Blade Shaman
Master Swordsman

"The gnolls were everywhere. I mean everywhere. One minute we were just walking to the castle where we though the lich might have holed up, and the next minute we were in the middle of a pile of filth, ambushed and surrounded by the smelly bastards. They were all around us in a circle, and a few of them hunched over us in the branches above. Sure, they're just nasty looking targets normally, but these things had us from every angle. They knew they'd cornered us, so they were taking their time, taunting us. One of them stuck its needlepoint eyes right up to mine and I felt my lunch welling up in my stomach as it breathed rancidly on my nose. 

"Then there were some gurgles and screams, a few whistling noises, and everyone, gnolls and us, started darting our eyes around confusedly. Then there was a distinct scream, a gnoll's dying howl, and Hell broke loose. A gnoll's corpse dropped onto Kya, knocking her out. In the panic, one of them went for me, but I had already drawn my sword. I lanced its throat and jerked my blade to the side. The body was cold before it thumped to the dirt. Somehow, when I looked around, the number of gnolls had dwindled to about four, all scattered about. Kya was down, but Gert'rk had already ripped out his mace and was clubbing one of the bastards in the face. I saw three of the remaining gnolls gathered around something, then one of them collapsed on the ground in a bloody heap. And he was in the middle.

"This creepy looking guy with a huge glowing sword was sliced through another gnoll between Gert'rk and me. It's strange... I don't remember any of his features-- when I was standing there, watching him fight, I couldn't keep my eyes focused on him. All I remember was that sword, almost liquid. And the way he moved. It was like a dancer. Granted, I didn't waste any time looking. Amidst the chaos, the last gnoll had climbed a tree and nocked an arrow, so I grabbed one of the knives from my belt and threw it. I nailed the gnoll in the eye and looked back down to thank the stranger. But he was gone."

[I have tried to design this class so that it will require minimal modification when 3e arrives, so it might not conform entirely to 2e rules. Also, I recommend that you not use the rules in the weapons that talk section with this class. Some of the locational powers mentioned in that section would sort of defeat the purpose of one of the BS's major weaknesses.]

The Blade Shamans are a group of swordsmen who fight using a weapon forged of will and desire, the One Blade. The entire sect of warriors is dedicated to the preservation of their art and its underlying meaning: the perfect understanding of reality by total mastery of the sword. Although their high physical and behavioral requirements make even prospective blade shamans rare in the population, the few that do exist tend to make rather solid names for themselves, much like members of the Paladin class. 

Blade Shamans are all lawful in alignment, although each faction also has behavioral requirements for its members to follow. Every sect is either good or neutral. There have been sketchy accounts of evil blade shaman factions, but they are unconfirmed. Following alignment restrictions is critical to Blade Shamans. If they violate the behavioral protocols of their faction, then the collective will of the faction will immediately know and the shaman will immediately be stripped of his blade and powers. He will be reduced to a fighter who is unable to become proficient in any type of edged weapon. When a BS is stripped of his power, the normal penalties for being out of contact with his sword no longer apply. Violating behavioral protocols of the faction does not mean failing to follow orders, (although it might in some LN factions) as long as the individual violated the orders of the faction with very good and ethically viable reasons. Since it is the collective will of the faction that enacts the stripping of power, they tend to be very lenient in regards to acts performed under coercion, and only in the most heinous circumstances will they ask for atonement, and even then the character, unlike the Paladin or Ranger, is not stripped of his abilities during the quest for atonement.

In addition to the restrictions above, a BS must conform to the following class restrictions:

• The character is unable to wear any armor better than leather unless it does not hinder movement. Any armor that specifically allows for maintained mobility is acceptable battle wear. The point of the restriction is so that character is never impaired in his sword fighting ability. If he wears any sort of hampering armor, consider him to have lost contact with his One Blade (see below)
  

• The character is required to spend all proficiency slots on the One Blade. If for any reason the character has slots dedicated to any other weapon, the members of the character's chosen faction will eliminate that knowledge. In addition, only Blade Shamans can learn to use the One Blade. 
  

• If the BS loses contact with his One Blade, then he immediately takes a point of damage. (This can only happen once per day.) For every day that the BS is separated from his One Blade, he takes another point of incurable damage. It takes one day of contact with his One Blade to restore this damage to the character. If the character reaches 0 HP, he dies and becomes a banshee. The BS can return to his faction to have his One Blade replaced, but if this happens, then he loses half his experience points. 
  

• Once per month, the BS must return to his faction's headquarters to restore his community with the One Blade. For every month that goes by without returning, the BS loses one level. These levels are regained only through the maintenance of this ritual for a period of time equal to twice the time the character spent away from his duties. 
  

• The character may never have more than 50,000 gp in total belongings nor more than 1,000 gold to his name. For every day that the character owns above this amount, consider him to be apart from his One Blade.

The abilities of Blade Shamans are the stuff of legends. Sometimes the powers vary from faction to faction, but generally all conform to the list below. If the ability has a (*) next to it, then it is available as long as the One Blade is in contact with the BS. All other powers require that the One Blade be drawn.

• With every other level increase the BS gains a +1 AC bonus.*
  

• Blade Shamans are stealthy and strong. At character creation, they receive 20 points to distribute among Move Silently and Hide in Shadows. With every increase in level they gain 10 points to distribute between the two abilities. The normal rules for these abilities apply. These are the only abilities possessed by the BS that he can use without his sword, even after he has lost his status as a BS. (for alignment breach) This is a product of BS training, not mystical abilities, and as such has nothing to do with the One Blade. *
  

• It is highly recommended that DMs allow Blade Shamans to use the Grand Mastery rules in the Player's Option: Combat and Tactics book. This goes doubly if they are not normally allowed in the campaign. They are repeated in synopsis here:

The following table tracks the potential damage of the One Blade as the character's levels progress. This is only a suggestion and a hint at the power arc to follow. If the faction you have designed uses One Blades that appear to be knives, then dealing 4d6 at any level will be a bit incongruous. Modify as is your wont.