The discipline known as Thrashing Dragon has a long standing tradition amongst both ascetics and daredevils alike, as its movements and style fits both the dedication and tenacity of more disciplined fighters as well as the erratic and improvisational style of free spirited warriors. It was said to have originated on an island chain in the warm seas but history is confused to which one, as its dance like motions fit to the beat of the warrior's heart as if it were a drum. Practitioners of the style are often lithe and nimble, graceful and quick as the style demands speed and the ability to correct one's movements quickly. Predominantly focusing on the use of two small weapons at a time, the style emulates attack routines that are said to have been learned at the clawed feet of an island dwelling dragon. Whether this is true or not, the style's claw like weapon strikes and powerful kicks liken the adept to being not unlike a dragon themselves.
Thrashing Dragon is a demanding style that requires both agility and athletic ability. Its disciplines are primarily two-weapon fighters, adept with smaller, lighter weapons that are used for quick slashes and stabs. It is an acrobatic style, using the adept's natural speed and grace to avoid blows as opposed to blocking them with their smaller weapons. Thrashing Dragon's associated skill is Acrobatics, and its associated weapons are the dagger, kukri, kama, punch dagger (katar), and unarmed strike.
Author's Notes: Maneuvers that specifically state use for two-weapons, an initiator may substitute unarmed strikes for wielded weapons. Swordsages and Warblades may substitute Thrashing Dragon for Tiger Claw or Setting Sun.
|
Maneuver List
1st Swift Claws: Strike – Attack a single target with two wielded weapons. Offensive Roll: Strike – Move by an opponent and make a Acrobatics check against target’s AC, if successful, the target is flat-footed and the strike inflicts +1d6 points of damage. Inner Sphere Stance: Stance – When wielding two weapons, adept gains +2 dodge bonus to AC and a +2 bonus to Will saves. Outer Sphere Stance: Stance – When wielding two weapons, adept inflicts an additional 1d6 points of damage per attack, -2 to AC. *Wyrmling’s Fang: Strike – Thrown weapon inflicts an additional 1d6 points of damage. *Talon on the Wing: Boost – Thrown weapon range for a single attack increases by +20ft. 2nd Sweeping Tail: Strike – Make a trip attack against a foe with a +4 bonus. Flash Kick: Strike – Make an additional unarmed attack as part of a full attack action at a -2 penalty to hit but the attack gains +2d6 points of damage. Flick of the Wrist: Strike – Make two successful attack rolls with two weapons with a +4 bonus, if successful target is disarmed of his primary weapon. Sun Dips Low: Counter – Make an opposed Acrobatics check against an attack to negate it. *Reflexive Twist: Counter – Make an Acrobatics check in place of a Reflex save. 3rd Fangs Strike Low: Strike – Make two successful attack rolls, halve target's land speed and inflicts 1d6 bleed damage per round for 3 rounds or until healed. Vicious Swipe: Strike – Make a successful melee attack, attack inflicts an additional +3d6 and potentially dazes opponent. Battle Dragon’s Stance: Stance – Reduce penalties of two-weapon fighting by 2, +4 to Initiative checks and damage while two-weapon fighting. *Ancient’s Fang: Strike – Thrown weapon inflicts an additional 4d6 points of damage 4th Dragon Assault: Strike – Make a full round attack, each successive melee attack inflicts an additional 1d6 points of damage than the previous one (maximum +5d6 per successful attack). Devastation Roll: Strike – Move by an opponent and make a successful Acrobatics check against the target's AC, if successful, the target is flat-footed and the attack inflicts an additional 6d6 points of damage. Sharpened Talons: Boost – When two-weapon fighting with light weapons, the adept inflicts an additional 2d6 points of damage for one round. *Dragon Rush: Boost – Upon a successful attack, make an immediate kick which inflicts an additional 2d6 points of damage. 5th Thrashing Dragon Twist: Strike – Make an attack with two wielded weapons (one attack per weapon) against each adjacent enemy surrounding the initiator. Reversing Thrust: Counter – Make a successful opposed Acrobatics check against a target's attack roll; evade the attack and then make an immediate counter-attack. Bend with the Wind: Stance – Gain +2 to AC successively until next turn or take a free 5ft-step whenever an attack misses the initiator. *Hurricane of Fangs: Boost – Thrown weapons for the round have their range increased by +30ft and inflict an additional damage equal to initiator level. 