tgrt

This really feels like a rich and well developed piece for not only a magic, but a culture around its lore and the teaching of it. I can see a lot of roleplay possibilities, and this is a solid base that shows a lottt of potential for community growth around it.

A Bardmancer Summoning Emotions onto their sculpture. -- o O --- O o -- Description Bardmancy is a flashier type of magic under the Housemagery umbrella that is focused on enhancing artistic expression. All general Housemagery rules apply to this magic but you do not need to learn Housemagery to learn Bardmancy! Bardmancy accommodates most forms of art and uses an artist’s ‘performance’ as its catalyst. While what is considered an artform can be subjective, a list of what Bardmancy affects can be found under ‘Affected Arts’ so lines are clearly defined. Arts are divided into 4 types: Aesthetic, Movement, Sound and Word. Spells are divided into Basic, Advanced and Master types. There is no casting limit for all except Master spells, though casting too many spells before rest builds up Frazzle which can cause some unwanted side effects. Bardmancy is a subtype, much like Culimancy, but due to its expansive nature Bardmancy always takes up one spell slot for every two Art Types. When making your MA you must include your chosen Art Types in the title. For example, a good title will read [Bardmancy A+M] [MA] [IGN]. In this example A stands for Aesthetic, and M stands for Movement. Much like Housemagery, Bardmancy does not require a TA to teach and can be freely self-taught via books. Naturally it is far easier to learn under a tutor than from a book, as multiple tutors can teach multiple things to keep the magic open, easy to understand, and fluid. Housemagery Lore for quick reference (Click here) General Redlines: ♫ Bardmancy cannot physically wound anyone ever. ♫ Due to having a combat spell per Art Type, Bardmancy takes up one magic slot per two Art Types. ♫ Creatures with lesser souls, such as Musin, can learn Bardmancy. ♫ Bardmancy does not automatically grant artistic skill. ♫ Staff verdict is final. ♫ Use common sense. We know you have it. In the highly unlikely case that you don’t, ask an ST member! ♫ Fun is strictly mandatory. You must have fun. The Gist Bardmancy is a large read. Here is a general gist of what you can expect so you don’t get left out by skipping most of it: Art Types Here’s a list of all arts that can be affected by Bardmancy whenever one Practices or Performs an art. Spells Rundown If The Gist caught your attention and you’d like to learn a little more, here’s a broad rundown of the individual spells and tools this magic offers. o = Non-Combat ⚔ = Combat T2 - Basic Spells o Visual Trick - Display small illusionary imagery. o Sharpen Tools - Shift a tool into it's best possible shape for performance. o Manipulate Art - Alters sounds, colours and forms in and out of performances. T3 - Instrument Entwinement o Instrument Entwinement - Personal tools with magical traits. o Instrumancy - Specialist spells cast with Entwined Tools. o Passive: Shared Arts - Bardmancers may link to each other for enhanced performances or learning. T4 - Advanced Spells o Summon Emotions - Translates expression into a general, understandable message. o Create Amphitheatre - Makes a space where Frazzle isn’t gained. o Emotion Wisps / Capture the Moment / Binding to a Wisp - Mana-based manifestations of emotions that can be trapped and temporarily alter a Bardmancer. T5 - Master Spells Aesthetic Mastery o Lifelike Creation - Creates living paintings/sculptures. ⚔ Shape of Beguilement - All looking at the caster suffer faint hallucinations/distorted vision. Mainly affects archers and other ranged attackers. Caster is heavily affected. Movement Mastery o Tether Dance - Binds objects for performance-oriented telekinesis. ⚔ Tilting Movements - All looking at the caster suffer from jerks of the limbs and are disoriented. Makes dodging and aiming precise strikes harder. Caster is heavily affected. Sound Mastery o Self Made Band - Creates self-playing instruments or a voice-enhancing tool. ⚔ Discordant Noise - Affects the balance of those around and resonates all metal, shaking swords and throwing armour users off balance. Mildly deafens all nearby. Caster is heavily affected. Word Mastery o Enthralling Story - Manifests a lifelike storytelling experience in an area closely around the Bardmancer. ⚔ Shouted Word of Ludicrous Volume - A chosen word that is displayed and shouted loudly. Disorients and deafens all nearby. May halt other magic users if they so choose. Caster is heavily affected. Tier Levels and Development Tasks Frazzle Performing and Practicing is hard and tiresome. A Bardmancer that dips too much into their