Kortny Concert,
3/31/2001, Daerlynn’s Concert Series, Arthe Hollow Inn
As transcribed by
Mykk Dalys
It has been 364 years, 277 days since the Victory of
Lanival the Redeemer.
It is the 7th month of Moliko the Balance in the
year of the Silver Unicorn.
It is currently fall and it is early morning.
You have a feeling it's past the Anlas of Hodierna's
Blessing.
The autumn sky above is a bright, cheery blue.
[Arthe Hollow Inn, Common Room]
The room is filled with long, low tables and stools,
where several people sit eating hearty bowls of Arthe Hollow's popular lamb
stew. A large stone fireplace dominates
one wall. Daisy Burdock, the inn's cook
and waitress, crosses the room carrying a precarious arrangement of bowls and
plates. She stops briefly to tease and
joke with a regular customer. A sign is
posted prominently next to the archway.
You also see a wooden menuboard, a polished wooden bar, some wooden
stairs, and an open doorway.
***********************************
***********************************
Kortny
Horselord of Elanthia, a Human
Adhikari
Rayfe'l, a S'Kra Mur Empath
Aengen
Paranien of Zoluren, an Elf
Warrior
Mage Aleximarus Naelyan, a S'Kra Mur
Artey
Faenillica, a Human Bard
Madrigal
Blaayd halfhaind, an Elven Bard
Bubbinster
Bladebender of Elanthia, a Dwarf
Daerlynn
Soulmyste of Elanthia, a Human Bard
Derivan
Hariar of Zoluren, a Human
Driten
Amlir, a S'Kra Mur Ranger
Tale
Singer Espritia Melodics, a Human Bard
Fyffe
Lish'Esturi, an Elven Bard
Elemancer
Genevier Walderon, an Elf
Heston
Falconsong, an Elothean
Jessibel
Thorlandar of Elanthia, an Elven Bard
Novice Kiaha
Ravenheir, an Elven Bard
Kithria
Dustdanser, an Elven Bard
Defender
Lluna Solarchild of Zoluren, a Human Paladin
Lundgaard
Waering of Zoluren, a Human
Battle
Empath Melindrha Quinnell, a Halfling Empath
Mykk Dalys of
Elanthia, a Halfling
Niprud
Renwald of Elanthia, an Elf
Niteshiver
Vodou of Elanthia, a Human Bard
Healer
Paschein WellBorne, an Elothean
Troubadour
Raaziaar Dvinegis, a Human
Rhidian
Cambringth of Zoluren, an Elf
Fateweaver
Seyjan Turquen of the Gypsies, an Elf
Monk
Shantavi Leshath, a Prydaen Cleric
Empath
Shaunn Vasparion of Elanthia, a Halfling
Huntress
Shiffira Laspathian, a Human Ranger
Starlighte
Sylvansong of Therengia, an Elven Bard
Sympath
Triesse Andaganon, an Elf
Tale Singer
Whozyii Solitzu of Elanthia, a Human
Madrigal
Xaphira Vonara of Zoluren, an Elothean Bard
Ysselt
Ja'Haadraan of Elanthia, an Elf
**************************
SET LIST
**************************
The Ballad
of Shotokyu the Paladin
The
Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast by Bard Williece Roscoei
The Kiss by
Diva Charlotte Dacre
Aonghus
And the Kilt (author unknown)
Sorrow's
Bane by Brealin Forecaster and Kortny Horselord
The After-Party:
A young
Halfling lad: Old Woolly Tanglefoot
Kortny: War the Source of Riches
Kortny: "Fold away all your bright-tinted
dresses" (dedicated to empaths)
Starlighte: "In days of old in a kingdom bold"
Ysselt: "For centuries down through the
ages" (dedicated to 'a special someone')
Daerlynn exclaims, "Well... welcome
everyone!!"
Daerlynn grins.
Daerlynn exclaims, "I am so glad to see
everyone here... this is our eighth concert!!"
Daerlynn exclaims, "And tonight, we have a real
treat!!!"
Bubbinster asks, "Free beer?"
Daerlynn sticks her tongue out at Bubbinster.
Daerlynn says, "I am sure most of you know of
Kortny... "
Daerlynn says, "Master of storytelling...
almost a lost art in the realms.."
