sirpercival
2013-01-15, 11:49 AM
CELESTIAL IMPETUS
Lots and lots of thanks to Prime32 for some of these ideas, as well as Bozwevial for writing the opening flavor text!
Stolen wholesale from TheDementedOne: Rules for Epic Martial Disciplines
Epic Martial Disciplines
Epic martial disciplines are the fighting styles of the most powerful warriors and swordsmen in all creation. Powerful secret techniques wielded by gods, archfiends, and epic heroes, they represent the absolute pinnacle of the Sublime Way.
Learning Epic Martial Disciplines
Every epic discipline has an epic feat associated with it, called an initiation feat. Once an epic character has taken the initiation feat of a discipline, he gains the ability to learn the maneuvers of that epic discipline. Unlike normal maneuvers, epic maneuvers must be learned individually–each one has a unique XP cost and training time to learn. Learning even a single epic maneuver is an arduous quest for the mightiest of heroes, as they must seek out a master of the discipline to learn it from. Such beings include deities, demon princes, and things far more strange. Without such a mentor, the training time required to learn an epic maneuver is doubled–and even then, the pinnacle maneuver of an epic discipline can never be learned without a mentor. As with normal martial maneuvers, a martial adept must meet certain prerequisite number of maneuvers known from the same discipline to learn epic maneuvers. Each discipline has a single “pinnacle” maneuver, one that requires all other maneuvers of the discipline to be learned before it can be mastered.
Using Epic Maneuvers
Epic maneuvers are readied and initiated differently than normal maneuvers. Whenever a martial adept readies his maneuvers, he may choose a single epic martial discipline to ready for that day. Doing so readies all epic maneuvers of that discipline that he has learned. They do not count towards his normal maneuvers readied. Each readied epic maneuver can be initiated once per encounter–they cannot be recovered by any means. The martial adept may enter epic stances of his readied discipline as if they were normal martial stances, save that no ability or effect can ever allow him to gain the benefits of any other or second stance at the same time as he gains the benefits of an epic stance. Epic maneuvers do not have a level, but are treated as being of 10th level for all purposes. The saving throw against an epic maneuver has a DC of 20 + the listed ability modifier, although many epic maneuvers list ways in which their DC can be increased. All epic maneuvers are extraordinary abilities, unless otherwise listed.
Though Arraignment XI is legendary for its invention of the Celestial Impetus style, the kolyarut is equally famous for being the only inevitable in history to have worked with a partner. Arraignment and the great wyrm Jhankathear, a force dragon, first met when the inevitable came to enforce the terms of a protection contract which Jhankathear had neglected for a century. The two fought for four days before coming to an uneasy truce, during which the wyrm told Arraignment of an encroaching flight of Chaos dragons which prevented it from fulfilling its duties. The inevitable considered the circumstances and offered a renegotiation of the contract: Arraignment would assist Jhankathear in destroying the Chaos dragons in return for the renewal of the wyrm's protection. All of Limbo calmed for an instant as the pact was sealed, and immediately the pair began to wreak havoc on any dragon who dared enter Jhankathear's territory. Noting the ruthless efficiency of the wyrm's powers, Arraignment learned to manipulate force and wield it with precision as sword and armor alike. But as fierce as the pair were, they were not prepared for the inevitable retaliation of the Chaos dragons. The sky went dark with beating wings, and though the partnership spilled blood until it stained the earth, eventually they were overwhelmed. At the last moment, Arraignment turned to its partner and did the unthinkable: It released the wyrm from its contract. The inevitable fought off the bulk of the flight alone, showering missiles of pure force down on the forces of Chaos until it was rendered completely nonfunctional. In memory of its partner, Jhankathear bound itself to the very land it had been contracted to protect, becoming a genius loci. Though the dragon has not manifested in living memory, rumors persist that it merely sleeps, awaiting an epic hero to master the style born of an unlikely partnership and become an unstoppable force.
Key Skill: Craft (Sculpture)
Discipline Weapons: Dagger, longsword, rapier, spinning sword, short sword
Abundant Vector [Epic, Initiation]
You are a true master of Force.
Prerequisites: Craft (sculpture) 24 ranks, Martial Lore 24 ranks, must be capable of initiating 9th-level maneuvers from any one discipline.
Benefit: As a free action, you may apply the [Force] descriptor to any attack you make, affecting incorporeal and ethereal creatures normally; all of your attacks also ignore any deflection bonuses to AC that your opponents benefit from, if any. In addition, you may learn maneuvers from the Celestial Impetus discipline.
Maneuvers:
All of these maneuvers are supernatural abilities unless indicated otherwise; in addition, each of them has the [Force] descriptor.
