Subpage ListingThis section contains the list of maneuvers for the Black Seraph discipline. Order of Presentation: In the maneuver lists and descriptions, the maneuvers are grouped alphabetically by level. Initiator Level: Some maneuvers effects depend on the initiator level, which is usually the character's level in the class that provides access to martial maneuvers. The word "level" in the maneuver lists always refers to initiator level. Creatures and Characters: "Creatures" and "characters" are used synonymously in the maneuver descriptions. Discipline Restrictions Some disciplines carry specific restrictions on when they can be used, as well as specific rules for those disciplines, as defined in that discipline's maneuver list. Black Seraph DisciplineThe secrets of the Black Seraph discipline are taught by possessing fiends and demonic tutors to their pawns as a way of enticing fools who desire power into learning their secrets or the occasional few with wills strong enough to tear those secrets from their infernal prisoners. Not ones to blanch at the thought of fighting dirty, Black Seraph disciples are quite content to injure their foes in any way that they can to ensure their victory. This discipline focuses on powerful, straightforward two-handed strikes and vicious counters as well as intimidation, pain-infliction, and dirty fighting. The Black Seraph discipline’s associated skill is Intimidate, and its associated weapon groups are axes, flails, and pole arms. The discipline of Black Seraph is a supernatural discipline and all abilities within are considered supernatural abilities and follow the rules and restrictions of such. Many abilities in this discipline carry the [evil] descriptor, but not all of them. Broken Blade DisciplineLegend has it the first practitioner of the Broken Blade style was a powerful swordsman who in the middle of a life-or-death duel with an old enemy found his sword broken by his opponent and had to toss it aside. Disheartened by his lack of weapons, he quickly realized that his years of training, exercise, and conditioning had made his body a weapon all on its own. Using only his fists and his nerve, this long-forgotten swordsman became the first to develop this discipline’s techniques, and he passed his experience on to others. Disciples of the Broken Blade teach these methods in monasteries, to cloistered warrior-monks who learn to operate without the use of traditional weapons of combat. Others learn from parents or individual mentors, haphazard or otherwise, and scrap their way through as it suits them. The Broken Blade’s associated skill is Acrobatics, and its associated weapon groups are close, monk, and natural. Maneuvers from this discipline require the initiator to be using discipline weapons or be unarmed. Use of discipline-specific weapons with Broken Blade inflict an additional 2 points of damage. Cursed Razor DisciplineThe discipline known now as Cursed Razor has dark origins indeed, spawned forth from the bodyguards of an ancient demonic cult. Tapping into the power of their own malevolence, these warrior-warlocks struck their opponents down with dark curses channeled through their weapons and developed techniques to project maleficent auras that sapped away at the bodies and minds of their enemies. Since then Cursed Razor has spread far beyond the now-dead cult, which taught other students before its demise, left books of its secrets lying around, or else simply inspired others with demonstrations of its entropic power. Though the techniques of Cursed Razor stem from the inborn malice found in any sapient mind, its powers are not necessarily evil—pragmatic, certainly, and utterly lacking in any sense of fair play, but not evil. Knights and champions in the mortal realm seeking the weapons to combat evil turn to Cursed Razor to gain an edge on their fiendish foes, or as a way of acknowledging the terrible truth of evil’s place in the multiverse while at the same time casting their defiance in its teeth. Maneuvers from the Cursed Razor discipline are imbued and enhanced with magical energies; as such, they are supernatural abilities. Cursed Razor’s associated skill is Spellcraft, and its associated weapon groups are heavy blades, light blades, and spears. Elemental Flux DisciplineEqual parts martial discipline and magical art form, the discipline of Elemental Flux is a martial art that is said to have roots in the bloodlines of genies and their mortal descendants. By tapping their magical natures, they were able to pioneer a style of fighting that channeled their innate magic into a cohesive fighting style. Those descended from these original genie battle masters passed their talents down through the generations, and the discipline proliferated from there. In the current day, practitioners of Elemental Flux blend arcane elemental energies with martial strikes to create a dizzying array of quasi-arcane, magic-infused attacks that spell devastation and ruin to enemies. Elemental Flux’s associated skill is Spellcraft, and its associated weapon groups are light blades, monk, and thrown. Eternal Guardian DisciplineThe exact origins of the discipline of the Eternal Guardian are difficult to determine due to the style’s incredible age. One legend claims it was created by the god who first separated the planes, dividing the mortal from the immortal, while another story insists that it was founded by a single warrior who swore to defend his city from an entire invading army. These stories reflect the core of the discipline: A total