Talk:Macfrae

Bard Introduction Speech

"Bards!" Macfrae 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."

Macfrae sits back and appears to become lost in thought. "Once, a long time ago, the Bards were abundant throughout the land. Keepers of history, it was their task to make sure that the stories and legends of what had been, remained. "When the Dragon Priests came, they were at first looked upon with respect. They were as remarkably curious about history as Bards, and at first our Guild assumed that our relations with them would be peaceful...harmonious."

He scowls, and hunches down further into his chair.

"When Dzree arrived and usurped the gentle Sh'kial, she began to twist the history both sides wished to preserve. Appalled, the Bards voiced their concerns, and were told to either follow, or die."

He scowls further and says, "And I >still< say we should have bided our time and waited to strike, but oooooh noooooo! The bards who were our leaders at the time put their arrogant foot down. Do you have any idea how outnumbered we were??" He mumbles something and after a moment seems to calm down. "Anyway, the Dragon Priests slaughtered most of us without mercy, and the rest of the drab story you ought to find your own hoppin' john self! It's taken us years to rebuild ourself now that Dzree's reign has ended. Years spent in secrecy...at least they're over...."

He adds, as half a mutter, "...for now."

For just under a year you train with Macfrae, listening as with startling clarity -- for a terminally drunk, melancholic (and slightly psychotic) Halfling -- he teaches you the way of his craft. You listen to the tales about the troubled times when Bards were killed for telling the truth of history, along with other myriad tales. After many days (and as many beers) he says to you when show up for classes one morning, "It's time. You're as ready as you'll ever be. But before I cut you loose, I gotta tell ya a couple more things ..."

"Well, Bard," he says. "It's been a good time for you and I here at the...guild." He glances around at the bar. "But, it's time for me to cut you loose. First, however, let's talk about 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 hums to himself a grim song you know to be about the dismemberment of an entire Elven wedding party.

"Now to start yourself off right," Macfrae 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 ain't gonna get any better if you don't use it. You'll find after singing too much that you'll need to get a drink and rest your voice. This is only natural, and you should welcome it as a welcome respite from performin'." He taps his own mug of beer."

"Before you leave, I impart you with the chance to learn one enchante from me. 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 -- I'll be the one buying the drinks."