Elven martial arts? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Elven martial arts? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
varyar
05-13-07, 02:10 PM I was wondering if there are any canon references to elven martial arts in the Realms. The current arc of an FR one-on-one game I'm in is about to end and I was thinking it might be fun if my character (a paladin of Vandria Gilmadrith - yes, yes, not Realms canon, I know) put some time into learning a fighting art of the Tel'Quessir that didn't relate to swords in the downtime before the next campaign later this year.

So - are there? :)

EDIT: And wow, I sure posted this in the wrong forum, didn't I? :eek:
Derren S.
05-13-07, 02:55 PM I don't think that elves would be very fond of fighting weaponless. They are more dexterous which is a big part of martial arts but they also tire more quickly are less though.

If elves have a special form of martial arts then it would probably revolve around outmaneuvering the enemy and to get into the position for a crippling strike very fast because in a prolonged fight the enemy has the advantage.
Or their martial arts are magic infused.
Khaelieth
05-13-07, 03:33 PM I believe the Drow have one, the Blackened Fists or something.
The Ubbergeek
05-13-07, 03:54 PM martial arts can be armed or unarmed :) think like Kendo - iaido, by example, or the armed kung-fu forms. :)

The elves always struck me as excellent fencers, and you surely have different variations of styles, be it the traditional elven courteous forms, the drow fencing, the eilistrean 'dancing sword' variations, etc....

And surely, a mastery of the bow as well, like the japanese Kiaido (spelling?).
Suin Bahhar
05-13-07, 04:52 PM Elven martial art IS their swordplay in my view. I could even imagine a certain emblem to show an elfs skill at various levels of swordplay ala the black belt system of modern martial arts.

But unarmed styles could have emerged by the more barbaric elves (wild or woodelves). A controlled but savage style emphasizing speed and crippling holds (a bit like a cross between ninjutsu and aikido) could form from this. I guess an animal kung fu-like martial art would be the most attractive human martial art school for elves.
ElberethSilverleaf
05-14-07, 12:47 AM It's called Bladesinger............................. .......
boards
05-14-07, 07:17 AM Given there smaller size and physique they would most likely pick a grappling art that relies on using the opponents energy against them, perhaps something like akido. I don't "think" that you will find a cannon unarmed martial arts for elves as with the exception of wresting and boxing, they seem to be confined to monk orders or the Shou. I don't know of any elven monk order, unless you count the ps2 Baldurs Gate 2 game as cannon (Drow).
Personally I would imagine that every elf warrior (or any race) would learn unarmed combat as they generally go hand in hand with armed combat, if you want to add an elven fighting style perhaps the priesthood of Corellon have a style in accordance with his warfare portfollio ie master every form of fighting.

Ubergeek: it is spelt Kyudo:elf:
Another Gnome
05-14-07, 07:34 AM Elves aren't as robust as humans, but they're not small as such. Well, except for drow. Which always makes me giggle when I imagine this supremely powerful drow matron approaching a human captive all high and mighty... only to barely reach his chin. And the poor guy starts squirming as he waits for the upcoming torture because he can't keep himself from laughing at a little girl screaming curses at him in a squeaky voice. But that's besides the point.

Yes. The point is that elves are not skinny, but rather wiry, like Bruce Lee. They can pack a mean punch if they want, without needing to resort to prancing and dancing around the opponent. Which is not to say most of them silly elfses wouldn't do that anyway, but they don't have to.
Khaelieth
05-14-07, 09:18 AM It's called Bladesinger............................. .......

I think Varyar meant unarmed ones, but I definitely agree with you. That is the martial art of the elves.
varyar
05-14-07, 11:00 AM I think Varyar meant unarmed ones, but I definitely agree with you. That is the martial art of the elves.

