DRIFTING PETAL ASCENDANT
The fallen petal
may ride upon the breeze and
ascend to heaven.
-Mitsuhide Sakura, the Vagrant Ascendant
Many see the Drifting Petal Ascendants as nothing more than deluded ronins, vagrants gone mad. The ascendants couldn't care less. While each individual warrior fights for different specific ends, with varying precepts and principles, all strive to uphold a greater good -one that cannot be encompassed by the will of a single mortal. This does not mean they dedicate themselves to divine beings, although some may do, rather these ascendants often strive to uphold the dignity of mortal beings where it would be oppressed. For many ascendants, their first sublime mission is toppling the corrupted liege they once served. Beyond that, many seek to thwart greater evils that threaten the world.
The strength of a Drifting Petal Ascendant is her conviction in her mission and the dedication of her soul. Ascendants draw upon a mystical power rooted in their own force of will, a power that drives them to act alone upon their sublime missions. Some compare it to the mental force of psions, while others to the life force of monks. The ascendant's power, however, lies in the only aspect of hers that is not mortal -her soul.
BECOMING A DRIFTING PETAL ASCENDANT
Drifting Petal Ascendants were all once servants of mortal lords. Perhaps they were once ideal vassals, obedient to their lords every command, or perhaps they had their doubts from the start. One way or another, they decided on rejecting their mortal lords forever and forswore the service of any other mortal being, knowing that obedience to an impure being is tantamount to an impure life.
Drifting Petal Ascendants have no true organization, and are guided by individual precepts rather than a universal code. Nonetheless, all ascendants have three principles at their core. First, they are dedicated to the purity of their souls and minds; this ensures a balanced view of what is good. Second, they are devotees of righteousness; this gives meaning to their existence. Lastly, they are dedicated warriors who let nothing stand in their way. As long as a character can recognize all these within herself, she is fit for the path of the Drifting Petal.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
In order to become a Drifting Petal Ascendant, a character must meet the following requirements.
Alignment: Any good
Base Attack Bonus: +6
Skills: Intimidate 4 ranks, Diplomacy 4 ranks, Knowledge (nobility and royalty) 4 ranks
Feats: Any one of the following: Investigator, Iron Will, Negotiator, Persuasive or Self-Sufficient
Special: The character must have been ordered by one of his/her superiors to do something that violated his personal principles or caused him deep emotional trouble. The character must have ended his service to his/her superior afterwards, whether through resignation or by disobeying the order.
Class Skills
The Drifting Petal Ascendant’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (history) (Int), Knowledge (nobility and royalty) (Int), Ride (Dex), and Sense Motive (Wis).
Skill points at each level: 4 + Int modifier
Hit Dice: d8
DRIFTING PETAL ASCENDANT
{table=head]Level|Base Attack<br>Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special
1st|+1
|+2
|+0
|+2
|Masterless Warrior +2, Ascendant Soul, Fast Movement, Soul Abilities
2nd|+2
|+3
|+0
|+3
|Unbreakable Resolve, Spiritual Grace
3rd|+3
|+3
|+1
|+3
|Bonus Feat
4th|+4
|+4
|+1
|+4
|Iris Ascension
5th|+5
|+4
|+1
|+4
|Ivy Ascension, Masterless Warrior +4
6th|+6/+1
|+5
|+2
|+5
|Bonus Feat, Spiritual Purity
7th|+7/+2
|+5
|+2
|+5
|Aster Ascension
8th|+8/+3
|+6
|+2
|+6
|Rose Ascension
9th|+9/+4
|+6
|+3
|+6
|Bonus Feat, Timeless Body
10th|+10/+5
|+7
|+3
|+7
|Sakura Ascension, Masterless Warrior (Immune)[/table]
Weapon Proficiencies:Petal Ascendants are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, light armor and shields (except tower shields).
Masterless Warrior (Su): A Drifting Petal Ascendant has cut of all ties with his former superiors. Having seen the errors and flaws of all those who claim supremacy in any way, she rejects all forms of compulsion and subservience. A Drifting Petal Ascendant gets a +2 on all saves against compulsion effects, and the DC of a diplomacy check to affect her attitude is increased by 10. At fifth level, her bonus on saves against compulsion effects is increased to +4 and at tenth level she becomes immune to them completely.
