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Imp
Learned Scribe

231 Posts

Posted - 07 Oct 2012 :  19:02:56  Show Profile Send Imp a Private Message  Reply with Quote  Delete Topic
I need info on the great warriors in the Realms. By warriors I mean characters that don't cast spells (or at least don't cast much). By great I mean high level, at least in teens.
Please write down the warriors:
- name
- race
- class and level
- location
- a short description on who he is
I care only about people pre-Sellplague.

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Diffan
Great Reader

USA
4470 Posts

Posted - 07 Oct 2012 :  20:01:15  Show Profile Send Diffan a Private Message  Reply with Quote
So, Canon warriors or PCs?

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Imp
Learned Scribe

231 Posts

Posted - 07 Oct 2012 :  21:35:01  Show Profile Send Imp a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Why would I care about PCs?

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Edited by - Imp on 07 Oct 2012 21:35:27
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader

USA
3131 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  01:06:04  Show Profile Send Artemas Entreri a Private Message  Reply with Quote
No reason to get snippy when someone is asking a legitimate question about your thread.

Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin

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Bladewind
Master of Realmslore

Netherlands
1280 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  01:07:59  Show Profile Send Bladewind a Private Message  Reply with Quote
From an answer from Ed, january 2004:
quote:
Well, now. “Swordsmen” you say, so I’m going to narrow my reply down to: male living (not dead or undead) humans.
I’m going to further qualify my reply by saying that among the most skilled masters of bladework, “best” becomes a matter of opinion regarding style, and the average observer can’t identify (let alone properly interpret) most subtle differences because they’re either dead too quickly, or too dazzled by things that happen too swiftly for them to see properly and too deftly for them to measure or grasp the implications of (matters of shifting a foe just a little off balance, or forcing a movement in stance or location, that will lead to a killing stroke three or four maneuvers later).
Moreover, “best” is a steadily shifting title, even when one sets aside divine and magical meddling, because (as with real-world tennis) youthful speed and acrobatic suppleness, plus freedom from injuries and the slowing and crippling effects of aging (on, say, the human knee), must always be balanced against the experience gained in duel after duel after battle: young swordsmen are always rising to the fore, but only step into the ranks of the “best” when those more expert through real-life practice grow too slow to defeat the most skilled younglings (or the younglings overcome their inexperience).
I’m also going to restrict myself purely to matters of bladework, in a one-on-one fight in surroundings that favour neither combatant. In other words, I’m minimizing “street smarts” or dirty fighting or the adventurers’ experience in exploiting traction, lighting, obstacles, distractions, and all of that: factors that seasoned adventurers (like Durnan of Waterdeep) can use to defeat foes who might be a shade faster or a whit better in pure bladework. This will work against Artemis Entreri, for example, but also against a host of other adventurers whom I won’t even mention in this reply, but who might otherwise show up in my answer.
(Personally, I’d rather not do any “best of” rankings, because I think they’re subjective, snapshots of moments in time that are dated even as they’re made, and a bit pointless. Even in pure-skill tournaments, upsets occur, and if a DM wants to create an unknown who’s better than the individuals mentioned here, go right ahead.)
However, I probably possess the best overview of the entire tapestry of the Realms of anyone (though not all that far ahead of, say, Messrs. Boyd and Krashos, closely followed by Schend, Hunter, and Grubb), and can speak from that strength - - not being limited, for instance, by published Realmslore.
So you’re really going to have to trust me here, when I say that the best bladesman in the Realms right now (1375 DR) is: Harmel Artru, a darkly handsome, agile, glib-tongued and lady-charming merchant seacaptain (and sometime pirate), who sails The Winsome Lady independent caravel out of Saerloon (and a secret base somewhere in the Pirate Isles).
Only a whisker-width behind Artru is Loaros Hammarandar, a broad-shouldered, grim giant of a man who can hurl his prodigious strength and bulk around like an acrobat, and is an ever-wary-of-treachery mercenary warmaster currently under hire by Narubel, who commands “the Swift Sword” cavalry force used to quell bandits and unrest in that city and its surrounding farms (and dedicates himself to quietly eliminating all threats to the current rulership, prosperity, and status quo in Narubel).
Close behind Artru and Hammarandar are Skoalam Marlgrask and then Sraece Telthorn.
Skoalam Marlgrask is a professional duelist who travels Chessenta as the champion of whomever sponsors him in duels, making huge sums (because everyone locally knows he’s “the best” in duels, and so tries to outbid opponents seeking to hire his services) that are usually paid in gems and used by Marlgrask to immediately buy property, notably an ever-expanding string of inns and taverns. Marlgrask is polite, saturnine, nondescript of looks but quietly luxurious of dress, and seems able to sense danger (crossbow snipers, for instance) before it can reach out for him. He’s known to be resistant to many natural poisons (having learned this the hard way), but now takes great care regarding what he eats and drinks (hence his purchase of many inns and taverns).
Sraece Telthorn is a smallish, agile, almost feminine man who can dance, tumble, balance, and spring with a skill and precision matched only by the greatest acrobats (once leaping off a parapet to land perfectly balanced on a sloping, protruding flagstaff far below, for instance, and often springing over the slashing swords of opponents). He teaches “swordplay” (fencing) in Yhaunn and Waterdeep, and is believed to travel between the two by means of secret portals of unknown origin and location. Telthorn lives simply, is unambitious (avoiding power and important patrons, and giving much of his coins away), and is beloved by many pleasure-lasses of Waterdeep, who regard him as a kind friend or honorary brother as well as a frequent client.
I’d put the infamous Artemis Entreri after Telthorn, though I could be persuaded to rank two other male human bladesmen between them: Ulmaer Rivrymm of Sheirtalar (a smiling, wax-mustached man of good nature but lightning-swift reflexes and keen sight, who is personal bodyguard to the Overking of Lapaliiya, and can juggle scimitars to entertain), and Aka ‘the Questmaster’ (the mysterious sponsor and trainer of adventurers) who dwells, these days, in the wilderlands of the Sword Coast North.
If I widen my reply to include human females, two must be inserted: Ember Tsartaera between Hammarandar and Marlgrask, and Lyaunthra Aldegal between Marlgrask and Telthorn.
Ember Tsartaera is the tall, cool of manner and sparing of words Knight of Arms (weaponsmaster, or trainer of bodyguards and soldiers) to Lord Albin, ruler of Furthinghome in Aglarond, where she dwells. Ember dresses plainly, lives in spartan surroundings, and is always under iron self-control, keeping to herself and crafting masterwork swords when she’s not practising using them or training others to do so; she never raises her voice (though she can be coldly, cuttingly firm), is always alert and anticipating trouble, and has an acrobatic fighting style; she’s famous in Furthinghome for catching hurled daggers and arrows in flight.
Lyaunthra Aldegal has recently settled in Waterdeep, though she still retains homes in her three previous bases: Silverymoon, Neverwinter, and Secomber. “The Lioness” is a superb maker of bladed weapons and tools (who learned her skills from her now-dead parents), who can resharpen and balance almost any fragment of a mistreated item. She owns and travels between small weapon shops in Waterdeep, Silverymoon, Neverwinter, and Secomber, and specializes in finding just the right weapon for a client, and in weapons-training and -practising with select clients. Known to have ironguard protection afforded by a wearable item (a choker or anklet, most believe), she’s also known to be able to withstand great pain, once (in the days before her ironguard protection) slaying a killer who’d put his blade through her hilt-deep, and then (despite being hit by both acid and fire magics) staggering through four rooms to get healing potions, managing to drink them and pluck forth his blade without passing out. Aldegal is a fire-haired, rugged-looking woman who takes numerous lovers, arrives and departs quietly and unexpectedly, and is seldom to be found where one expects to find her.
Quite a roster.
If I now widen my reply further, to include elves, half-elves, dwarves, halflings, and gnomes (note that I’m still excluding shapechanging races and multi-armed intelligent “monsters”), I’d put Maethrammar Aerasume between Artru and Hammarandar, and Drizzt Do’Urden JUST behind Marlgrask.
However, ask me this a year from now (Realms time), and - - even if there haven’t been fatalities - - these rankings may have shifted around quite a bit. As I said, among individuals of this skill, determinations are whisker-thin.