True enough, but elves are a big culture. They can have more than one martial arts, even if bladesong is the primary one. :)

Idle thought - a fighter/wizard martial art, using certain buff spells to enhance your unarmed physical prowess before and during the battle.
The Ubbergeek
05-14-07, 11:45 AM again, on the armed side, let us not forget that elves surely have something like Kyudo (the art of the bow).
boards
05-15-07, 07:36 AM You could probably make a fair case for that to be a spell archer.
Vladhslavh
05-15-07, 12:43 PM hum... "Arcane Archery" could be considered a Elven martial art too... no?
GothicDan
05-15-07, 12:45 PM The ultimate Elven Martial Art: Bladesong.
Critalondel
05-16-07, 02:06 AM Just get yourself a feat or two like Dodge, or Combat Reflexes, and describe it as some uber-cool training in the secret elven style of lightning-fast combat. *shrugs*
varyar
05-16-07, 01:35 PM If none exist, make up your own!

Dala'Drannor

While the El'Tael (Bladesingers) are without doubt the most renowned martial artists of elven society, their ancient style is not the only one the Tel'Quessir practice.

Eons ago, during the glory of the First Flowering, the sun elf warrior Shandariel Sunalith, a noble daughter of a noble house of Aryvandaar, developed the art of Dala'Drannor or Battle Song. Shandariel was proficient with the blade, as nearly all elves were (and are), but in her travels throughout Faerūn, she often did battle with the still-mighty
giants. During one such skirmish, Shandariel's blade was broken by a mighty stone giant warrior, and she was forced to face him with no weapons aside from those she was born with. After an epic struggle, Shandariel managed to slay the giant champion.

Upon her return to her home city, Shandariel forsook the blade and began honing the skills that had let her survive against the giant. After long decades of training, meditation and testing, Shandariel developed Dala'Drannor, a new and wholly elven martial art. Dala'Drannor is a style that emphasizes speed and acrobatics, allowing the relatively frail elves to make best use of their natural agility. A Gisiae Dala'Drannor, as a practicioner of the art is known, uses feints, sweeps, kicks and tumbles in order to outpace their opponent and strike where he is weakest.
Shandariel taught that the concepts of seperate 'attack' and 'defense' are artificial constraints, and that a Gisiae Dala'Drannor should instead adopt a more holistic approach. Defensive tumbles are simply positioning for a new attack, for example. Shandariel felt this attitude was better suited to the fluid elven mind, even if in practice the movements of attack and defense are still distinctive.

(In real world terms, Dala'Drannor is probably most like capoeira or a similar martial art.)

While Shandariel's innovative new style earned little more than scorn from most of her kin (after all, why invent something new when the art of bladesong existed in its deadly glory?), but after a few centuries, Shandariel's success in battle against the many giants and goblinoids that threatened Aryvandaar and its fellow elf kingdoms gained her a few followers. There were never many Gisir Dala'Drannor, as the Kara-Tur notions of schools and orders were utterly alien to the elves. Shandariel taught Dala'Drannor to a few promising pupils, but never took on more than one student at a time. Likewise, her students never taught more than one pupil at a time. This tradition continues to this very day, and it is believed there are no more than a dozen Gisir Dala'Drannor in all of Faerūn. The most well known is Jastra Sunalith (CG female sun elf fighter 14), a distant descendent of Shandariel who dwells in Evermeet.

***

Whaddaya think, sirs?
GothicDan
05-16-07, 02:37 PM Oddly enough.... I like it, so far.

It'd be cool to work this into a PrC that emphasizes the Sun Elves' connection to the Weave, to perhaps add a few special abilities without making it seem too Asian. Not as Wizard-Fighter like as the Bladesinger (since Sun Elves tend to focus more on one path), but something more streamlined and less variable.
varyar
05-16-07, 03:46 PM Oddly enough.... I like it, so far.

... thanks?

;)

It'd be cool to work this into a PrC that emphasizes the Sun Elves' connection to the Weave, to perhaps add a few special abilities without making it seem too Asian. Not as Wizard-Fighter like as the Bladesinger (since Sun Elves tend to focus more on one path), but something more streamlined and less variable.