6th Tail Slap: Strike – Unleash a powerful kick which inflicts an additional 3d6 points of damage and stuns an opponent for up to 1d4 rounds. Rending Claws: Boost – Make two successful melee attacks with wielded weapons, automatically rend victim for an additional 8d6 points of damage. Unbreakable Talons: Boost – When two-weapon fighting with light weapons, the adept's attacks strike as adamantine and inflict an additional 4d6 points of damage. *Great Wyrm’s Fang: Strike – Thrown weapon inflicts an additional 8d6 points of damage, causes a bleeding wound. 7th Thrashing Dragon Frenzy: Strike – Make two melee attacks with two wielded weapons (two attacks per weapon) against each adjacent enemy surrounding the initiator. Alacrity on Wing: Counter – Make an opposed Acrobatics check against an opponent's attack roll, evade the attack and you may make an attack against the target with both weapons with +2d6 damage as part of this immediate action. Brutal Dragon's Stance: Stance – When two-weapon fighting in this stance, the character suffers a -2 to AC, but all attacks inflict an additional 2d6 + initiator level points of damage. 8th Thrashing Blades: Strike – Make a full round attack as a standard action, each attack (including any unarmed or natural secondary attacks) at full attack bonus plus an additional 2d6 points of damage, suffer -4 penalty to AC. Doom Talon: Boost – Upon scoring a critical hit, initiation of this maneuver confirms the critical hit and inflicts an additional 4d6 points of damage. Dragon Warrior's Talons: Stance – When two-weapon fighting in this stance, all attacks made ignore damage reduction and inflict bleeding wounds as the wounding property. 9th Terminus: Strike – Make an attack with both main and off hand weapon against one or two targets; attack strikes to the heart of a target may cause instant death or 12d6 points of damage.
*=new maneuver
|
Maneuver Descriptions1stSwift Claws Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 1 Initiation Action: 1 standard action Range: Melee attack Target: One creature Duration: Instant
The Thrashing Dragon adept’s skill with his dual weapons allows him to strike with practiced speed and alacrity, allowing him to make an attack with two wielded weapons (or unarmed strikes) as a single attack action. Creatures with more than two arms may still only strike with two wielded weapons.
Offensive Roll Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 1 Initiation Action: 1 standard action Range: Melee attack Target: One creature Duration: Instant
As the adept moves by his opponent, he may drop into a tumbling roll by them and strike at them at a surprising angle. The character must move at least 10ft along side an enemy (which will provoke attacks of opportunity unless the character is Tumbling) and make a Acrobatics check with a DC equal to the target’s Armor Class. If successful, the target is considered flat-footed and the strike inflicts an additional 1d6 points of damage.
Inner Sphere Stance Thrashing Dragon (Stance) Level: 1 Initiation Action: 1 swift action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: Stance
A defensive stance that focuses on using the adept’s dance-like movements to confound his foe, the adept uses his erratic movements to defend himself and bolster his confidence. When wielding two weapons while in this stance, the adept gains a +2 dodge bonus to AC and a +2 morale bonus to Will saves.
Outer Sphere Stance Thrashing Dragon (Stance) Level: 1 Initiation Action: 1 swift action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: Stance
The Trashing Dragon adept flips both of his blades down and concentrates solely on slaying his foe without heed to his own life. When wielding two weapons while in this stance, the adept gains +1d6 points of damage with his weapons and suffers a -2 penalty to AC.
Wyrmling’s Fang Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 1 Initiation Action: 1 standard action Range: Thrown Target: One creature Duration: Instant
With a quick flick of his wrist, the adept hurls a blade deeply into his foe with blinding speed. The character must make a ranged attack against a target by throwing a light weapon with a range increment (such as a dagger) or a signature Thrashing Dragon weapon. If this attack is successful, the attack inflicts an additional 1d6 points of damage.