Ascendant Soul: Although they each ascendant’s personal ambitions and principles differ slightly, all ascendants essentially strive for the greater good. Drifting Petal Ascendants follow personal precepts that they believe constitute purity of soul. Each ascendant often chooses three to four precepts (no matter what, all ascendants have at least one). Common examples are refraining from theft, refraining from harming innocents, telling the truth at all times or even refraining from damaging nature. These precepts are loose, however, and many people feel that ascendants don’t even follow them at all. Nonetheless, whenever an ascendant does break one of her precepts, she loses one daily use of her soul abilities (see below).
Fast Movement (Ex): A Drifting Petal Ascendant increases her move speed by ten feet as long as she is not encumbered.
Soul Abilities (Su): Drifting Petal Ascendants are able to channel the power of their own indomitable souls into devastating attacks, or powerful defenses. At first level, she may learn any one of the following abilities, and learn another every odd-numbered level thereafter. A Drifting Petal Ascendant can use these abilities a number of times per day equal to her class level + her charisma modifier.
A detailed list of soul abilities is presented below.
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Aloe Charm: The ascendant can manipulate her soul’s force to heal others. As a full round action, the ascendant may sacrifice up to her class level in hit points, healing a creature an amount equal to her charisma modifier plus 1d6 hit points for each hit point sacrificed.
Breeze Rider: The ascendant can increase her speed temporarily. She gets a dodge bonus to AC equal to half her class level rounded down (minimum of +1) and an increase in movement speed of 5 feet. This lasts for one round per point of charisma bonus. Initiating this ability is a move action.
Imposing Glare: Using nothing more than an intense glare, an ascendant can instill fear in her opponents. This ability can be used on any foe within line of sight as a standard action. The target must make a Will save (DC 10 + class level + ascendant’s charisma modifier) or become frightened for one minute per class level.
Rose Thorns: At a moment of injury, the Drifting Petal Ascendant can lash out with supernatural force against a foe that has wounded her. As an immediate action, she may inflict 1d6 per class level + her charisma modifier in damage to any creature that damages her in melee. A successful Will save (DC 10 + class level + the ascendant’s charisma modifier) halves the damage.
Sakura Storm: The ascendant channels her power into an attack of speed, rather than strength. As a full round action, the drifting petal ascendant can make up to two attacks, at her highest attack bonus, against each opponent within reach. She adds her charisma bonus (if any) to her damage.
Soul Shield: The ascendant gets spell resistance 15 + her class level for a number of rounds equal to her charisma modifier. Initiating this ability is a move action.
Soul Smite: The ascendant channels her resolve into a single powerful blow. As a standard action, she makes a single attack at her highest attack bonus, adding her charisma bonus to the attack roll. The critical threat of her weapon is doubled for this attack, and she deals an additional 1d6 damage per class level on a successful hit. This increase in threat range does not stack with keen weapons or the improved critical feat.
Spirit Ivy: The ascendant can channel her soul outwards to incapacitate her foes without harming them. As a full round action, the ascendant can create an aura that assaults the minds all creatures within a 15-foot radius. All affected creatures must make a will save (DC 10 + class level + ascendant’s charisma modifier) or be dazed for 1d4 rounds.
Unbreakable Resolve (Su): At second level, the Drifting Petal Ascendant becomes immune to all fear effects and charm effects.
Spiritual Grace (Su): At second level, a Drifting Petal Ascendant gains a bonus on all saving throws equal to her charisma bonus (if any).
Bonus Feat: At level three, and every three levels afterwards, the Drifting Petal Ascendant may choose a bonus feat drawn from the same list as fighter bonus feats. For the purpose of meeting prerequisites, the ascendant may use half her class level (rounded down) as an effective fighter level.
Iris Ascension (Su): The ascendant’s travels and personal reflection have led her to a sublime understanding of the human soul and the human mind. At fourth level, she gets may add her charisma bonus (if any) to all Sense Motive checks against humanoids. Furthermore, she can discern the alignment of any creature she sees for at least one minute. If the creature is attempting to conceal its alignment, she makes a sense motive check opposed by a bluff check by the creature. This ability cannot overcome the undetectable alignment spell.
Ivy Ascension (Su): At fifth level, the ascendant focuses her soul on carrying out her sublime mission on the field of battle. She gets a +2 on all checks to execute trips, disarms, grapples and bull rushes. She also gets a +2 on all checks to resist them. She automatically succeeds on all saving throws to survive massive damage. The ascendant increases her dexterity score by 1.
Spiritual Purity (Su): At sixth level, the ascendant becomes immune to all possession effects. Furthermore, she gets a +4 sacred bonus to AC against all ethereal creatures.