powers may find themselves experiencing some unwanted side effects. Any and all spells, except Mastery Spells, use up 1 spell slot every time they’re cast. SPELL LIST ‘Basic’ Spells (T2) Visual Trick (Non-Combat) [2 Emotes: 1 Connection + 1 Cast] Turning to the child he beamed A quick brush twist midair Into free, delightful wings Gleefully expressive. Sharpen Tools (Non-Combat) [1 Emote: Connection + Cast] By focusing on a tool, a Bardmancer may shift it into its best possible shape for artistic creation. Manipulate Art (Non-Combat) [2 Emotes Minimum: 1 Connection + At Least 1 Cast] When Performing or Practicing, a Bardmancer may bend expression into unlikely shapes. This can be used to playfully alter sounds, colours, and forms depending on the Bardmancer’s performance. Entwinement (T3) Instrument Entwinement (Non-Combat) [3 Emotes: 1 Connection +1 Channeling + 1 Cast] A lyre old, snapped and spent Tossed into the air, distorting on descent The bard simply simpered when it bent Reattached and played a tune as they went. Instrument Entwinement is a Practical spell that imbues extraordinary traits into an artistic tool when a Bardmancer binds to it with a Mana Seal. Any tool works; it could be your brush, your quill, your dancing shoes, a favourite pendant while singing, or your giant piano that is totally needed and definitely wasn’t bought impulsively. Instrumancy Spells (Non-Combat) Instrumancy Spells can only be cast using an Entwined Tool. They can imbue visual and audible patterns into surfaces, materials, and even movement performances. These spells have open-ended emote counts, meaning you can continue the spell for as long as you like or until interrupted. -- Aesthetic Instrumancy -- (Non-Combat) [2 Emotes Minimum: 1 Connection + At Least 1 Cast] With a Aesthetic-based Entwined Tool, the Bardmancer is able to impart pretty aesthetics onto their creations by creating a Mana Seal, locking mana into the object. This is a Practical spell. -- Movement Instrumancy -- (Non-Combat) [2 Emotes Minimum: 1 Connection + At Least 1 Cast] With a Movement-Based Entwined Tool, the Bardmancer is able to imbue their movements with their aura, manipulating it around them to create both sound and visual effects. This is a Performance spell. -- Sound Instrumancy -- (Non-Combat) [2 Emotes Minimum: 1 Connection + At Least 1 Cast] With a Sound-Based Entwined Tool, the Bardmancer is able to imbue a light material (such as paper, thin cloth, or a thin metal sheet) with mana, bringing it temporarily to life to perform scenes.Premade small creations (such as wood, metal, or stone) no larger than 1ft in height and width may also be manipulated, though as stated previously, these would be unable to leave the ground if too heavy. This is a Performance spell. -- Word Instrumancy -- (Non-Combat) [2 Emotes Minimum: 1 Connection + At Least 1 Cast] With a Word-Based Entwined Tool, the Bardmancer is able to use a Mana Seal to store stories, songs, poems, or anything in written language onto an object or wall. Anything written as a threat or designed to be harmful cannot be stored in a Mana Seal. This is a Practical spell. Shared Arts (Non-Combat) [2 Emotes Minimum: 1 Connection + At Least 1 Cast] ‘Advanced’ Spells (T4) Summon Emotions (Non-Combat) [3 Emotes: 1 Connection + 1 Channeling + 1 Cast] With his most recent lesson finished, Boh’lokz the uruk had a message for the world. He waltzed into crowded Providence, pointed to a watching man, and began his dance. With pocket sand in his grasp he began to move, arms reaching towards the sky before gracefully descending to the ground in an elegant pose. He stretched his arms outwards before bringing them together suddenly in a clap, the pocket sand bursting out into a delicate cloud around him. The onlookers saw it- heard it- got it. Volume… Length… Mass. The man frowned. “... What did you just say about my mother?” Create Amphitheatre (Non-Combat) [3 Emotes: 1 Connection + 1 Channeling + 1 Cast] A Bardmancer may create their own sanctuary, a place where any may Practice and Perform for all. This is a Practical spell. Emotion Wisps (Technically Combat, but only if your idea of combat is very strange) Hou-Zi attempting to trap an Emotion Wisp Emotion Wisps are the embodiment of expression, manifesting after a long performance by one or more Bardmancers. Capture The Moment (Non-Combat) [1 Emote: 1 Connection + Cast] A skilled Bardmancer may trap an Emotion Wisp into an object to then bind themselves to it. Binding to a Wisp (Non-Combat) [5 Emotes: 4 Connection to Wisp + 1 Binding] “Hey, remember the time you were bound to a Sadness Wisp for a week and you made like 30 songs about how you messed up a cookie recipe?” “... Look, it really got to me at the