Force Veil
Celestial Impetus (Boost)
Initiation Action: Swift action
Range: 0 ft
Target: One held weapon
Duration: 1 round
XP Cost: 20,000 XP
Training Time: 10 days
You craft a shroud of concealing force around your weapon, making it invisible and difficult for your opponents to react to. Until the beginning of your next turn, opponents are denied their Dexterity bonus to AC against attacks with that weapon, and each such attack deals +6d6 bonus force damage. Opponents who can see invisible creatures (e.g., from see invisibility or true seeing) are not denied their Dex bonus, but still suffer the extra damage.
Articulated Transparency
Celestial Impetus (Boost)
Prerequisite: 1 Celestial Impetus maneuver
Initiation Action: Swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round
XP Cost: 30,000 XP
Training Time: 15 days
You briefly transform yourself into a being of pure force, vanishing from the senses. Until the beginning of your next turn, you are invisible and undetectable, as per the superior invisibility spell. This maneuver is an extraordinary ability; a creature with true seeing must make a caster level check (DC 10 + your initiator level) to see you.
Prison of Duress
Celestial Impetus (Strike)
Prerequisite: 1 Celestial Impetus maneuver
Initiation Action: Standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: Attacked creature
Duration: 1 round/2 levels
XP Cost: 30,000 XP
Training Time: 15 days
At the completion of your attack, your foe is trapped in a nearly-invisible cage of force. As part of initiating this maneuver, make a single melee attack against your opponent which deals +6d6 force damage. If you succeed, your enemy must make a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 your initiator level + your Intelligence modifier) or be trapped inside a forcecage (as the spell, but trapping a creature of any size).
Reaving Potency
Celestial Impetus (Strike)
Prerequisite: 1 Celestial Impetus maneuver
Initiation Action: Standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: Attacked creature or area effect
Duration: Instantaneous
XP Cost: 30,000 XP
Training Time: 15 days
Your attack shatters force effects. As part of initiating this maneuver, make a melee attack which deals +6d6 force damage. If your target is under the effects of any targeted [Force] effect, it is automatically dispelled, and your target takes an additional 3d6 force damage as the effect ruptures. The damage from multiple force effects is cumulative.
Alternately, you may strike an area [Force] effect with this maneuver to dispel it, which inflicts 3d6 force damage to everything within (Reflex save, DC 10 + 1/2 initiator level + your Intelligence modifier, for half damage).
Violent Repulsion
Celestial Impetus (Counter)
Prerequisite: 1 Celestial Impetus maneuver
Initiation Action: Immediate action
Range: Melee touch attack
Target: Touched creature
Duration: Instantaneous
XP Cost: 30,000 XP
Training Time: 15 days
You turn your weapon into a plow of force which attempts to throw an attacker away from you. Initiate this maneuver in response to a melee attack made against you; when you do so, make a melee touch attack against your opponent with your weapon, which does not provoke attacks of opportunity. If the attack is successful, your opponent must make a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 initiator level + your Intelligence modifier) or be pushed back a number of feet equal to your Craft (Sculpture) check result, rounded up to the nearest multiple of 5 feet.
Auspice of Duplication
Celestial Impetus (Boost)
Prerequisite: 2 Celestial Impetus maneuvers
Initiation Action: Swift action
Range: Close (25 feet + 5 ft/2 levels)
Effect: One duplicate
Duration: 1 round
XP Cost: 45,000 XP
Training Time: 20 days
With your effort of will, a figure of sharp, transparent blue planes appears in the square you designate, mimicking your movements. This maneuver creates a duplicate of you made entirely of force, which lasts until the beginning of your next turn. It follows your movements exactly, whether you attack, move, or take other actions. If the duplicate threatens a creature when you make an attack, the threatened creature is attacked as well, suffering the same amount of damage on a successful hit as you would have dealt. All damage dealt by the force duplicate is force damage. If you initiate another maneuver, the duplicate does not gain the benefit of that maneuver, though if it is a strike which requires an attack, the duplicate attacks as normal.
The duplicate provokes attacks of opportunity as normal for moving through threatened squares, though it is made of force (just like a wall of force) and ignores most kinds of attacks. The duplicate makes no sound from its movements, and can move into square even if they would not normally support you (such as in open air or over water). It threatens an area just like you do; if a creature provokes an attack of opportunity from the duplicate, you can move your weapon to make it attack just like a normal attack of opportunity.