Aster Ascension (Su): The soul of an ascendant is so pure that its presence manifests in her physical appearance. At seventh level, the ascendant’s body can never suffer permanent damage such as scars, burns and other skin defects; she is still susceptible to severe damage such as grievous wounds or mauling, but she always heals cleanly. Additionally, the purity of her soul exerts a positive force on her body, giving her a +2 bonus on saving throws against poison and disease. The ascendant increases her charisma score by 1.
Rose Ascension (Su): The ascendant’s soul manifests as more than just a glow of radiance, intensifying in times of tension into a terrifying aura. All creatures trying to attack her and all creatures she attempts to attack must make a will save (DC 10 + class level + ascendant’s charisma modifier) or be shaken for the rest of the encounter. A creature that succeeds on the save is immune to the effect for the rest of the encounter. This ability is a mind-affecting fear ability. The ascendant increases her charisma score by 1.
Timeless Body (Ex): At ninth level, a Drifting Petal Ascendant stops aging and cannot be magically aged. Any age penalties already accrued remain in place, however, and she still dies when her natural life span expires.
Sakura Ascension (Su): At tenth level, the ascension of a Drifting Petal Ascendant is complete. Her devotion and purity have brought her to a level that is almost beyond mortal. Her type changes to Outsider [native] and she no longer needs to drink, eat or sleep. She increases her dexterity score by 1 and her wisdom score by 1.
In addition, the force of her soul is strong enough to overcome death on its own. Should the ascendant die from any reason other than finishing her natural life span, she returns to life 1d6 days later. This only works if the ascendant’s body has not been largely or completely destroyed. The ascendant may choose not to return to life is she feels her duty has been accomplished whether by her dying actions, or by her allies. The ascendant can only use this ability once per year.
Ex-Samurai
Spoiler
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Level 1-5: Regains use of kiai smite ability.
Level 6-10: Regains use of staredown ability and all improvements thereof.
Level 11+: Each level above ten can be replaced with a level in Drifting Petal Ascendant.
Ex-Knights
Spoiler
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Lawful: An ex-knight who remains lawful (thus lawful good) regains use of all her knight's challenge abilities and the abilities that require uses of her knight's challenge ability. Levels above ten can be replaced with Drifting Petal Ascendant levels.
Non-lawful: An ex-knight who is no longer lawful gains the following instead:
Level 1-5: An additional daily use of Soul Abilities.
Level 6-10: Another additional daily use of Soul Abilities.
Level 11+: Each level above ten can be replaced with a level in Drifting Petal Ascendant.
PLAYING A DRIFTING PETAL ASCENDANT
Being a Drifting Petal Ascendant is a path difficult to understand. Ascendants are warriors first and foremost, but deep inside long for peace. They see mortals as flawed, but know only mortals can save the world. They are scorned by the world for their vague principles, and have accepted their lonely fates. Nonetheless, ascendants are generally willing to share their philosophies to those who are willing to listen.
Combat: Combat is rarely a first choice for Drifting Petal Ascendants. Most ascendants prefer to use their skills at intimidation and disabling to deal with minor enemies, reserving their true strength for beings they have deemed truly evil. Against such chosen foes, they always seek to end battles as quickly as possible. They use their soul abilities like Spirit Ivy and Sakura Storm to get past lesser foes, always seeking to eliminate their main targets first. Once in melee with their primary targets, they let loose their full offensive power.
Ex-knights and Ex-samurai continue to use what tactics they once employed, although they often lighten their armor to allow them to maneuver across the battlefield more freely.
Advancement: Having forsaken their earlier paths in life, Drifting Petal Ascendants tend to begin diverging rather swiftly. They advance themselves in ways in which they can best help others, while still honing their martial skills to combat evil. Some advance as rogues to diversify their talents, while others who seek primarily martial strength may learn the techniques of the Nine Swords as warblades or swordsages. The path of the Drifting Petal, while philosophical and intellectual, rarely encourages magic. Likewise, because of the unique ideology it holds, even the most chaotic or lawful of ascendants rarely become barbarians, paladins or crusaders.
Resources: Drifting Petal Ascendants are often vagabonds with no true affiliations. Given their strong force of personality, though, they almost always catch the public eye. Most are welcomed in oppressed societies, and some even gain small armies of peasants-turned-warriors. Beyond that, an ascendant has nothing but her sword, her name and her spirit to draw on.
DRIFTING PETAL ASCENDANTS IN THE WORLD
Everything I have stolen I will return! For every life I have taken I shall repay ten hectares of land! I swear all this on my life and my land! Please... spare me...
