[Screen Name] The Blades of Hadoken

[Hadoken]

The Blades of Hadoken

The Blades of Hadoken is a secret organization. They are made up of people of all nationalities and personalities. But they are all driven by one determining force, a single factor that draws them each together. This is Hadoken Energy. And though it is there singular purpose to understand and embrace this foreign energy none of them fully do know what it is. Only that it is somewhat akin to the magic that wraps itself about their world, that it is a mysterious force, with neither goals nor a seeming cognizance. It is just a part of the world, something that is so ingrained into the very fabric of their every fiber that to remove it would be catastrophic.

So they instead seek to pull it even into their lives. And it becomes somewhat akin to an addiction. The force of Hadoken Energy is both exultant, the most wonderful ecstatic feelings in the world pour from its depths, and a ruinous substance, revolting to the very core. Molten Ice some would call it. But no matter what it truly is a few proven things have come from it, that it can be harnessed is one of them. By a Blade of Hadoken, properly trained Hadoken Energy can be harnessed in such a way as to improve their combat abilities, and to extend their life beyond normal mortals. But this does not come without a price.

A wielder of Hadoken Energy slowly becomes insane. The more energy he draws in the more he craves and thus a snowball effect occurs. The effects are quite visible, and vicious. One’s eyes take on a silvery sheen. Practically crackling with an inner lightning, they do. The energy does more than this though, much more. It drives it’s wielder to a maddening rage. It rides through his body, strengthening muscles, improving health and driving the body to recklessness. And when it leaves, flying from the body it leaves a tired man, a weary man.

But all this means little to the Blade of Hadoken, that secret cult. They know that only their group could ever hope to deal with even the slightest sliver of the true power of Hadoken Energy, so their numbers are few, and new members are carefully screened and watched. For one to even know of this group shows that either the Blades have been reckless or that you are connected to very high places indeed. And next to speak of the induction into the Blade of Hadoken. It is a horrid process; tearing down your soul, ripping it to pieces, and rebuilding it, placed back in but a husk of a body.

The process begins first by a council of the eldest Blades calling in and focusing Hadoken Energy. The inductee would stand in the center of a circle of at least ten Blades. And then the power would come, blowing through you and them, and finally when the pain seems to be unending it stops. Then the true trial begins. One at a time the elders surrounding you come in, attacking with abandon, using every last resource to kill you, enraged by some unseen force. And after each duel you are healed, your body restored, and the body of the elder is dragged off to be rebuilt with Hadoken Energy. And if you should survive all ten you will then be assigned a tutor to study with you the use of Hadoken Energy. This is a long, arduous task that takes many years to master, eventually resulting in many varied abilities and a bodily dependence on Hadoken Energy.

Later, with mastery of Hadoken Energy secrets are revealed. The true nature of Hadoken Energy is unknown, but it has heavy ties to the different planes of existence, and no matter where a Blade travels there has been documentation of Hadoken Energy being present. Thus the organization works hard at understanding the very nature of the different planes, what it is that stands between one plane and another, some even believe that the separation between each individual plane is Hadoken Energy itself. Though, truth be told, this matters little, whether it is correct or not. All that matters to most of the organization is the warrior path that they set for themselves.

It becomes a path of wandering. Since most follow this path there is only one concentration of the Blades, this happens once every ten years. It is a gathering of all that have been inducted to the depths of their group that usually ends with little more being accomplished than the knowledge of their true numbers becoming known to even them. Currently the Blades enjoy almost 500 members, fewer than half of which have any actual knowledge to be able to take on an apprentice. There are only ten elders who work in collaboration at all times. And though all of the Blades know who the elders are and where to find them, none but themselves know the elders names.

This is less an act of secrecy than it is an act of faith. When one has been within the ranks for over a hundred years they are considered for a spot on the council of elders. If their previous deeds have proven them worthy and their fellows speak highly enough of them then they are accepted within the folds of the innermost circle. At this time they lose their name, they are given a new one that is only known by the elders and themselves. But should they not be proven worthy they are immediately, ruthlessly killed. This is to discourage most from applying to be on the council from fear that they may not be worthy of the honor.

