Winds of the Four
Structure
Viktor and Aveniel are the lead performers for the troupe. While Anora and Ikkath provide background visuals, beats and entertainment.
Culture
Each bard in this troupe brings their own background passed down to them from their parents. Viktor who grew up a traveling bard, Aveniel who grew up in the ports, Ikkath who came from a nomadic orcish tribe and Anora who grew up in the deserts of Temmelt. Together their folk tales, jokes and music from their homes is shared across the continent.
Public Agenda
The group looks to bring a new era of music and entertainment to the continent. The Winds of the Four believe that their mix of comedy, dark folk tales and music will help bring a new understanding to the profession of being a storyteller and also bring respect to the cultures that they each represent in their performances.
In the end, they all wish to bring is a newfound curiosity to the four corners of the continent. A curiosity that helps teach and develop the outlooks of those they perform for.
In the end, they all wish to bring is a newfound curiosity to the four corners of the continent. A curiosity that helps teach and develop the outlooks of those they perform for.
History
The Four Winds have been a troupe for the better part of the last decade. The musical group specializes in comedy, folk music and dark tales from across the continent. The group consists of Viktor Marfyr, Aveniel, Ikkath and Anora. Viktor is skilled in playing the lute and providing vocals, Aveniel with cello and vocals, Ikkath with drums and dancing and finally Anora with the flute and magical entertainment. Viktor and Aveniel are considered the front persons of the group.
Rise and Fall
They four friends seemingly went from performing at taverns and festivals to events for nobles seemingly overnight. For many years before, they were considered simple bards to be written off into the annals of history. While they are believed to be considerably talented by most musician and noble circles, their rise to fame has been considered extraordinary. Many rumors began to spread as a result and talks of fey deals and machinations eventually spread throughout higher noble circles and royalty.
Eventually, the higher noble houses and royalty stopped calling on them to perform for their events. Fortunately enough for the Four Winds, most of the merchant guilds and lesser known noble houses were ecstatic that troupe had become more available to perform at their functions and venues.
Resurgence and Catastrophe
As time past, Viktor began to book them for smaller performances, moving their touring paths back to taverns, smaller guilds and inns. Eventually nobles didn't book their shows as often, but newer guilds sought them out for performances. These new guilds were that of adventurers. Groups of diverse heroes who were looking to reinvest in communities and use their gold from plundering dragon hordes and evil wizard's towers. Viktor and Aveniel had many meetings and private conversations with the leaders of these new guilds.
With the investments and endorsements of these new heroes, The Winds of the Four had begun a meteoric return in popularity. That was until the undead raids of Tarynhall some years ago by Arma Tennebris led by a Draconic Lich. Society started to break down as people fled to the security of Tarynhall. Only for the city itself to be completely overrun. For weeks the Winds of the Four were trapped in the hidden tunnels underneath the city with hundreds of the other citizens. During this time, the troupe came to the realization that they could very well die together. To no fault of their own.
Eventually when rations were running short and hope seemed lost, the troupe decided to play a final song, in case that help did not come. And so Viktor looked to Aveniel for a song. The cellist sang one of her sea shanties from years past. A song of dark waves bearing down on a ship before dawn's first light. The citizens gathered round and prayed as the troupe played what could be their final performance.
I sail home to the sun,
and so ye come for my life
and so ye come for a fight,
and so ye come with your might,
and so yer waves bear down,
and so ye make me drown,
and so I rise and fight,
and so I see light.
Live till the morning light, Live till the morning light.
After they finished their song, the troupe embraced and wept. They thanked each other for and talked about how their journey brought them to where they are. Viktor admitted to everyone all those years ago that he didn't think anyone would respond to his letters about forming the troupe. The bard also admitted to making a fey deal years before he met the group. He had wished for a family once again in return for the first song he had ever wrote. Viktor thought himself the reason for their current predicament, but no one among his family blamed him or thought ill of the intent of his wish.
Shortly after their performance and what they thought was their final conversation, a group of heroes had liberated Tarynhall from the invading undead force. Later that day, Paladins of Valinae, Goddess of Water, came down to the tunnels to announce that the city was now safe. The troupe rejoiced, cried once more and embraced. With this new lease on life, after they recovered from the events of the previous month, the group set out on a new adventure.
