The Shadowblade is considered an elite member of the thieving community. She is a dark and foreboding character combining the subtlety of a thief with the deadly skills of a warrior. Many thieves' guilds will have one or two in their employ. Other Shadowblades hire themselves out to the highest bidder. Whether it's assassination, bounty hunting, enforcing, or just plain larceny, if there is a roguish job that requires some extra muscle, the Shadowblade is the person to call.

Requirements:

Shadowblades must have a Strength of 13 or greater, and a Dexterity of 12 or higher. As with all thieves, they may not be of Lawful Good alignment.

Role:

As many half-elves find little acceptance with the mainstream society, they often feel more at home with thieves' guilds (who pragmatically appreciate their multi-faceted talents). Shadowblades are well known and respected in the underworld for their fighting skills.

Secondary skills:

Any.

Weapon proficiencies:

A Shadowblade may spend her weapon proficiencies any way she wishes. Whether or not multiclassed fighters are normally allowed to specialize in weapons, the Shadowblade character should have this option.

Nonweapon proficiencies:

Bonus: Information Gathering (Complete Thief's Handbook), Intimidation (Complete Thief's Handbook), Thieves' Cant. Recommended: Blind-fighting, Disguise, Jumping, Tumbling, Endurance, Tracking, Weaponsmithing, and Alertness (Complete Thief's Handbook).

Skill progression:

Shadowblades usually progress about equally in their thief skills. The exception is Pick Pockets, which they tend to find unimportant.

Equipment:

No special equipment is preferred. Like all multi-classed thieves, Shadowblades may not use any thief skills but Read Languages, Detect Noise, and Open Locks in armor heavier than leather.

Special benefits:

Shadowblades are well respected in the underworld and therefore receive a +2 to all reaction rolls from thieves who know of the character's status. Shadowblades also gain a +10% to Hide in Shadows, and a +5% bonus to their Move Silently skills.

Special hindrances:

Regardless of actual alignment, Shadowblades have a notorious reputation and therefore receive a -2 to reaction from non-thieves and -4 reaction from law enforcement officials if they know of the Shadowblade's status. Shadowblades also receive a -10% penalty to their Pick Pockets ability.