time.” Mastery Specializations (T5) Mastery Types The Lifelike Creation of a fallen war hero playing with kids in a town’s square. At Tier 5, a Bardmancer reaches their full potential and can choose a Mastery Type depending on what kind of art they prefer to perform. Master Bardmancers learn two Mastery Spells, one combat and another non-combat, that can only be cast once every 12 IRL hours each. This is to ensure each spell is a once-a-day thing while not stifling those who go to bed and immediately jump back on the server. -- Aesthetic Mastery -- This Mastery encompasses all artforms that focus on visual display, color, and shape arrangements. Included artforms are sculpting, painting, drawing, makeup artistry, tattoo artistry, ceramics, model-making and decorative object (including non-combat weapon) creation. Lifelike Creation (Non-Combat) [3 Emotes: 1 Connection + 1 Channeling + 1 Cast] The epitome of Aesthetic Bardmancy: Being able to create something so beautiful it mimics life itself. Shape of Beguilement (Combat) [3 Emotes: 1 Connection + 1 Channeling + 1 Cast] -- Movement Mastery -- This Mastery encompasses all artforms within the Movement Art Type, focusing on someone’s movements, their shape, and how they use them for expression. This includes dancing, theatre, opera (crossover with Sound), street magicians, non-verbal communications, gymnastics and martial arts (not in combat). Tether Dance (Non-Combat) [Varying Emote Count] Much like binding to a tool at Tier 3, Movement Master Bardmancers may choose a separate set of performance instruments to bind themselves to and control their movements. Tilting Movement (Combat) [3 Emotes: 1 Connection + 1 Channeling + 1 Cast] -- Sound Mastery -- This Mastery encompasses all artforms that focus on sound arrangement, sound rhythm and melody. Instruments, singing, opera (crossover with Movement) and spoken poetry are all included within this mastery. Self Made Band (Non-Combat) [3 Emotes: 1 Connection + 1 Channeling + 1 Cast] Much like binding to a tool at T3, a Sound Master Bardmancer may expand their sonority by tethering themselves to different musical instruments without needing to use ‘Instrument Entwinement’. A Bardmancer may bind to up to 3 instruments at once this way, letting them go over the ‘Instrument Entwinement’ cap. This is a Performance spell. Discordant Noise (Combat) [3 Emotes: 1 Connection + 1 Channeling + 1 Cast] -- Word Mastery -- This Mastery encompasses all artforms within the Word Art Type. It is based around word flow, sound, and arrangement in writing or speaking. This includes poems, plays, songs, fiction books, non-fiction books, folktales, epics, ballads and pretty much anything that’s written. Enthralling Story (Non-Combat) [Varying Emote Count] The most refined form of storytelling: Absorbing your audience into tales as they manifest into an incredibly realistic experience during a Performance. Shouted Word of Ludicrous Volume (Combat) [3 Emotes: 1 Connection + 1 Channeling + 1 Cast] -- o O --- O o -- Purpose (OOC) A true labour of love from a mix of people written over a very long time... Yep, we’ve got Bardmancy suited to people of all artistic trades! We have done this in the hopes that the magic will suit a far wider range of people than bards alone, and bring a little touch of harmless beauty to crafting, a fun purpose to forum post signs, and an extra boost of excitement to bard roleplay. ♡ Whether you’re a fabulous dancer, the shy painter type, or 5 goblins with maracas, Bardmacy offers that extra oomph you need to make yourself that grand experience. Your own magical event. Thanks, Credits and Changelog (OOC) Firstly, an immense thanks to Leonie (MagicMonke) who co-wrote Bardmancy with me. They’ve shown an overflowing amount of passion for this project and they’ve carried this piece with their god-tier writing, creative thinking, and their unconditional niceness. A special thanks to Tdubs for the OG rendition of Bardmancy this was based off of and for inspiring me to keep the torch lit. A huge thanks to all the people who gave pieces of ideas and concepts: Phoenix, Jay, Gallic, Chip, Titanium, Monkey and so so many more. You know who you are. Thank you for being there! Thanks to Bbr for being a nuisance. Thanks Spoon, I guess. And thanks to all the proofreaders who helped mold this into an understandable and polished thing: Bethinwonderland bubbles RoyalPeasant Zadie Olandyr/Monke/Commie Qizu Frott All art in the file is made by me, tgrt! (Leonie says to buy some!) That's it. You’ve made it to the end. Thank you for reading! -- Changelog: ( 11/01/21 ) Lore Posted ( 11/02/21 ) Fixed Housemagery Reference Link + General Formatting ( 11/18/21 ) Added block size limit to Word Instrumancy + Added Interruption Redline for all Combat Spells