So saith Ed. Whew. Warned you, didn’t I? What Ed and all of we original players share when reading or listening to debates about “bests” and most this or that of the Realms is that there’s so much as-yet-unpublished Realmslore about this everchanging world that Ed crafted and continues to detail and expand, right alongside other writers (so the argument that “well, we can’t go by Ed’s original, we can only discuss the published Realms, that’s diverged so much from his original” goes right out the window). I happen to agree with Ed that rating “best” bladesmen is a bit pointless because it’s so subjective, changes so fast, and has such little practical roleplaying value - - but I fully understand Feanor’s curiosity in wanting to know. It’s a longing to know and understand the Realms more fully that we all share.
And I hope we will always continue to do so!
love to all,
THO

My campaign sketches

Druidic Groves

Creature Feature: Giant Spiders
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Diffan
Great Reader

USA
4470 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  01:27:40  Show Profile Send Diffan a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Imp

Why would I care about PCs?



Because just canon characters makes people feel their doing your research? Research that, based on the concept of the thread, is ridicuously expansive. Additionally, you give little info except pre-spellplague and theres tons of info for 3E and 2E/AD&D that's available yet it also changes with edition.

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Imp
Learned Scribe

231 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  01:36:34  Show Profile Send Imp a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Entreri3478

No reason to get snippy when someone is asking a legitimate question about your thread.


No reason to post if you don't have anything relevant to say. Also you're imagining things. I didn't get snippy, I answered the question.

quote:
Because just canon characters makes people feel their doing your research?

O.o If you don't want to help than don't? In no way, shape or form did I request anyone to make research for me. If someone knows such a character, he will post about him, if he doesn't know any, he doesn't have a reason to post. It's pretty simple.

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Edited by - Imp on 08 Oct 2012 01:38:44
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Bladewind
Master of Realmslore

Netherlands
1280 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  01:36:49  Show Profile Send Bladewind a Private Message  Reply with Quote
As for their level... Just give these (colourful) charcaters classes and levels appropriate for your campaign.

Harmel Artu sounds like a Scarlet Corsair (Stormwrack).

Loaran seems like a Combat Trickster, Dervish or Dread Commando (Complete Scoundrel, Complete Warrior, Heroes of Battle).

Sraece might be a Duelist (DMG.

Skoalam must be cheating somehow and have some Wild Psionic talent that warns him of danger (a Fighter/Psychic Warrior built perhaps).

Ember has some the snatch arrows feat but otherwise might be a ranger/rogue.

Lyaunthra has a built that emphasizes her toughness somehow, like a Streetfighter (Complete Adventurer) or Barbarian.


My campaign sketches

Druidic Groves

Creature Feature: Giant Spiders
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
12093 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  01:36:52  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Diffan

quote:
Originally posted by Imp

Why would I care about PCs?



Because just canon characters makes people feel their doing your research? Research that, based on the concept of the thread, is ridicuously expansive. Additionally, you give little info except pre-spellplague and theres tons of info for 3E and 2E/AD&D that's available yet it also changes with edition.



Ditto on what Diffan said... just showing up and saying "hey, I need you guys to make me a list of X" and then not even bothering to say why you want it.... tends to make me think you're not wanting do any research. Hell, you're not even willing to put much thought into the request, so what makes me think that if I put in a lot of effort into fulfilling it that you'd even appreciate or use the effort.

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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Imp
Learned Scribe

231 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  01:40:42  Show Profile Send Imp a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Bladewind was able to post something helpful. Follow his example or don't post.

Am I seriously getting **** for asking something about Realms on Candlekeep? Wow.


Mod Edit: Please watch your language. We do have younglings visiting these halls, so discretion is advised.

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Edited by - The Sage on 08 Oct 2012 02:33:34
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore

Australia
6680 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  02:35:02  Show Profile Send George Krashos a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Imp

Bladewind was able to post something helpful. Follow his example or don't post.



You forgot to thank him.

-- George Krashos

"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31799 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  02:36:08  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Fellow scribes, I think we should be wary of how we respond to such requests.

Past experience has shown that these kinds of queries don't often perform well -- simply because it's usually too difficult or awkward to properly gauge a response given the amount of variables involved in trying to determine how or why a particular Realms warrior should be labelled as "Great."

So, please, if any scribe wishes to participate, consider this before proceeding further.

Thank you.

Candlekeep Forums Moderator

Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com
-- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct

Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)

"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood

Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author

USA
4598 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  02:38:06  Show Profile  Visit Erik Scott de Bie's Homepage Send Erik Scott de Bie a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Imp, you're getting **** for being brusque and deflecting questions when people are looking for context that you don't seem to want to give. Answering a legitimate question of "canon characters or PCs?" (which narrows the field of potential research) with "Why would I care about PCs?" is rude.

If you sat down in my restaurant and said you wanted coffee, and I came up to you and said "regular or decaf?", do you think it would be rude to respond "Why would I care about decaf?" Not only is that you assuming I knew the answer before I asked the question (so you're calling me stupid), but you're implying that decaf coffee (and the people who drink it) are also stupid.

The internet is full of negativity, and often you need to make at least some small effort to be respectful and friendly. People easily come off as rude, dismissive jerks. Being a rude, dismissive jerk makes people not want to help you (such as with research questions).

Now to answer your question, there are NUMEROUS lists of canonical FR NPCs. I would recommend googling "FR NPCs" and looking for one of the 50-60 page threads devoted to crafting statblocks for NPCs. The WotC boards, I know, host one such thread.

Cheers

Erik Scott de Bie

'Tis easier to destroy than to create.

Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars"

Edited by - Erik Scott de Bie on 08 Oct 2012 02:40:41
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Imp
Learned Scribe

231 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  03:02:56  Show Profile Send Imp a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Again, wow.

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Icelander
Master of Realmslore

1864 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  03:49:33  Show Profile  Visit Icelander's Homepage Send Icelander a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Imp

O.o If you don't want to help than don't? In no way, shape or form did I request anyone to make research for me. If someone knows such a character, he will post about him, if he doesn't know any, he doesn't have a reason to post. It's pretty simple.


If you wish scribes to confine their answers to exclusively canon Realmslore, you need to post your scroll in the proper shelf for that, i.e. Sages of Realmslore.

