Aeshkal
An Aeshkal is a traditional Ardulese entertainer, storyteller, poet, and folk healer. Some aeshkals stay within one settlement, but many choose instead to travel throughout the realm, collecting stories, songs, and occult knowledge. Aeshkals are almost universally capable of using magic, with a majority of them being Bards specifically.
The practice started sometime around the mid-to-late Imperial Era, but did not grow into ubiquity until the fall of Tyfilion. A primary reason for this was that Aeshkals were instrumental in gathering support for the Revolutionairies during the Algenos War.
Elvikhan was a particularly famous aeshkal from this peroid. They were part of the leadership of the Revolutionairies and, after the death of Shah Zhalita and Spahbad Hadyanos, helped codify the Court of Niran by composing the first hymns of the faith. After her death, Elvikhan became worshipped as a deity of travel, song, and a patron deity of the aeshkal. Their worship was one of the main reasons for the establishment of the Minor Pantheon by Shah Uzza.
As a result of their profession requiring them to travel throughout the realm, some aeshkal are employed as Nizams.
Type
Professional
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