It is considered rude to the highest degree, punishable by a slow, pain-filled death to name an elder by their former name. The simple fact is that every day is a rebirthing for a Blade of Hadoken. Every day their soul is swept clean by Hadoken Energy and they are given a chance to start over. This process is aided by meditation, but stops entirely when one becomes an elder. They are never again cleansed, and so their souls must be maintained for the rest of their days through care and a sinless existence, never violating their tenets. To recall the past sins of an elder by naming their lost name is an act of cruelty, and simply despicable.

Finally, the last thing one needs to know about the Blades is their code of honor. A Blade may do whatever he or she wants, may pursue their own goals, kill with abandon, slaughter innocents, or uphold law and order. It matters not to the larger organization. But they all have a code of honor that they must adhere to.

They must never reveal to outsiders the scope and breadth of their organization. They mustn’t actively seek to harm another member of the Blades. They must offer any help they can to another Blade, be it food, clothing, or rooms. And that their soul must be cleansed every morning, or let it be destroyed.

These are things that a Blade must follow strictly or be forever forsaken. Breaking the final tenet of their order utterly destroys ones body, Hadoken Energy clouds the soul and eats away at it, feeding upon the mind, and within mere days the Blade could only be found as a pile of blackened dust.

Requirements:
Base Attack Bonus: +6
Skills: 10 ranks in Intimidate, 5 ranks in Knowledge (the planes)
Special: Must be initiated by ten elder Blades of Hadoken, must have the Rage class ability

Game Rule Information:
Alignment: Any
Hit Die: d10
Skill Points: 2 + Int modifier
Skills: Climb (str), Craft (int), Intimidate (cha), Knowledge (the planes) (int), Jump (str), Ride (dex), Swim (str)

{table]
[tr]
[td]

Level

[/td]
[td]

BAB

[/td]
[td]

Fort

[/td]
[td]

Ref

[/td]
[td]

Will

[/td]
[td]Special[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

1

[/td]
[td]

+1

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]

+0

[/td]
[td]

+1

[/td]
[td]Channel Hadoken Energy 1/day, Madness[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

2

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]

+3

[/td]
[td]

+0

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]Infusion of Hadoken Energy[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

3

[/td]
[td]

+3

[/td]
[td]

+3

[/td]
[td]

+1

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]Know Hadoken Energy[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

4

[/td]
[td]

+4

[/td]
[td]

+4

[/td]
[td]

+1

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

5

[/td]
[td]

+5

[/td]
[td]

+4

[/td]
[td]

+1

[/td]
[td]

+3

[/td]
[td]Channel Hadoken Energy 2/day, Enhanced Madness[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

6

[/td]
[td]

+6

[/td]
[td]

+5

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]

+3

[/td]
[td]Bane of Life[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

7

[/td]
[td]

+7

[/td]
[td]

+5

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]

+4

[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

8

[/td]
[td]

+8

[/td]
[td]

+6

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]

+4

[/td]
[td]Live as Hadoken Energy[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

9

[/td]
[td]

+9

[/td]
[td]

+6

[/td]
[td]

+3

[/td]
[td]

+4

[/td]
[td]Channel Hadoken Energy 3/day[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

10

[/td]
[td]

+10

[/td]
[td]

+7

[/td]
[td]

+3

[/td]
[td]

+5

[/td]
[td]Gleaming Blade of Fury[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

Channel Hadoken Energy (Su): This ability is in all aspects identical to a Barbarian’s Rage ability. Though if one possesses the Rage ability from a previous class this counts as a separate pool of uses per day, thus the Barbarian’s (or any other class’) ability to rage is not a suitable substitute for this ability in regards to later Blade of Hadoken skills. This is usable once at 1st level, twice at 5th level, and a maximum of 3 times at 9th level.

