The Bladerunners, The Brotherhood Of Swords

 

Description: The Bladerunners (Bsw), also known as The Brotherhood Of Swords, or simply The Brotherhood, are a mercenary company that uses Caesura as its central base of operations. Most of its members are caravan hireswords, but also serve as bodyguards, military mercenaries, militiamen, or added muscle in adventuring companies. The Bladerunners accept only men within their ranks, although they in no way deny the potential of women to fight. Females can be Bladefriends, however (see below). Recently, there has been a push to revoke this tradition, but so far, the upper echelons have refused to change policy. All members of the Bladerunners are readily identifiable by the marks they bear in brotherhood (although this is not commonly known outside the organization). All members bear an upright sword tattoo on their right, inner forearm, hilt towards palm. This mark is placed when a new member is accepted into their ranks through the use of a heated bowl of iron bearing the mark. A similar mark on the left, inner forearm of an individual marks him or her as a Bladefriend (see below). Men bearing the brand on both forearms are known as Blademasters and are highly revered within the Brotherhood as both leaders and master swordsmen.

 

The organization is run by a counsel of twelve Blademasters (Founders) from Caesura; the council is collectively known as The Foundry. The Founders resolve disputes, rule on disciplinary matters, and set policies and prices for hiring of the Brotherhood’s members. The building itself is a tall tower complex known as the Steel Citadel. Supposedly, the Brotherhood maintains a staff of mages there for various reasons. The success of the Bladerunners is largely due to their extensive network of contacts in most major cities. These individuals are known as Bladefriends and hold various positions within the structure of larger cities. Seasoned adventurers will often become aware of the organization and may be offered membership as either a Brother or a Bladefriend. Members can identify each other through knowledge of their marks as well as certain catch phrases and actions. Bladefriends are expected to assist Bladerunners in every reasonable way (i.e. offering information, protection, lodging, equipment, etc.) and vice versa. Thus, the Bladefriends form the eyes and ears of the organization within cities, keeping tabs on members, finding jobs, recruiting, and reporting abuses. In return, the Bladefriends can expect information from traveling Bladerunners as well as protection.

 

Typically, only single class warriors join the Bladerunners, although there are a few (known) fighter/rogues among the ranks. A few weaponsmasters acknowledge membership within the Bladerunners, but most do not care for the heavy obligations towards the organization. Magic use, outside of magical arms and armor, is frowned upon. The Bladerunners, however, do maintain good ties with the temples and clergy of Macha and Nemain. The mark of the Brotherhood can be used to gain sanctuary and healing therein. It is rumored by some that the Bladerunners are, in fact, the army of those deities. Membership within the Brotherhood is for life. Bladerunners who have served in the Brotherhood are eligible for retirement benefits (though few live long enough to collect them) and can expect monetary compensation for their families in the case of death under duty. There have been instances where members have either been expelled or willingly left the ranks. Those individuals have their marks removed, forcibly if necessary, and are recognized as pariahs by the Brotherhood. Some type of magical curse is placed on those who offend the Brotherhood through being expelled; these men bear a mark that is recognized by any Bladerunner or Bladefriend, shining through any disguise. These men are known as the Broken and are treated with open contempt by the Brotherhood. Impersonating membership is one of the highest offenses to the organization. It has been done at various times by rogues and other individuals, but once found out, draws the collective wrath of the Brotherhood. Those individuals are slated for death by the Founders.

