General:
Dwarvish bards are rare, but well respected, with both sub-races of dwarves maintaining the ancient tradition of having a Lore Talker as well as a Skald/Valor Bard in each family, or in each village. These lore talkers usually favor singing and drums, and in order to be inducted as a lore talker, must be able to recount the names of every head of their house as far back as memory serves, a task that is quite difficult for the older families. These bards are treated with respect and admiration, serving as sages to which any dwarf in the family or village can seek advice or knowledge from. This tradition is not exclusively for such boring topics as politics though, as dwarven bards also know numerous drinking songs, to which they are expected to start the night off with at least one, before joining their fellows. This tradition is called kissing the cup, which is a common saying amongst dwarven inns as an excuse to avoid a hangover. Though Lore bards are the majority, they are not the only type of bards that dwarves will become.
Creation Bard/Stone Singer
Creation bards or stone singers hold a semi-religious status in dwarven society, as they carry the oldest musical tradition of their people. For they can coax forth the
Earth Song from the deepest reaches of the planet and to where others may hear it. A truly ancient tradition, nearly all dwarves have heard the earth song at one point or another. A reverberation of the stone that leaves the listener stunned, and awestruck by the sheer magnitude of the earth below, it is a rare phenomenon. Creation bards seek to replicate, and to call forth this sound, accompanying it with powerful drums, and or brass instruments. To dwarves, this song is the height of beauty, though most other races find it too loud, too bassy, and weirdly haunting. In recent times however, the two major colleges of the stone singers, the X the Y have come under fire. Censured for being 'oppulant' they have had their official standing thrown into question and there are some concerns that they will be expunged in the coming years. This struggle between the semi religious, more traditional elements that have rallied around the stone singers, and the newer, more institutionalized elements of
Ronlin and Dulgun has been brewing for some time but has only recently boiled over into a wider conflict. Though mostly a clash of cultures and opinions, this divide has seen the stone singers become increasingly politicised, making them into an object for the two sides to fight over or for. Stone singers were exempt from oppulant charges at one point as the use of brass insturments was deemed unnecessary, save for their sole use. This loophole had been exploited in the past, though it has not been as wide spread as some claim.
College Of Spirits/Spirit Singers
Spirit Singers were first founded by
Yodgresli, Daughter of Yordumgar, former wielder of Dorin’s Hammer. Seeing her father’s orthodoxy become so dominant, Gresli as she is known to most, founded the spirit singers as an alternative meant to better honor the long dead. Spirit Singers make fewer demands of the dead and instead attempt to garner power from the legend or myth that has been built around the deceased individual without stirring the ancestral spirit themself. Though they could never truly challenge the power of Dorin’s Hammer or the sects like it, the Spirit Singers are one of the largest colleges of bards currently operating. This antagonistic relationship of father and daughter has extended to the organizations that they founded and to this day the two groups butt heads at nearly every opportunity. This has led to some open conflict, though the majority of the struggle against one another happens within the context of religious councils. Here the two groups form broader coalitions and pseudo-political blocks to ensure that their ideas can be pushed through and made into law. Though the majority of the spirit singers are pacifistic, or at least lean towards non-violence that has not stopped a small renegade sect of more extreme spirit singers from forming. Declared heretical by the larger conclave of singers, The Chains Of Methis seeks to free the long dead from the clerics of Dorin's Hammer which hold them in bondage. Most view this fringe group with confusion or contempt but there is a small but growing body of research to indicate that souls, even long-dead ones, can indeed still feel pain or discomfort.
College Of Swords/Tavern Jesters
Those who attend the College of Swords are more often referred to as Tavern Jesters, at least amongst dwarves. Given the popularity of dwarven pubs, there is always a demand for this sword-swallowing, knife-throwing bards whose place is firmly in the tavern. That isn't the only thing unique about Tavern Jesters, however, as they are also in charge of recreating famous duels from the past. In addition, they are also the masters of the squared circle. Combat sports of all kinds are dominated and officiated by the Tavern Jesters. Though armored wrestling is the favorite, bare-knuckle boxing is a close second. Seen as both warriors and entertainers, some lean more to one side or the other, depending on where they trained. Rather than traditional colleges, the Tavern Jester usually trains under a master, under which they apprentice for as little as a few months or up to several years. Different kinds of drinking establishments create different kinds of Tavern Jesters, with the more upstanding businesses focusing more on the historical duels, creating a unique combat theatre rarely seen elsewhere in the world. Those of lower social standing generally are half fighting pit, half drinking establishment, with the tavern jester taking up the role of referee, occasional combatant, and manager of the mood. Tasked with keeping the mood up, and the patrons from erupting into a brawl, they serve as mediators and master of the pit for these drinking holes. The middle between rich and poor is the most diverse, though generally, they strive to focus on something the others do not usually offer, like elaborate comedy shows, or the like.