Madness (Ex): Each time you gain a level in Blade of Hadoken you also gain a madness rating. The DM secretly rolls 1d6 each level and adds this to a total madness rating. According to your overall rating you may fall into fits of madness due to certain occurences, as below:

{table]
[tr]
[td]

Madness

[/td]
[td]Occurence[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

0-15

[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

16-30

[/td]
[td]Injury[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

31-40

[/td]
[td]Will Save[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

41-50

[/td]
[td]Using Blade of Hadoken ability[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

51-60

[/td]
[td]Threat[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

61+

[/td]
[td]Constant[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

Occurence explanation:
Injury: Whenever a Blade takes damage in combat or in dangerous non-combat situations he must check for madness.
Will Save: Whenever a Blade is required to make a Will Save he must check for madness.
Using Blade ability: By merely calling upon the power of Hadoken energy he must check for madness
Threat: Any stressful situation, be it real or in the Blade's mind means he must check for madness.

To check for madness you roll 1d20 and subtract the result from a Blade's madness rating. Depending on the result a number of things can occur

5 or lower: A Blade enters a delusion for 2d6 minutes
6-15: A Blade becomes extremely suspicious of even close friends for 2d6 hours
17-25: A Blade is panicked, he tries to flee, barring that he attacks desperately for 2d6 rounds
26-35: A Blade becomes depressed and withdrawn for 2d6 hours
36-45: A Blade becomes Furious, insane, he lashes out at the nearest target, and rampages for 2d6 rounds
46-55: A Blade must succeed at a DC 20 Fort save or become diseased. This disease incubates for one week with know known cure and after that perioud it causes 1d3 temporary constitution damage until the blade finally dies.
56+: A Blade is entirely demented, he is lost to all and is effectively an NPC, leading a short self-destructive life usually ending by him killing himself.

Infusion of Hadoken Energy (Su): The Hadoken Energy that you have channeled through your body has become so much a part of you, and so infused within you that it can keep you alive beyond what would kill normal men. You gain the Diehard feat for free, even if you don’t normally qualify for it. Note that this ability is only functional while Channeling Hadoken Energy as per the ability.

Know Hadoken Energy (Ex): Due to the heavy ties between the Hadoken Energy and the planes a Blade of Hadoken receives a competence bonus equal to his Blade of Hadoken level for Knowledge (the planes) checks.

Bane of Life (Su): With his constant tapping of extraplanar resources a Blade of Hadoken treats one designated weapon as having the Bane (outsiders) ability, you must choose one type of outsider for this to be used against, as presented on the list of available banes below. This ability only affects one weapon in your possession, a weapon which you must designate upon gaining the ability. You cannot change the weapon until a year and a day has passed at which time you can re-designate the type of outsider it affects.

{table]
[tr]
[td]Bane[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, air[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, chaotic[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, earth[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, evil[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, fire[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, good[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, lawful[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, water[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

Enhanced Madness (Ex): A Blade of Hadoken upon reaching 5th level can trade off their madness rating for bonus ability points. You can gain a +2 bonus to one ability score for an extra 2d6 of madness rating. But you can only gain one +2 bonus per ability score, so while you could gain a +2 to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution for 6d6 madness you could not gain +6 to Constitution for 6d6 madness. You can only designate to gain this bonus upon gaining a level in Blade of Hadoken and you can only gain one ability bonus per level. Thus in the example above that player would have to have been a 7th level Blade of Hadoken to get the bonuses to Str, Dex, and Con.

Live as Hadoken Energy (Ex): This is taking the Infusion of Hadoken Energy ability a step farther, now when you are reduced to negative hit points you may act normally, taking your full action at no penalty, though if you are raised to above 0 hit points you immediately become exhausted. But above and beyond just that your fury is so great that it provides an inherent bonus to strenght equal to your level in Blade of Hadoken, meaning that a 9th level Blade of Hadoken would recieve a +9 inherent bonus to their strength. This bonus to strength only applies when you are dropped to 0 hit points or below in a dangerous combat situtation. Note that this ability may only be used while Channeling Hadoken Energy as per the ability.