Talon on the Wing Thrashing Dragon (Boost) Level: 1 Initiation Action: 1 swift action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: One attack
By incorporating the momentum of his fighting style’s whirling movements the Thrashing Dragon adept may hurl one of his blades at increased distance. When making a ranged attack with a thrown light weapon with an increment of range (such as a dagger) or a Thrashing Dragon weapon, the range on this attack increase by +20ft. 2nd
Sweeping Tail Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 2 Initiation Action: 1 standard action Range: Melee attack Target: One creature Duration: Instant
Within his battle dance, the adept dips low and sweeps his leg out to knock an opponent down. The adept makes a trip attempt which does not provoke attacks of opportunity, and he gains a +4 bonus to this check.
Flash Kick Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 2 Initiation Action: 1 standard action Range: Melee attack Target: One creature Duration: Instant
As part of a full attack action, the adept may make a powerful and swift kick while his blades strike. The character makes an additional unarmed strike against a target as part of his full attack action at -2 penalty, if this attack hits then the attack inflicts an additional 2d6 points of damage.
Flick of the Wrist Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 2 Initiation Action: 1 standard action Range: Melee attack Target: One creature Duration: Instant
With two rapid slaps from his blades, the Thrashing Dragon adept’s ferocity puts an opponent off balance and with a flick of the wrist; the adept takes away the weapon of his foe. The character makes two rapid attack rolls against the target’s AC with a +4 bonus, if successful; the target is disarmed of his primary weapon. If the target only is using natural attacks, then this maneuver is ineffective.
Sun Dips Low Thrashing Dragon (Counter) Level: 2 Initiation Action: 1 immediate action Range: One melee attack Target: Personal Duration: Instant
With a sudden, darting movement the Thrashing Dragon adept may dodge an attack and protect himself from harm, if perfectly timed. The adept opposes an enemy’s attack roll by making an Acrobatics check; if successful then he successfully evades the attack. If not, he is struck by the blow as normal.
Reflexive Twist Thrashing Dragon (Counter) Level: 2 Initiation Action: 1 immediate action Range: One melee attack Target: Personal Duration: Instant
With his athletic abilities and reflexes honed to a razor’s edge, the Thrashing Dragon adept may incorporate reflexive evasions into his fighting dance at a moment’s notice to defend himself from danger. When making a Reflex save, the character may instead make an Acrobatics check in place of his Reflex saving throw bonus to determine his success. 3rd
Fangs Strike Low Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 3 Prerequisites: 1 Thrashing Dragon maneuver Initiation Action: 1 standard action Range: One melee attack Target: Personal Duration: 3 rounds
By forcing an opponent’s guard up, the Thrashing Dragon spins low and attacks at the legs of the target to reduce his mobility and cause deep, flensing wounds. Upon successfully striking a target in melee combat with this maneuver, in addition to weapon damage the character's attack halves the target's land speed and inflicts 1d6 points of damage per round for 3 rounds or until the target has been healed (magically or by a successful Heal check).
Vicious Swipe Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 3 Prerequisites: 1 Thrashing Dragon maneuver Initiation Action: 1 standard action Range: One melee attack Target: One creature Duration: Instant, up to 4 rounds Saving Throw: Fortitude partial
The adept's combat style allows him to get in close to a target and strike beneath their guard, dealing a powerful blow and potentially knocking them senseless for a few moments. The character makes a melee attack, and if successful the attack inflicts an additional 3d6 points of damage and potentially dazes the opponent for 1d4 rounds (Fortitude save DC 13 + primary initiator attribute modifier negates the dazed condition).
Battle Dragon’s Stance Thrashing Dragon (Stance) Level: 3 Prerequisites: 1 Thrashing Dragon maneuver Initiation Action: 1 swift action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: Stance
The Battle Dragon's Stance shows the adept how to balance his fighting style and through this centering of being, he may find speed, finesse, and power. While in the Battle Dragon's Stance, the adept reduces his two-weapon fighting penalties by 2, and gains a +4 bonus to Initiative checks and to melee damage while fighting with two weapons.
