Hexblades in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons

Sword Wielding Hexen Revisited

Yet another adaptation of the Hexblade, this time for AD&D. This adaptation takes
the original article whole cloth for some portions, but repositions the order as an
AD&D class, possibly making this my most revised and recycled article to date, and
also making the hexblade a class functionally usable in no less than 5 game systems
now if you look at all the versions so far. Still, with my rekindled interest in AD&D I
arguably had no choice but to do it!

Since this is an AD&D optional class, it is only fair to carry out the time-honored
ancient tradition of presenting this as an NPC class even though we all know the
players are going to totally roll up a bunch of characters with it.

The Order of the Hexblades

The concept of the hexblade is a master of witchcraft, who relies on a special
relationship with his uniquely forged weapon to cast and focus magic through.
Hexblades gain their power through dark pacts, and seek to learn power from spirits
both malevolent and benign. Some hexblades are good natured and seek to help those
around them with their unique gifts; others fall quickly to the potential corruption of
the power they seek and walk a darker path.
Hexblades have a loose fraternity of association, for the easiest way to become one
is through a practice of apprenticeship to a master. Much like shamans, hexblades rely
on knowledge of the spirits and the planes to tease out their magical talents. Some
civilized lands may have entire knighthoods or magical orders dedicated to the
practice of the hexblades, but in most lands they are reclusive fellows who gather in
large groups only on rare occasion.
The concept of the Hexblade started with a class which appeared in Dungeons &
Dragons 3rd edition first, and later as a warlock variant in 4 th edition. Literary and
game inspiration for this archetype can be found in the fiction of Adrzej Sapkowskis
The Witcher, and similar concepts of a man with a special blade can be found in
Moorcocks Elric novels. I also suggest the Kane stories by Karl Edward Wagner.
Joining the Ranks of the Hexblades:
 This process is as simple as finding a teacher willing to take one on, who is willing
to teach the art. A character is assumed to begin play having completed his basic
apprenticeship training.

Hexblades in Golmadras and Lingusia

The Eldritch Knights of Zelkarod are a dedicated order of knighted hexblades that
serve the emperor himself on various dark errands. There are other hexblade orders in
the land as well, including the Elder Lords of the Solemn Tower, a group of elite
hexblades dedicated to the mastery of their blade through the defeat of greater
opponents than themselves. The dark elves of Golmadras have adopted the way of the
hexblade as their own, and an entire division of hexblade warriors serve the regent of
Modra as her so called Demon Knights.

Hexblades Elsewhere in Lingusia are less common but some strong orders have
risen to notoriety. The Emerald Blades of Hymyskos are an order of hexblades in the
service of the Western Queen. The so-called Red Knights of Pheralin defend the
westerlands of Valance against the invading Zatacani of the coast. Finally, it is
rumored that the city of Senempar holds a cabal of hexblades in the service of the Red
God, though this is a recent event sprung up within the last year or so. The stories say
that a number of ronin hexblades were drawn in visions to journey to the Red Gods
temple under construction and to pledge their allegiance to the enigmatic god.

Random Hexblade Origin

Roll on this chart for an exotic origin to your hexblade training, or make one of your
own:

