Sips & Celebrations

[!] Missives have been posted across Aevos.

You are cordially invited to join Clan Gylldene and the Master Bards of the Bard’s College in a celebratory tea party commemorating the opening of the main branch of the Vailu Valmiran Bard’s College in Koyo-Kuni, Jun Lei. 

[!] A map has been attached. Coordinates: -2123, 2003

Whether you are a teacher, student, resident or simply an intrigued visitor, all are free to join the celebration and partake in the Goldenrod Teahouse’s extensive menu. The stage will be open for anyone to perform, but the night will be mostly filled with tea-tasting and conversation. If you wish, you may even bring your own blends for people to try!

In particular, we would like to thank the residents of Jun Lei and Koyo-Kuni for their hospitality and offer them special invitations to this event. Specially handcrafted tea cups representative of Jun Lei culture will be given out– for free– during the party.

We hope to see you there!

OOC:

Saturday, April 12th, 5pm EST

A Gift To All Bards

Students of past, present, and future,

I write to you all as my research reaches its precipice, a new form of Bardmancy and soul weaving which has been dubbed: Bardmastery. While the previous of my breakthroughs have been focused upon the storing of mana evoked within a spell, the most recent of discoveries, aided by Sera Gylldene and Io Anarórë, will require a greater font of mana within one’s very soul. 

Those who have undertaken the journey that is Bardmancy, you have chosen to dedicate a great portion of your time, effort, and soul towards your craft. I have been given the greatest pleasure of seeing many of you rise from your fledgling awkwardness and optimism to seasoned and confident masters of your arts, through the many of the lessons I have held over nearly a century. While my demeanor may not betray such, I am truly proud of all my students, witnessing your accomplishments, learning from your creativity, experiencing cultures and arts beyond my own, watching you become teachers of your own, and witnessing the spread of creativity across these lands. However, I am but one pattern upon this mosaic. As I near the end of my life, and my soul tugs towards the halls of the All-Father, I will dedicate my remaining years to ensuring that each and every dedicated bard who comes to my lectures is given the opportunity to learn, to grow, to master.

Within this missive is an open invitation to Vailu Valmiran, the Bard’s College, with a schedule of my lessons. Should you take interest in my research in furthering one’s mastery of the arts, beginning your journey as a Bardmancer, or simply wish to enjoy the company of like-minded artistic individuals, seek me or any of the teachers of Vailu Valmiran. May the arts flourish.

With great pride,

Farian Malto-Gylldene

[!] A mana seal bearing the mark of a frosty blue ocean wave is placed at the bottom of this missive, speaking the contents aloud with Farian’s voice when touched.

[!] Brightly colored fliers would be posted around every settlement and nation.

Do YOU want to become a Bardmancer? Learn from a Master today!

Bardmancy is a magic for ALL! You don’t need to play an instrument to be a Bardmancer! Interested in writing, sculpting, dancing, or any other artistic endeavor? Then Bardmancy may be the magic for you! Put your creative skills to the test and bolster your artistic abilities by learning how to magically enhance your art!

Need a teacher? Come to the Norlandic Branch of the Bard’s College!

We have many amphitheater locations and host regular lessons. Either attend one of these lessons, find one of our teachers, or send a bird!

Our Teachers:

Farian Malto-Gylldene teaches Aesthetic, Movement, Sound and Word. Hosts regular lessons at The Golden Lyre, inside the city. [OOC: Sundays at 4:00pm EST]

Sera Gylldene teaches Aesthetic, Movement, Sound and Word. Hosts regular lessons at The Gilded Goldfish, outside the city. [OOC: Mondays at 4:30pm EST]

Io teaches Aesthetic and Movement. [Io will find you…]

[!] Three mana seals adorn the bottom of the flier. When pressed, a generic human voice would read the contents of the flier aloud. Except Io's, instead providing the flier with a sparkly sheen!

[OOC: Join the Bard’s College discord! https://discord.gg/wxWYXfDe ]

Has it ever been known that messenger for a Bard Battle would be met with physical violence? Regarding the clown I can understand but when the same policy is applied to two clerics, two personal friends of mine, that's a bridge too far. And then Inny Yuln'aher went a bridge further than that. Have I not been requesting this entire time for her to send someone to negotiate the terms of the Bard Battle? Well, she did indeed send a messenger, but not to negotiate the terms of the Bard Battle but to dictate terms to the non-negotiation.

This messenger bore only the information that I had annoyed Inny Yunln'aher, of which I was already well aware, the information that she wanted to continue to delay negotiations indefinitely, which I had already assumed, and the demand that I no longer bother her about it in the meantime, which I will disregard, and some red paint, the likes of which was applied to the messenger before it could be applied to me.