devotion to a promise—usually either an oath to an ally that they will survive, no matter the cost to the disciple, or a curse on a foe that they will never escape. Today, the discipline of the Eternal Guardian has spread far and wide: It is used by bodyguards in the palaces of kings, sentinels of occult orders, and humble night watchmen making their rounds. The discipline of the Eternal Guardian and all of its maneuvers and stances are considered to be supernatural abilities and thus do not function in situations where supernatural abilities will fail. Eternal Guardian’s associated skill is Intimidate, and its associated weapon groups are hammers, heavy blades, and polearms. Golden Lion DisciplineThe discipline of Golden Lion is a practice passed between war leaders, chieftains, generals, and militia leaders over the generations, meant to bring a group of warriors together into one cohesive unit. Golden Lion is a discipline that only greatly benefits a warrior who believes strongly in teamwork. The larger the group, the more who can benefit from the skilled leadership of a dedicated commander. Golden Lion benefits its practitioners indirectly, by aiding their allies instead. Because of this association with team work and working in groups with many differing people, the associated skill for this discipline is Diplomacy, and its associated weapon groups are heavy blades, hammers, and pole arms. Iron Tortoise DisciplineThe discipline known as Iron Tortoise rose up from the need to protect one’s self and allies from harm during wartime. Phalanx fighters knew that their shield protected them as much as their brother, and that a sturdy shield wall could repel almost any harm. Iron Tortoise disciples learn that their discipline requires their defensive stances to be perfect; they must not be budged from their spot unless they choose to move from them. Iron Tortoise requires its practitioners be proficient with a shield, and many of its maneuvers can only be used with a shield or shield-like device. The Iron Tortoise discipline’s associated skill is Bluff, and its associated weapon groups are axes, heavy blades, and close weapons. Maneuvers from Iron Tortoise require use of a shield in one hand. Animated shields are not allowed as they do not allow the full range of motions required to use these maneuvers. Tower shields may be used, but cannot be used to perform shield bash maneuvers. Mithral Current DisciplineLike the flashing rapids, thundering waterfalls and deep, silent depths of the ocean, disciples of Mithral Current embody the many forms and ever changing nature of water. The art of Mithral Current’s bladework began as a set of scattered abilities found across several different island nations. Through frequent cultural exchange, trade and war these techniques spread and mixed forming a unique style that blended the culture and history of many peoples. The discipline found its use among all walks of life, from noble palaces where the drawing of a blade was an act of social suicide to the slums of portside cities where a hidden blade was the only thing that could keep one safe. Mithral Current’s associated skill is Perform (dance), and its associated weapon groups are light blades, heavy blades, and polearms. Piercing Thunder DisciplineThe Piercing Thunder discipline finds its traditions rooted in one of the oldest weapons known to intelligent beings: the spear. Be this spear fought in melee, tossed to hunt, or used as part of a charge, the spear, and later the polearm, has been a standard in military practice. Those who follow Piercing Thunder’s teachings know that these mighty hafted weapons are equally at home in the hands of a warrior on the battlefield as they are in those of a poor peasant militiaman—the spear knows no rank, only skill. Piercing Thunder shows superiority through the overwhelming force granted by reach and mobility. Piercing Thunder’s associated skill is Acrobatics, and its associated weapon groups are polearms and spears. Primal Fury DisciplineThe way of the Primal Fury is a simple method of undeniable ferocity coupled with unstoppable aggression in the face of the enemy. By focusing the cold rage within a warrior’s heart and combining that power with calculated skill and intellect, the Primal Fury practitioner is a force of remorseless warfare that is capable of truly devastating shows of force. Learned by those emulating the hunt and attack methods of great cats, such as pumas, lions, leopards, and tigers, the early practitioners of this discipline spread throughout the world, teaching it nearly everywhere. Many even regard this discipline as the oldest of all disciplines. The disciples of the Primal Fury have a few unifying principles, however, and that is firstly survival. All disciples of the Primal Fury are survivors of hardships in battle, trading blows stoically and fighting on with indomitable will to live to fight again. This drive to victory makes many of them very taciturn, but others simply shrug off the specter of death and focus more on the moment. The associated skill for the Primal Fury discipline is Survival, and its associated weapon groups are axes, heavy blades, and hammers. Riven Hourglass DisciplineTime exists. No one can deny this fact that time inexorably marches forward and brings all things to crumbling ruin, to death, and to dissolution. For others, time brings great things, as when things mature they grow and change, become more beautiful or potent. At the end of all things, the sand in the hourglass always falls and