Bladesinger

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The Bladesinger first appeared as a character kit in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition supplement The Complete Book of Elves, and was later updated as a Prestige Class for 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons in both the Tome and Blood and Races of Faerun supplements. It was further revised to the 3.5 Edition of Dungeons & Dragons in The Complete Warrior.

Bladesingers are elves who have blended art, swordplay, and arcane magic into a seamless whole. They use very discrete tactics and precise movement in battle to maintain a highly effective combat defense. Using a mixture of arcane and martial abilities, Bladesingers act as roving guardians of elven culture, seeking to promote elven ideals, and as protectors and champions of the elven community.

The Bladesong is an extremely demanding martial art, the epitome of elven mastery of the sword, taking decades to learn, and never taught to those not of elven blood. It is debatable whether non-elves would even be able to learn the art, both because of the great amount of time needed to master even the basics, and because a certain amount of elven grace may be required to use it effectively. The Bladesong is a primarily defensive style of combat, with devastating strikes considered less important than a superior guard position. From this superior defensive posture magical attacks and spells may be used without fear of successful counter-attack, when performed by an elf fully proficient in the style. In addition to the violent purpose inherent to all martial arts, the Bladesong is uniquely elven in the fact that the aesthetic components of the style are as important as it's martial efficacy, with its dance-like movements and the haunting whistling sounds produced by the sword blade cutting through the air being the source of the name Bladesong.

Bladesingers have a prominent place in the society of the elves of the Forgotten Realms setting, being renowned as heroes of the elven race, and welcomed in elven communities. The Bladesingers of Faerun are taught in a single master-apprentice tutelage system, with a master taking on a single apprentice to carry on the work of defending the Tel-Quessir and promoting their principals and way of life.

[edit] References

Complete Book of Elves AD&D 2nd Edition supplement, Races of Faerun, Complete Warrior, D&D