Hello, all. Here's another prestige class for the oriental adventures realm, with a unique set of prerequisites: Three levels of the weapon master prestige class. Also, at the end of the prc description, I've listed a new use for the psychic duel, as a combat maneuver. Comments are welcome.
Mystic Blade
The Mystic Blade is a powerful adversary. Former weapon masters, these practitioners of the sword take their art to a new spiritual plane. Having learned to channel and control Ki through their weapon, these warriors have learned to use their ki in other ways. The primary benefit of this class is battle meditation, which enhances their already formidable fighting ability. Many Mystic Blades return to the Weapon Master path upon reaching the highest level of Mystic Blade, or alternate levels as they refine their techniques. Mystic blades are often loners. Many have left their masters, feeling as though there is some other esoteric enlightenment in the ways of combat which will only come through individual meditation and struggle. Mystic Blades are rare, but are not unwilling to teach others. The path of the mystic blade is harsh, and frustrating, but rewarding. Mystic Blades do not often come from samurai ranks, although the odd iaijutsu master will find himself upon this path eventually, for obvious reasons.
HD D8.
Requirements
3 levels of weapon master prc, with a sword as the mastered weapon (exceptions can be made here), Knowledge (Religion) 5 ranks, iaijutsu 5 ranks, must have survived one iaijutsu duel.
Class Skills as OA weapon master + concentration, Knowledge- Martial Arts, Arcana & Religion
The Mystic Blade
LEVEL ATTACK FORT REF WILL SPECIAL
1 +1 +0 +0 +2 Psychic Trance, ki damage 1/day/level, Enlightenment of the Sword +2
2 +2 +0 +0 +3 Psychic Wind
3 +3 +1 +1 +3 Happo Zanshin, Battle Trance, Enlightenment of the Sword +3
4 +4 +1 +1 +4 Timeless Moment
5 +5 +2 +2 +4 Psychic Whirlwind, Enlightenment of the Sword +4
6 +6 +2 +2 +5 Fear Aura
7 +7 +2 +2 +5 Psychic Blade, Enlightenment of the Sword +5
Class Features
Lvl 1 Enlightenment of the Sword (Ex): At 1st level, the MB gains a +2 bonus on psychic duel rolls, and on sense motive checks during the stance phase of an iaijutsu duel.
This bonus increases to +3 at 3rd level, +4 at 5th level, and +5 at 7th level.
Lvl 1 Ki Damage progression as Weapon Master (Ex): The mystic blade continue to gain uses of the Ki damage ability with their weapon of choice-1/day/sword saint lvl
Lvl 1 Psychic Trance (Sp): Three times per day, the mystic blade may enter into a trance during which he may not move, speak, or take any action. In the trance, he is highly attuned to psychic forces in the immediate area, in a 120ft. radius. The mystic blade may feel the presence of other warriors, and he will be able to determine in what direction the most powerful warrior, of whatever class will appear. Feeling the presence of such a being or beings will not reveal their exact location, but it will at least let the mystic blade know that something is nearby, and in what direction relative to his person. If the mystic blade is about to engage several opponents which he is aware of, this ability will enable the mystic blade to single out the most powerful of the group.
Using this trance also makes possible a short prediction- if a battle is likely to take place in the immediate area, and thus, also enables the mystic blade to act, make AOOs, and retain his dex bonus to AC during a possible surprise round in that area, if it takes place within 1 round per mystic blade level of him using this ability. This ability is canceled out by non-detection and similar magics.
Psychic Wind (Battle Meditation) (Sp): A 2nd level Mystic Blade may engage a group in a psychic duel at the beginning of combat. He takes on the strongest warrior in the opposition within a 50ft. radius for the contested roll. If he wins, it is as if he had individually psychic dueled the entire group and won every time (bane vs. opposition). If he fails, he is not penalized. The effect of psychic wind will last until the end of combat, not 24 hours as the individual psychic duel. Penalties apply as normal if engaging an individual in a psychic duel.
Battle Trance (Battle Meditation) (Su)- At 3rd level, the Mystic Blade has trained himself to enter into a trance-like state in which his focus is absolute. Mind and Weapon are one (weapon of choice only). During this short but intense trance, his wisdom modifier is added to his AC (stacking with the monk AC bonus, if he has it), and all of his attacks inflict maximized damage (weapon dice only- not iaijutsu or critical damage). Entering into this trance requires a full round of somatic meditation, until lvl 6. If interrupted, the Mystic Blade does not lose his ability to reach this trance for this day- he is merely interrupted before reaching the trance like state, and may try again until he is successful. At 6th level, the Mystic Blade may enter into his Battle Trance as a free action.
Happo Zanshin (Ex): At 3rd level, the mystic blade has developed a preternatural awareness of danger. He can no longer be flanked, and thus is not subject to sneak attacks, unless his opponent is a rogue four or more levels higher than he.
Timeless Moment (Battle Meditation) (Su): To focus his iaijutsu skill, refocus, psychic duel an individual, or simply buy time, a 4th level Mystic Blade may achieve a state of stillness which delays his opponent’s action, in much the same way as the Abjuration spell, Sanctuary. Opponents who have been affected by the Psychic Wind, or have lost a psychic duel with the mystic blade within 30 ft. are affected by this action, unless they make a willpower save DC 10+ the sword saint’s wisdom modifier+ his Mystic Blade level.
