The Shadowblade
The Shadowblade of Shahde'
Special Class of Edus
ALIGNMENT: Any
HIT DICE: d8
WEAPONS: Any
ARMOR: Breastplates, chainmail hauberk and shirt, cuir bouille, greek ensemble, leather, chain coif, leather coat, padded, ring mail, scale mail, studded leather.
ABILITIES: Conceal, move silently, scale, tactical observation, track, sneak attack, Shadow magic
A lurking rogue, or a skilled assassin skulking through the shadowy alleyways of cities is always a scary thought. Knowing that there are blade-carrying agents, that not only move within the shadow, but utilize powers gifted from the eternal darkness that allows them to be as silent as their shadow and even use the shadow to move through walls! This is the being known as a Shadowblade.
Shadowblades are thieves, assassins, thugs and those of larcenous arts who have decided to embrace the darkness and shadow they live in. All have reached out asking for the Helping hand of Shahde' and are gifted upon the path of a Shadowblade. Their power and skill are unrivaled in the n=ight, when the moon is out and shadows dance across buildings. Shadowblades usually end up finding each other, or even a Watcher in their town, becoming a blade in the service of Shahde' and her loyal followers. Shadowblades take work outside the church as well, being paid for sneaking into places, stealing things, or killing someone for gold. Some Shadowblades even work for trade of magical items that harness shadow magic or can get them closer to their goddess.
MOVE SILENTLY (DEXTERITY): The 'blade is able to move silently in urban areas with a successful dexterity check. The 'blade can move up to one half the character’s normal speed with no penalty. At more than one half and up to the character’s full speed, the character suffers a -5 penalty. It’s practically impossible to (-20 penalty) move silently while running or charging. Pacers cannot perform this ability indoors. See conceal above for information on moving silently while attempting to conceal oneself.
The ability cannot be used if armors other than those allowed are worn.
SCALE (DEXTERITY): With this ability, 'blades can freely climb and scale vertical walls, fences and the sides of buildings in an urban environment; no attribute check is required. Additionally, with a successful attribute check, this extraordinary ability allows the 'blade to climb up, down, or across a dangerous obstacle or inverted incline that others would find impossible. When doing so, the 'blade moves at one half the character’s normal speed. A failed attribute check means that the character makes no progress. A check that fails by 5 or more means that the character falls from the currently attained height and must suffer falling damage.
In both situations above, nothing may be carried in the 'blade's hands while climbing. Also, this ability cannot be used if armors other than those allowed are worn.
While 'blade are quite proficient scaling surfaces in urban areas, they are able to scale surfaces in wilderness settings as well. In this instance, the scale check is performed using dexterity as a secondary attribute with bonuses applied, since the 'blade is not skilled in a wilderness environment.
URBAN KNOWLEDGE (WISDOM): The 'blade uses this ability to gather information in cities, towns and villages. They can find lodging, and the best ways to purchase items. They can find people and their guilds, learn their political structure, and those hidden, shady elements in urban areas.
At 2nd level they gain a +2 bonus to their attribute check. This increases to +4 at 4th level, +6 at 6th level and finally +8 at 8th level.
URBAN KNWLEDGE (CONTACT): The 'blade Gains contacts within the city. These contacts can give information, loans, weapons, or a wagon on their way out of town, if the 'blade needs it. At 1st level, the 'blade has 1 contact, and gains a new contact for each level of experience they gain. All contacts are lower class, street urchins or low end shop owners. Every 5th level, the Shadowblade can turn two contacts in, and gain a middle class merchant or low administrator within the city's constabulary. A corrupt guard, or a dirty paper pusher.
SHADOW ATTACK: At 4th level a 'blade gains the sneak attack ability. When an opponent or victim is aware of the 'blade , but unsuspecting of the attack, a pacer can use the sneak attack ability. For example, a 'blade could be having a conversation with a potential victim, intending to strike once a vital piece of information is learned. Or, a 'blade could be perched in the shadows of a tree, waiting for the perfect opportunity to fire a crossbow. Shadow attack situations do not require a previously successful hide or move silently check, But the 'blade must start his action in full shadow. The opponent does not roll for initiative until the round following the attack.
A 'blade making a shadow attack gains a +2 bonus to hit and a +4 bonus to damage. Ranged weapons can be used for shadow attack if the target is within 30 feet. A 'blade cannot aim with deadly accuracy from beyond that range.
City Tracking: At 5th level he gains the ability to track within the confines of civilized society. Using the shadows to lend him/her information, The shadowblade gains a +2 to any skill roll check when attempting to follow, track, or pursue someone or something within any village, town, hamlet or city.
Shadowstab: At 8th Level the Shadowblade can Ue the shadows around him/her to attack from a distance. Using a shadow near them, they can stab into the shadow, and out a nerby shadow within 20 feet and hit a target. At 12th level the range increases to 30 feet range nd at 18th, it increases to 40 feet range. This ability can be used with the Shadow Attack ability.
Shadow's Aid: At 12th level, The shadowblade can utilize the kiss of Shahde' within the shadows while fighting in melee. When in deep shadow (per DM's allowance) or under a globe of darkness, when the Shadowblade attacks, They gain an additional attack from the shadows themselves, as another shadow-made blade strikes the target, using the bonuses from the Shadowblade.
Type
Religious
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