Inspiration 9/11/02

[Saga Librarian]

Kuladen
Greatest. Sexiest. Bard. Ever.

Kuladen stands from his table, smiling. He looks around the tavern at the arguing going on, the jokes and stories, the waving arms, and the people staggering out of the tavern only to stagger back in a moment later for 'one more'. Ignoring most of the noise, the young bard smiles and pushes his way towards his stage, pushing apart Brutin and Siffo on his way. He stands on the stage, and clears his throat once, and is ignored. He clears it again, and a few people's heads turn, but a full half turn back again quickly towards the conversations they are having in earnest.

Excuse me. I'd like to say something.

Again a few heads turn, joining the few already watching the young bard. Kuladen removes his helmet and lays it on the piano next to him, and runs a hand through his red hair nervously.

EXCUSE me..

The din in the tavern dies down, the jokes stop for a moment, and the brief respite is enough for people to whet their whistles.

I think that some people have lost sight of who we are, and what we are here for. Semantics and rules are taking over the general feeling of the circle of friends I have here. I'm new here, but it seems some people are missing the forest for the trees.

I have a song that I thought might help.. please just listen to it then you can return to what you were talking about.

The young bard nods and moves to sit at the piano, placing the music on the holder. Nodding his head in a rhythmic timing, the song begins with a light piano introduction. Kuladen begins to sing.

One hand
reaches out
And pulls a lost soul from harm.
While a thousand more
go unspoken for
They say 'What good have you done
by saving just this one?
Its like whispering a prayer in the fury of a storm.'

And I hear them saying
'You'll never change things
and no matter what you do its still the same thing.'
But its not the world
that I am changing.
I do this so
this world will know
that it will not change me.

This heart still believes
that love and mercy still exist.
While all the hatreds rage
and soo many say
that 'Love is all but pointless
in a madness such as this.
Its like trying to start the fire
with the moisture from a kiss.'

And I hear them saying
'You'll never change things
and no matter what you do its still the same thing.'
But its not the world
that I am changing.
I do this so
this world will know
that it will not change me.

The bridge is a bit more energetic, and Kuladen's head nods harshly as his hands pour his soul into the keys before him. The piano responds by releasing music that is soothing but powerful.

As long as one heart still holds on
then hope is never really gone...

And I hear them saying
'You'll never change things
and no matter what you do its still the same thing.'
But its not the world
that I am changing.
I do this so
this world we know
never changes me.

What I do is so
this world will know
that it will not change mee....

A soft exit, and Kuladen lowers his head, and returns to his seat.

(("The Change" Garth Brooks Album: Fresh Horses))


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Gneen

Gneen listened to Kuladen's song, all the while envying his
talents. When he had finished he called the young bard to
his table.

"Hey Kul - I thought I invented the piano!" he complained in jest.
"But what about this" he continued in a more serious tone,

... the young bard smiles and pushes his way towards his stage ...

"I'm gonna have to hurry up and finish me initiation quest so
these folks can see some REAL talent up on 'my' stage ... ".

Kuladen laughed, but it was clear he felt threatened by the
awesome talents of the handsome gnome.


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Kuladen
Greatest. Sexiest. Bard. Ever.

((ooc: Annnnd... it's on. It's go time  ))

Kuladen sits down at the table, leaning back and propping his feet up. Sitting 90 degrees from Gneen he looks around the bar. Some people heard his song and nodded while he sang it, some just went about their buisness. Such is the life of the musician.

He looks over at Gneen. Indeed he has a knack for poetry, but the music.. that will always be his. He had heard the gnome sing, and people usually don't pay to hear the equivilant of helium fed cows in labor.

Kuladen rubs his chin in thought. While not much goes on up there, he does get a good idea every once in a while. If he could combine the impressive songwriting abilities of this gnome and his natural charisma and stage presence.. they could make millions of platnum a month!

Kuladen rubs his chin again, something he has seen the humans do, and looks over at Gneen mischeviously.