I see it now. Our gentler souls Our callous fingers, poems, voices Our gifts and passions. Forms and noises. All spears and swords and shields and bows. Artists far- all shunned when met. Nations wide now hate the type. Potential, yes. But the wrong kind. What good is art when “threat” comes to mind? Self expression now marks of a soldier Returning home with our fingers broken. Our tongues cut out. Our words and beats now drums To a war we never started! I see it now: When just one asks for battle Doesn’t matter where they settle. Battle comes. But comes for all. Nice Post- Got some feedback! I’m glad you’re liking bard rp, Werew0lf! And I’m glad the community is so hyped about bards all of a sudden. I’ve performed far and wide as a bard for a good year or two and yet I’ve only met a handful of other artist-types. They’re a rare breed indeed. At least the good ones are. I whole-heartedly agree on Bardmancy being the next big thing for artistisc RP. Could inspire new and old players alike to pick up a lute and go wip out songs at a town’s square. However With only 4 spells being non-combat (and a liiiittle bit underwhelming) and a wopping 9 being combat based, I think the focus of this rewrite relies too much on the battle side of things. That, and using “The Combat of Music” as a hook just shows how much value you’re giving battle-bards. You’re looking at how much damage musical magic can do instead of all the other cool things artistic expression can bring. Bard roleplay isn’t about killing anyone- I mean it could be, depends on how you run your show- But phyisical harm shouldn’t be the focus. It’s about becoming the event. It’s the same thing with bandit RP. It’s not about hurting people, feeling powerful, having spells or stealing mina or items. It’s about roleplay. It’s about how people REACT, how their characters GROW from an encounter. It’s about the story. Not much character growth comes out of getting knocked on the ground by a pseudo-earthquake that was just summoned by 5 goblins playing the maracas. Though that does sound awesome. You wanna be your own walking event. A roleplay encounter, not a combat encounter. So why have so many ways to hurt people? Potential, but the wrong kind! Gameplay Mechanics should adapt to the game Like plenty other versions of Bardmancy, this one borrows a lot from d&d’s version of a bard. While that’s great in it’s on right, the d&d bard is mechanically adapted to a TTRPG with HP, AC, Stats and whatnot. Doesn’t translate too well into lotc’s subjective player-run storytelling medium. We’re not limited by those mechanics! My man you CAN Vicious Mockery someone in lotc right now- No spells attatched. Just go out and do it! I’ve done it- They take 1d4 psychic damage straight to their EGO. It’s even better than marking numbers off someone’s HP pool. Don’t go for dwarves though. Not unless you have an escape plan. Be all-inclusive, too! Bards also come in all shapes and sizes! They sing and play songs, yes. But they also dance, they also paint, they sculpt, they write, they just... perform! Performance is much much more than playing a neat tune! Why call it BARDmancy when this is more like INSTRUMENT...mancy? Think of us not as bards, but as people who express themselves. People who share what they feel. There’s so much more power in that. Closing Thoughts I personally think this shouldn’t be what comes to mind when you see someone with an instrument. Like the poem I wrote at the start of the post- This would frame bards as possible threats instead of grand entretainers. Could start a witch hunt. And trust me, if something gives people a way to “win lotc” they’ll abuse the heck out of it until it’s either nerfed or shelved. Art can be a weapon, yes, but it’s one that hurts much more than flesh and this post doesn’t do it justice. You’ve inspired me to write all of this, though. That’s the mark of a good bard. I wish this idea grows out of its shell to become something beautiful, and I’m open to discussing my views with anyone interested.

This post should be deleted. It erases years of a community with a few paragraphs. There has been no discussion with the community on this, and it’s irresponsible to completely remove years of built up lore out of the blue. This is a punch to the gut to all of the snow elven community and it has been the nail on the coffin for many players I personally know. Do they need better lore? Make new changes before deleting the old ones. Why cut off the whole limb? Why not just heal the wounds? Bad doctors do that. Snelfs aren’t a lost cause- They offer unique rp opportunities and removing them as a subrace for so few reasons isn’t how things should go.