I'll see what I can come up with, although the crunch usually laughs at me and steals my lunch money.
GothicDan
05-16-07, 03:50 PM I know how you feel. I'm half-assing the idea of a PrC to represent the archetypal Sun Elven Fighter (solid Fighter, no multiclassing) in another thread...

Stupid crunch.

And you should say thanks! Me saying I approve of an Elven idea is like woah. ;) Especially because I usually hate the Monk class, as it's normally represented.
varyar
05-16-07, 04:01 PM I know how you feel. I'm half-assing the idea of a PrC to represent the archetypal Sun Elven Fighter (solid Fighter, no multiclassing) in another thread...

Stupid crunch.

Yeah. But I'd love to see that PrC. I loves me some sun elves.

And you should say thanks! Me saying I approve of an Elven idea is like woah. ;) Especially because I usually hate the Monk class, as it's normally represented.

:)

I don't think monks fit very well in FR, despite my absolute love for the Shaw Brothers genre.
GothicDan
05-16-07, 04:03 PM <3 for a fellow Sun Elf lover!

And, I think your take on an Sun Elven Monk works really well. So well, in fact, that I wish we could just get rid of the name 'Monk' for the class altogether. In some ways, it'd almost be better represented by a PrC based on an unarmed Fighter specialist, rather than a Monk, since the latter has culture almost literally built into it.
varyar
05-16-07, 05:02 PM <3 for a fellow Sun Elf lover!

And, I think your take on an Sun Elven Monk works really well. So well, in fact, that I wish we could just get rid of the name 'Monk' for the class altogether. In some ways, it'd almost be better represented by a PrC based on an unarmed Fighter specialist, rather than a Monk, since the latter has culture almost literally built into it.

Indeed.

Like I said, I'm not so great at the crunch, but here's my first stab at a battlesinger PrC. If anybody knows how to do that funky table thing, please let me know. :D

BATTLESINGER

Battlesingers (Gisir Dala'Drannor in elvish) are the rare and elite practicioners of an elven martial art that emphasizes agility and a fluid approach to battle. Much like certain human martial arts, battlesong concentrates on nimble flips, tumbles and leaps to out-maneuver foes, and then unleashing precise, devastating strikes to bring them down. The handful of Gisir Dala'Drannor in an elven society are often admired for their skill even if few elves know what to make of their unorthodox style, so unlike the traditional elven styles of blade and bow.

Almost all battlesingers are fighters. Some rangers and bards, and a very few militant clerics, also take up the art of Dala'Drannor in order to better serve and protect the elven community and the Seldarine. Rogues, druids, wizards and the rare elven sorcerers are too focused on their own callings to devote time to battlesong.

Many battlesingers are lone wanderers, journeying in the lands just beyond the borders of an elf realm in order to combat the threats that lurk in the wilderness. NPC battlesingers usually remain in elven cities or their own secluded dwellings, honing their skills and taking on a promising pupil every century or so.
Hit Die: d8

Requirements
To qualify to become a battlesinger, a character must fulfil all the following criteria.
Race: Elf or half-elf.
Base Attack Bonus: +4
Skills: Balance 4 ranks, Jump 2 ranks, Tumble 4 ranks
Feats: Dodge, Mobility, Improved Unarmed Strike, Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike)