D12 Hexblade Origin

1 You met a witch as a child who gave you the gift of your first hexblade to
aid you in unlocking your natural talent.
2 During a hunt as a young man you stumbled across an ancient tree which
had grown up around the skeleton of a dead warrior. As you approached, the skeleton
came to life, able to move just enough to hand you your hexblade. The curse is
yours. It muttered as the skeleton fell to dust.
3 You had always had a knack for minor spell casting but due to accident of
birth or poor luck were overlooked for any proper training. One day not long after a
shooting star passed overhead the local smithy showed you a fine weapon he had
made from the recovered meteorite. You found that the blade called to you, and your
true talent was unlocked.
4 You have a residual infernal heritage which has always given you an extra
spark thanks to your devilish ancestor. This was spotted by a wandering hex knight
who came to the village one day looking to recruit a new apprentice.
5 You were born on the night of the Blood Moons, which happens but once a
generation. The omens imbued you with talent, and you eventually sought out a
hexblade willing to take you on as an apprentice.
6 You were a slave in the arenas who fought unusually well, and your
penchant for your self-forged blade and unusual magical talent was at last noticed by
a wealthy hexblade master in the audience who purchased your contract that day.
7 Your village is deep in the wilderness, and one day you encountered an
enigmatic elvish maiden by the lake who granted you your weapon and with a magic
word you found yourself swimming in arcane knowledge. She disappeared, with the
whispered promise that your talent would be vital to the future.
8 Your village sent you on a vision quest into the deep hills and mountains, to
last as long as it took for your vision of your future to come to you. Days later you
return, half mad and starving but the vision was true: you seized the tools in the
smithy and began your task of forging the weapon the gods had burned into your
mind.
9 You were the young apprentice of a local apothecary who relied too heavily
on you for his errands and duties. One day you were carrying his traveling case when
you stumbled and fell, the contents of the box dousing you thoroughly. Despite the
burns, the chemicals unlocked your hexers talent.
10 You were the sole survivor of a massacre by orcs on your town, though even
then youre not sure if you lived, for an angelic seraph descened from the sky to
restore your health, then took the time to begin training you in the arts of sword and
magic after imbuing you with hexers sorcery. The seraph sought to empower you
with the skills to exact your revenge.
11 You are part of a long line of nobles who have inherited the legacy of hex
magic for generations now, and were indoctrinated into the hex knight society of your
family at a young age.
12 You were born to the parents of an infernal cult, and at a young age you
were forced to commune with and become possessed by devilish spirits. The repeated
abuse changed you, and the exposure to the infernal energies imbued you with hex
magic. The cult leader sold you off when he felt threatened by your emerging talent,
and youve been seeking your parents (or revenge) ever since.

Hexblade Requirements
Requisite Attributes: Dexterity 12 or better and Strength 9 or better. Must have
Intelligence 13 or better. A hexblade with 16 or better in either Strength or
Intelligence gains a +5% to experience and a +10% bonus if both attributes are 16 or
greater.
Hit Die: D8; hexblades gain +2 hit points per level starting at level 10.
Alignment: any, though chaotic hexblades tend to be ronin and lawful hexblades tend
to belong to an order.
Combat Advancement: Hexblades use the same chart as clerics and druids for attack
rolls (1.A).
Racial Limits: Humans have unlimited advancement. Elves can advance to 12 th level,
half-elves to 14th level, and half-orcs to 10th level. Gnomes can advance to 8th level as
hexblades. If you allow level advancement past normal racial maximums, then it is
suggested that human hexblades be granted 1 extra spell slot for each level tier (i.e. 1
bonus 1st level slot, 1 bonus 2nd level slot, and so forth).
Optional Proficiencies: Hexblades advance as wizards for purposes of nonweapon
proficiencies and as fighters for purposes of weapon proficiencies.
Weapons: hexblades are martial warriors and can learn to fight with any weapon, but
they must specifically choose a type of sword to serve as their hexblade unless the
DM permits otherwise.
Armor: any, but see armored caster, below.
Abilities: Hexblade Spellcasting, Hexblade Bond, Armored Caster, Weapon Mastery,
Combat Caster

Hexblade Spellcasting: Hexblades are arcane magic-users and have their own spell
lists, from which they can draw their magic. Hexblades begin play with three 1 st level
spells from the list. They must roll on they chance to know based on Intelligence, but
do not have minimum spells known, though they do have maximum spells known.
Hexblades learn new spells through their practice with weapons, as all hexblade spells
require the weapon as a focus component. As such, they may roll on chance to know
to acquire 1 new spell at each level of advancement automatically. Hexblades can
otherwise learn new spells as a wizard through conventional means. At the DMs
discretion a hexblade can attempt to learn a wizard spell not on the hexblade list. Such
an attempt can be performed once per copy of the spell (either a scroll or book),
requiring a check for chance to learn, with a penalty to chance to know equal to 5
times the level of the spell being studied (so a level 6 spell would incur a -30%
penalty to learn). If the hexblade makes the check then he can copy the spell into his
own spell book and has learned it; unlike hexblade spells he cant imbue these in his
weapon. In this fashion hexblades are like amateur spell casters. Hexblades are not
studied enough to learn spells higher than 6th level (unless they multi-class).

