Careless Whisper Swordmage

Swordmages apply their arcane talents on the front lines of combat. While all study and learn to cast spells, they each focus their learning on how best to bend the universal force of magic toward victory.

War Magic

One hundred years of war did more than reshape the political boundaries of the Five Nations. During this time, the Last War seemed endless, and the question of how best to fight one’s enemies and bring victory to crown and country were on the thoughts and lips of most concerned citizens. Generations of talented spellcasters were born, raised, and thrust into this era.

The result was the art of the swordmage; the practical application of magic to steel, refined from ancient traditions that could afford to be more artistic with their spell-weaving. Swordmagic is a narrowly focused—some would say brutish—field of magic, but preeminently effective at what it does.

Battle Philosophers

To fight without a plan is to hand victory to one's enemies. Every swordmage, as a student of war and magic, develops their arcane talent toward what they believe to be the surest path to victory.

Though the study of arcane magic is typically thought to occur in libraries, universities, or under the tutelage of cloistered masters in remote towers, swordmages buck these traditions and seek their magic out in the world. Further, these itinerant scholars don't pursue magic for its own ends, but rather incorporate it into their burgeoning treatises on warfare.

Creating a Swordmage

Creating a swordmage means first deciding what kind of tactician you want to be. Thought you don't select class features that concretely designate your battlefield philosophy until you reach 3rd level, deciding what kind of warrior you are — or want to be — early can help you inform your choice. Do you see yourself as a cunning, ruthless guerrilla fighter? Are you unconcerned with subtleties and seek only the get into conflict as fast and hard as possible? Are you more defensive, or do you believe supporting your comrades will grant you the most likely victory?

Another question you must answer is where you first learned magic. Did you once apprentice under a traditional wizard, but chafed at the sedentary lifestyle? Did you learn swordmagic from a mentor, a traveling warrior-philosopher that taught you everything they knew? Perhaps you enlisted in a military organization that saw your potential for spellcasting and inducted you into the ranks of an arcane knightly order.

Class Features

• Hit Dice: 1d10 + your Constitution modifier per Swordmage level
• Proficiencies
  • Armor: Light armor
  • Weapons: Simple weapons, greatswords, longswords, rapiers, and short swords
  • Saving Throws: Constitution, Intelligence
  • Skills: Choose two from Arcana, Athletics, History, Intimidation, Insight, and Investigation

• More: Korranberg Chronicle, page 93