He may attempt this delay after any round in which he has not been struck, and is not in the immediate melee range of a melee assailant, a number of times per day equal to his Mystic Blade level. The delay lasts for one round/mystic blade level. If his opponents resist this power, the Mystic Blade may still engage them with a full attack to defend himself. However, he may not move from that spot until the next round. In regard to other assailants, those affected by this ability will not be provoked into attacking the Mystic Blade, but may defend themselves from other threats. The timeless moment must be in effect for one round before attempting to refocus, psychic duel, or focus the iaijutsu skill. The Mystic Blade may end the timeless moment at any time by resuming melee combat, at which time his opponents are free of its effect.
Psychic Whirlwind (Ex): The mystic blade's will has grown stronger, and now at 5th level, he inflicts a -2 penalty upon his foes when they are affected by the psychic wind, or lose a psychic duel against him. Furthermore, this morale penalty affects all rolls, including skill checks, and casting checks, within 100 ft. of his person, or targeting his person, concerning spellcasting. This effect lasts for 24 hours.
Fear Aura (Battle Meditation) (Su) At 6th level, those enemies that fall victim to the psychic wind are affected as the 1st level spell, cause fear (which is probably doing them a favor anyway, if they're 6th level or lower)
Psychic Blade (Su): The Mystic Blade may use his victory in a psychic duel to further effect. Once per day, he may use his advantage to bluff as a free action, against an opponent who has lost a one-on-one psychic duel with him, or has been affected by the psychic wind ability. Furthermore, the Mystic Blade may choose to force a psychic duel with a spellcaster, within 50ft. to distract him, as a standard action- if the caster loses, he loses the spell which he was trying to cast that round. Either application will spend the one use per day.
And, here is a new combat maneuver for those with the prerequisites: good alignment, BAB +10 and up, use psychic duel.
Perhaps a fighter has followed a bloody path of proving his skill, only to realize he desires a more humane way of achieving his goals. He believes life is precious, and he fights to win, but not necessarily to kill.
Merciful Strike- when a critical threat is rolled, the fighter may stop his weapon short of striking the critical blow, and at the same time engage his opponent in a psychic duel. The goal is to make his opponent yield, thus bringing the conflict to an end quickly without further bloodshed. If he loses the psychic duel, the assailant escapes the blow. If his opponent loses, but decides to continue to fight, he immediately provokes an AOO. This is possible only once per fight. This maneuver is useful when taking hostages, oddly enough.
Comments, anyone?
Mystic Blade
The Mystic Blade is a powerful adversary. Former weapon masters, these practitioners of the sword take their art to a new spiritual plane. Having learned to channel and control Ki through their weapon, these warriors have learned to use their ki in other ways. The primary benefit of this class is battle meditation, which enhances their already formidable fighting ability. Many Mystic Blades return to the Weapon Master path upon reaching the highest level of Mystic Blade, or alternate levels as they refine their techniques. Mystic blades are often loners. Many have left their masters, feeling as though there is some other esoteric enlightenment in the ways of combat which will only come through individual meditation and struggle. Mystic Blades are rare, but are not unwilling to teach others. The path of the mystic blade is harsh, and frustrating, but rewarding. Mystic Blades do not often come from samurai ranks, although the odd iaijutsu master will find himself upon this path eventually, for obvious reasons.
HD D8.
Requirements
3 levels of weapon master prc, with a sword as the mastered weapon (exceptions can be made here), Knowledge (Religion) 5 ranks, iaijutsu 5 ranks, must have survived one iaijutsu duel.
Class Skills as OA weapon master + concentration, Knowledge- Martial Arts, Arcana & Religion
The Mystic Blade
LEVEL ATTACK FORT REF WILL SPECIAL
1 +1 +0 +0 +2 Psychic Trance, ki damage 1/day/level, Enlightenment of the Sword +2
2 +2 +0 +0 +3 Psychic Wind
3 +3 +1 +1 +3 Happo Zanshin, Battle Trance, Enlightenment of the Sword +3
4 +4 +1 +1 +4 Timeless Moment
5 +5 +2 +2 +4 Psychic Whirlwind, Enlightenment of the Sword +4
6 +6 +2 +2 +5 Fear Aura
7 +7 +2 +2 +5 Psychic Blade, Enlightenment of the Sword +5
Class Features
Lvl 1 Enlightenment of the Sword (Ex): At 1st level, the MB gains a +2 bonus on psychic duel rolls, and on sense motive checks during the stance phase of an iaijutsu duel.
This bonus increases to +3 at 3rd level, +4 at 5th level, and +5 at 7th level.
