The Justicar

The soldiers in the yard at Runswick move like dancers, a blade in each hand, sweat flying, steel singing. It's only a training form, and it's the most dangerous thing in Usmon. Hundreds come to learn it every year. A handful are knighted. "How many old Justicars do you see?" Not many. The ones who are left fight like it.

The Knights of Usmon. Justicars are the knights of Usmon, sworn to defend its cities and councils. Every one of them is trained by the High Tribunal of Blades at Runswick in an elegant, dance-like style of fighting with a blade in each hand, and fitted with armor by Runswick's legendary smiths. The training is the most brutal in the region, and only the best of the best are knighted. The rest stay in Usmon to serve in its militia and city guard, or leave to sell what they learned as mercenaries. A sword-hand who "almost made Justicar" can name their price anywhere on the continent.

Trained Abroad. The Justicars are among the finest warriors in Eldriloch, and every nation knows it. Adryae, Ethon and even Staerhiel send their most promising soldiers to Runswick, at great expense, to train with the Tribunal. Those who are knighted return home to drill their nation's armies in the two-blade forms. Usmon allows it because neutrality pays, and because a continent full of soldiers who trained in Runswick is a continent that remembers where the best warriors come from.

Prestige Class. The justicar is a prestige class. Fighters are the most common justicars, followed by rangers, wardens and the occasional runner who learned to fight in the open. Justicars don't use flux. Their power is drill, steel and discipline, and the best of them would say that's enough. Most honor Brynghar, god of courage and the shield wall.

Hit Die: d10.

To qualify to become a justicar, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.

Base Attack Bonus: +5.

Skills: Balance 2 ranks, Tumble 2 ranks.

Feats: Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus (any light or one-handed melee weapon).

Special: The character must complete the High Tribunal of Blades' training at Runswick and be knighted. That takes months of drills and the approval of a Tribunal master. Citizens of Usmon train for free. Warriors sent by another nation arrive with their government's sponsorship.

The justicar's class skills (and the key ability for each) are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (local) (Int), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Swim (Str) and Tumble (Dex).

Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.

All of the following are class features of the justicar prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Justicars gain no new proficiencies. Shields are useless to them, since the two-blade forms leave no hand free for one.

Two-Blade Form (Ex): While wearing light or medium armor and wielding a weapon in each hand, a justicar treats a one-handed weapon in their off hand as a light weapon when working out two-weapon fighting penalties. A justicar can fight with two longswords as easily as a sword and dagger.

Parrying Blades (Ex): While wielding a weapon in each hand, a justicar gains a +1 shield bonus to AC, turning blows aside with either blade. The bonus increases to +2 at 4th level and +3 at 7th level.

Steadfast (Ex): At 2nd level, a justicar is immune to fear, magical or otherwise.

Improved and Greater Two-Blade Form (Ex): At 3rd level, while using two-blade form, a justicar is treated as having Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, even without its prerequisites. At 7th level, they are treated as having Greater Two-Weapon Fighting.

Runswick Steel (Ex): At 4th level, a justicar has learned to fight in Tribunal armor. The armor check penalty of any armor they wear is reduced by 1, and its maximum Dexterity bonus increases by 1. At 9th level, both improve by 1 more.

Blade Dance (Ex): At 5th level, when making a full attack with a weapon in each hand, a justicar can take their 5-foot step between any two of their attacks instead of before or after.

Riposte (Ex): At 6th level, once per round, when a creature misses the justicar with a melee attack, the justicar can make an attack of opportunity against it.

Shield of the City (Ex): At 8th level, while wielding a weapon in each hand, a justicar's adjacent allies gain a +2 shield bonus to AC as the justicar's blades turn attacks aside.

Whirlwind of Steel (Ex): At 10th level, a justicar gains Whirlwind Attack as a bonus feat, even without its prerequisites. When they use it while wielding two weapons, they can attack each opponent within reach with both weapons.

Living Bastion (Ex): At 10th level, a justicar's Parrying Blades bonus also applies to touch AC and as a bonus on Reflex saves.