Another post that is mostly an introduction to my
thoughts on the role Bards played when they last
walked this realm. I am sure some of you laugh
at my consistant use of 1000 gold to write
these posts, but I do so in an attempt to encourage
reasonable discussion and to raise interest
in a subject that is the focal point of
some peoples' lives. And by no means are these
ideas solely my own. I always discuss my thoughts
with others and get their input before writing
these posts(*smile Arna*).

Bards are rarely mentioned in history, the
last known mention being along with the last
mention of Lord Scarlatti during the Chaos War.
During this war Lord Scarlatti did what he could
to fight the Chaos, and it some respects this
implies that Lord Scarlatti did not directly fight
some of the creatures of Chaos. He and his followers
however wove 'highly structured music' to
combat the discord. So while Scarlatti was not
directly fighting the Chaos, he and his followers
were helping those who did.

In a sense then, you can imply that Bards were
naturally inclined to use their abilities for
the benefit of others than themselves, a defense-oriented
people. And from my other posts, I and others
have pointed out that music, song, dance, etc, can
have a calming and refreshing affect on people,
no matter their physical closeness to it.

Another important way that Bards could help aide
others was through the power of influence. For
example, the best way to combat conflict is to prevent
it from occuring. A Bard would be able to use his
abilities to sway the thoughts of those who would
make decisions such as that, to aide in the
greater benefit of all.

I'd also like to go back to some other ideas
that have been mentioned by others and or myself,
again concerning the 'essence' that allows
a Bard to perform his abilities. I've commented
on the potential for instruments to shape this
essence into usuable form, and Ikiepu so
elequently extended the thought process to other
arts in his posts, but we found ourselves
still grasping at other ideas. Another major idea
that came up is the importance of the Land itself
to either absorb the essence, and/or to aide in
the channeling of such essence. The Land is
full of living things, all of which are filled
with their own sense of purpose and emotion. Many
things react to the 'mood' of the area, which
is why you tend to find such differences between certain
place. In response, the Land may give off its own emotions.
Again, these are beginning thoughts at such a topic.

As always, responses are welcome.

Penned by my hand on the 14th of Lupar, in the year 346 AF.