Spellsingers (WRR)

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: There are some who call them by other names—not all of them complimentary. In the many realms east of the Heartlands, I've heard them cursed as witches and accused of being the foulest consorts of fiends from the dreaded Abyss. In the far north, they are looked upon with distrust, but at least they aren't instantly assumed to be evil or threatening. In Waterdeep and the Dales, they're known as spellsingers—a translation of valantra, the name they give themselves—and that's what I'll call them in this writing.
: While I'll admit that my time among these people has been brief, I must say that I've always found  them to be a thoroughly charming folk. In addition to being as graceful and charismatic a group as one is likely to meet on Toril, they're learned and wise beyond their years. Even the greatest of bards would be hard pressed to match the stories they tell, the songs they sing, or the gentle, evocative movements of their dances.
: Spellsingers are the most unorthodox magicians I've ever encountered. They don't seem to keep spellbooks or use the material components that other wizards do, and yet their magic is every bit as potent—perhaps even more so, considering the effects that I've seen young spellsingers create. Beyond that, they seem to be able to cast a much greater variety of spells than other magicians. How they manage it is beyond me. When I ask them about it, they smile and tell me that it all has to do with mental relaxation and a dozen words or phrases in their own language that I'm convinced can't be translated into our tongue. It's my guess that some sort of trance is involved, for they certainly look as if they're out of touch with the world when they work their magic.
: Well, whatever the power behind their spells, it seems unlikely that I'm ever going to master it. As friendly and charismatic as spellsingers are, they suddenly fall silent when the conversation drifts toward their secret rituals.
: It's also fair to warn travelers that these people are the most emotional and passionate folk I've ever met. They take no steps to hide their feelings from anyone. Make one angry and you'll hear about it—maybe at the point of a knife. Capture the attention of one of their young men and you'll be the subject of a whole symphony of romantic overtures.
:: —An excerpt from the journals of Athanial the Wind