Lute

A lute was a stringed instrument with a neck and a wooden soundboard, which was often ovoid or shaped as a teardrop. Lutes were often used by bards of the Realms.
==Description==
Lutes typically had a round back, so they rested easily on the player's stomach. Doubled strings could be used to emit a fuller sound, and these were easily tuned by pegs.
==Availability==
* Several types of doubled-string lutes built by craftsmen in Calimshan were available for purchase through Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue.
* Black Dugal's Music Shoppe in Ravens Bluff.
* Halambar Lutes & Harps in Waterdeep was a well-known musical instrument shop that sold lutes. Kriios Halambar's lutes produced a distinctive mellow sound recognized all along the Sword Coast.
* The Mute Lute in Neverwinter made lutes that were highly prized in the Realms and even offered to custom-make lutes.
==Notable Lutes==
* Calliope's enchanted lute: an old and rugged magical lute owned by Calliope in the late 15 century DR.
* Doss lute: One of the seven Instruments of the Bards, this superior magical lute was capable of channeling spells when played.
==Notable Users==
===Groups===
* Lutes were popular instruments for minstrels playing in royal courts and were known to be played as far north as Sundabar.
===Individuals===
* Drake Bluenote, a member of the bardic group Adagio Jones and The Goodwinds, occasionally played the lute ballads and songs done by the string ensemble.
* Felratha
* Roland the Minstrel
==Trivia==
Those who specialized in making lutes were known as luthiers.
==Appendix==
===See Also===
* Buzuq
===Appearances===
===Gallery===
Halambar Lutes & Harps.jpg|Kriios Halambar showing lutes to a customer in his shop.
Fast talking lute.jpg|A bard, his lute, and a fast-talking rogue.
Bard playing lute-5e.jpg|A bard playing a lute.
Calliope lute.jpg|Calliope and her enchanted lute.
Lute bg3.png|A lute from the Western Heartlands.
Lute 2 bg3.png|A well-made lute from Baldur's Gate.
===External Links===
* 
===References===
Category:Plucked instruments
Category:Stringed instruments
Category:Instruments
Category:Items from Calimshan
Category:Items from the Lands of Intrigue
Category:Items from West Faerûn
Category:Items from Myth Drannor
Category:Items from Neverwinter
Category:Items from Ravens Bluff
Category:Items from Faerûn
Category:Items from Toril
Category:Wooden items
Category:0-24 gold pieces
Category:25-49 gold pieces
Category:50-74 gold pieces