War of Songs

The War of Songs (also called the Bardic Hersey) was a civil war fought between the Followers of Pari-Hazwal and, primarily, mortal elements of the Oecumene. The war was won by the Oecumene and the aftermath of the war saw a greater increasing of policing of culture and the increased regulation of bards but also indirectly the birth of the Changelings.

## History

A Lord of Amendment, Pari-Hazwal was forged to give mortal purpose and direction. They filled the lives mortals with songs and laughter but also excess, social transgression and other taboos. In the earlist days of the Bronze Era, Pari-Hazwal would teach the mortals of the Magic of the Muses which is the foundation of all bard today, in these early days their bards acted as envoys for the growing Oecumene. In this ancient periods the bard were broadly grouped in two factions, the Comedy and the Tragedy, for those who helped or harmed.

However as the Oecumene grew it became increasingly draconian to its subjects controlling more of the lives of the once freer mortals. In response Pari-Hazwal, and their followers, would tirelessly push the boundaries of the Divine and the laws of the Oecumene. This reached the boiling point when the Sovereign ordered the cleansing of the Theater of Tragedy after they killed a envoy of the Oecumene.

In response Pari-Hazwal sent their bards to travel across the spheres singing songs of rebellion and defiance. Swept up in the desire for more freedoms many laborers and other workers refused to work while some even formed guerilla groups began to fight the Oecumene. Despite the prays of the priests of the Oecumene, the gods were silent or commanded the mortals to prove their worth as such no direct intervention would arrive.

Inspirited by the envoys of Pari-Hazwal and their tales of freedom outside the confides of the Oecumene many powerful individuals flocked to God of Music's side. They were referred to the Legions of Heroes but were never formalized as such, among this number was Alghast the Redeemer. Alghast woudl rise to be the commander of Pari-Hazwal's followers.

After many decades the Oecumene would eventually attack the Followers main stronghold in the outlaw port of Eleutheria. The Sovereign, with her strongest champions, and Pari-Hazwal began a fight which the god would have won if not for the betrayal of Alghast the Redeemer. Alghast the Betrayer, as he is now known, drove his blade into Pari-Hazwal allowing him to be contained.

In the aftermath most of the bards of Pari-Hazwal were killed or had their tongues removed. The old bardic system of the Comedy and the Tragedy was replaced with the more rigid College system beneath the Oecumene Chamber of Arts. The Oecumene Chamber of Arts and their agents, the Chamber-Critics, would ensure that culture never stray into heresy and, if needed, burn the art in a Bonfire of Cleansing. Pari-Hazwal was bound in chains forged by the greatest priests of Dza-baa-baa and was cast into to the seas of acid on Oxin.

Many bards who seek to continue the mission of Pari-Hazwal and formed a new group named after the old Comedy & Tragedy. Many undertake a pilgrimage to Oxin and perform the forbidden “Eulogy to the Muse” for their imprisoned god. While other followers of Pari-Hazwal fled to Allasso and formed a colony on the wild magic sphere. Eons later their wild magic altered descendants, the Changelings,  would be discovered by the legendary spelljammer captain Horerox Vance and join the empire that hunted their ancestors.