Hexblade Bond: An initiate hexblade must procure a unique weapon which he

forges or finds on his own. At first level this weapon is a normal blade of his choice
forged from cold iron. Later on the hexblade may try to forge a new weapon of more
fantastical metals or enchantments. The weapon must be of no common origin, either
being made of an exotic metal, being unique in some fashion (i.e. a kings blade, or
the weapon was used in the past to slay a powerful extraplanar opponent) or it must be
forged by the initiate himself out of exotic metals and imbued with a sacrifice of 1D6
damage of his own blood during the forging process. If an exotic weapon material is
needed, it defaults to cold iron.
 A hexblade must ultimately spend a minimum of 1D10X50 gold pieces and 1D6
days on the material and time to create his weapon. If he finds a weapon he wishes to
bond with, then he must spend the time in meditation and sacrifice experience points
equal to the following formula. If he forges his own weapon and enchants it, he must
also expend experience as follows but at half the total cost:

Cost to Forge a Hexblade Weapon: equal to 1D10X50 GP for base cost and 1D6
days time. The cost is X1 for cold iron, X2 for silvered, X5 for mithril and X8 for
adamantine weapon materials. This is then multiplied by the hexblades level times
the number of bonuses plus effects being permanently imbued in the bonded weapon
for the final cost.

Cost to Enchant a Hexblade Weapon: sacrifice of hexblades level times the

number of imbuements plus the number of invested effects times 100 = total XP cost.
This is divided by half if the hexblade is imbuing a weapon he forged himself.

Investing Effects: any effect on an existing magical weapon could be invested with
the DMs permission, as could any effect a hexblade knows by way of spell. The
effect becomes a weapon enchantment with a permanent duration when done in this
fashion.

One Blade Limit: Hexblades can only ever forge one such weapon to which they are
bonded, and they can not forge such weapons for others. Making a new hexblade
weapon destroys the old hexblade weapon.

Example: A 12th level hexblade makes himself an admantine Long Sword +3 of

Blood Drinking. His base cost ends up being 57,600 GP (rolling a 3 gets him 150 GP,
times 8 for adamantine, times 48 for his level times # of imbuements and effects of 4,
below) and it takes 5 days of forging. Then his experience cost is 12 (his level) times
4 (+3 bonus and 1 for a single effect) times 100, for an experience sacrifice of 4,800
XP. So, for 5 days time, 57,600 GP in expenditures on arcane materials and a
personal sacrifice of 4,800 GP.plus 1D6 hit points of injury inflicted in the final
processhe now has a bonded hexblade long sword +3 of Blood Drinking.

Once a hexblade has this weapon, he undergoes an initiation ritual of bonding with
the blade. This imbues himself and the weapon with a unique connection; he may now
use the blade to channel his magic, and all spells he cast must use the blade as a
material component (but he may now substitute his weapon for any normal material
component a spell requires, and the blade is never used up like normal materials).
The hexblade weapon grants a bonus spell slot in which can be memorized an
additional spell (this is reflected as the +1 on the list above). The hexblade loses
access to those bonus spells so memorized if he loses his blade.
The hexblade also serves as a spell book of sorts; so long as the hexblade has his
bonded weapon in hand, he has innate access to all of his learned hexblade spells. He
must keep a normal spell book for any regular arcane magic he manages to learn
while adventuring (see above).
Does a hexblade need to bond with a sword specifically of some sort? Thats the
DMs call, but the presumption is that the nature of the weapon is highly conducive to
channeling magic, and other weapons are not. Alternatively, there could be branches
of the order that specialize in hexed axes, pole arms or even hammers and maces.
 A hexblade who loses his weapon permanently must restore it with an equally
significant weapon. If he fails to do so after one year and one day, he is cast out of the
order. For the time he is missing his hexblade he loses his bonus spell slot and is
limited to the spells in his spell book. When a new hexblade is forged, however, all of
the hexblades spells are restored; the idea is that they are still imbued within his own
mind and soul, but a hexblade weapon is the key that unlocks them.
Should a hexblade for whatever reason permanently lose his connection to his
hexblade and be unable to replace it for a long period (1D6 years) he will eventually
lose his hexblade affinity entirely and must then pay an XP cost equal to 20% of his
current XP total, after which he reverts to either a fighter or a magic-user in nature
(attaining all of the class elements of such) and loses his hexblade features
permanently.

