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Post by Vaklu on Dec 11, 2014 19:11:08 GMT
The Bardic Competition would be held in a lesser hall in the manor. A small stage had been erected at one end tables with food and beverages filled the rest of the hall. There was an atmospheres of ease and frivolity to this segment of the grand tourney. There were only two contestants for this segment, King Azlyn Christallo and
Veikan Dirgeheart. The judges were three master entertainer from the empire. They would listen and watch each perfomance carefully before they made their decision.
-- Each player post once, describing their performance and posting an original poem or song. Three mods will then discuss the works and choose the winner.
-- This event will take one modmark.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 12, 2014 7:17:36 GMT
Music was an essential part of Elonese culture, deeply integrated in how they worshiped Aed, and how communities socialized and celebrated events. Many a summer’s evening, after the work was done, suppers eaten and the heat died down, villages and towns would gather in squares or parks with violins, tambourines, drums and guitars. Those not playing an instrument would dance, clap and sing. In Dovwynn and across Elon, Azlyn was well known for his skill with the violin and many other instruments, as well as a vocalist and songwriter. Ever since he was fifteen he’d played at the Festival of Oleo and on many another evening, be it for festivals, or simply with good company at a tavern or inn he chose to visit. He’d been loved as a singer and fiddle player long before he’d become king and had been called Prince of the Dance in his youth. Azlyn saw music as the living spirit of his country and people and he loved it dearly, throwing himself heart and soul into the spirit of a song. His natural charisma, boundless energy and agility, made him a lively performer, almost constantly moving with the song, his face aglow his voice strong and clear. Most Elonese music was fast and upbeat, with simple verses and repeating choruses; songs that were easy to sing along with and nearly impossible not to dance with. However, there were also a few well know ballads, some slower more thoughtful pieces and Azlyn intended to perform a verity today. He wanted to display his culture, but also his own talents and aptitude for different instruments and styles. It was unusual in Elon for music events to held inside manner halls, rather than in the open outdoor squares, but the little hall was crowded. As many of the local commoners as would be allowed had come to hear the contest, confident in their king’s ability to impress the visitors with performance. They were a lively audience, since music was usually a participatory activity in their culture. They happily cheered both performers and danced when they could. A few would sing along and had to be elbowed by their neighbors to be reminded that they should not be disrupting the performance while the judges were listening. - As was proper in Elon, Azlyn opened his performance with a song of worship and praise to Aed. It was an upbeat lilting song in ¾ time. Between the verses, Azlyn played a horn in a lively solo. It wasn’t his best instrument, but he could play it well enough to impress and it fitted the loud declarative style of the song, as did his deep booming voice. The tune is a combination of "Plant Life and "Joyful Joyful" and the words are taken from and inspired by all three songs. Let All Things Now Living – Traditional Welsh hymn
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee - Henry Van Dyke
Plant Life – Owl City - Link -> Plant LifeOpening Hymn For AedDance! Dance! Sing to Aed! Join creation’s serenade!Hearts unfolding, Eyes beholding,
Sunrise at the dawn of day drives the dark of doubts away.Oh, all things now living sing a song of thanksgiving!
Why should we walk, when we may dance through the forest?
Singing to heaven, while trees sway in time!Quartets of crickets join in for the chorus
May nature’s spirit lead us to Aed’s love divine.
Stars and angels sing around us. All Aed’s works with joy surround us.The giver of immortal gladness melts the clouds of sin and sadness.Field and forest, vale and mountain, singing bird, flowing fountain
Flow’ry meadow, and ocean’s wave, call us to rejoice in Aed.
Why should we walk, when we may dance through the forest?
Singing to heaven, while trees sway in time!
Quartets of crickets join in for the chorusMay nature’s spirit lead us to Aed’s love divine.
Dance Dance! A song of praise to Aed the creator joyfully raise.He fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us
Beside us each night, he guides us to light.Where shadows have vanished and darkness is banished.
Why should we walk, when we may dance through the forest?
Singing to heaven, while trees sway in time!Quartets of crickets join in for the chorus
May nature’s spirit lead us to Aed’s love divine.
May nature’s spirit lead us to Aed’s love divine! --- After the opening hymn, Azlyn got out his violin and the local people in the audience grinned. The king was stepping it up several notches. He’d played the horn and given his respects to God, but now Azlyn intended to show the judges what he could really do. He was a master on the violin, able to play fast complex lines with tremendous dexterity and skill and he intended to show it off. The next song had no words. It was purely instrumental, a fast Elonese dance song. His fingers flew and his whole body moved with the energy of the song. By the time he was done, the king was dripping with sweat, but the smile on his face was pure joy of a mastered art. Elonese Dance Instrumental Violin Song
Adagio - Samvel Yervinyan
Basically he plays the song in the link simplified so as to be violin only without the other instrumental parts. ---
Azlyn took a moment for a quick drink of water, before taking his violin to the front of the stage again. “This next song,” he said, “Is something I wrote special for the occasion. I wrote it for a very special someone, one of the true loves of my life, my daughter, Princess Eloise. Hey there Sweetheart!” he waved to the little girl sitting on a table near the stage. She was beaming and waved back!
