Bladelord

D&D 3e (3.0/3.5) Rules

by Damien

Bladelords are the elite warriors of Silvanost. They are both respected and feared, and rightfully so. For the most part, Bladelords do not venture far from Silvanost, where they are most needed to protect their beautiful city in the event of attack. In most cases, Bladelords are held back from combat as long as can be, but when they go out into battle, they are a terrible force that takes horrible Elven vengeance upon the enemies of Silvanesti.

Few Elves are ever granted the allowance of becoming Bladelords, as the training is incredibly difficult and takes many years. The training of a Bladelord is over a year of practice with every type of bladed weapon known to the Silvanesti, thus giving Bladelords a proficiency in each of them. While it is more common for these warriors to be kept within Silvanost directly under the service of the Speaker of the Stars, it is not at all uncommon for a Bladelord to complete their training by leaving Silvanost to bring ruin to the enemies of Silvanesti. (This is usually how a Bladelord will enter into/remain in a party, they are granted permission to leave the city for their quest, so long as it will involve the destruction of some evil force that does or eventually would - threaten Silvanesti.

Bladelords are well-tempered, usually withdrawn and highly intelligent. They love life (like all Elves), as much as they enjoy battle. Though the temperament of a Bladelord quickly changes when engaged in combat; they become fierce and deadly.

Note: Bladelords who are female, which is highly rare, are called "Bladeladies."

Bladelords may only use weapons that exclusively do slashing/cleaving/thrusting damage (most sword-types, and types of polearms). Upon training to become a Bladelord, the aspirant will choose a single style of weapon (typically the long sword or broadsword, but two-handed swords, bastard swords, short swords, glaives and ranseurs are not totally uncommon) and train with that weapon exclusively. Thus, a Bladelord is capable of using their weapon of choice with incredible accuracy and fluidity. It is said that a master Bladelord is second in respect only to the Speaker of the Stars himself, as all look upon Bladelords with respect and even a bit of fear due to their fighting prowess. Bladelord's will suffer a -2 penalty to attack when not using their weapon of choice.
Hit Die: 1d10

Requirements

To qualify to become a Bladelord, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:

Alignment: Lawful Good, Lawful Neutral.

Race: Silvanesti Elf.

Base Attack Bonus: +5.

Feats: Great Cleave, Improved Initiative, Expertise, Weapon Focus with a Slashing Weapon (to become weapon of choice), Weapon Finesse with a Slashing Weapon (to become weapon of choice).

Special restrictions

Must forgo learning any other weapons (weapons that are not the style of their weapon of choice) once this class is chosen and they can only use feats that improve to their weapon of choice only or they can take feats that are not weapon specific (see Bonus Feat Choices below). This includes forgoing the use of feats for any ranged weapons.

Cannot use armour other then light armour (usually Bladelord armour choices are leather and studded leather, Bladelords may also wear Silvanesti Chainmail at no penalty). The Bladelord can use heavier armor (medium armor maximum) he/she will loose all benefits from this class.

Bonus Feats choices: As stated in the 'Player's Handbook,' for every three levels a character gets a free bonus feat, however the Bladelord is limited to such feats as follows: Alertness, Ambidexterity, Blind-Fight, Combat Reflexes, Death Blow, Dodge, Improved Disarm, Improved Sunder, Lightning Reflexes, Mobility, Prone Attack, Quick Draw, and Sunder.

Class Skills

Balance (Dex.), Climb (Str.), Craft (Int.) (Bladed weapons), Dodge (Dex), Gather Information (Cha.), Sense Motive (Combat Prediction and Decipher Strategy) (Wis.), Mobility (Dex), Knowledge (Hearth Wisdom, Streetwise, War, Blades) (Int.), Profession (Wis.), Spot (Wis.), Swim (Str.), and Tumble (Dex.)

Skill Points at Each Level: 3 + Int modifier.

Class Features

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Bladelords are proficient with all slashing weapons even if they are exotic weapons. In regards to armor, Bladelords who own Silvanesti Chainmail are considered proficient in it, as well as both leather and studded leather armours. Bladelords cannot be proficient in any other armour types.

