Role: While some characters may stay at home and defend the elven way, the Blessed go out and actively promote it. They do this by seeking out their races foes and eliminating them, either through words or actions. Acting as priests, diplomats and one-elf armies, they insure the safety of the elven race. They are the elves that bring back the relics and other important religious items, as they willingly seek these items, so they never again fall into the wrong hands. They also bring religion to those other elves that wouldn't otherwise hear the grace and wisdom of the Seldarine.

Secondary Skills: Hunter, Trader/Barterer, Trapper/Furrier.

Weapon Proficiencies. Bonus: none. Recommended: One-weapon style for use in combat and spellcasting; two-weapon style for use when spells run out.

Nonweapon Proficiencies: Bonus: Blind-Fighting, Dancing, religion (Seldarine). Recommended: Etiquette, Juggling, Singing, Spellcraft, Tumbling, Weaponsmithing.

Equipment: The Bladesinger is always identifiable by his weapon of choice. Such an item is always ornate and beautiful, enhancing the Bladesinger's appearance in battle.

Distinctive Appearance: Not only are they easily identifiable by their weapon of choice and catlike grace, the Blessed are decorated with their weapon guild's distinctive tattoo, as all bladesingers are. Each guild has a separate and unique tattoo depicting its style of weapon through an animal representation. Long swords are often represented by great cats, such as lions or panthers, a whip would be shown as a striking snake, and so forth. In addition to this common choice of animal representation, the more eccentric of the Blessed choose a mystical animal; often a creature favored or unique to the mystical elven homelands. Unicorns and are a good example of such creatures.

Special Benefits: There are six special benefits to the Blessed Bladesinger kit, as follows:

1. The Bladesinger chooses one weapon and practices with it extensively, to the exclusion of most other weapons. If practice makes perfect, the Blessed are very well practiced in their weapon of choice--for they are virtually perfect.
The poised steps of the bladesong* (the act of attack by a Bladesinger) not only reveals the Blessed to be a creature of beauty even during battle, but the steps also carry him into advantageous positions for either offense or defense. He can instinctively grasp the flow of battle around him, and his feet will carry him through the intricate maneuvers necessary to optimize his attack.

2. Such is the intensive training of the Blessed that he gains an automatic +1 to hit as well as a +1 to damage. This is in addition to the normal elven +1 for use of the long or short sword (if applicable). Despite any additional, further training, this is as high as the bonus may be.
Blessed who are ambitious or from families with prestige among the Bladesingers may also learn the Elven High Proficiencies* of the bladesong (such as Evanero bladesong*).

3. The Blessed receive a special bonus when they wish to try an unusual maneuver with their blade. This bonus is equal to +1 for every four levels the Blessed has attained. This bonus only serves to cancel the penalties normally applied for such a maneuver. All other penalties and bonuses still apply.
Example: Vaeleip Evanero, a 6th-level blessed proficient in the short sword, attempts to disarm her opponent (a special maneuver). Normally this gives her a +1 to initiative and a -4 to hit. Since she is a 6th-level Bladesinger, however, her bladesinging ability gains her a +1 on her disarm maneuver. Since she is an elf, she gains an additional +1 because she is using her sword. Her total is only -1 to disarm her foe. If she were 12th level, she would have a +1 on her disarming attack.

4. Blessed have been taught from an early age to grasp the flow of magic around them and turn it to their advantage. They can cast spells even while in the front lines. Although they cannot actually attack while casting their spells, they may defend themselves against incoming melee attacks.
Their defense is equal to their level divided by 2, plus 1. All fractions are rounded down. Thus, a 6th-level Blessed gains a +4 to AC (6th level � 2 = 3 +1 = +4 AC). The same goes for 7th-level Blessed (7 � 2 = 3.5 -.5 = 3 + 1 = +4 AC). This does not apply to rear or missile attacks, for it is nearly impossible to defend against those while casting a spell.

5. Blessed have practiced the somatic portion of their spells well enough that they may cast their spells one-handed, suffering only a slight penalty. It adds +2 to their casting times, making it easier to disrupt their spells. Like any other spellcaster, if they are hit they lose the concentration necessary for maintaining their spells; they lose the spell. The spells are, therefore, usually of an offensive nature with very short casting times.
The Blessed also gains the ability to cast clerical spells faster than other priests do. The casting times of their spells are lowered by a speed factor of 3, to a minimum of a 1 casting time. This lowers most cleric spells' casting times to that of the speed of most wizard spells of equal level. The above +2 penalty still occurs when the caster chooses to cast one-handed (in battle, with a wounded arm, etc.).

6. The training is hard enough that only a 3rd-level Blessed can begin to teach even the rudiments of the bladesong. If another elf wishes to learn the bladesong, he must first be one of the Blessed, then seek one of the masters of song. The Blessed charge a high price for sharing their skills.

Special Hindrances: To offset their abilities, the Blessed suffer some severe penalties. Not only must they attempt to advance the cause of elvendom somehow at all times, they must also lend aid to any elf in need. Unless the elf has proven to be an enemy of the elven way of life, the Blessed must sacrifice life and limb to save that elf's life.
Of course, the Blessed is free to determine whether there is, in fact, an elf in danger. Too many times other races have tried to eliminate the Blessed menace through illusion and trickery. The Blessed have grown wary and have, unfortunately, allowed fellow elves to perish while trying to determine the truth of the threat. Thus, most Blessed carry at least one detect magic spell in order to avoid possible errors. Furthermore, all religious works, such as religious instruments, fine weapons, and prayers must be guarded and retrieved as if they were an elven life itself (see above). Thus the Blessed must risk all to get or recover the item(s).
Blessed are so devoted to their chosen weapon that they can never learn another one. Unlike other elves, they do not gain a +1 to hit with a bow. With all other weapons, they suffer a -1 to hit and can only make one attack, even if they have taken it as a proficiency. If they have not devoted a slot to learn the weapon, the Blessed suffers the ordinary -2 nonproficiency penalty in addition to the -1 penalty. If the player is using The Complete Fighter's Handbook, he may not allow his character to specialize in weapon groups. The Blessed focuses on the single weapon only.
Blessed may wear no armor heavier than elven plate mail or normal chain mail. Bulkier armor restricts the Blessed's movement enough that they have at least a -2 penalty to attacks if they try to use their bladesinging abilities while wearing such armor. The penalty is greater for heavier armor, although this is at the DM's discretion.
Blessed commonly use swords. With only rare exceptions, they never learn two-weapon fighting styles. They may not use shields or two-handed weapons, for these interfere with the bladesong. Even when they have run out of spells, Blessed will fight one-handed or with both hands on their single-handed weapons (in some rare cases, Blessed chosen weapon can also be used as a two-handed weapons, this is perfectly acceptable). To do otherwise negates all bladesinging bonuses.

Wealth Options: Blessed start their adventuring lives with 30 to 180 gp (3d6 x 10), and only one restriction: They must purchase their weapon of choice. Any monies left after buying their initial equipment must be returned to the Bladesinger's guild. Later in their adventures, they must take opportunities to upgrade their weapons. Other than these restrictions, they are free to do as they wish with their money.