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[A neatly sealed invitation is sent to the Palatial Pyramid.]

//OOC:

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Event Listing: https://discord.gg/pYaN2phU?event=1230549637484642314
Please adjust date accordingly

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[A set of three invitations is left within the College of the Balladeers.]

//OOC:

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Event Listing: https://discord.gg/pYaN2phU?event=1230549637484642314
Please adjust date accordingly

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Dearest Natasha,


I am writing to you because I would wish to enlist and hire your aid in the coming days to help cater for the grand opening of the Gallery of Ephia's Well. I was hoping if you would be able to help cater the event and serve drinks. I shall pay you for your time, of course. Please let me know if you'd be interested in such.

So far I am projecting the event to happen on the 28th of Tammuz.


Regards,
Niranye Auvreathil

//OOC:

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Planning to host the event at 28th of April, 7am +10:00 AEST
Please check link for conversions:
https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/?qm=1&lid=2158177,14,5128581&h=2158177&date=2024-4-28&sln=7-8&hf=1

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Dear Aaisha al-Samar,

I am Niranye Auvreathil of the Balladeers, while we have not met I find myself having to ask you a particular enquiry. I understand that you are the only person currently renting an office space.

I was wondering if you had the time to let me see the size of your office to determine if the space will be plentiful enough or if you could describe the size for me.
I plan to use the space to open an Art gallery, I do not think such attraction will be a distraction to your work. Likewise, if you'd like to make a contribution to such a thing, I'd be very grateful.

Regards,
Niranye Auvreathil

[Musical History of Ephia's Well]

[It is nothing more than a collection of papers for now, waiting for more additions and entires before it is bound. Currently it is pages of notes on history of notable music pieces and pages upon pages of sheet music arranged by Niranye for this book.]

Musical History of Ephia's Well
Niranye Auvreathil of the Balladeers

Pre-Ringfall - IY 7787

Orchestra of Sounds
Widely misunderstood as a whole, many variations of sheet music with this title exist as a way to slander the composer's art and have mainly been renamed. Depending on the piece, it is described as either an 'avant garde masterpiece' or the 'crazed minstrels magnum opus' being the more common found under this name. Many minstrels of the Old World who have composed such pieces were often seen as very skilled and indecisive, instead of wanting to show their mastery over one instrument, chose to find a way to adhere as many instruments as they could to their clothing and play them all at once, leaving the audience unable to focus and left off guard.

While their work still remains to this day, it is said many of these minstrels found in Ring 99 were thrown over the bridge and into the gutters for being a nuisance and an eyesore.

*This piece has been found and rearranged solely for piano, because of this it has lost a lot of its' shine for lack of accompanying instruments. Regardless of this, the piece still requires the aid of a trusty mage hand to play.

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Midi Piece

An honorable mention, for the other vibe.

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Songs from the Resistance

A collection of songs written to inspire those on the front lines defending humanity from the sibilant empire that once spanned through the Old World. Most of the songs themselves have been lost to time and have been recomposed into a medley, a more refined and widely accepted history of the heroes who charged the ziggurats in the swamps and the slaves that rose against them.

It is more notably performed with the accompaniment of jaunty instruments such as lute, guitar and violin to inspire that one can easily clap or stomp along to.

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Last Lament of the Musician

Written by an unnamed gnome, Lament of the Last Musician speaks in a somber tone of the deepest regrets he had in his life. There are a multitude of theories written about this song; some say it was written about the gnome not approaching a woman he took fancy to, some say it was about invention from the Old World he did not create. However, the most common theory speaks of two gnomes deep in caverns of ice, not stopping his companion from standing on a very deliberate 'Red X' only to see them perish.

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Serenade of Roses

This was a cautionary tale, once, and it continues to be played throughout taverns to depict the tale of a lover scorned and the lover's vengeance. In this tale, three women discovered that they were all courting the same man - together, they used their wiles and beauty to wound him, until he was left as naught but a bare shell of himself. To sing this tune, it is said, greatly cheers up women-folks while causing great consternation to the men.