Gleaming Blade of Fury (Su): 3 times/day a Blade of Hadoken can transform the significant portion of their weapon into a pure force of Hadoken energy, bypassing all forms of armor, effectively turning their attack roll into a touch attack. This effect lasts for one a single attack only and is usable a maximum of once per round. You gain Improved Critical for that attack only.

---

That is the build of my Blade of Hadoken PrC, I'm looking for some more comments, too powerful, or what?

[Nim]

Erm, what do you mean by "10 ranks in skills"? Usually one selects a particular skill for them to have 10 ranks in. Otherwise a 1st level character might say, "I have 4 ranks in 4 different class abilities, total thats 16 points in my skills. Yup, I qualify for that part at least".

[Hadoken]

Hee hee. I meant to change that, but at the time I was just writing down random thoughts and just copy pasted away. It was meant as a reminder for myself that that should be the minimum required, sorry about that, I'll edit it now.

[Hadoken]

Some flavor text, detailing the nature of the Blades of Hadoken.

---

The Blades of Hadoken is a secret organization. They are made up of people of all nationalities and personalities. But they are all driven by one determining force, a single factor that draws them each together. This is Hadoken Energy. And though it is there singular purpose to understand and embrace this foreign energy none of them fully do know what it is. Only that it is somewhat akin to the magic that wraps itself about their world, that it is a mysterious force, with neither goals nor a seeming cognizance. It is just a part of the world, something that is so ingrained into the very fabric of their every fiber that to remove it would be catastrophic.

So they instead seek to pull it even into their lives. And it becomes somewhat akin to an addiction. The force of Hadoken Energy is both exultant, the most wonderful ecstatic feelings in the world pour from its depths, and a ruinous substance, revolting to the very core. Molten Ice some would call it. But no matter what it truly is a few proven things have come from it, that it can be harnessed is one of them. By a Blade of Hadoken, properly trained Hadoken Energy can be harnessed in such a way as to improve their combat abilities, and to extend their life beyond normal mortals. But this does not come without a price.

A wielder of Hadoken Energy slowly becomes insane. The more energy he draws in the more he craves and thus a snowball effect occurs. The effects are quite visible, and vicious. One’s eyes take on a silvery sheen. Practically crackling with an inner lightning, they do. The energy does more than this though, much more. It drives it’s wielder to a maddening rage. It rides through his body, strengthening muscles, improving health and driving the body to recklessness. And when it leaves, flying from the body it leaves a tired man, a weary man.

But all this means little to the Blade of Hadoken, that secret cult. They know that only their group could ever hope to deal with even the slightest sliver of the true power of Hadoken Energy, so their numbers are few, and new members are carefully screened and watched. For one to even know of this group shows that either the Blades have been reckless or that you are connected to very high places indeed. And next to speak of the induction into the Blade of Hadoken. It is a horrid process; tearing down your soul, ripping it to pieces, and rebuilding it, placed back in but a husk of a body.

The process begins first by a council of the eldest Blades calling in and focusing Hadoken Energy. The inductee would stand in the center of a circle of at least ten Blades. And then the power would come, blowing through you and them, and finally when the pain seems to be unending it stops. Then the true trial begins. One at a time the elders surrounding you come in, attacking with abandon, using every last resource to kill you, enraged by some unseen force. And after each duel you are healed, your body restored, and the body of the elder is dragged off to be rebuilt with Hadoken Energy. And if you should survive all ten you will then be assigned a tutor to study with you the use of Hadoken Energy. This is a long, arduous task that takes many years to master, eventually resulting in many varied abilities and a bodily dependence on Hadoken Energy.

Later, with mastery of Hadoken Energy secrets are revealed. The true nature of Hadoken Energy is unknown, but it has heavy ties to the different planes of existence, and no matter where a Blade travels there has been documentation of Hadoken Energy being present. Thus the organization works hard at understanding the very nature of the different planes, what it is that stands between one plane and another, some even believe that the separation between each individual plane is Hadoken Energy itself. Though, truth be told, this matters little, whether it is correct or not. All that matters to most of the organization is the warrior path that they set for themselves.

