Remembering the Bardic Voice, Volume IV (book)

Remembering the Bardic Voice, Volume I
by Siraan Lisange

-- Introduction

Throughout history Bards have been the keepers of lore and oral traditions handed down through many lands. To this end I start this, the first of my journals that tell of my wanderings. Shortly I shall retire to the quieter life, as I have been offered a place in the Therengian court, but my heart remains on the dusty roads where the tones of a lute can be heard coming from a distant tavern.

Recorded in this book are ceremonies that I found to hold us somewhere vital in their enactment. I encourage the reader to make their own research of these events during their travels, as nothing can truly compare to witnessing them first hand. It is a Bard's duty to see that tradition and history are kept alive, and that is the trust I place in you, my peers, students, and future descendants of Bardic kindred.

See that the lore is not forgotten.

-- The Dancing of The Flames

Fire has myriad meanings in the foreign lands a Bard travels. In those that honor the Thirteen, however, you will almost always find flames associated with Tamsine Hearth-Keeper, the goddess of homes and families. With the presence of a flame borne by even the simplest of lamps or candles, her blessing is sought for new homes, marriages, and the naming and well-wishing of newborn children.

In the more populated towns of late, a new tradition has been growing increasingly popular. During mid- spring an area is cleared in the heart of town, the Square if the town has one, and dozens of uncovered lanterns are placed in its center to form the shape of a reclining cat. After each lantern is lit at sunset, a Bard or dancer is then called upon to leap and turn among the flames until the sun rises again.

Aptly called The Dancing of the Flames, this is a much more perilous tradition than the mere lighting of a candle. After several people were seriously burned by falling amongst the burning oil lanterns, towns that practice this celebration required that the 'Dancer' be a Guilded Bard or Gypsy trained in the ways of dancing. Very few have been burned since these regulations came to pass, since both group's inherent gifts and training lent them a nimbleness that few others possess.

Music is used to aid the 'Dancer' in evading the flames, and can be performed by any number of minstrels who wish to participate. The swift beat of a drum or voice gives them a rhythm to concentrate upon as their feet move in a set pattern of dance steps. No more than one singer or performer is needed, indeed in some areas a competition is held to grant one talented prodigy the honor of 'Singing the Flames.'

This is no bar to those who wish an extravagant show, however. I myself had the luck of being invited to the palace of Queen Morganae last year to witness a pair of Bards dancing above real beeswax candles to the music of a full orchestra. Their feet were so quick that they barely disturbed the brightly burning tapers, and not a single one was knocked over by the rapid dancing. It was truly a magnificent sight.

As the sun rises on a new day after the Dance, a Cleric devoted to Tamsine will give the ritual prayer asking for the protection and warmth of the Goddess to be bestowed upon the town for the upcoming year. No one is really sure which part of the ceremony is that which truly calls upon Tamsine, however, since occasionally in the more remote towns it is remarked upon that a tabby cat can be seen among the flickering lanterns, walking among the flames.

-- Story Circles

The tradition of sitting in a circle and telling old tales is one that goes back to even the early times of the Elves. Not always a venue for compositions and contests, storytelling is also a manner in which ancient history is passed on in many cultures throughout Elanthia.

Bardic participation in story circles is not an essential requirement, but one that almost universally accepted without question. Having learned the old ballads from their fellow guild members, we can always be counted upon to provide another story or epic even into the early hours before dawn breaks upon a weary group of revelers. Always welcome are our new tales from foreign lands, and our seemingly never-ending supply of exotic drinks that some bring with them to these gatherings.

Keep in mind, however, that traditional tales can vary from town to town, valley to valley. Names get misspelled, switched, places forgotten and substituted for others, and often parts are misunderstood. It is the responsibility of the Bard in these instances to provide the 'true tale,' the one closest to the events that had originally taken place and was preserved in the Bardic lore. This isn't always greeted with enthusiasm, but rare is the group that doesn't listen in with curiosity when a Bard says, 'This is what really took place.'

In this manner Bards preserve the history in the minds of the people around them, while making a celebration of it rather than an arduous class. Story circles can be found to be held at almost any time of the year, depending upon which lands you travel. Why, this year alone I traveled from a Therengian Shosando story circle to a Lormandu circle in Elirach. How very lucky I felt to make it to both in the same year! Wine flowed like rivers to our parched throats and, thanks to the efforts myself and my fellows, stories flowed as thickly until dawn broke over the hills.

When planning to attend a story circle, always remember to bring some gift for your host. Not only is it good manners, but they may also make sure your tankard is kept filled as you bespeak your tales. On the rare occasion that the host is offended by a storyteller, they have been known to keep the tankard dry 'just until the story is finished,' and that can make it seem a very long time indeed. Only by modifying the tale so that it flatters the host will he or she often be appeased.

Rare does this happen, however, for during these modern times story circles are held for such large groups that not everyone can be expected to bring gifts for the host or hostess. Becoming ever- increasingly popular is the custom of bequeathing gifts upon the last person to stay awake through the story circle, the one keeping the tales going until dawn. Still, whichever side of the tradition one takes, you will likely want to bring a gift of some sort with you to a story circle. Look for story circles at the solstices and yearly celebrations in each land, for those are the times I seem to find them most often. Who knows, someday perhaps you, reader, and I shall meet.

         Good traveling.                                
                                                        
                ... Siraan Lisange ...