The following materials background is derived from the works of Vrylakos on
Eric Noah’s Unofficial 3e News Board. All else is the work of Ed Hastings, aka the Killer Shrike

 

Veshandi Piercing Eye Blademaster Prestige Class

Known as the City of Wisdom, Veshanda is peopled with intelligentsia, the sagacious, and the astute. Even the common folk are given a basic education, and on the whole the city is a bastion of culture and learning. The famous Veshandic University and it’s equally famed Library are crucial elements of the cities history and power structure. The Archdean of the University itself, the Deans of the Universities' 7 Colleges, and the Head Librarian hold prestigious positions on the cities ruling council, the Learned Sages of Veshanda. Magic and the Bardic Arts also have a home in the city, and both the Urthon College of the Arcane Arts and the Wixor College of Bardic Lore are important parts of the University

In a city of such erudition, where thought is valued over action, one might think that the steel arts are neglected. Not so. Even among the dry and learned in the City of the Sages there are those who take up the blade. The Veshandi Piercing Eye Blade style is the predominant blade style of Veshanda. It is marked for its penchant towards delaying actions during a studious analysis of ones opponent leading to an overwhelming offence. This Veshandi technique is more truly a counter-style than a style, as the practitioner seeks to analyze and then deconstruct their opponents techniques. The longer one fights against a Master of the Piercing Eye, the less likely one’s odds of success.

The style is popular amongst Bards, Aristocrats, Experts, and Students, but certainly has it’s practitioners amongst other professions as well.

Prerequisites
Base Attack Bonus +3
Feats: Dodge, Expertise
Skills: Concentration: 3 Ranks, Search: 5 Ranks
Abilities: Dex 13+ and Int 13+
Saves: Base Reflex 2+

Level    Attack    Fortitude    Reflex    Will    Abilities
1    +1    +0    +2    +0    Delay Opponent
2    +2    +0    +3    +0   Analyze Opponent
3    +3    +1    +3    +1   Deconstruct Technique
4    +4    +1    +4    +1    Find Opening
5    +5    +1    +4    +1    Piercing Eye

Hit Die D6
Skill Points Int Bonus + 4 / level
Skill List: Balance, Concentration, Gather Information, Jump, Knowledge: All Skills, Profession, Search, Sense Motive, Spot

Class Abilities

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: This prestige class grants no additional weapon or armor proficiencies.

The Piercing Eye Style: This style and all of the below abilities are only usable with the following weapons: Dagger, Cutlass, Long Sword, Rapier, Saber, Scimitar , Short Sword.

Delay Opponent: At 1st level the Piercing Eye Blademaster has learned to hold his opponent off. When fighting defensively or using the full defense option the practitioner gains a +2 Dodge bonus to AC in addition to all other bonuses. Dodge bonuses stack.

Analyze Opponent: At 2nd level the Piercing Eye Blademaster has learned to observe patterns and flaws in his opponent’s fighting style. When Fighting Defensively the practitioner may study a single opponent as a free action; the practitioner announces his intention and makes a Search check versus a DC of 20 + the opponents total Base Attack. If successful, the practitioner has found a weakness in the opponents style and gains a competence bonus to hit versus that opponent equal to his class level. This bonus lasts for 5 rounds per class level. Future attempts versus an opponent that has been successfully analyzed in the past are vs. a difficulty of 15 + the opponents total Base Attack. The practitioner may have this effect active versus multiple foes, but may analyze only one opponent per round.

Deconstruct Technique: At 3rd level the Piercing Eye Blademaster has learned to not only analyze an opponent, but also to counter their maneuvers. When fighting an opponent that has been successfully analyzed using the 2nd level ability listed above, the practitioner also gains a Dodge bonus to AC equal to his class level versus that opponent. Dodge bonuses stack.

Find Opening: At 4th level the Piercing Eye Blademaster has learned to not only analyze an opponent, but also to find holes in thier defences and drive home punishing attacks. When fighting an opponent that has been successfully analyzed using the 2nd level ability listed above, the practitioner also gains a bonus to damage equal to his class level versus that opponent.

The Piercing Eye: At 5th level the Piercing Eye Blademaster has developed sufficient control to land blows in foes unprotected and weakest areas. As a full attack action the pracitioner may make a single melee touch attack with his weapon against an opponent successfully analyzed by the 2nd level power listed above.