#aldori swordlord

[kodabird]

This was the fourth portrait I made. She is going to be the Commander of my demon playthrough. An Aldori duelist, ousted from her home, with all the makings of a fallen angel. Her halo's broken, and her swordsmanship is about the only thing that drives her forward. She's an aasimar, and I'm multiclassing her between rogue, fighter, and swordlord. Fun build based on prior experiments!

[dailycharacteroption]

Prestige Class Spotlight 12: Aldori Swordlord

[photograph by MD-Arts on DeviantArt]

It’s funny, we’ve covered a fighting style and a Second Edition Archetype based on it, but only now are we doing the original prestige class for the Aldori Swordlords and their fighting style.

For those who aren’t familiar, The Aldori style of combat was named for it’s founder, who lost a fight against a bandit lord, left, learned some sweet sword skills with a unique weapon and came back for revenge, and eventually caved and began teaching other people his techniques, but only if they swore an oath to never share the secrets of the style with anyone who had not taken the oath.

Some take this very seriously, others do not, but the fact that the former have a tendency to hunt down the latter and those they’ve taught does skew the percentage between the two by a significant margin. Whether or not a prospective swordsperson has taken the oath is inconsequential to the prestige class requirements, of course, so you’re free to play either freely, though of course being oathless means you’ll have a lot of enemies if other masters figure that out.

In any case, these swordlords specialize in the use of a longsword-length blade with a slight curve to it, making it into an effectively single-edged weapon. The style centered around it allows the weaponed to be used with surprising grace, and it is mostly meant to be used in single combat, focusing on parrying foes and creating openings to strike.

In order to pursue this path, one must have learned how to use such a blade to it’s fullest extent, including the ability to strike with dexterity over strength and perform intimidating displays, as well as skills geared towards the elite lifestyle and physical prowess associated with the swordlords, putting this option as available around the 8th level mark (6th if you have a bonus feat at first level as a human, or even faster if your starting class grants bonus feats, such as fighter.)

Dextrous attacks are a key part of the style, and these warriors utilize it with ease, causing extra harm to foes thanks to their precision.

As duelists, these warriors must be prepared to fight at any moment. As such, they learn to draw their weapon quickly if they have not already done so, and how to best use their weapon for defense if they already have done so, (as well as using their dueling sword for various duelist or swashbuckler abilities).

The mastery these swordfighters display is truly impressive, and consequently, intimidating, giving them an edge when they demonstrate it to strike fear into the hearts of others. It even helps in performance combat, wowing the crowd with impressive displays.

They also demonstrate their agility to better dodge incoming strikes.

Another strength of their fighting style is how these warriors learn to read their opponents, letting them fight more defensively while remaining accurate, and then turn around and catch sight of their foe’s weaknesses and exploit openings.

A key maneuver at the right moment, especially one that leaves a foe at a disadvantage can shatter their confidence. As such, these warriors capitalize on that and demoralize foes further when they deal especially grievous blows or succeed at a maneuver that puts them at a serious disadvantage.

A parrying sword may not always be able to block an incoming blow, but it can sure throw it off course from your vitals. As such, these duelists always go for the parry, and have a decent chance of negating crits as a result. Later on, this improves as they get better at such defense.

Not all fights are duels, and not all duels are done on fair, even footing. As such, the swordlords learn to keep mobile even when hanging from a handhold. This training also helps them right themselves without taking a hit when knocked down.

The most powerful among them can shatter not just confidence, but also discombobulate foes, leaving them unable to use their mastery and insight in the fight for a few seconds.

The Aldori Swordlord prestige class is honestly a masterclass in building a prestige class that works for as many classes as possible while still keeping it’s gimmick concise and fun. Now, naturally, this archetype is meant for martial classes, but it actively goes out of it’s way to integrate with the rules for certain classes and archetypes, from potentially granting a bonus feat meant for swashbucklers and duelists, to integrating with the Aldori Defender archetype for fighter. Additionally, the ability to suppress morale bonuses, and at max level insight and competence bonuses as part of free demoralizations you get every time you pull off most combat maneuvers and all critical hits is potentially huge, shutting a buffed-up foe down long enough to secure the victory. You can easily build these characters using fighter, swashbuckler, ranger, paladin, or even sneakier classes like rogue and slayer, and really come up with a powerful character with good defense, offence, and debuffing built right in.

