Bladed Magus (3.5e Prestige Class)

Bladed Magus

“	Magic can be so impersonal, killing without feeling the thrill of one's sword slicing a foe in twain. Sure you can conjure flame, throw it blindly at the enemy, hoping it will hurt them. Watch and learn weakling. See how my wrist guides both the sword and magic with such finesse and how visceral the parting of flesh is. In death, you will see how powerful steel and magic can become.	”
—Aedwin Drankaar, first Bladed Magus, Account of the murder of the high sorcerer Marlock of the UnSeelie Court Council.

Many mages are content with calling forth magic missile after magic missile from far away. But a handful of mages wish to tempt fate and fight in the front lines, magic in one hand and a sword in the other. These humanoids understand that a sword and armor is necessary to stay on par with their foes, and magic can enhance their abilities far beyond what their bodies can accomplish. By focusing their magic, the Bladed Magus can become as effective as any fighter in the martial arts, and eventually, can surpass them entirely in the effectiveness of their blades. They apply this mindset to their armor as well, greatly increasing the effectiveness of any armor they wear.

Becoming a Bladed Magus

A very select few mages realize the true potential of magic lies not only in its ability ot incinerate foes, but in augmenting the equipment, and indeed the very bodies of the caster. Fewer still possess the prowess necessary to become a Bladed Magus, as one cannot augment skills that they do not possess to begin with. A bladed magus must have training in some form of bladed fighting, most often the simple fighter class. The magus also understands the importance of protection on the battlefield, and wears heavy armor. Even with this training in the martial ways, they must be able to cast sizable spells, further reducing the number of people who take this path.

Entry Requirements

Skills:	Knowledge Arcana (8), Spellcraft (8).
Feats:	Combat casting
Spellcasting:	Must be able to cast level 3 spells.
Special:	Must be able to cast Mage Armor

Table: The Bladed Magus

Hit Die: d6

Level	BAB	Saving Throws			Special	Spellcasting
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+1	+0	+0	+2	Empowered Blade 1d6, Magus Armor, Parry Glyph
2nd	+2	+0	+0	+3		+1 to existing arcane spellcasting level
3rd	+3	+1	+1	+3	Empowered Blade 2d6, Dimensional Thrust	+1 to existing arcane spellcasting level
4th	+4	+1	+1	+4	Swift Parry Glyph
5th	+5	+1	+1	+4	Empowered Blade 3d6	+1 to existing arcane spellcasting level
6th	+6	+2	+2	+5		+1 to existing arcane spellcasting level
7th	+7	+2	+2	+5	Empowered Blade 4d6
8th	+8	+2	+2	+6		+1 to existing arcane spellcasting level
9th	+9	+2	+2	+6	Empowered Blade 5d6	+1 to existing arcane spellcasting level
10th	+10	+3	+3	+7		+1 to existing arcane spellcasting level
Class Skills (3 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (history) (Int), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Bladed Magus.

Empowered Blade: At level 1, the Bladed Magus can pour his magic into his weapon to increase its power. Before the attack roll, the Bladed Magus may declare he is using Empowered Strikes and he expends a spell slot (Minimum spell level 1). Each attack he makes that round deals additional Xd6 magic damage. On a critical strike, the damage from Empowered Strikes is multipled twice.

Magus Armor: At level 1, the Bladed Magus gains the spell-like ability to cast Mage Armor any number of times each day. The AC bonus provided by this spell gains an additional bonus equal to +1/4 caster level (rounded down). At level 5, your spell-like ability is under the effects of the Quickened Meta Magic feat permanently.

Parry Glyph: At level 1, 3/day as a move action a Bladed Magus can create a Parry Glyph that lasts for one hour. If an opponent successfully strikes you with a melee attack while the Parry Glyph is active, that opponent must make a Reflex Save DC 10 + Caster level + spellcasting modifier. A successful save negates the damage you would have taken by half rounded up. A failed save negates all the damage. You can only have one Parry Glyph active at a time.

Dimensional Thrust: At level 3, the Bladed Magus' weapon can distort reality by extending itself to impale several creatures in a line. Once every 1d4 rounds, the Magus can extend their weapon as a line effect out 5ft/caster level. Roll a single melee attack that is checked against each creature impaled. Magic Damage is equal to the weapon you are wielding plus all modifers and effects and critical effects.

Swift Parry Glyph: At level 4, You can now create Parry Glyphs as a swift action. Whenever an opponent fails their save against a Parrying Glyph, you get an Attack of Opportunity against that opponent.

Campaign Information

Playing a Bladed Magus

Combat: A Bladed Magus uses their Parry Glyphs to keep from being hurt too badly while in front. If you wish to use spells even while being threatened, the Parrying Glyph will help you complete your spell by negating damage. Using Dimensional Thrust, you can strike several opponents at once. If the front line is too dangerous, you can always fall back and use magic and Dimensional Thrust from a distance.

Resources: Bladed Magi are uncommon. They go where they please.

Bladed Magus in the World

“

Sword and spell, thrust and thrill.

”

The Bladed Magus fits in wherever they are accepted. They fit nicely hand-in-hand with Paladins whom hold the Oath of Mercy, Rangers that and walk the line between Weaver and Blade of the Half Moon Path, and naturally the usual comraderie is much required. Unfortunately, they dont exist, and as such are rarely found in common society.

Bladed Magus Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge Arcana skill can research Bladed Magus to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Knowledge Arcana

DC	Result
11	The Bladed Magus wields magic weapons.
16	The Bladed Magus uses magic to bolster their fighting.
21	The equipment of a Bladed Magus is infused with powerful magic, gaining unique effects.
26	A Bladed Magus can dance in the midst of combat, or retreat to send in a barrage of spells, good at tackling foes either way.

Bladed Magus in the Game

It can fill out a few roles, depending on the needs of the party. Due to the versatility of magic, a Bladed Magus can be anything from a nuker or a swordsman.

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