The Bards Guild tends to encourage its members to adopt good and fair-minded alignment. The Bards though retain an enigmatic and ambiguous aura which is reflected in their diverse and seldom mastered skills.
Founded on the 18th of Cloudburst 820 by Malwen, the Bards are located in Mercinae. They have the profession of Sorcerer and the guild alignment of Good
Introduction
The Minstrel or Bard is an enigmatic character, skilled in the arts of songs, story-telling, dramatics and music. Bards are powerful public speakers, and have the ability to move an audience to action with the power of their word. With their instruments, they are able to weave songs of great potency and enchantments of lasting moment.
The modern era of the Bards Guild was founded in the late seventh century by Malwen the Songmistress. Her traditions of a benevolent guild have been carried ever since by the members of this illustrious and proud fellowship. The Bards Guild make their home on the east bank of the city of Mercinae in a large complex near the Cathedral. They maintain close ties with the city council and often come to the aid of the citizens of Mercinae in times of need. During peace-time the Bards travel the land giving aid and succour to the needy, spreading their ideals of harmony and altruism.
Words of Malwen, first guildmaster
The Bards are a tricky profession, few master their wily skill set. Mastery requires cunning and experimentation rather than diligent preparation and simple method as in most professions. Timing is all-important but the rewards for competence are great, the bardic skills are second to none.
Phonicle, current guildmaster says the following about the guild
Listen, friend. Do you hear it? Close your eyes, really listen, and let the melodies envelop you.
The voice is melodic and gentle, yet somehow firm and demanding, and you find yourself obeying instantly. Letting your eyes flutter shut, you listen, straining for a moment, until.
A soft wind blows, carrying the metallic scent of blood. With it comes an ancient piping melody, somehow both calming your nerves and making the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. The darkness of your mind fades to white, growing bright and intense until you nearly cry out in pain, but another voice joins the melody, a low baritone that puts your mind at ease at once. That is when the bright white shifts, swirling darkness and light conjuring up images of a long-lost love, forgotten destiny, and a future untold.
As more voices join the chorus, you are able to catch a distinct message within the notes.
Forging your own path has never been so open. Will you be a powerful combatant, a supportive companion, a clever and wealthy merchant? Will you be like the bards of old and adopt the nomadic lifestyle, wandering from village to village and wooing the townspeople with your performance, or will you put down roots in a city to make your home?
Few professions grant so much freedom as the Bards guild, and so few skillsets are so difficult yet so rewarding to master. Parrian, Mercinaen, Silverfallian, or traveling nomad, the Bards welcome you with open arms and open hearts.
It is then that you are released from the spell that bound you, and rising to your feet, you realize you are unable to shake that persistent melody from your mind.
Guild specialist skills
Songs
Lore of the ancient and mighty enchantments of songs of power and magical oration.
Dramatics
Performing great dramatics to conjur both harmful and helpful effects.
Music
Using musical instruments to conjur enchantments and bring forth magical melodies.
Voice
Mastery of the voice of command to take direct control over others by will and vocal projection alone.
Location
From the East of Cassiandora Square head east onto Bridge Street and follow it eastward to the end, where it joins the covered footbridge which spans the river Leithe. Cross the bridge, still heading east, and then immediately on the other side turn southeast onto the East Road (you are now on Mercinae's eastern bank). Head southeast and south until you reach the road to the playhouse, then strike east a way until you arrive the front door of the Bards Guild.
