to a mysterious ancient bloodline,
apparently believing that some curse or torment will
valkyries thrill at combat and fight worthy foes at every
be lifted from them if they succeed in exterminating opportunity. Although prone to disobedience, valkyries often
every last person who shares this old bloodline. serve deities of war as messengers and enforcers.
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Valkyrie CR 9 STRATEGIES AND TACTICS
Always CN Large outsider (chaotic, extraplanar) A valkyrie typically begins combat from the air, using the
Init +8; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +10, Spot +10 pouncing charge maneuver to make a full attack at the end of
Languages Abyssal, Celestial, Common a charge. When flight isn’t practical, a valkyrie uses the wolf
AC 25, touch 17, flat-footed 25; uncanny dodge fang strike against foes. In either case, a valkyrie often follows
(–1 size, +8 Dex, +1 armor, +7 natural) up the charge with a thunderclap as a swift action.
hp 115 (11 HD); DR 10/cold iron In melee, a valkyrie prefers to fight one on one. Thus, a
Immune cold, electricity, fear, sonic valkyrie might use charging minotaur and clever positioning
SR 17
to move close to her chosen foe, and devastating throw and
Fort +13, Ref +15, Will +8
boulder roll to deal with others. For defense, the valkyrie
Speed 40 ft. (8 squares); fly 60 ft. (perfect) relies on counter charge and baffling defense.
Melee +1 short sword +17/+12/+7 (1d8+7/19–20 plus 1d6
A valkyrie almost never actively gazes at a foe, preferring
electricity) and
+1 short sword +17/+12 (1d8+3/19–20 plus 1d6 to use her melee attacks. Of course, the passive attack of her
electricity) or lightning gaze can put foes at a significant disadvantage.
Melee 2 slams +16 each (1d6+7 plus 1d6 electricity) If a valkyrie fi nds herself outmatched, she might flee,
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft. surrender, or fight on until death, depending on the nature
Base Atk +11; Grp +22 of those she fights. A valkyrie fighting an enemy of superior
Atk Options Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, Power martial skill often surrenders and offers service and homage
Attack, aligned strike (chaotic), electricity attacks, in exchange for her life and learning something of the
157
might also take that society’s best hunters. Alignment: Valkyries are always chaotic neutral. Although
This rarely has a direct effect on local they see no reason to be cruel, neither do they see cause to
ecology, but in harsh lands it can have be merciful. Testing their martial
significant effects on the communities skills in battle against anyone
left without their best food gatherers. worthy forms the basis of their
Illus. by K. Andrasofszky
158