Summer of Lore #30: The Angelic Horn

This song tells the story of a curious young griffon that finds a magical horn from the heavens, and a fairy's attempt to tell him about some of the wondrous things it does when sounded. It is a never ender, with new verses being added every time Meikon appears to give it to a new hero

Summer of Lore #29: The Arrow that Sang

Another example of someone other than the Gemsinger that sang magic (which is more common in Shokiyan lore than real Shokiyan life, just to clarify) this is a popular tale told to inspire legions of archers and at graduations of new archers, although the general public loves it too.

The basic bones of the story:

An archer has been charged to find an enchanted arrow, which is said to be strong enough to defeat demons,because his (some minstrels make it a her) kingdom is under threat from a powerful demon. He befriends a cleric who is a bit of a scaredy cat (but wants to learn to be brave), and the two embark on their journey together (which is a story in itself)

They return and discover the demon and his forces are on the move. Despite the royal army's best efforts, they are no match for the demon armies.

Just when all hope seems lost, the archer steps up to battle the demon himself as his companion looks on in terror. The archer's courage awakens the ability to sing magic in him,which he uses in a long and drawn out battle.

In the end, the demons are defeated, the archer is hailed as a hero, and the young cleric learns what it really means to be brave.

Summer of Lore #28: An Actor, I am Not

One of Dorian's funny songs that is popular with kids, there's so many variations as to what happens to the swordswoman who finds an instrument (usually a harp or lute, when Dorian sings it) and gets subsequently roped into a play (and the hilarity that ensues) that Dorian never sings the same version twice. Audiences are also known to suggest verses as well, making this song a never ender.

Summer of Lore #27: A Forbidden Song

This story serves as a cautionary tale to minstrels to not be hasty about acquiring powerful magic (as some magic instruments are very powerful)

The basic bones of the story:

A young minstrel close to graduating befriends a druid who tries to get him to try and use a powerful instrument (what this is differs from telling to telling) When the apprentice finally gets his hands on the instrument, he can't control the magic, which gets Meikon's attention. She banishes the young apprentice to serve as a warning to other minstrels who might try to get their hands on more powerful magic than they can handle

Summer of Lore #26: The Phoenix Lights the Way

Surprisingly enough, Leria is not the only human royal to adopt the phoenix as part of their heraldry--many of her ancestors did as well.

This song tells the story of her father when he was young, how he brought back a mystical lamp said to be lit by the fires of a phoenix rising anew, and used it to thwart an evil duke's plot to take the throne for himself.

While it is often sung a capella (or using a drum to provide a beat), playing it with instruments is not unheard of. It is often sung on Phoenix day, which commemorates Selance's establishment as the human capital the the east continent

Summer of Lore #25: The Rainbow Orb

This tale is about a legendary crystal orb known as the Rainbow Orb--a Seer's, mystic's or enchantress' dream weapon

The basic bones of the story:

An enchantress decides to seek the Rainbow Orb as a chance to avenge her mentor, who perished at the hand of a monster (what monster this is depends on the storyteller) Along the way she meets an older enchantress infamous for her tricks, and ends up falling for a few of them (what they are, again, depend on who's telling the story. When she finally gets the Rainbow Orb, she first uses it to punish the old enchantress for tricking her.  

Summer of Lore #24: The Quest for the Diamond Shield

This song tells the story about a young warrior's final test before graduating from the warrior's academy. Not only is it a never ender (it can go on forever if you let it), it is also notable for the refrain in nonsense Ruhar (the elven tongue) that serves as the audience's response: 

Hi rì him bò i yò bha rò ha
Hi rì him bò, hìrì ri ri yù,
Hi rì him bo i yo bha rò ha....

The song is sung a cappella (but versions with instruments are not unheard of) in a call and response fashion--the minstrel sings a two line verse, and the audience replies by singing along with the response.  If the audience is not familiar with the song, the minstrel will teach the audience the response before s/he performs it.

Because of its popularity, many other songs are also set to this tune, complete with the same response. 

