Aoide - Level 5 Bard Review
Cordir gossips, 'Bard performance in the Amphitheater in the next little bit'.
Aoide arrives from the west.
Shilea arrives from the west.
Aoide paces nervously.
Aoide gasps in astonishment.
Aoide says (in common), 'is it your aura?! it's so dark!'.
Cordir tilts her head to one side.
Aoide says (in common), 'my lady patroness, I have two songs prepared'.
Cordir says, 'But it's been this way for years.'.
Aoide frowns.
Cordir says, 'Whatever do you mean?'.
Shilea stands up.
Shilea leaves west.
Aoide says (in common), 'I would like to perform whichever pleases you best'.
Cordir says, 'and the topics?'.
Aoide says (in common), 'the first is a silly song, a tale from my own life'.
Shilea arrives from the west.
Cordir gossips, 'Last call for bard performance...'.
Cordir gossips, 'Raise your hand if you want transport'.
Aoide says (in common), 'the second, the song requested about um'.
Aoide coughs.
Aoide looks at Shilea.
l shilea
The elven woman before you calls to mind molten metal in the process of its
forging: liquid, shifting, becoming, undefinable. There is more than mortal
gaze can perceive about her - as if the world itself changed by her passage.
Her demeanor and garb hold a regal quality, and the ashen tinge to her skin
clearly reveals her to be of the Hundred - the most ancient of elves, those
Firstborn. Her hair streams down in a smooth waterfall, dusky pewter tones
mixed amidst the moonlight silver. Shadows flicker and dance within a gray
gaze touched with streaks of indigo, concealing secrets, mysteries, arcanum
not meant to be known by those of mortal blood. With a graceful, inherantly
feminine movement she tucks an errant lock back behind a delicately pointed
ear. A wistful expression flashes across her face, and her eyes become more
distant, if that was possible, as if they gazed upon the face of one not in
your presence. She nods as if in answer to a conversation and those slender
hands slip closer to the two swords bound in ancient leather sheaths at her
narrow hips. The sense you had of a distant creature of nobility and arcane
sorcery shifts, and it becomes crystally clear that this is no fragile lily,
but one who can and will shed blood, face peril, scorn or damnation for the
few she has pledged her loyalty and love to.
Shilea is in perfect health.
Aoide says (in common), 'well, let's say it's a song encouraging a little less drinking'.
Boromir raises an eyebrow.
Cordir says, 'Shilea has a drinking problem?'.
Aoide says (in common), 'Shilea is...perhaps not trustworthy'.
Aoide says (in common), 'I don't know her well enough yet to know'.
Cordir nods.
Aoide says (in common), 'I'm sure both songs will make an appearance, but I would prefer to sing
whichever pleases my lady first'.
Aoide starts pacing again.
Shilea leaves west.
Eathor arrives from the west.
Aoide curtseys gracefully to Boromir.
Eathor is probalby too late?
Cordir makes a gesture of nonchalance. 'It is your choice, little bard.'
Cordir says, 'As you wish.'.
Cordir says, 'I do not have a preference.'.
Aoide frowns.
Aoide says (in common), 'very well'.
Aoide says (in common), 'this is, as you know, my very first'.
Aoide blushes.
Eathor says (in common), 'You haven't stated yet?'.
Aoide says (in common), 'anything I need to know? or should I just begin'.
Aoide shakes her head.
Eathor is so excited that he cheers just for the hell of it.
Eathor made it in time.
Eathor sits back and relaxes to watch.
Eathor rests.
Aoide grins wickedly.
A soft light swirls up out of nowhere, illuminating the bard.
Aoide stops using a heavy mace.
Aoide wields a lute.
Aoide stops using a small wooden shield.
Aoide holds a pair of white brass finger cymbals in her hands.
Aoide looks a little sick to her stomach.
Aoide says (in common), 'I would like to dedicate this song to those who have helped me.'.
Aoide unfolds the parchment and reads through the list.
Aoide says (in common), 'Belsambar, Cordir, Eathor, Hano, Hern, Huglak, Ink'.
Aoide stops for a breath.
Aoide says (in common), 'Jashon, Kirith, Leif, Malic, Myst, Nox, Sarai, Tikruul'.
Aoide says (in common), 'and the countless someones I've been too small to see.'.
Eathor beams smiling at being included.
Aoide stuffs the parchment in an already full bag.
Aoide says (in common), 'At some point we all need a friend, by Aoide Mathwin:'.
Aoide chimes a jaunty beat with her cymbals.
Shilea arrives from the west.
Shilea gives the corpse of the giant penguin to Aoide.