It becomes a path of wandering. Since most follow this path there is only one concentration of the Blades, this happens once every ten years. It is a gathering of all that have been inducted to the depths of their group that usually ends with little more being accomplished than the knowledge of their true numbers becoming known to even them. Currently the Blades enjoy almost 500 members, fewer than half of which have any actual knowledge to be able to take on an apprentice. There are only ten elders who work in collaboration at all times. And though all of the Blades know who the elders are and where to find them, none but themselves know the elders names.

This is less an act of secrecy than it is an act of faith. When one has been within the ranks for over a hundred years they are considered for a spot on the council of elders. If their previous deeds have proven them worthy and their fellows speak highly enough of them then they are accepted within the folds of the innermost circle. At this time they lose their name, they are given a new one that is only known by the elders and themselves. But should they not be proven worthy they are immediately, ruthlessly killed. This is to discourage most from applying to be on the council from fear that they may not be worthy of the honor.

It is considered rude to the highest degree, punishable by a slow, pain-filled death to name an elder by their former name. The simple fact is that every day is a rebirthing for a Blade of Hadoken. Every day their soul is swept clean by Hadoken Energy and they are given a chance to start over. This process is aided by meditation, but stops entirely when one becomes an elder. They are never again cleansed, and so their souls must be maintained for the rest of their days through care and a sinless existence, never violating their tenets. To recall the past sins of an elder by naming their lost name is an act of cruelty, and simply despicable.

Finally, the last thing one needs to know about the Blades is their code of honor. A Blade may do whatever he or she wants, may pursue their own goals, kill with abandon, slaughter innocents, or uphold law and order. It matters not to the larger organization. But they all have a code of honor that they must adhere to.

They must never reveal to outsiders the scope and breadth of their organization. They mustn’t actively seek to harm another member of the Blades. They must offer any help they can to another Blade, be it food, clothing, or rooms. And that their soul must be cleansed every morning, or let it be destroyed.

These are things that a Blade must follow strictly or be forever forsaken. Breaking the final tenet of their order utterly destroys ones body, Hadoken Energy clouds the soul and eats away at it, feeding upon the mind, and within mere days the Blade could only be found as a pile of blackened dust.

[AngelSword]

Do you think you can put up a level table for use to review? As of right now, I don't see a level progression for things like saves, BAB, or when the abilities are gained.

[Hadoken]

I have a little bit of somethin' somethin' that I'm working on, I'll throw out BAB and Saves now, but I don't want to nail down on when you get certain special abilities, so I'm going to leave that out for now.

{table]
[tr]
[td]

Level

[/td]
[td]

BAB

[/td]
[td]

Fort

[/td]
[td]

Ref

[/td]
[td]

Will

[/td]
[td]Special[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

1

[/td]
[td]

+1

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]

+0

[/td]
[td]

+1

[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

2

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]

+3

[/td]
[td]

+0

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

3

[/td]
[td]

+3

[/td]
[td]

+3

[/td]
[td]

+1

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

4

[/td]
[td]

+4

[/td]
[td]

+4

[/td]
[td]

+1

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

5

[/td]
[td]

+5

[/td]
[td]

+4

[/td]
[td]

+1

[/td]
[td]

+3

[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

6

[/td]
[td]

+6

[/td]
[td]

+5

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]

+3

[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

7

[/td]
[td]

+7

[/td]
[td]

+5

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]

+4

[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

8

[/td]
[td]

+8

[/td]
[td]

+6

[/td]
[td]

+2

[/td]
[td]

+4

[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

9

[/td]
[td]

+9

[/td]
[td]

+6

[/td]
[td]

+3

[/td]
[td]

+4

[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

10

[/td]
[td]

+10

[/td]
[td]

+7

[/td]
[td]

+3

[/td]
[td]

+5

[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

[Hadoken]

Now for the abilities I'm looking into giving these guys a madness rating, basically as it appears in the Wheel of Time RPG. You get a rating of 1d6 per level and that may dictate just how sane you are at times. The abilities will tie into the mystery of Hadoken Energy and how it can infuriate you. I'll definitely drop the Blade-Bond ability unless I can give it the flavor I'm looking for. And the pre-req for bastard swords is gonna go buh-bye most likely. Other than that I'm keeping what I have written above for abilities, though with some changes that should appear later.