It is Gneen's turn to feel a bit on the defensive. What is this elf thinking?


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Katryna Sowdier   
Shamaness of Saga

Katryna sits in the back of the room at her table, with ale in hand watching the two men at the table in front. A smile appears on her face and she laughs at the competiveness of the two.

Kat thinks to herself, it is us, the audience, who will be the winners by far in the battle these to wage.


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Gneen

Sitting across from Kuladen, watching the marginally talented
bard stroke his chin, Gneen wondered if stroking things made
them grow - if so, Kuladen would have a floor-length beard
in no-time. Gneen gave a passing thought to what HE might
have himself, but then returned to the matters at hand.

"His voice IS ethereal ..." he thought grudgingly to himself.

"'Twas Sabbik that tinkered the first piano if I recall. A very
nice piece of tinkering it was indeed. I am surprised you don't
find the keys too close together for your hands - you play
quite adequately."

Kuladen, not sure if this was a compliment or not, nodded.

Gneen reached over to his pack and unfolded his guitar. He
placed the strap around his shoulder and the body rested
comfortably in his lap. "This is my instrument" he proclaimed
proudly. "A gnome by the name of Stradivarius tinkered this
up for me when I was a wee lad."



He fingered a few chords effortlessly, but thought twice about
a song ... he did not wish to sing until Kuladen's melodies were
gone from the memories of the patrons.


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Caillou 
Pebble with a bow

Caillou nudges Bippin, drawing his attention to the pair of bards. "I wonder if the other songsmiths will get into it, too," she whispers. Caillou sips at her drink and snuggles with Bippin, listening intently with a smile on her face.


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Siffo
Silly Old Rogue

*Siffo grumbles from the shadows in a corner*

Bah!

Bards, singer and poets, buncha noisy buggers iffin you ask me.

Don't see me runnin up and stabbin or poisoning some one for applause.


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Kuladen
Greatest. Sexiest. Bard. Ever.

Kuladen's eyes grow wide as Gneen pulls out his instrument. He is beside himself.

You.. you have to unfold your lute? I guess gnomes need tinkering help to make things grow to a more.. normal size.

He smirks and takes a sip of his beer-of-root, and looks around as the bar is getting quieter as the bard and the ROGUE discuss music.

He waves a hand as if to dismiss an idea Gneen had that he just recalled, setting down his mug.

Sabbik received the idea from me. I have the plans somewhere in my backpack. And I find the keys to be perfectly spaced for normal sized humanoids. This does not mean I do not appreciate him building the instrument for me, but you need a real bard to think up ideas such as this.

Kuladen pushes aside his drink and pulls his boots off the table in front of him, letting his chair rest back onto the floor. He leans in closer and begins to whisper.

But this is tripe.. I actually have a proposition for you. I am willing to admit that as a Bard my singing is probably the best in history, but my songwriting abilites are on par with a Bard with half my skill. I therefore suggest combining your songwriting and my singing to tour the known realms, making a bit of change as Traveling Troubadors. I have heard stories of the Famous El'tn Jhn and Bernee Tau'pin making milli... thousands in platnum. I would be willing to split things 50/50 with you.

He peers at the gnome, watching for a reaction.


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Kuladen
Greatest. Sexiest. Bard. Ever.

Kuladen raises a finger, as if to clarify something.

Perhaps you need a demonstration of my songwriting abilites.

With that, he turns and faces the Tavern. Many eyes are on him now, and as he reaches down and pulls out his Minotaur Horn, Hamin the coldain dwarf and his friends can be heard groaning in the back, knowing what is to come. A low hum comes out of the horn and the three Dwarve's eyes glass over, and move towards the stage. As each pass Kuladen he hands them a mask.

He then walks towards the stage, stopping only to extend his hand to Bridh. He pulls her up onto his stage, and whispers to her 'Just dance'. He doesn't even look to see if she stays.

