Dragon Swordmaster

Requirements

Alignment: Any Lawful

Base Attack Bonus: +5

Skills: Knowledge (Arcana) (3 ranks)

Feats: Combat Expertise, Daisho Technique, Void Use

Summary

Dragon clan samurai who dedicate themselves fully to the art of Ninten attend the swordmaster school. Unlike the other clans, the samurai of the Dragon train with the shugenja of their clan, the Swordmaster even more than most. The ability to wield two swords effectively is an amazing sight to behold and many say that the Swordmasters meditative study with shugenja allow them to attain a focused state required for such a feat. Among the samurai the Swordmasterssre feared duelists and enigmatic seekers for more esoteric truths as well.

Role: DPS

Characteristics: Swordsmen who can prevent others from using the void, and quick sword work

Source: Rokugan Campaign Setting

Game Rule Information

The Dragon Swordmaster has the following game statistics.

Abilities: Dexterity to strike first, Strength to strike hard, Constitution to strike continuously

Alignment: Any Lawful

Hit Die: d10

Starting Gold: N/A

Class Skills

The Dragon Swordmaster's class skills are Balance (Dex), Craft (Int), Concentration (Con), Listen (Wis), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex)

Skill Points at 1st Level: (4 + Int modifier) × 4

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int modifier

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Dragon Swordmaster.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Dragon Swordmaster is proficient with all simple and martial weapons

Daisho Stance: Wielding both blades in a defensive screen, the swordmaster makes it more difficult for an opponent to penetrate his defenses. Beginning at first level, the swordmaster gains a +1-armor bonus to his AC, this increases to +2 at 4th level and an additional +1 at 7th and 10th levels.

Quick Draw: The Swordmaster does not already possess the Quick Draw feat, he gains it at 2nd level, but only may apply it to katana and wakizashi. This feat can be used by the swordsmaster to draw both blades simultaneously.

One with the Sword: Extensive training in both kenjutsu and iajutsu has afforded the swordsmaster great insight into the use of the katana. When wielding the katana and wakizashi the swordmaster gains a total +2 bonus to hit beginning at 3rd level. The bonus may be distributed between katana and wakizashi as the swordmaster sees fit. (For example, with his katana he applies +2 to all attacks and nothing to his wakizashi, next round he may choose instead to apply a +1 to his katana and +1 to his wakizashi attacks. This total bonus increases to +3 at 5th level and +4 at 9th level.

Truth Is in the Killing: By spending a void point, the swordmaster may prevent the use of Void points by any one foe in his threatened area until his next turn. This effect continues even if the targeted opponent leaves the swordmaster's threatened area. This is a free action, taken on the swordmaster's turn.

Table 1-1: Dragon Swordsmaster Progression

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special
1st	+1	+0	+0	+2	Daisho stance +1
2nd	+2	+0	+0	+3	Quick draw
3rd	+3	+1	+1	+3	One with the sword +2
4th	+4	+1	+1	+4	Daisho stance +2
5th	+5	+1	+1	+4	One with the sword +3
6th	+6/+1	+2	+2	+5	—
7th	+7/+2	+2	+2	+5	Daisho stance +3
8th	+8/+3	+2	+2	+6	Truth is in the killing
9th	+9/+4	+3	+3	+6	One with the sword +4
10th	+10/+5	+3	+3	+7	Daisho stance +4