Detect Weakness: For every round spent observing your opponent you are able to detect a weakness in your opponent's fighting style (e.g., repetitive attack maneuver, favoring a side, mode of attack, predictable feign and lunges, etc.). This enables you to gain +1 to attack and damage as well as +1 to your defense (AC) that is cumulative per round spent on observing target. A Bladelord can spend up to a total of 3 rounds of Detecting Weaknesses on his/her foe with a total bonus of +3 to attack, +3 damage and +3 to Defense (AC). The Bladelord must do this for each individual opponent if he/she wishes to attain the Detect Weakness bonus on other targets since different people/creatures have different fighting styles or combat maneuvers. Although the Bladelord can detect the targets fighting weakness, the Bladelord can only take advantage of such knowledge by using the Bladelord's weapon of choice of which he/she has mastered.

Reflexive Defense: The Bladelord gains the extra-ordinary ability to react to danger before his/her senses would normally allow him/her to even be aware of it. This enables the Bladelord to retain his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) regardless of being caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. (He still loses any Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized). This ability does not require the Bladelord to have his/her weapon of choice.

Running Slash: The Bladelord is able to attack targets in his/her path while running. The character may move his/her normal distance and can make a single attack at each opponent that is in his/her path assuming that they are within the threat range of the weapon. Similar to the Ride-by Attack feat, the Bladelord does not provoke an attack of opportunity for the opponent that the character attacks. Note that the character must be using his/her weapon of choice to be able to do such attacks and for each opponent after the initial one that the Bladelord attacks in this fashion, he/she receives a cumulative -2 to attack.

Stunning Attack: The Bladelord can use this ability once per round, but no more than once per level per day. The Bladelord must declare he/she is using a stun attack before making the attack roll (thus, a missed attack roll ruins the attempt). A foe struck by a Bladelord's slashing weapon is forced to make a Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + one-half the Bladelord's level + Wisdom modifier). In addition to receiving normal damage, if the saving throw fails, the opponent is stunned for 1 round. The stunning attack is an ability that can only be done using the Bladelord's weapon of choice.

Synchronized Weapons: If the Bladelord's chosen weapon is a single-handed weapon (Longsword, shortsword, etc) then they may, with this ability, use one of their chosen weapon in each hand at no penalty. This does not require a Dual-Weapon proficiency. Using the Synchronized Weapons ability can be done at any time and for any length of time and confers a +1 bonus to AC as well as a +1 bonus to attack.

Deflect Arrows: Once per round when the character would normally be hit with a ranged weapon, the character may make a Reflex saving throw against a DC of 20 (if the ranged weapon has a magical bonus to attack, the DC increases by that amount). The Bladelord uses his/her weapon of choice to accomplish this and can decrease the DC by an equal amount to the magical weapon bonus if the weapon used is magical. If the character succeeds, he/she deflects the weapon. The character must be aware of the attack and not flat-footed. Attempting to deflect a ranged weapon doesn't count as an action. Exceptional ranged weapons can't be deflected.

Evasion: If a Bladelord makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, the Bladelord instead takes no damage. Evasion can only be used if the Bladelord is wearing no armour, leather armour, studded leather armour or Silvanesti Chainmail. This ability does not require the Bladelord to be using their weapon of choice.

Smite Elf-Foe: The Bladelord, being Elven is able to go into a meditative fury when facing a well-known foe of the Elves (the particular foe will depend on the campaign, foes usually include: Ogres and Goblins). During this fury, the Bladelord gains a +2 bonus to attack, but suffers a -2 penalty to their AC. The Bladelord may also strike at multiple foes while in this rage, but continues to suffer a cumulative -2 penalty for each foe attacked, while still retaining the same +2 bonus to attack.

Deadly Strike: By foregoing initiative, the character places him/herself in a position to better react to an attack and counter-attack. As a result, when the Bladelord attacks, he/she increases the chance to hit and do critical damage. The Bladelord gains +1 to attack and increases the chance to do critical damage by a factor of 1 (e.g., If it took a 19-20 to do critical damage, it would now take 18-20). The Bladelord can only use this ability with his/her weapon of choice.

Crippling Strike: By foregoing initiative, the character places him/herself in a position to better react to an attack and counter-attack. As a result, when the Bladelord attacks, he/she increases the chance to hit and do critical damage. The Bladelord gains +2 to attack and increases the chance to do critical damage by a factor of 3 (e.g., If it took a 19-20 to do critical damage, it would now take 17-20). The Bladelord can only use this ability with his/her weapon of choice. The Bladelord receives a -1 penalty to their AC while attempting a Crippling Strike.

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