Nonviolence here... I am an ever-present ghoul of ideas... /and/ I am here with another Universal Tree to suggest!

This time, it's the DEMARCH of which the player characters are referred to as Demarchion / Demarchioness.

Originally a Prestige Class from 3.5 Written in for the Church of the Mask from Forgotten Realms (Faerun) it coincidentally also has Homebrew synergy with The Traveler of the Dark Six, a noted deity that has play along Neutral alignments (not Good though, so LN, TN, CN, NE). This means it works in FR and Eberron. Locked behind that alignment, it could work as a multiclass for Neutral Fighters or Rogues.



The theme of the Demarch comes down to 3 elements,

1. Martial Prowess (to a greater degree than Rogue-Exclusives).
2. Sneak Attacks and other Secondary Weapon Procs.
3. The eerie cold of the grave, characterized by 'Whispers', Ice-Augmented attacks and Insta-kills.

Cores:
  • Core 1 - Combat Style: Choose from 3 Mercenary Schools of Execution
    • Blade Stalker - Longswords, Shortswords, Rapiers. Adds Bucklers/Small Shields to Shield Proficiency (if you don't have it).
    • Vespertine Acolyte - Qstaffs, Throwing Darts, Kukris. Adds Shuriken Usage to Exotic Weapon Proficiency (if you don't have it).
    • Faceless - Shortbows, Light Crossbows, Daggers. Adds Kama Usage to Exotic Weapon Proficiency (if you don't have it).

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  • Core 2 - Deadly Finesse: Your chosen specialist weapons can now use DEX to Hit if they couldn't already. Additionally, add +3 ATT & +1d6 Ice Damage (Scaled).
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  • Core 3 - Tome of Dark Techniques: You can now use DEX to Damage with your specialist Weapon. Additionally, +1 Weapon Enhancement Level (Stacking) and +1 Competence bonus to Weapon Threat Range (for your specialist weapon group).
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  • Core 4 - Undue Violence: Your weapons all gain 'Maiming' as an effect. Additionally +3 Melee/Ranged Power. +1 Weapon Enhancement Level (Stacking).
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  • Core 5 - Moment of Triumph, Deathblow: When an enemy is below 30% HP, you can strike to kill. Additionally +6 ATT, Weapons can now Blind on Vorpal.
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  • Core 6 - Freeze the Blood: Make a magically enhanced attack at DC 10 + Character Level + DEX Modifiers to instantly kill a living creature with blood by freezing their organs and blood supply. Additionally, +2 DEX +2 STR +2 CON, +10 Melee and Ranged Power, +3% Dodge.
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Tier 1:
  • Tier 1-1: +1 To-Hit & Damage for weapon group.
  • Tier 1-2: +5/+10/+15 HP.
  • Tier 1-3: +1 Sneak Attack Dice
  • Tier 1-4: Trained Resilience - +2/+4/+6 PRR, Immunity to Natural Poisons on 3 AP spent.
  • Tier 1-5: Stretch the Senses - +1/+2/+3 Listen, Search, Spot.
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Tier 2:
  • Tier 2-1: +1 To-Hit & Damage for weapon group.
  • Tier 2-2: Go for the Vitals! - A melee or ranged attack with greater Critical Threat and +3[W]. Single target.
  • Tier 2-3: +1 Sneak Attack Dice
  • Tier 2-4: +1/+2/+3 To Confirm Critical Hits.
  • Tier 2-5: +Blur/+Blur & +3% Dodge/+Blur, 3% Dodge & Nimbleness.
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Tier 3:
  • Tier 3-1: +1 To-Hit & Damage for weapon group.
  • Tier 3-2: Master the Shadows - Choose either Gloamcreeper Backstabbing +1/+3/+5 or Shadekind Shattermantle +1/ Shattermantle +3 (and MRR Reduction) / Shattermantle +5 (And MRR/PRR Reduction).
  • Tier 3-3: +1 Sneak Attack Dice
  • Tier 3-4: -Empty-
  • Tier 3-5: +1 DEX or +1 STR
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Tier 4:
  • Tier 4-1: +1 To-Hit & Damage for weapon group.
  • Tier 4-2: Killer - Same as the effect from DWS.
  • Tier 4-3: +3 Sneak Attack Dice (For a total of +6)
  • Tier 4-4: Under the Guise of Darkness - Choose either Shroud of Writhing Shadows +1 Shadow Bonus to Weapon Enhancement, Then +1 to Threat Range, Then +10 Melee/Ranged Power or Cloak of Living Ice +1 Frost Bonus to Armor Enhancement, Then +3 to Armor Enhancement + AC Bonus, Then a DR Ice Shield that absorbs Damage.
  • Tier 4-5: +1 DEX or +1 STR
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Tier 5:
  • Tier 5-1: +3 To-Hit & Damage for weapon group.
  • Tier 5-2: Hoarfrost Slash / Shot - DC 10/14/17 + Character Level + DEX Bonus to Freeze 1 Target.
  • Tier 5-3: -Empty-
  • Tier 5-4: Moment of Triumph - Choose either
    • -
    • Mayhem Make an attack for +5[W], Cleave. Strikes all nearby enemies, like Whirlwind. Can't use if you have it.
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    • Explosive Shot Make an attack for +3[W], ranged attack. Strikes enemies in a group near the first one shot, does 1d6 Fire Damage per Level that scales w/ Ranged Power.
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    • Go for the Jugular! Make an attack for +10[W], single target. Hits 1 Enemy at a time.

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  • Tier 5-5: +5%/+10%/+15% Dodge


And that's all for now as usual. I look forward to criticisms and feedback!