BuccaneerBass

Organiser: The event is hosted by the Gilded Lute Society, a benevolent guild of bards and musically talented monks with members from all throughout Cygnar, Llael, Ord and even reaching into Southern Khador. The Gilded Lute pride themselves on their impartiality and veracity, and are responsible for the passing down of oral traditions and history through much of Western Immoren.

Description:

Once a year, a grand contest is held. The announcement goes out, "All who think they've got the gift of a golden throat are challenged to prove that their notes are true. Prove thy merit by musically conquering all others in the City of Corvis."

The musically talented are called to while away the hours of Founders Day, and beguile an audience of skilled musical professionals, to earn a fat purse and temporary possession of the coveted Gilded Lute trophy, a magical instrument that the winner retains for eleven months of the year.

Many legendary songstresses and storytellers got their start with the Gilded Lute in their hands, and several great heroes have performed on the Society's stage, including the great Trollkin Fellcaller Bragg. Anyone with the skill to compete is allowed to enter, regardless of their natures (barring, of course, necromancers out to kill and enslave the audience!) Competitors range from local poets to whole choirs.

Should the Gilded Lute not be returned to Corvis by one month before the contest is to be held, adventurers are hired by the Society to retrieve it, sometimes from a performer who merely couldn't leave commitments in a far off city, sometimes from the hands of a corpse, and once from the heart of a dragon's hoard!

All who pass a preliminary musical qualification may enter the contest, whether they come to sing ancient hymns of Menoth, the latest and bawdiest tavern tripe, or their own epic poetry (provided it's set to a tune). Should the entrant prove to have the most gifted lungs, victory will be his or hers after a panel of judges, including the previous year's victor if possible, selects them as the Golden Champion. The previous Golden Champion is then given an opportunity to perform their winning song from the year before on the lute, and then passes it to the new victor, never again to hold the Lute in their hands.

Agenda:

The contest begins at dawn on the several stages of the Society's amphitheatre in Corvis where singers compete in single elimination in front of members of the Gilded Lute Society. By noon half the performers are cut from the roster and the crowds begin to gather. The performers are required to never sing the same tune twice so, typically, the songs grow more and more complex as they day wears on and competitors face more and more opponents.

Finally, at sunset, the tournament listings have been paired down to four finalists who each sing one last song, the only song allowed to be performed with accompaniment if they so choose, in front of the Prefect and Diadactor of the Gilded Lute Society and the previous Golden champion. The musical crescendos and cheers have been known to shake nearby buildings and break windows. When the judges have reached a unanimous agreement, one performer is dubbed the Golden Champion and the Gilded Lute is given to him/her.

Social Crowd: The Festival draws more than just bards and musicians with an ear for new tunes. The Gilded Lute Society charges miniscule fees for those that wish to listen, though many local nobles have their own listening boxes for the finalist's performances. One might as likely find themselves bumping into a minor countess as into a shoe vendor in the thronging crowd at nightfall. Many wealthy (and powerful) individuals send scouts to seek out talented performers that they might hire as personal storytellers or record keepers in their own staff. The crowd is usually rather jubilant by the final four, thanks in part to the many wine and ale vendors that ply the streets nearby and pocket picking can become what local thieves might call "Choice."

One person of note that absolutely intends to be in attendance of this year's festival is the notorious Trollkin mercenary, Greygore Boomhowler. Boomhowler is quite set on going home with the Gilded Lute, whether he wins the contest or not, though many agree he has as good a chance as any of winning, if not better. A skilled Fellcaller, Boomhowler would only be the second Trollkin to win, after Bragg.