Closed fighting techniques are interesting, and not just for the intrigue that comes from knowledge that outsiders aren’t supposed to know. It’s more defensive than anything else, an attempt to stave off war’s cycle of innovation and reverse-engineering. After all, a foe can’t copy, or worse, pick apart your technique if they don’t know it. On the other hand, however, such concealed knowledge does mean that there is the risk not just stagnating, but of the style being outright lost for good if nobody remains to teach it. It really depends on what you value.

Distrusting them from the moment he laid eyes on them, Argyo has hated the party ever since they came to the lashunta homeworld. What’s worse, he hates how readily the rest of his kind have accepted these strangers from the stars, and now his master is offering to teach the warrior their sacred swordfighting techniques? This is the last straw, and he may do something completely rash as a result.

They say that the caligni, the so-called dark folk, were once humans transformed by centuries of meddling from their owb masters. However, now an owb prophet known only as the Snuffed Flame seeks to develop a way to transform humans into shadow-bound servants within a matter of minutes rather than generations. As such, it has orchestrated several kidnappings, including the current arena champion Zolta.

In the land of Byarna, it is said the first dueling swords were made as copies of the legendary Foeslicer, an enchanted blade of incredibly lethal power. However, it has been so long and the weapon hasn’t surfaced, making many wonder if it was ever real to begin with. That is until a young man, a spy caught stealing secrets of the dueling sword style, is forced to draw the weapon he found during his work.

[redsinistra]

Pathfinder Kingsmaker scene we had the other day. My hellknight is not the talkative-type, not even during the quiet times of night watch. You know one of those “you-better-not-ask-about-my-past” conversations. It was a nice experiment with coloring style. Too much watermarks... but these are dark times for artist

[geist19]

For an upcoming Kingmaker campaign I designed a changling Thaumaturge, with a dream of becoming a swordlord, but a better grasp on weird occult stuff. Swordlords become members of the family Aldori, and since her hag mom ate her dad and the village she was raised in were terrified she’d become a monster at any minute, but more terrified of what her mom would do if she died, she wants more than anything to have a family.

[archpaladin]

Picking a Pathfinder Paladin's Appellation...

[starlightcleric]

Writer's Game: First Sentences

Tagged by @traveleorzea. Thank you!

Tagging (no pressure) @dragonologist-phd, @serenbach86, @risualto, @orime-stories, and anyone else who wants to!

Rules: post the first sentence of your last ten fics. If you haven't written ten fics, share as many first-sentences as you have.

“Daeran had been acting strangely (even for him) for a bit, but the roses were still a bit of a shock.” - I fall upon the thorns of life, I bleed Chapter 4 (Wrath of the Righteous)

“Years later, Woljif and I ran into Nenio again.” - “The Definition of Friendship” (Wrath of the Righteous)

“ He had done this dance before, and he would do it again and again.” - “Salvation” (Pillars of Eternity)

“ Hi, my name is Layla Aldori and I have long, fiery red hair with natural golden highlights that reaches my mid-back and cutting golden eyes like a beast and a lot of people tell me I'm prettier than Calistria (AN: if you don't know who she is, get the hell out of here).” - Confessions of a Disgraced Swordlord Chapter 2 (Wrath of the Righteous)

“ The first thing I did upon getting back to Drezen after closing the Worldwound was get rip roaring drunk.” - “Next Steps” (Wrath of the Righteous)

“ She has always been empty.” - “the fragrance of the broken” (Wrath of the Righteous)

