Music

Hello Travance-

I am writing this to share with you my disturbing experience at this month's feast.

As you all know, we here in Travance are especially blessed with talented musicians. The folk who perform for your benefit month after month are not wandering minstrels whose faces you will never see again. They are the same men and women who fight along side you. And they have taken special time to work on their performances which they might have spent sharpening their blades or plying some other trade.

It seems that many people have taken this for granted. As I listened to the songs being sang, I could not help but notice the blatant disrespect for these artists on display. Many of you could not spare even as much attention as you gave to your wine to them. Worse still, there were those around me who actually mocked the singers. And worst of all, whole groups of people simply rose from their seats and walked out, clanking their armor as loud as you please, not even waiting for a break between songs. After witnessing this, I would rather spend my night with an unreformed Gustav than with some of you.

Since almost all those who performed were kin to me, you might imagine that I am biased. You are right. To my people, songs and stories are as important as water to a Bedouin. So Travance, I ask of all of you, behave with respect. When a gypsy sings you a song, listen.

Carlotta,

As another gypsy I can appreciate the talent that is behind the voices and
performances that are done... however... I often find myself sneaking out of the
performances between sets.  The reason for this isn't because the music
is poorly done, but instead because the material is not appropriate for most
of the crowd and many of the people eating and drinking.  Think back to
when the swashbucklers performed... the crowd loved it.  The songs were
ones that were known, ones that people could sing with, and ones that were
appropriate for the gathering of hard working and hard drinking people.  As
tone deaf as some of the Celts I know are, people can't help but smile and
enjoy when they sing 'Old Lord Pyre'.  People need to laugh and smile, in
particular when life is being so hard... that is what the performers should focus
on.  Performing is supposed to be about playing to the crowd, not the performers
playing to hear themselves.  Perhaps the performers should consider who is
listening instead of thinking about what songs they personally like.  

Life is hard enough so close to the rift, with demons and undead and all sorts
of things attacking us.  Instead of singing the lamenting song of some dying
woman who was left by her man in a language we don't understand, or some
mournful ditty that no one gives two coppers about... maybe perform for the
crowd instead of taking advantage of a captive audience?  I know I tipped a
bar of mythril and some gems for the one handed performing sailor... I know
I skip desert many times when the music holder and stern faces demand my
attention at the front of the room.

Paetros

Paetros,

I understand completely. Sometimes a sad song is simply too much to listen to. But leaving quietly when a performance does not suit your tastes is one thing. Making as much noise as a Coasthaven bar brawl while you do it is just rude. This is exactly what happened. I could barely hear the music over them!

A member of the guard sent me a note to remind me that guardsmen must come and go when their duties demand it. Once again, I understand entirely. This is a dangerous place in which we live, and there are pressing matters which draw us away from our mirth and feasting.

My rant is not meant for any but those who showed blatant and intentional disrespect. There can be no excusing such behavior. Some people made not even the slightest gesture to acknowledge the singers, and when I hear people cat-calling and heckling, it is all I can do not to dump my drink on the guilty party's head!

You act like you've never worked a tough crowd before! At my father's inn in Faust, if a visiting minstral can't grab an audiences attention before he gets cracked with a flying mug, he deserves the chipped tooth.

I would pay to hear the Travancian Anthem each feast.


Lord Abendroth

Carlotta, I thank you for not dumping drinks on people. Even here, we can't afford to waste water on the uncouth.

Still, I appreciate your concerns, and, though I don't wear armor, I'll make sure my plates stay as silent as I try to be when I bus them to the kitchen.

Stay safe,