-The Late Daimyo Ono Komamura, held at bladepoint by Shiro, the White Flower of Death
Drifting Petal Ascendants are generally perceived based on the social tier of the person observing. Emperors, kings and other political leaders tend to look on them with scorn and, often, fear. Religious leaders can either sympathize with them or hate them, depending on their particular beliefs. Vassals, retainers and knights -the group to which ascendants once belonged- feel a sense of rivalry with them as well as a sense of duty to take them down. Among commoners, especially in poorly governed lands, Drifting Petal Ascendants are seen as god-sent heroes.
Daily Life: Ascendants generally go from place to place, seeking tyranny to overthrow, bandits to combat and innocents to defend. On the road, an ascendant lives austerely, spending the mornings in meditation, the evenings in martial training and everything in between walking or riding. When engaged in a mission, they actively seek what resources they can get to aid them, and gather as much information as they can. Ascendants almost never begin an undertaking without significant information. An uninformed judgment is an unjust one, after all.
Ascendants are also generally helpful people. They are predisposed to doing small things to help common people whenever they can. However, because of the almost supernatural presences they have, some people find them difficult to approach for help.
Notables: Hunted by armies and mobs from various liege lords and social parties, it is rare that any ascendant should avoid fame or infamy for long. Whether for their actions, their supernatural charisma or their awe-inspiring beauty on the battlefield, Drifting Petal Ascendants often inspire admiration and fear all at once.
Most famous among all ascendants is a man known only as Shiro, who earned the title of White Flower of Death, inspiring the very idea of a Drifting Petal Ascendant. Shiro was once a great general, and his lord went so far as to name him as his successor, despite having three sons capable of taking his place as liege. One day, however, Shiro was ordered to burn an entire city to slow an enemy advance. Haunted by the dying screams and the baleful looks from his own troops, Shiro turned on his lord. He slew him and took to the road. His legacy continued for twenty years, during which he toppled the corrupt empire to which his liege belonged.
Another known ascendant is the half-elf Mitsuhide Sakura. While Shiro was misunderstood as a heartless terror soaked in the blood of thousands, Sakura was idolized as a savior of the common folk, and a vision of unparalleled beauty on the battlefield. She dedicates her life to battling bandit lords and thief princes, although she has also taken down a number of corrupt governors.
Organizations: No organizations call together any large number of Drifting Petal Ascendants. Many ascendants may become leaders of militant or guerrilla groups for some time, however, and a few attract permanent followings in the form of small war bands.
NPC Reaction
Higher level ascendants tend to provoke a sense of awe and wonder by their mere presence. NPCs in a position of power would have likely heard of an ascendant's actions, and would treat them with hostility, but temper it with caution. To NPCs of lower station and power, respect or fear are the dominant emotions. Much to the satisfaction of the ascendants, such sentiments mean that open hostility isn't common from the masses.
DRIFTING PETAL ASCENDANTS IN THE GAME
A Drifting Petal Ascendant functions as a powerful melee combatant capable of holding her own against multiple opponents, just like the knight or samurai she once was, but more efficient when neutralizing weaker foes to duel against primary targets.
Adaptation: Drifting Petal Ascendants can be placed in a loose organization that shares some ideologies, while agreeing to disagree on others. Because of their decisions to reject all mortal lords, Drifting Petal Ascendants can never be part of an organization with a fixed hierarchy. Building on this, DMs may choose to limit them to being Chaotic Good, and turning them into tenacious liberators of the people.
Encounters: Unless they are bound to the service of a mortal power, most PCs may be able to maintain peaceful contact with Drifting Petal Ascendants. However, because of their limitless devotion to their vague principles, many ascendants take measures that can be seen as anarchic or extremist. Such ascendants are more likely to draw the attention and ire of the PCs.
Sample Encounter
Give an example of how one might encounter a member of this PrC.
EL x: Give the encounter level and description of a sample member of this class and a stat block for him/her.
Name
alignment/Gender/Race/Levels
Init +0, Senses: Listen +, Spot +,
Languages
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AC , touch , flat-footed ()
hp ( HD)
Fort +, Ref +, Will +
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Speed ft. ( squares)
Melee
Base Atk +, Grp +
Atk Options
Combat Gear
Spells Prepared
Supernatural Abilities
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Abilities Str , Dex , Con , Int , Wis , Cha
SQ
Feats
Skills
Possessions
Re: PrC Contest XI: Fallen, yet not Forgotten