Class Skills
The battlesinger's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the battlesinger prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Battlesingers gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.
AC Bonus (Ex): Battlesingers are highly trained at evading blows, almost to a supernatural level. This ability functions exactly like the monk's AC bonus, except it allows elves wearing elven chainmail to gain the AC bonus.
Flurry of Blows (Ex): This ability is identical to that of the monk, except it can only be used with unarmed attacks and not monk weapons (kama, nunchaku, quarterstaff, sai, shuriken, and siangham).
Bonus Feat: At second, fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth level, a battlesinger can choose a bonus feat drawn from the following list: Acrobatic, Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Greater Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike), Greater Weapon Specialization (Unarmed Strike), Improved Feint, Improved Grapple, Spring Attack, Stunning Fist, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Specialization (Unarmed Strike) and Whirlwind Attack.
Evasion (Ex): This ability functions the same as that of the monk.
Fast Movement (Ex): As the monk ability of the same name, except battlesingers wearing elven chainmail still get the bonus to their speed.
Greater Flurry (Ex): As the monk ability of the same name (with the same battlesinger restriction as on Flurry of Blows).
Slow Fall (Ex): This ability is the same as that of the monk.

Level - BAB - Fort - Ref - Will - Special - Flurry of Blows Attack Bonus -Unarmed Damage - AC Bonus - Unarmored Speed Bonus

1st +1 +2 +2 +2 AC bonus, flurry of blows -2/-2 1d6 +0 +0 ft.
2nd +2 +3 +3 +3 Bonus feat -1/-1 1d6 +0 +0 ft.
3rd +3 +3 +3 +3 Evasion +0/+0 1d6 +0 +0 ft.
4th +4 +4 +4 +4 Bonus feat +1/+1 1d8 +0 +0 ft.
5th +5 +4 +4 +4 Fast movement +2/+2 1d8 +1 +10 ft.
6th +6 +5 +5 +5 Bonus feat +3/+3 1d8 +1 +10 ft.
7th +7 +5 +5 +5 Greater flurry +4/+4 1d8 +1 +10 ft.
8th +8 +6 +6 +6 Bonus feat +5/+5/+0 1d10 +1 +20 ft.
9th +9 +6 +6 +6 Slow fall 20 ft. +6/+6/+1 1d10 +1 +20 ft.
10th +10 +7 +7 +7 Bonus feat +7/+7/+2 1d10 +2 +20 ft.
GothicDan
05-16-07, 05:16 PM Not bad! Nice, cut, and cry, with a good amount of Bonus Feats for filling in fluff... I like it a lot!

And it actually ended up having a lot of the same elements I was looking at for my own PrC - dodge, mobility, evasion...
varyar
05-16-07, 08:23 PM Not bad! Nice, cut, and cry, with a good amount of Bonus Feats for filling in fluff... I like it a lot!

Thanks!

And it actually ended up having a lot of the same elements I was looking at for my own PrC - dodge, mobility, evasion...

Cool. You should still finish and post yours. I wanna see! :)
GothicDan
05-16-07, 10:16 PM I'll work on it and see if I can't get it up and ready tomorrow at some point. :)

I'm thinking I'm going to go with Sun Dancers. (And try to find an equivalent in Elven.) Or Dancers on the Edge of the Sun..
Suin Bahhar
05-16-07, 10:43 PM Just one thing.. do these battlesingers sing while kicking orc and giant butt? I'd give them more powerful supernatural attacks and abilities in that case.

Maybe something like:

Willow Strike (Ex) Battlesingers of 2nd level are highly trained at evading blows and striking at the same time. This ability functions as the soon as the target of the battlesingers dodge feat misses an attack. The Battlesinger is allowed a single attack (as an AoO) with a +2 bonus to hit vs the attacker.

Oaken Blow (Su) Battlesingers of 5th level and higer can treat their unarmed strikes as adamentine and magic.

Battlesong(Su) Battlesingers chant a song similar yet different to the Bladesong. This allowes the minor spellcasting. (More to come)

Maybe the battlesong is like the bards inspirational abilities but I would prefer a more arcane aprouch to this martial art. Haste spells, and minor telekinesis and mirror image would make an terrible sight of a Battlesinger in action against giants.
GothicDan
05-16-07, 10:59 PM Hm. If it's a Sun Elven path, I wouldn't mind seeing a few inborn traits built in, rather than feats. If it was Moon Elf, I'd say to keep it as Bonus Feats..