The default assumption of General Forgotten Realms Chat is that homebrew, tales from home campaigns or fan-fic are all appropriate and on-topic.

To avoid unhelpful posts, it is best to make your assumptions clear at the start and by all means select the appropriate shelf for your scroll.

Za uspiekh nashevo beznadiozhnovo diela!

Forgotten Realms fans, please sign a petition to re-release the FR Interactive Atlas

Edited by - Icelander on 08 Oct 2012 03:50:28
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idilippy
Senior Scribe

USA
417 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  04:03:09  Show Profile Send idilippy a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I'm not the OP but want to chime in and say thanks for digging that up Bladewind, that is a great pile of lore from Ed!
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Diffan
Great Reader

USA
4470 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  04:18:51  Show Profile Send Diffan a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Imp

quote:
Originally posted by Entreri3478

No reason to get snippy when someone is asking a legitimate question about your thread.


No reason to post if you don't have anything relevant to say. Also you're imagining things. I didn't get snippy, I answered the question.


To be precise, you didn't answer the question. Just asked another one.


quote:
Originally posted by Imp

quote:
Because just canon characters makes people feel their doing your research?

O.o If you don't want to help than don't? In no way, shape or form did I request anyone to make research for me. If someone knows such a character, he will post about him, if he doesn't know any, he doesn't have a reason to post. It's pretty simple.



Actually, your requesting a database that includes multiple factors which, depending on edition, change and pretty drastically I might add. Not only do you want name, race, class/level (again, the whole edition thing) but also the location of known individual and a short description of who he is. That's research. Why, we as scribes don't know. Perhaps if you told us why and the purpose of this research, more people would be helping than giving your crap.

But I'll be nice, here ya go:

• Drizzt Do'Urden; Male Drow; Barbarian 1/ Fighter 10/ Ranger 5 (CR 17); location: The North, ranging between Baldur's Gate to Silverymoon, to Mithral Hall; He's a Male drow standing 5'4" and is an extreamly accomplished Swordsman. He's known throughout the North for his heroic deeds and attempts to overcome the racisim he often faces due to his heritage. He is known to wield multiple magical weapons including two famous scimitars, Twinkle and Icingdeath. He also is seen traveling with a large black panther whom it's said he calls from another plane of existance via a magical figurine.

• Haelimbrar, Triadic Knight; Male Human (damaran); Ranger 3/ Paladin 4/ Triadic knight 7 (CR 14); location: securing the Western and Northern borders of Impiltur; He's a tall and striking looking man, a visage well suited as one of the Lord of Imphras. Well build and suited for war, he sits across his warhorse ever vigilant and ready for battle. He's well adjusted for the road and uses his ranger skills to great degree for tracking foes across Impiltur. Additionally he wields a magical longsword in one hand and a magical shortsword in the other. His special mount is also fitted with some magical armor for better protection. Due to the location and the consistant attacks by fiends and creatures from the hells Haelimbrar has chosen Outsiders as his favored enemeis.

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Icelander
Master of Realmslore

1864 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  04:55:07  Show Profile  Visit Icelander's Homepage Send Icelander a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I'd love to know more about the prefered weapons, stylistic differences and philosophies of combat of the 'best' swordsmen Ed mentioned above.

For example, what's the difference between a fencer taught by Sraece Telthorn and one who learnt from whoever taught Harmel Artru?

Do they both favour swords of a similar weight, shape and point of balance? Or does one use a broad and fairly heavy (2 lbs.) hanger with a 28" blade and the other a gently curved, more slender saber with a 32" blade, weighing only 1.5 lbs.?* Or maybe one of them favours a two-handed longsword or a 42" long rapier?

In my campaign, the PCs are important merchant lords around the Sea of Fallen Stars, with a lot of contacts and employees. They like to keep up on news and rumours and have the resources to hear much of what is going on.

And one of them is a fencer trained in Sembia and Ravens Bluff, while the other is a bona fide Master of Defence who is accumulating an encyclopedic knowledge of the science of fighting and the different styles he can find around the Inner Sea.

My point being, the players and their PCs are interested in everyone reputed to be the 'best' at anything, and especially if it is martial arts.

Murlak Solstice is from Saerloon like Harmel Artru and appears to have a lot in common with him.** And he might want to learn more about swordplay from either him or Sraece Telthorn.

And Sir Michael is dedicated to being a master of all weapons and fighting styles, at least those he judges effective***. He'll be curious whether Skoalam Marlgrask is really better than him and if it proves so, he'll want to learn from him.

A query to Ed would take years to be answered, most likely.

Do any scribes know whether he's ever given more detail on them? At conventions or somewhere else in the So Saith Ed... files?

*I know this is probably mostly irrelevant in D&D terms and even in GURPS, which I use, the differences in mechanical terms are fairly small, but it has a major roleplaying and descriptive effect.
**Ship's captain, occasional pirate, secret lair in the Pirate Isles, fencer, rogue, ruthless, callous.
***He's content with learning how to counter those styles he judges less than effective.

Za uspiekh nashevo beznadiozhnovo diela!

Forgotten Realms fans, please sign a petition to re-release the FR Interactive Atlas

Edited by - Icelander on 08 Oct 2012 05:23:28
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Sightless
Senior Scribe

USA
608 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  05:10:41  Show Profile Send Sightless a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

