At 3rd level, the dark knight draws on the power of the abyss to utilize a new form of power. The dark knight gains an abyssal art ability at 3rd level and every three dark knight levels thereafter. Each abyssal art ability requires a dark pool point to activate.
Table: Abyssal Arts
| Abyssal Arts | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Abyssal Drain (Su) | As a standard action, the dark knight causes an area to explode with the power of the Abyss dealing 1d6 points of shadow damage plus an additional 1d6 points of shadow damage per four dark knight levels to those within a 20-ft.-radius. Enemies in the area of effect must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + half of the dark knight's level + his Charisma modifier) to reduce the damage by half. The dark knight is healed half the damage dealt of the total to all affected. This ability has a range of 50 feet. |
| Blood Price (Su) | The dark knight can erupt blood from the ground, calling forth the abyss to pierce through, ripping his enemies and protecting the dark knight from harm from his foes. Enemies within 30 feet take 1d6 shadow damage per two dark knight levels, a Reflex save (DC 10 + half of the dark knight's level + his Charisma modifier) can half this damage. Those who fail the save, take a -4 penalty on attack rolls against the dark knight and his allies in the radius for 1 round. |
| Bloodspiller (Su) | The dark knight empowers his weapon with the abyss and unleashes a deadly overhead strike, causing a column of darkness to erupt from his foe. The dark knight makes a melee touch attack as a standard action, if the attack hits it deals double weapon damage. If the target dies by this attack, all foes who see the attack within 60 feet of the slain foe must make a Will save (DC 10 + half of dark knight's level + his Charisma modifier) or be Frightened for 1 round. The status effect is a mind-affecting effect. |
| Carve and Spit (Su) | As a swift action, the dark knight infuses his melee weapon with the abyss, causing his strikes to bypass his enemy's defenses for a number of rounds equal to his Charisma modifier. While under this effect, the dark knight ignores up to the dark knight's level in damage reduction and hardness on creatures and cannot be disarmed. |
| Dark Mind (Su) | As a swift or an immediate action, the dark knight can gain Spell Resistance equal to 10 + his dark knight level against spells and spell-like abilities of his enemies. This lasts until the end of the dark knight's next turn. |
| Darkness Unleash (Su) | As a standard action, the dark knight unleashes a pool of darkness from him that covers the ground releasing black swords to impale all creatures who stand within it that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. To use this ability, the dark knight sacrifices hit points equal to 1/4th of his current HP. Those within a 15-ft.-radius from the dark knight takes damage equal to the hit points sacrificed. A successful Reflex save (DC 10 + half of the dark knight’s level + his Charisma modifier) halves this damage. |
| Dark Passenger (Su) | As a standard action, the dark knight may send a 30-ft.-line of darkness to consume his foes in its wake. Those effected take 1d6 shadow damage per two dark knight levels and enemies affected are Blinded for a number of rounds equal to the dark knight’s Charisma modifier. A Reflex save (DC 10 + half of the dark knight’s level + his Charisma modifier) can halve the damage and negate the blind status effect. |
| Dark Pressure (Su) | While in Darkside, the dark knight gains a +1 profane bonus on attack rolls with attacks of opportunity against a creature casting a spell in his threatened area. This bonus increases by 1 at 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th level. In addition, at 6th level, the dark knight is treated as having the Disruptive feat while Darkside is active. |
| Delirium (Su) | As a move action, the dark knight surges power from the abyss, granting himself 1d6 temporary hit points plus an additional 1d6 per four dark knight levels. These temporary hit points last for 1 minute. |
| Hellish Grit (Su) | While in Grit stance and after successfully succeeding a saving throw against a magical spell or spell-like ability, the dark knight gains a +1 profane bonus to saves against that spell's particular school or descriptor for 1 round. At 6th level and every four dark knight levels thereafter, this bonus increases by 1. |
| Plunge (Su) | The dark knight may jump at an enemy as part of a charge within his movement speed and plunge his sword into his enemy. This ability ignores the movement penalty while in grit stance. This attack deals an additional 1d6 points of shadow damage plus an additional 1d6 per three dark knight levels to the target. The movement from this ability does not provoke attacks of opportunity. |
| Quietus (Su) | The dark knight pools the abyss into his sword and swings it around him, leaving traces of darkness encircled around him that explodes moments after. The dark knight makes a melee attack against all enemies adjacent to him. If successful, he deals normal damage and enemies must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + half of the dark knight's level + his Charisma modifier) or be Silenced for 1 round. |
| Salted Earth (Su) | As a standard action, the dark knight causes an area to be consumed by a consuming red malice that eats his enemies’ life and corrupting the earth within. Enemies within a 30-ft.-radius take 1d6 shadow damage per four dark knight levels each round while in the radius and move at half speed while in it. A Fortitude save (DC 10 + half of the dark knight’s level + his Charisma modifier) can negate the damage and the movement penalty, but must make the same save each round they are in the effect. This ability has a range of 50 feet and lasts for a number of rounds equal to the dark knight’s Charisma modifier. |
| Sole Survivor (Su) | As a swift action, the dark knight marks an enemy at his choosing within 20 feet. If this enemy dies, whether by the dark knight’s hands or another, the dark knight heals 1d6 hit points per two dark knight levels and gains MP equal to his Charisma modifier. If the enemy does not die within a number of rounds equal to the dark knight’s Charisma modifier, the effect ends. |
| Spiteful Rebuke (Su) | While in Darkside, whenever the dark knight is successfully hit by or fails a saving throw against a spell or spell-like ability, he may force the source of that ability or caster of that spell to pass a Will save (DC 10 + half of the dark knight’s level + his Charisma modifier) or take shadow damage equal to half of his dark knight level + his Charisma modifier. |
| Syphon Strike (Su) | As a swift action, the dark knight’s blade is infused with draining power, causing his next first successful attack to restore HP equal to half the damage dealt. You can’t gain more than half the subject’s current hit points + half the subject’s Constitution score (which is enough to kill the subject). |
| The Blackest Night (Su) | As a standard action, the dark knight is surrounded by a barrier of darkness, granting attacks against him 50% concealment and 2 temporary hit points per dark knight level. The concealment ends and the temporary hit points disappear after a number of rounds equal to the dark knight's Charisma modifier or until Darkside ends. This ability cannot be dispelled by light spells or similar effects. |