I could personally go either way. :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
varyar 05-13-07, 02:10 PM	I was wondering if there are any canon references to elven martial arts in the Realms. The current arc of an FR one-on-one game I'm in is about to end and I was thinking it might be fun if my character (a paladin of Vandria Gilmadrith - yes, yes, not Realms canon, I know) put some time into learning a fighting art of the Tel'Quessir that didn't relate to swords in the downtime before the next campaign later this year. So - are there? :) EDIT: And wow, I sure posted this in the wrong forum, didn't I? :eek:
Derren S. 05-13-07, 02:55 PM	I don't think that elves would be very fond of fighting weaponless. They are more dexterous which is a big part of martial arts but they also tire more quickly are less though. If elves have a special form of martial arts then it would probably revolve around outmaneuvering the enemy and to get into the position for a crippling strike very fast because in a prolonged fight the enemy has the advantage. Or their martial arts are magic infused.
Khaelieth 05-13-07, 03:33 PM	I believe the Drow have one, the Blackened Fists or something.
The Ubbergeek 05-13-07, 03:54 PM	martial arts can be armed or unarmed :) think like Kendo - iaido, by example, or the armed kung-fu forms. :) The elves always struck me as excellent fencers, and you surely have different variations of styles, be it the traditional elven courteous forms, the drow fencing, the eilistrean 'dancing sword' variations, etc.... And surely, a mastery of the bow as well, like the japanese Kiaido (spelling?).
Suin Bahhar 05-13-07, 04:52 PM	Elven martial art IS their swordplay in my view. I could even imagine a certain emblem to show an elfs skill at various levels of swordplay ala the black belt system of modern martial arts. But unarmed styles could have emerged by the more barbaric elves (wild or woodelves). A controlled but savage style emphasizing speed and crippling holds (a bit like a cross between ninjutsu and aikido) could form from this. I guess an animal kung fu-like martial art would be the most attractive human martial art school for elves.
ElberethSilverleaf 05-14-07, 12:47 AM	It's called Bladesinger............................. .......
boards 05-14-07, 07:17 AM	Given there smaller size and physique they would most likely pick a grappling art that relies on using the opponents energy against them, perhaps something like akido. I don't "think" that you will find a cannon unarmed martial arts for elves as with the exception of wresting and boxing, they seem to be confined to monk orders or the Shou. I don't know of any elven monk order, unless you count the ps2 Baldurs Gate 2 game as cannon (Drow). Personally I would imagine that every elf warrior (or any race) would learn unarmed combat as they generally go hand in hand with armed combat, if you want to add an elven fighting style perhaps the priesthood of Corellon have a style in accordance with his warfare portfollio ie master every form of fighting. Ubergeek: it is spelt Kyudo:elf:
Another Gnome 05-14-07, 07:34 AM	Elves aren't as robust as humans, but they're not small as such. Well, except for drow. Which always makes me giggle when I imagine this supremely powerful drow matron approaching a human captive all high and mighty... only to barely reach his chin. And the poor guy starts squirming as he waits for the upcoming torture because he can't keep himself from laughing at a little girl screaming curses at him in a squeaky voice. But that's besides the point. Yes. The point is that elves are not skinny, but rather wiry, like Bruce Lee. They can pack a mean punch if they want, without needing to resort to prancing and dancing around the opponent. Which is not to say most of them silly elfses wouldn't do that anyway, but they don't have to.
Khaelieth 05-14-07, 09:18 AM	It's called Bladesinger............................. ....... I think Varyar meant unarmed ones, but I definitely agree with you. That is the martial art of the elves.
