Vigilante
In even the noblest kingdoms, justice can fall by the wayside, and in corrupt or evil ones, villains can often escape fair judgment. Most people stand by and let this pass, but some have a passion for justice that won't submit to impotent laws. These few take personal charge of seeking out evil and punishing it as they see fit. These people are vigilantes.Vigilantes operate outside the law and therefore must be careful about how they enforce their justice.
Many hide their true identities behind simple black masks or more elaborate disguises. They must work at night, out of sight of the city watch and their criminal enemies. They are often forced to travel in unorthodox ways, sprinting over city rooftops or skulking through dark alleys and sewers.
A vigilante's impact goes beyond his or her direct work. Vigilantes know that fear of their vengeance can deter would-be evildoers. So, they use dramatic and flamboyant fighting styles to draw their enemies' attention. Further, they often leave a distinctive token with those they bring to justice, ranging from the symbolic, such as a dead rose, to the gruesome, such as carving their symbol into an enemy's flesh.
The common folk develop strong opinions about vigilantes, sometimes labeling them heroes while fearing them as dangerous criminals at other times. It is up to each vigilante to establish a legacy that is most true to his or her brand of justice.
Vigilante Level 5 Feature (1st level): You gain a +5 power bonus to Intimidate checks against those who recognize you as a vigilante.
Vigilante Starting Feature (5th level): You gain the mark of the vigilante power.
Vigilante Level 10 Feature (10th level): You gain a +1 power bonus to your Will defense.
Mark of the VigilanteVigilante Utility
Your signature fighting style unnerves your foes.
Encounter ✦ Fear, Stance
Minor Action Personal
Effect: You assume a stance, the mark of the vigilante. Until the stance ends, you gain the following benefits.
✦ Whenever you hit an enemy with a melee or ranged attack, you can mark the enemy until the end of your next turn.
✦ You gain a +2 power bonus to all defenses against opportunity attacks that you provoke by moving.
Vigilante GritVigilante Utility 2
You draw upon your inner drive to shake off a debilitating effect.
Encounter
Minor Action Personal
Effect: Make a saving throw against one effect that a save can end.
Dramatic EntranceVigilante Utility 6
You flamboyantly rush into combat, dazzling your foes.
Daily
Free Action Personal
Trigger: You roll initiative.
Effect: You gain a +5 power bonus to your initiative check. Additionally, you gain a +2 power bonus to speed and to attack rolls until the end of the encounter or an enemy acts in the encounter. Until the end of the encounter or until an enemy hits you with an attack, you gain a +2 power bonus to all defenses.
Roof-Runner StanceVigilante Utility 10
You move gracefully over and past obstacles that impede your foes.
Daily ✦ Stance
Minor Action Personal
Effect: You assume the roof-runner stance. Until the stance ends, you ignore difficult terrain. Additionally, you can climb, balance, and squeeze at full speed rather than at half speed.
Published in Dragon Magazine 426.