time passes. Some souls rejected this notion, and learned through skill with a blade to cleave the hourglass in twain and alter the passage of time to their benefit. Thus, the Riven Hourglass discipline was born. Students of this discipline believe that within each being there is an Hourglass in their soul, and within this hourglass resides the sands that flow endlessly towards the end of a creature’s time in the world. By manipulating their own Hourglass and that of others, the practitioners of this art show that through will, determination, and the use of the sands of time within all beings that battle can be won before it has even begun. Riven Hourglass disciples are capable of seeing minute flows in the endlessly flowing sands of time and are capable of making decisions in the moments when they need to be made. Riven Hourglass’ associated skill is Autohypnosis, and its associated weapon groups are flails, hammers, and light blades. Scarlet Throne DisciplineThe discipline of Scarlet Throne arose in the battling aristocracies of the world, where its nobles initially only practiced dueling styles that were of little use. When war came, these nobles found their abilities were sorely under-prepared for the rigors of true combat. Combining their roots in the dueling arts dueling and subsequent training by masters of practical combat and leadership, the Scarlet Throne style was born. Regal and unflinching, a practitioner of Scarlet Throne owns any field of battle he walks upon, for it is his court and there he rules, painting his chambers red with the blood of his enemies. The associated skill for this discipline is Sense Motive, and its associated weapon groups are heavy blades, light blades, and spears. All Scarlet Throne maneuvers and stances require that the initiator not be using any kind of shield in their off-hand (including animated shields) while initiating a maneuver or while using a martial stance of this discipline. The initiator may use bucklers or rings of force shield or an effect that grants a shield bonus to his AC, just not a physical shield larger than a buckler. He must either have his off-hand empty, or be wielding a weapon two-handed to use this discipline. Shattered Mirror DisciplineThe strange and, in some ways, disquieting discipline known as Shattered Mirror is ancient and misunderstood. Many conflicting tales of its origins and practice exist, crediting its invention to a variety sources. Perhaps the most well-known story of its origin places blame for it at the feet of a mirror of opposition triggered by a great warrior caught in the midst of a magical conflict. The mirror’s powerful magics were pulled and warped by the flying spells and magical taint and the being it coughed forth came out wrong, unable to return to its home. Deprived of its homeland and its true and proper nature, it traveled the lands seeking power over reflections in an effort to return. The product of its failure, says the legend, is Shattered Mirror, which is still practiced to this day by those who seek power over reflections both true and deceptive. Shattered Mirror’s associated skills are Craft (glassmaking), Craft (painting), Craft (sculpture), and Craft (sketching), and its associated weapon groups as heavy blades, light blades, and close weapons. Some maneuvers from this discipline require the initiator to make a Craft check; these checks must use one of the Craft skills associated with Shattered Mirror. Silver Crane DisciplineDisciples of the Silver Crane are men and women for whom the power of the celestial and divine flow into the arts of their blade. The Silver Crane is a goodly discipline and may only be learned and used by those who have a good alignment who are inspired by the teachings of good aligned outsiders. It focuses on strong strikes designed to combat evil, celestial insights, and combat-predictions to defeat foes and enable the initiator and his allies to endure the hardships of battle against the forces of evil. Upon learning the art of Silver Crane, the disciple becomes in tune with the flows of the celestial realm, gaining heavenly insights into combat as if the angels themselves were granting insight to the warrior in battle. The Silver Crane discipline’s associated skill is Perception, and its associated weapon groups are bows, hammers, and spears. The discipline of Silver Crane is to be considered a supernatural discipline and all abilities within are considered supernatural abilities and follow the rules and restrictions of such. All abilities in this discipline carry the [good] descriptor. Sleeping Goddess DisciplineThough some put their trust in a well-crafted sword or a solid shield, the greatest warriors know that a tempered mind and devotion to one’s ideals are the sharpest weapon and the toughest armor. A Sleeping Goddess adept strikes his deathblow not at the heart of his foe, but at the ideals and principles the foe devotes himself to, undermining his conceptual basis of reality. ThroughPath of War Expanded their mastery of psionics and overpowering force of belief, disciples of this discipline assert their presence on the world, transcending the shackles of reality and making their surroundings their own. A master of the discipline becomes unto a god; he rends minds asunder as easily as bodies and shakes the foundations of others’ beliefs merely by sharing his own. Sleeping Goddess’ associated skill is Autohypnosis, and its associated weapon groups are flails, heavy blades, monk, and spears. In addition, any weapon created by the form