Summer of Lore #23: The Power of Dragons

This tale tells the story about a Seer that wanted to tap into the magical power of dragons (despite the Seer's oath saying that a Seer should not seek power), and pays the ultimate price

The basic bones of the story:

A seer decides he wants to strengthen his magical power, and sets out on a journey to find a willing mage to teach him, despite the High Seer's objections. While in a tavern, he learns from a patron playing a game of chance that a dragon's magical power is strong, but only the best mages can tap into it.

He eventually finds a dragon's cave, but the dragon is appalled that a Seer would come asking to strengthen his power, and kills him right there.

At the funeral, he is remembered as "the Seer that sought the heart of a dragon and lost."

Summer of Lore #22: The Song of Magic

 About the story:

This is a tale of one of the rare magic users that could sing magic outside of the Gemsinger and his/her companions--a minstrel (one of Dorian's ancestors) that led a human army to victory against the demon lord. This tale has been adapted as a play, and Dorian has played the title role

The basic bones of the story:

A minstrel (the name and gender differ depending on who is telling the story) discovers she can sing magic when she graduates from the minstrel's hall. After she spends some time honing her power, a thief sweet talks her into giving her instrument to him. When she realizes her mistake, she discovers after getting her instrument back (what it is varies from minstrel to minstrel) that the thief was in the service of the demon lord--and had the demon lord played it, he would have wiped out entire cities with it.

The minstrel warns the king, and the two sides meet for a climatic battle. In the end, her spellsong defeats him.

Summer of Lore #21: Song of the Guardian

Taking a break from the Shokiyan play to offer more songs and stories!

About the song:

"Song of the Guardian" tells the story of a sorceror who angered an assassin's guild by saving some captives,and now he fears their best assassin is coming to kill him. A minstrel that can spellsing (normal magic users can spellsing, but it is a fairly rare talent outside of the Gemsinger and his/her companions) arrives and offers to protect him.

A few days go by, and sure enough, the assassin comes. But no matter what he does to try and kill the sorcerer, the minstrel's spellsong protects him. Eventually the assassin gives up and flees after a barrage of spellsong enchanted arrows goes flying at him, and the sorcerer is saved.

Dorian prefers to make this song upbeat, as opposed to the slower tempo other minstrels prefer.

Summer of Lore #20: "The Royal Singer"'s Cast List (part 1)

These are some of the more prominent roles in "The Royal Singer"

Merneth Royagorn-The hero of the story, he is a tenor voice. The actor playing him should know how to fight with various weapons, dance, cast some show spells, and play the harp (one of the rare times a character other than the narrator gets to play a harp)

Amara Royagorn--Merneth's wife, she is an alto voice. The actor playing her should know how to dance and use a bow

Dylan and Lyria, their children

The King--the villain of the story, he is a baritone on the bass side. The actor playing him should know how to fight using various weapons

Prince Fermaine--The King's son, he is actually kinder than his father, and vows that he will be a kind, wise, and just ruler when he ascends the throne, unlike his father. He is a tenor voice, and the actor playing him must know how to fight with various weapons

Miriara-Prince Fermaine's guardian, she is very wise, and the first one to suspect what the King is REALLY doing. She is a soprano voice, and the actor playing her should know some basic show spells (spells that stand in for actual spells in the play--they look cool, but don't actually do anything)

Padern--the minstrel that narrates the story and interacts with the characters onstage. He is a tenor voice, and should know how to play a variety of instruments.

The Dark Conquerer--the demon the King is trying to summon (he is a bass voice); he is portrayed as a large puppet that resembles a knight in black armor (he requires three people to perform--one to do the voice, one to work the left arm and leg, and a third to work the right arm and leg

Summer of Lore #19: The Theater Orchestra in Shokiyu

The orchestra meant for the theater in Shokiyu is much smaller than orchestras in our world, and is heavily based on wind instruments. They will typically have about 20-40 performers (although large productions will often have more)

A typical makeup includes drums and percussion, fiddles, flutes of all sizes, both side blown and end blown (from the tiny whistle on up to the Shokiyan equivalent of a subcontrabass recorder) and horns (this includes the mighty okina a giant tuba-like instrument that requires two people to play)

Summer of Lore #18: "The Royal Singer", a Play of Shokiyu

One of Dorian's most memorable moments on stage was not even a character in the play, but rather narrating an adaptation of the first episode of the Second Gemsinger's story--one of the most popular Shokiyan plays.

