The Reeds of the Dell

While other troupes of traveling performers have found fame and fortune traveling the land, the Reeds of the Dell managed through artistic skill, and a fair bit of luck, to become truly "world renowned". They have made a lasting impression throughout both the Gadian Empire and the Nothern Trade Cities, and while the troupe's works are generally considered too frivilous by the more reclusive Ishen Allanar, the Reeds and a few of their more famous works - and more infamous members - have also gained some prominence within the Dwarven Kingdom and O'ranbelle.

History

Growing up in Cromerth, the son of a well-to-do merchant was trained by his mother to read and write. A fisherman's daughter learned the songs of the sea as she helped work alongside her family. Though even the origins of the troupe have become a fanciful tale of adventure and intrigue, it is generally agreed that a human woman named Lett, and Garreth, a half-elven man, founded the Reeds of the Dell in the Nothern Trade Cities along the Bay of Blue Feathers. The pair played music on the docks overlooking the Blue, earning coin from tradesfolk and artisans, soldiers and civilians. Their patrons returned home to far flung regions humming the tunes they heard in Cromerth and Hirane, and the pair added to the repitoire the dwarven rhythms and elven harmonies that travelers brought to the Cities. During this time, two more young bards joined the pair, and in a turn of phrase they called themselves the Reeds of the Dell - the peaceful imagery of a woodland valley a far reach from the bustling, coastal streets of their home.
Having steadily collected the tales overheard in taverns and stories shared on the docks, the young troupe decided that the only way to further their craft was to travel the world. Over the next several decades they gained new members, and lost a few, while traveling to all corners of the continent. The Reeds gained prominance within the Empire after the troupe, performing at celebratory banquet, uncovered evidence of an impending attack from a disgruntled noble family and saved the life of a favorite neice in the imperial lineage. After this, the works spread quickly into empire, and the Reeds were commissioned to create a series of six songs to commemorate six hundred years since the rebuilding of Drinnado.
The Reeds of the Dell, like the territories of Ishen, have gone through periods of popularity and moments of, if not silence, then a quiet murmering, but they remain a fixture within the history of music and literature on the continent and still have members singing at court and recording the events of the land.

Notable Works

A multitalented collective, the Reeds of the Dell have producted musical compositions and lyrical balleds, poems, stories, and even plays. Based in traditional bardic teachings, there are a number of songs and poems attributed to the Reeds. They have also collectively authored two longer dramatic productions, generally staged for large celebrations. Individual members of the Reeds have written and performed dozens, if not hundreds of other works.

• The Far Tales
• Six Songs for the Heart
• Rogi and Juliessa

Names of Merit

Despite making a living standing before crowds, many of the bards counted among the Reeds performed under pseudonyms. Often the troupes works were better known than the members themselves. A few, however stand out.
Founders Garreth and Lett, neither of whom ever shared their surnames with the public, were the first to write for the troupe. Later on, notable bards included the clever Skyla Swiftbird, who wove words as fine as silver thread, and the daredevil Markus Knotts, willing to try the absurd if it meant a good story.
With Skyla assisting the Alliance in the Gadian Empire in the south, the current membership of the Reeds includes members in most corners of Ishen, including the Northern Trade Cities and O'ranbelle. A rising star within the organization, a young goblin by the name of Mireek was recently granted a comission by the Lord Mayor of Hewe.

Type

Entertainment, Troupe