Lvl 1 Ki Damage progression as Weapon Master (Ex): The mystic blade continue to gain uses of the Ki damage ability with their weapon of choice-1/day/sword saint lvl
Lvl 1 Psychic Trance (Sp): Three times per day, the mystic blade may enter into a trance during which he may not move, speak, or take any action. In the trance, he is highly attuned to psychic forces in the immediate area, in a 120ft. radius. The mystic blade may feel the presence of other warriors, and he will be able to determine in what direction the most powerful warrior, of whatever class will appear. Feeling the presence of such a being or beings will not reveal their exact location, but it will at least let the mystic blade know that something is nearby, and in what direction relative to his person. If the mystic blade is about to engage several opponents which he is aware of, this ability will enable the mystic blade to single out the most powerful of the group.
Using this trance also makes possible a short prediction- if a battle is likely to take place in the immediate area, and thus, also enables the mystic blade to act, make AOOs, and retain his dex bonus to AC during a possible surprise round in that area, if it takes place within 1 round per mystic blade level of him using this ability. This ability is canceled out by non-detection and similar magics.
Psychic Wind (Battle Meditation) (Sp): A 2nd level Mystic Blade may engage a group in a psychic duel at the beginning of combat. He takes on the strongest warrior in the opposition within a 50ft. radius for the contested roll. If he wins, it is as if he had individually psychic dueled the entire group and won every time (bane vs. opposition). If he fails, he is not penalized. The effect of psychic wind will last until the end of combat, not 24 hours as the individual psychic duel. Penalties apply as normal if engaging an individual in a psychic duel.
Battle Trance (Battle Meditation) (Su)- At 3rd level, the Mystic Blade has trained himself to enter into a trance-like state in which his focus is absolute. Mind and Weapon are one (weapon of choice only). During this short but intense trance, his wisdom modifier is added to his AC (stacking with the monk AC bonus, if he has it), and all of his attacks inflict maximized damage (weapon dice only- not iaijutsu or critical damage). Entering into this trance requires a full round of somatic meditation, until lvl 6. If interrupted, the Mystic Blade does not lose his ability to reach this trance for this day- he is merely interrupted before reaching the trance like state, and may try again until he is successful. At 6th level, the Mystic Blade may enter into his Battle Trance as a free action.
Happo Zanshin (Ex): At 3rd level, the mystic blade has developed a preternatural awareness of danger. He can no longer be flanked, and thus is not subject to sneak attacks, unless his opponent is a rogue four or more levels higher than he.
Timeless Moment (Battle Meditation) (Su): To focus his iaijutsu skill, refocus, psychic duel an individual, or simply buy time, a 4th level Mystic Blade may achieve a state of stillness which delays his opponent’s action, in much the same way as the Abjuration spell, Sanctuary. Opponents who have been affected by the Psychic Wind, or have lost a psychic duel with the mystic blade within 30 ft. are affected by this action, unless they make a willpower save DC 10+ the sword saint’s wisdom modifier+ his Mystic Blade level.
He may attempt this delay after any round in which he has not been struck, and is not in the immediate melee range of a melee assailant, a number of times per day equal to his Mystic Blade level. The delay lasts for one round/mystic blade level. If his opponents resist this power, the Mystic Blade may still engage them with a full attack to defend himself. However, he may not move from that spot until the next round. In regard to other assailants, those affected by this ability will not be provoked into attacking the Mystic Blade, but may defend themselves from other threats. The timeless moment must be in effect for one round before attempting to refocus, psychic duel, or focus the iaijutsu skill. The Mystic Blade may end the timeless moment at any time by resuming melee combat, at which time his opponents are free of its effect.
Psychic Whirlwind (Ex): The mystic blade's will has grown stronger, and now at 5th level, he inflicts a -2 penalty upon his foes when they are affected by the psychic wind, or lose a psychic duel against him. Furthermore, this morale penalty affects all rolls, including skill checks, and casting checks, within 100 ft. of his person, or targeting his person, concerning spellcasting. This effect lasts for 24 hours.
Fear Aura (Battle Meditation) (Su) At 6th level, those enemies that fall victim to the psychic wind are affected as the 1st level spell, cause fear (which is probably doing them a favor anyway, if they're 6th level or lower)
Psychic Blade (Su): The Mystic Blade may use his victory in a psychic duel to further effect. Once per day, he may use his advantage to bluff as a free action, against an opponent who has lost a one-on-one psychic duel with him, or has been affected by the psychic wind ability. Furthermore, the Mystic Blade may choose to force a psychic duel with a spellcaster, within 50ft. to distract him, as a standard action- if the caster loses, he loses the spell which he was trying to cast that round. Either application will spend the one use per day.
And, here is a new combat maneuver for those with the prerequisites: good alignment, BAB +10 and up, use psychic duel.
Perhaps a fighter has followed a bloody path of proving his skill, only to realize he desires a more humane way of achieving his goals. He believes life is precious, and he fights to win, but not necessarily to kill.
Merciful Strike- when a critical threat is rolled, the fighter may stop his weapon short of striking the critical blow, and at the same time engage his opponent in a psychic duel. The goal is to make his opponent yield, thus bringing the conflict to an end quickly without further bloodshed. If he loses the psychic duel, the assailant escapes the blow. If his opponent loses, but decides to continue to fight, he immediately provokes an AOO. This is possible only once per fight. This maneuver is useful when taking hostages, oddly enough.
Comments, anyone?
