Bladesinger
Bladesinging is an ancient, sacred elvish tradition. It blends the arcane magic of a wizard with martial skill and gracefulness. To an untrained observer, a bladesinger's movements in combat appear to be dance-like, but they are highly deadly. The art of bladesinging is kept secret among its practitioners, and only elves or half-elves are permitted to learn it.
Traditionally, the teaching of bladesinging is done on a master-apprentice basis. A master would take on a single apprentice and train them in both martial and intellectual pursuits. However, a number of families and styles of bladesinging have developed.
The Cat family employs swords. The Lion style is the oldest, using a longsword and generalist spells. The Leopard style focuses on the use of the shortsword and illusion spells, emphasising stealth. Red Tiger style, a fairly new one, uses the scimitar in a whirling dance of defence, from which sudden leaps and attacks emerge.
The Bird family focuses on hafted weapons not typically associated with elves, such as axes and hammers, and are newer than the more estabished Cat styles. Eagle style bladesingers use small handaxes, often focusing their maneuvers on fluidly throwing and drawing new ones. The Raven style employs a war pick, and spells that grant the wielder more agility in combat.
The Snake family uses weapons such as flails, chains, and whips. The Viper style is ancient, almost as old as the Lion style, using a whip. Its users rapidly crack their weapon, keeping foes at bay and allowing the bladesinger to cast the poison spells favoured by this style.
Traditionally, the teaching of bladesinging is done on a master-apprentice basis. A master would take on a single apprentice and train them in both martial and intellectual pursuits. However, a number of families and styles of bladesinging have developed.
The Cat family employs swords. The Lion style is the oldest, using a longsword and generalist spells. The Leopard style focuses on the use of the shortsword and illusion spells, emphasising stealth. Red Tiger style, a fairly new one, uses the scimitar in a whirling dance of defence, from which sudden leaps and attacks emerge.
The Bird family focuses on hafted weapons not typically associated with elves, such as axes and hammers, and are newer than the more estabished Cat styles. Eagle style bladesingers use small handaxes, often focusing their maneuvers on fluidly throwing and drawing new ones. The Raven style employs a war pick, and spells that grant the wielder more agility in combat.
The Snake family uses weapons such as flails, chains, and whips. The Viper style is ancient, almost as old as the Lion style, using a whip. Its users rapidly crack their weapon, keeping foes at bay and allowing the bladesinger to cast the poison spells favoured by this style.
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