Aoide tries to break dance, but nearly breaks her neck!
Aoide sings, There once was a vrock.
Aoide sings, Who sat on a rock.
Shilea says (in common), 'an early present'.
Shilea hugs Aoide.
Aoide sings, While he waited for someone to slay.
Aoide sings, And once a young elf.
Aoide sings, Not too sure of herself.
Aoide sings, Got lost in the vortex one day.
Aoide laughs at herself. Let's all join in!!!
Natilena arrives in a hail of stardust.
Aoide sings, On the way she did falter.
Shilea laughs at Aoide mercilessly.
Aoide sings, Ended up at an altar.
Eathor snickers with Shilea about their shared secret.
Aoide sings, All bloodied with demons round bout.
Eathor shivers uncomfortably.
Aoide shivers at the memory.
Aoide sings, The dumb little bardy.
Aoide sings, Too often foolhardy.
Aoide sings, Decided to check the place out.
Aoide begins stomping along with the cymbal beat.
Aoide sings, Call him amigo, philos, bandu.
Aoide sings, Rafiki, amico, or even bvuunw.
Aoide sings, As we wander this realm end to end,
Aoide sings, And at some point we all need a friend.
Aoide sings, She and the vrock met.
Aoide sings, If you hadnt guessed yet.
Aoide sings, And she barely escaped with her skin.
Aoide stops the beat and continues solemnly.
Aoide sings, And there she stood.
Aoide sings, And asked if she should.
Aoide sings, Just count herself dead and give in.
Aoide sings, There were a few.
Aoide sings, Who said what to do.
Aoide sings, But told her shed probably die.
Aoide sings, She quaffed a potion,
Aoide sings, Steeled her emotions.
Aoide sings, And figured she might as well try.
Aoide sings, Call him amigo, philos, bandu.
Aoide sings, Rafiki, amico, or even bvuunw.
Aoide sings, As we wander this realm end to end,
Aoide sings, And at some point we all need a friend.
Aoide chimes and stomps again, slightly faster than before.
Aoide sings, Then from close by.
Aoide sings, Came somethings death cry!
Aoide sings, Relief flooded through our young elf.
Aoide smiles happily.
Aoide sings, Nox was in zone.
Aoide sings, And no longer alone.
Aoide sings, She cheered in spite of herself.
Aoide sings, He portaled her out.
Aoide sings, She gave a great shout.
Aoide sings, Thank you, sir! I owe you my life!
Aoide sings, And old as she gets.
Aoide sings, She'll never forget.
Aoide sings, The kind souls who helped her that night.
Aoide sings, Call him amigo, philos, bandu.
Aoide sings, Rafiki, amico, or even bvuunw.
Aoide sings, As we wander this realm end to end,
Aoide sings, And at some point we all need a friend.
Aoide falls silent.
Aoide curtsies low to the audience, her face flushed.
Shilea is so excited that she cheers just for the hell of it.
Natilena claps at Aoide's performance.
Cordir claps at Aoide's performance.
Eathor cheers wildly!
Shilea hugs Aoide.
Boromir bows deeply.
Eathor says (in common), 'Excellent!!'.
Shilea says (in common), 'Woooooo!!!'.
Boromir shows his approval by clapping his hands together.
Boromir shows his approval by clapping his hands together.
Boromir shows his approval by clapping his hands together.
Aoide blushes.
Cordir nods, her expression thoughtful.
Eathor says (in common), 'Very good, Aoide, thank you!'.
Cordir says, 'Indeed. We find friends in the oddest of places.'.
Aoide says (in common), 'thank you all for coming!'.
Cordir says, 'And your second song?'.
Cordir arches an eyebrow inquisitively.
Aoide nods in recognition to you.
Boromir grins happily.
Cordir says, 'did you wish to perform it now?'.
Aoide says (in common), 'would you like it as well?'.
Aoide says (in common), 'I don't want to bore you'.
Cordir says, 'or another time?'.
Aoide says (in common), 'whenever the lady wishes'.
Cordir nods.
Eathor says (in common), 'Encore!'.
Eathor grins evilly.
Eathor stands up.
Eathor makes a complicated-looking gesture.
Eathor fades out of existence.
Eathor rests.
Cordir gestures. 'Continue.'
Aoide snickers softly.
Aoide nods.
The light swells up once more, focusing on the bard.
Aoide says (in common), 'I will need just a minute to change instruments'.
Aoide stops using a lute.
Aoide wields a violin.
Aoide says (in common), 'this is a different sort of song'.
Cordir asks Shilea to settle down with a glance and a gesture.
