Kaimbua, Hand-Open-Fist [3.5, ToB, Discipline, PEACH]

[BelGareth]

I have been reticent to create a new discipline, as there are so many of them, but I was recently poked to do so. This discipline is a mixture of several elements, combining some items from the Nine, Monk abilities, and attack of opportunity abilities. It's inspired by more attacks (but without wholesale breaking action economy, sorta), ip man, wushu, and epic scaling abilities)

This is if you want a little more monk in your unarmed swordsage.

I wanted something that would scale, so many of these maneuvers will still be effective, and utilized at higher levels.


Kaimbua

Kaimbua literally translates to Hand-Open-Fist, and is built upon the notion, that knowing your enemy, is the ultimate in combat. That if you truly know your enemy, you have already won the battle, and the war does not need to be fought.

Excelling at revealing themselves in combat as opens, only to punish those foolish enough to take the bait, they are the epitome combat bluffers, and excel at the study of knowing body language, lies, and deceit.

Kaimbua discipline's associated skill is Sense Motive, the understanding of people and their intentions is key to learning this discipline. The associated weapons of Kaimbua discipline is the unarmed strike. Kaimbua maneuvers may only be initiated with unarmed strikes.


06/18/18 - changed Break the chain from free to immediate action.

[BelGareth]

Maneuver list

1st level
1-2-3 Method: Counter - Slow fall like a monk
Stride of the Wind: Boost - Boost of speed
Water splitting stone: Strike - Deal double damage and bypass hardness
Empty ones Technique: Stance - Gain wisdom to AC and bonus AC like a monk

2nd level
Chain punch: Strike - Standard action to deliver multiple attacks
Odoroki: Counter - Initiate a maneuver in place of AoO
Baransu: Strike - Deal triple damage but provoke an AoO

3rd level
Fists of Iron: Boost - Bonus damage and ignore DR
Ring the Golden Bell: Stance - Deliver unarmed strike at range of 30ft
Elbow strike: Strike - Deliver attack to Daze opponent

4th level
Takedown: Counter - Deliver attack to knockdown opponent
Heel Kick: Strike - Deliver attack to sicken opponent

5th level
Throat Punch: Strike - Deliver attack to make foe unable to speak
Nogashia: Counter - After foe hits you, make next attack miss

6th level
Strike of the silent moon: Strike - Deliver attack to make foe unable to hear
One inch punch: Strike - Deliver attack to knock foe backwards
Flurry of Strikes: Stance - Gain Monks flurry of blows ability

7th level
Roundabout Kick: Strike - Automatically threaten to gain additional attack, which knocks foe prone.
Stunning Strike: Strike - Deliver attack to make foe stunned

8th level
Freezing The Lifeblood: Strike - Deliver attack to make foe paralyzed
Disukaunto: Stance - Make 2 attacks of opportunity for each one provoked

9th level
Break the chain: Counter - Interrupt full attack after foe misses to deliver full attack

[BelGareth]

1-2-3 Method
Kaimbua (counter)
Level: Swordsage 1
Initiation Action: 1 immediate action
[b]Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round
Slapping the wall and displacing your weight, you slow your descent to all but a small jump.
If you are within arm’s reach of a wall, you can use this maneuver to slow your descent. You take damage as if the fall were 20 feet shorter than it actually is. At 6th level and again every other 4 levels, this ability improves by 10ft.

Stride of the Wind
Kaimbua (boost)
Level: Swordsage 1
Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: End of turn
With a burst of movement, you are able to channel your energy into moving faster, taking you across the battlefield with ease.
You gain a +10 ft bonus to your speed. At 6th level and again every other 4 levels, this ability improves by 10ft.

Water splitting stone
Kaimbua (strike)
Level: Swordsage 1
Initiation Action: 1 standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: You
Centering yourself, and forming a fist at the last moment, you are able to shatter objects with ease.
As part of this maneuver, you make a single melee attack. This attack deals adouble damage and automatically overcomes damage reduction and hardness.

Empty one Technique
Kaimbua (stance)
Level: Swordsage 1
Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Stance
By focusing on speed and mobility, you are able to avoid those who would harm you.
When unarmored and unencumbered, the monk adds her Wisdom bonus (if any) to her AC. In addition, gain a +1 bonus to AC at 5th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every five monk levels thereafter


Chain punch
Kaimbua (strike)
Level: Swordsage 2
Initiation Action: 1 standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: You
You take advantage of your opponent, catching them off guard, and delivering multiple blows.
As part of this maneuver, you are able to make two attacks as a standard action. The targets need not be the same. At 7th level, and again for every 4 levels thereafter, you are able to attack one additional time. (3 attacks at 7th, 4 at 11th, and 5 at 15th)

Odoroki
Kaimbua (counter)
Level: Swordsage 2
Initiation Action: 1 immediate action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Taking the opportunity given to you, you strike in a different manner as expected.
When you are afforded an attack of opportunity, you may initiate a strike you have readied instead of a normal attack.