Amazing journey from start to end!

[ ! ] In the woodlands, North-ish West, somewhere near where once was Ves, one could find a camp all messed- Seemed abandoned, you would guess! But yet, impressed, you’d address- The raided camp still bore a chest! And right inside there laid to rest: A crumpled journal torn and pressed! It read: ♫ Swiftest of bards, that old Tim-oh-thée! ♫ ♫ And I’m one to know! That same bard is me! ♫ ♫ I’ve travelled so far. Went up and down hills. ♫ ♫ And yet- All my life- No man matched my skill! ♫ Let me tell you- ♫ My home was in Adreo, I fled from all battle. ♫ ♫ I fought with my words- my tongue can bend metal! ♫ ♫ I went out to Atlas as plague came to settle, ♫ ♫ Arrived with no grace- no minas to haggle! ♫ ♫ But yet as I lived I embraced all those near ♫ ♫ Even those who betrayed me. ♫ Looking at you, Rosenyr. ♫ I opened a tavern- It rose without fail! ♫ ♫ And then came the cold- I ran from the Vaeyl! ♫ ♫ I came here to Arcas! I got even richer! ♫ ♫ I sang every day. Got drunk. Can you pitcure? ♫ ♫ With friends by my side it was never that hard. ♫ ♫~♪ Our tavern was famous! The Bird and the Bard! ♪~♫ ♫ Then Ves was attacked. I too watched it burn. ♫ ♫ I lost some good friends. Too few did return. ♫ ♫ I lost every mina that I ever earned. ♫ ♫ But naught was my sorrow, for song I still yearn! ♫ ♫ I’m glad I’m here now! ♫ ♫ For passion I’ve hunted ♫ ♫ I’m glad I’ve my sound, for today: I’m one-hundred! ♫ ♫ I’ve battled with wyverns! Fought demons with spades! ♫ ♫ I’ve beaten grand bards! And none match my fame! ♫ ♫ I’ve immotalized folk with tunes never seen! ♫ ♫ So I praise my great legacy! No mind is as keen! ♫ ♫ And what did I learn in near 2 elven years? ♫ ♫ That life is too precious to spend under fear! ♫ ♫ You get your time free! So spend all you have! ♫ ♫ Embrace all the bad and the good while it lasts! ♫ Prithee, ami! You have now, you have here. And please- don’t flee. Let me make you see! What is has a job- To rebirth what could be! For why is now now now? And why is now free? All altars alter, all minded faulter. All moments move until they're halted. Do capture some, please be my martyr. My point is fixed: Some points are better bartered. All ends do end until they can't. Thinning lines still thin, but still when bent. So take what was and make it grand. You can replace what you were sent. Speak eternal words but let some fade. Let things slip. State: "My state states I don’t stray, but I stay to say: "I will no longer get in my way." "I'll allow my law to leave agape." "I will live, again.".". Wind up unwound, unbound. Soulbound by sound. For now is here now, right now. Be sound- you've ground! More than almost most men are allowed. Go scream it all aloud, out and proud! And be glad you survived. What better reason to live than being alive? Timothée de Fontaine. [ ! ] And there in that camp, laid down ‘neath a lamp, you’d find amidst rags- A body most damp! The man held some wine and a lute when he’d depart! By the gods- Could it be?! It’s the body of the bard! He bore no pulse- His skin was cold! From 100 years of drinking, his liver couldn’t hold. Swift was that troubadour- A legend, a master! His wits sure were quick- But death… Death was faster!