If her messenger had been able to douse me I would not have even complained. The inability to roll with punches and harsh responses to ribbing are unbardsmenlike, as are backing down from a challenge once accepted. I am deeply displeased at how she has treated my friends and associates during this most recent debacle and I hope that she can continue the ordeal with a more correct attitude, and that next time she tries to catch me off guard she will try a little harder.

James Vursur

Once upon a time in Oren there was scandal where a man had bet a thousand minae on the outcome of a certain horse race. Then, on learning that the horse in question was sick, he went on a monumental drinking binge in which he spent his last penny before the bet came due.

I am very pleased to hear that Inny Yuln'aher has taken the advice I had been giving her for decades. Now that she has reorganized the college such that her own personal energy is not the only driving force of the institution perhaps she will be able to attend to other matters, such as the Bard Battle she accepted half a decade ago and has ignored ever since.

Why would this be? What was primarily at stake for Inny Yuln'aher was her position as Headmistress of the Bard's College. Having now relinquished this prize, will she now continue to gamble with chips she no longer holds while I remain wholly liable for every red penny of the initial bargain?

Such a matter might have been quietly resolved between our seconds had they been in communication with each other, but neither myself nor myself nor my second, Rhosyn Now-Cardinal Stafyr, have heard from Inny Yuln'aher nor her representative the least communication concerning this matter for the five years since she consented to the duel.

If it is the case (as seems to be increasingly likely) that Inny Yuln'aher does not wish to proceed with the Bard Battle, she is welcome to express her withdrawal to me. I am a reasonable man, and I grow impatient to have this incident resolved one way or another. Until then, I have my means of breaking through her wall of silence and going forward it will not be so easy for her to ignore the situation.

James Vursur

Still Friend

• ○  Vailu Valmiran ○ •

Upcoming changes and Internal Restructuring.

[!] This missive starts with a neatly handwritten letter! It reads:
 

“After running this College for over a century, I can comfortably call its success and outreach a lifetime achievement. Fruits of obsessive dedication and absolute single-mindedness. Now, the dream has outgrown its dreamer. I find that my silent, focused labour does not reach the true potential span of our artistic developments.

Therefore, I am resigning as Headmistress of the Bard’s College and, as a final act of conviction, I have elected a Bardic Council so that our united efforts may push us towards, and beyond, journeys we could never have dared to yearn for alone.

That we can be. Behold. Be beholden to one another.

Brimztra bless us all.”

- Inny Yuln’aher.

• The Bardic Council •

Art by the always lovely Unibearse!

The Vailu Valmiran’s Council holds five positions to represent each of the Four Arts, and House Magics as a whole. The current elected Bardic Council Members are:

.• Master of Aesthetics •.

Glorier Maiheiuh

.~ Master of Movement ~. 

Zyn'ira Terin

. ♪ Master of Sound ♪ .

Farian Malto-Gylldene

. / Master of Word \ .

Inny Yuln'aher

. ´ Housemagery Representative ` .

Haus

Each member is expected to encompass their assigned sect of artistry by encouraging both its propagation and advancement.
Members may be expelled or substituted on majority vote during a Meeting.

• Meetings and Direction •

The Council is to meet whenever deemed necessary to both discuss current matters and vote on potential actions, directions, or artistic projects. During meetings, any and all officialized College Teachers may freely join discussions, propose projects and vote on matters. During meetings, all votes and opinions hold the same weight and importance.

If you’re interested in keeping touch with College happenings, learning artistry, or joining our ranks, then keep a close eye on our notice boards!

[Join our College Discord!]

A Public Letter

Some have marked with annoyance some remarks I made a number of Saint’s Days ago wherewith I rhetorically severed Norland from all cultured lands. Indeed, this may seem to be an uncharacteristic example of malicious slander on my own part, but nothing could be further from the truth. I had been told by very reliable sources that certain gestures that represent common courtesy in every single other culture known to the descendants of Man represented in Norland a grave insult. From this information it was naturally concluded that likewise grave insults would be considered a common courtesy in those lands, and that was the true intention of my opening salvo. Now I see my error: that both courtesy and insult are considered insults alike in Norland, and, having no other ways to interact, I will trouble those people no longer.

