Narrow Bridge

First studied by the Necrothil under the guidance of the legendary figure Moros, the Narrow Bridge discipline spans the border between life and death. The practitioners of The Narrow Bridge understand that death and life are more closely intertwined than most ever realize.

Those who train in the proper martial arts can cross the narrow bridge that separates life from unlife and return. While most practitioners of The Narrow Bridge are living, it is not uncommon for undead disciples to seek out knowledge of these techniques.

The martial techniques of the Narrow Bridge discipline use both negative and positive energy. As such, all techniques of this discipline are supernatural abilities.

Key Skill: Theology.
Discipline Weapon Groups: Axe, Heavy Blade, and Polearm.

The Lands of the Living and the Dead and the Bridge Between

A disciple of the Narrow Bridge uses techniques which cross from life to death and back again. Some techniques draw upon the power of the Land of the Living and others from the Land of the Dead. These techniques have a descriptor of “The Living” or “The Dead.”

When a disciple initiates a technique with one of these descriptors, he is said to have metaphorically entered into that Land and immediately loses the benefits of any techniques which draw power from the opposite Land. This does not prevent a disciple from using techniques from the opposite Land, but it may end ongoing effects he has already activated.

For example, the tenacity of life boost has a [The Living] descriptor and grants temporary hit points while the power of death boost has a [The Dead] descriptor and grants a +2 bonus to Strength. Should the disciple use tenacity of life to gain temporary hit points, he would immediately lose them in the next round if he initiated the power of death technique. The reverse is also true.

A stance that possesses either of these descriptors is also ended should the disciple initiate a technique with the opposite Land’s descriptor.

Positive and Negative Energy Techniques

Positive energy is not always beneficial to living creature, nor does negative energy always heal the undead. Techniques which deal damage as positive or negative energy are always harmful unless the technique’s description states otherwise.

For example, the peaceful end strike deals positive energy damage to any creature struck by it. Normally, this would always deal lethal damage. However, this technique has a specific clause which causes it to deal nonlethal damage to living creatures healed by positive energy. Conversely, withering strike deals negative energy damage and fatigue but has no effect at all on undead or other creatures healed by negative energy.

As another example, the spark of life boost heals living creatures but deals damage to creatures harmed by positive energy, such as undead. This technique is interesting, in that there are creatures which fall into neither category, such as constructs. If the target is neither a living creature nor harmed by positive energy, then this technique would simply have no effect on them.

Inflict Curse

Some techniques in Narrow Bridge have the curse descriptor. These techniques, much like spells with the curse descriptor, use persistent, malicious energies to inflict penalties on their victims. A creature immune to curses is immune to the effects of these techniques, with the exception of any weapon damage inflicted by them.

Many curse techniques inflict the Cursed condition. By itself, the cursed condition does nothing, but other maneuvers or abilities have an increased effect on cursed creatures or can only be used on cursed creatures (see individual technique descriptions for more information on how they interact with the cursed condition).

Spells with the curse descriptor also apply the cursed condition for a duration equal to the spell’s duration. Multiple applications of the cursed condition do not overlap; instead the duration of each new application of the condition is added to the remaining duration of the previous application.

The successful use of break enchantment, remove curse, or similar effects removes the cursed condition from the target in addition to their normal effects.

Narrow Bridge Techniques

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