The Halasatran Flowerdancers
The Flowerdancers of Halasatra are students of a bardic college of dance, started by Nyan'hari woman named Vilja Rosamel. The college teaches methods of weaving magic through dance instead of song, focusing on acrobatic and performance prowess as a form of martial art. Vilja established a school in Avrana for students to learn arcane dancing, now known as the Lotus Gardens.
Graduates of the college, now expert dancers, can be found in taverns and stages throughout Halasatra, and have become strongly associated with the region. Often accompanied by musicians, a Flowerdancer's whirling movements can be enthralling and if one isn't careful, they'll find themselves in a daze.
Those who wish to learn Flowerdancing must first attain an appreciation for the beauty of the world. The philosophy of a Flowerdancer is to witness the beauty of the world and work to protect it. This is why Flowerdancers train in the arts of war. When evil threatens to corrupt the beauty of the world, a Flowerdancer cannot sit idly by.
Structure
The college of dance in Halasatra is loosely organized by instructors and students. Those wanting to learn or improve their dance skill can seek out available dance instructors to teach them. Students often learn in classes rather than individually, often learning elaborate coordinated dances as they progress in skill. When the instructor is satisfied that their students can both defend themselves and express themselves with grace, they end the lessons. The ritual involved at the end of lessons is a partnered dance one on one with the instructor so they can assess your skill.
Once classes are complete, the new Flowerdancers can roam wherever they wish, seeking stages, inspiration, or whatever catches their attention. A graduate is always welcome at the Lotus Gardens should they decide to return.
Culture
The Lotus Gardens have rooms for their students to stay, sprawling gardens full of flowers and ponds, courtyards for practice, and a tavern with a stage for performance. Folk who come to the tavern to see the dancing and listen to the music spend coin on drink, which helps to keep the Lotus Gardens well maintained. Though the Lotus Gardens are a place for dancers to learn, all manner of bard is welcome to visit. After all, every dance needs a good song to accompany it.
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