The Swashbuckler

By Cespenar

The epitomy of the charming rogue, and a deadly swordsman. They combine many fighter and rogue attributes, as well as some of the limitations presented by each said class. Sometimes elite troops for the King, other times a diplomat, and many can be found wandering the great sea ways of the world. Swahbucklers usually start off as rogues, but there have been many a fighter, who have endeavored to put there skills to use. DM's should treat Swashbuckler characters as the extreme of the luck spectrums. The Swashbuckler is the one who always seems to walk into the tavern as the brawl is beginning. The one who the Damsel in distress pleads with for help. He is also the one who seems to make the lucky roll, narrowly avoiding death by the skin of his teeth and the plume in his cap. This isn't to say he should get special bonus' all the time, DM's should be carefull, and use their discretion as to what they think is the best. It is oft times a nice touch to make a Swashbuckler and his party think they just barely escaped, when in reality, the save was made with plenty of room to spare.

They are eloquent, the pinacle of gentlemanly behavior, or feminine, depending upon the sex, and when in un-friendly dealings, their razor sharp wit is often as sharp as their rapiers. There incredible affinity for fighting with light weapons yields them various bonus' as described below, and their flair for the dramatic, has givin them the uncanny ability to roll with attacks, many times with a gracefull dive, so not only does the attack miss, but they have avoided it with a dazzling showmanship that should be admired by all.

Hit die: d8

Skills 4 per level, one must be spent diplomacy, dodge, or escape

There skill list is per their previous class. If fighter, then fighter, if rogue, then Rogue.

One hinderance Swashbucklers do have, is their inablity to use any of their Swashbuckler skills when wearing armor heavier than a chain shirt, as heavier armor is just too bulky for them to manuever quickly enough in. Bucklers may be used with no penalty, but small shields and larger will lessen the Swashbucklers to hit bonus modifier by one (ie. no bonus until level 7 is achieved, and at that time instead of the +2 bonus they recieve plus one. They must also focus in the same weapon they choose weapon finesse in. All Swashbuckler bonus, except the heightened reflexes only function when weilding said weapon. Lastly, only a character with levels in fighter or rogue may choose this prestige class.