Character Classes: Strategists

Strategists are skilled in agility and intelligence, and can be very formidable, and deadly, foes. Although they are not full on fighters, the Strategist uses their smarts, skills and know-how to out show, intimidate and mock their opponents with their speed and wit.

Arcane Duelist

Exchanging bulk for speed and the ability to cast uninhibited, the duelist's sword flashes as its wielder mocks her heavier, slower opponents. However, not all possess the skill of the duelist. Some, like the arcane duelist, attempt to achieve through spells and trickery what the duelist achieves through skill. The arcane duelist is a tricky, evasive opponent who relies on her foe's perceptions of her abilities as much as her actual abilities. Through magic, the arcane duelist can appear to be as dangerous as a duelist, but in general she does not do as much damage to her opponents. She prefers to win by cowing her opponent into defeating himself. Thus, Dexterity and Charisma are the arcane duelist's most valuable ability scores next to their Illusion Magite.

Astral Archer

Unlike your typical military units, Astral Archers are experienced bow specialists that use magite to make their deadly skill even more so. Astral Archers are able to use special enhancements to their arrows, whether they be deadly armor piercing tips enchanted with fire or blunt heads laced with a lightning shock for live take downs, the magic that they enhance their arrows with can make all the more difference in what they are trying to accomplish. Astral Archers can only enhance arrows, however, so even if they switch to hand to hand combat with a sword or other weapon they cannot enchant it. Astral Archers can also only enchant one arrow at a time, and this enchantment doesn't last very long, typically a few minutes. Enchanted arrows can only take on the attributes of one elemental type at a time, and remains until the arrowhead strikes a target or fades off the arrow from failed use.

Ninja

Ninjas are the oldest order of spies. They are proficient in the ways of espionage, concealment, and very proficient in martial arts. They are also very similar to monks because of their knowledge in the martial arts, but differ greatly because of their dark natured profession. Although many consider them dishonorable because of their profession Ninja's are not a typical rogue and have self and clan/family honor to uphold, putting that honor above anything else. Typically the ninja are part of a family or clan unit that consists of five or more ninjas. Gender means nothing to a ninja, both men and women alike lead and work for their clans/families. The use of magite is forbidden in their clans, for they believe true skill comes from discipline and practice. Ninjas will not tell their occupation to anyone, usually giving a false occupation in its place... but they will tell those who have earned their complete trust and respect. Ninjas will not go back on their sworn word, even if they are truly cold hearted, for it is what sets them apart from typical rogues.

Oracle Knight

Oracle Knights are members of a secret society dedicated to holding back evil, preserving knowledge, and maintaining the balance between civilization and the wild. Oracle Knights learn the use of Magite and many skills to help them in their duties of espionage, stealth, and reporting information. Some work for political figures that are associated with their guild, some work independently. All have some skill at manipulating others with weak minds, delving for information, acute abilities of perception, and a talent for solving problems.

Rogue

Rogues are not terrific fighters like Rangers or Barbarians. They aren't powerful spell casters. What they are is resourceful at getting what they want. Rogues share little in common with each other. Some are stealthy thieves. Others are silver-tongued tricksters. Still others are scouts, infiltrators, spies, diplomats, or thugs. What they share is versatility, adaptability, and resourcefulness. In general, rogues are skilled at getting what others don't want them to get: entrance into a locked treasure vault, safe passage past a deadly trap, secret battle plans, a guard's trust, or some random person's pocket money. As their skills increase Rogues gain the abilities to attack vital areas on their opponents inflicting more damage, evade some spell attacks, dodge incoming attacks, and much more. In addition to these abilities they are often skilled at moving silently, hiding where they can't be seen, climbing sheer walls, opening locks, and picking pockets.

Silver Archer

Masters of archery Silver Archers are highly skilled adversaries when it comes to distanced combat. Rarely missing their mark Silver Archers practice relentlessly, and have to practice with their bow at least once a day in order to stay in top form and retain their level of accuracy. Silver Archers need to have a good upper body strength, especially so in the arms and torso, and are only allowed to wear light to medium armors to allow flexibility in their drawing motions. Being that they train so rigorously with their Bows they are not skilled in the use of any other weaponry, for to them using the bow is a form of art. They know all the workings to their bow, how to build one from scratch to fletching their own arrows and creating herbal mixes to tip their arrows with. Silver Archers are far more superior in skill than your military bowmen, Rangers and Astral Archers as well.

Swashbuckler

Despite common belief not all warriors are armor-clad cods that hack their way through their enemies while being defended by steel plates. There are those that meld the teachings of fencing with the arts of the monk and skills of the rogue, they are the Swashbuckler. A group set apart from others that finds a battle of wills and words as challenging as the clash of the swords. Their personality alone should have it’s own warning, using intelligence and elegant gestures along with their tongue, acting as a two edged sword, to gain knowledge and infiltrate the highest ranks of society to obtain what they are looking for. At home in both the cocktail party and dueling Salle, they disdain armor in favor for natural agility. Leading them into battles with no armor and nothing but a small almost decorative sword in some cases. They are capable of using Magite to their advantage, but often withhold it for thrills or until necessary.

Swordsage

The Swordsage is a class that appears to be a mix of martial arts skill and blade training accompanied with the slight use of magite. This means that they utilize various skills that apply to their dexterity, that don't concentrate on strength alone but the skill of using their blade accompanied with a magical enhancement to do significant damage to an opponent. A combination of counters, strikes and stances are studied, and these can vary between schools and collective groups, so not every Swordsage gains the same training as other Swordsage collectives. Swordsages are capable of using magite to enhance their sword, but only one element of their choosing. All Swordsages use spirit to enhance an aspect of their fighting. A Swordsage is not an Arcane Duelist, for they don't use magite to distract or inhibit an opponent. Their magite is used for temporary boosts to themselves and enhancing their weapon. The focus of a Swordsage is in study as much as on combat, but generally focuses on melee combat and technique. They don't possess the brute strength of a fighter, but their specialized techniques often make up for the lack thereof.