Duskblades in the realms [Archive] - Wizards Community

Duskblades in the realms [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Hideous Phidias
12-25-07, 10:54 PM I just started a new dwarven campaign in the realms. There are five of us and I need to work on my back story. The party is made up of a cleric of Mordain, a ranger, a rogue a wizard and my duskblade. I am a mercenary giving protection to the cleric.

I was wondering if anyone know anything about duskblades in the shining south or at least a group or guild that may fit the bill? thanks
Lord Karsus
12-26-07, 01:07 AM -This is the only official stuff we have on Faerûnian Duskblades:

In the ancient Vyshaanti fighting academies, a martial style developed among young elves who were gifted in fighting and magic. This was a divergent path of bladesinging -- a more brutal style that incorporated heavier armor and more deadly spells. Originally known as Nael'kerym, these warriors greatly complemented bladesingers. They were meant to be heavy combat spellblades, while the bladesingers acted as precision skirmishers.

When the army of Aryvandaar invaded Shantel Othreier in -10,900, the heavily armored spellblade contingent was faced with a terrible decision. Witnessing their nation invading an allied land, trafficking with infernal powers, and showing a complete disregard for the lives of their kin, these warriors were torn between abandoning their nation or slaughtering their brethren. Heated discussion occurred at the war council. One side was firmly in support of the Vyshaanti, citing a variety of reasons why the attack was just. To the other side, these explanations and excuses rang hollow.

Before the war council could resolve this thorny question, a fast-moving orc horde fell upon both armies. The loyalists stayed with the Aryvandaaran forces, slaughtering elf and orc alike. The dissenters fought orcs only, attempting to stay away from both other contingents and meeting mostly with success.

Afterward, the warriors who slew indiscriminately became known as duskblades. They received this name because their contingent broke through the Shantel Othreier line at dusk, cresting a hill toward victory. Survivors of the enemy forces described these warriors as frightening blurs of magic and metal, shining in the fading orange sun like vengeful, fallen angels.

Following the massacre, the duskblades came to be thought of as "steel dancers," or H'ei'Yal Drathinmaleé. Those that cleaved through their brethren with sword and spell became ignominious symbols of Aryvandaaran treachery. The dissenters were forgotten, a footnote in most elven lore tomes. When the Vyshaanti, and later the Dlardrageth, descended into the evil of infernal lore, the duskblades became symbols for the corruption of the ancient bladesinging tradition.

The dissenters at the battle for Northern Shantel Othreier may have been forgotten, but the tradition did not end there. Valorous duskblades remained, helping Shantel Othreier until the end, as well as other invaded kingdoms. They constantly proved their valor in these battles, but eventually, their tradition all but died out when the Vyshaanti succeeded in conquering the rest of the elven realms. When the Vyshaan reign came to an end, many of the duskblades died with it. Later, some were sealed in Nar Kerymhoarth with the rest of the Fey'ri legion. They were recently seen among the Fey'ri army led by Sarya Dlardrageth.

A few of the duskblade dissenters remained after the Crown Wars, passing down the tradition through the generations. Eventually, this art became mostly lost, something that was practiced only secretly for fear of association with the Vyshaanti. Future duskblades hid their abilities, mimicking the more fluid styles of the bladesingers by wearing mithral armor and studying music and dance. They knew that if their true abilities were revealed, they would be associated with the treachery of the crown wars.

Thousands of years have passed, and the duskblade tradition is all but forgotten. Here and there, an elven warrior learns this tradition from a mentor, usually unaware of its dark origin. Most current duskblades are sun elves, but there are members from other subraces.

There are no formal groups of duskblades in Faerun. The study of this art is always passed down by an experienced mentor to a promising young elven warrior. Many young duskblades do not learn anything about their history until centuries into their studies. The secrets are jealously guarded by justifiably cautious mentors.

The greatest concentration of duskblades seems to be in Silverymoon, but there are a number in Evereska and the new settlements in Cormanthor. For the most part, these are valorous elven warriors. Small numbers of duskblades closer to the Vyshaanti ideal are hidden among members of the Eldreth Veluuthra and in some of the sun elf noble houses of Evermeet.

