Swashbuckler Kit
Source: The Complete
Fighter's Handbook
Attached to: Fighter
Requirements: Intelligence and Dexterity of 13 or better. (Races:) Any demihuman who'd look elegant in foppish dress, wielding a narrow blade, will work find as a Swashbuckler, especially elves, half-elves, and halflings. Dwarves and Gnomes are not entirely inappropriate, but are likely to have to defend themselves from plenty of jokes at the expense of their curious looks.
Taking/Abandoning: To take or abandon this kit, the player simply announce so.
Description: The Swashbuckler is the sophisticated, witty, lightly armed and armored hero. He's fully capable of putting on heavy armor, picking up a bastard sword, and soldiering alongside other men-at-arms...but he shines in comparison when the heroes are adventuring in the city or at sea, in light armor and with light weapons.
Role: In a campaign, the Swashbuckler is the happy-go-lucky hero with the ready wit and the flashing rapier. He's happiest when he's in the big city or out at sea, but can be an imposing warrior anywhere--enemies often underestimate him because of his charming manners and don't realize that he can plate on armor and wield heavy weapons as well as anyone else. The Swashbuckler, because he's bright and well-spoken, often becomes party leader...or at least the leader's spokesman.
Weapon Proficiencies: The Swashbuckler receives two extra weapon proficiency slots which must be devoted to weapon specialization with one of the following weapons: stiletto, main-gauche, rapier, and sabre. Throughout his career, he must devote the rest of his weapon proficiency slots to these four weapons. Once he is proficient in all four, he may freely choose where the rest of his slots may go.
Nonweapon Proficiencies: (Required) Etiquette, Tumbling. (Recommended) Artistic Ability, Dancing, Heraldry, Modern Languages, Land-based Riding, Seamanship, Blind-Fighting, Gaming, Musical Instrument, Reading/Writing, Appraising, Disguise, Forgery, Juggling, Tightrope Walking.
Equipment: Standard.
Special Benefits: The Swashbuckler has three special benefits. First, when using up his Nonweapon Proficiency slots, he doesn't have to devote double the normal slots when choosing Rogue proficiencies. Second, when he's wearing light or no armor (i.e., no armor, leather armor, or padded armor), he receives a -2 bonus to his AC (that is, an AC of 7 would become a 5); he's so nimble that he's very hard to hit. Third, the Swashbuckler is such a romantic figure that he always receives a +2 adjustment on his reaction roll from NPC members of the opposite sex.
Special Hindrances: Trouble seeks out the Swashbuckler. When there's another Swashbuckler around, intent on proving he's the best swordsman in the world, it's the PC Swashbuckler he settles upon and challenges. When a certain young lady is being pursued by the king's guards, who are intent on stopping her from revealing secrets in her possession, it is the Swashbuckler she stumbles across when fleeing. When a prince is too drunk to attend his own coronation, miraculously he looks just like the Swashbuckler. Life conspires to make things difficult for the Swashbuckler.
Wealth Options: The Swashbuckler receives the standard 5d4x10 gp starting money allotment.