Baransu
Kaimbua (strike)
Level: Swordsage 2
Initiation Action: 1 standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: You
As part of this maneuver, you make a single melee attack. You deal triple damage, but leave yourself open, provoking an attack of opportunity from your target.


Fists of Iron
Kaimbua (boost)
Level: Swordsage 3
Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round
Your hands, feet, and knees are hard as iron, capable of shattering objects, and bone alike.
Your unarmed strikes deal an extra +1d10 damage and ignore damage reduction for 1 round.

Ring the Golden Bell
Kaimbua (stance)
Level: Swordsage 3
Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Stance
With a shifting kata, and centered chi, you are capable of snuffing out a candle at a distance.
While in this stance, you can make unarmed strikes at a distance of 30ft.
Note, you cannot deliver Kaimbua maneuvers at a distance.

Elbow strike
Kaimbua (strike)
Level: Swordsage 3
Initiation Action: 1 standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: You
Bringing you elbow to bear, you slam it into your opponents vulnerable area, dazing them from the blow.
As part of this maneuver, you make a single melee attack. If your attack hits, you deal normal damage, and the creature struck must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 13 + your Wis modifier) or be dazed for 1 round.


Takedown
Kaimbua (counter)
Level: Swordsage 4
Initiation Action: 1 immediate action
Range: Personal
Target: You
You may initiate this counter If an attacker missed you, you take advantage of the momentum, and trip your opponent, knocking them down into an adjacent square. As part of this maneuver, you must succeed on a melee touch attack against your foe which does not provoke and attack of opportunity. You can then make a trip attempt against your enemy. You gain a +4 bonus on the ability check. If you succeed in tripping your foe, they fall prone in an adjacent square of your choosing.

Heel Kick
Kaimbua (strike)
Level: Swordsage 4
Initiation Action: 1 standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: You
With a swift kick, you plant your heel directly on your foes chest, sending them reeling.
As part of this maneuver, you make a single melee attack. If your attack hits, it deals an extra 2d10 points of damage. The creature struck must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 14 + your Wis modifier) or be sickened for 1 round.


Throat Punch
Kaimbua (strike)
Level: Swordsage 5
Initiation Action: 1 standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: You
Striking out like a viper, you jab at your foes throat, disabling their ability to speak for a short time.
As part of this maneuver, you make a single melee attack. If your attack hits, it deals normal damage. The creature struck must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 15 + your Wis modifier) or not be able to speak for 2d4 rounds (effectively being subject to a silence spell). A successful save means they are only unable to speak for 1 round. Creatures without a discernible anatomy or that are immune to critical hits are immune to this maneuver’s special effect.

Nogashia
Kaimbua (counter)
Level: Swordsage 5
Initiation Action: 1 immediate action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Observing your foes battle movements, you take a hit, and use it to avoid the next attack.
After a foe hits you, you learn their rhythm, and force them off balance, causing their next attack to automatically miss you. They can still attack with remaining iterative attacks if any are left.


Strike of the silent moon
Kaimbua (strike)
Level: Swordsage 6
Initiation Action: 1 standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: You
Cupping your hand, you slam against your foes ear.
As part of this maneuver, you make a single melee attack. If your attack hits, it deals normal damage. The creature struck must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 16 + your Wis modifier) or not be deafened for 2d4 rounds. A successful save means they are only defeaned for 1 round. Creatures without a discernible anatomy or that are immune to critical hits are immune to this maneuver’s special effect.

One inch punch
Kaimbua (strike)
Level: Swordsage 6
Initiation Action: 1 standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: You
Centering your chi, and pushing it into your hand, you deliver a small, but powerful punch to your target.
As part of this maneuver, you make a single melee attack. If your attack hits, it deals an extra 4d10 points of damage. The creature struck must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 16 + your Wis modifier) or not be sent flying backwards 10ft + 5ft for each 2 points they failed the DC. A successful save does not negate the extra damage.

Flurry of Strikes
Kaimbua (stance)
Level: Swordsage 6
Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Stance
You are able to strike out at your foes with any part of your body, as if you were a living weapon.
You gain the flurry of blows ability of a monk equal to your level. You are not able to use Monk special weapons with this ability.