From an answer from Ed, january 2004:
quote:
Well, now. “Swordsmen” you say, so I’m going to narrow my reply down to: male living (not dead or undead) humans.
I’m going to further qualify my reply by saying that among the most skilled masters of bladework, “best” becomes a matter of opinion regarding style, and the average observer can’t identify (let alone properly interpret) most subtle differences because they’re either dead too quickly, or too dazzled by things that happen too swiftly for them to see properly and too deftly for them to measure or grasp the implications of (matters of shifting a foe just a little off balance, or forcing a movement in stance or location, that will lead to a killing stroke three or four maneuvers later).
Moreover, “best” is a steadily shifting title, even when one sets aside divine and magical meddling, because (as with real-world tennis) youthful speed and acrobatic suppleness, plus freedom from injuries and the slowing and crippling effects of aging (on, say, the human knee), must always be balanced against the experience gained in duel after duel after battle: young swordsmen are always rising to the fore, but only step into the ranks of the “best” when those more expert through real-life practice grow too slow to defeat the most skilled younglings (or the younglings overcome their inexperience).
I’m also going to restrict myself purely to matters of bladework, in a one-on-one fight in surroundings that favour neither combatant. In other words, I’m minimizing “street smarts” or dirty fighting or the adventurers’ experience in exploiting traction, lighting, obstacles, distractions, and all of that: factors that seasoned adventurers (like Durnan of Waterdeep) can use to defeat foes who might be a shade faster or a whit better in pure bladework. This will work against Artemis Entreri, for example, but also against a host of other adventurers whom I won’t even mention in this reply, but who might otherwise show up in my answer.
(Personally, I’d rather not do any “best of” rankings, because I think they’re subjective, snapshots of moments in time that are dated even as they’re made, and a bit pointless. Even in pure-skill tournaments, upsets occur, and if a DM wants to create an unknown who’s better than the individuals mentioned here, go right ahead.)
However, I probably possess the best overview of the entire tapestry of the Realms of anyone (though not all that far ahead of, say, Messrs. Boyd and Krashos, closely followed by Schend, Hunter, and Grubb), and can speak from that strength - - not being limited, for instance, by published Realmslore.
So you’re really going to have to trust me here, when I say that the best bladesman in the Realms right now (1375 DR) is: Harmel Artru, a darkly handsome, agile, glib-tongued and lady-charming merchant seacaptain (and sometime pirate), who sails The Winsome Lady independent caravel out of Saerloon (and a secret base somewhere in the Pirate Isles).
Only a whisker-width behind Artru is Loaros Hammarandar, a broad-shouldered, grim giant of a man who can hurl his prodigious strength and bulk around like an acrobat, and is an ever-wary-of-treachery mercenary warmaster currently under hire by Narubel, who commands “the Swift Sword” cavalry force used to quell bandits and unrest in that city and its surrounding farms (and dedicates himself to quietly eliminating all threats to the current rulership, prosperity, and status quo in Narubel).
Close behind Artru and Hammarandar are Skoalam Marlgrask and then Sraece Telthorn.
Skoalam Marlgrask is a professional duelist who travels Chessenta as the champion of whomever sponsors him in duels, making huge sums (because everyone locally knows he’s “the best” in duels, and so tries to outbid opponents seeking to hire his services) that are usually paid in gems and used by Marlgrask to immediately buy property, notably an ever-expanding string of inns and taverns. Marlgrask is polite, saturnine, nondescript of looks but quietly luxurious of dress, and seems able to sense danger (crossbow snipers, for instance) before it can reach out for him. He’s known to be resistant to many natural poisons (having learned this the hard way), but now takes great care regarding what he eats and drinks (hence his purchase of many inns and taverns).
Sraece Telthorn is a smallish, agile, almost feminine man who can dance, tumble, balance, and spring with a skill and precision matched only by the greatest acrobats (once leaping off a parapet to land perfectly balanced on a sloping, protruding flagstaff far below, for instance, and often springing over the slashing swords of opponents). He teaches “swordplay” (fencing) in Yhaunn and Waterdeep, and is believed to travel between the two by means of secret portals of unknown origin and location. Telthorn lives simply, is unambitious (avoiding power and important patrons, and giving much of his coins away), and is beloved by many pleasure-lasses of Waterdeep, who regard him as a kind friend or honorary brother as well as a frequent client.
I’d put the infamous Artemis Entreri after Telthorn, though I could be persuaded to rank two other male human bladesmen between them: Ulmaer Rivrymm of Sheirtalar (a smiling, wax-mustached man of good nature but lightning-swift reflexes and keen sight, who is personal bodyguard to the Overking of Lapaliiya, and can juggle scimitars to entertain), and Aka ‘the Questmaster’ (the mysterious sponsor and trainer of adventurers) who dwells, these days, in the wilderlands of the Sword Coast North.
If I widen my reply to include human females, two must be inserted: Ember Tsartaera between Hammarandar and Marlgrask, and Lyaunthra Aldegal between Marlgrask and Telthorn.
Ember Tsartaera is the tall, cool of manner and sparing of words Knight of Arms (weaponsmaster, or trainer of bodyguards and soldiers) to Lord Albin, ruler of Furthinghome in Aglarond, where she dwells. Ember dresses plainly, lives in spartan surroundings, and is always under iron self-control, keeping to herself and crafting masterwork swords when she’s not practising using them or training others to do so; she never raises her voice (though she can be coldly, cuttingly firm), is always alert and anticipating trouble, and has an acrobatic fighting style; she’s famous in Furthinghome for catching hurled daggers and arrows in flight.
Lyaunthra Aldegal has recently settled in Waterdeep, though she still retains homes in her three previous bases: Silverymoon, Neverwinter, and Secomber. “The Lioness” is a superb maker of bladed weapons and tools (who learned her skills from her now-dead parents), who can resharpen and balance almost any fragment of a mistreated item. She owns and travels between small weapon shops in Waterdeep, Silverymoon, Neverwinter, and Secomber, and specializes in finding just the right weapon for a client, and in weapons-training and -practising with select clients. Known to have ironguard protection afforded by a wearable item (a choker or anklet, most believe), she’s also known to be able to withstand great pain, once (in the days before her ironguard protection) slaying a killer who’d put his blade through her hilt-deep, and then (despite being hit by both acid and fire magics) staggering through four rooms to get healing potions, managing to drink them and pluck forth his blade without passing out. Aldegal is a fire-haired, rugged-looking woman who takes numerous lovers, arrives and departs quietly and unexpectedly, and is seldom to be found where one expects to find her.
Quite a roster.
If I now widen my reply further, to include elves, half-elves, dwarves, halflings, and gnomes (note that I’m still excluding shapechanging races and multi-armed intelligent “monsters”), I’d put Maethrammar Aerasume between Artru and Hammarandar, and Drizzt Do’Urden JUST behind Marlgrask.
However, ask me this a year from now (Realms time), and - - even if there haven’t been fatalities - - these rankings may have shifted around quite a bit. As I said, among individuals of this skill, determinations are whisker-thin.



So saith Ed. Whew. Warned you, didn’t I? What Ed and all of we original players share when reading or listening to debates about “bests” and most this or that of the Realms is that there’s so much as-yet-unpublished Realmslore about this everchanging world that Ed crafted and continues to detail and expand, right alongside other writers (so the argument that “well, we can’t go by Ed’s original, we can only discuss the published Realms, that’s diverged so much from his original” goes right out the window). I happen to agree with Ed that rating “best” bladesmen is a bit pointless because it’s so subjective, changes so fast, and has such little practical roleplaying value - - but I fully understand Feanor’s curiosity in wanting to know. It’s a longing to know and understand the Realms more fully that we all share.
And I hope we will always continue to do so!
love to all,
THO




If you could see my face, and I'm utterly greatful you can't, there's a picture of utter horor plastered on it, because everytime somebody slaps a post on the board like this, I discover how much I truely don't know.

And I'll do what Lincoin warned me not to, I'll admit that I've never heard of any of these characters. Not once, despite all the names that have been thrown around at gaming groups, none of these ever came up. I'm not saying this as a statement of falsehood on your part, I'm stating this to demonstrate my growing realization of the layers upon layers of the Realms. Where did you find all of these characters? Just so I can be on the look out, figuratively of course, if I have the sources?

We choose to live a lie, when we see with, & not through the eye.

Every decision, no matter the evidence, is a leap of faith; if it were not, then it wouldn't be a choice at all.
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore

Australia
6680 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  06:08:28  Show Profile Send George Krashos a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Sightless, this information came from Ed's thread in the Chamber of Sages sub-forum right here at C-Keep. You should put it on your 'must always read' list.

-- George Krashos

"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author

USA
4598 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  07:28:44  Show Profile  Visit Erik Scott de Bie's Homepage Send Erik Scott de Bie a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Imp

Again, wow.
Well, you did ask why people were being put off. I'm not calling you dismissive or a jerk, only that your posts definitely come off that way to me, and I wanted to suggest that maybe they were coming off that way to others.