varyar 05-14-07, 11:00 AM	I think Varyar meant unarmed ones, but I definitely agree with you. That is the martial art of the elves. True enough, but elves are a big culture. They can have more than one martial arts, even if bladesong is the primary one. :) Idle thought - a fighter/wizard martial art, using certain buff spells to enhance your unarmed physical prowess before and during the battle.
The Ubbergeek 05-14-07, 11:45 AM	again, on the armed side, let us not forget that elves surely have something like Kyudo (the art of the bow).
boards 05-15-07, 07:36 AM	You could probably make a fair case for that to be a spell archer.
Vladhslavh 05-15-07, 12:43 PM	hum... "Arcane Archery" could be considered a Elven martial art too... no?
GothicDan 05-15-07, 12:45 PM	The ultimate Elven Martial Art: Bladesong.
Critalondel 05-16-07, 02:06 AM	Just get yourself a feat or two like Dodge, or Combat Reflexes, and describe it as some uber-cool training in the secret elven style of lightning-fast combat. shrugs
varyar 05-16-07, 01:35 PM	If none exist, make up your own! Dala'Drannor While the El'Tael (Bladesingers) are without doubt the most renowned martial artists of elven society, their ancient style is not the only one the Tel'Quessir practice. Eons ago, during the glory of the First Flowering, the sun elf warrior Shandariel Sunalith, a noble daughter of a noble house of Aryvandaar, developed the art of Dala'Drannor or Battle Song. Shandariel was proficient with the blade, as nearly all elves were (and are), but in her travels throughout Faerūn, she often did battle with the still-mighty giants. During one such skirmish, Shandariel's blade was broken by a mighty stone giant warrior, and she was forced to face him with no weapons aside from those she was born with. After an epic struggle, Shandariel managed to slay the giant champion. Upon her return to her home city, Shandariel forsook the blade and began honing the skills that had let her survive against the giant. After long decades of training, meditation and testing, Shandariel developed Dala'Drannor, a new and wholly elven martial art. Dala'Drannor is a style that emphasizes speed and acrobatics, allowing the relatively frail elves to make best use of their natural agility. A Gisiae Dala'Drannor, as a practicioner of the art is known, uses feints, sweeps, kicks and tumbles in order to outpace their opponent and strike where he is weakest. Shandariel taught that the concepts of seperate 'attack' and 'defense' are artificial constraints, and that a Gisiae Dala'Drannor should instead adopt a more holistic approach. Defensive tumbles are simply positioning for a new attack, for example. Shandariel felt this attitude was better suited to the fluid elven mind, even if in practice the movements of attack and defense are still distinctive. (In real world terms, Dala'Drannor is probably most like capoeira or a similar martial art.) While Shandariel's innovative new style earned little more than scorn from most of her kin (after all, why invent something new when the art of bladesong existed in its deadly glory?), but after a few centuries, Shandariel's success in battle against the many giants and goblinoids that threatened Aryvandaar and its fellow elf kingdoms gained her a few followers. There were never many Gisir Dala'Drannor, as the Kara-Tur notions of schools and orders were utterly alien to the elves. Shandariel taught Dala'Drannor to a few promising pupils, but never took on more than one student at a time. Likewise, her students never taught more than one pupil at a time. This tradition continues to this very day, and it is believed there are no more than a dozen Gisir Dala'Drannor in all of Faerūn. The most well known is Jastra Sunalith (CG female sun elf fighter 14), a distant descendent of Shandariel who dwells in Evermeet. *** Whaddaya think, sirs?
GothicDan 05-16-07, 02:37 PM	Oddly enough.... I like it, so far. It'd be cool to work this into a PrC that emphasizes the Sun Elves' connection to the Weave, to perhaps add a few special abilities without making it seem too Asian. Not as Wizard-Fighter like as the Bladesinger (since Sun Elves tend to focus more on one path), but something more streamlined and less variable.
