While war is a common occurrence in Ganedan's history, there is also a strong and rich tradition of storytelling, song and more unique forms of entertainment throughout the many nations. As part of my initiation, I have sought to learn of the various ways in which the peoples of Ganedan pursue happiness and camaraderie amongst their fellows and have collected my findings here for you, oh noble commanders of my order. May it please you well and help to realize my desire for full membership.
Of the regions of Larocia, North Larocia holds the most influence by our order and is well-documented, so I chose to return to the motherland and study the deep roots of our pursuits instead. What I found was most refreshing.
Talus was alive with new renditions of old songs, each filled with a great deal of historical information from the region. After consulting with reputable documented sources, I found much of the truth of these details to be intact despite decades, or sometimes even centuries of time since the actual events. One such example was found carved into the wall of a back room tavern in Lokshire.
"Aria of the Lady"
Our Lady gone, our love unseated
Soldiers of red and white
The winds, they tell the tale of honor cheated
To the seas with thee, shining, gleaming bright
Over the ocean, across the yon
Within our hearts, our home
Driven, the Lady's will to carry on
Through western lands of chance to roam
Strong in spirit, weak in blood
No place to pitch the red and white
Thy love holds me through cold and mud
Thy love holds me through the night
At last, our sun it sets,
A long day's hopeful end
New walls, new flags, those honored debts
Our home is here, our hearts amend
This aria is most commonly found on the western expanses of North Larocia, where it is performed on feast days and at many weddings. I was most surprised at first to find it so far east until I traced the origin of the song, which dates back to the early part of the Age of Challenge when trade houses ruled in place of the monarchy.
The ruling house of Lokshire, then called Flatshead, fell when a group of the house's upper members turned traitor and murdered the ruling Lady. Only one of her trusted advisors remained true to the house and, once House Lok took over and renamed the town to suit themselves, this one faithful general led an exodus across the Tanthic Sea to the west. On the far western border of North Larocia is a town where these self-imposed exiles settled and rebuilt a new Flatshead in honor of their fallen house.
Another, more rousing, lyric that is mainly sung in the dwarven halls of Cladash started out as a battle anthem only to, over time, become more closely associated with a traditional local sport the Cladashites refer to as 'Slobberknockers'. This game involves two opposed teams who strip themselves of all gear except leggings, boots and, optionally, tunics, then face off in the grand arena before hundreds of howling spectators. The players proceed to pummel one another with bare fists until all of one side has been downed. The game is over once two of three such rounds have been decided in favor of a team or when one team cannot proceed, thereby forfeiting to the opposition.
Cyclops gladiatorial arena
In more recent years, an additional rule has been unofficially adopted which requires all players to quaff an increasing amount of spirits before each round. The amount is determined before the first round commences and then doubles before each additional round. Needless to say, while this practice has made the game enormously popular, it has seriously cut down the need for overtime rounds and greatly increased the number of forfeitures.
"Slobberknocker Fight Song"
Slobberknockers one and all
Swing yer fists, try not to fall
Keep yer feet, amazing feats
Put that drunk dwarf on his seat!
Bare them knuckles, hey!
Raise them flagons, hey!
Down with yer brew and up with yer crew
'cause now it's time to play!
Two of three, that's all it takes!
Dunk yer head, throw off them shakes
Left foot, right foot, fight, fight, fight!
Punch or drunk, ye're going down for the night!
Bare them knuckles, hey!
Raise them flagons, hey!
Down with yer brew and up with yer crew
'cause now it's time to play! |
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In frigid Markadon, I was most impressed with the warm and dramatic nature of the people there. For entertainment, they tend heavily toward physical contests which range anywhere from hunting challenges to footraces to athletic competitions. Gladiatorial combat is also highly popular in the north, with many different sets of official rules and practices. The various forms of combat can be found just about anywhere, although particular ones are held more frequently on specific holy days. On the particular day that I participated, the contest was held in the name of Gremaug, an honored god-hero who specializes in wrestling.
The cyclopes were most gracious in treating my sprained and swollen joints afterward and then invited me to take part in a celebratory feast where I learned two things. The first was that, while Markadonian Icebrew makes a fine painkiller, it tastes far worse on the way out than it does on the way in. The second, far more important, was the words to an impressive vocal theme the Markadonians broke into after they were heavily awash in drink.
Ancient High Ogre Statue
"Ballad of the High Ogres"
Crash, crash, hammer and shield
Heroes to the fore
Dash, dash, onto the field
Answer the call to war
Allies stand, proud and strong
To honor those who fall
Hearken now as we share the song
Of the noblest of all
Ogres born pure of faith and heart
Banners high, true lords of the north
Kindred in both war and art
Glorious, armed and armored, forging forth
Chosen by the gods
Foresworn by fate
Battling treachery against all odds
Alas, the call to arms, too late
Rest with the stars, in the Halls of Valor
Righteous last rewards
Sleep well, fair brothers
Honored allies, remembered evermore
It is my belief that these High Ogres were former inhabitants of the Markadonian tundra before the cyclopes came to rule. The Markadonians hold them in the utmost esteem and speak highly of them. I have heard such sayings as, "Brave as an Ogre Khan." or "Stronger than a Noble Ogre.", in reference to those they respect and I have seen a few memorial structures which have been dedicated to the ogre people. I have no idea of what the final fate of the High Ogres was, save that it has been a long time indeed since one of their kind has walked the land.
In addition to matters of historical record, music plays an important role in dramatic productions, as well. A gnome by the name of Tammerik has made quite a name for herself as a composer of musical productions which are often performed at the playhouse east of Latoshuk. Her most recent productions include "The Folly of Nattledat", "Fear and the Fachan" and "To Sleep Asounding", all of which I have personally seen and highly recommend. (For those of you who are interested, I have seen to it that copies of all three have been submitted to the Archives for review.)
While on holdover at the Golden Leaf Inn near the Larocian-New Illanthian border, I had the opportunity to pick up a short, nameless, little ditty I overheard from a group of local human children.
With morning mists and evening trysts
The light doth bless us all
The leaves are kissed 'mongst viney twists
Heed the Shining's call
The breath of life doth seemly 'light
Upon an open smile
Awaken, fife the morning's right
Green from mile to mile
Step to, yon child, do what you're told
Respect this mortal coil
The trees grow high, the stones grow old
With love to darkened soil
Tracing its full origin proved to be near impossible, but I did manage to make some interesting connections. I believe the tune is actually a many-times adapted Illanthian religious hymn. The theme of joy and vitality seems very appropriate and is not an uncommon topic to find in a children's song, but the passing reference to "the Shining's call" certainly points heavily toward the elvan god, the Shining One. Other references such as "viney twists" and "darkened soil" also fall well into the scope of beliefs in the Shining One and its connection to the living forest.
As you can see from this body of work, I have ranged far and wide in the name of my order and gained much knowledge of who we are and what we stand for. Knowledge finds its way to us in many ways, bound to the rituals we engage in every day in pursuit of recreation. In many ways, the two are not dissimilar and can greatly support one another. History inspires the artist while artistry captures history and preserves it. It is our task as members of the Red Order to carry on these traditions and teach them to those who wish to learn. I hope to do so for many years to come.
- Emmett Plainson, Musician and Initiate of the Red Order |