[Hadoken]

I just edited my above post to include a (thus far) finished Blade of Hadoken, any comments are more than welcome, especially criticisms.

[Lord_Nathanel]

Loved the back story and definitely the skills. I would play one.

[Musrum]

Infusion of Hadoken Energy (Su): The Hadoken Energy that you have channeled through your body has become so much a part of you, and so infused within you that it can keep you alive beyond what would kill normal men. You gain the Diehard feat for free, even if you don’t normally qualify for it. Note that this ability is only functional while Channeling Hadoken Energy as per the ability.

This would be better if you automaticlly healed CON Mod x class level when you have finished Channeling. Otherwise there is a good chance you are dead.

[Hadoken]

That's a much better idea musrum. Also I'm trying to come up with something for the final ability that fits better, the Gleaming Blade of Fury just doesn't do it for me, it was kind of a spur of the moment "wouldn't it be cool if..." idea, and doesn't fit with the theme of the class, which is being able to rage, and rage hard. Also is it too much to allow the rages garnered from barbarian to be used in the same way these rages are, ie the ability to use all of the gained class abilities more than 3/day, otherwise as is written your barbarian rages and blade of hadoken rages are seperate pools.

[Zherog]

I'm glad I scrolled down - I almost didn't catch you (for now) finished version. Maybe you want to copy/paste it into your first post?

(feedback to come shortly - once I finish reading it ;) )

[Zherog]

Interesting and creative use of your screen name. ;)

<<snipped flavor text>>

A little long, and there's a handful of spelling and grammar errors (which I can live with - if WotC can make 'em, so can we ;D ), but overall very good at explaining the class.

Requirements:
Base Attack Bonus: +6
Skills: 10 ranks in Intimidate, 5 ranks in Knowledge (the planes)
Special: Must be initiated by ten elder Blades of Hadoken, must have the Rage class ability

5 ranks in Knowledge (The Planes) is expensive for a barbarian to buy cross-class. It almost forces the character to consider multi-classing as an answer. Otherwise, the requirements seem OK for the class.

Skill Points: 2 + Int modifier
Skills: Climb (str), Craft (int), Intimidate (cha), Knowledge (the planes) (int), Jump (str), Ride (dex), Swim (str)

You should consider adding Profession to the skill list. If members are allowed to pursue whatever goals they wish, it fits the flavor. Otherwise, the list is OK.

Channel Hadoken Energy (Su): This ability is in all aspects identical to a Barbarian’s Rage ability. Though if one possesses the Rage ability from a previous class this counts as a separate pool of uses per day, thus the Barbarian’s (or any other class’) ability to rage is not a suitable substitute for this ability in regards to later Blade of Hadoken skills. This is usable once at 1st level, twice at 5th level, and a maximum of 3 times at 9th level.

I underlined a little quibble. Anybody gaining this ability will possess the Rage ability - it was a pre-req to get into the class.

Madness (Ex): Each time you gain a level in Blade of Hadoken you also gain a madness rating. The DM secretly rolls 1d6 each level and adds this to a total madness rating. According to your overall rating you may fall into fits of madness due to certain occurences, as below:

{table]
[tr]
[td]

Madness

[/td]
[td]Occurence[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

0-15

[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

16-30

[/td]
[td]Injury[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

31-40

[/td]
[td]Will Save[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

41-50

[/td]
[td]Using Blade of Hadoken ability[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

51-60

[/td]
[td]Threat[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]

61+

[/td]
[td]Constant[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

Occurence explanation:
Injury: Whenever a Blade takes damage in combat or in dangerous non-combat situations he must check for madness.
Will Save: Whenever a Blade is required to make a Will Save he must check for madness.
Using Blade ability: By merely calling upon the power of Hadoken energy he must check for madness
Threat: Any stressful situation, be it real or in the Blade's mind means he must check for madness.