Some adaptations do add a speaking minstrel role to the story, but for our purposes, this adaptation does not. It is also one of the longer Shokiyan plays to perform, clocking in at 7-9 hours in its entirety. Luckily, abridged versions and single episodes are also available.

In addition to the main roles (the noble, his family, the king, the Seer, and thousands of extras), fish, birds, fairies, and elves are involved in the plot.

Summer of Lore #17a: Conventions of the Shokiyan Stage

--Actors need to do more than just say lines--their roles often require them to sing (or play an instrument), dance, fight (either unarmed or with a weapon) and any other feats of skill

--In addition to the speaking roles, there is sometimes a chorus comprised of speakers and singers that comment on the action (or serve as a group narrator)

--Animal and other creature roles are typically played by puppets, but sometimes a live actor will play the role (birds, butterflies, and fish are the most common animals played by live actors, but felines and canines are not unheard of) Bird and butterfly actors usually perform acrobatics and aerial martial arts, while fish actors (always cast in groups of females) occasionally perform a water dance not unlike synchronized swimming (only with a lot  more time spent underwater--the tank they perform in is visible to the audience unless it is required to be hidden by the script)

--Larger puppets (such as large animals, monsters, and occasionally gods) are performed by at least two people (who often work in plain view of the audience), and voiced by the narrator (or a designated chorus member). Smaller puppets work like puppets in our world, and voiced by the puppeteer (a skilled puppeteer will often know how to do thousands of voices)

--Like in the Asian theater--anyone in black, be they musician, stagehand, or puppeteer, is a shadow,and unseen to the audience (even the puppeteers hidden from the audience are completely in black

--While there is a basic background set on the stage, the stagehands will bring on props to add detail to the scene

--A Shokiyan play can run for a long time, but the average length is two to five acts long.

Summer of Lore #16: Going to the Shokiyan Theater (part 1)

The theater of Shokiyu is a lavish spectacle, combining the conventions of the Western theater with elements of Chinese opera and Japanese kabuki theater. Elaborate sets, colorful costumes, music (both sung and played), dancing, puppets, acrobatics, stage combat,and magical special effects are par for the course in any Shokiyan play.

The stage itself is very large and spacious, with trapdoors for descents to the underworld, platforms up above for gods, spirits, fairies, and birds to "fly" over the audience, and large enough to accommodate even the biggest of puppets (which require multiple people to operate.)

Most of the time, the theater's actors in residence will play the roles, but sometimes a casting call is put out to everyone. (Telrain is large enough to have its own theater and actors)

Minstrels usually serve as narrators of the action (they also explain some of the conventions of the theater before the play begins if told there are visitors from other lands in attendance), but them playing a role is not unheard of (usually as a minstrel  in the play)

Summer of Lore #15 (belated): Colors of Battle

About the song:

This song tells the story of how a father seeking to save his son (although some versions make it a daughter) from a thieves guild battles the guild's best fighter on a bridge overlooking a river (where the mists make a rainbow)

Originally, the song had seven verses and a definite ending (the father wins), but as time went on, so many verses were added that it is now considered a "never-ender", and it is only rarely the ending verse is ever sung.

Summer of Lore #14: Araniel's Victory

 About the story:

A tale from Fion's family history, his sister Araniel is a renowned adventurer, and like any proud brother, Fion likes to brag about her adventures. He is very careful to get the details right, so it annoys him when minstrels and other tellers alter any of the details  (but he acknowledges that if the tales don't evolve, the art of storytelling is pretty much dead)

The basic bones of the story(as Fion tells it):

One day, Araniel is on the run from wildcats in the forest and stumbles on a village about to have a tournament. A minstrel sees her arguing with the guards about signing up, and convinces the guards that she too can sign up.The guards buy the minstrel's story, and allow her to compete. She ends up handily winning the tournament!

