Class Chronicles

Duskblades and Knights

Eytan Bernstein

The classes found in Player's Handbook II, as well in the Complete Books, Miniatures Handbook, and other
sources, can add depth, variety, and freshness to a game. Many people already use these classes in their
Forgotten Realms games but wish more information was available about how the classes fit into the world.
This article is the second in a series that explores how the PHB II classes can be incorporated into the Realms.
All of this information is optional. At the end of each entry, alternative ideas are listed for how to include the
history and lore written here but without requiring the introduction of these classes into your game.

Duskblades
In the ancient Vyshaanti fighting academies, a martial style developed among young elves who were gifted in
fighting and magic. This was a divergent path of bladesinging -- a more brutal style that incorporated heavier
armor and more deadly spells. Originally known as Nael'kerym, these warriors greatly complemented
bladesingers. They were meant to be heavy combat spellblades, while the bladesingers acted as precision
skirmishers.
When the army of Aryvandaar invaded Shantel Othreier in -10,900, the heavily armored spellblade contingent
was faced with a terrible decision. Witnessing their nation invading an allied land, trafficking with infernal powers,
and showing a complete disregard for the lives of their kin, these warriors were torn between abandoning their
nation or slaughtering their brethren. Heated discussion occurred at the war council. One side was firmly in
support of the Vyshaanti, citing a variety of reasons why the attack was just. To the other side, these
explanations and excuses rang hollow.
Before the war council could resolve this thorny question, a fast-moving orc
horde fell upon both armies. The loyalists stayed with the Aryvandaaran
forces, slaughtering elf and orc alike. The dissenters fought orcs only,
attempting to stay away from both other contingents and meeting mostly with
success.
Afterward, the warriors who slew indiscriminately became known as
duskblades. They received this name because their contingent broke
through the Shantel Othreier line at dusk, cresting a hill toward victory.
Survivors of the enemy forces described these warriors as frightening blurs
of magic and metal, shining in the fading orange sun like vengeful, fallen
angels.
Following the massacre, the duskblades came to be thought of as "steel
dancers," or H'ei'Yal Drathinmale. Those that cleaved through their brethren
with sword and spell became ignominious symbols of Aryvandaaran
treachery. The dissenters were forgotten, a footnote in most elven lore
tomes. When the Vyshaanti, and later the Dlardrageth, descended into the
evil of infernal lore, the duskblades became symbols for the corruption of the
ancient bladesinging tradition.
The dissenters at the battle for Northern Shantel Othreier may have been
forgotten, but the tradition did not end there. Valorous duskblades remained,
helping Shantel Othreier until the end, as well as other invaded kingdoms.
They constantly proved their valor in these battles, but eventually, their
tradition all but died out when the Vyshaanti succeeded in conquering the
rest of the elven realms. When the Vyshaan reign came to an end, many of the duskblades died with it. Later,
some were sealed in Nar Kerymhoarth with the rest of the Fey'ri legion. They were recently seen among the
Fey'ri army led by Sarya Dlardrageth.

A few of the duskblade dissenters remained after the Crown Wars, passing down the tradition through the
generations. Eventually, this art became mostly lost, something that was practiced only secretly for fear of
association with the Vyshaanti. Future duskblades hid their abilities, mimicking the more fluid styles of the
bladesingers by wearing mithral armor and studying music and dance. They knew that if their true abilities were
revealed, they would be associated with the treachery of the crown wars.
Thousands of years have passed, and the duskblade tradition is all but forgotten. Here and there, an elven
warrior learns this tradition from a mentor, usually unaware of its dark origin. Most current duskblades are sun
elves, but there are members from other subraces.
There are no formal groups of duskblades in Faerun. The study of this art is always passed down by an
experienced mentor to a promising young elven warrior. Many young duskblades do not learn anything about
their history until centuries into their studies. The secrets are jealously guarded by justifiably cautious mentors.
The greatest concentration of duskblades seems to be in Silverymoon, but there are a number in Evereska and
the new settlements in Cormanthor. For the most part, these are valorous elven warriors. Small numbers of
duskblades closer to the Vyshaanti ideal are hidden among members of the Eldreth Veluuthra and in some of the
sun elf noble houses of Evermeet. Duskblades serving the Eldreth Veluuthra are often called "cleansing
blades" (Uluuth Phlarenn), a name sometimes used as an alternative for the entire organization.
For those wishing to utilize the history of the duskblades in Faerun but without incorporating the class into their
games, there is an alternative. It is easy enough to use the bladesinger prestige class from Races of Faerun.
Use the Battle Caster feat from Complete Arcana to allow bladesingers to wear mithral full plate. The rest is just
character choices and style.

Knights
Wherever valiant soldiers and honor-bound despots fight, there are knights. A knight fits easily into any
organization of lawful clerics, fightes, and paladins. They are found leading armies, boosting the morale of their
soldiers and directing the attacks of key enemies away from allied spellcasters and archers.
A number of valorous organizations count knights among their membership. The Knights of the Flying Hunt
defend Nimbral from the threats of Calishite slavers. Knights make up much of the bulk of this organization,
because the Nimbrese do not tolerate organized faith in their realms.
The Knights of Imphras II in Impiltur are dedicated to expunging pockets
of the abyss buried underground. They fight against the fiends that remain
from ancient Narfell. They also oppose the goblinoids, bandits,
worshippers of the Gods of Fury, and Eltab.
A less glamorous but no less courageous order is the Knights of the
North. Dedicated to the destruction of the Zhentarim, these knights are
ever vigilant. They brave harsh conditions with little comfort to curb Zhent
activities in the Moonsea region. Their job is often a thankless one, but
their passion to end the tyranny of Zhentil Keep is boundless.
Valorous Knights are also found among a number of other organizations.
The Knights of the Eternal Order battle undead perversion in the name of
Kelemvor. The Knights of Holy Judgment, Knights of the Merciful Sword,
and Knights of Samular carry out Tyr's vision of a world free of chaos,
crime, and depravity.
Not all knights are members of good organizations. Evil Knights can be
found among the Zhentarim, upholding order with a might-makes-right
attitude. The Vengeance Knights, under the tutelage of the corrupt
Knights of the Shield, use intimidation, violence, and bullying to uphold
the law as laid forth by their masters, especially in Tethyr and the Western Heartlands. The Church of Bane
counts many knights among its ranks, many of which are also Zhentarim. Their god's passion for tyranny and
fear molds these warriors into fearsome black knights.
For those wishing to utilize the history of the knights in Faerun but without incorporating the class into their
games, there is an alternative. Paladins, blackguards, and fighters can make suitable knights, qualifying for most

knightly prestige classes from Complete Warrior, Champions of Valor, Champions of Ruin, and a variety of other
sources.

About the Author

Eytan Bernstein hails from exotic Long Island and spends his days writing and editing projects for numerous
game companies. In addition to his work on Dragons of Faerun, the Magic Item Compendium, and numerous
other projects, Eytan serves as a partner and PR & Marketing Manager for Silven Publishing. He enjoys hunting
for gems and minerals in rock quarries, studying religion and theology, composing music, and playing with his
many pets. For more information about Eytan, check out www.eytanbernstein.com. Send questions or comments
to eytan@eytanbernstein.com.

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