Disciple of the Griffon Claw

By Vladimir of the Wizards.Com Boards.  Featuring exclusive artwork by Vekthor, copyright 2001.  This image may not be stored, reproduced, or copied in any form without express consent.

Table

Masters of the martial arts often create styles based on the movements of animals; the style of the crane, the way of the tiger, the snake strike, all of them are based on animal movements. But elven monks are not satisfied with simple animals, and they formed a sect called the Griffon Claw, which combat style is inspired in the mighty eagle lion beast. Most disciples of the griffon claw are elves, but some half elves have been accepted in the order. Similarly, most disciples are monks, but some rangers, fighters and druids seek the combat training of the order.

    Hit Die: d8

Requirements

Alignment: Any lawful

Race: Elf or half-elf

Base attack bonus: +6

Skills: Jump (5 ranks), Tumble (5 ranks), Spot (2 ranks)

Feats: Improved Unarmed Strike (or monk's ability), Power Attack, Roundabout Kick (Oriental Adventures, p. 65), Weapon Focus (Unarmed)

Special: Must defeat a griffon single-handed using only unarmed attacks.

Skills & Proficiencies

Skills: The griffon claw's class skills and the abilities on which they are based are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Escape Artist (Dex), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), and Wilderness Lore (Wis).
        Skill points: 4 + Int modifier per level

Proficiency in Weapons and Armors: Disciples of the Griffon claw don't gain any new proficiencies in either weapons or armor.

Class Features

Student of Perfection: Disciples of the griffon claw are monks, so each time they gain a level on this prestige class they add one level of monk for the purpose of unarmed damage, AC bonus, and unarmored speed; these levels stack with any previously gained monk levels. Also, the multi-class restriction of monks doesn't apply for disciples of the griffon claw, so a character could gain levels as a disciple and then as a monk and so on.

Griffon Claw (Ex): Disciples of the griffon claw learn how to channel their ki through their hands. This ability gives the disciple's fingers the strength of a griffon's claw. From now on, the disciple's unarmed attacks are considered slashing weapons with a critical modifier of 19-20/x2. This is an extraordinary ability.

Claws of Iron (Ex): The disciple gains the feat Fists of Iron (Sword and Fist or Oriental Adventures) for free.

Ki Claw (Su): The disciple's ki becomes so strong that it can now ignore damage reduction exactly like the monk's ki strike ability. They are the same in every way.

Griffon Claw Attack (Ex): The disciple learns to destroy objects with sheer strength. The disciple gains the feat Eagle Claw Attack (i.e. the sunder feat unarmed; Sword and Fist or Oriental Adventures) for free, even if he doesn't meet the prerequisites.

Crimson Claw (Ex): When the disciple rolls a successful critical hit, he can opt to use the crimson claw in addition to normal critical damage. The crimson claw creates a wound, as a weapon of wounding. This is an extraordinary ability that can be used 3 times per day plus the disciple's Wisdom modifier.

Improved Griffon Claw Attack (Ex): When using the griffon claw attack, the disciple now does double normal damage to objects (as if using the Improved Sunder feat).

Claws of Steel (Ex): When using the Claws of Iron ability, the bonus increases to 1d6 (instead of 1d4).

Death Claw (Su): The dreaded death claw is a powerful attack, similar to the monk's quivering palm. Once per week, the disciple can perform a death claw; the disciple must announce the intent before making the attack roll. Creatures without a heart are not affected. Also, the disciple must be of an higher or equal level than the target to use the death claw. If the disciple strikes successfully, and the target takes damage from the blow, the death claw comes into being. The target must successfully roll a Fortitude save (DC 10 + ½ monk and disciple levels + Wis modifier) or die as his heart is ripped out; a character whose heart has been ripped out can be resurrected but not raised. This extraordinary ability is also know as the peryton claw.

Disciple of the Griffon Claw

By Vladimir of the Wizards.Com Boards.