Aoide says (in common), 'not so rhym-ey, a little more free verse'.
Aoide says (in common), 'The Bottles Deception by Aoide Mathwin, with help from the poet Shakespeare:'.
Aoide begins tapping her foot slowly, trying to catch the beat.
Aoide plays a haunting tune on the violin.
Aoide half closes her eyes and sings, Tales have been spun of dragons.
Aoide sings, Whose hoards of treasure lure travelers in.
Aoide sings, Who then find, instead of riches.
Aoide says (in common), 'Bondage.'.
Aoide sings, The beautiful tree frog calls to the snake.
Aoide sings, Emerald green, orange, or gold.
Aoide sings, But the snake, fancying a snack finds
Aoide says (in common), 'Poison.'.
Aoide sings, The alluring lily, open wide.
Aoide sings, Calls to the flies and bees with its nectar.
Aoide sings, But within its gilded petals,
Aoide says (in common), 'Death.'.
Aoide stops playing the violin and holds it still.
Aoide continues in a quiet voice.
Aoide sings, So it is with the bottled fire, the sirens syrup call.
Aoide sings, It promises relief or laughter or bravery.
Aoide sings, And leaves the drinker not with peace, but.
Aoide says (in common), 'Emptiness.'.
Aoide picks up the violin and begins to play again.
Aoide sings, Snake in the grass.
Aoide sings, Siren in the sea.
Aoide sings, An empty bottle then an empty heart.
Aoide sings, Its promise of glory a lie.
Aoide sings, In the words of the poet, who said it before:
Aoide sings, Oh gods, that men should put an enemy in their mouths.
Aoide sings, to steal away their brains!
Aoide sings, That we should, with joy, pleasance, revel, and applause,
Aoide sings, transform ourselves into beasts!
Aoide stills the strings of her violin.
Aoide bows deeply.
Boromir raises an eyebrow.
Aoide blushes.
Boromir shows his approval by clapping his hands together.
Boromir shows his approval by clapping his hands together.
Natilena says, 'enjoyable'.
Cordir sits in silence for a moment.
Natilena claps at Aoide's performance.
Boromir says, 'interesting'.
Boromir says, 'thanks'.
Shilea enthusiastically cheers Aoide to victory.
Aoide says (in common), 'as I said, a um...different tone'.
Boromir nods.
Boromir says, 'very'.
Tears streak down the Weaver's face, though she does not recognize them as such.
Eathor grins evilly.
### Aoide has earned Bards' Council approval for level 5.
Boromir waves happily.
Boromir summons the mists of the Nexus: when they swirl and fade, he is gone.
Eathor says (in common), 'very very good, Aoide. thank you.'.
Eathor bows before Aoide.
Aoide shuffles her feet.
Natilena claps at Aoide's performance.
Aoide curtseys gracefully.
Aoide says (in common), 'thank you'.
Aoide gets the Precisional Lyrical from the corpse of the giant penguin.
Aoide stops using a pair of white brass finger cymbals.
Aoide holds the Precisional Lyrical in her hands.
Cordir gives the Efficacious Lyrical to Aoide.
Cordir says, 'That is a gift from a fellow bard'.
Cordir nods in recognition to Eathor.
Aoide stops using the Precisional Lyrical.
Aoide holds the Efficacious Lyrical in her hands.
Cordir indicates Eathor.
Eathor smiles happily.
Aoide says (in common), 'thank you!'.
Eathor says (in common), 'Absolutely'.
1 player.
Elf [ Bard: 11 8 5 ] Aoide Mathwin seeks the Bards' Council.
Aoide says (in common), 'my Lady, I haven't a handerchief, but is there anything I can offer you for your tears?'.
Aoide looks at Cordir.
Cordir blinks, then reaches up with one hand to touch her face.
Aoide says (in common), 'did I..say something wrong?'.
Cordir frowns slightly, a quizzical look on her face, then wipes away the moister.
Cordir says, '(moisture)'.
Aoide nods.
Cordir tilts her head to one side. 'I .. don't... No. You didn't. I just can't...'
Cordir frowns and shakes her head slightly.
Aoide says (in common), 'of course, we speak of something else!'.
Cordir says, 'There's .. something there. I just can't recall it.'.
Aoide nods.
Aoide says (in common), 'I never wish to bring my lady pain'.
Cordir says, 'life is pain.'.
Cordir says, 'if one is to live... one must endure.'.
Aoide says (in common), 'yes, but friends exist not to bring more pain, but to relieve it for a while'.
Aoide says (in common), 'not that, um, one such as I could be a friend to one as you'.
Aoide says (in common), 'but an admirer, certainly'.