I did bow as I left the room. However, this bow was directed not at the Nordlingers, but at Headmisteress Inny Yuln’aher, who, not being Nordlingish, I trusted to be able to interpret the bow in a way that was not the diametric opposite of how everyone everywhere interpreted bowing. I hoped that she had not forgotten the reading of gesture as she seemed to have forgotten any Bardic practice that does not involve a connection to her mana, or even as she seems to have forgotten the procedures of a Bard Battle. As eager as she was to throw down on her own terms and in a crowd most positively disposed toward her, now several Saint’s Days have passed and neither myself nor my second, Rhosyn Stafyr, have been contacted by herself or her second to negotiate terms. I don’t blame her if such events have simply slipped her mind in the midst of her excessively busy schedule, but this sort of delay will begin to raise questions if it drags on for too long.

I await your response as I once awaited response from my previous communications to you.

Friend

Issued on the 6th of the Amber Cold 138 S.A

In one elven days the Bard’s College will be hosting a dance competition! There will be a group of three judges who rate a dance out of ten points. Each dancer will be given about five minutes(Five emotes) to dance, and show off their skills. After which the judges will vote, and the top 50% of the dancers will move on to the next round. In this next round it will follow the same rules, but the winner will be whoever has the most points. In the event of a tie, there will be a dance-off. Where each person tries to combat the other using dance! 

The entry fee for the event is TEN minas, and the winner will receive 75% of the earnings. The other 25% will go towards the college to continue funding events, and stocking our tavern!

Come to the college near Nor’asath, and have a fun time!
 

Signed,

Ayda Annyern’leyu, Event Coordinator of the Bard’s college

A Very Bardsy Newsletter

New quests! New prizes! And… Getting PAID in exposure?!?! Catch the full scoop here!

We at the Bard College are in a constant uphill battle against boredom, and we’re willing to bet you are too. So here’s what we’re up to:

Reintroducing  and reworking: BARD QUESTS!

That’s right. They’re back! Bard Quests are fun, artsy activities that reward bards for going out there and being a menace the lovely company they should be!

Quests now include activities around our Caravan and are split into tiers with differing levels of difficulty and give out different amounts of Renown! What is Renown? Just keep on reading!

Each set of quests will now be given out on a monthly basis, with each one being able to be completed three times each. So, if three people complete a quest, it’s crossed off the list, and nobody else can claim that Quest’s rewards!

Before you ask: A single person cannot complete the same quest more than once. We’re onto your tricks and schemes!

Snap Quests!

Snap Quests are sudden quests with a greater exposure yield than usual, though they have a much shorter completion timespan such as a single weekend.

These will pop up randomly, and tie in to events from time to time!

Get Paid in Exposure!

For your purchasing pleasure, we’re opening a new shop called Paid in Exposure! We have a variety of prizes that can only be purchased with Renown! That’s right folks, exposure is now officially a currency.

What can you buy with your hard-earned Renown, you ask? Well... All things artsy! We've got outfits, we've got instruments, we've got drinks, and we've got the best bragging rights fake money could buy!

“But Kini, how does it work?!”

It’s easy, darling! Complete Quests to earn Renown, or do what the rich nobles’ bored kids do and straight up buy it! We sell Renown in our Caravan- But beware. It’s expensive! You’re better off completing Quests.

Gather up your Renown to buy shiny new things for yourself! We will be keeping the shop fresh and new with different special prizes every now and then. Keep an eye out~.

How to participate, and where to find us:

If you’re interested in earning your own Renown or just want to be a part of the Bard community, then come on over to our Discord!

[Join our Discord!]

For further information, come visit us over in the Bard’s Caravan to see what else is in stock and trade in your Renown!

As many of our students and visitors know, the mighty food tent has been a central feature of our cavalcade since we began our journey many years ago. Finding its origins in the Sapphire Waystone tavern in Elvenesse, the city where we started our work to spread the joys of bardic magic to the people of this world, it has since taken many forms and undergone several large changes. One thing that has not changed, however, is the cornerstone of our menu; we've continued to serve our high quality wines and beverages throughout our journey, and once again are overjoyed to once again announce our menu!

Menus can be found at the tavern, though we offer a sneak peek here!

((Want to be up to date on the college happenings? Join our Discord!))

-=+=- THE MENESTREL MUZYKA MENU -=+=-

[!] A Sakcharin Catering services booklet made of thick paper and stitched leather lies open to the front page in your hands. Embossed music notes detail the menu, alluding to the musical nature of the bardic festival. A flourish of text rests upon the top line: The Menestrel Muzyka Menu. Underneath, several sections are written in Common with bold, precise strokes of ink.

-=-=- Alcoholic Drinks -=-=-

The Violet Menestrel

This Raevir beverage is a deep purple in appearance, clasped in hand with a crystalline cocktail glass, detailings of musical notes along the rim of the glass.

Citrus vodka, lemon juice and a parfait liquor is combined in a shaker of ice before it is strained into the cocktail glass and garnished with a lemon spiral.