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Song of the Oak

Said to be first found in the tattered journal of an elven ringrunner longing for home. The lyrics tell of a sorrow-touched oak, hollow with loss and yet heavy with the scars of sacrifice that brought upon new growth. The song was eventually unearthed in the ruins of the Outer Rings, in a place men once called the Warrens, where the elf went in yearning seek but did not in yearning find.

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The Owl's Lullaby

While the composer of this song is unknown, it is rumored to be some of the earlier uncredited works done by Valentino before the Ringfall. In his sleepless nights; he found himself wandering in darkness only lit by the moon and the stars, much like an owl that hunts its prey silently under the cover of darkness.

With the silence night brought he was able to hear more carefully, more in tune in the world than he ever was before. The more time he spent living under a monochromatic sky the more he admired the beauty of it.

The song plays with almost a romantic longing for nightfall, creating a waltz in an ode to night.

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IY 7778 -  IY 7787

Sha'ir's Catchy Tune

One of the many verses written by the Sha'iri, nomadic poets and musicians. The song itself has been appropriated many names since before the Ringfall, but however the Sha'iri version is the most prominent in current time, speaking of trailing through sands, ash on a journey to a world full of life once more. It is speculated to be referring to Bel-Ishun, however it is uncertain. To help with traveling large expanses of land the tempo of the song mimics that of footsteps.

Like most songs of the Sha'iri, it is best performed with lute and flute.

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Sha'ir's Ballad of the Great Ash

One of the most famous ballads written by the Sha'iri, it depicts a time many refugees of the rings know well: the Ringfall and the onset of ash storms that followed it. It speaks of four adventurers and their lives before the Ringfall, and their eventual demise within the Ash, though not before enduring great hardship and tenaciously forging forward despite the odds. It is often taken as a grim but inspirational song that grants some measure of the adventurers' tenacity, though, hopefully without granting their same morbid fate.

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Hymn to the Well

Written shortly after the return of water to Ephia's Well around the time of Grandmaster Elizabetha's occupation, it is a song written in praise to the heroic deeds of the Cinquefoil Rose and the reverence of Mother B'aara for returning water, the tears she wept back to the land. It was originally performed by a choir of water bearers, giving praise to the lifeblood of the land and reaffirming one of the oldest oaths of peace and prosperity in the Disc; live and drink.

Newer versions since the Sultan's occupation omit Grandmaster Elizabetha's presence from the song entirely, focusing only on Ephia's Well and Mother B'aara.

The piece usually supports little in the way of instrumental backing, relying on the voice to carry its message.

Looking for items of the Politician aspect, namely:

- Chain shirt (has to be dyable)
- Necklace
- Boots
- Shield of medium size

Please inform me if you have any of these pieces to sell.


Regards,
Niranye Auvreathil

Aubrey,

As we discussed weeks ago, I finally took Balladeer Caddick to that place.
It did not go well, it saddens me in truth but I can see my error in this.

I would like to speak to you at some point if you have the time.

Regards,
Niranye Auvreathil

Zol Nur,

Thank you for sharing your poetry with me the following day. I do stand by my words to you, I think you should continue to create poems to share with the world and those close to you. I know it took a lot of courage for you to share something so personal with me. As you said, we should be focusing on what brings us together, not what separates us.

After going through my studies of Pre-Ringfall music, I came across this piece called 'The Owl's Lullaby' and it reminded me of what you said to me about your poem, looking up at the Sky, looking to Izdu for answers. Much like an owl, you go out at night to hunt for what you seek, so I decided to share this piece with you and it's history. I have not recorded down the lyrics yet, but please let me know if you'd like me to play it for you some time, as I know not many can read sheet music.

While the composer of this song is unknown, it is rumored to be some of the earlier uncredited works done by Valentino before the Ringfall. In his sleepless nights; he found himself wandering in darkness only lit by the moon and the stars, much like an owl that hunts its prey silently under the cover of darkness.

With the silence night brought he was able to hear more carefully, more in tune in the world than he ever was before. The more time he spent living under a monochromatic sky the more he admired the beauty of it.

The song plays with almost a romantic longing for nightfall, creating a waltz in an ode to night.

[Enclosed is a few pages of sheet music.]