I hope you find the information you're looking for. The Realms is full of warrior-types of the level range you specify, and you should have no problem finding a number to fit your specific needs (whatever those might be).

Cheers

Erik Scott de Bie

'Tis easier to destroy than to create.

Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars"
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Sightless
Senior Scribe

USA
608 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  07:34:14  Show Profile Send Sightless a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos

Sightless, this information came from Ed's thread in the Chamber of Sages sub-forum right here at C-Keep. You should put it on your 'must always read' list.

-- George Krashos


George I think that's in part of the site that's layered in an image. On the main page there's a giant image and every link that's in it, is invisible to me. I might find it eventually, by simply starting at the top of the image and slowly going down using the arrow key. Can you hear the hours slowly slipping by, and at the end of all that I still might not find it. Yeah, but thanks, once again you provided me with a vaery useful answer.
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
12093 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  13:58:14  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Icelander

I'd love to know more about the prefered weapons, stylistic differences and philosophies of combat of the 'best' swordsmen Ed mentioned above.

For example, what's the difference between a fencer taught by Sraece Telthorn and one who learnt from whoever taught Harmel Artru?

Do they both favour swords of a similar weight, shape and point of balance? Or does one use a broad and fairly heavy (2 lbs.) hanger with a 28" blade and the other a gently curved, more slender saber with a 32" blade, weighing only 1.5 lbs.?* Or maybe one of them favours a two-handed longsword or a 42" long rapier?

In my campaign, the PCs are important merchant lords around the Sea of Fallen Stars, with a lot of contacts and employees. They like to keep up on news and rumours and have the resources to hear much of what is going on.

And one of them is a fencer trained in Sembia and Ravens Bluff, while the other is a bona fide Master of Defence who is accumulating an encyclopedic knowledge of the science of fighting and the different styles he can find around the Inner Sea.

My point being, the players and their PCs are interested in everyone reputed to be the 'best' at anything, and especially if it is martial arts.

Murlak Solstice is from Saerloon like Harmel Artru and appears to have a lot in common with him.** And he might want to learn more about swordplay from either him or Sraece Telthorn.

And Sir Michael is dedicated to being a master of all weapons and fighting styles, at least those he judges effective***. He'll be curious whether Skoalam Marlgrask is really better than him and if it proves so, he'll want to learn from him.

A query to Ed would take years to be answered, most likely.

Do any scribes know whether he's ever given more detail on them? At conventions or somewhere else in the So Saith Ed... files?

*I know this is probably mostly irrelevant in D&D terms and even in GURPS, which I use, the differences in mechanical terms are fairly small, but it has a major roleplaying and descriptive effect.
**Ship's captain, occasional pirate, secret lair in the Pirate Isles, fencer, rogue, ruthless, callous.
***He's content with learning how to counter those styles he judges less than effective.




You know, I never thought much about it, but THAT would be a great article for someone to write. It would seem to me that in a given region, if there's certain really powerful heroic figures... the up and comers may naturally emulate their styles. While this base idea was done with Tome of Battle (although to my knowledge, I don't think the schools were explicitly placed in the realms, unless Eytan did it in an article), that was assuming somewhat fantastical schools of magic/melee combat. It would be interesting to note certain general consistencies for certain areas of the realms.

For instance, it might be simply noted that Rashemen's warriors favor two handed weapons, bastard swords, axes, and spears. It could be stated that they favor special abilities that favor natural strength. Their armor ranges might run the gamut.

Impiltur might favor weapon and shield styles, lance/mounted combat, but there could be a school where nobles train in light fencing weapons as well. Armor choice might favor the extremes of either heavy or light armor.

The Dalelands might favor various bow specializations and light weapons, with a particular fondness for the longsword. Armor choice favors light armors and light shields.

I feel I couldn't do justice to such a study myself, but I'd love to read it. It'd be great to see something like that where you might list out some "rare" feats that are fairly common in an area (for instance, I'd imagine all regions might be able to teach combat reflexes, dodge, combat expertise, weapon focus, etc...., but whirlwind attack trainers might be harder to find)

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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Bladewind
Master of Realmslore

Netherlands
1280 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  14:57:49  Show Profile Send Bladewind a Private Message  Reply with Quote
't Was one of my most favorite replies from Ed, as I had the same reaction as you, Sightless, when I first read it.

There is much to glean from it, such as the realism with which Ed approuches the answer of 'who is the Best Swordsman'. That Realmsian swordsmen have to compete in a very dangerous 'sport', where a mistake will end a carreer well before a swordsmans peak is key here. It seems the typical (human) bladesman uses and emphasizes speed, technique and footwork to create flourishes of the blade too fast to follow with an untrained eye. This factoid alone could be examinened to a great degree to filter out differing fighting schools and styles in Faerun.

Ed hinted that some monstrous or demihuman races are probably ranked high above the ones he mentioned (I'm intrigued and afraid to learn what undead warrior would claim the title best swordsman!).

I tracked down some barely official 'stats' of the swordsmen mentioned, including Maethrammar Aerasume stats by the way:
A summarized list here, from best blade to (relatively) the worst:

1. male human, Harmel Artru, Saerloon, Sembia.
2. male half-elf, Maethrammar Aerasume, Silverymoon, the Silver Marches
3. male human, Loaros Hammarandar, Narubel, Thindol.
4. female human, Ember Tsartaera, Furthinghome, Aglarond.
5. male human, Skoalam Marlgrask, Chessenta.
6. male elf (drow), Drizzt Do'Urden, Mithral Hall, Silver Marches
7. female human, Lyaunthra Aldegal, Waterdeep AND (Silverymoon, Neverwinter and Secomber)
8. male human, Sraece Telthorn, Yhaunn, Sembia AND Waterdeep.
9. male human, Artemis Entreri, Calimport, Calimshan.
10. male human, Ulmaer Rivrymm, Sheirtalar, Lapaliiya.
11. male human, Aka 'The Questmaster', Sword Coast North.

Methrammar Aerasumé, of the Shining Guard [LG hem F14/W12] and commander of Luruar's armies [The North "Cities" pg. 55], is noted as being the most recognized son of Alustriel.

______


Considering the use of practical swordsmanship is essential in surviving many an adventure, some PC might actually be the best swordsman walking around on Toril. A fearunian adventurer blade is tested to cut through links in magical chainmail, weak spots in chitinous carapaces, tendons in 'near steel'-like muscles, rockhard skin, joints of interlocking platemail, strong exoskeletons and numerous other defences encountered amongst his foes. I think most adventurers would visit bladeschools that teach some form of power attack, emphasizing techniques to maximize wound trauma.

With Faerunian humans long history of wars, swordmanship schools of ancient reknown are likely to exist. Those schools would likely stand the test of time by constantly absorbing new techniques learned through encounters sparring or fighting other demi-human fighting styles and fighting and surviving a melee with a monster.

Thay and Chessenta have arena combat, wich would mean their gladiator schools have a history of at least a couple thousand years. They don't produce the best warriors though, but some of the flashy showmanship of a Thayan gladiator can hide deadly cutting and thrusting techniques that could be devastating if they can be executed with proper focus and timing.

Duels are a social phenomenon that could be quite prominent in Faerun, with all the young and daring nobles running around. I don't recall any tomes that detail its intricasies though, such as the most used common duelling weapon of each family. But these can be filled in by any DM however they want.

