I would not multiclass to explain your smage stuff. Your people lived on Aerenal at one point and I am sure they took many different fighting styles with them when they left the island.
DEF bonus from using a one hander. If you use a two handed weapon the bonus is only +1 to def instead of +3. To compensate I would try and take 2 weapon def. I was thinking of using a double scimitar when I was making an avenger from valenar but I figured I would just use a nice two hander instead. I figured playing a Valenar that did not use the races signature weapon would be something different.
I would not multiclass to explain your smage stuff. Your people lived on Aerenal at one point and I am sure they took many different fighting styles with them when they left the island.
Ah, I see what Cyber-Dave meant by defense bonus being limited, but since I did take the double scimitar and feat for it I think get the +2 bonus to defense. I'm glad that you seem to think that a swordmage wouldn't be unlikely in Valenar - I don't know a great deal about them since I've never played in FR nor have I tried one out in 4e yet. In my background I've said that I grew up on Aerenal anyway, so I suppose he could have gotten training there.
Also, you are right in thinking that not using the race's special weapon does set you apart a bit. I normally try and subvert the standards for any race/class I play without being out of character, so for a change I tried to be as typical as possible in my choices. Plus I really, really like the scimitars - stylistically they just seem really cool.
Thanks muchly for your replies!
The swordmage rules state that you have to have one hand free to benifit from warding.
Taking one hand off a two handed weapon, like dropping a weapon, is a free action.
The justification is at the start of your turn you take a free action to weild your two handed sword two handed, make the attack, then at the end of your turn let go with one hand to 'block' incoming attacks with your hand free... thus gaining the full +3 warding bonus (instead of +1).
Like I said cheesy. This still leaves you open to immediate interrupt attacks, as you're being interrupted while you specifically have two hands on the weapon but still.
I've seen someone argue that this only works for versatile weapons *shrug*
It entirely depends on how much cheese you're willing to live with or can sneak past your DM.
a) Your ancestor was THE Swordmage, perhaps one of the only ones from the tradition in the history of the Valenra, and you share his/her gift. Perhaps they stole the fire of magic from the Giants during the rebellion- or they blended the tradition of magic and arcana into one. Either way you're special because this is a rare gift and shows signs of your ancestors approval- though any failures you run into will be intensely scrutinized by your people.
b) Swordmages, being the lightly armored warriors that they are, are common among the Valenar and you are one of many such descendants of that proud tradition. You have rivalries with other Swordmages who revere a different ancestor (or the same one) and perhaps you are involved in duels of honor to protect the style that your Ancestor perfected or to prove its mastery over lesser styles (you mentioned fire- maybe you dont get along well with the force or ice heavy style; or maybe the difference is a double scimitar vs. two scimitars vs. a full blade or a long sword or...)
c) You have two ancestors- a warrior and a wizard- and they are fighting over you. The Spirit Talkers of your people were shocked to discover that you had been claimed by both and that neither would relinquish you as their descendant (or maybe this happens all the time with these two ancestors). Thus you have created (or learned) the path of the Swordmage to appease both ancestors- and in the process created something entirely different. You work hard to make sure you dont focus on martial powers over arcane abilities, walking a tightrope of heritage towards your own glorious destiny.
1. Fluff the swordmage as Siyal Marrain warrior druid:
"The Siyal Marrain are warriors. Just as their ancestors fought the giants with lightning and flame, the druids of the modern day may ride with a warband, turning the power of nature against their enemies."
-Druids of Khorvaire, Part Four (Dragonshards)
2. An apprentice of sort to a human wizard, a decedent to a line of wizards from the once nation of Khunan (in Sarlona). You have protected his farm during the war and he payed you by teaching you ancient Khunan's magic.
My DM is allowing me to have a Valenar swordmage within Eberron, and from my perspective at least this works really well. I love describing the way that his attacks would look when fighting; flames spinning out from a double scimitar are hella cool. The only thing is, I'm struggling to come up with part of his background story as regards training and how he developed these combat skills. Could I take a multiclass in wizard to explain it? Or could I fluff that swordmages are pretty common in Valenar given the Tairnadal's penchant for martial combat and magic?
The tairandal, just like the Aerenal, have very strong arcane traditions.
While the faith of the Unying Court and the warriors of the Valenar gain a lot of prestige, the average non-Khorvaire Elf was actually more likely to have had a few levels in Magewright or Wizard than Cleric or Ranger. The Keepers of the Past- the clergy amongst the Valenar- are often Druid/Bards and Druid/Wizards.
A character with the abilities of a Swordmage makes perfect sense in the context of Valenar culture.
The Keepers of the Past- the clergy amongst the Valenar- are often Druid/Bards and Druid/Wizards.
The Keepers of the Past were most often clerics or bards, not druids. Maybe you're mixing them with the Siyal Marrain? Because they're not the same thing.
Magic also plays an important role among the armies of the Valenar. The ancient elves took the secrets of magic from their giant masters, and many of the heroes of old were wizards. Most Valenar warbands include at least one evoker or conjurer. Valenar of other classes often take a level or two of wizard. Many Valenar rangers prefer mage armor to leather or steel...
At the time, there was no swordmage class, or we would have mentioned it. I don't think you have to be a multiclass wizard in 4E to justify it; you're simply a solider who combines martial and arcane arts in your fighting style.
As noted, however, I would tie it to your ancestor. I don't know if I'd say there was only one swordmage, but I'd certainly come up with his distinctive arcane fighting style (did he favor a particular element, while another Valenar swordmage hero focused on a different element, giving followers of the different ancestors a very different feel?). Acquiring his sword or another relic of his past could be a critical goal.
The Keepers of the Past were most often clerics or bards, not druids. Maybe you're mixing them with the Siyal Marrain? Because they're not the same thing.
Indeed I am confusing them. Thanks.
I'd like to note that the ancestors involved need not necessarily be your own, or even elven. There's a magic double scimitar in one of the old modules that is inhabited by the spirit of a horse - if you had a similar blade, some of your sword magic could be construed as awakening the sword's spirit and summoning it to achieve magical effects.
According to popular Tairandal/Valenar beliefs, their warhorses are actually the spirits of former Elves. During their war with the Giants, Elven Druids took the form of horses for their allies to ride, only to be eternally bound to that form by a Giant curse.
I'm also going to ask my DM if he can breath fire, although I reckon that'd probably have to be a feat
I'm the DM in question here, and, for the record, Wrapt means to breath fire a-la an entertainer or performer, not like a sorcerer or Dragonborn.
I'm all for it, as long as it's not abused! Heck, if it is used well, it could work in combat, or simply as an awesome flavour for a close blast/burst encounter.