Summer of Lore #13: A Cloak From the Windsinger

About the song:

This song tells the story of how Cadessa and her mercenary companion encounter a beggar one cold night, and how she works through the night to give the beggar a cloak to keep warm.

Some sample verses:

"I know not where he came from,
Nor do I know why he is here,
But of all of those that Meikon loves
It is the poor She holds most dear."

The swordsman needed no time to think
He knew what he had to do
He hurried to the market
And bought many kinds of cloth

When she saw the cloth he'd bought
Cadessa gasped with such surprise
But she knew just what her friend wanted to do
By the twinkle in his eyes 

Summer of Lore #12: The Promise of the Royal Singer

About the story:

This tale explains the origin of one of the most important summer festivals for the elves, which commemorates the Third Gemsinger's Appearing (a source of great pride for the elves), which they call Tiamil, or "magic's promise".

Tiamil is marked by minstrel performances, other musical and storytelling performances (Galia has participated in these in the past), plays depicting episodes of the Third Gemsinger's journey (including this tale), athletic competitions and exhibitions, and games of chance, to name a few things.

The high point of the festival is a lavish play telling a selection of episodes from the Third Gemsinger's journey (which Galia has played roles in in the past--she still would like to play the lead role one day), and a re-enactment of the Third Gemsinger's charging (with a girl that has come of age that year playing the role of the Third Gemsinger)

The basic bones of the story:

A monster is threatening the elven lands (what this monster is differs from teller to teller), and rumors fly that it may be time for another Appearing. The Third Gemsinger is brave princess, but knows that her sister the crown princess would never let her go fight the monster. So after putting the crown princess to sleep (via a sleeping potion), she sneaks out of the palace in disguise as a commoner. She befriends a mercenary who has a feared reputation, but in actuality, he has a heart of gold.

The two of them travel to a high  mountain cave where a mythical prism dragon (eg. a dragon that comes in many colors--they are very rare) is said to live. The prism dragon opens her heart, where he is surprised to see that it shines in every color.

The Third Gemsinger hones her power before returning to her homeland, where she learns the monster is about to attack the royal city! She demonstrates her full power in front of the whole city, and defeats the monster.

She is charged with the Gemsinger's quest after a week of celebration,  and the mercenary swears his loyalty to her.   

Summer of Lore #11: The Windsinger's Treasure

About the story:

This lighthearted tale tells of one of the adventures of Leria's ancestor, Cadessa, the Windsinger Queen, who had a penchant for adventuring.

The basic bones of the tale:

When Cadessa was still a princess, her mother wished her sister to inherit the throne. Fearing that she would be killed, Cadessa escapes the castle one night (despite arguing with the guards and a few other mishaps) and settles into a mining town, claiming she is a gem miner (not telling anyone who she really is)

She befriends many in the town, including one boy who serves as a scout for the town. One day, they go explore an abandoned gem mine, and find plenty of treasure and plenty of adventures.

When they return with their haul, a royal messenger arrives informing her her sister has been sent into exile (because of her unpopularity with the nobles of Selance) It is only then she reveals to the townsfolk who she really is, and why she had to disguise herself.

The entire townsfolk turn out for Cadessa's coronation, and she goes on to become one of the great rulers of the humans of Shokiyu

Summer of Lore #10: Oh Soldier, Soldier (Would You Marry Me Now?)

A rare example of an Earth song appearing in Shokiyu, the song "Oh Soldier, Soldier" (its full title is "Oh Soldier, Soldier (Would You Marry Me Now?) is a popular song among kids, but also loved by adults.It's also one of Dorian's favorites to perform (the kids get a kick out of how he reveals that the soldier is already married at the end)

The basic structure of the song is simple(using the first verse as an example):

Oh soldier, soldier, would you marry me now?
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
Oh no, fair maid, I cannot marry you
For I have no stockings to put on

So she went to the shop, as quick as she could run,
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
And she bought him a pair of the very very best
Saying 'Here, my good man, put these on...'