If i had to guess I think the sabre would be the weapon of choice amongst most Sembian nobilty and merchant houses. The Swordcoast is known that way because its people favor the bigger blades, so I guess many a two handed greatsword school is found along its shores. The melting pot of Waterdhavian nobility likely lean towards exotic longsword schools and fencing with rapiers, while Baldurs Gate nobilty favor claymores, Luskan captains mainly handle cutlasses and Neverwinter nobilty duel with longswords primarily.

I have a feeling the southern lands are more filled with scimitars, bastard swords and their ilk. Tethyr, Cormyr and the Western Hearthlands seems to be the perfect place for the bastard swords 'home region'. Scimitars are likely favored by the cavalry oriented humans, i.e. Tuigans, Shaarans and Dambrathi. Aglarond would be heavily influenced by elvish fighting styles, so longswords and rapiers abound.

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Icelander
Master of Realmslore

1864 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  19:14:33  Show Profile  Visit Icelander's Homepage Send Icelander a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas

You know, I never thought much about it, but THAT would be a great article for someone to write.


So it would.

quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas

It would seem to me that in a given region, if there's certain really powerful heroic figures... the up and comers may naturally emulate their styles. While this base idea was done with Tome of Battle (although to my knowledge, I don't think the schools were explicitly placed in the realms, unless Eytan did it in an article), that was assuming somewhat fantastical schools of magic/melee combat.


Power is probably less relevant than social prominence and reputation for weapon skill. An armsmaster who taught a generation of noble sons and knights to fight will leave marks in the forms of his preferences, tactical philosophies and prejudices in the swordsmanship of the area. An adventurer who killed a bunch of monsters might not, even if he could have defeated the teacher handily.

Besides, above a certain level of 'might', adventurers are imbued with superhuman abilities, regardless of whether they are divinely-inspired or just more-than-mortal warriors. It is these abilities, such as near-indestructible bodies and the ability to pick up nearly any weapon and use it with mastery, that makes them effective combatants. Not necessarily their technical swordcraft.

In GURPS, it's easy to distinguish between a master swordsman with skill 32 in his weapon because he accumulated incredible depth of skill on top of breathtaking natural talent, and an adventurer who can attack at skill 30 or so because of his awesomeness and magical gear, do far more damage per strike and can take a sword through the guts and keep attacking. The latter would win in a fight, but the former is the better swordsman.

quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas

It would be interesting to note certain general consistencies for certain areas of the realms.

For instance, it might be simply noted that Rashemen's warriors favor two handed weapons, bastard swords, axes, and spears. It could be stated that they favor special abilities that favor natural strength. Their armor ranges might run the gamut.

Impiltur might favor weapon and shield styles, lance/mounted combat, but there could be a school where nobles train in light fencing weapons as well. Armor choice might favor the extremes of either heavy or light armor.

The Dalelands might favor various bow specializations and light weapons, with a particular fondness for the longsword. Armor choice favors light armors and light shields.

I feel I couldn't do justice to such a study myself, but I'd love to read it. It'd be great to see something like that where you might list out some "rare" feats that are fairly common in an area (for instance, I'd imagine all regions might be able to teach combat reflexes, dodge, combat expertise, weapon focus, etc...., but whirlwind attack trainers might be harder to find)


It would be interesting. One problem, though, is that the nomenclature for weapons in D&D is really strange and confusing.

In real language, longswords are two-handed weapons. The term describes anything from a hand-and-a-half sword to a hefty greatsword, but it never describes an exclusively one-handed weapon. What D&D calls a 'longsword' has at various times in history been called an 'arming sword', a 'broadsword' or just a 'sword'.

What D&D calls a rapier is nothing of the sort. It's a smallsword. Real rapiers are at least as heavy as arming swords, for one thing because they are far longer. And they are not light and elegant parrying weapons, they are meant for attacking. Parrying is very often done with the off-hand in rapier styles, precisely because the rapier is too heavy to be all that responsive in a duel. Only the latest historical examples of 'rapiers' would even approach Hollywood's image of the weapon and even then, they were never as flimsy as smallswords.

I have a lot of ideas for regional styles, but the problem is that without Ed's input, any potential writer would be imposing his mental vision of the Realms over an area that affects how we imagine a lot of the action there.

I imagine that the martial arts in Impiltur are subject to a three-way split, with considerable tensions in between.

There are the traditonal knights who believe that training in arms is the province of those born to their station and therefore raised in the proper attitudes and mindset of a knight. Because of the advanced state of armouring in Impiltur, shields are falling out of favour, not being necessary for protection for a man in full plate harness. Two-handed weapons, mainly swords, are the traditonal knightly weapons there. The lance charge is still viewed as the pinnacle of knightly prowess and thus of martial prowess.

The second group is actually seen as having their purpose by the more fair-minded among the knights. They mostly consist of veterans from the Warswords and call themselves Masters of Defence. They teach practical fighting with weapons of war, such as polearms, spears, staves, hammers and axes. They also teach swordsmanship, both one- and two-handed blades, as well as knives, wrestling and even unarmed defence against weapons. Training is done in and out of armour.

The stated goal is to produce a warrior who can use any weapon* and meet any challenge. To the Masters of Defence, the art of defence and warcraft is a trade, something you learn with an apprenticeship and keep improving with practice. High-minded philosophies, social status or mystical secrets are no part of it. Weapons are tools that you may find yourself obliged to use all too often through your life; to defend yourself, your place in the world or your land. But that's all they are. They aren't what makes a man and if you ever get to thinking that there's some fancy weapon and style out there you can master and defeat all other warriors, you're deluded.

The Masters of Defence see the knights as being fine warriors and students of an effective martial art, but far too focused on certain prestigious but rare sitautions, like the mounted charge. They take pride in knowing that a proficient student of theirs with a bill or glaive can match or defeat most any knight at less than a tenth of the cost of training and equipment.

Finally, there are the fencing masters. These teach civilian swordsmanship to nobles and the richer of the midddle class. They usually specialise in their weapons, often at the expense of learning to counter any style other than those few that are permitted in their salles, and are looked at with professional disdain by the Masters of Defence and viewed as upstart commoners giving the rabble ideas by the knights. In turn, they see the Masters of Defence as hopelessly unfashionable and boring and the knights as rapidly becoming outdated. They are absolutely confident that in a duel, they'd make mincemeat out of either, assuming of course that the rules were the same as in their salles.

But this, or at least the insertion of the Masters of Defence and the postulation that knights focus on two-handed weapons, is mostly my own slant on things. Some extrapolated from canon facts and developments in real hoplology in response to similar conditions, but still, if Ed had a radically different idea of fashions in weapons and styles in Impiltur, it would not fit at all.

*Any weapon that the Masters judge useful, at least. They frown on 'fancy' ones, like purely civilian fencing swords or exotic chain weapons.

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Bladewind
Master of Realmslore

Netherlands
1280 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  21:31:23  Show Profile Send Bladewind a Private Message  Reply with Quote
D&D longswords are not exclusively onehanded swords though, they are accomodated to be used for twohanded strikes that channel much more cutting power; it's not a light onehanded weapon or smallsword. Your right that the D&D greatsword could be called a longsword (and many more swordnames) if a historical category needed to be given.

