The Bladesinger

Of the roving elves, there are as few as deadly as the Bladesinger. They are masters of their weapons and have spent their lives in the study of there chosen weapons. They have also learned to cast spells while engaged in combat, and thus double their might.

The Bladesinger chooses one weapon and practices with it extensively, to the exclusion of most other weapons. If practice makes perfect, the Bladesingers are very well practiced in their weapon of choice. For they are virtually perfect.

The poised steps of the Bladesong (the act of attack by the Bladesinger) not only reveals the Bladesinger to be a creature of beauty even during battle, but the steps also carry him into advantageous positions for either offense or defense. He can instinctively grasp the flow of the battle around him, and his feet will carry him through the intricate maneuvers necessary to optimize his attack.

The Bladesong is so named for several reasons. The first and most obvious is because of the whistling of the blade as it slices through the air when this fighting style is used. The second is for the haunting, wordless tune many of its practitioners sing as they fight.

Those who practice the Bladesong appear as if they are dancing when they fight. Their movements seem to misleadingly slow and elegant, deflecting opponents' blades while lazily drifting back to score hits themselves. The technique requires, above all, misdirection and subtlety. The Bladesingers do not believe in smashing blows or strong and crushing offense, but rather in guiding their opponents to anticipate a different attack entirely, thus overbalancing the foe and making him seem clumsy.

The Bladesong is usually only taught to true elves. But, a few other races are sometimes able to ascend to the status of Bladesinger. Although, this is few and far between.

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