Ascetic Savage (Barbarian/Monk)

(Original Concept by Desidero)

Primary: Barbarian.

Secondary: Monk.

Alignment: An ascetic savage’s alignment must be neutral along either the law/chaos or good/evil axis, or both.

Hit Dice: d10.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The ascetic savage selects three monk skills to add to her class skills in addition to the normal barbarian class skills. The ascetic savage gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 4 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The ascetic savage is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, plus the kama, nunchaku, sai, shuriken, siangham, and temple sword*. The ascetic savage is not proficient with any type of armor or shields.

AC Bonus (Su): At 1st level, when an ascetic savage is unarmored and unencumbered, she adds her Wisdom bonus (if any) to her AC and her CMD. In addition, she gains a +1 bonus to AC and CMD at 4th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every four an ascetic savage levels thereafter, up to a maximum of +5 at 20th level. These bonuses to AC apply even against touch attacks or when the ascetic savage is flat-footed. An ascetic savage loses these bonuses when she is immobilized or helpless, is wearing any armor, is carrying a shield, or is carrying a medium or heavy load. This ability replaces light armor and medium armor proficiency.

Unarmed Strike (Ex): At 2nd level, an ascetic savage gains the monk’s unarmed strike ability and deals 1d6 points of damage with each unarmed attack. At 6th level and every four levels thereafter, this damage increases by 1 damage die category (1d8 at 6th, 1d10 at 10th, 2d6 at 14th , and 2d8 at 18th level). These unarmed damage values are for a Medium ascetic savage. A Small ascetic savage deals 1 damage die smaller (1d4 at 2nd, 1d6 at 6th, 1d8 at 10th, 1d10 at 14th, and 2d6 at 18th level), while a Large sorcerer deals 1 damage die category larger (1d8 at 2nd, 1d8 at 6th, 2d6 at 10th, 2d8 at 14th, and 2d10 at 18th level). In addition, an ascetic savage can make an unarmed strike while wielding any monk weapon. This ability replaces the rage power gained at 2nd level.

Flurry of Blows (Ex): At 3rd level, an ascetic savage gains the barbarian’s flurry of blows ability. The ascetic savage cannot use flurry of blows while raging unless she makes a successful focus mind attempt and expends 1 round of rage. This ability otherwise functions as the monk’s flurry of blows ability and replaces trap sense and the rage powers gained at 8th and 16th level.

Focus Mind (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, an ascetic savage can focus her mind for 1 round while raging as a free action. This allows her to use abilities that require a calm and focused mind, including her flurry of blows, focus strike, slow fall, high jump, and quivering palm abilities. The ascetic savage must make a new focus mind attempt each time she uses one of her focus abilities during rage.

To calm her mind during rage, the ascetic savage must make a successful Will saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 her ascetic savage level + her Constitution modifier). If the save is successful, she can use any one of her focus abilities while raging for 1 round. If the save fails, she is dazed for the remainder of her turn and must wait 1 full round before she can make another focus mind attempt. While focus mind is in effect, the ascetic savage continues to gain the benefits and penalties from rage, including the penalty to Armor Class and the restriction on what actions can be performed. This round still counts against her total number of rounds of rage per day.

Moment of Clarity (Ex): At 3rd level, an ascetic savage gains the Moment of Clarity rage power. The ascetic savage can use her flurry of blows, focus strike, slow fall, high jump, or quivering palm ability as part of her Moment of Clarity without making a focus mind attempt or expending rounds of rage. This ability replaces the rage power gained at 4th level.

Rage Powers: This is exactly like the barbarian ability of the same name, except that the ascetic savage gains a rage power at 6th level and every three levels thereafter.

Focus Strike (Su): At 4th level, an ascetic savage’s unarmed attacks are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. At 7th level, her unarmed attacks are also treated as cold iron and silver for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. At 10th level, her unarmed attacks are also treated as aligned weapons (choose either chaotic, evil, good, or lawful) for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. At 16th level, his unarmed attacks are treated as adamantine weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction and bypassing hardness.

In addition, by spending 1 round of rage, a wild heart can do one of the following:

• Make one additional attack at her highest attack bonus when making a flurry of blows attack, or

• Increase her speed by 20 feet for 1 round, or

• Give herself a +4 dodge bonus to AC for 1 round.

Activating each of these powers is a swift action. The ascetic savage cannot use focus strike while raging unless she makes a successful focus mind attempt and spends 1 round of rage. This ability otherwise functions as the monk’s ki pool and replaces the rage power gained at 6th level.

Slow Fall (Ex): At 5th level, an ascetic savage gains the monk’s slow fall ability. An ascetic savage can fall 20 feet at 5th level plus an additional 10 feet every two levels thereafter, up to a maximum of 90 feet. The ascetic savage cannot use slow fall while raging unless she makes a successful focus mind attempt and spends 1 round of rage. This ability replaces damage reduction 2/—.

High Jump: At 8th level, an ascetic savage gains the monk’s high jump ability. The ascetic savage cannot use high jump while raging unless she makes a successful focus mind attempt and spends 2 rounds of rage. If the ascetic savage has the Raging Leaper rage power, she can use high jump while raging by expending only 1 round of rage. This ability does not stack with the raging leaper rage power. This ability replaces damage reduction 4/—.

Quivering Palm: At 20th level, an ascetic savage gains the monk’s quivering palm ability. The ascetic savage cannot use quivering palm while raging unless she makes a successful focus mind attempt and spends 3 rounds of rage. This ability replaces might rage.

Table: Ascetic Savage