Impenetrable Skin
Celestial Impetus (Counter)
Prerequisite: 2 Celestial Impetus maneuvers
Initiation Action: Immediate action action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Instantaneous
XP Cost: 45,000 XP
Training Time: 20 days
You coat your skin with a thick layer of pure force, to protect you from attack. Initiate this maneuver in response to an attack made against you. You gain a +12 untyped bonus to armor class against that attack. If the attack hits you anyway, you automatically recover this maneuver (this is an exception to the rule that Epic maneuvers cannot be recovered by any means).
Impulse Labyrinth
Celestial Impetus (Stance)
Prerequisite: 2 Celestial Impetus maneuvers
Initiation Action: Swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Stance
XP Cost: 45,000 XP
Training Time: 20 days
When you enter this stance, you create a shifting maze of cube-shaped force blocks which surround you and your enemies. The labyrinth comes into existence centered on you, and remains fixed in position thereafter, though it ceases to exist if you leave this stance or exit its area. The labyrinth is an enclosed sphere of any size between 60ft and 120ft in radius (your choice), but its border is otherwise identical to the Otiluke's Resilient Sphere spell.
Within the labyrinth, you and your allies are always considered to have cover against enemies. In addition, in place of any attack within an attack sequence, you may launch one of the cubes at an enemy; the target must make a Reflex save (DC = 10 + 1/2 your initiator level + your Intelligence modifier) or take 8d6 force damage and become entangled for 1 round. This effect may originate from any point within the labyrinth. You never run out of cubes; they replenish themselves instantaneously.
Bladeswarm
Celestial Impetus (Strike) [Pinnacle]
Prerequisite: 8 Celestial Impetus maneuvers
Initiation Action: Standard action
Range: Medium (100 feet + 10 ft/level)
Target: One or more creatures
Duration: Instantaneous
XP Cost: 100,000 XP
Training Time: 50 days
The master of the Celestial Impetus discipline is a wonder in battle; his ultimate attack can decimate even the gods. You create 10 copies of your weapon per level, and send them at one or more enemies within range. Each force weapon deals force damage equal to the base damage of your weapon + your Intelligence modifier; inanimate objects are not damaged by the blades.
These weapons may be commanded to attack separate targets, or multiple weapons may be sent to attack a single foe. The force blades strike unerringly, even if a target is in melee combat or has less than total cover or total concealment. Specific parts of a creature can’t be singled out. A creature who is subject to an effect which specifically protects against magic missiles receives a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 your initiator level + your Intelligence modifier) for half damage.
Lots and lots of thanks to Prime32 for some of these ideas, as well as Bozwevial for writing the opening flavor text!
Stolen wholesale from TheDementedOne: Rules for Epic Martial Disciplines
Epic Martial Disciplines
Epic martial disciplines are the fighting styles of the most powerful warriors and swordsmen in all creation. Powerful secret techniques wielded by gods, archfiends, and epic heroes, they represent the absolute pinnacle of the Sublime Way.
Learning Epic Martial Disciplines
Every epic discipline has an epic feat associated with it, called an initiation feat. Once an epic character has taken the initiation feat of a discipline, he gains the ability to learn the maneuvers of that epic discipline. Unlike normal maneuvers, epic maneuvers must be learned individually–each one has a unique XP cost and training time to learn. Learning even a single epic maneuver is an arduous quest for the mightiest of heroes, as they must seek out a master of the discipline to learn it from. Such beings include deities, demon princes, and things far more strange. Without such a mentor, the training time required to learn an epic maneuver is doubled–and even then, the pinnacle maneuver of an epic discipline can never be learned without a mentor. As with normal martial maneuvers, a martial adept must meet certain prerequisite number of maneuvers known from the same discipline to learn epic maneuvers. Each discipline has a single “pinnacle” maneuver, one that requires all other maneuvers of the discipline to be learned before it can be mastered.
Using Epic Maneuvers
Epic maneuvers are readied and initiated differently than normal maneuvers. Whenever a martial adept readies his maneuvers, he may choose a single epic martial discipline to ready for that day. Doing so readies all epic maneuvers of that discipline that he has learned. They do not count towards his normal maneuvers readied. Each readied epic maneuver can be initiated once per encounter–they cannot be recovered by any means. The martial adept may enter epic stances of his readied discipline as if they were normal martial stances, save that no ability or effect can ever allow him to gain the benefits of any other or second stance at the same time as he gains the benefits of an epic stance. Epic maneuvers do not have a level, but are treated as being of 10th level for all purposes. The saving throw against an epic maneuver has a DC of 20 + the listed ability modifier, although many epic maneuvers list ways in which their DC can be increased. All epic maneuvers are extraordinary abilities, unless otherwise listed.
