Duellist

A human duellist wiedling a rapier and wearing a long blue cape.

### Skills

Acrobatics, Arcana, Athletics, History, Insight, Nature, Performance, Persuasion

## Class Magic

### Spell Save DC

8 + Proficiency Bonus + Intelligence Modifier

### Spell Attack Modifier

Proficiency Bonus + Intelligence Modifier

A **Duellist** is an adventurer and vagrant who uses the art of duelling magic - a mixture of both healing and destructive Focus energies. As well, duellists focus on melee combat on top of their magical skills, using rapiers to their advantage in close combat before retreating and blasting their targets to smithereens with magic attacks.

## Culture

Duellists originate in the city-state of Union in South Brynsia. Following the Draconic Cataclysm, refugees found themselves in what would one day become South Brynsia. In the cliffs here, they carved out a city that would become Union - however, they faced numerous threats from outside their walls. Refugees in the early city of Union came primarily from two ancient city-states, Mhach and Ythil. These city-states were well known for their differing views on magic - Mhach forbidding any aggressive forms of it and using it solely for healing, and Ythil focusing on the most violent and destructive arts. In an effort to survive, these two ancient arts combined, leaving behind the most extreme ideologies of both and preserving the most efficient skills to create a new form of magic, which would be deemed duelling magic.

As time went on, duellists developed a very unique approach to their arts. They adopted a "rule of two" system - a master duellist could only ever have one apprentice duellist under their wing. Travelling duos of heroes became a helpful sight around the realms of southeast Eukitia. However, not all duellists could handle the adventures thrown at them on their own - duos often paired up with one another to conquer greater threats. Duellists began wearing very flamboyant, flashy garb, often in bright colors, in order to let other duellists know who they were - and as a way to express their individuality.

Due to the nature of their trainings, duellists tend to be extremely individualistic and expressive. They seek adventure, and to help those in need along the way. Above all, most duellists value freedom and the ability to explore.

## Abilities

A duellist masters many skills, both magical and melee. They are proficient in both swordplay and long-range magic attacks.

Duellists channel their magic through their rapiers using a focus, typically spherical in nature with some form of crystal inside or attached. This focus floats above their offhand when not in use, but it placed on top of their rapiers hilt when they are casting a spell - when the blade points towards the ground, this creates an effective staff in which they channel their Focus through. Their skills in magic range greatly, with some extremely destructive and violent abilities on top of helpful healing capabilites. Duellists typically style their spells to reflect their individuality, their art, and potentially their teacher - many of these spells will take the aesthetic form of roses or crimson energy.

A notable skill that duellists practice is known as "dualcast," a practice in which they balance the leaning of their Focus so it remains neutral no matter what skill they are casting. As a result, lingering Focus energy tends to accumulate around their focus, allowing them to quickly cast a second spell after casting the first one.

On top of their skill in magic, duellists are also proficient sword fighters. They train often in close-range fencing, honing their ripostes and thrusts. Ultimately, the goal of a duellist in close combat is to defeat their opponent as swiftly as possible - whether that includes sparing them or executing them is dependent on the individual. duellists tend to be quite flamboyant in melee, weaving a number of flourishes and swashbuckling into their attacks, as an attempt to show off their skill to anyone who may be watching them.