Talk:Ezruh

Bard Introduction Speech

Ezruh settles his frame more comfortably in his chair and pauses a moment before answering. "Throughout time, Bards have been the mortar that kept our people and history intact. We have taught the people, soothed them when they were frightened and made them laugh when they would despair. We have always had the power with our Gifts to raise Kings to their thrones and toppled those who were unworthy of them. We keep the heart of history safe."

Ezruh gazes off into the distance and his eyes hold a glint of steel. "Not that we haven't had our own troubles. We allowed ourselves to believe too much in our own importance and when the Dragon Priests came, we didn't think anyone could threaten our place in the order of things. Then came Dzree and we lost the way.

"There were those in the Guild that said we should have fought the Priests...and some did. They died in droves." Ezruh sighs and turns his glance towards his hands.

"The rest of us stole all the scrolls and books we could get our hands on and hid them in safe places throughout the lands. And then we hid our Gifts and pretended to be farmers or traders until Dzree was dead and we could return to our calling...," Ezruh's voice trails off until the final words are nearly a mumble, "...hopefully wiser this time."

He suddenly straightens and smiles at you. "And that brings us back to you."

"Bards!" Ezruh suddenly bursts out upon seeing you. "Bards are the best profession in the lands! We got instruments, we got great voices, we got good spells, AND if we choose to, we can fight."

"Anyway," he continues, "if adventure is what you seek and the wandering life what you desire, then the road of a bard is what you should take. Have no doubts, we ARE the best."

Ezruh sits back in his chair and stretches with a chorus of crackles, snaps and pops from protesting joints.

For just under a year you train with Ezruh, learning all he can teach you and all you are willing to learn. You hear the heroics of men and women long gone, and learn the lore of Lanival, along with other myriad tales. One day, he places a hand on your shoulder and says, "It's time. I've taught you all I can for the most part. But now, stay and listen so that I may impart some final wisdom to you."

"Well, Bard," he says, "I've enjoyed talking with you about the Guild but it's time for me to set you on your path. Let's discuss your future..."

"First, I'll be teaching you a song once we're done talking. There'll be more in the future. When the proper time comes, we'll impart this knowledge to you, but not until then."

"You should also know that your instrument is your life, in many ways. It will be the vessel for your magic for some songs. I recommend that you learn the stringed instrument skill for now, since many songs shall depend upon it."

"Fatigue, concentration, skill, and remaining true to bardic ways will ensure that you are successful in your life. You will find soon that there are scrolls for sale at local shops from which you may learn common songs and that, eventually, when you are older, you will be able to teach these songs to other bards." He smiles at you.

Ezruh picks up a wooden cup and carefully pours some water into a small earthenware pot holding a tall seedling. Picking up some shears, he judiciously snips an offending leaf.

"Now to start yourself off right," Ezruh says, "make sure you find yourself some armor suited to you -- my suggestion is a leather coat, aventail, and helm -- and a good weapon -- like a broadsword -- if you have not already. You'll want some sort of instrument as well -- a lute of some sort. You'll be able to start your training quickly with all that."

He says, "You've got a decent voice, Bard, but it won't become your ally if you don't use it and practice. You'll find after singing too much that you'll need to get a drink and rest your voice. This happens to all bards and offers a chance to listen to others rather than yourself."

"Before you leave, I will teach you one enchante of your choosing. Simply ASK me ABOUT MAGIC in order to see those you may learn, but be warned that once I teach you one of these enchantes, you will need to gain more in skill and strength before you are able to learn another."

"Get going now," he says. "Next time I see you -- if you've heeded my advice -- you'll be ready to move onward."