Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Yanagita Kunio 06-28-07, 04:06 PM	I know next to nothing about the Bladesong style of combat, other than it's a meshing of spellcasting and swordmanship developed by the elves. I guess I know little bits and pieces gleaned from posts here. So my query to the sages is: Amongst D&D and Faerun materials, where does the concept originate, and where is it most carefully described (citations, pretty please)? What kind of spellcasting does a bladesinger do--a free mix of spells, or do they specialize (ie buffs, blasts) in a particular type of magic for utilitarian purposes? Are there stylistic differences by training, or region/culture? Was there a mechanical representation of a bladesinger in earlier editions? I'm curious rather than urgently needing responses, by the way. Things like the Duskblade and ToB mechanics have got me re-thinking the nature of gishes, which in turn has piqued my interest in one of the longest-standing tropes thereof. PS I though Magic was the right section for this. Feel free to move it if not.
MerrikCale 06-28-07, 08:18 PM	its probably best described in the novel Bladesinger
Lord Karsus 06-28-07, 10:33 PM	Amongst D&D and Faerun materials, where does the concept originate, and where is it most carefully described (citations, pretty please)? -As far as I can tell, it first appeared in The Complete Book of Elves, a 2e sourcebook. What kind of spellcasting does a bladesinger do--a free mix of spells, or do they specialize (ie buffs, blasts) in a particular type of magic for utilitarian purposes? -They cast Arcane magic, and have full acess to whatever Wizard/Sorcerer spells they knew previously, plus the spells granted to them on the Bladesinger spell progression list. Are there stylistic differences by training, or region/culture? -Though there is nothing specifically stating that, it should go without saying. Jedi varied from place to place. Was there a mechanical representation of a bladesinger in earlier editions? -A Kit can be found in The Complete Book of Elves.
MerrikCale 06-28-07, 11:06 PM	[-Though there is nothing specifically stating that, it should go without saying. Jedi varied from place to place. I've always thought of them as elven jedi myself
Yanagita Kunio 06-29-07, 02:00 PM	Thanks for the responses. [Sweeps away to the 2nd-hand books stores...]
Lord Karsus 06-29-07, 06:26 PM	I've always thought of them as elven jedi myself -It's the best way to think of 'em. Thanks for the responses. [Sweeps away to the 2nd-hand books stores...] -It'd probably be easier to download the PDF from an accredited site, like Paizo.com, or RPGnow.com (Though, I remember that the latter had a hacking problem a while back).
Yanagita Kunio 06-29-07, 06:43 PM	Buying PDFs is dead handy, but I end up getting eyeaches trying to read them. Also, I just plain love the printed word and the weight of a book in hand. Paizo is plan B. Thanks again.
Lord Karsus 06-29-07, 07:01 PM	Also, I just plain love the printed word and the weight of a book in hand. -You could always just print it. I've done that with a couple of pages from various sourcebooks. I just like saving money...
Yanagita Kunio 06-29-07, 07:33 PM	I love being in the Midwest. Lots of old books stores have stuff cheap that would otherwise go for more elsewhere. And yeah, I end up printing PDFs.
MerrikCale 06-30-07, 08:19 AM	you could always just picture Roy Scheider dancing in "All That Jazz" for a mental image of bladesinging
Lord Karsus 06-30-07, 08:09 PM	-Or Peter Parker dancing around...:rolleyes:
DarkSongKnight 07-28-07, 01:21 PM	Jedi elves.... I like it! Whoosh! Whoosh! :D Haha. Ahem, but to be helpful... Theres a version of the blade singer in Races of Faerun and a more updated one in Complete Warrior. You could also download "Cormanthyr, Empire of Elves." It had some information on the Bladesong style I believe. Aravae Irithyl's beloved, Josidiah Starym, was a bladesinger; perhaps the most famous one.