“ I couldn’t help thinking that this had been a terrible idea as I shoved mugs of beer onto the serving platter.” - “The ‘L’ Word” (Wrath of the Righteous)

“ It’s okay, Summer, just breathe.“ - “Incompatibility” (Final Fantasy XIV)

“ Aymeric looked up from the reports on his desk.” - “Champion of Eorzea” (Final Fantasy XIV)

“ This was only the second ball Ophelia had been to in her life, and this was not enough data to tell if she liked them or not.” - “Soft you now” (Wrath of the Righteous)

[candlekept]

character list

video games

Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition

Ravanys Aldyr ♕ — Moon Elf | Swashbuckler | Chaotic Evil | ☆

Pathfinder: Kingmaker

Lyss Pimbernickle — Bleachling Gnome | Sylvan Sorcerer | Neutral Good | ☆

Rasimirra ♕ — Motherless Tiefling | Herald Caller of Rovagug | Chaotic Evil

Pathfinder: Kingmaker - Varnhold's Lot

Ziana Vzyli — Varisian Half-Elf | Thundercaller Bard | Chaotic Neutral

Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous

Lucinus Callistan ♕ — Nidalese Human | Emissary | Fighter & Aldori Swordlord & Duelist | Trickster → Legend | Chaotic Evil | ☆

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader

Gracian von Valancius ♕ — Imperial World | Noble | Officer & Master Tactician | Biomancy | Heretical | ☆

Alodia von Valancius — Voidborn | Sanctioned Psyker | Soldier & Master Tactician | Pyromancy & Divination | Dogmatic

tabletop

Golarion (PF2e)

Cyrielle ♕ — Musetouched Aasimar Human | Cultist | Tyrant of Zon-Kuthon & Shadowcaster | Lawful Evil | ☆

Bukka — Irongut Goblin | Goblinblood Orphan | Ancestor Mystery Oracle | True Neutral

Spelljammer (D&D5e → PF2e Conversion)

Gilda Glizenstine ♕ — Autognome | Astral Drifter | Divination Wizard & Blessed One | Chaotic Good | ☆

Ravanyx Xirean ♕ — Astral Elf | Xaryxian Outcast | Animal Instinct Barbarian & Aberrant Bloodline Sorcerer & Vampire | Chaotic Evil | ☆

Homebrew Settings (PF2e)

Cybele — Yuan-Ti Abomination | Acolyte | Monk & Cleric of Dendar | Neutral Evil | ☆

Vampire: the Masquerade (V5)

Nate Black ♕ — Lasombra Fledgling | Cleaver | Anarch | ☆

Tommie — Gangrel Shovelhead | Roadside Killer | Sabbat

Violeta Montez — Lamia Bloodline Neonate | Bagger | Hecata

Lancer

Amita Arkidu ♕ — SSC Supersoldier | Skirmisher, Spotter, Technophile | Lich License | ☆

Warhammer 40,000 (Wrath & Glory)

Doz — Ork | Weird Boy | Pyromancy

Epsilon-Upsilon — Adeptus Mechanicus | Skitarius

Warhammer 40,000 (Black Crusade)

Gracian di Baldassari — Renegade Rogue Trader | Apostate | Slaanesh

Hrafen — Renegade Space Wolf | Sorcerer | Unaligned

[hamberder-km]

An Invitation Accepted

Today I arrived at the manor of Lady Jamandi Aldori, Swordlord of the free city of Restov in Brevoy. I have been summoned here by my friend Orin Absalom (volume 3, page 281 and beyond) who passed along to me, during my most recent stay at the Monastery Breksta, a flyer promoting a venture to reclaim what Brevoy refers to as 'the Stolen Lands'. I bring along with me Noelle Roen (volume 4, page 103 and beyond) from Breksta and Orin has brought his friend Mina Bellflower, a sprite with the most impeccable of manners. I look forward to hearing the stories she has to tell.