 

Requirements:

 

Race: Any, primarily human

Alignment: Any (primarily lawful)

Base Attack Bonus: +6/+1

 

Feats: Alertness, Expertise, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Martial Melee Weapon Proficiency (3 weapons, at least one of which must be a sword)

Other weapons are commonly learned by seasoned veterans as well as unarmed combat techniques. Bows are not used by the Brotherhood

 

Class Skills: Bluff (Chr), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str)

 

Class Feats: All General (PH), Blooded (FR), Blademark (this text), Boon of Nemain (this text), Chink in the Armor (this text), Discipline (FR), Founder (this text), Knock-down (this text), Luck of Heroes (FR), Macha’s Blessing (this text), My Brother’s Arm (this text), Pin Shield (this text), Stoic Composure (this text), Twin Sword’s Favor

 

Class Features:

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Description of Feats:

 

Blademark - Through extensive martial skill, you excel at one special attack of your choice from the table below; this attack becomes more potent than normal.   Add a +2 to all rolls using this attack OR a +2 on the DC to resist it. This feat does not stack but may be chosen multiple times to apply to a different special attack.

 

Special Attack                     Modifier________________________________

 

Subdual Damage                 +2 to attack and non-lethal damage rolls

Aid Another                          +2 bonus to AC of an ally for the round

Attack Objects                    +2 on damage rolls vs objects and -2 to DC

Strike a Weapon                  -2 to defenders attack roll

Bull’s Rush                            +2 on opposed STR check

Disarm                                    -2 on defender’s attack roll

Grapple                                 +2 on base attack roll

Overrun                                +2 on attack roll and STR check

Trip                                        +2 on attack roll and STR check

Unarmed Attack                 +2 on attack and damage rolls

 

Boon of Nemain – The Bladerunner’s weapon gains the advantage of a keen edge once per day for up to 10 minutes. If the blade already possesses the keen edge ability, the threat range decreases by 1. This ability functions in consecutive rounds once activated, even if not used if not used for the entire duration, the remainder is lost. An additional usage per day is gained every three levels.

 

Chink in the Armor – A successful DC allows you to spot weaknesses in your opponent’s armor. If successful, you gain a +2 on attack rolls versus that opponent.  Constructs, undead, and creatures with all natural armor are unaffected by this feat.

 

Light Armor       DC7

Medium Armor   DC10

Heavy Armor     DC13

 

If the opponent is using a shield, the defensive bonus (or cover bonus for tower shields) adds to the DC.

 

Founder – You gain a +1 enhancement bonus to Charisma as well as a +2 bonus to leadership, bluff, diplomacy, and intimidate checks.

 

Knock-down - Your mighty blows can knock foes off their feet. Following the same procedure as trip and improved trip, if the opponent is knocked prone, you receive an immediate bonus attack as a coup de grace.  You can gain this feat without the pre-requisites by being a Bladerunner.

 

Macha’s Blessing - The Bladerunner may don or remove armor in half the listed time (Table 7-6) when working alone. With help, this time can be reduced to one quarter the standard time.

 

Macha’s Kiss – Your tattoo is enchanted to grant an additional +1 on natural AC.

 

My Brother’s Arm – This leadership feat allows the user to synchronize other warriors into a fighting rhythm where they fight effectively as one. Each warrior within 30 ft. gains a +2 situation bonus to attack and damage rolls.

 

Nemain’s Kiss – You again a second tattoo on your left, inner forearm. Besides marking you as a Blademaster, it is enchanted to grant you a permanent +1 to one physical ability score (STR, DEX, or CON).

 

Pin Shield – Your knowledge of shield fighting techniques enables you to negate all shield bonuses (magical and non-magical) used by your opponents.

 

Stoic Composure – Your focused mind gives you a +1 bonus on all Will saves. This bonus is not included in the prestige class table for saves.

 

Twin Sword’s Favor – Once per day, you may enlist the fortunes of war to avoid a situation that would remove you from combat. Effects which would incapacitate (i.e. petrification, paralysis, polymorph, death effects, massive damage, etc.) you in a combat situation allow a second save at -2 if the first save is failed. If the second save is successful, the effect is negated as if the first save were successful. In the case of incapacitation by damage that brings you to -1 or lower hit points, the damage is halved upon a successful save; if this still leaves you with a negative hit point total, then you remain standing with 1 hit point. This ability cannot function when you are caught flat-footed.