Daerlynn exclaims, "So... without any more
babbling from me.. which I know you did not come here to hear... let's hear it
for Kortny Horselords!!"
Daerlynn lets out a hearty cheer for Kortny!
Kortny bows.
Kortny says, "Thank you all for comming
tonight."
Kortny says, "And thanks for Daerlynn for
hosting this series of concerts."
Kortny smiles.
Kortny says, "I have a mixture of songs and
stories tonight for you."
Kortny says, "including one new song."
Kortny says, "So without futher ado I will
start with a few of my earlier songs and work forward."
Kortny says, "This song was written to inspire
the young of the lands."
Kortny says, "A Warrior True by Kortny Horselord"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"The
traits of a warrior true
Are open
for all to view
Humble
about their deeds
Always
striving to meet their friends needs"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"Tempers always held in check
Good companions on a long trek
They
guard their friends backs
And
their courage is never found to lack"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"They never steal anothers kill
And
always are faithfull in their deals
Always
ready to lend a helping hand
To the
youngest or oldest in the land"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"Novice or Lord
They are
a great assest to this world
And when
the starry road they finally take
Half the
realms will pause to wait
As they say there last good bye
Many
will have tears in thier eye"
Kortny bows.
Kortny smiles.
Kortny says, "My songs where a bit rough in the
early days as I struggled to find the way to put images to sound and
words."
Kortny says, "Through the years we bards never
can really agree on what a bard is."
Kortny smiles.
Kortny says, "this was my first attempt to
define what I felt about us."
Kortny winks.
Kortny says, ""Soul of the people" by
Kortny Horselords"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"When the taverns lie dark and quiet
When the
children no longer sing
When the
kings subjects are close to riot
And you never
hear a harps note ring"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"When life's drudgery has no joy
And the
people are without a soul
When we
all are the dark gods toys
And when
the enemies of this land take their toll"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"Who
guards the people's soul
And
brings a smile to every face?
Who can
topple down a Kings flag from a pole
And is
welcomed by every race?"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"Where have the Bards all gone
Who will
keep the Kings in their place
Who will
raise up a hero with a song
Who will
lead the lasses on a merry chase"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"Because the value of a Bard
Is tied
to his duty you see
Which is
true from Therens Keep to Shard
For they
must heed the people's plea"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"So
the next time
A note
of music you hear
Take joy
in the fact that this world it does bind
And
remember to always hold the music dear for all time"
Kortny bows.
Kortny smiles.
Kortny says, "ok grab a beer, the more you
drink the better it sounds."
Kortny winks.
Kortny takes a sip of his beer.
Kortny says, "Well alot of you know that I have
a large number of ballads that I have written over the years."
Kortny smiles.
Kortny says, "Well this was my first, and it
all started on a bet to see if I could make a friend of my famous."
Kortny winks.
Kortny says, "This is the ballad of Shotokyu
the Paladin"
Kortny begins his Bardic performance for his
audience.
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"This is a story both sad and true
That I
am about to share with you
Some
illusions we hold dear
Sometimes
the truth to pierce we fear"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"This story starts where many do
Deep in
the caves the elves once knew
A
paladin bathed in light there strides
Searching the darkness where evil now hides"
Kortny stands tall and strides forcefully around the
room, you would swear he looks just like a paladin.
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"The
day before a band of reavers a familey did slay
Then
continued on their way
Innocent
lives shattered by this foul band
Who
slaughtered them so cruelly out of hand"
Kortny looks like he is holding a young child
cradeled in his arms and tears are flowing down his cheeks.
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"To
a need like this was Shotokyu sworn
And it
was a burden that was gladly borne
So when
word did arrive
He left
to avenge those innocent lives"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"To
this dark hole had the trail led
Continuing on Shotokyu advanced to see what the darkness would shed
Deep
into the darkness did he penatrate
Knowing
that not to far ahead a great evil lay in wait"
Kortny squints at you as if the room was bathed in
shadows.
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"Then as he came to one large cavern
He saw
massed against him
Not the
small band he had tracked
But a
full forty standing fast"
Kortny draws his cutlass and shield and readies
himself for battle with a glint of steel in his eye.
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"It never
even occured to him to flee
But with
unbridled glee
He flung
himself on the foe
Causing
them great woe"
Kortny throws himself forward slashing at imaginary
foes... or wait are they imaginary...
