Swallowtail Blademaster (Swashbuckler/Samurai)

The art of the sword is often thought of as one of strength. For others however, it becomes a matter of technique. Rather than focusing on overpowering the target with heavy, cleaving strikes, or shredding the target with a flurry of wild steel, the swallowtail blademaster uses quick flicks of the wrist to trick a trained opponent's muscle memory, leaving her enemy's vitals wide open for a swift precise strike. Considered by some as deceptive and dishonorable, the way of the swallowtail blademaster and their signature techniques require almost as much focus and precision from them to use as it does their victim to defend against it. Thus, few are there that can survive the technique. (Original Concept by Taco Man)

Primary Class: Swashbuckler.

Secondary Class: Samurai.

Alignment: Any.

Hit Dice: d10.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The swallowtail blademaster may select three samurai skills to add to her class skills in addition to the normal swashbuckler class skills. The swallowtail blademaster gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 4 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The swallowtail blademaster is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, plus the katana, naginata, nodachi, and wakizashi. She is also proficient with light armor and with bucklers.

Swallowtail Finesse (Ex): At 1st level, a swallowtail blademaster gains an unparalleled expertise with his chosen weapons. At 1st level, the swallowtail blademaster selects either the katana, naginata, or nodachi. The swallowtail blademaster treats the selected weapon as a light or one-handed melee weapon for the purpose of any class feature, ability, or feat that has light or one-handed melee weapon as a requirement.

A swallowtail blademaster also gains the benefits of the Weapon Finesse feat with light or one-handed piercing melee weapons (including her selected weapon), and she can use her Charisma score in place of Intelligence as a prerequisite for combat feats. This ability counts as having the Weapon Finesse feat for purposes of meeting feat prerequisites. This ability otherwise functions as and replaces swashbuckler finesse.

Deeds: A swallowtail blademaster swaps seven deeds for the following deeds.

Deceptive Slash (Ex): At 1st level, a swallowtail blademaster can spend 1 panache point when she makes an attempt at a feint combat maneuver to roll 1d6 and add the result to the check. She can do this after she makes the roll, but before the result is revealed. If the result of the d6 roll is a natural 6, she rolls another 1d6 and adds it to the check. She can continue to do this as long as she rolls natural 6s, up to a number of times equal to her Dexterity modifier. This deed replaces the derring-do deed.

Returning Blade (Ex): At