Ancient’s Fang Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 3 Prerequisites: 1 Thrashing Dragon maneuver Initiation Action: 1 standard action Range: One ranged attack Target: One creature Duration: Instant
With a powerful overhand throw, the Thrashing Dragon adept hurls one of his blades into his foe’s form with the force and power rivaling the snapping jaws of an ancient dragon. The character must make a ranged attack against a target by throwing a light weapon with a range increment (such as a dagger) or a signature Thrashing Dragon weapon. If this attack is successful, the attack inflicts an additional 4d6 points of damage. 4th
Dragon Assault Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 4 Prerequisites: 1 Thrashing Dragon maneuver Initiation Action: 1 full round attack action Range: One melee attack Target: One creature Duration: Instant
By unleashing their full wrath against their enemies, a Thrashing Dragon adept is capable of inflicting incredible powerful blows that get more potent per successive hit. The character makes a full round attack against a target(s), the first successful hit inflicting normal damage. Each subsequent successful attack inflicts an additional 1d6 points of damage that carry over to the next attack, the third attack inflicting +2d6 damage, the fourth +3d6 damage and so on to a maximum of +5d6.
Devastation Roll Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 4 Prerequisites: 1 Thrashing Dragon maneuver Initiation Action: 1 attack action Range: One melee attack Target: One creature Duration: One round
The martial adept’s movements are so quick and precise, his deadly strikes are hard to evade. With a sudden twist and Acrobatics through the opponent's defenses, the adept strikes hard into the exposed and undefended foe. The character must move at least 10ft alongside his opponent and make a Acrobatics check equal to the target's AC. If successful, the target is considered flat-footed until his next action due to being put off-balance from the strike, and the attack inflicts an additional 6d6 points of damage.
Sharpened Talons Thrashing Dragon (Boost) Level: 4 Prerequisites: 1 Thrashing Dragon maneuver Initiation Action: 1 swift action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: Instant
By quickly scraping his blades together to create metallic burrs along their edges, he quickly sharpens them for his next attack. When two-weapon fighting with light bladed weapons (or with natural attacks that inflict slashing damage) the adept's attacks with those weapons inflict an additional 2d6 points of damage for the round.
Dragon Rush Thrashing Dragon (Boost) Level: 4 Prerequisites: 1 Thrashing Dragon maneuver Initiation Action: 1 swift action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: One round
With the ferocity of a dragon, the adept follows through a successful attack with a vicious kick to his foe to keep the punishing the fool who would stand before the might of a Thrashing Dragon. Upon successfully striking a foe as part of an attack, martial strike, or a full attack, he may as a swift action use this maneuver to deliver a vicious kick at his full attack bonus for his unarmed strike. This attack inflicts an additional 2d6 points of damage. 5th
Thrashing Dragon Twist Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 5 Prerequisites: 2 Thrashing Dragon maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 standard action Range: One melee attack Target: Any adjacent target Duration: Instant
Like a coiled spring, the adept of the Thrashing Dragon twists his body and with powerful recoil, he spins to swipe at all of his available targets. Make an attack with two-wielded weapons (making an attack roll with both weapons, effectively making two attacks on each target, one with each weapon) against each adjacent enemy that surround the character. If the character is capable of making an unarmed strike or natural attack (through Improved Unarmed Strike feat or natural weapons) then the character may add in an additional attack per target for use of this unarmed or natural attack.
Reversing Thrust Thrashing Dragon (Counter) Level: 5 Prerequisites: 2 Thrashing Dragon maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 immediate action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: Instant
By watching the form of the enemy attacking him, the adept may expertly twist and dodge way from the attack while making an attack on his foe in return. The character makes an opposed Acrobatics check against the target's attack roll. If successful, the adept may make an immediate counter attack at his full attack bonus.
