The Swordsman PrC

[Mithreander]

Hi everyone,

I need some help designing a regional PrC for The Swordsman. I'm taking the material from Dave Duncan's book, The Reluctant Swordsman. I'm not even sure if I should make the PrC, because it's more of a roll-playing device then anything. Here are some details on the class (though they are more limits then anything else):

1. They are limited to the use of swords (In the book, they only used two handed swords or bastard swords, but thought it best to expand that)
2. They must be Lawful (not a big deal)
3. They will not use armor or shields (That's a biggy. Once more, in the book, they only wore a kilt, boots and baldric for thier swords. I think that it may/not need to be that exstreme)
4. They will not used ranged weapons for the same reason they will not wear armor. They think it's cowardly.
5. They have authority to interpret the law, judge acording to the law and carry out sentences according to the law in their region (Requirements in knowledge(local)?).
6. They have a rigid code to follow (though they do not LOSE their abilities if they break it... more then likely another Swordsman would just chellange and kill them)

That's what I have so far. Of course I was thinking a d10 for hitpoints and a fighters BAB. I was also thinking about adding evasion as a class skill, and perhaps improved evasion (though I'm not sold on that one). Perhaps an AC bonus, like the monks as long as they remain unarmored.

So I need help in devising the prerequisites, and the abilities of this PrC. Of course, that's about everything there IS to create, but I'd really like some help (especially if you're familiar with the book(s), but not necessariely).

 

[Crothian]

WEll, no armor is rather limiting. Do you think they would have a class ability that gave an AC bonus like the duelist has? I'd up the HD to d12 because the weapon and armor restrictions are there. What abiliteis would they have? Would they be great fighters or have abilities that delt with lawbringers?

 

[Thels]

It seems more like rules to follow a certain order than an actual class. Adding an armor bonus like the monk or the duelist seems logical, but then you're copying them a lot. Why not have an order of swordsmen that consists of duelists mostly?

 

[Mithreander]

Perhaps that would work, an order, but it does not match the flavor of what I'm looking for. First of all the knowledge(local) would be cross class then. 2nd of all, you can not have weapon finesse on a greatsword (So it's a wasted feat. I was thinking quickdraw, weapon Focus and Improved Initiative as requirements). Precise strike only works with one handed weapons and light weapons, and the same goes for deflect arrows, which is definately not what I see for this class.

Definately someone to fear because of their expertice with a sword rather then any special abilities to deal with people. Bringing the law through fear rather then persuation (though they do NOT make their own laws).

 

[Thels]

Okay, 2handed style mainly? Then why not ditch the shield, but allow the characters to wear armor? Just give them bonuses that only apply when wielding a weapon twohanded, and they no longer have access to shields if they want to receive those special bonuses.

 

[Mithreander]

Well, the problem Thels, is that the regeon that they are going to be placed in is tropical, and armor is HOT. So it was more a product of their environment.

 

[Thels]

Okay, then do not give them armor proficiencies. Of course that doesn't really help for fighters, only to rangers/barbarians, since fighters already got all armor proficiencies. Still, I don't think you should forbid armor/shields, only disable some of their abilities as long as they wear armor.

 

[Mithreander]

You are right, of course. The order (as it would be considered, regardless of if there was a PrC made or not) would not look favorably on those that did, however. I think disabling some of their abilities if they do would be a great idea. Now what abilities?

 

[Thels]

Well, since they got a low armor on default, they need some defensive abilities, like:

Block Attack - Once per round, when the Swordsman is hit by an attack, he is allowed to make a Block Attack. To do so, the Swordsman makes a normal attack roll using his highest BaB. If his to hit value is equal to or exceeds the original attack, the Swordsman managed to block the attack.

 

[Mithreander]

I like it... I would also add combat reflexes to the requirments and say that the block takes one of his AoO, kind of like the rogues oppertunist ability.

Thank you Thels, I'll definately use that.