Though Arraignment XI is legendary for its invention of the Celestial Impetus style, the kolyarut is equally famous for being the only inevitable in history to have worked with a partner. Arraignment and the great wyrm Jhankathear, a force dragon, first met when the inevitable came to enforce the terms of a protection contract which Jhankathear had neglected for a century. The two fought for four days before coming to an uneasy truce, during which the wyrm told Arraignment of an encroaching flight of Chaos dragons which prevented it from fulfilling its duties. The inevitable considered the circumstances and offered a renegotiation of the contract: Arraignment would assist Jhankathear in destroying the Chaos dragons in return for the renewal of the wyrm's protection. All of Limbo calmed for an instant as the pact was sealed, and immediately the pair began to wreak havoc on any dragon who dared enter Jhankathear's territory. Noting the ruthless efficiency of the wyrm's powers, Arraignment learned to manipulate force and wield it with precision as sword and armor alike. But as fierce as the pair were, they were not prepared for the inevitable retaliation of the Chaos dragons. The sky went dark with beating wings, and though the partnership spilled blood until it stained the earth, eventually they were overwhelmed. At the last moment, Arraignment turned to its partner and did the unthinkable: It released the wyrm from its contract. The inevitable fought off the bulk of the flight alone, showering missiles of pure force down on the forces of Chaos until it was rendered completely nonfunctional. In memory of its partner, Jhankathear bound itself to the very land it had been contracted to protect, becoming a genius loci. Though the dragon has not manifested in living memory, rumors persist that it merely sleeps, awaiting an epic hero to master the style born of an unlikely partnership and become an unstoppable force.
Key Skill: Craft (Sculpture)
Discipline Weapons: Dagger, longsword, rapier, spinning sword, short sword
Abundant Vector [Epic, Initiation]
You are a true master of Force.
Prerequisites: Craft (sculpture) 24 ranks, Martial Lore 24 ranks, must be capable of initiating 9th-level maneuvers from any one discipline.
Benefit: As a free action, you may apply the [Force] descriptor to any attack you make, affecting incorporeal and ethereal creatures normally; all of your attacks also ignore any deflection bonuses to AC that your opponents benefit from, if any. In addition, you may learn maneuvers from the Celestial Impetus discipline.
Maneuvers:
All of these maneuvers are supernatural abilities unless indicated otherwise; in addition, each of them has the [Force] descriptor.
Force Veil
Celestial Impetus (Boost)
Initiation Action: Swift action
Range: 0 ft
Target: One held weapon
Duration: 1 round
XP Cost: 20,000 XP
Training Time: 10 days
You craft a shroud of concealing force around your weapon, making it invisible and difficult for your opponents to react to. Until the beginning of your next turn, opponents are denied their Dexterity bonus to AC against attacks with that weapon, and each such attack deals +6d6 bonus force damage. Opponents who can see invisible creatures (e.g., from see invisibility or true seeing) are not denied their Dex bonus, but still suffer the extra damage.
Articulated Transparency
Celestial Impetus (Boost)
Prerequisite: 1 Celestial Impetus maneuver
Initiation Action: Swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round
XP Cost: 30,000 XP
Training Time: 15 days
You briefly transform yourself into a being of pure force, vanishing from the senses. Until the beginning of your next turn, you are invisible and undetectable, as per the superior invisibility spell. This maneuver is an extraordinary ability; a creature with true seeing must make a caster level check (DC 10 + your initiator level) to see you.
Prison of Duress
Celestial Impetus (Strike)
Prerequisite: 1 Celestial Impetus maneuver
Initiation Action: Standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: Attacked creature
Duration: 1 round/2 levels
XP Cost: 30,000 XP
Training Time: 15 days
At the completion of your attack, your foe is trapped in a nearly-invisible cage of force. As part of initiating this maneuver, make a single melee attack against your opponent which deals +6d6 force damage. If you succeed, your enemy must make a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 your initiator level + your Intelligence modifier) or be trapped inside a forcecage (as the spell, but trapping a creature of any size).
Reaving Potency
Celestial Impetus (Strike)
Prerequisite: 1 Celestial Impetus maneuver
Initiation Action: Standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: Attacked creature or area effect
Duration: Instantaneous
XP Cost: 30,000 XP
Training Time: 15 days
Your attack shatters force effects. As part of initiating this maneuver, make a melee attack which deals +6d6 force damage. If your target is under the effects of any targeted [Force] effect, it is automatically dispelled, and your target takes an additional 3d6 force damage as the effect ruptures. The damage from multiple force effects is cumulative.
Alternately, you may strike an area [Force] effect with this maneuver to dispel it, which inflicts 3d6 force damage to everything within (Reflex save, DC 10 + 1/2 initiator level + your Intelligence modifier, for half damage).