The bard left to journey out and find the long lost love of his life. His heart pointed him Northwards, towards the Morsgradic mountain range. He didn’t know why, or how. He just knew. He knew he’d go there. He knew she lived there. He knew he’d meet her some day amidst that frigid valley. And he was right. She was there. But he couldn’t make it. It wasn’t even the cold- His body was just much too frail. His sharp wit dulled, his strings off-tune. His age caught up to him long ago and a sharp pain at his side made him know his time was up. Such is the curse of being human. As the snow fell onto him, he realized this is how he’d die. Alone. Sad. There was no one there. No wine. No song. Just him. Just him in that camp, with old wine and a lute. The bard sighed. He held his instrument up, his fingers shaking from the biting cold, and he just… giggled. “What a merde of an ending, eh?”. The wood did not respond. He thought of his life and of when he was younger. The people, the running, the joy, the songs, the names. The countless, countless names. He remembers every single one of them. Is it fair he’d die before meeting his muse again? Well- Was life fair for the ones who died younger? For the ones forgotten? There was no justice in this world. The man knew it. All that mattered was the now. Why is now right now after all? Can we truly not alter the past? He reached for his journal. He thought of his story and how it meant something. How everyone means something, even after death. People live on as long as you remember them, right? Memory is never the same as reality, of course, but the mere idea of someone, even distorted, is enough to make them go on. Thinning lines of previous lives always thin- but that stills when you bend them. When you create with them. He wrote his own ending. One last song. One for joy. One for being free. For enjoying the moment. For altering endings, letting things change. It’s our duty to evolve the past for as long as you’re here. Now. With yourself. That’s what he lived by. That’s how he’d like to be remembered. And he signed his name one last time for good measure. Will they remember him? How much longer would he live for? He didn’t care anymore. Timothée took a last long look at his journal before locking the chest and lying down. The pain was worse. As the cold numbed out his senses and ushered him into dreamless sleep, the bard closed his eyes and felt no more. There was nothing else. He was no different, no better. His life ended there, amidst wine stained rags out in a gelid mountain range. He hoped for more. He laid there forever. And his cold dead body never sang another song.

Honestly, this is a very nice attempt at simplifying, adding flavor and making sense of the already complicated and tricky nature of Izkuthii lore – The original spell list is quite convoluted and rp-unfriendly already. I think this version of it could bring some neat possibilities on the right hands!

During your travels, you may happen across this most trashy of novellas. At first glance, it would seem quite ordinary, until one took a look at the cover art and title. A Kharajyr maid would be on the front, with a title that ought to shock even the most liberal of readers: THE LUSTY KHARAJYR MAID, PART 3: ROUGH WOOD, BRIARWOOD. The seediness of the novella is apparent... Note from the author: I have been informed the original pieces of literature for The Lusty Kharajyr Maid, Part 3 were suddenly gone from the shelves overnight, while I was still asleep. As I am quite sure it was merely a tragic accident by the librarians and recordkeepers of Arcas, I am once more releasing this rewrite of a classic for the sake of Art, Creativity and Loneliness. And worry not, dear reader. If anything like this ever happens again we have plenty of ways of spreading this piece in the form of books, performances and word of mouth! Without further ado, “The Lusty Kharajyr Maid”. THE LUSTY KHARAJYR MAID, PART 3: ROUGH WOOD, BRIARWOOD Written by T. Brock Hauss It was a baffling day inside the Grand Palace of Skravia’s kitchen, a place with absolutely no trouble, strife, or unemployment. The grand city of Oren readying itself for yet more war- But also, and perhaps more importantly to some, a Royal Ball! The glorious Vassal, Gawain Briarwood entered the cooking area, already smelling the flavourful aroma coming from Khat En’Heet’s wide oven. “Good day, sir! Whatever brings you into the Kitchen?” The Kharajyr maid questioned, sporting a sweet smile to accompany her baking’s fragrance. “I come under King’s Orders, maid.” The man said, thumping his heavy load onto the table “You are to bake this loaf. At once.” “My goodness, that's quite a loaf!” The girl broke a sweat, wiping her brow with a sigh “How ever shall I get that baked in my oven in time for the Ball?” She promptly went to work on it, getting on her knees to manage its size. Gawain tugged on his belt, pulling out a long shaft of hard wood “Mind if I practice a few strokes while I watch you knead?” The man’s hand strummed his instrument fast, producing loud chords one could hear all over Skravia. “Sir, you mustn't distract me!” She moaned, soaked in sweat. Her mouth wide open. “Your fingers pluck it too much, we’ll get in trouble if you keep making noise!” “Tell me about it.” He hissed, stroking the neck of his instrument as he paused his tune “-The other day I got arrested for fingering A-minor in this very kitchen. The cries of my lute are forbidden here!” “I must have everything in perfect order for the King’s Ball, sir!” The maid snarled, squeezing the dough tightly as she worked it good. “I never could see a single one of them! Now- It’s my chance to be more than just the King’s pole-polisher! I’ll be his Ball-baker too!” “You’ll have plenty time to work your way up, maid.” The man stepped behind Khat En’Heet, his muscles reaching around her to help knead her loaf as he smirked. “But if knowing what Balls need provided is what you want... I’d be glad to show you a taste.” The maid turned her head, her eyes glancing up to meet Briarwood’s. “Then show me how you dance, big boy!” She smirked back, her fur once more covering her blushing cheeks. Little did they know, the Wise King Rocco watched on from afar, still picturing Khat En’Heet’s soft peaches on display the day before, for a curious Oscar Lancefield. Oh, but his revenge was yet to come. Soon- In his great Royal Ball. TO BE CONTINUED...