Bend with the Wind Thrashing Dragon (Stance) Level: 5 Prerequisites: 2 Thrashing Dragon maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 swift action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: Stance
The graceful, flowing movements of the Thrashing Dragon's dance helps defend the adept in combat while providing him the ability to move through danger unscathed. While in this stance, if the adept is attacked and the attacker misses, the character may either gain a +2 dodge bonus for each attack that misses him until his next turn, or he may make a 5ft step without provoking attacks of opportunity. The character can mix which benefit he wishes to gain from this stance from multiple missed attacks.
Hurricane of Fangs Thrashing Dragon (Boost) Level: 5 Prerequisites: 2 Thrashing Dragon maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 swift action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: One round
Utilizing this technique, a Thrashing Dragon adept is capable of hurling multiple blades at a target in rapid succession with brutal power and incredible accuracy and range. For one round, the range of thrown light weapons with range increments (such as daggers) or Thrashing Dragon specific weapons is increased by +30ft. Additionally, these thrown weapons strike with deadly force, inflicting an additional amount of damage equal to the character’s initiator level. 6th
Tail Slap Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 6 Prerequisites: 2 Thrashing Dragon maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 standard action Range: One melee attack Target: One creature Duration: Instant Saving Throw: Fortitude partial
As the true dragon fights and employs all of its mighty limbs in combat, so does the adept that emulates their graceful and deadly style. After a primary attack, the adept makes a powerful spinning kick, landing a heavy blow to his foe which may temporarily rob him of his senses. The character makes an attack against a foe; if successful the attack additionally inflicts unarmed strike damage plus an additional 3d6 points of damage and potentially stuns his foe. On a failed Fortitude saving throw (DC 16 + relevant initiator attribute) the foe is stunned for 1d4 rounds. If the saving throw is successful, the foe is merely dazed for one round.
Rending Claws Thrashing Dragon (Boost) Level: 6 Prerequisites: 2 Thrashing Dragon maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 swift action Range: Melee Target: One creature Duration: Instant
When both of his blades strike home, the Thrashing Dragon adept may rend and tear with his blades to cause excruciatingly painful and deadly injuries. As a swift action after having made two successful attacks with two wielded weapons (which inflict either piercing or slashing damage) or natural weapons that do slashing damage, the character may rend his opponent inflicting an additional 8d6 points of damage.
Unbreakable Talons Thrashing Dragon (Boost) Level: 6 Prerequisites: 2 Thrashing Dragon maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 swift action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: One turn
Using his superior skill and speed, the adept knows where and how to strike for maximum effectiveness. By striking at the right angle, the adept’s blades set off discordant harmonies within the target for increased destructive potential. When two-weapon fighting with light bladed weapons or with natural attacks that inflict slashing damage, the adept's attacks with those weapons inflict an additional 4d6 points of damage for the round and strike as if they were adamantine weapons for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction or sundering items.
Great Wyrm’s Fang Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 6 Prerequisites: 2 Thrashing Dragon maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 standard action Range: One ranged attack Target: One creature Duration: Instant
By focusing his will into one of his blades, the Thrashing Dragon adept wields the power of a mighty great wyrm in the palm of his hand. The character must make a ranged attack against a target by throwing a light weapon with a range increment (such as a dagger) or a signature Thrashing Dragon weapon. If this attack is successful, the attack inflicts an additional 8d6 points of damage and the target gains the bleeding condition. 7th
Thrashing Dragon Frenzy Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 7 Prerequisites: 2 Thrashing Dragon maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 standard action Range: One melee attack Target: Any adjacent target Duration: Instant
By focusing on the principles of both speed and power, the Thrashing Dragon adept explodes into motion, making a vicious flurry of strikes against all nearby attackers in a deadly dance of death. Make two attacks with two-wielded weapons (making two attack rolls with both weapons, effectively making two attacks on each target with both weapons) against each adjacent enemy that surround the character. If the character is capable of making an unarmed strike or natural attack (through Improved Unarmed Strike feat or natural weapons) then the character may add in an additional two attacks per target for use of this unarmed or natural attack.