Duskblades serving the Eldreth Veluuthra are often called "cleansing blades" (Uluuth Phlarenn), a name sometimes used as an alternative for the entire organization.
For those wishing to utilize the history of the duskblades in Faerun but without incorporating the class into their games, there is an alternative. It is easy enough to use the bladesinger prestige class from Races of Faerun. Use the Battle Caster feat from Complete Arcana to allow bladesingers to wear mithral full plate. The rest is just character choices and style.
Ody_Saraph_of_Karsus
12-26-07, 01:10 AM http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frcc/20070228

That's all i can do for you at this time (I'm a lil "tipsy")
Lord Karsus
12-26-07, 01:35 AM http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frcc/20070228

That's all i can do for you at this time (I'm a lil "tipsy")

-That's what I just posted. ;)
Ody_Saraph_of_Karsus
12-26-07, 01:46 AM I know, I was looking for the article just while you did all that OR I have a 3 min reaction time :)
Lord Karsus
12-26-07, 01:50 AM I know, I was looking for the article just while you did all that OR I have a 3 min reaction time :)

-Eh, either way, no harm, no foul.
MerrikCale
12-26-07, 08:48 PM I was wondering if anyone know anything about duskblades in the shining south or at least a group or guild that may fit the bill? thanks

Probably not. Other than the aforementioned article there is no other info on duskblades in the Realms. And since the class is out in 4e I doubt there will ever be
Lord Karsus
12-27-07, 12:13 AM Probably not. Other than the aforementioned article there is no other info on duskblades in the Realms. And since the class is out in 4e I doubt there will ever be

-That class came and went rather quietly. Oh well...
Hideous Phidias
12-27-07, 12:28 AM Thanks that was what I was looking for.
Lord Karsus
12-27-07, 01:37 AM -No problem.
MerrikCale
12-27-07, 11:01 AM -That class came and went rather quietly. Oh well...

I thought it was rather dull myself.
The_Shaman
12-27-07, 11:22 AM I just started a new dwarven campaign in the realms. There are five of us and I need to work on my back story. The party is made up of a cleric of Mordain, a ranger, a rogue a wizard and my duskblade. I am a mercenary giving protection to the cleric.

I was wondering if anyone know anything about duskblades in the shining south or at least a group or guild that may fit the bill? thanks

