3 1

The bladebound magus’s arcane pool has a number

- of points equal to 1/3 his level (minimum 1) plus his

Intelligence bonus. This ability replaces the magus
arcana gained at 3rd level.
Magus Arcana: The following magus arcana complement
Magi often defy expectations. Many are mistaken for the bladebound magus archetype: arcane accuracy, broad
rogues and swashbucklers dabbling in minor magic, study, dispelling strike, and ref lection.
often to their opponents’ detriment. Clerics, oracles and Black Blade Basics: A black blade is bonded to a
wizards often view these spellcasters with a degree of particular magus, much like a familiar, but in more of a
mistrust, as they seldom understand the nature or—more partnership than a master-servant relationship.
importantly—the source of magi’s arcane power. This is Intelligence: This is the intelligence score of the black
especially true of the rare magi who dabble in hexcraft or blade. It starts at 10 and increases by 1 for every two levels of
carry strange sentient blades with alien goals and an ever- the bladebound magus (at 3rd level, 5th level, and so on).
increasing lust for power. To more formulaic or hierarchal Wisdom and Charisma: As the bladebound magus
spellcasting traditions, such powers can only mean increases in level, so do the Wisdom and Charisma of the
meddling from beings beyond mortal understanding. black blade. These abilities start at 6 and increase by 1 for
Monks and sorcerers are often more accepting of magi, every two levels of magus.
as they know that life energy and magic are more powerful Ego: A black blade starts with an ego of 5, and that ego
than formulae and devotion would dictate, and see magi as increases as the blade becomes more powerful, as per Table
fellow travelers on the road toward power, if not wisdom. 1–3 below. In cases where a wielder and the black blade come
Because of the magi’s f lexibility, it is rare to find two into conf lict, like any intelligent item, a black blade can
who practice their arcane arts in exactly the same way, attempt to exert its dominance using the rules on page
giving rise to many different organizations, disciplines, 535 of the Core Rulebook. Due to its f lexible and powerful
and tactics. nature, a black blade has a nonstandard ego progression.
Languages and Skills: A black blade starts with Common
฀ ฀ as a language. As the black blade increases in Intelligence,
A select group of magi are called to carry a black blade—a it manifests knowledge of languages and arcane lore. Upon
sentient weapon of often unknown and possibly reaching an Intelligence of 12, it gains a bonus language of
unknowable purpose. These weapons become valuable the GM’s choice, and gains 1 rank in Knowledge (arcana).
tools and allies, as both the magus and weapon typically Each time the sword gains a bonus to Intelligence, it gains
crave arcane power, but as a black blade becomes more another language and another rank in Knowledge (arcana).
aware, its true motivations manifest, and as does its ability Senses: A black blade is aware of everything around it like a
to inf luence its wielder with its ever-increasing ego. creature that can see and hear. It can be blinded and deafened
Black Blade (Ex): At 3rd level, the bladebound magus’ as if it were a creature. It uses the saving throws of its magus,
gains a powerful sentient weapon called a black blade, even if the magus is not currently wielding the black blade.
whose weapon type is chosen by the magus (see sidebar). Black Blade Arcane Pool: A black blade has an arcane pool
A magus with this class feature cannot take the familiar with a number of points equal to 1 + its Intelligence bonus.
magus arcana, and cannot have a familiar of any kind, Black Blade Ability Descriptions: A black blade has special
even from another class. abilities (or imparts abilities to its wielder) depending on

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀
Magus Enhancement
Class Level Bonus Int Wis/Cha Ego Special
3rd–4th +1 11 7 5 Alertness, black blade strike, telepathy, unbreakable
5th–6th +2 12 8 8 Energy attunement
7th–8th +2 13 9 10 —
9th–10th +3 14 10 12 Teleport blade
11th–12th +3 15 11 14 —
13th–14th +4 16 12 16 Transfer arcana
15th–16th +4 17 13 18 —
17th–18th +5 18 14 22 Spell defense
19th–20th +5 19 15 24 Life drinker


