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.

The game has its own blog now!

Check it out here!

Of course, any material there will  also be cross posted here

The Summer of Lore

It's no secret that I've hardly posted anything this year--so this summer, I've decided to call the Summer of Lore.

Why?

Because Shokiyu (in both its forms), has an immense amount of lore besides the Gemsinger story, so at least once a day, I plan to introduce you to some of Shokiyu's other tales and songs that a minstrel like Dorian would know.

The quest begins June 1 and ends September 30.

She's back...

Halliwen returns in the Ice Challenge Dungeon...and thinks she is the real Gemsinger...until she tries to sing.

We're still alive!

In this quick update, see the ice challenge dungeon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PEUGFSQBuc

Mirime's Past and a New Character!

In this video, we learn about Mirime's past via a new character--a recordkeeper named Nauwyn Rivermist.

Take a look