Lore Assistance

[Glowfire]

The server's levelling system means wizards train pretty quickly (and is true for all classes, really). Everyone's a natural talent I'd say if you're RPing it out and have a few sessions, that's all good. Go at a pace you feel happy with.

[Mork]

I'm preparing to create a new char who would be a Blackguard Drow.
I want Sshamaths school of Necromancy to be his goal as enlisted.

After reading below note I have some doubts:

You must renounce all other obligations and loyalties and pledge yourself to the School of Necromancy and the Conclave (remember, the school and its Masters come first, the Conclave second, and then the city. Nothing else matters)

My question is: Is it not a common knowledge that Blackguards take their powers from some demonic/demi-god source? How would it make sense to enlists such wariors if it is known that they serve and have constant connections with some evil entity? What am I missing here?

Additionally could someone explain how Blackguards are created (ones that were NOT previously Palladins that got to a wrong path). Is it similar to a warlock? What kind of entities can create Blackguards?

[Tsidkenu]

Blackguards do not have to serve an infernal or abyssal patron, although typically PnP entrance into the class requires contact with fell-plane being. Blackguards can serve a patron deity, and Kiaransalee (drow goddess of undeath) would be an ideal fit in your case.

Alternatively your Blackguard could serve Orcus (demon prince with portfolio of undeath). Note that it would be unwise to RP -both- here, as Kiaransalee kills Orcus sometime around 1357 DR which almost implies that the plot may already be in motion and she is just waiting for the opportunity (which arrives when Orcus' wand is stolen by Gareth Dragonsbane, paladin-king of Damara, during the wars of the Lich King Zhengyi of Vaasa).

[CleverUsername123]

b) There aren't that many organised educational institutions for learning magic. There isn't an established curriculum.

Challenge accepted.

[onetwothree]

Can someone link me some lore to Deathsingers? As much details as possible would be very appreciated.

[Tantive]

There is precious little. Deathsingers as a completed concept does not exist, and has only been alluded to exist in the Complete book of Elves (without a name given) or in the novel Windwalker (Character introduces themselves as a deathsinger). The prc does not exist, and there is no kit made from 2e as far as I am aware that has deathsinger.

In complete book of elves it is said that half elves and drow are never taught the bladesinger style, that the drow have their own teachers and style anyway.

There is some obscure reference somewhere that in a pinch you could retrofit bladesinger kit to kind of make it a Deathsinger. I can't even tell you if this was from the books or from one of the sites giving tips. The class simply doesn't exist. There's an example given in a novel Windwalker by Elaine Cunningham, it is more a bardic tradition with abilities of their own, which the implementation in BGTSCC is completely different who just saw to mirror in some ways the bladesinger is presented here.

Deathsinger, or how the character described himself in the novel, is a bardic tradition that uses necromanctic magic. The only known character to use deathsinging would be Brindlor Zidorion from that novel. I haven't read the novel, but a wiki discribes it as a keening wail with the harsh, irregular rhythm of drow chant where the character controlled the dead through the song.

The deathsinger depicted there has a different role then bladesinger I believe. "I am Brindlor Zidorian of Ched Nesad, a deathsinger famed for songs of dark glory." I haven't read the novel myself so I can't comment on its validity, though one person on the Candlekeep forums explained their roles like this:

"Also, the deathsingers are indeed the drow form a a bard. Their mission is to write songs about intrigue, viscious deaths, et cetera. And if the area is sickeningly calm, the deathsinger's mission is to create as much havoc as possible so that there is something to sing about."

There is also something called a Ba'queshel, which is also a bardic tradition and has more religious overtones. I don't know how far a deathsinger and a Ba'queshel share simularity, or if they are one and the same.

[Tsidkenu]

Drow bae'qeshel are religiously devoted Lolthite bards/lorekeepers, however it was said somewhere that their magic was not sourced from their divine patron (being bardic arcane magic) so even if they turned away from Lolth they still retained their abilities. Bae'qeshel are -only- taught their arts secretly from Matron Mothers in the few Drow Qu'ellars that still carry on the ancient musical tradition, which had its original roots in the ancient surface Illythiiri culture. In my opinion, because it is a very little known art, it should regularly get confused with the more well-known and popular Deathsingers although the two dhaerow bardic arts are not the same.

Halisstra Melarn is the most well detailed and documented bae'qeshel in FR lore, appearing wholly or in part in no less than 8 FR novels.

[onetwothree]

As Tsidkenu mentioned i dont think Bae'qeshel and the Orthae Velve (Deathsong) are related.

Finding lore on Deathsingers is indeed very hard which is why i was hoping someone here could direct me to a source, it seems there isn't a lot of source material though. I suppose the Bladesong and the Deathsong do share similarities in terms of fighting style.