Cordir says softly, 'I hate pedestals.'
Cordir frowns.
Aoide says (in common), 'yes, but I have much to learn'.
Cordir says, 'why do I hate pedestals.'.
Cordir says, 'I hate them. Why.'.
Cordir frowns.
Aoide says (in common), 'perhaps, you were placed on one once, or many times?'.
Cordir shakes her head in confusion.
Aoide says (in common), 'my lady, do you wish to remember?'.
Cordir says, 'I'm not sure.'.
Cordir says, 'Surely if it is forgotten, then there is a reason for the forgetting.'.
Aoide nods.
Aoide says (in common), 'hm, certainly a reason'.
Cordir says, 'but put me on no pedestal. '.
Cordir says, 'I can't bear them.'.
Aoide nods.
Cordir says, 'And you say I asked for that piece?'.
Cordir says, 'about indulgence and drinking?'.
Aoide says (in common), 'are we alone?'.
Cordir says, 'No.'.
Aoide frowns.
Eathor blushes.
Eathor says (in common), 'is that ok, shall I leave?'.
Aoide says (in common), 'still Eathor?'.
Eathor nods.
Aoide grins wickedly.
Cordir nods.
Aoide says (in common), 'then, no, stay'.
Aoide says (in common), 'yes, my lady'.
Cordir frowns.
Aoide says (in common), 'you commissioned all available bards to...let's see, I have it written
down'.
Cordir starts to speak, then falls silent.
Eathor grins evilly.
Aoide says (in common), 'craft a lyric work on the evils of drink and the perils that come with over-indulgence'.
Cordir blinks slowly, 'And when did I ask this of you?'
Aoide sits down and thinks deeply.
Aoide says (in common), 'I'm not sure when it was that you asked us, lady'.
Aoide says (in common), 'do you remember, Eathor?'.
Aoide says (in common), 'perhaps...4 days ago?'.
Eathor says (in common), 'Hmmm'.
Eathor says (in common), 'It was prior to my last performance, as it was part of the inspiration for
it'.
Aoide says (in common), 'it was not a pleasant day for you, but I would not enjoy giving any disparaging details'.
Aoide frowns.
Aoide says (in common), 'darn, I missed it!'.
Eathor says (in common), 'and that was 3 days ago, so...must have been about 4'.
Cordir's eyes flicker a darker shade of black, if that is even possible, and she shudders slightly.
Cordir says, 'I.. don't... I don't remember.'.
Cordir sits very still, searching inward.
Aoide says (in common), 'I would that you would remember..you are, not a whole picture of the lady we adore.'.
Eathor looks solemnly at Cordir.
Eathor nods in recognition to Aoide.
Aoide says (in common), 'if I may be so bold, have you a book, lady Cordir?'.
Cordir forces herself to sit upright, and release a breath. 'No matter. It is what it is.'
Cordir says, 'Whatever it may be.'.
Cordir says, 'Aye, I have several.'.
Eathor smiles happily.
Eathor says (in common), 'I've always believed the past isn't worth remembering, and today is probably worth forgetting.'.
Aoide says (in common), 'this one is a special book...'.
Cordir says, 'The Pattern will unravel this puzzle in time, I would suppose.'.
Aoide nods in recognition to Eathor.
Eathor says (in common), 'tomorrow however, I really just don't want to know anything about at all!'.
Cordir tilts her head to one side, regarding Eathor.
Cordir says, 'No yesterdays...'.
Aoide says (in common), 'perhaps if you searched what you have, you'd find something'.
Aoide says (in common), 'or, do as Eathor suggests and plunge in to tomorrow'.
Cordir's eyes flick back and forth, as if reading a page. 'No yesterdays...'
Cordir nods.
Cordir says, 'Corri would tell me that now is now, and not yesterday.'.
Cordir says, 'I should remember that more often.'.
Eathor smiles happily.
Shadows flicker around Her form, veiling her slightly.
Eathor says (in common), 'Corri has her moments! :)'.
Aoide nods.
Aoide giggles.
Cordir rises to her feet, the movement slow, but with an air of fragility.
Cordir says, 'I think I need to go meditate in my garden.'.
Cordir says, 'Please ... excuse me.'.
Aoide nods.
Eathor bows before you.
Aoide curtseys gracefully.
Eathor says (in common), 'Thank you for your time, Lady'.
Aoide says (in common), 'thank you both, for the encouragement'.
Aoide says (in common), 'I also should retire for the night'.
Cordir nods.
Cordir gathers the shadows around herself, ebon flames outlining her for a brief moment.
Cordir slips into the shadows and disappears.