Alacrity on Wing Thrashing Dragon (Counter) Level: 7 Prerequisites: 2 Thrashing Dragon maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 immediate action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: Instant
With reflexes honed from many combats, the adept may react to danger with speed so great he may even attack multiple times while he evades the unlucky attacker. The character makes an opposed Acrobatics check against the target’s attack roll; if successful the attack is negated and the character may make a melee attack for two wielded weapons or unarmed strikes with an additional +2d6 points of damage.
Brutal Dragon’s Stance Thrashing Dragon (Stance) Level: 7 Prerequisites: 2 Thrashing Dragon maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 swift action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: Stance
A Thrashing Dragon adept sometimes realizes that the best defense is having a field of lifeless opponents at his feet. By adopting the mannerisms of the rampant dragon, he inflicts heavy, chopping blows that decimate his foes as he wades through their broken forms. While in this stance and wielding two-weapons, the character suffers a -2 penalty to AC and gains a damage bonus to all melee attacks and unarmed strikes equal to 2d6 + the character’s initiator level. 8th
Thrashing Blades Thrashing Dragon (Counter) Level: 8 Prerequisites: 3 Thrashing Dragon maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 standard action Range: Melee attack Target: One creature Duration: Instant
With the speed and ferocity of a rampaging dragon, the adept rends his foe to ribbons with his furious onslaught as he turns the quickening principles of fighting many opponents to fight only one. The character may make a full attack action at his foe, each attack at full attack bonus (with no reduction from iterative attacks), with both wielded weapons and any natural attacks or unarmed strikes the character possesses. Each of these attacks inflicts an additional 2d6 points of damage due to the sheer ferocity of the attack. The price for this ferocity is that the character must leave himself open to some attack; until his next turn the character suffers a -4 penalty to his AC.
Doom Talon Thrashing Dragon (Counter) Level: 8 Prerequisites: 3 Thrashing Dragon maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 immediate action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: Instant
When a potentially deadly strike occurs, the Thrashing Dragon adept knows how to make the blow count. When the character makes an attack roll that scores a critical threat, as a swift action the character may automatically confirm this critical hit and inflict an additional 4d6 points of damage. Creatures immune to critical hits may still be affected by this strike, not taking the normal double damage but still confirming that the strike hit and inflicting the additional 4d6 points of damage.
Dragon Warrior’s Stance Thrashing Dragon (Stance) Level: 8 Prerequisites: 3 Thrashing Dragon maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 swift action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: Stance
With mastery of the Thrashing Dragon’s dance comes supremacy in effectiveness and efficiency with the arms that emulate the weapons of the dragon race. His mein is that of a ferocious, implacable dragon and his blades, hands and feet represent the deadly weapons of the wyrms that inspired the style in their deadly prowess. When wielding two weapons in this stance, all melee attacks and unarmed strikes made ignore a target’s damage reduction and inflict bleeding wounds as if his attacks possessed the wounding weapon property. 9th
Terminus Thrashing Dragon (Strike) Level: 9 Prerequisites: 4 Thrashing Dragon maneuvers Initiation Action: 1 standard action Range: Melee or ranged attack Target: One or two creatures Duration: Instant Saving Throw: Fortitude partial
Upon reaching mastery of the Thrashing Dragon discipline, the adept learns the truth of his deadly war dance; at its center is a deadly calm. It is in this calm that he discovers the true nature of his art and that one perfect blow can spell instant death for a foe. The adept analyzes his foes in the blur of combat and finds his perfect moment and strikes for the heart and pierces it through. The character makes an attack roll against one or two foes using his two weapons (both attacks made through this strike are made at full attack bonus) and if these attack is successful, his weapon perfectly and precisely pierces the foe’s heart or other vital zone, killing it instantly on a failed Fortitude save (DC 19 + relevant initiator attribute). Even if the creature successful saves, the strike inflicts his weapon’s damage plus an additional 12d6 points of damage from the trauma of the blow. The character can use this strike to attack the same target with both attacks, forcing the target to make two Fortitude saves as above. Creatures immune to precision damage are unaffected by this strike.
|
|