The World of Layonara  Forums

Author Topic: Bards: The Ineffable Chord  (Read 1401 times)

EdTheKet

Bards: The Ineffable Chord
« on: March 22, 2005, 02:44:00 pm »
For honor, glory,
And a really good story,
Seek The Ineffable Chord
For action, drama,
Love and trauma,
Seek The Ineffable Chord   For skalds and bards
From near and far
Seek The Ineffable Chord
To sing and write
And bring song to light
Seek The Ineffable Chord   -Graham Storwick, Founder of The Ineffable Chord   A few years after the initial turmoil caused by the overthrow of the Diamoniar line had died down, the city of Rodez started to make a name for itself.
The Rodezian nobility, eager to match the opulence of their city with Port Hampshire, brought in singers, dancers, actors and composers from all around.
One of these was a human bard that went by the name of Graham Storwick. Graham, a follower of Ilsare, had a dream of founding a learning center for students of music, and, because of his exquisite talents, was allowed to by some of his Rodezian patrons, and thus the Ineffable Chord was founded.
With the influx of the various types of performes, The Ineffable Chord soon blossomed and within a few decades, it became the premier learning center for students of music.   Nowadays, The Ineffable Chord actively seeks out musical prodigies and auditions people regularly for acceptance into their academy. To be a member is to be a musical talent as they are extremely picky in whom they take and who they do not.
Those who manage to secure a place in The Ineffable Chord and ascend in its ranks are by far the most wanted and sought after singers, actors, composers and playwrights. Hence they’re also the ones most desired to perform at balls or festivals, and the Rodezians, but also nobles from other cities are quite willing to pay vast amounts of coin to enliven their balls or festivals with one of these exquisite performers.  Anyone wishing to join, that The Ineffable Chord itself hasn’t sought out, is required to go through a rigorous audition. Singing, Instrument playing, and composing are all tested in these auditions, to determine where the candidate’s skills lie.
Those that make it in, however, find that they now have an almost unlimited source of musical resources at their disposal. Texts, ballads, stories, plays, classes, instruments, even instrumentalists, actors, and actresses are readily available should a student pursue these avenues.   Within The Ineffable Chord are seven ranks, which determine what one can and cannot do within the group. Ascending order of rank goes, Locrian, Aolian, Myxolydian, Lydian, Phrygian, Dorian, and the highest rank, Ionian.   Locrian is the lowest rank in the Chord. They’re talented, but not yet allowed to perform as a member of the Chord. They have access to most of the learning tools mentioned before.  Aolians have proven themselves worthy enough to be completely accepted by the Chord. To become an Aelion, a Locrian needs to complete his first song, play or composition.  Myxolydians are considered the very serious musicians and composers, and have worked very hard and proven themselves many times over, that they indeed possess the ability to represent The Ineffable Chord and are allowed to give public presentations of their material. To qualify for the Myxolydian position, Aelions need to show they’ve got a good knowledge of the Chord’s songs, plays or composistions, and will also need to have produced a few of their own.  Lydians have all the privileges of the previous groups, but now are allowed to conduct small groups, and direct minor Theatre productions.   Phrygians are the leaders of The Ineffable Chord in most senses. They do all the things that the previous ranks do, but they also are able to teach classes within the academy and often times head up the largest of instrumental and theatrical performances.   Dorians possess all of the rights members below them have, but they are also in charge of recruitment and for seeking out the musically inclined and bringing them back for auditions. They have, perhaps, the most important role in the entire group.   The Ionian is the headmaster and leader of The Ineffable Chord. He or she oversees all operations, and makes the final decisions on all matters regarding the academy. There is only one Ionian.   A member of The Ineffable Chord is able to audition for a high rank at any time they please, however the tests are set, and should they fail, they’ll be asked to train and learn more. For the lowest ranks, producing songs, poems, plays or compositions is sufficient, for higher ranks, the test will vary per member.
Auditions to achieve a higher level become increasingly harder, and reflect the member’s dedication to learning and to their art. All Ionians are appointed by the previous Ionian.  Notes[/i][/b]:[/i] Only bards can join the Ineffable Chord, once a member, characters need to continue spending points in Perform. There is no level, race or alignment restriction for joining.
Joining will go through a Character Development Quest (CDQ), as will progression through the various ranks.
For progression from Locrian to Aolian as well as from Aolian to Myxolydian, the character will need to write a song, poem or play.
Progression beyond these ranks will also go via CDQs, additional requirements apply:  Lydian: 18 points in both Lore and Perform
Phrygian: at least lvl 16 and 25 points in both Lore and Perform
Dorian: at least lvl 20 and 30 points in both Lore and Perform, can only be gained after ECDQ