This song was as upbeat and cheerful as the rest of the pieces so far, but the lyrics were a little more complex and focused on a theme. He played the violin between verses and moved around the stage, with the same amout of charisma and energy as before, though the always returned to face Eloise , singing directly to her at the end of the song.
The tune is a combination of “Into a Fantasy” and “Kamikaze”, though obviously the style would be in Rybak’s violin and not Owl City’s electronica. The words are taken and inspired from all three songs.
Into a Fantasy – Alexander Rybak - link -> Into a Fantasy
Kamikaze – Owl City - link -> Kamikaze
Dreams Don’t Turn to Dust – Owl City - link -> Dreams Don't Turn to DustFly With Me For Eloise
InstrumentalThe princess in her flower crown
Splashed into a silver dream
Where cherry blossoms spun around
And made a fairy scene
La-da-da! La-da-da.
Oh oh oh oh!
La-da-da! La-da-da.Oh oh oh oh!
She had a dream
I was there.
Reality is a lovely placeBut I wouldn’t want to live there!
Come fly with me! Oh oh oh oh!
Into a fantasy Oh oh oh oh!
Where you can be
Whatever you want to be!
Come Fly with me!
InstrumentalThe king on a snowy horse
Rode across the midnight sky
Where stars danced across their course
And sang gravity goodbye
La-da-da! La-da-da.
Oh oh oh oh!
La-da-da! La-da-da.
Oh oh oh oh!
No more worry
No more fear
I will make them disappear
And came back to take you home
Come Fly with me! Oh oh oh oh!
Into a fantasy! Oh oh oh oh!
Where you can be
Whatever you want to be!
Come Fly with me!
InstrumentalLa-da-da! La-da-da.
Oh oh oh oh!
La-da-da! La-da-da.
Oh oh oh oh!
And I!
I love you every single day!
Oh oh oh oh!
And I!
I will be with you for every step!
Oh oh oh oh!
Every step of the way!
Come Fly with me! Oh oh oh oh!
Into a fantasy Oh oh oh oh!
Where you can be
Whatever you want to be!
Come Fly with me!
Come Fly with me!
Instrumental ----
Once that song was done, Azlyn set his violin aside for a while and got out a lute guitar. He finally made use of a stool provided for the contestants, sitting down and slowing the energy a little, with a more serious tone. “It took me a while to write this next one,” he said, “As you all know, my wife is of Surveak. It hasn’t always been easy for either of us to understand each other or get along, but just like the rest of the north and the southern Empire, I’ve begun to see that she has made me and the rest of the kingdom stronger. This song is for Chello. I called it Song of Fire and Ice.”
It was a slower beat and more of a ballad than a dance song, but the melody was hopeful and lilting and the repeated chorus and the phrases non-word vocals were certainly Elonese in fashion. The people had never heard this before and most listened intently. It wasn’t typical sing and dance song they were used to from the king, but they seemed to appreciate it. Obviously Azlyn’s voice doesn’t sound like Kate Rusby, but the melody is a combination of the two songs below and the acoustic guitar playing fits.Planets – Kate Rusby - Link -> PlanetsJack Frost – Kate Rusby Link -> Jack FrostSong of Fire and Ice For Chello
(Instrumental - Na-na-nah, Na-na-nah, Ah-Oh-oh-oh-oh.)
I can see, the future’s stars aligned before me.
As a king, to those stars I must be worthy.
I was Prince of the Dance, the boy on the moon,
But as king, there’s a world on my shoulders.
The world’s as cruel, to me as to others.
It’s not easy to dance, with a crown on my head,
But tonight, cruel world be forgiven.
Oh, for once in my life, I am living!
(Instrumental - Na-na-nah, Na-na-nah, Ah-Oh-oh-oh-oh.)
Beneath the tree, she stood, a stranger tall before her.
She said, “Let it be. I am yours for now and always.”
She was the wind of the south, the shine on the snow,
But as queen, she’s lost here forever.
The world’s as cruel, to her as to others.
It’s not easy to smile, when your heart’s far from home,
But tonight, cruel world be forgiven.
Oh, for once in her life, she is living!
(Instrumental - Na-na-nah, Na-na-nah, Ah-Oh-oh-oh-oh.)
She said, “Lift your head. Slay yourself and forget your sorrow.
With me at your side, we will build a new tomorrow.”
She was frost on the glass, I was fire in the sky,
But our stars were crossed in the heavens.