Halfswording techniques with longswords (having a hand free for options such as grapling and using leverage to trip with the aid of the crossguards) not only eventually led to the developement of D&D's bastard swords but to regional adjustments on greatswords (bigger crossguards, shorter cutting edges for using a greatsword as leverage during advanced grappling techniques) as well.

I would think the arming sword and the viking sword or spatha a good example of an 'old school' longsword not accomodated for halfswording, while a good example of proper bastard sword is this one, a swedish one and half sword with very robust sizes for the grip and crossguard.

I saw you posted a followup question realting to all this in Ed's ask for realmslore thread, so I await his insight into the shifts in the use and preferance of blades along Faerun.

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Edited by - Bladewind on 08 Oct 2012 21:53:20
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Icelander
Master of Realmslore

1864 Posts

Posted - 08 Oct 2012 :  22:52:23  Show Profile  Visit Icelander's Homepage Send Icelander a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

D&D longswords are not exclusively onehanded swords though, they are accomodated to be used for twohanded strikes that channel much more cutting power; it's not a light onehanded weapon or smallsword. Your right that the D&D greatsword could be called a longsword (and many more swordnames) if a historical category needed to be given.

Halfswording techniques with longswords (having a hand free for options such as grapling and using leverage to trip with the aid of the crossguards) not only eventually led to the developement of D&D's bastard swords but to regional adjustments on greatswords (bigger crossguards, shorter cutting edges for using a greatsword as leverage during advanced grappling techniques) as well.

I would think the arming sword and the viking sword or spatha a good example of an 'old school' longsword not accomodated for halfswording, while a good example of proper bastard sword is this one, a swedish one and half sword with very robust sizes for the grip and crossguard.

The 'long' in longsword is merely a translation of 'langes' in 'langes schwert' and refers to all two-handed techniques with a sword, contrasted with 'short' or 'kurtzes schwert' use, which refers to one-handed use with the second hand placed on the blade, i.e. your halfswording. Longsword techniques are two-handed ones and shortsword techniques are one-handed ones.

The term eventually became applied to swords long enough to qualify for two-handed techniques, which makes as much sense as any martial art terminology ever does. From that, we get the terminology 'longsword' for any two-handed sword and 'shortsword' for any one-handed sword.

It remains a fact that calling any sword that isn't used at all in two-hands a 'longsword' is simply confusing to the point of uselessness. Why add a qualifier to the word sword that means the opposite of what you mean? How is the word 'sword' less descriptive than 'longsword' of what you mean to say?

At least 'broadsword' distinguishes the blade from thinner and more narrow-bladed civilian swords, like rapiers and smallswords. So I more or less use the terms 'arming sword' or 'broadsword' interchangably for such weapons as your spatha or Viking sword, even when those terms would not have been used in the period.*

*Let's face it, most swords have at the time they were in use been known simply by the name 'sword' in the local language or at the very most by a word from a neighbouring language from which that design of sword has been adopted.

quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

I saw you posted a followup question realting to all this in Ed's ask for realmslore thread, so I await his insight into the shifts in the use and preferance of blades along Faerun.


Do you think it increases our odds of jumping in front of the que if you express interest in the same subject?

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Icelander
Master of Realmslore

1864 Posts

Posted - 09 Oct 2012 :  00:04:49  Show Profile  Visit Icelander's Homepage Send Icelander a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

5. male human, Skoalam Marlgrask, Chessenta.

A CN male Chessentan Swashbuckler 18, according to Eytan Bernstein's Class Chronicles.

quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

8. male human, Sraece Telthorn, Yhaunn, Sembia AND Waterdeep.

Fighter 16/Swashbuckler 7 according to the above article. Which is quite a power boost from his 2e statline, I know.

quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

Methrammar Aerasumé, of the Shining Guard [LG hem F14/W12] and commander of Luruar's armies [The North "Cities" pg. 55], is noted as being the most recognized son of Alustriel.

Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel's Realms Personalities has him at lower effective fighting level (BA +11 vs. base THAC0 7) as well as lower spellcasting capability. I'm not sure this is necessary, especially not as he's being placed above characters whose 3e stat updates have their Base Attack bonus be +18 to +20.

Granted, BA is not the whole of swordsmanship skill, but realistically, there's a strong correlation. BA is more or less a foundation of transferable skills that apply with every weapon, such as stance, reading your foe, mastery of range and footword, etc. Technical mastery with a single weapon can make someone a far better swordsman than a more rounded warrior, but not if the rounded warrior is so seasoned that no amount of specialisation can make up for it.

quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

Considering the use of practical swordsmanship is essential in surviving many an adventure, some PC might actually be the best swordsman walking around on Toril. A fearunian adventurer blade is tested to cut through links in magical chainmail, weak spots in chitinous carapaces, tendons in 'near steel'-like muscles, rockhard skin, joints of interlocking platemail, strong exoskeletons and numerous other defences encountered amongst his foes. I think most adventurers would visit bladeschools that teach some form of power attack, emphasizing techniques to maximize wound trauma.

Adventuers, however, might not care quite as much about technical skill as they do about adaptability, toughness and that mystical spark that makes some mortals able to challenge legendary monsters and survive.

quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

Thay and Chessenta have arena combat, wich would mean their gladiator schools have a history of at least a couple thousand years. They don't produce the best warriors though, but some of the flashy showmanship of a Thayan gladiator can hide deadly cutting and thrusting techniques that could be devastating if they can be executed with proper focus and timing.

Unther and much of the Vilhon Reach also have gladiatoral combat. So does Westgate and some parts of the Moonsea.

I'd think that gladiators were some of the best duellist around. Few other warriors specialise quite so heavily in lethal one-on-one combat.

quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

Duels are a social phenomenon that could be quite prominent in Faerun, with all the young and daring nobles running around. I don't recall any tomes that detail its intricasies though, such as the most used common duelling weapon of each family. But these can be filled in by any DM however they want.

Evidently, Chessenta has some form of judicial or conflict resolution duels, where the parties may hire a champion.

quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

If i had to guess I think the sabre would be the weapon of choice amongst most Sembian nobilty and merchant houses. The Swordcoast is known that way because its people favor the bigger blades, so I guess many a two handed greatsword school is found along its shores. The melting pot of Waterdhavian nobility likely lean towards exotic longsword schools and fencing with rapiers, while Baldurs Gate nobilty favor claymores, Luskan captains mainly handle cutlasses and Neverwinter nobilty duel with longswords primarily.

Here we run again into the problem of what you mean with 'longswords'. Do you mean arming swords or broadswords, i.e. single-handed sidearm swords of military weight, good for cutting and thrusting, and usually between 28" and 32" in blade length?

quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

I have a feeling the southern lands are more filled with scimitars, bastard swords and their ilk. Tethyr, Cormyr and the Western Hearthlands seems to be the perfect place for the bastard swords 'home region'. Scimitars are likely favored by the cavalry oriented humans, i.e. Tuigans, Shaarans and Dambrathi. Aglarond would be heavily influenced by elvish fighting styles, so longswords and rapiers abound.


Does D&D have weapon stats for 'sabers' and 'scimitars' as different things? Because they are the same, just in different languages.

