User:TK-Squared/MudBox/Acolyte of the Scythe (3.5e Prestige Class)

Acolyte of the Scythe
"The scythe is a weapon forged in chaos and must be used with order. It is perfection."

Those who can appreciate and understand the skill that is required to wield a scythe with grace and perfection realize its potential and often seek out ways to improved their skill. These few people become Acolytes of the Scythe, learning how to wield their chosen weapon with finesse, learning how to control the battlefield with their abilties and making sure that all realize the power of their weapon.

Becoming an Acolyte of the Scythe
Any character who wields a scythe as a main combat weapon can be drawn into the Ways of the Scythe, willing to learn the tricks and abilities that the Acolytes of the Scythe wield with finesse. Becoming an Acolyte of the Scythe can require a willing teacher, but there are those of such a passionate dispoisiton on Scythes that they teach themselves the powers that a Scythe delivers.

Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level) Bluff (Cha), Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Profession (Wis), Tumble (Dex) and Swim (Str).

Class Features
All the following are class features of the Acoylte of the Scythe

Shaft Fighting : At 1st level, the Acolyte of the Scythe is capable of using the shaft of his Scythe as an offensive weapon, gaining an offhand attack as though wielding two light weapons, but the penalty is reduced by 1 (For -1/-1 on attack rolls). The shaft of the scythe is a bludgeoning weapon that deals 1d4 damage with a x2 critical and it cannot be magical. It has no additional weight. If the shaft has a Weighted Shaft, then it uses the properties for a Weighted Shaft and can be magical. This only applies when wielding the scythe in two hands. At 5th level, the penalty is reduced by an additional 1 point, for no penalty.

Shaft Defense : While wileding a scythe, the Acolyte of the Scythe is capable of blocking incoming attacks with the shaft. He gains a +1 shield bonus to Armour Class while wielding a Scythe. This increases to +2 at 3rd level and +3 and 5th level.

Weighted Shaft: An Acolyte of the Scythe is so trained in the use of a scythe, he is able to wield the scythe with finesse even with a weighted shaft. While fighting with a Weighted Shaft in his scythe, the Acolyte of the Scythe forgoes the -2 penalty associated with it.

Scythe Aptitude:  An Acolyte of the Scythe may stack his levels with any fighter levels to determine his fighter level for fighter feats (such as Weapon Specialization). This only affects feats used for a scythe.

Scythe Trick :  At 2nd and 4th level, the Acolyte of the Scythe is capable of performing extraordinary feats of expertise while wielding a Scythe.


 * Palm Balance Reach: The Acolyte of the Scythe is capable of doubling their normal reach with the Scythe for one attack per round by thrusting it out and keeping the shaft held in an open palm for a short amount of time, before grabbing it and pulling it back sharply. For one attack per round, the range of the Acolyte is doubled (5 feet to 10 feet, 10 feet to 20 feet) and the Acolyte takes a -2 on the attack roll. This only works when wielding a scythe designed for the Acolyte's size catergory. While using this trick, the Acolyte is not capable of using the shaft as an offhand weapon for the round it is used on.
 * Leg Sweep: As a full round action, the Acolyte of the Scythe can spin his scythe around in a full circle, jumping over the shaft as it spins around to make a trip attack against every creature in an adjacent square to the Acolyte. This trip attempt cannot be countered and can only be dodged by those it's made against. The opponents cannot attempt a counter-trip attempt.
 * Push Back Slice: The Acolyte of the Scythe is capable of pushing away his opponent with the shaft of his weapon and then immediatly slice the enemy with the blade. The initial strike from the shaft acts as though a bull rush attempt to push the opponent back 5 feet, except there are not Attacks of Opportunity and the Acolyte does not gain any bonuses due to relevant bull rush feats. If the check is successful, then the Acolyte immediatly gains an attack with the scythe's blade against a flatfooted opponent, as he stumbles back. The opponent cannot be targetted by any Attacks of Opportunities from the Acolyte for this movement. This action is a standard action.

Playing an Acolyte of the Scythe
Adventure: Acolytes of the Scythe adventure to improve their skill and even find those that are capable of besting them in combat; as to become stronger and gain closer understanding of the Way of the Scythe and how to develop Order from Chaos or Chaos from Order. An Acolyte of the Scythe will not normally travel with any other Acolytes; but may find companions with other adventurers. Furthermore, an Acolyte of the Scythe may travel with a companion student who is learning the Way of the Scythe; acting as a mentor to teach the secrets of the weapon to their pupils. An Acolyte of the Scythe does not require exceptional reasons to travel out, normally only doing so to advance their own abilities.

Characteristics: Coming in many shapes, sizes and races, the Acolytes of the Scythe have only one obvious thing in common; their choice of weapon (that of the scythe), otherwise they are usually indistinguishable from other melee combatants or adventurers. It is only in battle an Acolyte of the Scythe becomes exceptionally notable; wielding their weapon with grace and skill normally unmatched. They use scythe tricks in order to trick opponents and make sudden attacks with their specially modified weapons that may surprise opponents. They often talk of the Scythe highly; regarding it as a near perfect weapon and they focus on the dichotomy of Order and Chaos, rather than Good and Evil. Two ideologies come from the Way of the Scythe; Order from Chaos and Chaos from Order. The former is usually upheld by the lawful Acolytes, while the chaotic acolytes follow the latter.

Races: Any race can become an Acolyte of the Scythe; the scythe's subtle ways call to all and only those that are entranced by it's ways become an Acolyte.

Combat: The Acolyte of the Scythe is a front line combatant, wielding his Scythe with expertise and vigor against his opponents. The Acolyte uses his tricks to put enemies off guard and cripple them, before quickly finishing them with cuts of his blade and the blunt force of his shaft. In single combat, it is a general tactic to quickly overwhelm an opponent with a series of 'chaotic'-like attacks that are, otherwise, formed with perfect order. They usually seek out the most skilled of enemies; to test their own might against an enemy's skill.

Advancement: An Acolyte of the Scythe would most likely seek to advance in any class that would aid them in combat prowess. Through training and skill, they can achieve anything.

Resources: The Acolytes of the Scythe are not an organization and they only have a loose network between themselves. Acolytes are trained by other Acolytes or even just learn themselves. Those that are trained by others may have a network of other Acolytes, but often they are alone in such a resource.

Acolytes of the Scythe in the World
"All I saw in the frosted air was a spinning vortex of a scythe's blade, cutting and maiming all those in it's path."

NPC Reactions: At first glance, an Acolyte of the Scythe may appear to be just a simple warrior with an odd weapon choice or even just a farmer wearing a bit too much. However, their combat prowess usually might leave people in awe at their fantastic tricks and displays of finesse with such an unruly weapon.

Acolyte of the Scythe Lore
Characters with ranks in Knowledge (religion) can research the Acolyte of the Scythe to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Acolyte of the Scythe Martial Variant
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level) Bluff (Cha), Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Profession (Wis), Tumble (Dex) and Swim (Str).

Acolyte of the Scythe in the Game
Adaptation: As the Acolyte of the Scythe is nothing new or sensational in it's powers and they have little to no organization between each other, they can slot right in as though always there.