Armored Caster: Hexblades learn to cast their spells with armor, and as such are not
restricted like wizards in what to wear when they cast spells. However, hexblades
who are wearing armor can only use their specific hexblade spells while so
encumbered; they are unable to properly evoke any arcane non-hexblade magic while
wearing armor.

Weapon Mastery: Hexblades may specialize in their chosen hex weapon as a fighter
or ranger (see Unearthed Arcana for details; this requires 2 proficiency slots, granting
a +1 to hit and +2 to damage). Hexblades advance as rangers for purposes of
calculating attacks per round, or as specialists if this option is chosen. A hexblade
must choose this option at 1st level and if so chosen starts with access to 1 less spell at
first level to reflect the additional effort put into martial mastery over spell mastery.

Combat Caster: Hexblades are used to fighting in battle and trying to retain spell
concentration. If a hexblade takes damage or is otherwise interrupted during combat
he may make a Save vs. paralyzation, and if he succeeds then he may continue to cast
as if the spell had been retained.

Hexblade Advancement:
Experience Points Level Hit Dice
0-2,400 1 1D8
2,401-4,800 2 2D8
4,801-9,600 3 3D8
9,601-19,200 4 4D8
19,201-38,400 5 5D8
38,401-85,000 6 6D8
85,001-170,000 7 7D8
170,001-270,000 8 8D8
270,001-400,000 9 9D8
400,001-550,000 10 9D8+2
550,001-700,000 11 9D8+4
700,001-1,000,000 12 9D8+6
+300,000 XP per level above 12th +2 per level after 12th

Hexblade Spells Usable by Class and Level

Hexblade Level 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
1 0+1 - - - - -
2 1+1 - - - - -
3 2+1 - - - - -
4 2+1 0+1 - - - -
5 2+1 1+1 - - - -
6 3+1 1+1 - - - -
7 3+1 1+1 - - - -
8 3+1 2+1 0+1 - - -
9 4+1 2+1 1+1 - - -
10 4+1 2+1 1+1 - - -
11 4+1 3+1 1+1 0+1 - -
12 5+1 3+1 2+1 1+1 - -
13 5+1 3+1 2+1 1+1 - -
14 5+1 4+1 2+1 1+1 - -
15 6+1 4+1 3+1 1+1 0+1 -
16 6+1 4+1 3+1 2+1 1+1 -
17 6+1 5+1 3+1 2+1 1+1 -
18 7+1 5+1 4+1 2+1 1+1 -
19 7+1 5+1 4+1 3+1 2+1 0+1
20 7+1 6+1 4+1 3+1 2+1 1+1

Maximum Number of Active

Hexblade Level Effects on Hexblade Weapon
1 1
2 1
3 1
4 1
5 1
6 2
7 2
8 2
9 2
10 2
11 2
12 3
13 3
14 3
15 3
16 3
17 3
18 4
19 4
20 4

Hexblade Spell List: (Note: This list may include spells from Unearthed Arcana;
spells in Bold are new)
1st Level:
Arcane Imbuement, Cantrips (any), Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Identify ,
Imbued Alignment , Jump, Light, Mending, Minor Imbuement, Read Magic,
Shield, Spider Climb, True Strike, Unseen Servant

2nd Level:
Elemental Blade, Hexblades Defense, Locate Object, Mirror Image, Pyrotechnics,
Scare, Shatter, Strength