Tuigans use sabers, canonically, but Alzhedo, Midani or Mujhari speakers might well call them scimitars.

Shaarans are unlikely to make their own swords, at least the tribesmen, but the settled townsfolk of Shaaran stock probably have weapon fashions that are substantially influenced by Calimshan.

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Bladewind
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Posted - 09 Oct 2012 :  01:35:39  Show Profile Send Bladewind a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Nice catch on those class chronicles articles. Didn't realise Eytan did work with Ed's reply.

I agree with the BaB and HP representing overal experience and aquired reliabilties one can acrue by the constant toil of adventuring life (such as living the life of a duelist). They know their strengths, such as their reflexes and instincts, like no other resulting in high hit probabilties. High level means nowing ones own limits as well, as having a bunch of HP represents them being able to deflect major wounds into minor ones or painful parries, untill the final blow that will make the difference.

About adventurer fighting styles, I agree adaptability is key. Especially against monsters of rare breeds, the meriad of bizarre attack forms and arcane defences encountered are difficult to plan for, let alone train. Surely rangers with their focus on a single enemy type have developed focused martial fighting styles designed for combatting specific monsters up close, but a typical fighter needs to be able to rely on his home regions styles repertoire. So a singular adventurers fighters guild is unlikely to appear, as each region is plagued by different creatures and honed by different fighting styles and traditions.

I really like you mentioned the mystical element of swordplay at the high to epic levels. Certain feats and prowess seem to be able to require magic, but do they really? A good example is Skoalams ability to 'sense danger' wich hints at the supernatural (mechanicly it could work as uncanny dodge or for a high power campaign even prescience).

To clarify my thoughts on sword use amongst nobility in the Swordcoast, I meant for the Waterdhavian nobilty to favor the a great variety of swords, but focussed mainly on one handed smallswords (historically speaking). And the Neverwinter nobilty to favor twohanded techniques with longswords accomodated for it ('near bastardswords' in D&D terms).

There are stats for slashing lightweight Sabers in the equipment section of the FRCS. Calishite warriors tend to favor the scimitars, as do Bedine and Zahkaran swordmasters. I wonder how both an unarmoured as an armed and armored duel between a Zakharan swordmaster (scimitar or scimitar, shield and lammelar armor) against a twohanded Swordsmaster of the Swordcoast (greatsword or full articulated plate and greatsword) would go.

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Icelander
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Posted - 09 Oct 2012 :  02:40:22  Show Profile  Visit Icelander's Homepage Send Icelander a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

I really like you mentioned the mystical element of swordplay at the high to epic levels. Certain feats and prowess seem to be able to require magic, but do they really?


In setting terms, i.e. how Faerunian people would think about it, it may not be The Art or even always thought about in the same terms as magical knacks or divine granted powers. But in our terms, people who live in the real world, it is nothing less than magic. It's supernatural, impossible abilities that are not available to real people, in the real world.

Batman claims he doesn't have superpowers, but in terms of the real world, he's got magical control of gravity, magical regeneration, magical tough skin, magical unbreakable bones, magical probability control, magical gadget-based control of physics, etc.

High-level characters in D&D, which means pretty much anyone over 6th level or so, are functionally the same as Batman. They are effectively superheroes whose capabilities are magical in the sense that they are impossible under the mundane physics and probability of the world us players live in. They aren't just skilled, they are gifted in a way that real people just can't be, because real skill doesn't warp probability and protect you from harmful effects of physics. Real world champions at any martial art, in our world, can and do die from a random shot or arrow, without ever knowing about it. Or a knife stab from a low-skill thug, just because skill isn't everything in a fight.

So, when I model a high-level character from the Realms in GURPS, a game system where the baseline assumption is realism, but any kind of supernatural power can be added on to that, I simply construct them as superheroes of increasing power according to higher levels.

That's why I have no problem with the 'best swordsmen' not being the highest level characters, because one of these labels tracks technical skill with a sword and the other raw power. But I do try to avoid anything silly, like people with enough supernatural gifts for using any weapon at all not counting as 'good swordsmen' while their magical gift is greater than ay amount of real skill and training. So I wouldn't like to reduce the level of anyone on that list down to single digits while increasing others to high twenties, because that would just jar me.

Which is why I'll stat all of Ed's 'best' as being at least somewhat superheroic, as that seems to be a natural thing for someone good enough at fighting, in the Realms. But with GURPS, I don't have any problem with one of them being the equivalent of a 14th level character and another being a 23rd level. It just means that one of them will have a much higher skill level with his weapon while the other will have more Batman-style superheroic power.

quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

A good example is Skoalams ability to 'sense danger' wich hints at the supernatural (mechanicly it could work as uncanny dodge or for a high power campaign even prescience).


In GURPS terms, he has Danger Sense. Which I'm thinking about making part of a well-honed (but formally untrained) psionic power and thus making him a slight wild talent. Just for flavour and because I've been hinting a little about Jhammdath, introducing several items that might date from there and the PCs are looking for someone who knows about psionics. Not that he'd be any help with scholarly stuff, but it would be another slight taste of psionics in the Realms.

quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

To clarify my thoughts on sword use amongst nobility in the Swordcoast, I meant for the Waterdhavian nobilty to favor the a great variety of swords, but focussed mainly on one handed smallswords (historically speaking). And the Neverwinter nobilty to favor twohanded techniques with longswords accomodated for it ('near bastardswords' in D&D terms).

In my campaign, Waterdhavian rapiers are the equivalent of late French models, i.e. starting to somewhat resemble the smallswords that Hollywood pretends are rapiers. They are edged, usually, and used in an acrobatic style, often with a single sword and live hand, but a parrying dagger is not unknown. I'm basing that on the City of Splendours novel and the fairly extensive swordfighting and sparring scenes there.

quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

There are stats for slashing lightweight Sabers in the equipment section of the FRCS.

Lightweight? Hell, these are four pound wrist-breakers and the book even says so!

Ok, I got no problems with sabers like that being used by the Tuigan and Nars, just so long as we understand that some cultures will call these swords scimitars and other cultures will call many lighter curved swords sabers too. The words are functionally interchangable.

quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

I wonder how both an unarmoured as an armed and armored duel between a Zakharan swordmaster (scimitar or scimitar, shield and lammelar armor) against a twohanded Swordsmaster of the Swordcoast (greatsword or full articulated plate and greatsword) would go.


Much depends on the individuals in question, but in general, longer reach is an advantage in a duel and an articulated plate harness is simply a more advanced and better form of protection than lamellar. A full suit of lamellar armour would weight more than a full suit of articulated plate, but would not provide nearly the same protection.

So the person using the better dueling weapon along with the higher technology armour would have an unfair advantage.

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Edited by - Icelander on 09 Oct 2012 02:43:49
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jordanz
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Posted - 09 Oct 2012 :  03:21:08  Show Profile  Visit jordanz's Homepage Send jordanz a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Imp

I need info on the great warriors in the Realms. By warriors I mean characters that don't cast spells (or at least don't cast much). By great I mean high level, at least in teens.
Please write down the warriors:
- name
- race
- class and level
- location
- a short description on who he is
I care only about people pre-Sellplague.

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