Path of the Northern Star

Followers of the northern star are brutal combatants, favoring martial prowess as their primary means to further their beliefs. These disciples are known for their gruesome kills, demoralizing their foes to drive them off or make them easier to defeat.

Martial Focus

At 4th level, the disciple of the northern star gains augmented martial abilities. Their unarmed strikes and attacks with monk weapons now have a critical threat range of 19-20. This modifies the base crit chance, and therefore stacks with abilities such as Improved Critical. Additionally, they use their shugenja level in place of BAB for Flurry of Blows, and gain extra attacks at 6th, 11th, and 16th level rather than at 8th and 15th.

In exchange, disciples of the northern star lose 1 spell known of each level they can cast. They also lose the ability to learn or cast any spells beyond 4th level.

Gruesome Kill

At 7th level, the disciple of the northern star gains the Dreadful Carnage feat, regardless of whether he qualifies for it. He may opt to have it affect all creatures in a 30-foot radius, rather than enemies only. The disciple of the norther star is immune to the effects of this feat and to other abilities that can cause a fear effect on kill or injury.

Quick Step

At 9th level, the disciple of the northern star can move up to his speed as a swift action as part of making a Flurry of Blows attack. He can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 1/2 shugenja level + Dex mod. This does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Fearsome Carnage

At 12th level, when the disciple of the northern star uses the Dreadful Carnage feat, it can stack with itself to inflict the frightened condition on nearby creatures.

Critical Killer

At 15th level, the disciple's critical threat range with unarmed strikes and monk weapons increases to 18-20. This is an increase to the base threat range and stacks with other abilities that increase threat range.

Brutal Massacre

At 19th level, when the disciple of the northern star uses the Dreadful Carnage feat, it can stack with itself to inflict up to the panicked condition on nearby creatues.