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Yours truly,
Niranye Auvreathil

Sister Amelie,

Thank you very much for your assistance last night.
I am writing to you however for two reasons:

I need a historical account of Grandmaster Elizabetha seizing the Ephia's Well from it's last occupation. I know you have said some of this to me, but I cannot remember the finer details. I believe this will be especially important to my work in musical history given the piece of sheet music known as 'Hymn to the Well'. It is important to me that I get an accurate background for it, if you know where I can find such.

Secondly, I have also seen your poetry firsthand and how you perform them like a ballad of history itself.
I was wondering if you would be available some time for an interview about yourself and your works, if you are a composer yourself. If also possible, I'd like an example piece to include in my history book, if you have any sheet music that also goes with your pieces, I'd like to include that also.

Look forward to hearing from you,
Student Niranye Auvreathil of Y'fahliel

[Artists and Art History of Ephia's Well: Paintings]

[It is nothing more than a collection of papers for now, waiting for more additions and entires before it is bound.]

Artists and Art History of Ephia's Well: Paintings
Niranye Auvreathil of the Balladeers

Foreword
Art plays a valuable part in history, it is an ever changing visual landscape of times before and invokes knowledge of ideals and symbols of what was important to the artist or the time in which they created the work of art.

Works such as these need to be promoted and protected for this generation and the next so that we may have beautiful things to remember times of loss, life, and the emotions that ring in our hearts.

Gratitude to those who have agreed to interviews about their art.


Pre-Ringfall - IY 7787
While most of this work is found in public display within the Halls of The Balladeers depicts several different impressionist pieces of various flowers that existed before the Ringfall. Due to scarcity of water, watercolor pieces are most notably not found due to rationing. This has left the pieces with more visible strokes or a more textured surface due to having to use a knife or other instrument to lay the paint on the canvas.

Colors appear more visible in change of shade and less blended due to more modern mediums because of how oil behaves as a base.


IY 7787 - The Arrival
IY 7787 depicts the first masses of refugees who have arrived upon Ephia's Well. Among those first bands of refugees were painters, musicians, scholars, warriors and politicians who came to shape Ephia's Well.

Work of this period shifted back to the use of watercolor due to increased water supply and less need for rationing of water. While there are not many available sources of painting within this period there is a greater focus on people, a way to find themselves familiar with the faces around them. Among those, one of the more notable artists of 'The Arrival' is spoken to be that of Edha, whose focus was on portraiture. Of her work found within the Palatial Pyramid, it depicts a soft blend of watercolors, with various drips to compliment the colors used within the piece. Ink and charcoal is then used to define the shapes and characteristics of the subject.

Apothar Naught,

I am Student Niranye Auvreathil of the Balladeers. I have heard about your name through speaking to Alejandro, a local storyteller, artist and performer. I was very interested in the paintings you have displayed and wished to interview you about your work.

I am currently writing a book about art movements, history and local artists of Ephia's Well and wished to write about you and your work. I am also especially interested in what seems the use of a mixture of paint mediums and the arcane to make a mixture that inherently invokes emotions in the viewer.

I would like to meet and discuss your works further when the time permits.

Regards,
Niranye Auvreathil of Y'fahliel

Greetings,

I am Student Niranye Auvreathil of the Balladeers. I wished to enquire about the painting that you have displayed outside of the Temple of Izdu. I am currently writing a history of art movements in artists of Ephia's Well and was wondering if you had any other pieces of work and if we could discuss more about those pieces themselves, inspiration and meaning.

I would love to hear from you and add you to the list of known artists if you are interested.

Regards,
Niranye Auvreathil of Y'fahliel

Lyrist Beauregard,

I am Student Niranye Auvreathil, one of the more recent additions to the roster of the Balladeers. I am writing to you as I would like to inquire about some of your work and if you have any information about paintings from the Old World from Pre-Ringfall to IY 7787.

I have looked around what I can find in the main hall and it appears that most of the works done are in an oil based medium. Do you know if we have other examples of work using other mediums or subjects or have they all been lost to the Ash Desert?

Secondly I wanted to ask if some of the works in the Hall of Manual Arts are yours. I am especially curious about the painting of the girl and the forest creatures. Is this a memory of yours from the Old World?

