"Hidden in Plain Sight"

by Sharyn

Each guild in the vast lands of Elanthia has a stereotype associated with it. Some of the most famous labels include that of the "dumb Barbarian," the "holier than thou Paladin," the "lost Ranger", and one of the most common is that of the "drunken useless Bard." It has been said that in every stereotype there is some truth, and I am sure we all know people who fit each stereotype. But as with any generalization, there are many more individuals who don't fit into any of the molds that people have pushed them into. The best way to break away from stereotypes is to learn more about people who belong to the guilds. I sat down and spoke with a few Bards and asked a few simple questions. Though it shouldn't have, the range and variety of answers surprised me. Long gone is the image of the simple musician with ale in each hand; in its place sits a collage of intelligent, magical, talented people.

The first question I had for this group of Bards was, "Why did you join the Bardic Guild?" This was one question that I expected simple answers to; instead I found that I was given a great variety of responses. One common theme in joining was either a talent in or love for music. Drayeath showed me how strong a pull music can have on a person when he told me about his family's reaction when they noticed that he had a talent for music, the way that they encouraged him to study. And in fact when he had soaked up all the knowledge that his small village had on the subject of music, they used money that they had scrimped and saved to send him to Crossing to join the guild. Xaphira told me that the Bardic guild was the only place she felt at home since music was how she expressed herself and her emotions. Ailyssa said that while her Bardic mother raised her with a love for music, it was the diversity found in the guild that drew her home. Others like Paerr and Derivan both followed in their fathers' footsteps. Paerr took up his father's sword and lute as soon as he was able to use them to continue in his father's memory and footsteps. Derivan also joined the guild partially because he wanted to honor his father's memory by continuing his work in the craft of instrument-making. As you can see, there is no one "true" reason for joining this guild.

I then decided to delve into what roles these dedicated Bards feel that they fill in their chosen guild. Blaayd told me that he feels that he has many varied roles in the guild. He said that he sees himself as a mentor to younger Bards, a teller of tales, a warrior, and a good friend to many folks. Ailyssa also sees herself as a teacher in and out of the guildhall. Daerlynn feels herself to be a musician, a street performer and songwriter. She also feels a responsibility to be a historian of both actual history and of songs. Others, like Quyba, feel that they have no easily definable role, though ensuring that people around them are enjoying their lives and acting as a mentor are two tasks that they willingly fill. Juliun, on the other hand, uses humor and a smile to act as somewhat of a recruiter for the Bardic Guild. They are all different people with many diverse roles to play in their guild.

Each member of every guild has things that they love about their guild and things that they hate; these folks were no exception to that rule. When discussing the features about the Bardic Guild that they liked the best, one idea was repeated by almost everyone. That idea is the comradeship that each member feels for the others in their guild. The fact that the guild is small and that the members of the guild can depend upon one another in times of need is a very special and heartfelt delight to each of the Bards that spoke to me. Some other wonderful answers that I received was that they are "free spirits," and can do as they please without worrying that their guild leader will yell at them. They love the fact that that they are responsible for lore-keeping in Elanthia. They enjoy that they can travel the lands and teach those they meet not just skills, but about their past, or the gods, or anything that has been recorded in a journal or songbook somewhere. Another positive feature of their guild is that they have the ability and talent to record events in the grand scale of Elanthian history and even everyday life in songs and in books. Some Bards love the fact that they have the ability to perform songs, dances, and plays. I mustn't forget to mention Juliun's delight in the Bard's cupboard of rotating chocolate delights.

When asked about the flip side of the coin, the answers I received were strangely varied, but most were of the same vein. The things that the respondents to my survey told me that they disliked about the guild were things that would make most of us upset, frustrated, or sad. A common thread throughout their answers is the manner in which members of other guilds perceive the members of the Bardic guild-the fact that the negative stereotype of the Bard holds reign. Many of the folks that I spoke with said that the fact that Bards are perceived by some as drunk, helpless victims or as weaklings is hard to swallow. A second major complaint is that people don't understand their strengths. While they are not Barbarians, they can fight, and many Bards do it very well. While they are not Moon or War Mages, Bards have Enchantes that are very powerful. Enchantes can make lives easier and even save them. As a Ranger, I love it when any Bard plays the Drums of the Snake around me.

What did I learn from this small survey? I proved to myself that there is no such thing as one 'true' type of Bard. The stereotype that we all have heard may exist in some people, but they are so much more than the stereotype gives them credit for being. How can members of the Bardic guild work to show folks that they are more than others expect? By showing through actions and songs that they aren't just the "Drunken Bard." When you use an enchante, let folks know what it is. When you join a hunting party, tell them you're a Bard and how you can help them. Write plays, tales, and songs and perform them! Show us how lucky you are to be such 'Free Spirits.'

************************************************************************

My thanks to those Bards who replied to my questions with infinite patience: Ailyssa Golden-Hair, Paerr Irontalon, Quyba DeQuak, Blaayd Halfhaind, Drayeath Amneil , Daerlynn Soulmyste, Xaphira Vonara, Juliun Parterre, and Derivan Hariar.