Here is what i was able to find on Deathsingers through google and thats pretty much all i could find. Not sure if this is actual source material.

Deathsinger
Deathsingers are drow who have mastered the secret remnant of the dark elven bladesong style 'Holy Blade' or 'Orthae Velve'. This highly secretive group of talented warriors, wizards and lorekeepers serve only matrons of powerful houses that respect and know about the ancient art. Thought some houses have a certain contempt for its roots in 'fairie elf' bladesong, Deathsinger lodges have been protected by the oldest drow houses across Fearuns Underdark for several millenia.
Deathsingers usually pose themselves as historians, spreading knowledge of time before, during and just after the Descent of the Drow. Some are well known performers, reenacting old battles with precision and bravour. Their voices sometimes seem to come from somewhere else, as if something from beyond borders of reality speaks alongside them.
A Deathsingers true power is revealed when they are dispatched on a mission to kill. A Deathsinger in battle harnesses both arcane spells, wielding twin blades and an ancient keening song into a terrible haunting fighting style, an ancient bladesong style known only to the Orthae Velve. A keening Deathsingers mere presence can unnerve the biggest beasts, and most foes forget everything they were planned to do and flee the terror of sound they behold.
Hit Die: d8

Requirements
To qualify to become a Deathsinger, a character must meet the following requirements.
Skills: Balance 2 ranks, Intimidate 4 ranks, Perform (dance) 2 ranks, Perform (sing) 2 ranks, Knowledge (History or the Planes) 2 ranks.
Feats: Combat Casting, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (longsword, shortsword, scimitar or rapier), Two Weapon Fighting
Spellcasting: Able to cast a fear based arcane spell.
Special: A student requires passing both the graduation tests of Melee Magthere and Sorcere and sponsoring of a powerful house matron.

Class Skills
Balance (Dex), Concentration (Con), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Escape Artist (Dex), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Knowledge (History) (Int), Knowledge (Dungeoneering) (Int), Knowledge (Planes), Perform (Cha), Spellcraft (Int), Tumble (Dex)
Skill Points at each level: 4 + Int modifier

Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: A Deathsinger does not gain any proficiencies with weapons or armor.
Base Attack Bonus: As the Fighter class.
Saving Throw Progression: As the Bard class.
Spellcasting: +1 level of arcane spellcasting class each other level starting at the first.
Bladesong Style: When wielding two onehanded blades a deathsinger gains a shield bonus to its AC equal to his or her Deathsinger level, up to a maximum of his or her Int modifier
Lesser Deathsong (Ex): When wielding two onehanded blades in both hands a 2nd level deathsinger can take 10 on both intimidate checks to demoralize an opponent and concentration checks made to cast fear or death based spells defensively; in addition he or she is able to use arcane somatic components for fear and death spells while dual wielding blades
Scream of Death [sonic](Su): At 4th level and every 4 levels afterward (4th and 8th), a Deathsinger gains a daily use of a terrifying abyssal scream. As a free action a Deathsinger pitches his voice to a forgotten and feared demonic song that lasts for a number of rounds equal to his Con modifier, panicking any living foes within 60 ft for 1d4 minutes if they fail a will savingthrow with a dc equal to 10 + half the deathsingers level + his or her Cha modifier. Those that save still are shaken (-2 to attacks, saves and ability checks) when they remain within 60 ft and in earshot of the Deathsingers scream.
Greater Deathsong (Ex): At 6th level, a Deathsinger can demoralise an opponent as free action when attacking that opponent with a melee or spell attack. In addition a Deathsinger is able to use somatic components while dual wielding blades for all spells (not fear or death based only).
Deathnote [sonic](Su): At 10th level, a Deathsinger making a full attack generates an abyssal vortex of sound audible around his blade attacks. His blades gain the vorpal quality against anyone under the effect of fear based spell or ability.

As i take it Deathsingers are a twisted drow version of Bladesingers so i guess they share some similiarities. If someone could direct me to some in depth Bladesinger lore that would be helpful aswell i guess.

[Tantive]

I can only find that reference on the candlekeep forums. It smells like homebrew. The Complete Book of Elves sourcebook is most comprehensive on the lore behind bladesingers. Further the bladesinger 3.0e and 3.5e versions were introduced in Races of Faerûn and Complete Warrior respectively.

[onetwothree]

Would be looking for some insight into Blood Magus lore. I've read that they have to die in order to be come a Blood Magus. How does this take place? I mean there is probably a ritual of some sort to it, right? Does anyone have any source how such a ritual looks like or how they become Blood Magus in general? The BGTSCC wiki does not give much insight in that regard.