An alcoholic beverage with a citrus taste.

The Prancers Dance

This Raevir beverage is a pale orange in appearance, clasped in hand with a crystalline martini glass, detailings of musical notes along the salt-lined rim of the glass.

Lime juice is squeezed into the glass, before the spent shell is dropped in. Ice is added, before vodka and ginger beer alike fills the beverage. Floating just so within is a mint leaf, the beverage tasting sweet, tart and with that hint of mint.

Flaming Samogon Bards

This Raevir beverage is a fiery red in appearance, clasped in hand with a short, rounded crystalline glass, detailings of musical notes along the rim of the glass.

A particularly strong drink with quite the kick, it is made through fermentation of sugar syrup, beets, and apples. Added to the drink is that of lemon, honey, strawberries, oak bark, green tea and coffee. This heavily mixed beverage is similar to moonshine, every aspect of it like a mule's kick to the throat, taste and scent alike.

-=-=-Non-Alcoholic Drinks -=-=-

The Kvas Torrent

This bubbling Raevir beverage is light-pink in appearance, clasped in hand with a crystalline flute, detailings of musical notes along the rim of the glass.

Fermented through flour, malt and dry rye bread - additions to this are apples, beets and honey.

Non-alcoholic, carbonated and with a salty and savory taste alike.

Mors Passion

This Raevir beverage is made with strawberry juice alongside boiled lingonberries, giving it a vibrantly colored appearance, clasped in hand with a crystalline flute, detailings of musical notes along the rim of the glass.

Diluted with water, and sweetened with sugar and honey alike, this drink would cater to the ultimate sweet tooth among us.

-=-=- Mains -=-=-

The Pelmenis Melody

This Raevir dish is set within a cabbage-lined bowl with detailings of musical notes along the outer rim.

Most similar in appearance to dumplings, this dish is dough with the fillings of salted minced beef, lamb and pork. A dollop of sour cream is found on the side, alongside that of two stuffed cabbage rolls, cabbage leaves stuffed with a combination of ground beef, pork, rice and vegetables before having been cooked in a creamy tomato sauce.

This dish makes for a tangy, tender taste.

Chicken Stroganoff Delights

This Raevir dish is set within a bread bowl intent on soaking up the flavor and aroma of the dish alike, the dish edible in its entirety.

Golden seared chicken breast, seared slowly for hours on end for the meat to simply melt away at a bite. Lathered in a sour cream based sauce with mustard, and seasoned with garlic powder, salt and pepper before being added to a beef broth.

Drizzled over noodles, with added onions, it’d have a savory taste.  

The Nutty Bard

This Raevir dish is set upon a plate with detailings of musical notes along the outer rim, candied ginger placed sporadically along it.

The dish in question is combined buckwheat and roasted vegetables, alongside eggs, ground lamb, paprika, salt and pepper. Sauteed carrots and onions are added, before it is baked into something round akin to a patty. Butter lathers brioche bread, which may be eaten normally or used to make a sandwich with your buckwheat patty.

The taste is rich and nutty alike.

-=-=- Snacks -=-=-

 Menestrels Pecan Cheesebites

This Raevir snack is speared upon a cinnamon stick, leaving the snack to be edible in its entirety.

A rounded ball of cheesecake is layered with caramel over a graham cracker crust, and a second layer of toasted pecans before having been wrapped in a rich, luscious chocolate.

Dark chocolate chips are sprinkled over the sweet treat for good measure, the drizzled caramel keeping them in place. 

The Raevir snack is sweet and tangy alike in taste.

Passions Orange Mousse

This particular Raevir snack is in a crystalline shot glass with detailings of musical notes along the outer rim.

Within the glass is a decadent mousse, made with chocolate chips, sugar and sea salt. The dessert is chilled and airy, light-weight save for the heavy cream added in three dollops above. Orange zest is grated over the dark chocolate treat, giving it the tart combination to the sweet and tart dessert.

Ladies and gentlemen, we gather here today to celebrate an exciting announcement from Vailu Valmiran; College of Bards! Prepare yourselves for an extraordinary occasion as we unveil a grand event that is soon to grace our presence. In just a matter of one elven week, we will be hosting grand festival, and costume party, right within the grounds of our beloved college. Brace yourselves for an enchanting experience filled with an array of captivating events that will leave you in awe. In addition to all of this, the college will be selling costumes prior to the event, and the day of! 

We extend a warm welcome to all individuals at this wonderful event. While the overall party is free for all to enjoy, please note that certain events will require minas for participation. Join us for an unforgettable celebration that promises excitement and enjoyment for everyone!