3rd Level:
Bane Weapon, Blink, Dispel Magic, Fly, Haste, Hexblades Luck, Protection from
Normal Missiles, Paralyzing Strike, Slow

4th Level:
Blood Drinker, Dimension Door, Enchanted Weapon, Fear, Fire Shield, Minor Globe
of Invulnerability, Shout, Stoneskin, Ultravision

5th Level:
Distance Distortion, Holy/Unholy Blade, Passwall, Telekinesis, Teleport, Wounding
Blade

6th Level:
Antimagic Shell, Blade Barrier*, Guards and Wards, Globe of Invulnerability, Iron
Body, Mages Sword, Mordenkainens Sword**

*Same as the 6th level cleric spell

**Same as the 7th level magic-user spell

Hexblade Progression

Hexblade Apprentice:
All hexblades are considered apprentices at 1st level, and as such are expected to
defer to or show respect toward hexblades of greater skill (and thus higher level).

Hexblade Acolytes:
A hexblade initiate who reaches 4th level is eligible to attain the rank of acolyte. He
must have demonstrated an act of servitude to the credo of his specific order or
mentor (which can vary; an evil order may require that he have slain an honest man; a
benevolent branch may require that he saved an innocent under threat of harm).
Hexblades who eschew titles are considered a form of ronin.

Hexblade Adepts:
After 7th level a hexblade apprentice may elect to become an adept. Adepts may
take on apprentices but are not required to do so.

Hexblade Masters:
Hexblades who reach level 10 may graduate from adept rank to master rank. A
Hexblade master must have earned a reputation for himself; if his name is known and
either feared or respected by a noted ruler or leader of the land, such that the other
senior masters of the order feel his reputation is engrained, then he may be entertained
for membership at his highest rank. He must then commit one truly great deed, worthy
of the skalds to sing about, such as slaying a hydra or dragon, liberating an oppressed
kingdom, slaying a corrupt king, or even conquering his own domain. The task may
depend on the ethical skew of the hexblade himself. At this level, however, it is his
demonstrable proficiency and efficiency, not his ethical leanings, that are most
important.
Should the hexblade attain the rank of master, he is required to take on a new
apprentice to teach his skills to if he has not done so already. This apprentice will be a
1st level hexblade, of the following race (D10): 1-5 human, 6-7 half-elf, 8 elf, 9, half
orc, 10 gnome.
Hexblade ronin who reach level 12 are unofficially called silent masters by other
ordered hexblades. Some hexblades seek out these silent masters as they are often
known to have spells and secrets unknown to the regular hexblade orders.
By 12th level the hexblade master or ronin has gained such a formidable reputation
that he or she gains a body of dedicated followers. There is a 50% chance that there
will be 2D12 hexblades (of levels 1D4) in this group, otherwise roll on the fighter
followers table for a leader and unit (see DMG). At each level thereafter there is a
35% chance the hexblade gains an additional 1D4 hexblade followers as above.

Hexblade Artifacts

Tome of the Fey Courts

Although the Tome of the Hexblade is the grimoire of study for the order, there are
rumors of an older tome, written in the lost history of the Fey Court by the elven
prince Aritroskis, which contains even more potent secrets. Such a tome is a coveted
prize for a dedicated Hexblade, for it contains the secrets of teleportation. This tome
include the Teleport spell, which any hexblade can learn from studying this tome. It
also contains Teleport Without Error and Vanish. The wielder of this tome can cast
any combination of these three spells once per day by using the tome.

Adamantine Hexblades:
A weapon crafted of adamantine is impervious to harm, or so it is said. Furthermore,
it is said to weigh less and be more nimble in ones hands. Adamantine is a natural
superior metal but functions for purposes of bypassing magical resistance as if it were
a +1 weapon. An enchanted adamantine blade acts as if it were +1 better on its
enchantment for purposes of determing its ability to bypass magic resistance (see
DMG chart on page 75). Thus, a +2 adamantine long sword would function as a +3
weapon for purposes of bypassing damage.

