A compendium class that sits alongside other Focus users (such as Sage's Battlemind, MrPrim's Psion, or my own Soulknife). It focuses on warriors who fight with supernatural grace and mystical ability while wielding a signature weapon. The formatting might be a bit wonky, but I'll convert it over to Google drive soon. :)
- Alex
Kensai
When you've bonded to a signature weapon, you can take the move "Blade Focus" when you advance. Then, add the other moves to your advancement list.
Blade Focus: You gain the "Weapon Special" associated with your signature weapon type. When you meditate with your signature weapon, roll+wis and hold 1 focus (max focus 3). On a hit, you're sure of your skill and ready to face what may come - take +1-forward. On a 10+, you're also centered and highly focused - hold +1 focus. On a miss, the GM will tell you at least one:
- you see dark visions, nightmares, and ill portents (the GM will detail)
- you're off-center and disturbed; take -1-ongoing until you make camp
- you're filled with bloodlust and a desire to fight; avoiding a fight will require you to defy danger, most likely
Spend 1 hold to use your weapon special. If you lose your signature weapon, you also lose all hold.
Elemental Fury: Choose one of deathly cold, fierce flames, or crackling lightning. You can spend 1-focus to imbue your chosen weapon with that element, dealing +1 damage for a single battle.
Focused Meditant: When you meditate with your weapon, take an additional focus. Your max focus is increased by 1.
Perfect Grace of War: When you center yourself amidst a battle, spend at least 3 focus. For the rest of the battle, every miss you roll while hacking and slashing with your signature blade is treated as a 7-9. Furthermore, for each extra focus you spend, choose one.
- you add your focus spent to your armor for the duration of the battle
- you add your focus spent to your damage for the duration of the battle
- your allies take +1-ongoing as long as they can see you fighting
After the fight, you're tired and weakened. Take -1-ongoing until you make camp or rest in a steading.
Joy of Battle: When you hack and slash, on a 12+, gain one focus. This can increase your focus to one higher than your max; if you end a battle with more than your maximum focus, reduce it to your max.
Versatile Weapon: You gain another weapon special that you can use with your signature weapon.
Weapon Specials
Axe: Cleave an NPC's limb away.
Dagger: Slip through an enemy's defenses and pierce their flesh.
Graceful Sword: Carefully parry an enemy's attack, avoiding all damage.
Hammer: Smash through an object or obstacle or break something an enemy has.
Heavy Sword: Infuse your attacks with vigor, taking +1d4 damage forward.
Polearm: Strike every enemy within your reach.