The world’s as cruel, to us as to others
It’s not easy to love when you’re fire and ice,
But tonight, cruel world be forgiven,
Oh, for once in our lives, we are living!
(Instrumental - Na-na-nah, Na-na-nah, Ah-Oh-oh-oh-oh.)
I’ll play my guitar, melt the ice and teach you dancing.
And you’ll hold my hand, tame the fire and show me wisdom.
She was the wind in the south, I the boy on the moon
But in the North, we’re rulers forever.
The world is cruel, but we’ll change it together.
It’s not easy to dance with crowns on our heads,
But tonight, cruel world be forgiven.
Oh, for once in our lives, we are living!
Yes, for once in our lives, we are living! --- The next song was certainly a ballad and not the traditional Elonese festival song. It was mostly vocals with a violin theme slowly rising after the first verse and throughout the rest of the song, but the focus was on the words and the story, which were tragic and moving. It was a song Azlyn had written a year or so ago, but he’d only played it at the manner. He’d had to practice it more than any of the other pieces, both because of it’s vocal focus and in order to capture the tragedy in his presentation, building up the drama of the story with each successive verse.
I copied this one word for word here, so just listen to the video. Take away all the instrumentation except for the violin and then lower the voice a few keys and that’s the Song Azlyn is performing.
13 Horses By Alexander Rybak
13 Horses
13 horses swimming in the sea
Waiting for someone to find them
Their ship is gone
and now they are alone
With water everywhere around them
The men were saved
from the sinking ship
Right before it started to burn
And while they're safe
their loyal friends need help
Patiently waiting for their turn
13 horses swimming in the sea
They don't even know it's pointless
Their pride remains
but this time it won't help
They used to be so tall
and suddenly they're small
There's a couple falling far behind
Soon they will be out of sight
But then who cares -
they're dying anyway
All of them are doomed this night
11 horses swimming in the sea
The sea they thought was just a river
They're used to this
it's probably just a race
That helps to ease their minds
but where's the finish line
The night grows dark
the body wants to rest
It hurts to breathe
and still they do their best
They want to live
no matter for how long
Their thoughts all disappeared
'Cause now they're really scared
7 horses struggling in the sea
Waiting for someone to find them
They don't look back
'cause what's the point of that
There is only death behind them
They cry for help
but help will never come
They don't know where to swim
or what they're swimming from
They try to swim some more
when panic starts to spread
They're swimming in to shore
but only in their heads!
The 3 last horses
Dying in the sea
Shouting out their cries for no one
They're born to win
they're screaming in their hearts
The strength of thousand men
They're fighting to the end
The sun is out
Birds are everywhere
They're flying high
surfing in the air
It's nice to live
when life is such a blast
One horse still swims
it seems to be the last
The thirteenth horse
has always been the best
His owner will be proud
But now he wants to rest
He's longing for his home
The girl will give him food
"Good boy" - she'll say
together they will play
13 horses swimming in the sea
Soon they will be gone forever
And while they swim,
One thing still remains
And that's the hope that never dies
It never dies
It never dies
---- Not wanting to leave on a tragic ending, Azlyn’s last song was well known to the Elonese. Usually it was sung in Elonese, but Azlyn preformed it in the common Surveak, translating all but the title word, “L’Haiah”
“There isn’t really a direct translation in Surveak,” Azlyn explained, “The closest would be “laughter” but specifically laugher with good company and the word “Celebration” could also be applied. In Elon its used as a general cry of good wishes and joy, like “Hoorah.” As for the rest of the words, they were easy to translate because they don’t really matter. This is a song where you make up the verses as you go along, filling them in with whatever is being celebrated at the time. What’s important in this song is the dance. I know everyone from Elon knows how to dance to this song, but I want to take a moment to show everyone else. Eloise, can you come over and help me show everyone how to dance? Bring you mother and Sir Owyn with you.”
With his wife and daughter and one of his household knights and close friends, Azlyn when through the steps of the dance. “You may hold hands, or if there’s a significant height difference, a scarf works just as well.” He took out a red scarf and held one end, while his four-year-old daughter held the other, smiling with anticipation. Chello held one of Sir Owyn’s hands lifting them to be level with their heads and holding their free hand raised on the other side.
Azlyn went through the steps slowly. It was fairly simply. You circled with your partner, first one way then the other, kicking your feet in a rhythm. Then you wove in and out with the couple next to you. Azlyn swung Chello around and Owyn took the scarf dancing around Eloise. The weave returned you to your original partner, who you circled with once more, before joining a line, holding hands in a chain, which circled around, before breaking back into couples, where the dance could start over again.
“I know it looks a little complicated, but if your learning it for the first time, try to partner with someone who knows it already and just follow the flow. Alright then!”
He picked up his violin and gave people a few more moment to spread out and partner up. Almost all the Elonese were enthusiastic and eager to find visitors to partner with. Finally, Azlyn struck a bright note on his instrument, and began the lilting, upbeat dance song. He started out a little slow, giving people a chance to figure out the moves, but picked up speed after a verse or two.