Rise and Fall
They four friends seemingly went from performing at taverns and festivals to events for nobles seemingly overnight. For many years before, they were considered simple bards to be written off into the annals of history. While they are believed to be considerably talented by most musician and noble circles, their rise to fame has been considered extraordinary. Many rumors began to spread as a result and talks of fey deals and machinations eventually spread throughout higher noble circles and royalty.
Eventually, the higher noble houses and royalty stopped calling on them to perform for their events. Fortunately enough for the Four Winds, most of the merchant guilds and lesser known noble houses were ecstatic that troupe had become more available to perform at their functions and venues.
Resurgence and Catastrophe
As time past, Viktor began to book them for smaller performances, moving their touring paths back to taverns, smaller guilds and inns. Eventually nobles didn't book their shows as often, but newer guilds sought them out for performances. These new guilds were that of adventurers. Groups of diverse heroes who were looking to reinvest in communities and use their gold from plundering dragon hordes and evil wizard's towers. Viktor and Aveniel had many meetings and private conversations with the leaders of these new guilds.
With the investments and endorsements of these new heroes, The Winds of the Four had begun a meteoric return in popularity. That was until the undead raids of Tarynhall some years ago by Arma Tennebris led by a Draconic Lich. Society started to break down as people fled to the security of Tarynhall. Only for the city itself to be completely overrun. For weeks the Winds of the Four were trapped in the hidden tunnels underneath the city with hundreds of the other citizens. During this time, the troupe came to the realization that they could very well die together. To no fault of their own.
Eventually when rations were running short and hope seemed lost, the troupe decided to play a final song, in case that help did not come. And so Viktor looked to Aveniel for a song. The cellist sang one of her sea shanties from years past. A song of dark waves bearing down on a ship before dawn's first light. The citizens gathered round and prayed as the troupe played what could be their final performance.
I sail home to the sun,
and so ye come for my life
and so ye come for a fight,
and so ye come with your might,
and so yer waves bear down,
and so ye make me drown,
and so I rise and fight,
and so I see light.
Live till the morning light, Live till the morning light.
After they finished their song, the troupe embraced and wept. They thanked each other for and talked about how their journey brought them to where they are. Viktor admitted to everyone all those years ago that he didn't think anyone would respond to his letters about forming the troupe. The bard also admitted to making a fey deal years before he met the group. He had wished for a family once again in return for the first song he had ever wrote. Viktor thought himself the reason for their current predicament, but no one among his family blamed him or thought ill of the intent of his wish.
Shortly after their performance and what they thought was their final conversation, a group of heroes had liberated Tarynhall from the invading undead force. Later that day, Paladins of Valinae, Goddess of Water, came down to the tunnels to announce that the city was now safe. The troupe rejoiced, cried once more and embraced. With this new lease on life, after they recovered from the events of the previous month, the group set out on a new adventure.
Disbandment
Over their years together and performing as a troupe, there have been rumors of break ups over the years. When in actuality the group has gone their separate ways for an agreed amount of time for mental health breaks from touring.
Territories
The troupe primarily developed their fame and grew their following traveling the eastern country of Elleryn, performing in and around the city of Tarynhall.
During their fifth year together they toured the country of Illendor and performed for the king in Darendal. In recent years, when they have open time from their main tour, they take time to perform in Illendor. Whether the troupe members are traveling alone or together, they always try and make time for towns like Panival, Welfall and Temmelt.
Foreign Relations
The Winds of the Four have been known to maintain good relations with nobles, merchants and taverns during their career.
It wasn't until their ninth year together that rumors started swirling of their group possibly making a pact with the fey for their success. Which cause some distrust with higher nobles and merchant guilds.
So during their tenth year, the group started working on developing and rebuilding relationships with smaller guilds and inns. When people found out the troupe was returning to their roots, taverns and guilds were packed for performances like in their earlier days.
DISBANDED/DISSOLVED
We may be a gust of hot air, but at least we can hold a tune! *pause for laughter*
Founding Date
EA 550
Type
Entertainment, Troupe
Alternative Names
The Four Winds
Leader
Notable Members
Comments