The Hand of Zoromast

There are rumors of this infernal talisman, a mummified hand capped in a gold clasp
and chain from the first and most legendary hexblade of a lost era. Rumor has it that a
hexblade who wears the Hand of Zoromast around his neck will gain even more
impressive fighting talent and a closer bond with his blade. The stories also suggest
that Zoromasts spirit will attempt to possess the wielder, but that a sufficiently
strong-willed hexblade can defeat the spirit and tame it to his use.
An ordinary man wearing the Hand will feel nothing, though the spirit may seek to
possess him. A hexblade immediately notices that he treats his caster level as 1 higher
as a result of wearing the hand (for purposes of spell casting). In addition, he
discovers that he now innately knows the hexblade spell Arcane Imbuement and may
cast it once per day for free through the talisman. If he removes the Hand, knowledge
of the spell also evaporates.
While worn, the Hands spirit will emerge and try to possess the bearer. Zoromasts
spirit is a malevolent ancestral spirit, a spectre (HP 58, MM page 89) with one special
property: the spectral spirit can seek to possess a target instead of energy draining it;
each possession attempt works in place of energy drain, and if it hits the spirit deals
1D6 INT damage. When the target reaches 0 INT the spectre can immediately enter
his or her body and take possession. At this point the INT of the character is restored
to normal, and the victim is otherwise back to normal, albeit with a permanent +1
attack and damage bonus when wielding any sword, and a keen knowledge of ancient
history (an INT check may be made to recall historical events). However, while
possessed the bearer develops a very evil and self-serving disposition, and tends to
call himself Zoromast a lot.
The artifact will be destroyed should Zoromasts spirit ever be exorcised or
destroyed. Under normal circumstances if his spirit is destroyed by mundane or lesser
magical means his essence will return to the hand and he will recover his strength in
2D6 weeks. A spell of 7th level or greater may permanently banish him at the DMs
discretion.

Notes on Hexblade Weapons and Spells

A Note on the Material Component: All hexblade spells below require the bonded
hexblade weapon as the material component. Without the hexblades bonded weapon
in hand, these spells cant be cast.

Imbuing Hexblade Bonded Weapons: Most hexblade spell effects stack, but there is
a limit to what a weapon can take. If an imbuement collectively adds up to a modifier
of 5 or better then new imbuements will overwrite old imbuements (the hexblade
decides which effect is released). If the spell effect is not a point value increase (such
as with arcane imbuement or hexblades defense) then the weapon can sustain 1 effect
for every 6th level of the hexblade. Thus, a level 1 hexblade could maintain 1 active
effect, a level 6 hexblade can sustain two effects, a level 12 hexblade can get 3 and a
level 18 hexblade can manage 4.

Example 1: a level 13 hexblade casting hexblades defense on his weapon which

already has an arcane imbuement of +4 can choose to gain +1 to AC or he can get his
full +4 bonus but in doing so it overwrites the arcane imbuement (as it was already +4
and he can only reduce it at time of casting).

Example 2: A 15th level hexblade could cast Arcane Imbuement at +2, then
hexblades defense at +3, then layering bane weapon, elemental blade and blood
drinker for three active effects.

Example 3: A 3rd level hexblade casts Arcane Imbuement for a +1 modifier, then
True Strike for his one effect.

All spells that follow include a descriptor indicating if they are an effect,
imbuement, or neither for purposes of managing the limits of hexblade casting.

New Hexblade Spells

ARCANE IMBUEMENT, Hexblade 1 (imbuement)

Casting Time 1 turn, Range touch (hexblade weapon only), Duration 1 hour/2
levels, Save none, Comp V, S, M
The hexblade imbues his chosen weapon with magical force, making it a +1 magical
weapon for the duration of the spell. This weapon gains an additional +1 magical
imbuement for every five levels thereafter, so it is a +2 weapon at level 6, +3 at level
11, +4 at level 16, and +5 at level 21. The hexblade may choose to cast the spell up to
his maximum ability, or less as needed. This spell only function on the bonded
hexblade weapon of the caster, and to imbue other weapons with enchantment the
hexblade must learn Enchanted Weapon.