Well, it would take having both a great magical tradition and martial schools. In the South, Haalrua has the former, but I'm not aware of it having the latter... Yet based only on the Duskblades' affinity for magic, Haalrua might be where you want to start.
Suin Bahhar
12-27-07, 01:44 PM Bernsteins article suggests the Duskblade art was thaught by sun elves exclusively in the realms. So a recently thaught human could come from Evereska (or someplace else where sun elves reside) and an old tradition of human duskblades could have secretly been hidden somewhere near Myth Drannor in the Dales.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Hideous Phidias 12-25-07, 10:54 PM	I just started a new dwarven campaign in the realms. There are five of us and I need to work on my back story. The party is made up of a cleric of Mordain, a ranger, a rogue a wizard and my duskblade. I am a mercenary giving protection to the cleric. I was wondering if anyone know anything about duskblades in the shining south or at least a group or guild that may fit the bill? thanks
Lord Karsus 12-26-07, 01:07 AM	-This is the only official stuff we have on Faerûnian Duskblades: In the ancient Vyshaanti fighting academies, a martial style developed among young elves who were gifted in fighting and magic. This was a divergent path of bladesinging -- a more brutal style that incorporated heavier armor and more deadly spells. Originally known as Nael'kerym, these warriors greatly complemented bladesingers. They were meant to be heavy combat spellblades, while the bladesingers acted as precision skirmishers. When the army of Aryvandaar invaded Shantel Othreier in -10,900, the heavily armored spellblade contingent was faced with a terrible decision. Witnessing their nation invading an allied land, trafficking with infernal powers, and showing a complete disregard for the lives of their kin, these warriors were torn between abandoning their nation or slaughtering their brethren. Heated discussion occurred at the war council. One side was firmly in support of the Vyshaanti, citing a variety of reasons why the attack was just. To the other side, these explanations and excuses rang hollow. Before the war council could resolve this thorny question, a fast-moving orc horde fell upon both armies. The loyalists stayed with the Aryvandaaran forces, slaughtering elf and orc alike. The dissenters fought orcs only, attempting to stay away from both other contingents and meeting mostly with success. Afterward, the warriors who slew indiscriminately became known as duskblades. They received this name because their contingent broke through the Shantel Othreier line at dusk, cresting a hill toward victory. Survivors of the enemy forces described these warriors as frightening blurs of magic and metal, shining in the fading orange sun like vengeful, fallen angels. Following the massacre, the duskblades came to be thought of as "steel dancers," or H'ei'Yal Drathinmaleé. Those that cleaved through their brethren with sword and spell became ignominious symbols of Aryvandaaran treachery. The dissenters were forgotten, a footnote in most elven lore tomes. When the Vyshaanti, and later the Dlardrageth, descended into the evil of infernal lore, the duskblades became symbols for the corruption of the ancient bladesinging tradition. The dissenters at the battle for Northern Shantel Othreier may have been forgotten, but the tradition did not end there. Valorous duskblades remained, helping Shantel Othreier until the end, as well as other invaded kingdoms. They constantly proved their valor in these battles, but eventually, their tradition all but died out when the Vyshaanti succeeded in conquering the rest of the elven realms. When the Vyshaan reign came to an end, many of the duskblades died with it. Later, some were sealed in Nar Kerymhoarth with the rest of the Fey'ri legion. They were recently seen among the Fey'ri army led by Sarya Dlardrageth. A few of the duskblade dissenters remained after the Crown Wars, passing down the tradition through the generations. Eventually, this art became mostly lost, something that was practiced only secretly for fear of association with the Vyshaanti. Future duskblades hid their abilities, mimicking the more fluid styles of the bladesingers by wearing mithral armor and studying music and dance. They knew that if their true abilities were revealed, they would be associated with the treachery of the crown wars. Thousands of years have passed, and the duskblade tradition is all but forgotten. Here and there, an elven warrior learns this tradition from a mentor, usually unaware of its dark origin. Most current duskblades are sun elves, but there are members from other subraces. There are no formal groups of duskblades in Faerun. The study of this art is always passed down by an experienced mentor to a promising young elven warrior. Many young duskblades do not learn anything about their history until centuries into their studies. The secrets are jealously guarded by justifiably cautious mentors. The greatest concentration of duskblades seems to be in Silverymoon, but there are a number in Evereska and the new settlements in Cormanthor. For the most part, these are valorous elven warriors. Small numbers of duskblades closer to the Vyshaanti ideal are hidden among members of the Eldreth Veluuthra and in some of the sun elf noble houses of Evermeet. Duskblades serving the Eldreth Veluuthra are often called "cleansing blades" (Uluuth Phlarenn), a name sometimes used as an alternative for the entire organization. For those wishing to utilize the history of the duskblades in Faerun but without incorporating the class into their games, there is an alternative. It is easy enough to use the bladesinger prestige class from Races of Faerun. Use the Battle Caster feat from Complete Arcana to allow bladesingers to wear mithral full plate. The rest is just character choices and style.
Ody_Saraph_of_Karsus 12-26-07, 01:10 AM	http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frcc/20070228 That's all i can do for you at this time (I'm a lil "tipsy")
Lord Karsus 12-26-07, 01:35 AM	http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frcc/20070228 That's all i can do for you at this time (I'm a lil "tipsy") -That's what I just posted. ;)
Ody_Saraph_of_Karsus 12-26-07, 01:46 AM	I know, I was looking for the article just while you did all that OR I have a 3 min reaction time :)
Lord Karsus 12-26-07, 01:50 AM	I know, I was looking for the article just while you did all that OR I have a 3 min reaction time :) -Eh, either way, no harm, no foul.
MerrikCale 12-26-07, 08:48 PM	I was wondering if anyone know anything about duskblades in the shining south or at least a group or guild that may fit the bill? thanks Probably not. Other than the aforementioned article there is no other info on duskblades in the Realms. And since the class is out in 4e I doubt there will ever be
Lord Karsus 12-27-07, 12:13 AM	Probably not. Other than the aforementioned article there is no other info on duskblades in the Realms. And since the class is out in 4e I doubt there will ever be -That class came and went rather quietly. Oh well...
Hideous Phidias 12-27-07, 12:28 AM	Thanks that was what I was looking for.
Lord Karsus 12-27-07, 01:37 AM	-No problem.
MerrikCale 12-27-07, 11:01 AM	-That class came and went rather quietly. Oh well... I thought it was rather dull myself.
The_Shaman 12-27-07, 11:22 AM	I just started a new dwarven campaign in the realms. There are five of us and I need to work on my back story. The party is made up of a cleric of Mordain, a ranger, a rogue a wizard and my duskblade. I am a mercenary giving protection to the cleric. I was wondering if anyone know anything about duskblades in the shining south or at least a group or guild that may fit the bill? thanks Well, it would take having both a great magical tradition and martial schools. In the South, Haalrua has the former, but I'm not aware of it having the latter... Yet based only on the Duskblades' affinity for magic, Haalrua might be where you want to start.
Suin Bahhar 12-27-07, 01:44 PM	Bernsteins article suggests the Duskblade art was thaught by sun elves exclusively in the realms. So a recently thaught human could come from Evereska (or someplace else where sun elves reside) and an old tradition of human duskblades could have secretly been hidden somewhere near Myth Drannor in the Dales.