Other items the soldier will ask for include shoes, gloves, pants, a shirt, and a cap, but some minstrels will  include gloves, coats, and accessories as well.

When Dorian performs it, he usually goes in this order:

--stockings
--shoes
--bracers
--a ring
--pants
--a shirt
--a cap

An example of the song as it is performed on Earth: Oh Solder, Soldier (Would You Marry Me Now?)

Summer of Lore #9: The Fairy's Ride

About the song:

This song is known as a "never ender" because there are so many verses, it is very difficult (if not impossible) to sing it in one sitting. Dorian's limit is 30 verses in one sitting.

The song tall of a fairy that befriends a falcon, and every day,the falcon visits her and tells her of the places he's seen as he flies around the world. He offers to take the fairy on a trip around the world, and she agrees--the majority of the verses list a place that exists (or once existed) on Shokiyu

Summer of Lore #8: The Second Appearing

About the story:

This is the first episode of the Second Gemsinger's adventure, detailing his awakening and how he overthrew a cruel king with his newfound power. It is generally agreed that the Second Gemsinger was of noble birth, but his ranking depends on whoever is telling the story. It is one of the longer stories, so it is itself often split into several episodes.

When Dorian tells it, he prefers to make him a lord of the court

The basic bones of the story:

A long time ago, the humans of Shokiyu cried under the oppression of a cruel king. A lord of the court (the noble's ranking differs depending on who is telling) hears the rumors of the king trying to summon a demon and vows to tell the people what is really going on under the guise of magical research. He finds out the rumors are true, but when he tells the Seer what he discovered, he learns of a prophecy that "a royal Gemsinger will topple the demon summoner, bringing  Shokiyu to peace."

The king figures out that someone knows about his plot, captures the noble's family, and holds them hostage. The noble, meanwhile, busts them out during the night, but when he confronts the prison guards, he actually sings a spell in his anger

Once his family is safe, the Seer opens his heart and discovers it glows with every color of magic (twelve in the novel, eight in the game)

After honing his power and several more adventures, the noble and the king meat for a final climatic battle, and the newly awakened Second Gemsinger wins, putting a kind and just ruler on the throne. He is then charged with the Quest from his new king.

Summer of Lore #7: The Song Within the Waterfall

About the song:

One of Dorian's signature songs, this song tells the story of an artist that seeks to paint a picture of a waterfall, but the rainbows reflecting from the water lead him to an enchanted instrument that belonged to an elven hero (what this instrument is differs from minstrel to minstrel, and even between performances)

Dorian prefers to make the discovered instrument a lute or a harp (as those two are what he can play), but on one occasion when Miresa was roped into the show, he made it a flute so she could play the solo at a pivotal point where the instrument is played.

Summer of Lore #6: The Legend of the Spellsong

About the Story:

This tale tells how the art of spellsinging came to be, thanks to a mage that discovered it by accident (after some trial and error), and taught it to the First Gemsinger.

The basic bones of the story:

A mage is in his lab working on new ways to cast magic when suddenly, he manages to cast a spell by singing.  After a little trial and error, (as well as some bouts of magically induced exhaustion), he learns that spellsinging takes more effort than channeling it through an instrument or weapon.

The First Gemsinger comes to him not long after, seeking information on how to defeat a monster guarding a sigil (what monster and what sigil differ depending on who is telling the story) The mage shows him the spellsong, and ask if he wants to learn. He proves to be diligent student, even using it to defend the mage's tower from demon bent on learning spellsongs themselves.

To this day, every Gemsinger (and any allies of theirs) has the art of spellsong, in memory of the First Gemsinger. 

Summer of Lore #5: Colors of Her Heart

An original novel exclusive song by Dorian, when he spots Miresa dancing to the dance tune "Red Wyvern Hunting" during a break in the Jewel Tournament.

Before the band plays "Red Wyvern Hunting", she tells him  it is her favorite tune to dance to (because the local band always played it at dances)

Not surprisingly, the song incorporates parts of "Red Wyvern Hunting" into the tune.