I would love to hear your knowledge on the subject matter either by letter or meeting at another time. If you wish to write can you please leave a letter for me with Balladeer Jacques.

Regards,
Niranye Auvreathil of Y'fahliel

[Manual of the Blade (And Other Musings)]

Manual of the Blade (And Other Musings)
Isevara Galayn

~*~*~

Through Izdu, knowledge and insight is found.
May insight be recorded so it is not lost to time itself.

~*~*~

Those reading this may find it confusing that Izdu is praised for a manual on bladework over Agaslakku. But this is not for the purpose of promoting violence and bloodshed, it is to preserve art. One of the finer crafts of my kin, the elven longsword.

In my eleven decades of life thus far, five of those have been dedicated to the blade alone and yet, I still consider myself mediocre at best, as perfection is a goal of fools. Each cut, each deflection and false edge, time and time over, in practice until they found their own meaning, and one by one, came together, until even, the blade itself knew it by heart and form.

To hold a blade is to understand and hold the balance of all things in your hands. It is to feel weight against weight and know the decisions between life and death.

Each time your blade reaches its target, know it has the potential to change the life of another soul. Once you understand that balance, that dance, an elegant weapon simply becomes another tool of bloodshed.

If you cannot fathom the ability to hold such decisions into your hands with bloodied metal, I suggest taking up a line of work like my brother and gaze at the stars. The cosmos is infinite and cares not for the weight of our matters.

~*~*~

Look at those that you dance with in the eye. Those who dance with you and those who you are to cut with your blade. Have regard to the movements of all around you, for you are to move through them with light feet and fluid movements. Your feet should be steady, ready to walk on whatever surface with complete balance.

Emphasize agility and precision over strength, quick strikes. If you are choosing to upheave balance, do so quickly. Move with intent, do not stumble. To stumble is to die.

~*~*~

[hide] Original Images: https://www.reddit.com/r/drawyourweapons/comments/pfs6j3/elven_swords_rough_sketches/[/hide]

Greetings,

Sun Elf ( - 2 CON, +2 INT)
Firstly this is not a bug, as it works as intended, it is just slightly agitating.

I was doing some testing for a New PC concept I wish to roll out later after my current PC to see how I'd need to build it.
I want to make it as a Sun Elf as it is the correct colour palette for the PC, ect.
(I could do the same thing as an Elf and not worry about it but that defeats the purpose in a way I suppose.)

While working as intended If I didnt need INT to make the RP standard of 10 I could go -8 to get the +2 (I don't particularly care for the +1 lore and +2 tinkering)
But since the Subraces are applied after the character is created it somewhat places you in the situation where you either have to have 10 INT at start or lose X skill points (4 for Ranger).

This isn't the end of the world, but also it becomes more tedious when you also have a -2 CON penalty as well.

While this is speaking in a semi-optimal way of building PC's, Sun Elf is the only one it effects from a Non-App Race.
(It also effects Air Genasi's and Tieflings, potentially.)

[A few highlights:]

Where to even begin!
What a ride for my First PC, never thought I would be ringrunning all the way to 1.
I'm not one for screenshots really so I do not have many, close to none at all, so feel free to post your own!

Firstly I want to thank Lalena, Diethard, Wesley, Pool, Anadriel, Sava, Arzar, Themis, Nathaniel, Portland,  Isaiah, Rajani, Zicky, Solomyn, Imogen and Fabian that one time.

Looking back I realised I actually did a lot more than what I thought I ever would.
I won a FFA tournament, second in a 3v3 FFA, attended my first server wide event with a ton of bears, survived a Calculor/BOM quest.

And I have had an incredible time all round with it.

Øye Måne guide you all! <3

A few highlights:

Putting the Wytchstone of Life into Ser Genovalio's Blade
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Deathrolling begins! Thankyou Karpie for continuing it.
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I have others but cannot post them for other reasons!

And lastly, the loot:

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Thankyou BOM, very important indeed.
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[hide] Thankyou EQ and Halfbrood for this!

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[hide] Apologies Halfbrood, not enough lizards were slain.


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