The four of us were, thankfully, seated at the same table. With us were also seated the following individuals: a Human noble: Maegar Varn, a pale Elf: Jaethal, a Gnome: Tartuccio, and a Halfling: Linzi. Of most interest to me was Jaethal who's skin is even paler than mine and who's silver eyes very closely mirror mine own. Linzi and Noelle seem to me to be two kindred spirits. Tartuccio seems to have little time or care for anyone else, even maligning the importance of our host. Maegar, as many in his position are wont, is polite enough but very sure of his own worth and importance. Through the course of the meal the four of us came to know those we would be exploring the lands to the south alongside us a bit better.

About Maegar, we learned, that he is the 3rd son of a swordlord who is hoping to use connections he has previously made with the Nomen, centaurs in the Stolen Lands. He hopes to found a city, Varnhold, in the lands and to expand the name of his family in any way he can. He and Mina formed the beginnings of a camaraderie as she also has associations with the Nomen.

Linzi exudes a love for life, greatly enjoying food, music, and all that the world has to offer. She and Noelle are of the same soul and I look forward to reading the novel that she writes about Noelle's journey into her own.

I genuinely hope that I will never hear the name Tartuccio again after this meal. The man is a brash and dismissive fellow who loves the sound of his own voice. If you meet him, ask him about his travels to the city of Absolom and you will have your hours filled for you. Lastly, Jaethal is a mystery that I hope to unravel at some point in the future. She says little about herself and is quite defensive of where she came from as if to avoid further harm. As I have tried to in the past, I hope to provide whatever succor I can to this fragile soul, should we cross paths again. She says that she is looking for someone named Andrial. She says the name with much importance, but no explaination... perhaps I shall keep mine own ears perked should I hear the name in the future.

As dinner wound down, the Lady Aldori bid us a good eve and said that tomorrow we shall all receive specific requests or instructions. She honored me greatly by allowing me to play the Ballad of Choral the Conqueror for her and the gathered crowd as she departed.

[camelliagwerm]

Bot asks are very annoying and disheartening! Please use this ask to info dump about an oc 💗

I normally answer this sort of thing over on @urgathoas (my sideblog) and generally prefer specific questions mostly because I prefer to go more in depth, but I appreciate it all the same. I guess I could probably go into the basics of the Baroness I'm doing for my current Kingmaker run:

Ishala, she/her, late twenties; half-elf cleric of Abadar from Kyonin. Around 5ft8, so a little shorter for a half-elf, often dressed in robes of white silk with golden thread.

Her mother - whose parents were a politician and a judge (and thus, well respected in society) in the Kyoni capital, Iadara - was cast out by her parents after a dalliance with a human merchant, and settled in the port city of Greengold - one of the only places where non-elves are permitted in Kyonin - to raise her child.

Because of this, Ishala has never been further than Greengold prior to the events of Kingmaker, and while she loves the city she has been raised in dearly, one day wished to travel - but did not wish to leave her mother alone.

She began training as a cleric of Abadar in her late teens, but she is not a priest. I very rarely play clerics but I have a soft spot for clerics who aren't priests. In Ishala's case, as a representative of Abadar in Kyonin's only city that permits trade with foreign merchants - some of her duties included making sure various trading houses in the city followed the established laws, welcoming foreign diplomats and the like. Still not entirely sure on her domains - nobility for sure as I grew to have a soft spot for it in Wrath, but debating the second option still.

After a few years of this, Ishala decides she wishes to travel away from Greengold, to take a sabbatical, if you will, and with her mother's blessing.. While travelling, she hears of a call from an Aldori swordlord to establish a new barony in the Stolen Lands - if they can wrest control away from the notorious Stag Lord, a bandit king. Ishala decides to look further into this, as part of Abadar's edicts is to establish civilizations and therefore sees it as a duty, as well as an opportunity.

[triumvirate-system]

Meet Alric Aldori, Swordlord of Restov and a man trapped out of time. Cast adrift into his home plane of the Astral Plane thanks to his own fumbled magics he has spent the last fifteen hundred years wandering the realms, exploring the planes and trying desperately to get himself back to Golarian with no real knowledge of how long he has been gone.