To check for madness you roll 1d20 and subtract the result from a Blade's madness rating. Depending on the result a number of things can occur

5 or lower: A Blade enters a delusion for 2d6 minutes
6-15: A Blade becomes extremely suspicious of even close friends for 2d6 hours
17-25: A Blade is panicked, he tries to flee, barring that he attacks desperately for 2d6 rounds
26-35: A Blade becomes depressed and withdrawn for 2d6 hours
36-45: A Blade becomes Furious, insane, he lashes out at the nearest target, and rampages for 2d6 rounds
46-55: A Blade must succeed at a DC 20 Fort save or become diseased. This disease incubates for one week with know known cure and after that perioud it causes 1d3 temporary constitution damage until the blade finally dies.
56+: A Blade is entirely demented, he is lost to all and is effectively an NPC, leading a short self-destructive life usually ending by him killing himself.

There should be a way to have "no effect" - even if it's a small range of numbers. As it's written, if I have a madness rating of 16 and I roll a 20 on my d20 roll, my total is -4. That means I'll be in a state of delusion for 2 to 12 minutes! I think there should be some way to avoid the effects - a will or fort save, a total under 0 means no effect, something.

This entire process would keep me out of what is otherwise a very cool class. I don't like effects that screw PC's, and this one certainly seems to do that. A result of 46 or higher means I lose my PC. That's really not a good mechanic.

Infusion of Hadoken Energy (Su): The Hadoken Energy that you have channeled through your body has become so much a part of you, and so infused within you that it can keep you alive beyond what would kill normal men. You gain the Diehard feat for free, even if you don’t normally qualify for it. Note that this ability is only functional while Channeling Hadoken Energy as per the ability.

Seems weak to me. Diehard is a nice feat, but not a "rock your world" feat. Limiting it to being in effect only when you are in the rage associated with this class takes a nice feat and makes it essentially meaningless.

Know Hadoken Energy (Ex): Due to the heavy ties between the Hadoken Energy and the planes a Blade of Hadoken receives a competence bonus equal to his Blade of Hadoken level for Knowledge (the planes) checks.

8) I guess I can't say it enough. I love cool little "flavor" abilities like this one.

Bane of Life (Su): With his constant tapping of extraplanar resources a Blade of Hadoken treats one designated weapon as having the Bane (outsiders) ability, you must choose one type of outsider for this to be used against, as presented on the list of available banes below. This ability only affects one weapon in your possession, a weapon which you must designate upon gaining the ability. You cannot change the weapon until a year and a day has passed at which time you can re-designate the type of outsider it affects.

{table]
[tr]
[td]Bane[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, air[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, chaotic[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, earth[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, evil[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, fire[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, good[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, lawful[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Outsiders, water[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

What if the weapon is lost, stolen or broken? Do they still have to wait a year and a day to replace it?

Enhanced Madness (Ex): A Blade of Hadoken upon reaching 5th level can trade off their madness rating for bonus ability points. You can gain a +2 bonus to one ability score for an extra 2d6 of madness rating. But you can only gain one +2 bonus per ability score, so while you could gain a +2 to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution for 6d6 madness you could not gain +6 to Constitution for 6d6 madness. You can only designate to gain this bonus upon gaining a level in Blade of Hadoken and you can only gain one ability bonus per level. Thus in the example above that player would have to have been a 7th level Blade of Hadoken to get the bonuses to Str, Dex, and Con.

Well, first, you should name the type of bonus. Probably should be inherent. But even with that, I personally would never risk it - the effects of Madness are too horrible for me to even briefly considering screwing myself worse for a measely +2.

