In Elven society, the duties of defense and peace-keeping are those of the Sylvaranethani, the Sylvan Elves. Typically stronger and more hearty than their kin, the Sylvaranethani are well suited to these sorts of professions. Sylvaranethani archers are feared throughout the Lands for their accuracy and stealth, and Sylvaranethani warriors are equally skilled with blades. The pinnacle of the warrior spirit among the Sylvaranethani, however, is the BladeDancer.

Combining speed, grace, and skill at arms, the BladeDancer is a fearsome opponent. The wildest of Elven warriors, BladeDancers tattoo their bodies with arcane Elven runes of strength and power. They dress in garish clothing of clashing colors designed to accent their red, blue, and green tattoos and typically decorate themselves and their weapons with animal totems such as feathers, claws, or bones.

BladeDancers always fight with a pair of matched slashing weapons. Swords such as scimitars, cutlasses, sabres, and falchions are most common, but some BladeDancers choose light tomahawk-like battle axes.

BladeDancers are bold and fearless in battle, reveling in combat nearly to the degree of Dwarven BattleRagers. However, BladeDancers do not fall into a killing frenzy and typically give more thought to defense and strategy than do Dwarven BattleRagers.

Requirements: STR 12, DEX 17

Role: As the elite warriors of the Elven society, BladeDancers are often called upon to undertake the most dangerous of adventures and to fight the most fearsome foes. The typical Elven military unit will consist of forty archers, twenty warriors, five priests, three wizards, and three BladeDancers.

Secondary skills: Forester, Hunter.

Weapon proficiencies:
Bonus: Two-weapon fighting style specialization.
Required: Specialization in any one-handed slashing weapon.
Recommended: Long sword, falchion, scimitar.

Nonweapon proficiencies:
Bonus: Tumbling, Jumping
Required: Dancing
Recommended: Blind-fighting, Juggling, Tattooing, Tightrope walking

Special benefits: BladeDancers are not restricted to a maximum of level 15 as are normal Sylvan Elf warriors, BladeDancers may reach level 20. The tattoos of the BladeDancer serve as both body decoration and protection; beginning at 1^st level, the BladeDancer has a natural AC of 8 (which is further reduced by high dexterity). At every even experience level (2, 4, 6, …), the increasing complexity of the BladeDancer's tattoos decrease their AC by 1, to a minimum of AC 0 at level 16.

Special hindrances: BladeDancers may not wear any sort of armor or magical defensive items such as cloaks or bracers which reduce AC, though they may wear Rings of Protection. Instead, BladeDancers trust in their high dexterity and the increasingly protective nature of their tattoos to protect them. BladeDancers receive a -1 to hit with all ranged weapons and may not take the Elven Additional Ability: +1 Attack Bonus with any bow except crossbow. Once they have chosen their weapons, the BladeDancer never chooses another. For example, if a BladeDancer's chosen weapon is the scimitar they may not use any other weapon or even any other sort of sword. Such a BladeDancer would prefer a scimitar +1 to an intelligent, FlameTongue, Vorpal, +5 long sword. In the eyes of the BladeDancer, the long sword - regardless of magical power - is useless. Of course, an enchanted version of a BladeDancer's chosen weapon is highly prized.

Wealth options: 5d4 x 10 gp, 75% of which must be spent on weapons.

Races: Sylvaranethani (Sylvan Elves)

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