[shaneplays]

The battle against the assassins in Swordlord Aldori's fortress concludes. Suspicion is cast on us despite our heroic efforts (basically, Tartuccio's a big fat jerkface). The companions choose teams. World travel map, an ambush, and the resting system.

[dailycharacteroption]

Fun with Feats 12: Aldori Style

(art by Akeiron on DeviantArt)

 When you start studying history, you can see how even in the distant past, the littlest thing that becomes popular can change the course of all future development, and this is especially true when it comes to weapons. After all, a single popular weapon can end up being a cultural staple of an entire civilization, such as the Spartan shield and spear combo, or the Japanese katana and other samurai mainstays.

A perfect example of this in the Lost Omens setting of Pathfinder are the Aldori swordlords, which are already represented in the game with both archetypes and prestige classes. Named for the Baron that introduced the style and codified it, creating an exclusive cadre of duelists and warriors that pass on their skills to only those who they consider worthy, and whom have a vested interest in keeping the style exclusive, even going as far as to hunt those who taught the style to non-members or who have learned from such traitors.

In any case, the Aldori Style feats, which we will be focusing on today, revolve around the Aldori dueling sword, a somewhat curved blade that rests as somewhat a hybrid of longsword and scimitar. Without the exotic weapon proficiency for it, a wielder can treat it as a longsword easy enough, but those properly trained can use the one-handed blade as a finesse weapon for the use of the Weapon Finesse feat, though it can still be switched to a two-handed grip to increase power, making it overall a very versatile weapon.

This string of style feats has a lot of prerequisites, making fighters the most common users, though most martial characters can get into it if they invest the feats early.

 With the basic Style, a swordsmaster wielding their signature weapon masters the forms and movements to increase the harm they do with their strokes, carving into foes.

Though it is a graceful and agile weapon, the dueling sword is still heavy enough to block and redirect incoming blows, and those that learn to quickly reverse their grip can use it as their Aegis, letting them parry incoming blades, though not necessarily riposte against them.

Finally, those who master the Conquest form can parry with the best, causing no loss in accuracy when parrying and blocking blows.

As one can see, this style offers both offensive and defensive options that stack neatly with any other Aldori swordlord-themed archetypes or prestige classes, most of which also mix offense, defense, and even abilities of intimidation as they demonstrate incredible grace and lethal precision with their signature weapons, cementing the dueling sword as the superior weapon… at least, according to the Swordlords. If you are planning on playing a swordlord, or perhaps just a similar master swordsperson in another setting, this style may be for you.

[kingmaker-thac0hno]

An Expected Journey: A letter to Haven

22 Pharast 4711

To the Right Honorable Lords of Thornvale,

I write to inform you that my journey to Restov has had mixed results. First, I must update you that Restov is nearly devoid of standard military and skilled laborers at this point, but try as I might I cannot get a straight answer as to why. It is obvious that there is a major conflict in Brevoy, and while I have always taken the scribblings in The Quill with a sizable grain of salt, there is clearly some truth to what the bulletin has been mentioning for quite some time.

As such, I was unable to recruit any recent graduates from the Aldori Academy for our own defensive purposes. I did, however, manage to convince the Swordlords to allow for some trainees to eventually immigrate to Thornvale upon their graduation. This will require some payment, and is also contingent upon me granting them the favor of filling in as an instructor at the Academy on an interim basis, effective immediately. I have agreed to do so, believing that a dozen graduates in the moderate future is a reasonable tradeoff for none today. I expect that my agreement will keep me here through the month of Gozran, though hopefully not through Desnus. I cannot deny that I already miss Haven, having only been away for a week, and that I miss the company of my fellow Lords as well. Assuming Revna delivers this letter to you personally, please inform her that she has been promoted to captain of the guard in my absence, and grant her the plate mail that we found at the ruins of Candlemere as a token of her new rank. She deserves it. Assure Nole that he will have his own advancement soon enough.