Dirge Singer/Marcher
Dirge Singers, or Marchers as the dwarves know them, are generally in charge of morale, but are also in charge of giving the honored dead their last rites, helping to assist the dying in whatever way they can, or occasionally demoralizing their foes. They accomplish most of these duties by channeling the
Earth Song, and mixing it with their own sorrow felt at the loss of their kin. This creates a strange, haunting melody that leaves non-dwarves disturbed, confused, and frequently succumbing to sudden vertigo. Dwarves, however, feel emboldened and gain a strange level of endurance exceptional even for the already quite hardy people. This dirge is usually sung during battles, but it may also be employed by the marchers during, the long trek from battlefield to battlefield. It is here, on the road, where the marchers first earned their names, though they have long since evolved to become far more than just singing marching songs. Eventually, these early marchers gained respect and were moved away from the front line fighting to a more support role, where they took on the jobs that few others had the stomach to handle. In time these responsibilities would grow, as did the respect for the individuals who undertook them. Most dwarves in such a position would pivot to politics or the like, Marchers however, are different, as they ritualisticly swear off both ranks within the military, clan, and office, swearing that their only goal is to maintain the dignity of their kin. After the battle is over, the funeral marchers give the dead their rites and sing one final song before leaving alongside the deceased, delivering them to their tombs and resting places personally. Garbed always in deep hoods, dark clothes, veils, and other obscuring clothing items, they do the grim duty that most others shirk.
College of Eloquence/Mediator
Originally intended to serve the purpose marchers currently fulfill, the College of Eloquence bard, or mediator as the dwarves know them, have evolved to take on a more diplomaticly focused job. Morale officer was the position they inhabited many centuries ago, a mostly ceremonial job that had little responsibility save for ensuring that desertion remained low. Given that it was still an officer role, it was seen as the cushiest position available and was almost completely monopolized by those in power who wished to ensure their progeny would gain the glory of officership but without the chance of dying in combat. This would come to a head when nearly five full companies deserted after a single battle, resulting in the morale officers being brought in for questioning only for the higher ups to find that they had never actually left the officer lounge for the entire day of the skirmish. With their positions on the line, these officers were able to keep themselves from being rolled into the military, though their original job lay vacant while the red tape was worked out. During this schism the marchers essentially took over the job, leaving the mediators with little to actually do. They were however, well educated, and generally from clans with a higher standing in society, meaning they usually had some manner of training in the art of speech. It was this training that would be expanded, with the morale officers of old being made into the official diplomatic arm of the great clans. Though some mediators serve as envoys to other nations, a great many work within public or private sectors as sort of lawyer. Using their silver tongues, they utilize the dwarven law normally reserved for proxies in duels to allow them a place within judgements involving an arguement peroid given by the accused.
College of Glamour/Lavender Bards
Dwarven fashion is something of a joke due to just how basic and uncomfortable it was, though this fact was even more apparent in the recent past. Post-peace, some of the opulence laws were eased, allowing the more fashion-minded of dwarves to begin experimenting with colors, and imported fabrics. Dwarven clothes until then were overwhelmingly spun from
Fleece Mane Mushroom, a mushroom that required considerable effort to make usable in clothing. Rough, unpleasant, but incredibly durable, and quick drying, it is used in the majority of dwarven clothing, though not in undergarments due to obvious reasons. With trade with the surface becoming more prominent and bans on the creation of more exotic dyes, and fabrics lifting, these enterprising dwarves took to using an abundance of purple, specifically lavender. Made from the mucus of large underground snails, it was relatively easy to mass produce and required little in the way of import. This splash of color changed the landscape of dwarven fashion, forever altering the usual grey and white that had dominated nearly every piece of cloth for millennia. Color shows became popular, with flashily dressed dwarves with dyed hair and bright scarves performing elaborate dances for patrons. Money flowed into the coffers of these lavender bards as they would come to be known as, resulting in much influence flowing into the hands of those the
The Clan Council considered subversive or oppulant. Censure was inevitable, and when it came the foremost leaders of the movement struck a deal with the various seated clans to work for them in some secret capacity. Officially they merely accept a slightly higher tax on certain fabrics and dyes, but some whisper that the most skilled of lavender bards actually find work as secret police under the direct authority of the clan council though this is denied.
College of Lore/The ADF
Though there was at one time, a dwarven lore college, it has since faded into memory, only to be adopted by an anarchic political group of dwarves advocating for the abdication of the clan council. Through a process of stolen legitimacy not unlike the kind like a
Dead Family, the ADF proclaims itself to be a successor of the old college and thus it has all the rights and privileges formerly granted to that organization. The truth of the matter is up to some debate, but at least not officially as their claim was established by the council. The council would come to regret this action fairly quickly, as the ADF would pivot from their previously stated goal of re-establishing the college of lore, to rabble-rousing against the clan's authority. Protected by their status as a college, they were able to force their way into low-level meetings, organize demonstrations, and even create a yearly street festival celebrating the liberation of a small province from the drow. Though this last action seems the most benign, the adf has gone to great lengths to ensure the event itself is subversive while still being draped with the kind of patriotism the clan council cant be seen objecting to. In time it is this event, called the shattering festival that the ADF would most come to be known for, and one of the proudest achievements of the organization. Celebrating the act of breaking their kin from dark elf enslavement, other items like clay bowls are ritualisticly shattered while the procession, led by former slaves, winds its way through town. As it passes the various taverns, the occupants are encouraged to join the procession, as free mushroom beer is handed out to any who follow in its wake, and it has become tradition for the tavern to donate a barrel from their stock when it passes them by. Beloved by the people but hated by those in power, the ADF, and their bards have become quite famous over the years. Additionally, the name itself is taken from an old teacher's union that used to run the lore colleges of old.
