Riftblade

Riftblades are Warriors who learn to enhance their attacks with elemental magic, allowing them to cast bolts of force across the battlefield and strike with boundless energies.

Strengths
Able to shoot lances of fire, stone, and wind at enemies, Riftblades possess stronger ranged capabilities than other Warriors. Furthermore, much of their damage is elemental, cutting through armor as if it were flesh.

Weaknesses
Offensive specialists, Riftblades do not focus much of their discipline on protecting themselves and are vulnerable to concerted attacks. Their magical damage, while devastating against physical defenses, is just as weak as any magic against the appropriate resistances.

History
Nazim Kalfani was born to a wealthy family of Eth traders, but as the third son he had few prospects. The clan did lack for mages, so his father sent him off to the far north to study at Quicksilver College with the elves. Nazim enjoyed learning about elemental theory, but the endless hours preparing alchemy and perfecting incantations drove him to distraction. He took his tuition money and left for Iron Pine Peak, to train in the ways of the sword with famed Mathosian warriors.

Swordsmanship suited Nazim better, for he was strong and quick, but ultimately he quarreled with master after master. They were purists who believed in the discipline of form. Nazim liked to mix things up, changing weapons and styles, even casting a few cantrips to throw opponents off-balance. Such unorthodox tactics were frowned upon by the stoic Mathosian knights.

Nazim wandered Telara, sometimes as a blade for hire, sometimes as a hedge magician, seeking his place and purpose. He finally ended up in the Droughtlands as a mercenary. Practicing his swordsmanship one day under an ancient Eth lantern, Nazim noticed how it generated light by using a steel rod to hold open a portal to the planes. Experimenting with his sword, Nazim tried to develop a martial stance that punctured reality at the same angle. At last, with a concussive thunderclap, Nazim found himself teleported a short distance away.

With practice, Nazim found he could control the magical forces he brought forth from the planes. He learned how to hurl elemental spears, and to wreathe himself and his weapon in primal fury. His new martial style caught his opponents off-guard. Were they fighting a warrior or a mage? Should they keep their distance or close in? Nazim could summon energies for every situation. He became known as Nazim the Riftblade, and carved himself a small Caliphate in Shimmersand. “The elemental forces are so very close to our world. You don’t need to be a mage to grasp that force. Hone your martial skills to their pinnacle, grasp the forces of the beyond with your will, and channel them through your weapon. Few can stand against the assault of magic and swordplay.”

Additional Information

 * Riftblade abilities