Yours in Defense,

Evrin Brazenbrook Aldori

P.S. Please let Stone Walker know that, if he is so inclined to do some crafting, there may now be a need for toys here at the Academy. Nothing too silly. EBA

[arclundarchivist]

High Level Adventures to Use in your Adventures!

The Home-brew of Archlund is now open, so have a peek!

The Founders: “The World Can Be a Scary Place. The Hands Are Here To Lift You Back Up On Your Feet.”

Mission Statement: Found A Guild of Impartial Agents that Work to Make Archlund A Better Place, Find The Legendary Star Stone, Discover Archlunds True Origin.

Claim to Fame: Killed the Corrupted Avatar of the Snow Queen, Stopping the Endless Winter.

Allies: The Steel Triad, The Vorhen High Council, The Factions, Jakor’s Fang, The Erasti

Rivals: The New Dawn, The Kelmerani

Enemies: The Steam Lords, The Winter Court, Darkora Elders, Envias the Tarnished

Patron: Ornn the World Smith

Leader: Adrien Markovich “Rogarvia” (CG Male Human(Svenik) Swashbuckler 10/Aldori Swordlord 10)

Second: Watcher-in-the-Woods (NG Female Elf(Wood) Summoner 20)

Narlina (CG Female Fey Eidolon 19)

Gundar Wyrmbreaker (NG Male Human(Vral) Hunter 20)

    Freki, Greki, and Hreki (CN Male Dire Wolf Animal Companions 18)

    Geret(NG Male Giant Eagle Animal Companion 17)

    Jesibelle(N Female Mammoth Animal Companion 17)

Trig Sparkeyes (CG Female Gnome (Tinker) Rogue 8/Gunslinger 10)

Ingri Stonesong (LG Female Dwarf(Mountain) Skald 19)

Bruin Vorse (CG Male Ursine(Panser) Brawler 18)

Finn Hronson (LG Male Skinwalker (Witchwolf) Blood Hunter 10/Paladin 9)

Milo Longfoot (LG Male  Halfling(Nomad) Order of the Paw Cavelier 18)

    Regulus (LG Female Mastiff Mount 17)

[starlightcleric]

Beauty in the Monstrous

The idea I didn’t go with for turbulentpumpkin43′s prompt. That I wrote anyway. So the Layla fic that no one asked for.

Fandom: Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous

Relationships: Commander/Wenduag (pre-relationship)

Other: references to monsterfucking, child death, sexual thoughts

Gods forbid women do anything.

Also on AO3

-

I’m a victim in all of this, really. People hate to see a strong, confident woman succeeding. ‘Evil’ is just a word, you know? A small view of a petty morality. Jealousy of those who wish they could accomplish what I have. Who only live to tear me down.

They tried to take my name. They can banish me, but they can’t take ‘Aldori’ from me. I earned that.

Layla Aldori. Jot that down.

I don’t know many interesting things there are to say about my background. Grew up in Rostland. Attended Aldori Academy (I earned my dueling sword, thank you). Became involved in the local politics of Restov.

But there was always something missing.

For as much pride as I take in my own appearance, I’ve always been attracted to the monstrous. The ugly underside. Maybe you can hide it with lipstick, or maybe you have horns.

So I found Lamashtu. And Lamashtu found me, oh yes. Calistria wishes she could match our holy rituals.

And then I was chosen as the vessel for one of Her children.

My daughter was born with the head of a jackal. She was beautiful. I never got to hold her.

The swordlords took my daughter from me. Called her a monster. Drowned her.

I think I would have called her Tilphousia.

And suddenly it’s all like, “we can’t have you around anymore,” “what you did is unforgivable,” “you’re the real monster, Layla.” Like they didn’t just kill an innocent child for the crime of going against their expectations. Like they’re not persecuting me for daring to break the mold.

A few unholy ceremonies and a monster child shouldn’t come between friends.