We extend a warm welcome to all individuals at this festival regardless of class, race, or religion! We request that all party-goers respect each other, and perform no acts of violence whilst on college grounds.

Stalls will be set up to create a festive market, free to use for any sellers to set up their goods at! These will be first come first served, so hop right in if you see an empty one!

The Planned Events

As previously mentioned the party will be host to a large variety of events. This section will give a brief detail on those events!

Battle of the Bards

Vailu Valmiran is renowned for its collaborative learning methods, ensuring that students participate in a welcoming and familial atmosphere of education. While talent shows of the past have been a great outlet for our more competitive students, we’ve yet to have something more… direct. 

The Battle of the Bards will be a series of direct, 1-on-1 contests of mockery using the art types of the bardmancer’s (or guests’) style. Mockery may include, but are not limited to: rude artwork, mocking dances, songs of jeering, or vicious poetry. No actual battles! Winner of each round is decided by audience vote. Battles will continue in a tournament bracket style, and the winner will receive a custom song composed by Farian Malto!

Raffles

Throughout the entire event there will be three total raffles; The first raffle will be for Mina, half of the total earnings go to the winner the other half to the college. The second raffle will be for a custom dress, suit, or other item of clothing of your choice. The final raffle will be for a completely customisable and unique Living Doll, made by Kini Yuln’aher.

The Shrouded Dance

Halfway through the event, there will be a slow dance. Every person will choose a partner, and those who do not choose will be paired up randomly. The songs will be fast paced, and lively! Hoping to evoke excitement, and enthrall all of the partygoers!

Costumes For Sale!

Additionally, as previously mentioned, the college will be selling costumes for the party! Despite the absence of a specific theme, we understand the challenges of finding a tailor. Below, you will find a list of the various costumes available for purchase, along with their respective prices. Furthermore, please note that costumes will also be available for sale at the party itself. However, it's important to be aware that the prices at the event will be slightly higher compared to purchasing them in advance. So, take advantage of the opportunity to buy your desired costume beforehand and enjoy the party without any last-minute concerns!

All of the following costumes are for sale throughout the week, at the low cost of twenty-five minas! These are NOT unique/one per customer!

The Food!

In addition to all of these wonderful events, the college has hired a premier catering service! Many different food options will be provided by Sarkharin Catering Service. Many of the foods provided are cooked in a way to make for easy eating, whilst walking! A menu will be listed below!

[!] Across the lands an extremely bright missive is pinned.

Recently I, Bells, have fallen ill and bedridden. I seek a cure. 

It’s for this reason that I will be hosting a talent show! 

It will be hosted at the Bard Camp, Vailu Valmiran (I have found myself too ill to seek permission from its wonderful, charming, loving, and welcoming Headmistress, so let this serve as such). 

I’m seeking all bards, performers, and otherwise artists of any variety, to gather and bring their talent to be judged, so that I might be cured of this cruel illness.

To those who heal me I’ll give a reward most valuable. 

Talent Show Rules

1: It must be fabulous

2: It must be authentic and original

3: It must be linked in some way to beauty, life, or creation

---

OOC Details:

• ○  Vailu Valmiran ○ •

Our soul’s passion tethers us to the Four Arts.

Literally translated to “Four Arts”, the Vailu Valmiran is an international educational institution focused on promoting culture and the arts, as well as Bardmancy.

The Vailu Valmiran was founded in Almaris by Velulite sisters Inny and Kini Yuln'aher in an abandoned tavern in Elvenesse. Another location was later opened in Nor'Asath and the college has also been present at Celia'nor and Karosgrad with their travelling Caravan.

Due to world-ending catastrophes the College (understandably) moved to Aevos, focusing mainly on its Caravan as well as maintaining its efforts as a pillar for artistic exploration.

The College is currently run by its Headmistress Inny Yuln’aher.

• Teaching and Learning •

The Vailu Valmiran regularly holds lessons and seminars hosted by various resident and guest speakers. They beckon teachings over the four artistic pillars that make up their studies: Aesthetic Arts, Sound Arts, Movement Arts, and Word Arts.

The institution also aims to hold weekly Bardmancy lessons, hosted by sisters Inny and Kini, which all are welcome to participate in.

Lessons aren’t limited to magical explorations, however, and other teachings ranging from basic musical instrument lessons to deeper historical lectures are held, which any and all are welcome to listen in and participate.

• Gatherings and Our Community •

Besides teaching, the College also utilises its space to host various get-togethers, competitions and events. To know more about when these gatherings will be taking place, check your local notice boards, or join our mailing list.

[Join our College Discord!]