varyar 05-16-07, 03:46 PM	Oddly enough.... I like it, so far. ... thanks? ;) It'd be cool to work this into a PrC that emphasizes the Sun Elves' connection to the Weave, to perhaps add a few special abilities without making it seem too Asian. Not as Wizard-Fighter like as the Bladesinger (since Sun Elves tend to focus more on one path), but something more streamlined and less variable. I'll see what I can come up with, although the crunch usually laughs at me and steals my lunch money.
GothicDan 05-16-07, 03:50 PM	I know how you feel. I'm half-assing the idea of a PrC to represent the archetypal Sun Elven Fighter (solid Fighter, no multiclassing) in another thread... Stupid crunch. And you should say thanks! Me saying I approve of an Elven idea is like woah. ;) Especially because I usually hate the Monk class, as it's normally represented.
varyar 05-16-07, 04:01 PM	I know how you feel. I'm half-assing the idea of a PrC to represent the archetypal Sun Elven Fighter (solid Fighter, no multiclassing) in another thread... Stupid crunch. Yeah. But I'd love to see that PrC. I loves me some sun elves. And you should say thanks! Me saying I approve of an Elven idea is like woah. ;) Especially because I usually hate the Monk class, as it's normally represented. :) I don't think monks fit very well in FR, despite my absolute love for the Shaw Brothers genre.
GothicDan 05-16-07, 04:03 PM	<3 for a fellow Sun Elf lover! And, I think your take on an Sun Elven Monk works really well. So well, in fact, that I wish we could just get rid of the name 'Monk' for the class altogether. In some ways, it'd almost be better represented by a PrC based on an unarmed Fighter specialist, rather than a Monk, since the latter has culture almost literally built into it.
varyar 05-16-07, 05:02 PM	<3 for a fellow Sun Elf lover! And, I think your take on an Sun Elven Monk works really well. So well, in fact, that I wish we could just get rid of the name 'Monk' for the class altogether. In some ways, it'd almost be better represented by a PrC based on an unarmed Fighter specialist, rather than a Monk, since the latter has culture almost literally built into it. Indeed. Like I said, I'm not so great at the crunch, but here's my first stab at a battlesinger PrC. If anybody knows how to do that funky table thing, please let me know. :D BATTLESINGER Battlesingers (Gisir Dala'Drannor in elvish) are the rare and elite practicioners of an elven martial art that emphasizes agility and a fluid approach to battle. Much like certain human martial arts, battlesong concentrates on nimble flips, tumbles and leaps to out-maneuver foes, and then unleashing precise, devastating strikes to bring them down. The handful of Gisir Dala'Drannor in an elven society are often admired for their skill even if few elves know what to make of their unorthodox style, so unlike the traditional elven styles of blade and bow. Almost all battlesingers are fighters. Some rangers and bards, and a very few militant clerics, also take up the art of Dala'Drannor in order to better serve and protect the elven community and the Seldarine. Rogues, druids, wizards and the rare elven sorcerers are too focused on their own callings to devote time to battlesong. Many battlesingers are lone wanderers, journeying in the lands just beyond the borders of an elf realm in order to combat the threats that lurk in the wilderness. NPC battlesingers usually remain in elven cities or their own secluded dwellings, honing their skills and taking on a promising pupil every century or so. Hit Die: d8 Requirements To qualify to become a battlesinger, a character must fulfil all the following criteria. Race: Elf or half-elf. Base Attack Bonus: +4 Skills: Balance 4 ranks, Jump 2 ranks, Tumble 4 ranks Feats: Dodge, Mobility, Improved Unarmed Strike, Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike) Class Skills The battlesinger's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex). Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier. Class Features All of the following are class features of the battlesinger prestige class. