Revision In Progress... -jss(removing things that should be skills, or don't work
with current mechanics)

First [Circle]:

 [Avoid Blow]

[Karma Ritual]

[Maneuver]

[Sword!] was [Melee Weapons]

[Taunt]

?? was [Wound Balance]

Second [Circle]

 [Durability]

[Riposte]

?? was [Throwing Weapons]

Third [Circle]

 [Heartening Laugh]

was [Missile Weapons]

Fourth [Circle]

 [Thread Weaving](Blade Weaving)

[Trap Initiative]

Fifth [Circle]

 [Second Weapon]

[Winning Smile]

Sixth [Circle]

 [Disarm]

[Speak Language]

Seventh [Circle]

 [Resist Taunt]

[Second Attack]

Eighth [Circle]

 [Anticipate Blow]

[Engaging Banter]

<hr> You might want to take a look at the "Improved Swordmaster" from Cosmotopia: http://www.geocities.com/perrycharb/swordm.html  --bts

It still has Wound Balance, which clearly has to go, but as for the rest I'm pretty pleased with it.  I still think Parry and Riposte should be separated, even in the modern era --- but I'd be inclined to make this an uberparry which works on any plausibly parryable attack.

It still has Wound Balance, which clearly has to go, but as for the rest I'm pretty pleased with it.  I still think Parry and Riposte should be separated, even in the modern era --- but I'd be inclined to make this an uberparry which works on any plausibly parryable attack.  I also think a useful early-circle Talent for a Swordmaster might be a more literal "Dual Weapon Attack," giving the ability to strike into the astral with a physical sword.

Talent Ideas

 Cat's Grace -- adds to dex for acrobatics, balance, possibly for figureing out speed or move.

Smashing Blade -- multiply's weight of weapon by(1+rank) for purposes of determining weapon breakage(think a windling dagger shattering a troll sword)

Parry -- extra parrys + parry missile weapon + precog parry

<hr><b>bts, 2002/05/07 12:02 EST (via web):</b><br>
I like it.  I'm surprised not to see First Impression on the list somewhere, though I suppose Winning Smile covers much of the same ground. --bts