Lute

A lute was a stringed instrument with a neck and a wooden soundboard, which was often ovoid or shaped as a teardrop. Lutes were often used by bards of the Realms.

Description
Lutes typically had a round back, so they rested easily on the player's stomach. Doubled strings could be used to emit a fuller sound, and these were easily tuned by pegs.

Availability

 * Several types of doubled-string lutes built by craftsmen in Calimshan were available for purchase through Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue.
 * Black Dugal's Music Shoppe in Ravens Bluff.
 * Halambar Lutes & Harps in Waterdeep was a well-known musical instrument shop that sold lutes. Kriios Halambar's lutes produced a distinctive mellow sound recognized all along the Sword Coast.
 * The Mute Lute in Neverwinter made lutes that were highly prized in the Realms and even offered to custom-make lutes.

Notable Lutes

 * Calliope's enchanted lute: an old and rugged magical lute owned by Calliope in the late 15 century DR.
 * Doss lute: One of the seven Instruments of the Bards, this superior magical lute was capable of channeling spells when played.

Groups

 * Lutes were popular instruments for minstrels playing in royal courts and were known to be played as far north as Sundabar.

Individuals

 * Drake Bluenote, a member of the bardic group Adagio Jones and The Goodwinds, occasionally played the lute ballads and songs done by the string ensemble.

Trivia
Those who specialized in making lutes were known as luthiers.

Appearances

 * Video Games
 * Neverwinter Nights: Darkness over Daggerford • Warriors of Waterdeep