Background: Battledancer
Prerequisite: Elf lineage
Elven warriors are known for being agile and quick, appearing to almost dance when they fight. But there are some elves who incorporate dance directly into their fighting style. When not at war, they compete with each other in dance battles for entertainment and to maintain and improve their expertise in the style. Many battledancers start out in - and may never advance beyond - these dance competitions, and many elves learn some of the basic maneuvers for self defense.
The Way of the Sash is rooted in an ancient, sacred martial tradition that uses the movements of dance to be nimble and evasive combatants. Practitioners of this tradition are called battledancers. Battledancers are difficult to hit and outlast their opponents energy until they make themselves open to the battledancer’s attacks. Many battledancers are bards, but they may pursue other paths that still utilize the flowing movements to survive in battle. Being the innately magical beings they are, battledancers may come from spellcasting backgrounds as well, learning to weave their magic through and into their dancing.
DD24
If you are playing with the 2024 DnD rules, here is the Battledancer Background:
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Intelligence, Charisma
Feat: Magic Initiate (Wizard)
Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics and Performance
Tool Proficiency: Choose one kind of Musical Instrument
Weapon Proficiency: Shortsword and Scimitar
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Musical Instrument (same as chosen above), 1 Pouch, 1 Costume, Traveler’s Clothes, 20 GP; or (B) 50 GP
The DDB Homebrew Background Taluman Elf Battledancer can be found here. You will have to add the weapon proficiencies manually as DDB Backgrounds do not have that feature.
DD14
If you are playing DD14, use the Custom Background option to create a battledancer.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose 1 from Acrobatics or Performance and 1 from: History, Insight, Religion
Tool Proficiency: Choose 2 from: any instrument, Disguise Kit, Painter’s Supplies, Weaver’s Tools.
Equipment: A musical instrument with which you are proficient, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp.
Suggested Characteristics: select Entertainer options or add your own.
Feature: Runeforger Initiate
You gain the Way of the Sash feat and gain access to other Battledancer Feats.
We will be providing even more in depth information about playing a battledancer character soon.
Battledancer Feats
These are new Feats available only to elven battledancers.
