Barulgaana: Stone Singing (bă-rool-gă-nă)

Gokrenxia    Peoples      Kynekin      Mahnkii      Barulgaana: Stone Singing

To you, they may just sound like pretty words and perhaps a haunting melody, but to us... to us the barulgaana is an outpouring of the thing that has filled our hearts so greatly we have room for nothing more. Barulgaana purges our hearts that we may be an empty vessel, ready to be filled with all that life has to offer.

— a mahnkii singer

History

It had been several decades since the reptilian mahnkii peoples' capture and occupation of the northernmost dwarven mountainhold of Kurzniert in the Stormbreak mountains. The mahnkii had always been known for their deep interest in the arts, and in the depths of those emerald-lit caverns they developed a new and beautiful means of artistic expression known as barulgaana, or stone singing.

About

Location

The Kurzniert mountainhold in the Stormbreak Mountains is the first place the mahnkii peoples have ever called home (much to the dismay of the dwarves from whom it was taken). Thus far, they have not had the opportunity to explore whether and how other cave systems across the realm might evoke similar emotional responses.

Observance

Barulgaana is typically a deeply personal experience, not truly requiring anyone or anything other than an empty cave system to perform. As such, singers are free to observe the practice whenever the mood strikes them (though it is wise and often appreciated to ensure one is far enough away from anyone trying to sleep).

Type

Tradition

Duration

Varies

Dress Code

None, though often singers will dress up.

Participants/Roles (1+)

The individual(s) singing

Related Location

Stormbreak Mountains

Related Species

Mahnkii

Ironsworn Stats

Ritual
When you, as a mahnkii, Secure an Advantage (+heart) through the performance of barulgaana in the Stormbreak Mountains add +1. On a hit, add +1 Momentum.

More Summer Camp!

Significance

In pouring out one's heart and emotion into song through the barulgaana, the very mountain itself seems to come alive, echoing and reflecting the words back to the singer in a haunting chorus of stone. Often, singers report a deep and powerful feeling of tranquility; that they are not alone in whatever it is that has filled their heart to its fullness. If they sing of anger and loss, the mountain reflects sorrow and consolation. Joy, and the mountain echoes celebration. Fear, and the mountain echoes courage. Loneliness, and the mountain echoes companionship and unity.

Expression

The custom of barulgaana is simple in its expression, though powerful in its impact to the performer. It is a deeply personal experience which has little in the way of formality in how it should be expressed. First, the performer chooses a time and place where they wish to perform. There are many well-known locations around Kurzniert where the custom is performed, but these are not the only caverns. It is not unusual for a performer to seek out a place that feels right.
With the location selected, the performer next determines what they wish to wear for their performance. For some, this means whatever they happen to have on when the mood strikes them. But for others, there is an entire process devoted to finding the perfect outfit in which to perform.
With these two selections made, the singer is free to don their clothing of choice, proceed to their location of choice, and pour their deepest emotions into song.