The Society for the Performing Arts

The Musicians' Union and Talent Agency

The Society for the Performing Arts, sometimes shortened to the Performing Arts Society or simply the Bards' Society, is a global faction on the planet Cynos. Though its membership is small compared to the other guilds, it is renowned worldwide as the leading authority over excellence in music, poetry and most other performing arts. It is a rare bard who does not wish to pursue membership with the Society, for such an accomplishment can jumpstart a career overnight.

Structure

Leadership of the Society for the Performing Arts falls to a group of distinguished artists known as the Academy. If a performer wishes to join the Society, they must first audition before a panel of Academy judges. Applications are sent via courier to the Academy headquarters, and promising applicants are contacted afterwards by a Society representative. Together, the representative and the applicant travel by teleportation to the Academy headquarters for the audition. There is a fee to audition, and a mandatory waiting period before reapplying in the event of failure. However, there is no limit on how many times a person can apply. In order to maintain its reputation for quality, the Society requires its members to be of a very high calibre. It is not uncommon for applicants to audition multiple times before being granted entry. Once accepted, a performer pays a small annual fee and gains the rank of Associate, as well as its benefits: mainly, the Society Seal and the prestige that comes with it. At any time, an Associate can audition for a the full status of Member, and then finally of Master. Doing so means paying for the auditions and increases in annual dues, but the benefits are substantial. Members enjoy an insurance against being shafted by employers, and Masters will be personally offered prestigious gigs by the Academy. The other features are as follows:

Public Agenda

The Society's primary goal is to ensure the fair treatment of entertainers and performers worldwide. They do so by offering insurance packages to their members; they are compensated by the Society if they are ever shafted by a venue, and then the Society itself will pursue payment collection. It also acts as something of a talent agency for its most prestigious members by approaching them with important and high-paying gigs. It is widely-known that being accepted into the Society is no easy feat. This elitism plays to the favour of its members, since potential hirers will keep in mind that a Society Seal guarantees the high quality of its bearer. Many venues, especially luxurious ones, hire Society members exclusively.

Assets

Though it is not the wealthiest organization on Cynos, the Society makes enough gold to keep its gears turning and then some. Expenses include travel (both mundane and magical), material components, instrument repair and marketing, all of which are available to Society members at various tiers. Aside from this, the Society's greatest asset is its reputation.