Thanks!

[kleomenes]

Would be looking for some insight into Blood Magus lore. I've read that they have to die in order to be come a Blood Magus. How does this take place? I mean there is probably a ritual of some sort to it, right? Does anyone have any source how such a ritual looks like or how they become Blood Magus in general? The BGTSCC wiki does not give much insight in that regard.

Thanks!

The sources are limited: Complete Arcane and Tome of Blood. The BG wiki should probably have the following text added (I think its from Complete Arcane):

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Death is the ultimate risk that spellcasters, like all adventurers, must contend with. Some are cut down before they have a chance at true glory; others find true peace only in the afterlife; and others are brought back from death by companions with the powerful magical resources to perform such a miracle. For a rare few such arcanists, this trip to the great beyond and back brings a new enlightenment - a comprehension of the body and its individual parts that transcends the understanding of those who have not experienced death and returned to tell the tale. These newly raised spellcasters say that the first sound they hear upon returning to life is the pulse of life-giving blood in their veins. To these fortunate few, this flow of blood through their veins is sweet music: the sound of life. They can feel it re-energizing every particle of their form, flushing death away and leaving life in its place. It is thick and warm, and they greedily embrace it.

Such arcane spellcasters become blood magi: formerly deceased spellcasters who, when returned to life, gain an understanding of their blood's importance, bequeathed by their close call. They learn to evoke magic from this vital fluid that sustains their lives. Blood magi cannot be trained, owing to the unusual nature of their enlightenment, and they are most likely to have first been sorcerers.

There is literally no lore on how Blood Magus actually works beyond these vague statements. The work of high literature, "Bloodwalk", has a Blood Magus as the main villain and I understand her death/revival is the product of a dark ritual (I couldn't read it, honestly).

On the other hand, the text from Complete Arcane does suggest the potential to be a blood mage can happen by random chance upon death (even if researching the practices themselves would require study) I know of at least one (EDIT: TWO) blood magus magi who RPed that origin to the class.

Looking at what there is, it seems to me that spontaneously being revived by the power in one's blood upon death is a thing that can happen, if very rarely, but its possible to make that happen with dark rituals. And the act of actually taking the class is the act of learning how to use the new power, with the abilities growing more and more foul as the class goes on.

Anyway, if you want to copy a ritual, check out Bloodwalk. I wish you luck.

[samb123]

Would be looking for some insight into Blood Magus lore. I've read that they have to die in order to be come a Blood Magus. How does this take place? I mean there is probably a ritual of some sort to it, right? Does anyone have any source how such a ritual looks like or how they become Blood Magus in general? The BGTSCC wiki does not give much insight in that regard.

Thanks!

P. 26 of Complete Arcane seems to be your best bet. It specifically mentions the "coming back from death, with blood magic" thing that kleomenes mentioned.

You also might consider (although it's not fully applicable here) the 4th edition Blood Mage paragon path for wizards. That mentions making a sort of "blood covenant". If you chose this route, I'd try to keep it as low-key as possible, but it seems like valid route for the sake of roleplay.

Another option might be that a fiend or an evil deity raised your mage from death AND/OR cursed your mage, causing them to have the powers of Blood Magic. P. 26 of Complete Arcane has a section called "Adaption", which might work as a tie-in for this method:

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Adaptation: A twist on the blood magus as presented here would be to tie the class to some deity or entity. Whenever the blood magus works his blood magic, he also gives blood
sacrifi ce to the deity or entity so named, and it is through this bloody patron that the blood magus powers his magic.

So, that's a couple of different routes to take, I would say, as far as origin...


P. 28 of Complete Arcane describes Bloodwalk, and it even has a picture of a Blood Mage physically entering a monster via their blood. Then, another illustration on p. 29 shows the Blood Mage exiting (violently).

[Bunnysmack]

I'm trying to fit a backstory into canon and have realized that I don't have a lot of firsthand knowledge of malarite shadow druids (which feature prominently in the backstory). The image I have about them is that they fully embrace the most Savage aspects of nature. If you've ever read the Dresden Files, my image of malarite druid flavor fits pretty closely to the FBI hexen-wolfen agents. Still sapient, but utterly drunk on their on Savage instincts.

Is this an accurate image of them, or is there a lot more to it than that?

[Xanfyrst]

Malarites and Shadow Druids hate civilisation and what follows in its track with a passion.

Some are nothing but savage beasts while others are highly intelligent and tactical in their approach.

[jmbrosendo]

I have recently discovered a YouTube channel called

Forgotten Realms History

And it has been a great source. Even, if, you own the source books, the combination of voice and images has been entertaining.

Cheers.