College of Valor
The college of valor that most races know, is not present in dwarven society. Rather the short folk have two unique but intertwined positions with similar responsibilities.
The War Walker, or just walker to most dwarven folk is the more traditional, and ancient skald like some other races know. These dwarves usually take on the last name Walker and make vows that disallow them from the ownership of property, or generally anything that they cannot carry on their backs. Though not a vow of poverty, it is close, as the war walker can purchase expensive weapons, armor, or other more easily portable items. Some have chosen to interpret this vow to mean that anything capable of being carried on their backs, or the backs of their animals is a free game, allowing them to own small carriages or the like. Regardless of how they choose to interpret the vows, one that remains true no matter the group is the vow of the word where they vow to not write down a single one of the tales they come into. Spoken word is in their mind, pure, and by putting such a story to page the tale dies. These nomadic storytellers are well respected and the arrival of a particularly well-traveled walker is a cause for celebration.
The Chronicler is the antithesis of the war walker, as they make sure to put every last detail to paper no matter how small or inconsequential. Seeing themselves more as historians and preservers of history their writings tend to be dry matter-of-fact style retellings of events without the flavor or artistic flare of the Walker counterparts. Also unlike their more nomadic siblings, the chronicler is primarily employed much like a
Paperman is. That is to say, the chronicler is used to record the deeds of their patron, listing their accomplishments so that they may be used should their parent clan or family sue for additional rights. A chronicle of the family or clan is heavy evidence as the chroniclers are notoriously difficult to bribe, caring more about accuracy and preservation than monetary gain. That isn't to say they are like their walker compatriots, as a chronicler can absolutely own property, and utilize their talent for monetary gain.
College of whispers/The Mithran Order.
The order was at one point the secret arm of the old royal family, operating in the shadows and doing whatever was asked of them by their rulers in an effort to protect them. Functioning without oversight, or review, they were seen as brutal but effective defenders of the crown. That was until over time, they were corrupted by political meddling as well as the lure of gold, and wealth gained through the extrajudicial power granted to them. In time their ability to ignore the laws of the land in the name of protecting their royal charges was used by more shadowy employers, though this would not last for long. The decades of shame as they would come to be known ended abruptly when one of the last queens of dwarven kind came into power, and slaughtered the members of the Mithran Order, leaving only their eldest member alive. This eldest would come to lead the order down a new path, one that was not as secret police in charge of rooting out plots against their ruler, but rather seeking out those influenced by
The Dark Ones. The order would still maintain the appearance and official designation as protectors of the royal family but would do little to actually maintain this facade, spending most of their time on the fringes of civilization fighting off the infectious tendrils of the various broods. This mission would shift again after the throne of dwarfkind became empty, and the clan council took control. Having, in the eyes of most, failed their ruler, the Mithran Order was dissolved, though it continues to operate in secret with the use of proxies and other entities that may or may not even know where their orders come from. Most dwarven college of whispers bards are not even aware that they are being controlled by order or if they are, they don't care, merely seeing their job of rooting out alien influence as worth whatever potential implication their involvement with the banned organization may bring.
College of Satire/College Of The Cutting Tongue
The courtly fool, or jester is a common sight all across Yaroth, and the dwarven empire is no exception to this, though the tradition is different down there. While many serve as an unofficial advisor or members of the court, the dwarves embrace the fool, making them a full court-appointed position with all the perks that come with it. Not all serve in clan council meetings, or higher positions, however, and instead accompany merchants or generals but regardless of where they have but one job, to ruthlessly mock whatever decision is being placed before their employers. Generally, the fool will pick apart the plan and ruthlessly mock each individual piece of the proposal, making sure to include plenty of jokes at the expense of the individual bringing it to their lord's attention. They will also do this to others in a more general sense, assaulting dignitaries though not foreign ones, with a hail of jokes, insults and prods meant to make the individual uncertain or angry. Those who are able to weather this with dignity and a schooled expression are considered to have a high fortitude and a high conficne in whatever they came to propose, indicating to those present that their idea may be a sound one. Those who crack or break under the assault are seen as weak willed, or simply unprepared for the attack, and are usually sent away. Once the talks have begun to wind down and the fool's work is done, they will then make and pour the attendant a drink, apologizing without words for what they've said. If the drink is an expensive one the apology is considered more sincere, though this is not a rule. Regardless of the drink's content, its considered rude to turn it away or not finish it though it is considered an insult to the fool and the lord if the drink is purposefully spilled or spat out.
Comments