The three dwarves don their masks, and as the smoke around them clears there stands Siffo, Mithlin and Bippin. Kuladen pulls out his drum and begins to rock a beat.


All: Poison
Siffo: Yeah I'm spotting a girl with poison in full effect
Bipp: You ready Mith?
Mith: I'm ready
Siffo: You ready Bip?
Bipp: I'm ready Siff, are you?

Siffo: Hell yeah.. break it down..

Siffo: Girl I must warn you
I feel something strange in my mind..
The situation is serious...
Let's cure it because we're running out of time...

Mith: Its all so beautiful..
adventuring it seems from the start
Its all so deadly
when the rogue starts to do her part

Check it out

Kuladen: Its driving me out of my mind
That why it's hard for me to fight
Can't get it out of my head
Miss her.. miss her.. blubber... 'wrong move and you're dead'

That girl has Poison
That girl has poison

Siffo: If I were you I'd take precaution
Before I start lead that girl
You know, because in small portions
it will only make you dizzy and hurl

Mith: She's so sly
She's drive you right out of your mind
Steal your heart when you're blind
Beware she's scheming, she'll make you think you're dreaming
You'll fall in deep and you'll be screaming 'Demon' hoo


Bippin: Poison, deadly, moving so slow
Looking for a mellow fellow like siffo
In the arena, yo, so better lay low
Scheming on me, you, and the necro
The loco rogue she'll cut out from the aggro

Mith: See what you're saying
Siffo: huh, she's weighing you
Mith: But I know she's not a loser
Siffo: How do you know?
Mith: Me and the crew used to duel her



Kuladen: Poison poison p-p-p-p-poison poison poison


Bippin: I was at the tavern drink talkin' and all
and that night we got on the ball
checking out the creatures the highs the lows
keep'n one eye open still clockin' the SoWs
this was one paticular girl that stood out from the rest
Poison as could be, in a coal black vest
Tuppen had to said that I'm runnin' the show
Bridh Iniyu Siffo
Now you know
Yo Kul.. blow


Kuladen: Its driving me out of my mind
That why it's hard for me to fight
Can't get it out of my head
Miss her.. miss her.. blubber... 'wrong move and you're dead'

That girl has poison


Kuladen snaps and the dwarves pull off their maks and stomp off stage, passing Kuladen for payment.

(("Poison" Bell Biv DeVoe))

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Bridh
Cleric Tamer

*blush*

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Gneen

Never had Gneen's mouth hung open for quite so long ...

When finally he remembered to take a breath, he looked
around at the patrons that still remained.

"So this is how a real bard performs" he thought. "I have
much to learn, much to learn." He spent a few more
moments recalling Bridh's stage moves, the way Kuladen
engaged the audience in his act, Bridh's dancing, the
Bard's haunting voice, and Bridh's beauty as she swayed ...

Gneen considered Kuladen's proposal, and put it aside for
future consideration - for now he must concentrate all
his attention on the Hymn of Saga, it would not
do to become distracted. But the lure of platinum was
strong, very strong, even though the young bard had used
a rather surly tone, it was clear the two might make a
formitable team one day.


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Caillou   
Pebble with a bow

During the performance, with the similcrum of Bippin on the stage, Caillou looks to the stage then back to her beloved at her side, then up to the stage, then back, peering closely. "Nope," she whispers, not wanting to interrupt, "the sideburns are wrong. Not you, not you at all." Caillou kisses Bippin on he cheek and goes back to cuddling him.


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Bippin Tenderfoot
Caillou's Intended

Bippin is startled to see his lookalike on the stage, but then goes to look on the happenings on the stage, mesmerized by the beat and by the half-elf rogue swaying to the rythm. He nearly doesn't blink, and his mouth is half open in awe of the performance. Feeling Caillou's kiss, he turns to her, smiles, and plants a soft kiss on her lips. He then turns back to watch the show.
When it is done, he stands up, and applauds, and applauds...