Blades were a variety of bards that demonstrated fantastic showmanship while wielding bladed weapons.[2] The term was also used to refer to those bards of the College of Swords. They were considered to be both excellent combatants as well as captivating entertainers.[1]
Activities[]
While some blades were content as performing knife-throwers at carnivals, others took up more daring occupations such as that of an adventurer or even an assassins.[2] Yet others blended two lives together, acting as a beloved entertainer by day and deadly sword-for-hire by night.[1]
Abilities[]
They performed elaborate demonstrations that involved flashy leaps, intricate slashes, and forceful jabs made with their chosen blade. These displays demanded exacting movements and gracefulness on the part of the performer. When executed in combat, a blade's performance could inspire their allies and demoralize their foes, assuming they were intelligent enough to recognize the blade's prowess and skill.[2]
Blades were exceptionally skilled in one of two forms of bladed combat: either wielding a one-handed blade with an empty offhand,[1] or wielding two lighter bladed weapons. They could alter their dance-like twirls and slashes referred to as 'spins' or 'flourishes'. These maneuvers could be performed defensively, allowing them to better parry incoming attacks, or offensively, to threated their foe and inspire fear in their heart.[2] Blades could also utilize their combat flourishes to exact especially harmful strikes in combat, and if needed reposition themselves around their foe.[1]
Skilled blades could strike faster than their less-experienced counterparts, performing more attacks in the same amount of time in battle.[1]
Master blades could perform flourishes whenever they desired in combat, and did not require rest to replenish themselves between engagements.[1]
Possessions[]
They preferred to wear medium armor,[1] often in darker colors, and many chose to obscure their appearance behind half-masks or head scarves.[2]
Notable Blades[]
- Haer'Dalis, the tiefling bard from Sigil that performed with Raelis Shai's wandering troupe.[3]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Video Games
External Links[]
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following links do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki, nor does any lore presented necessarily adhere to established canon.
Blade (class) article at the Baldur's Gate Wiki, a wiki for the Baldur's Gate games.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Jeremy Crawford, Mike Mearls (November 2017). Xanathar's Guide to Everything. Edited by Kim Mohan, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 15–16. ISBN 978-0-7869-6612-7.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Blake Mobley (1992). The Complete Bard's Handbook. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 19–21. ISBN 1-56076-360-4.
- ↑ BioWare (September 2000). Designed by James Ohlen, Kevin Martens. Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. Black Isle Studios.
Connections[]
Other Colleges
Artificer
Alchemist • Armorer • Artillerist • Battle Smith
Bard
College of Creation • College of Eloquence • College of Glamour • College of Lore • College of Swords • College of Valor • College of Whispers
Ranger
Beast master • Fey wanderer • Horizon walker • Hunter • Gloom stalker • Monster slayer • Swarmkeeper
Rogue
Arcane trickster • Assassin • Inquisitive • Mastermind • Phantom • Scout • Soulknife • Swashbuckler • Thief
Sorcerer
Aberrant mind • Clockwork soul • Divine soul • Draconic bloodline • Shadow magic • Storm sorcery • Wild magic
Warlock
Archfey patron • Celestial patron • Fathomless patron • Genie patron • Hexblade • Fiend patron • Great Old One patron • Undying patron
Wizard
Abjurer • Bladesinger • Conjurer • Diviner • Enchanter • Evoker • Illusionist • Necromancer • Order of Scribes • Transmuter • War mage
Cleric
Arcana domain • Death domain • Divine domain • Forge domain • Grave domain • Knowledge domain • Life domain • Light domain • Nature domain • Order domain • Peace domain • Tempest domain • Trickery domain • Twilight domain • War domain
Druid
Circle of Dreams • Circle of the Land • Circle of the Moon • Circle of the Shepherd • Circle of Spores • Circle of Stars • Circle of Wildfire
Paladin
Oath of the Ancients • Oath of Conquest • Oath of the Crown • Oath of Devotion • Oath of Glory • Oath of Redemption • Oath of Vengeance • Oath of the Watchers
Barbarian
Path of the ancestral guardian • Path of the beast • Path of the berserker • Path of the giant • Path of the storm herald • Path of the totem warrior • Path of wild magic • Path of the zealot
Fighter
Arcane archer • Battle master • Cavalier • Champion • Eldritch knight • Psi warrior • Purple Dragon knight • Rune knight • Samurai
Monk
Way of the Astral Self • Way of the Drunken Master • Way of the Four Elements • Way of the Kensei • Way of the Long Death • Way of Mercy • Way of the Sun Soul • Way of the Open Hand • Way of Shadow