Violent Repulsion
Celestial Impetus (Counter)
Prerequisite: 1 Celestial Impetus maneuver
Initiation Action: Immediate action
Range: Melee touch attack
Target: Touched creature
Duration: Instantaneous
XP Cost: 30,000 XP
Training Time: 15 days
You turn your weapon into a plow of force which attempts to throw an attacker away from you. Initiate this maneuver in response to a melee attack made against you; when you do so, make a melee touch attack against your opponent with your weapon, which does not provoke attacks of opportunity. If the attack is successful, your opponent must make a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 initiator level + your Intelligence modifier) or be pushed back a number of feet equal to your Craft (Sculpture) check result, rounded up to the nearest multiple of 5 feet.
Auspice of Duplication
Celestial Impetus (Boost)
Prerequisite: 2 Celestial Impetus maneuvers
Initiation Action: Swift action
Range: Close (25 feet + 5 ft/2 levels)
Effect: One duplicate
Duration: 1 round
XP Cost: 45,000 XP
Training Time: 20 days
With your effort of will, a figure of sharp, transparent blue planes appears in the square you designate, mimicking your movements. This maneuver creates a duplicate of you made entirely of force, which lasts until the beginning of your next turn. It follows your movements exactly, whether you attack, move, or take other actions. If the duplicate threatens a creature when you make an attack, the threatened creature is attacked as well, suffering the same amount of damage on a successful hit as you would have dealt. All damage dealt by the force duplicate is force damage. If you initiate another maneuver, the duplicate does not gain the benefit of that maneuver, though if it is a strike which requires an attack, the duplicate attacks as normal.
The duplicate provokes attacks of opportunity as normal for moving through threatened squares, though it is made of force (just like a wall of force) and ignores most kinds of attacks. The duplicate makes no sound from its movements, and can move into square even if they would not normally support you (such as in open air or over water). It threatens an area just like you do; if a creature provokes an attack of opportunity from the duplicate, you can move your weapon to make it attack just like a normal attack of opportunity.
Impenetrable Skin
Celestial Impetus (Counter)
Prerequisite: 2 Celestial Impetus maneuvers
Initiation Action: Immediate action action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Instantaneous
XP Cost: 45,000 XP
Training Time: 20 days
You coat your skin with a thick layer of pure force, to protect you from attack. Initiate this maneuver in response to an attack made against you. You gain a +12 untyped bonus to armor class against that attack. If the attack hits you anyway, you automatically recover this maneuver (this is an exception to the rule that Epic maneuvers cannot be recovered by any means).
Impulse Labyrinth
Celestial Impetus (Stance)
Prerequisite: 2 Celestial Impetus maneuvers
Initiation Action: Swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Stance
XP Cost: 45,000 XP
Training Time: 20 days
When you enter this stance, you create a shifting maze of cube-shaped force blocks which surround you and your enemies. The labyrinth comes into existence centered on you, and remains fixed in position thereafter, though it ceases to exist if you leave this stance or exit its area. The labyrinth is an enclosed sphere of any size between 60ft and 120ft in radius (your choice), but its border is otherwise identical to the Otiluke's Resilient Sphere spell.
Within the labyrinth, you and your allies are always considered to have cover against enemies. In addition, in place of any attack within an attack sequence, you may launch one of the cubes at an enemy; the target must make a Reflex save (DC = 10 + 1/2 your initiator level + your Intelligence modifier) or take 8d6 force damage and become entangled for 1 round. This effect may originate from any point within the labyrinth. You never run out of cubes; they replenish themselves instantaneously.
Bladeswarm
Celestial Impetus (Strike) [Pinnacle]
Prerequisite: 8 Celestial Impetus maneuvers
Initiation Action: Standard action
Range: Medium (100 feet + 10 ft/level)
Target: One or more creatures
Duration: Instantaneous
XP Cost: 100,000 XP
Training Time: 50 days
The master of the Celestial Impetus discipline is a wonder in battle; his ultimate attack can decimate even the gods. You create 10 copies of your weapon per level, and send them at one or more enemies within range. Each force weapon deals force damage equal to the base damage of your weapon + your Intelligence modifier; inanimate objects are not damaged by the blades.
These weapons may be commanded to attack separate targets, or multiple weapons may be sent to attack a single foe. The force blades strike unerringly, even if a target is in melee combat or has less than total cover or total concealment. Specific parts of a creature can’t be singled out. A creature who is subject to an effect which specifically protects against magic missiles receives a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 your initiator level + your Intelligence modifier) for half damage.