But now I’m a “bad example” and asked to leave. At sword point. Like I would want to stay with the hypocrites who, may I remind you, drowned my daughter?

And so leaving with the clothes on my back and red lipstick on my lips, I made my way west to Mendev. With the amount of demon worshiping cults in the area I figured a follower of Lamashtu should be able to fit in.

Well, that certainly didn’t go according to plan. I didn’t account for falling in on the side of the do-gooders.

But I find myself under the streets of Kenabres with an honest-to-goodness Paladin, a cop, and a young woman who looks like she wants to lick the blood off my face (I do like her). I have a chipped nail, a broken heel, and I’m sure my hair is a disaster.

And that’s when I see her out of the darkness.

That black hair. Those yellow eyes. The ruffled fur. The eight arachnid legs jutting out of her back. She is the most monstrous woman I have ever seen.

She is gorgeous.

When she points a bow at me and growls, I know that I want to have her under me and moaning.

In the Shield Maze, when she reveals what she, too, has done in the name of power, as she grovels in the face of my superiority, I know this is it. She will be mine.

I’ll play along with this crusader game. Because I only play to win.

[dailycharacteroption]

Dragonscale Loyalist (Vigilante Archetype)

(art by Gabriel Vazquez on Artstation)

In nations with prominent noble houses and a lot of ambition, it’s only natural that there would be bickering, infighting, and even full-blown civil war.

Such is the case in the nation of Brevoy in Pathfinder’s core setting, where noble houses plot their desires against each other, and even against the Dragonscale Throne itself.

In response to this, the King-Regent Noleski Surtova has created secret agents to root out dissenters and protect his rule.

By day, these loyalists pose as ordinary noble scions, working their way into one of the noble houses and ingratiating themselves, secretly gathering intel as they gain their trust. By night, however, they don fearsome draconic masks and take direct action against the enemies of the throne.

This archetype is heavily invested in the Golarion setting, but it can be used outside it for any sort of secret agent of the crown, targeting a noble house for scrutiny.

 The civilian identity of these vigilantes is that of a minor noble and student of the Aldori Swordlord style. As such, they are familiar with how to use such a blade, and typically avoid training in social techniques that do would be inappropriate for the idle rich.

Though not as unflappable as other vigilantes, they do have good reactions when it comes to situations escalating to combat, able to act at least somewhat in the first few moments of a surprise attack.

Given their role as infiltrators, they also learn useful tricks and knowledge to pass as normal members of the noble house in question. They might become familiar with stoneworking, merchantile knowledge, sailing, and so on. This usually translates to one feat and another minor ability.

Their vigilance against traitors eventually passes into supernatural territory, able to sense hostile and traitorous intent, but only while in their vigilante identity.

The most powerful of these vigilantes can emulate the battle-fury of the legendary founder of Brevoy, able to move and attack repeatedly at speed in a deadly rampage that is not dissimilar to a dragon.

Interested in a vigilante that can pick up unique skills and abilities tied to their cover identity? This archetype might be for you. Their ability to use a dueling sword does lean them towards being an avenger vigilante, but nothing is stopping you from playing a stalker instead.

 The attention to detail with the noble houses in this archetype is just begging for a GM to homebrew various alternate versions of this archetype tied to the nobility of their setting’s nation of choice. You can even switch out the Aldori sword stuff for another fighting style as well.

  Despite her training, Alexia Tarvash, also known as the Ghost Dragon, is in over her head. The noble house she was sent to infiltrate is dealing with urdefhan, and plan on allowing an invasion force of the deathly creatures to strike the surface in hopes of pinning the blame on the crown.

 Loyalist vigilantes are actually supremely common among the drow noble houses, to the point where there are elaborate countermeasures in place for such individuals. However, espionage, like war, is a constantly evolving race.

 The party blunders into a sting operation headed by masked agents of the king. Even if they manage to make it out intact, they find businesses mysteriously being closed to them. The only protection and business they can find, ironically is in the very house that was being targeted.