 ®

reforged 1 week later through a special ritual that costs 200

gp per magus level. The ritual takes 24 hours to complete.
฀ Energy Attunement (Su): At 5th level, as a free action, a
A black blade is a particular form of intelligent weapon
magus can spend a point of his black blade’s arcane pool to
gained by a magus with the bladebound archetype.
have it deal one of the following types of damage instead
There are several ways a magus might gain this weapon.
of weapon damage: cold, electricity, or f ire. He can spend
Sometimes it just appears among the magus’s possessions,
2 points from the black blade’s arcane pool to deal sonic or
and its origin is a mystery. Other times the magus finds
force damage instead of weapon damage. This effect lasts
a black blade during an adventure or event of some kind.
until the start of the magus’s next turn.
Sometimes a black blade is passed down generation to
Teleport Blade (Sp): As a standard action, a magus of 9th
generation in an ongoing search for a magus who can
level or higher can expend an arcane point from his or his
unlock its true potential.
black blade’s arcane pool, and can call his black blade from
A black blade is always a one-handed slashing weapon,
as far as 1 mile away, causing it to instantaneously teleport
a rapier, or a sword cane (see the Advanced Player’s Guide).
to his hand.
The magus chooses the blade’s type upon gaining the
Transfer Arcana (Su): At 13th level, once per day, a magus
blade, and once chosen, it can’t be changed. As a
can attempt to siphon points from his black blade’s arcane
bladebound magus increases in level, his black blade
pool into his own arcane pool. Doing so takes a full-round
gains power.
action and the magus must succeed at a Will saving throw
A black blade is independently conscious but features
with a DC equal to the black blade’s ego. If the magus
some personality traits reflecting its wielder. A black
succeeds, he regains 1 point to his arcane pool for every
blade always has the same alignment as its wielder and
2 points he saps from his black blade. If he fails the saving
even changes its alignment if its wielder does. The blade
throw, the magus becomes fatigued (but can try again). If
typically works toward its wielder’s goals, but not always
he is fatigued, he becomes exhausted instead. He cannot
without argument or backlash. Each black blade has a
use this ability if he is exhausted.
mission, and while sometimes two or more black blades
Spell Defense (Sp): A magus of 17th level or higher can
will work in concert, each mission is singular in purpose
expend an arcane point from his weapon’s arcane pool as
(the black blade’s mission is usually up to the GM and the
a free action; he then gains SR equal to his black blade’s
needs of the campaign or the adventure, or a GM can roll
ego until the start of his next turn.
randomly for the weapon’s purpose using Table 15–25 on
Life Drinker (Su): At 19th level, each time the magus kills
page 534 of the Core Rulebook). Some black blades are very
a living creature with the black blade, he can pick one of
open about their missions, but most are secretive. Certain
the following effects: the black blade restores 2 points to its
sages have speculated that an invisible hand or arcane
arcane pool; the black blade restores 1 point to its arcane
purpose moves these weapons.
pool and the magus restores 1 point to his arcane pool; the
magus gains a number of temporary hit points equal to
the black blade’s ego (these temporary hit points last until
the wielder’s magus level. The abilities are cumulative. A spent or 1 minute, whichever is shorter). The creature
black blade normally refuses to use any of its abilities when killed must have a number of Hit Dice equal to half the
wielded by anyone other than its magus, and acts as a magus’s character level for this to occur.
masterwork weapon of its type.
Alertness (Ex): While a magus is wielding his black blade, ฀ ฀
he gains the Alertness feat. A hexcrafter magus has uncovered the secret of using his
Black Blade Strike (Sp): As a free action, the magus can arcane pool to recreate witch hexes. These magi can hex
spend a point from the black blade’s arcane pool to grant friend and foe, curse those they strike, and expand their
the black blade a +1 bonus on damage rolls for 1 minute. spell selection to include many curses and harmful spells.
For every four levels beyond 1st, this ability gives the black Hex Magus (Su): At 4th level, the hexcrafter magus gains
blade another +1 on damage rolls. access to a small number of witch’s hexes (see the Advanced
Telepathy (Su): While a magus is wielding or carrying his Player’s Guide). The hexcrafter magus picks one hex from the
black blade, he can communicate telepathically with the blade witch’s hex class feature. He gains the benefit of or uses
in a language that the magus and the black blade share. that hex as if he were a witch of a level equal to his magus
Unbreakable (Ex): As long as it has at least 1 point in level. This feature replaces spell recall.
its arcane pool, a black blade is immune to the broken Hex Arcana: A hexcrafter gains access to the following
condition. If broken, the black blade is unconscious and magus arcana, or may select any witch hex in place of a
powerless until repaired. If destroyed, the black blade can be magus arcana. At 12th level, the hexcrafter may select