mind blade class feature or equivalent ability (such as a deadly fist’s empowered strikes, a psychic armory’s panoply of blades, or a soulbolt’s mind bolt) or by a Sleeping Goddess maneuver is treated as a discipline weapon. Solar Wind DisciplineThe disciples of the Solar Wind learn their arts on the windy plains where they train to deliver deadly force and precision in any environment. Throwing weapons and archery are their tools, and they rarely miss. Hallmark maneuvers include ricochet maneuvers, deadly precision strikes, supernaturally forceful maneuvers that may fire through opponents in a deadly line, showers of phantom weapons that inflict true damage, and ranged attack counters which shoot enemy missiles from the sky. Solar Wind’s associated skill is Perception and its weapon groups are bows, crossbows, firearms, and thrown. All maneuvers of this discipline require the use of a weapon in these groups or the firearms weapon group. Thrown weapons that also have melee applications may only be used with this discipline when used in their ranged weapon capacity. The discipline of Solar Wind has many maneuvers that are considered to be supernatural abilities, and these maneuvers follow the same rules and restrictions. Solar Wind maneuvers may only be performed with a weapon in the bow, crossbow, or thrown weapon groups (see the fighter weapon training class feature). Steel Serpent DisciplinePractice of the Steel Serpent discipline dates back to ancient times, hailing from those whose work was only practiced in the dark of night, in hidden cabals dedicated to the art of killing. Steel Serpent disciples practice the art of the silent kill, using stealth, trickery, and poison in addition to martial combat skill and knowledge of anatomy. Masters of this discipline are marvels of deadly precision, their very touch capable of killing the strongest of men through the manipulation of their ki used as a deadly weapon. This ki manipulation causes the disciple’s very energies to become a supernatural poison in and off itself. Swiftness and deadly precision are hallmarks of this discipline, and those that use it are known for making use of more exotic weapons. Knowledge of anatomy (of both targets and the self) is also incredibly important, as well as the knowledge of ki manipulation and how to effect the energies of the body. The associated skill for this discipline is Heal, and its associated weapon groups are light blades, close weapons, and monk weapons. Unless expressly noted, Steel Serpent maneuvers can only be used with throwing weapons, piercing weapons, slashing weapons, and unarmed strikes. The discipline of Steel Serpent has many maneuvers that would be considered supernatural abilities, and are marked as such. These abilities follow the same rules as supernatural abilities. Tempest Gale DisciplineLike the whipping winds of a great storm front, the arrows, slings, bullets and thrown weapons of a Tempest Gale disciple reach out across the battlefield to find their target without error. Developed from the skills of masterful archers who used trick shots and careful aim to bring down their foes, Tempest Gale is a discipline that specializes in targeted shots that can disable or destroy any foe. Tempest Gale’s associated skill is Sleight of Hand, and its associated weapon groups are bows, crossbows, firearms, and thrown. Thrashing Dragon DisciplineThe discipline known as Thrashing Dragon has a long standing tradition amongst both ascetics and daredevils alike, as its movements and style fit both the dedication and tenacity of more disciplined fighters, as well as the erratic and improvisational style of free spirited warriors. Practitioners of the style are often lithe and nimble, graceful and quick, as the style demands speed and the ability to correct one’s movements fluidly. Thrashing Dragon is a demanding style that requires both agility and athletic ability. Its disciples are primarily two-weapon fighters, skilled with weapons that are used for quick slashes and stabs. It is an acrobatic style, using the disciple’s natural speed and grace to avoid blows as opposed to blocking them with their smaller weapons. Thrashing Dragon’s associated skill is Acrobatics, and its associated weapon groups are close weapons, light blades, and double weapons. Many Thrashing Dragon maneuvers require that its practitioner be wielding two weapons (one in each hand or one weapon and unarmed strike), wielding a double weapon, using natural weapons, or be unarmed to utilize them. Veiled Moon DisciplineThe discipline of Veiled Moon and all of its maneuvers and stances are considered to be supernatural abilities and thus do not function in situations where supernatural abilities will fail. If the character is on an a plane that does not touch the Ethereal, then Veiled Moon maneuvers that specify that they use the Ethereal Plane do not function; all others function normally due to all planes connecting to the Astral Plane. Teleportation maneuvers require that the destination must be within line of sight to the initiator, and are usable with the Dimensional Agility line of feats. Also, maneuvers with the (teleportation) tag only apply to the initiator himself, his gear and equipment, and up to 25 pounds of carried objects. Lastly, maneuvers with the [mind-affecting] tag are considered enchantment effects for the purposes of saving throws and immunities.
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Path of War, © 2014, Dreamscarred Press.
Path of War - Expanded, © 2016, Dreamscarred Press.