It is a well known fact that the most dangerous, the most perfect, and the most elegant weapon created in the last five thousand years is the katana. From the early conception in the wild lands of the Darklands the katana made an impact. Noble lords carried them as a symbol of their lofty status. As the Old Gods of Grayhawk made their mark in the First Millennium one of their number - the talented and beautiful Ishtar - brought with her the slightly curving single-edged blade.
It revolutionised sword fighting in every corner of Grayhawk. The utilitarian longsword, for so long the staple blade of the masses, now had a serious challenger. The katana carved through any armour and was swifter and more deadly than any blade on the continent. With it came the Darkland lords such as Red Sun and Curukawa; iconic masters who took bladesmanship to new heights. Their contribution to the history of Grayhawk cannot be underestimated, their skills and abilities have been passed from master to student for the last four hundred years.
Now a new breed of swordsmen have emerged. Men and women driven by a desire to learn the old ways of the true masters of the katana. For them the ways of the new gods fall short of their expectations, they realise as soon as they pick up the fabled blade that what they have in their hands is true craftsmanship. They have a way to reach the spiritual purity of the priest, a way to find enlightenment in a dangerous world.
Curukawa and Red Sun epitomised greatness. Unrivalled and unequalled they both sent many thousands to their deaths with the katana, their skill was enough to strike fear into the heart of the greatest warrior. It is these two men that inspire the sword cultist. Tales of their exploits have long since fallen into myth but the legendary spirits live on through the sword cultists endeavours to reach perfection.
| XP | Level | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | |
| 1,500 | 2 | |
| 3,000 | 3 | Lightning Draw |
| 6,000 | 4 | Spirit Stance |
| 12,000 | 5 | Class Professional; Double Strike |
| 24,000 | 6 | Iron Hand |
| 48,000 | 7 | Spirit Defence |
| 90,000 | 8 | |
| 150,000 | 9 | Bladesman, linked to the spirit of the sword |
| 300,000 | 10 | |
| 450,000 | 11 | |
| 600,000 | 12 | |
| 750,000 | 13 | Master Bladesman |
| 900,000 | 14 | |
| 1,050,000 | 15 | |
| 1,200,000 | 16 | |
| 1,350,000 | 17 | |
| 1,500,000 | 18 | Archbladesman |
3rd Level - Lightning Draw. Dexterity x2 + 5% per level.
4th Level - Spirit Stance. When assuming this stance the sword cultist can read the spirit of any opponent; he can sense which is the most talented or which has hidden powers or skills. In this stance the sword cultist cannot be assassinated as no assassin will ever be able to sneak up behind him.
5th Level - Double Strike. This is the ability to strike twice whilst using only one attack (once per round). The second strike of a double strike is undefendable and can only be avoided if the opponent catches the initial attack.
6th Level - Iron Hand. This ability can be used once every round. When an Iron Hand is used that attack does maximum damage (if a successful hit is scored). The Iron Hand skill can be used in conjunction with a strike mighty blow (as long as it is stated clearly before the attack dice is rolled) so the potential damage if a critical hit is scored is devastating.
7th Level - Spirit Defence. This stance allows the sword cultist to double their defences when employed but they must halve their attacks in the process.
The sword cultist harbours no illusions regarding the gods and goddesses of Grayhawk. The more they progress the more they realise that in all life there is a higher power, an advanced level of learning that separates them from the ordinary individual in the street. Only through the art of the katana can they have an insight into that special world of the priest.
But they also know that their higher power is a spiritual one; not a stalwart of law or chaos, not a harbinger of evil or of good. Their higher power is the art of swordsmanship handed down in a direct line from two of the greatest swordsmen of all time.
An extract from the Lore of the Blade (the chronicles of Ishtar) has become a springboard for the sword cultist's way of life. It tells of the time when master and student stood before a class of Darklanders when the katana was born.
"This is my gift to you," Ishtar said to the gathered crowd, "a blade so sublime and perfect that it will carve a name for itself from here to the very end of time itself."
Not one man or woman in the combat school doubted the goddess. Her best student - Curukawa - proceeded to attack her; a sparring that inspired the students and - in equal measure - filled them with dread that blades could be wielded so well.
"I will show you the true beauty and power of this blade," Curukawa said after the display.
The Darklanders were sceptical and one man - a powerful warlord from the north - challenged the young man. "I will not be the student of a child!" the warlord said, "for this pup is barely out of nursery!"
Curukawa struck the warlord so swiftly that few even saw the attack. He severed an ear, then a thumb, then a toe, before the warlord could even draw his blade. The fight was short and deadly, as many such fights were, and the gathered tribes of the Darklands witness the teenaged Curukawa take apart the most feared of their number with little effort.
"One day," Curukawa said quietly, "there will come a man or woman worthy of my teaching..."