A sample verse:

The clearest image I remember that day
As we rested out of the arena's fray
We waited for the band to start
Her smile radiated the colors of her heart

Summer of Lore #4: The Girl Who Spoke With Dragons

About the Story:

This tale explains how dragons came to Shokiyu, thanks to a brave maiden and her companion (usually a cougar or a falcon, but foxes, unicorns, and wyverns are not unheard of)

The basic bones of the story:

One day, the heroine is informed by a great wizard about a creature said to be a giant wyvern with the strength of a hundred humans in the mountains. With the wizard's help, the heroine and her companion trvel to the mountains, and befriend the creature,  which the wizard learns is its own distinct species--in fact, the ancient word for dragon, according to this tale,  literally means "large wyvern"

While the majority of people are awed and amazed at the dragons, there are some that would kill them for their own gains, and it is one of these the heroine, the wizard, and her companion defeat, ensuring that the dragons survive on Shokiyu to this day 

Summer of Lore #3: The Arrow Rose Again

About the Song:

"The Arrow Rose Again" tells a heartwarming tale about how a swordswoman talks an archer into saving a baby phoenix, and how the phoenix helps both of them in return.

This song is especially popular among the humans of the east continent and the avris--Leria is sometimes referred  to as "The Phoenix Queen" , because of how she restored the throne to life after driving away a cruel rival. Because of this, phoenixes often appear on royal documents and heraldry.

The avris, however, see the phoenix as a god and the totem of the Ruby Clan, so when minstrels visit their lands, they often request this song.

First Look: Mt. Sayamir

Here's a first look at Mt. Sayamir, where the Ice Shrine is located...

The Summer of Lore #2: A Duel For a Daughter

About the story:

The story tells of how the legendary sword Glorious Heaven was made, as result of a father saving his  daughter from a kingdom ruled by an evil king

The basic bones:

A father has a daughter he loves very much. One day, messengers from a neighboring kingdom ask that their king take her hand in marriage. The father says no, as he knows that land's king is evil. During the night, the daughter is captured by the king's spies,  and the father sets out to rescue her. When he arrives in the neighboring kingdom, he is mistaken for the leader of a resistance movement that seeks to depose the evil king and put the rightful heir, a kind prince, on the throne/ With help from the resistance movement, the father chases down the spies, and with the help of Glorious Heaven, saves his daughter after an epic duel

In the end, the father is hailed as a hero, and the daughter marries the kind prince. 

The Mage's Appeal

Here's some info aboutone of the upcoming tournament's events--the Mage's Appeal:

In The Mage's Appeal (name is tentative for now), aspiring mages from around the world are given a chance to show off their brilliance in a contest excluded to the glittering ring of Taraka.

Objective: The objective is to hit 100 points. For each spell you use, you can a certain number of points. You will be matched up with three other mages. The other mages will use spells to take points away from you. You have 10 (maybe 20) turns to achieve your objective. The goal is to play intelligently, to save your AP, and defeat the other mages.

AP (Name can be changed): AP, or Appeal Points is what you use to cast spells. You have a set starting number of AP (Though through shopping in the Appeal shop, you can also increase your starting AP). From using spells, your AP goes down. AP is not rechargeable during a contest, so you must wisely conserve your AP while reaching for 100 points.

Appeal Spells: Appeal spells are unique to contests. Galia will be given four basic spells to start with. They will be divided into four categories. (Haven't decided what the categories are, could possibly include: Strength, Virtue, Intelligence, Spirit). Appeal spells can be bought in the Appeal shop through CP (contest points, which are earned through victory at the tournament).

The Summer of Lore #1: The Sword of the Light Goddess

About the song:

Like many songs of Shokiyu, this song tells a story.

The basic storyline goes that a wanderer loses his way in the mountains. He befriends the goddess of light, and the two become close friends, eventually falling in love. One day, a dragon threatens to destroy a shrine of the light goddess, and she charges her beloved to slay the dragon.

As with all oral tradition, no two minstrels sing exactly the same version--common variations include how the dragon was slain, and in some regions, a different monster.