Roundabout Kick
Kaimbua (strike)
Level: Swordsage 7
Initiation Action: 1 standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: You
A single powerful kick delivers your powerful momentum, bringing you back around to spin your target off their feet.
As part of this maneuver, you make a single melee attack. If your attack hits, it automatically threatens a critical. If you confirm the critical hit you receive another attack, on a successful attack, your foe is automatically knocked prone in their square.

Stunning Strike
Kaimbua (strike)
Level: Swordsage 7
Initiation Action: 1 standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: You
With an open palm strike, you strike your target, and deliver your chi into them, stunning their body.
As part of this maneuver, you make a single melee attack. If your attack hits, it deals normal damage. The creature struck must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 17 + your Wis modifier) or be stunned for 1 round. Creatures without a discernible anatomy or that are immune to critical hits are not immune to this maneuver’s special effect.


Freezing The Lifeblood
Kaimbua (strike)
Level: Swordsage 8
Initiation Action: 1 standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: You
With a two finger punch, your chi freezes the lifeblood of your target, making it impossible to move.
As part of this maneuver, you make a single melee attack. If your attack hits, it deals normal damage. The creature struck must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 18 + your Wis modifier) or be paralyzed for 1 round. Creatures without a discernible anatomy or that are immune to critical hits are immune to this maneuver’s special effect.

Disukaunto
Kaimbua (stance)
Level: Swordsage 8
Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Stance
The ultimate stance of Kaimbua, you take ultimate advantage of your foes vulnerability.
By entering this stance, you are able to maximize your ability to manipulate your foes with openings and opportunities, punishing them. For each attack of opportunity you receive, you may make 2 attacks. You are still limited on the amount of attack of opportunities you may take in 1 round.

Special: if you have Evasive reflexes, you can 5ft move and attack, take 2 5ft steps, or attack twice for each attack of opportunity.


Break the chain
Kaimbua (counter)
Level: Swordsage 9
Initiation Action: 1 immediate action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Having studied your opponent, and anticipated their moves, once they miss, you move in to punish their failures with supreme prejudice.
Once a foe who is attacking you misses, you may initiate this maneuver. You may perform a full attack as a free action against the foe who missed you. If you managed to slay, or otherwise displace, or affect their ability to finish their attack routine, it is ruined, and they may make a move action instead of finishing their attack.

[BelGareth]

Feats

Intuitive Reflexes [General]
When an opponent gives you an opening in combat, you know exactly what to do.
Prerequisite WIS 13
Benefit You may make a number of additional attacks of opportunity equal to your Wisdom bonus.
With this feat, you may also make attacks of opportunity while flat-footed.
Special Intuitive Reflexes can be used in place of Combat Reflexes to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special ability. You can take both this feat and Combat Reflexes.

Readied Strike [General]
You are ready to always strike at those who provoke you
Prerequisite One Kaimbua maneuver, Improved unarmed strike feat
Benefit You receive a +4 bonus to hit and damage on all attacks of opportunities

The Empty Palm [Tactical]
The teachings of the Kaimbua discipline allow you to manipulate your enemies. Your attacks use them against themselves, and open up chinks in their armor, which you can open up wide to utilize.
Prerequisite Readied Strike feat, Sense Motive 9 ranks, Base attack bonus +6, two Kaimbua maneuvers,
Benefit
The Empty Palm feat enables the use of three tactical options.

Opportune Recovery: To use this option, you must hit a foe with an attack of opportunity. On your next turn, you may recover a maneuver.

Know your enemy: To use this option, you must be hit by your foe, and then successfully initiate a Kaimbua maneuver against them, on your next turn, their first attack against you provokes an attack of opportunity.

Know yourself: To use this option, you must have provoked an attack of opportunity, and be hit. On your next turn, you receive a +4 dodge bonus against attacks of opportunity.

Unleashed Chain [Epic]
You are the master of the Hand-Open-Fist, you know what your foe is doing before they do, and have mastered the art of manipulating them.
Prerequisites: Sense Motive 24 ranks, Wis 25, Intuitive Reflexes, The Empty Palm, Improved Unarmed Strike, ability to use the Break the Chain and Odoroki maneuvers.
Benefit: Your unarmed strikes count as Magical, and Adamantium. You have no limit to the amount attack of opportunities you can make each round. And after you successfully attack a foe with an attack of opportunity, you are hasted (as the spell) for 10 rounds, additional attacks extend this effects duration.

[BelGareth]

Reserved for epic destiny