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Battlesingers gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor. AC Bonus (Ex): Battlesingers are highly trained at evading blows, almost to a supernatural level. This ability functions exactly like the monk's AC bonus, except it allows elves wearing elven chainmail to gain the AC bonus. Flurry of Blows (Ex): This ability is identical to that of the monk, except it can only be used with unarmed attacks and not monk weapons (kama, nunchaku, quarterstaff, sai, shuriken, and siangham). Bonus Feat: At second, fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth level, a battlesinger can choose a bonus feat drawn from the following list: Acrobatic, Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Greater Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike), Greater Weapon Specialization (Unarmed Strike), Improved Feint, Improved Grapple, Spring Attack, Stunning Fist, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Specialization (Unarmed Strike) and Whirlwind Attack. Evasion (Ex): This ability functions the same as that of the monk. Fast Movement (Ex): As the monk ability of the same name, except battlesingers wearing elven chainmail still get the bonus to their speed. Greater Flurry (Ex): As the monk ability of the same name (with the same battlesinger restriction as on Flurry of Blows). Slow Fall (Ex): This ability is the same as that of the monk. Level - BAB - Fort - Ref - Will - Special - Flurry of Blows Attack Bonus -Unarmed Damage - AC Bonus - Unarmored Speed Bonus 1st +1 +2 +2 +2 AC bonus, flurry of blows -2/-2 1d6 +0 +0 ft. 2nd +2 +3 +3 +3 Bonus feat -1/-1 1d6 +0 +0 ft. 3rd +3 +3 +3 +3 Evasion +0/+0 1d6 +0 +0 ft. 4th +4 +4 +4 +4 Bonus feat +1/+1 1d8 +0 +0 ft. 5th +5 +4 +4 +4 Fast movement +2/+2 1d8 +1 +10 ft. 6th +6 +5 +5 +5 Bonus feat +3/+3 1d8 +1 +10 ft. 7th +7 +5 +5 +5 Greater flurry +4/+4 1d8 +1 +10 ft. 8th +8 +6 +6 +6 Bonus feat +5/+5/+0 1d10 +1 +20 ft. 9th +9 +6 +6 +6 Slow fall 20 ft. +6/+6/+1 1d10 +1 +20 ft. 10th +10 +7 +7 +7 Bonus feat +7/+7/+2 1d10 +2 +20 ft.
GothicDan 05-16-07, 05:16 PM	Not bad! Nice, cut, and cry, with a good amount of Bonus Feats for filling in fluff... I like it a lot! And it actually ended up having a lot of the same elements I was looking at for my own PrC - dodge, mobility, evasion...
varyar 05-16-07, 08:23 PM	Not bad! Nice, cut, and cry, with a good amount of Bonus Feats for filling in fluff... I like it a lot! Thanks! And it actually ended up having a lot of the same elements I was looking at for my own PrC - dodge, mobility, evasion... Cool. You should still finish and post yours. I wanna see! :)
GothicDan 05-16-07, 10:16 PM	I'll work on it and see if I can't get it up and ready tomorrow at some point. :) I'm thinking I'm going to go with Sun Dancers. (And try to find an equivalent in Elven.) Or Dancers on the Edge of the Sun..
Suin Bahhar 05-16-07, 10:43 PM	Just one thing.. do these battlesingers sing while kicking orc and giant butt? I'd give them more powerful supernatural attacks and abilities in that case. Maybe something like: Willow Strike (Ex) Battlesingers of 2nd level are highly trained at evading blows and striking at the same time. This ability functions as the soon as the target of the battlesingers dodge feat misses an attack. The Battlesinger is allowed a single attack (as an AoO) with a +2 bonus to hit vs the attacker. Oaken Blow (Su) Battlesingers of 5th level and higer can treat their unarmed strikes as adamentine and magic. Battlesong(Su) Battlesingers chant a song similar yet different to the Bladesong. This allowes the minor spellcasting. (More to come) Maybe the battlesong is like the bards inspirational abilities but I would prefer a more arcane aprouch to this martial art. Haste spells, and minor telekinesis and mirror image would make an terrible sight of a Battlesinger in action against giants.
GothicDan 05-16-07, 10:59 PM	Hm. If it's a Sun Elven path, I wouldn't mind seeing a few inborn traits built in, rather than feats. If it was Moon Elf, I'd say to keep it as Bonus Feats.. I could personally go either way. :)