It soon became clear what he meant about making up words as you go along. He stuck in a few dance instructions, sometimes in the verses, sometimes between the Lai-di-las of the chorus and toward the end he dedicated verses to the champions of the tournament so far, naming and congratulating them.
The Elonese people sang along hardily with the Lai-di-las and a few talented show-offs broke from the main dance moves, performing more complex moves, with kicks jumps and collaborated maneuvers. They cheered loudly at the end, happy with the performance and proud of their king and the festivities of the tournament in general.
Tune and Inspiration
L’Chaim – The Fiddler on the Roof - Link -> L'Chaim
L’Haiah
(Laughing with good company)
To Life! To Love! L’Haiah!
Be happy, be healthy and dance!
May Aed’s face shine upon us
And good fortunes call on us
Drink! L’Haiah and Dance!
Lai-la-lai!… ect
To life, to harvest! L’Haiah
Cut wheat, pick fruit and dance!
Summer is come and gone
Harvest shall carry on
Drink! L’Haiah and Dance!
Lai-la-lai! … ect
To life! To friends! L’Haiah!
Take hands, lets spin and dance!
And even on rainy days
When fortune is not our way
Drink! L’Haiah and Dance!
Lai-la-lai! … ect
To Life, to wine! L’Haiah!
Raise glasses, drink deep, and dance!
You only live once they say
So here’s to the present day!
Drink! L’Haiah and Dance!
Lai-la-lai! … ect
To Life! To fortune! L’Haiah!
Live long, prosper and dance!
And if fortune never comes
Here’s to whatever comes
Drink! L’Haiah and Dance!
Lai-la-lai! … ect
To life to peace L’Haiah!
Be blessed, be happy and dance!
May we live in harmony
And fine peace eternally
Drink! L’Haiah and Dance!
Lai-la-lai! … ect
To life, to sport, L’Haiah!
Fight nobility, fight well and dance!
Champions we praise today
Laud them and sing hooray!
Drink! L’Haiah and Dance!
Lai-la-lai!… ect
To life, to archery L’Haiah!
Fly true, fly straight and dance!
Cathasach of Veakirate
It’s you that we celebrate
Drink! L’Haiah and Dance!
Lai-la-lai!… ect
To life, to muskets L’Haiah!
Spark, explosion and dance!
Garlog of the firetooth
Your glory is proved in truth
Drink! L’Haiah and Dance!
Lai-la-lai!… ect
To life to wrestling, L’Haiah!
Be strong, stand firm and dance!
To Haakon the Titanhand
We shout your name from the stand
Drink! L’Haiah and Dance!
Lai-la-lai!… ect
To life to jousting! L’Haiah!
Ride bold, strike true and dance!
To Sir Alphred of Hessnya
Congregations and joy to yah
Drink! L’Haiah and Dance!
Lai-la-lai!… ect
To life, to honor! L’Haiah!
Fight well, win glory and dance!
To everyone in the field
Fighting with sword or shield
Drink! L’Haiah and Dance!
Lai-la-lai!… ect
To life! L’Haiah!
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Post by talis on Dec 14, 2014 8:32:43 GMT
((So I intend to finish this today, but it's late and as much fun as this is it's not worth pulling an all-nighter over. Here's enough to critique, it's a decent cliff-hanger, and I'll post the rest later.))
Veigan sat comfortably on a stool at the front end of the hall. By his request the doors had been shut once the hall was full and a small fire lit. He sat there, perched on his stool in a fur cloak and crimson tunic, with the flickering flames glistening off the golden rings on his fingers and the chain on his neck. To his side was a cup of honeyed mead of a type he had instructed the servants to share with all the guests as he sang, and in his lap was a lyre of fine heartwood, strung finely and carved with strange images of dragons, orcs, and men.
The Lyre whispered eerily in the firelight, echoing with a strange vibration. With the doors shut, every pluck and twist of the lute bounced, roiled and faded over the crowd like a wraith over the sea. Every note strummed with a life of its own.
When Veikan began it was not as a song but a story. He spoke in a deep, baritone voice well practiced in many-hour-tales. He strummed his lute not with a beat but as a sound effect to enhance his storytelling, and was not afraid to pound his feet or raise his arms in great, sweeping gestures as he told his tale.
A couple examples of Veikan's style of storytelling:
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Post by Vaklu on Dec 16, 2014 1:10:40 GMT
After both conestants had finished the three master performers huddled together and then split apart. A herald was given the results on a slip of paper. "The winner of this competition is Veikan Dirgeheart. May his muse never fail him." A great clapping filled the hall. Azlyn gave the orc a small bow.
-- Veikan Dirgeheart Wins the Bardic Medalion
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