BANE WEAPON, Hexblade 3 (effect)

Casting Time 1 phase, Range touch, Duration 1 round/level, Save none, Comp V,
S, M
The hexblade imbues his weapon with potent energy against one type of target.
Choose one enemy type for the duration of the effect (i.e. orcs, humans, elves,
dragons). For the duration of the spell the weapon acts as a Bane weapon of +1
against that target, dealing a base of +1 to attack and damage against all foes and an
additional 1D6 damage against the chosen bane type. The weapon improves with
every four additional levels of the hexblade; at level 12 it is a +2 weapon; at level 16
it is +3, at level 20 it is +4 and at level 24 it is +5.

BLOOD DRINKER, Hexblade 4 (effect)

Casting Time 1 phase, Range self, Duration special, Save negates, Comp V, S, M
Your weapon is imbued with vampiric qualities. Your next weapon attack deals its
usual damage plus 1D4 damage per three hexblade levels. You heal yourself for
damage equal to the total damage dealt to your target. If you miss your target you do
not lose this spell, and it remains in effect until you make a successful strike. This
spell fails against nonliving or animated targets and is lost.
ELEMENTAL BLADE, Hexblade 2 (effect)
Casting Time 1 round, Range touch to weapon, Duration 1 minute/level, Save
none, Comp V, S, M
This spell imbues a weapon with elemental force (choose one of fire, cold, acid,
electricity) and deals an additional 1D6 damage on a strike of that damage type. For
every five additional hexblade levels the damage increases by 1D6 (so at level 9 it
deals 2D6, at level 14 3D6, and at level 19 4D6).

HEXBLADES DEFENSE, Hexblade 2 (imbuement)

Casting Time 1 round, Range personal hexblade, Duration 1 hour/3 levels, Save
none, Comp V, S, M
The hexblade imbues his weapon with the power of arcane defense. While wielding
the weapon the hexblade gains a +1 bonus to armor class for every 3 levels of the
hexblade (thus +1 to AC at level 3, +2 at level 6, +3 at level 9, +4 at level 12 and a
maximum of +5 at level 15), and he may choose the value of the bonus up to his limit.

HEXBLADES LUCK, Hexblade 3 (effect)

Casting Time 1 round, Range personal hexblade, Duration 1 minute/level, Save
none, Comp V, S, M
The hexblade imparts a bit of luck into his blade. For the duration of the spell the
hexblade may add the weapons magical bonus (even one which is imbued by another
enhancement spell) to any saving throws he makes.

HOLY/UNHOLY BLADE, Hexblade 5 (effect)

Casting Time 1 phase, Range personal hexblade, Duration 1 minute/level, Save
none, Comp V, S, M
This spell imbues the hexblades weapon with holy (good) or unholy (evil) force
according to the alignment of the caster. The weapon will now deals double damage
against foes of opposite alignment for the duration of the effect, and imbues the
hexblade with spell resistance of 5 times the hexblade level against incoming magic
(this effect is lost if the hexblade drops the weapon).

IMBUED ALIGNMENT, Hexblade 2 (effect)

Casting Time 1 phase, Range touch, Duration 1 minute/level, Save none, Comp
V, S, M
This spell imbues the weapon with the lawful or chaotic alignment of its user. Once
aligned, it deals additional 1D6 damage per strike to targets of opposite alignment. If
the weapon is dropped by the user and then grabbed by another character, if that
wielders alignment is opposite the imbuement then the weapon will deal 1D6 damage
to the user per combat round of use until the spell wears off. The weapon never deals
additional damage to neutral targets.