Live as Hadoken Energy (Ex): This is taking the Infusion of Hadoken Energy ability a step farther, now when you are reduced to negative hit points you may act normally, taking your full action at no penalty, though if you are raised to above 0 hit points you immediately become exhausted. But above and beyond just that your fury is so great that it provides an inherent bonus to strenght equal to your level in Blade of Hadoken, meaning that a 9th level Blade of Hadoken would recieve a +9 inherent bonus to their strength. This bonus to strength only applies when you are dropped to 0 hit points or below in a dangerous combat situtation. Note that this ability may only be used while Channeling Hadoken Energy as per the ability.

Interesting addition to the Diehard feat. This I would say is OK to only function while in the Hadoken rage.

One mechanical thing - inherent bonuses should never go above +5. Also, an inherent bonus is an instantaneous effect, meaning it's permanent and can't be dispelled or removed. It seems another type is in order - how about, hmmm.... Oh, I got it! How 'bout a "Hadoken Bonus" to strength? That way it'll stack with everything else (like you seem to want), and you can have it so it goes away after the "Rage." If you don't like creating a new type, I'd go with Circumstance as the bonus type.

Gleaming Blade of Fury (Su): 3 times/day a Blade of Hadoken can transform the significant portion of their weapon into a pure force of Hadoken energy, bypassing all forms of armor, effectively turning their attack roll into a touch attack. This effect lasts for one a single attack only and is usable a maximum of once per round. You gain Improved Critical for that attack only.

Nice, but not great. So, essentially, their weapon becomes a keen, brilliant energy weapon for one round. Given that somebody might have a Keen weapon or the Improved Critical feat already by this point (and since they don't stack), how about changing it so that the crit multiplier is increased by 1 for that round?

***

Wow! I'm looking back over what I wrote, and it sounds harsh. Really harsh. I guess the biggest problem I have is the Madness factor. I refuse to screw my character over like that. Especially since I would conceivably receive many injuries in one combat (if that's my trigger) - it would be insane the penalties a character would accumulate, and quickly.

[Hadoken]

I've been meaning to change a lot of things about this class, mostly that final ability which I kind of just threw in there on a whim. I just haven't gotten around to it. As for the madness, I will change it to be quite a bit less harsh, but it's a thing that goes with the class so it does need to stay.

What I'm thinking of doing instead for Enhanced madness is instead of incurring 2d6 points of madness a smaller die, like 2d4 or just a flat 2 points of madness, coupling this with a less harsh madness system should make it a little more appealing, the bonus will probably end up being inherent, that's what I meant in the beginning, I want it to stack with whatever else you might have to boost your stats.

As for Hadoken Bonuses I like that idea, and when I revise the class I'll put that in instead of inherent, because I was looking for a stack with all affect.

The diehard feat will probably end up by curing you of con modifier times blade of hadoken level hit points when you come out of your rage, this of course would carry over to affect the Live as Hadoken Energy ability.

As for the Bane of Life ability, I guess my only advice is to keep a hold of your weapon. Though if the weapon is destroyed I will add a snipit about allowing you to apply the ability to another weapon of choice with out waiting a year and a day. I just don't see any reason a blade could have to be able to reapply the ability to a different weapon after "losing" his old one. Doesn't make sense to me, though after the weapon is destroyed sounds fair enough.

I think I addressed everything you addressed, the class will be getting an overhaul very soon here, I just have to stop being lazy.

[Zherog]

As for the Bane of Life ability, I guess my only advice is to keep a hold of your weapon. Though if the weapon is destroyed I will add a snipit about allowing you to apply the ability to another weapon of choice with out waiting a year and a day. I just don't see any reason a blade could have to be able to reapply the ability to a different weapon after "losing" his old one. Doesn't make sense to me, though after the weapon is destroyed sounds fair enough.

See, I've met DM's who would take great pleasure in having a thief sneak in and steal nothing but your "special" weapon. Now, you're pooched for up to a year and a day.

How's this as a way to sort of help that situation. Add in a clause that says the character always knows the direction and distance to his weapon, as long as it remains on the same plane? Now, the DM can steal the weapon, but the PC can hunt the bastard down. ;D Throw in a small, temporary penalty for getting your weapon Sundered and I think it would be a rockin' ability.