Straif (Blackthorn)

The spirit of the blackthorn is represented by the straif ogham. Associated with supernatural influences and the hand of fate, the spirit of the straif represents divine connections and interactions with forces from beyond.

Straif reaches above and beyond that akin to mortal attainability, whose mortal reign is limited by their own flesh and the strife that comes from that struggle.

However, while many may see this spirit as a negative, those that truly understand it know that it also represents being prepared regardless of what the future holds.

Bonus Feat: Blessing of Straif or Skill Focus (Spellcraft)

Spells: 1st—shillelagh, 2nd—feast of ashes, 3rd—speak with dead, 4th—death ward, 5th—commune, 6th—heroes’ feast, 7th—repulsion, 8th—symbol of death, 9th—symbol of strife

A Fine Shillelagh (Sp)

At 1st level, you may take a piece of blackthorn and create a stout wooden club as a move action. The club tapers to a sharp point and you may use it to make either a bludgeoning or piercing attack for 1d8 points of damage (1d6 for a small club or 1d12 for a large club). It has a +1 enhancement bonus and is treated as a magical weapon for purposes of damage reduction. The weapon remains for a number of rounds equal to your class level before it returns to its original form as long as it remains in your possession. The club immediately reverts back to its original form once it leaves your grasp. You may use this power a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.

Thornweld (Sp)

At 8th level you may spend a standard action placing a thorn from blackthorn tree on the ground and it will grow into a large prickly barrier as the wall of thorns spell, treating your class level as the effective caster level.

Unlike the spell, the barrier only lasts for a number of minutes equal to your class level and it springs up from where you placed the thorn. You may use this power once a day, plus an additional use at 12th, 16th, and 20th level, though you may only have one barrier in existence at a time. Initiating a new barrier while the prior barrier still exists causes the prior barrier to immediately vanish.