In the Name of the Eternal Minstrel

In the Name of the Eternal Minstrel is a book discovered with Starhithe Rest.

## Description

As much a religious text as a tome of stories and tales, In the Name of the Eternal Minstrel is dedicated to the Ahlusian Deity Theamera.

*Preface: I, Seven Stars, first read from these notes at Poet's Feast of 955AG in Evonlock, and have since been encouraged to collate them for publication. Seeking to inspire others, I have done just that so that this book so that all tales contained and discussed within may profess the glory and wisdom of the Eternal Minstrel Theamera, through song and story.*

## Research

### Completed by Hassk

*The Duchies of Tynd are famous for a great number of things, but few more widely known than their faithfulness. The original families that would become the nobility chosen by Tohmos during Aita's Second Gift made a particular effort to note that sixteen had been chosen to rule the Penance Peninsula, the very same figure of which the Principal Dieties number. Piety has come naturally to the Tyndians, with their proclivity for magics of divine nature stronger than most. The keeps of each Duchy would be in turn dedicated to one of the Sixteen, save for Caihrnn, for the God of Soil and Stone disapproves of such unnatural dedications. Difficulties therefore arose for the Sivdew family, rulers of the fledgling Duchy of Oland. In the end, they would decide to do as the Duchy of Totinland had done, and dedicate their lands to that of Theamera, Goddess of Song and Story. In an effort to distinguish themselves, the Sivdews did not stylise their keep directly, but instead built a separate place of worship entirely. In time, the fane would attract more and more seeking to pledge their lives to the Lady of Melody, and so with such density of bards a college of sorts seemed the natural next progression.*

*In the end, the College of the Silvertongue was founded by a figure of near-mythical acclaim simply known as the Herald - now widely accepted to be an Exarch of Theamera. It was said that the being could perfectly recall any song, play, poem or story they had ever heard, including those of the gods above. Few could deny that the orators, singers and performers of all other kinds could not have had a greater teacher and so the College prospered, becoming the first and foremost reason for those visiting the Duchies beyond that of the capital of Evenlock, and a stable source of income for the Duchy of Oland. By the turning of the third century after Aita's Second Gift, nearly all the courts and keeps of Ahlus would feature an individual trained in the classics at the College of the Silvertongue, much as most maintained a position for an advisor from one of the Ten Guilds of Magic. Over the years since, many have distinguished themselves through their actions and words alike, but few more so than those known as the Scriveners.*

*Between the seven of them, the Scriveners are credited with nearly four hundred songs, plays, poems and other stories, often collaborating in these efforts. Of particular renown among their creations are the songs "Longbowman", "Hurry up and Die", "Beware the Half-Elf Lecher" and "My Ninth Potion of Healing", the plays "Into the Halls of Count Radomir" and "The Many Scales of Nidaynia" as well as the poems "Tainted Sand", "On a Frozen Wind" and "Weeping Tree". They were aided in this task by their instruments, said to be blessed by the Eternal Minstrel herself. With them they found their talents only further augmented - each plucked note more resonant, each harmony more emotive. With their instruments in hand, the magics carried in their words became only more powerful - and with it their fame continued to grow. Jarsali, Tald Peakscorn, Kasmo Wildword, Dhavud, Khulur Bede, Lorentz Tikivre and Gift of Honey would all place themselves upon his pedestals indeed - from which they would surely never be forgotten.*