Post by Moderator on Aug 8, 2008 21:44:13 GMT -5
“Enlightenment is achieved by mastering not only the body, but the soul. Only then can a warrior truly understand the value of life, and why it should be protected at all costs.”
- Belannaer of Hoeth, Bladelord of the White Tower
The White Tower of Hoeth, the greatest seat of learning in the world is home to a cadre of warrior-scholars, known as the Swordmasters of Hoeth. These warriors train arduously, honing their exceptional agility, and mastering every nuance and facet of sword fighting. Swordmasters wield the greatswords of Hoeth, elegant blades often six to seven feet long from pommel to tip. Such is a Swordmaster’s skill with the blade that he can raise his sword, sever an enemy’s neck and return his sword to rest before a lesser warrior can even raise a shield to block him.
Sword Master Specialty
The warrior scholars of Hoeth are first and foremost masters of the blade, and are capable of weaving a wall of impenetrable steel with either a greatsword or longsword. This is achieved through rigorous training to master both body and mind. Each flowing form requires agility and balance. As the Swordmaster moves through forms, balancing each maneuver with the next, he creates a graceful yet deadly dance. However, the blade is not the only tool at the Swordmasters disposal. Trained by the loremasters of Hoeth, the Swordmaster is also capable of calling upon the winds of magic to enhance his blade, bringing powerful magics to bear where simple steel will not suffice.
Playing as a Swordmaster
A single Swordmaster can hold the line against numerous lesser foes. Graceful and agile, the Swordmaster is capable of responding to a variety of threats quickly and efficiency. The key is to maintain a balanced approach to combat. Every movement a Swordmaster makes is designed to balance the body in preparation for the next. It is through this preparation that the Swordmaster is capable of chaining numerous attacks into powerful offensive or defensive combinations.
Fighting the Swordmaster
At first glance a Swordmaster is a daunting opponent, and many foes quickly fall to their shining blade if they do not approach the fight with caution. The key to defeating these master swordsmen is to interrupt their dance. A Swordmaster relies on footwork and balance to launch his attacks, and while the reach of his Greatsword is long it cannot reach a well hidden marksman. As with all melee opponents, the best approach is to keep a Swordmaster at range, blasting through his powerful defenses with well timed missile and magic attacks. If you find yourself in close combat with these masters of the blade, interrupt their graceful dance with a powerful blow that will take them off their feet.
The Look of the Swordmaster
Heavily armored with intricately tooled heavy armor layered over supple scale mail.
Wears tall elegant helms simply adorned with long flowing manes.
Wields the Great Sword of Hoeth, a long and elegant blade containing powerful enchantments.
Career Mastery
The Swordmaster fights with magical enchantments to bolster the strength of his attacks and is a deadly front-line warrior. Surprisingly agile with his finely-crafted Elven Greatsword, the Swordmaster is the vanguard of any Elf army.
The Swordmaster strings together short chains of attacks in a graceful Blade Dance. With each swing of his weapon he steps into a more balanced fighting position, which allows him to use more powerful attacks, which then increase his balance even further.
Swordmaster Masteries
Path of Khaine
The Path of Khaine focuses on the Swordmaster's signature Elf Greatsword, a massive but exquisite weapon which he can swing with deceptive speed. While no High Elf would ever worship the God of Warfare, a Master of this path acknowledges Khaine as a potent and necessary figure, and the Swordmaster brings swift death to any who stand in his way.
Path of Vaul
The Path of Vaul is primarily focused on defense, and a Master of this path may very well be temped to lay aside his Greatsword in favor of an elegant Elf-crafted shield instead. The Swordmaster who specializes in this path will be the core that the lines of battle form around.
Path of Hoeth
The Path of Hoeth is for Swordmasters who have spent much longer amounts of time in the White Tower, honing their innate magical skills and learning how to smoothly work magical power into their attacks. A Master of this path will learn subtle ways to both expose weaknesses in their foes, and to shield themselves in battle.
- Belannaer of Hoeth, Bladelord of the White Tower
The White Tower of Hoeth, the greatest seat of learning in the world is home to a cadre of warrior-scholars, known as the Swordmasters of Hoeth. These warriors train arduously, honing their exceptional agility, and mastering every nuance and facet of sword fighting. Swordmasters wield the greatswords of Hoeth, elegant blades often six to seven feet long from pommel to tip. Such is a Swordmaster’s skill with the blade that he can raise his sword, sever an enemy’s neck and return his sword to rest before a lesser warrior can even raise a shield to block him.
Sword Master Specialty
The warrior scholars of Hoeth are first and foremost masters of the blade, and are capable of weaving a wall of impenetrable steel with either a greatsword or longsword. This is achieved through rigorous training to master both body and mind. Each flowing form requires agility and balance. As the Swordmaster moves through forms, balancing each maneuver with the next, he creates a graceful yet deadly dance. However, the blade is not the only tool at the Swordmasters disposal. Trained by the loremasters of Hoeth, the Swordmaster is also capable of calling upon the winds of magic to enhance his blade, bringing powerful magics to bear where simple steel will not suffice.
Playing as a Swordmaster
A single Swordmaster can hold the line against numerous lesser foes. Graceful and agile, the Swordmaster is capable of responding to a variety of threats quickly and efficiency. The key is to maintain a balanced approach to combat. Every movement a Swordmaster makes is designed to balance the body in preparation for the next. It is through this preparation that the Swordmaster is capable of chaining numerous attacks into powerful offensive or defensive combinations.
Fighting the Swordmaster
At first glance a Swordmaster is a daunting opponent, and many foes quickly fall to their shining blade if they do not approach the fight with caution. The key to defeating these master swordsmen is to interrupt their dance. A Swordmaster relies on footwork and balance to launch his attacks, and while the reach of his Greatsword is long it cannot reach a well hidden marksman. As with all melee opponents, the best approach is to keep a Swordmaster at range, blasting through his powerful defenses with well timed missile and magic attacks. If you find yourself in close combat with these masters of the blade, interrupt their graceful dance with a powerful blow that will take them off their feet.
The Look of the Swordmaster
Heavily armored with intricately tooled heavy armor layered over supple scale mail.
Wears tall elegant helms simply adorned with long flowing manes.
Wields the Great Sword of Hoeth, a long and elegant blade containing powerful enchantments.
Career Mastery
The Swordmaster fights with magical enchantments to bolster the strength of his attacks and is a deadly front-line warrior. Surprisingly agile with his finely-crafted Elven Greatsword, the Swordmaster is the vanguard of any Elf army.
The Swordmaster strings together short chains of attacks in a graceful Blade Dance. With each swing of his weapon he steps into a more balanced fighting position, which allows him to use more powerful attacks, which then increase his balance even further.
Swordmaster Masteries
Path of Khaine
The Path of Khaine focuses on the Swordmaster's signature Elf Greatsword, a massive but exquisite weapon which he can swing with deceptive speed. While no High Elf would ever worship the God of Warfare, a Master of this path acknowledges Khaine as a potent and necessary figure, and the Swordmaster brings swift death to any who stand in his way.
Path of Vaul
The Path of Vaul is primarily focused on defense, and a Master of this path may very well be temped to lay aside his Greatsword in favor of an elegant Elf-crafted shield instead. The Swordmaster who specializes in this path will be the core that the lines of battle form around.
Path of Hoeth
The Path of Hoeth is for Swordmasters who have spent much longer amounts of time in the White Tower, honing their innate magical skills and learning how to smoothly work magical power into their attacks. A Master of this path will learn subtle ways to both expose weaknesses in their foes, and to shield themselves in battle.