A type of magic that focuses on fun, easy, player-run events, interesting characters and THE FREAKING POWER OF MUSIC? Yep. Yep yep. Yep yep yep

[!] Throughout your travels, on dirt or gravel, you soon would hear of one whom baffles. A bard most strange with little fame: One “Timothée de Fontaine”. Furthermore, any poet, troubadour or one with talent in store would see his Troupe was arts galore! In song, or via poster, you learn their lore: I never had the stronger hands. I took the lute and left the schyte. And while I wandered all the lands. I met a man who changed my life. Took me a while. To see his work was quintessential! At me he’d smile! For in my eyes he saw potential! He and his marvelous group! Truly a legend throughout Atlas. He’d always sing of his Troupe! His name: Timeo de las Baltas. “Timeo de las Baltas” by Timothée de Fontaine. Oil on Canvas c. 1698 And when he talked of its fame Right then all song in me woke! And when I asked for its name In bliss, the troubadour spoke: “Hibou Plongeant! ‘E-boo Plon-Jan!’ The diving owl! How does it sound?” And to this man my soul was bound. A better Troupe I’ve never found. And how we soared so! There was no description! The Troupe fed me and my wine addiction! “Self Portrait” by Timothée de Fontaine. Oil (And Wine) on Canvas. c. 1714. ...But like cloth we unwove. Now the Troupe makes no sound For when the ‘diving owl’ dove The bird’s beak hit the ground! And we disbanded! Shot dead, Timeo’s life ended. The Troupe was stranded. I couldn’t save the weight that I was handed... Until today! Now I can have a say! I’ve piled so many merry mina in my many ways! I’ve met so many people in my many days! ♫ Now be it as it may! I’ll sing it all and pluck away! ♫ Yes it’s true! I’ll do whatever work that I can do. I’ll fly just like our great owl flew. It’s round two! I’ll bring back the Hibou! The Hibou Plongeant’s Insignia. Are you a bard? Do you need a place to go? Are your times hard? Do you have talent to show? Is mina running dry? Do you daily feel upset? Are you looking for a why? Look no longer – Do not fret! We make do with all we get! We talk and write until sunset! We all debate and play and paint and speak aloud our thoughts until we sweat! For those of you whom sing or dance, Those whom craft, romance. Those whom when they walk must prance! You poets out there whom believe in free verse, aswell, we don’t discriminate. Come right in! Show a grin! Tell us all the things you’ve seen! Show the soul you keep within! Play your lute or violin! Widely smile, raise your chin! We take all races! All talents, all places! Whatever artform. You’ll have our graces! In times so cruel! Keep your mouth and pockets full! Walk with song and leave the dull! ♫ Let the arts become your fuel! ♫ And to apply? Make quite sure you catch our eye! Write down what you are and why. And send a letter, we’ll reply! And whether you’re just bored A peasant or a lord Who’s piled mina into a hoard And doesn’t know what to afford Here’s a tip: Call us in, we’ll make heads whip! With mordern works and tunes so slick Coming from dubious authorship! We’ll show in any port! A Keep, your Town or Court All events, from any sort! Write to us, we’ll soon retort! Our guild is set upon A town just off Curon Called “Astorga”! Est très bon! Pretty people – Sights that stun! Ripe with trade, filled with fun! Shining light just like a sun. To get to it, you simply run towards Curon, you walk a ton just take a right- and then you’re done! A map to Astorga! ((X:1604 Y:-1549)) And if that’s too far Or roads are all bare! We’ll come where you are! The Hibou goes there! For more detail, to book a show, or to know just where to go, just look below! Or talk to me: Timothée. ♫ You’ll love our Troupe, I guarantee! ♫ [!] Below you see: How to reach the bard Timothée! The read is over. Gee, what glee! (( Discord: Thi_T#5309 / Minecraft IGN: tgrt ))

Done!