IRON BODY, Hexblade 6

Casting Time 1 round, Range personal, Duration 1 minute/level, Save none
Comp V, S, M
This spell transforms your body into living iron, which grants you several powerful
resistances and abilities.
You gain damage resistance as if you were immune to attacks from all weapons
except those of +3 or better and adamantine weapons. You are immune to blindness,
critical hits, ability score damage, deafness, disease, drowning, electricity, poison,
stunning, and all spells or attacks that affect your physiology or respiration, because
you have no physiology or respiration while this spell is in effect. You take only half
damage from acid and fire of all kinds. However, you also become vulnerable to all
special attacks that affect iron golems.
You are treated as having an 18/00 Strength, but you take a -6 penalty to Dexterity
as well (which may affect your reaction modifier) to a minimum of 1 Dex, and your
speed is reduced to half normal. Any efforts as spell casting while in this form have a
50% chance of failure, and abilities to swim and climb are impaired just as if you
were clad in full plate armor. You cannot drink (and thus cant use potions) or play
wind instruments.
Your unarmed attacks deal damage equal to a club, and you are considered armed
when making unarmed attacks.
Your weight increases by a factor of ten, causing you to sink in water like a stone.
However, you could survive the crushing pressure and lack of air at the bottom of the
oceanat least until the spell duration expires.

MAGES SWORD, Level 6 Hexblade

Casting Time 1 round, Range 50 ft, Duration 1 minute/level, Save none, Comp V,
S, M
This spell brings into being a shimmering, sword-like plane of force. The sword
strikes at any opponent within its range, as you desire, starting in the round that you
cast the spell. The sword attacks its designated target once each round on your turn.
Its attack bonus is equal to a 15th level fighter. As a force effect, it can strike ethereal
and incorporeal creatures. It deals 4d6+3 points of force damage.
The sword always strikes from your direction. If the sword goes beyond the spell
range from you, if it goes out of your sight, or if you are not directing it, the sword
returns to you and hovers.
Each round after the first, you can choose to switch the sword to a new target. If you
do not, the sword continues to attack the previous rounds target.
The sword cannot be attacked or harmed by physical attacks, but dispel magic,
disintegrate, a sphere of annihilation, or a rod of cancellation affects it. The swords
AC is 7.
If an attacked creature has spell resistance, the resistance is checked the first time
Mages sword strikes it. If the sword is successfully resisted, the spell is dispelled. If
not, the sword has its normal full effect on that creature for the duration of the spell.

MINOR IMBUEMENT, Hexblade 1 (imbuement)

Casting Time 1 phase, Range weapon wielded, Duration see below, Save none,
Comp V, M
You gain a +1 bonus to damage and attack rolls with your next melee or ranged
attack. This spell will dissipate after 10 rounds if not used and is recovered in the
hexblades memory. The effects of this can be combined with other hexblade effects
(like arcane imbuement).

PARALYZING STRIKE, Hexblade 3 (effect)

Casting Time 1 phase, Range weapon wielded, Duration 1 round/level, Save
negates, Comp V, S, M
The hexblade imbues his weapon with paralyzing force. The next successful strike
against a target imparts paralysis for one round per level of the hexblade. The save vs.
this spell effect is against paralysis.
TRUE STRIKE, Hexblade 1 (effect)
Casting Time 1 phase, Range weapon wielded, Duration see below, Save none,
Comp V, M
You gain temporary, intuitive insight into the immediate future during your next
attack. Your next single attack roll (if it is made before the end of the next round)
gains a +20 attack bonus.

WOUNDING BLADE, Hexblade 5 (effect)

Casting Time 1 phase, Range personal hexblade, Duration 1 minute/level, Save
negates, Comp V, S, M
For the duration of this spell, the hexblade imbues his weapon with the power to
cause unstoppable bleeding in his foes wounds. A wounded foe hit with this weapon
takes 1D6 points of bleeding damage per combat round in addition to the usual
damage of the weapon. If the creature fails a saving roll vs. death when struck by this
effect, it will continue to bleed until it can receive magical healing from a spell of 5 th
level or greater to stop the blood loss. A creature which makes its save will take
bleeding damage for 1D6 rounds. This power does not work on creatures which do
not bleed.

Mages Sword, True Strike and Iron Body adapted from the D20 SRD at:
http://www.d20srd.org/indexes/spells.htm