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"And the foe was thrown back
From the
pure passion of his attack
Then the
glimmer of his white armor did disappear
And a
hero's death was near"
Kortny seems to be crushed under the weight of his
enemies.
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"And
with his last breath of air
From him
arose a strangled prayer
And
lifted high in the sky
To
Chadatru did it pass bye"
Kortny slowly empties his lungs.
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"A
shaft of light did shine down
And
annoint that paladin in an etheral crown
And
where the sounds of death and combat had rung
An
unatural silence hung"
Kortny smiles as he looks up into the sky with a
look of wonder and surpise on his face.
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"Then slowly within that shaft of light a paladin did rise
To stand
once again with a fire in his eyes
And with
a howl of glee
He flung
himself back into that fersome melee"
Kortny seems to glow with saintly halo as he flings
himself back into battle.
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"And
the sounds of combat did renew
With a
fierce rage he did attack anew
And the
screams and clangs of arms did sound
Deep in
that underground"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"And
with a mighty stroke in that darkend shaft
Shotokyu
cut the last reaver in half
And as
his enemy did fall
He
crumpled against a wall"
Kortny smiles as he swings his cutless in a mighty
stroke comming a little to close to your head for comfort
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"Now
his armor stained with red
He
gasped for breath on that rocky bed
Then he
looked around
And what
he saw brought a frown"
Kortny frowns.
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"Because
he knew that his work was not done
Many
more beasts would soon emerge with the setting of the sun
To raze
the land in their wrath
If he
and others like him did not stand in their path"
Kortny groans.
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"With a slight groan he arose
And
limped out of that dark mine leaving his foes
His
strength and soul once more stood the test
But for
now he just needed rest..."
Kortny bows.
Kortny asks, "so do you think I won the
bet?"
Kortny winks.
Kortny says, "Ok this next piece was requested
by our lovely host."
Kortny says, "so I would like to dedicate it to
her and her hard work."
Kortny takes a sip of his beer.
Kortny begins his Bardic performance for his
audience.
Kortny says, "This is the story of Anlorahlhe
by Kortny Horselords."
Kortny recites:
"When the armies of the World Dragon Priests
Had
retreated to the area of the Black Hand
The
Elotheans and Elves of the shattered city of Shard
Banded
together to rebuild Shard and the province of Ilith."
Kortny recites:
"It
was during this time that Alec
Built a
symbol of that new peace with the Elves
That
symbol being the gondola that served to connect
The
elves with their Leth kin."
Kortny recites:
"The
Elves, honored by this act,
Swore to
guard and ensure the operation of the gondola
It is at
this point that our story begins."
Kortny pulls his hood up on his cloak covering his
face in shadows.
Kortny leans forward.
Kortny darkly says, "But even as the Elves and
Elotheans celebrated the rebuilding of their cultures, dark forces gathered to
oppose them. And it was in a deep hole
that an evil necromancer began to chant. "
Kortny chants in a baritone voice:
"Darkness, Darkness, come to me!
Gather
round and follow my decree!
A heart
of ice and anger of life!
Create
me a creature full of spite!
Form
claws that are so sharp and cruel,
That
they can slice those Elven fools!"
Kortny darkly says, "And as he chanted this
evil spell, a creature was given life.
Seemingly nothing but claws and fangs, it's first step on this world
sent a ripple through the magic of the land."
Kortny says, "An Elven mage whose age was
beyond the memories of all but himself, felt the evil magic resonate in the
lands. And as it faded away, fate took
possesion of him and he chanted these words with his dying breath:"
Kortny chants in a baritone voice:
"As
light turns so does darkness
As
darkness turns so does light
When the
powers of death bring forth life
The
powers of life must bring forth death"
Kortny chants in a baritone voice:
"A
mother's milk will quench the flame
A
noble's blood will talisman bring
To the
center must it go
And wait
there for it's appointed foe."
Kortny quietly says, "Now the Elves debated
long and hard trying to discern the prophecy.
After five years of study, it was decided that they would create a
talisman so full of the magic of life that it's mere presence would dampen the
evil in the realms. "
Kortny quietly says, "What exactly the Elven
mages did to create the staff is unknown.
But after five years they appeared with a staff burning with a blue
flame. A hundred Elven mothers gave of
their breasts milk to quench the magical flames that danced within the
staff. And thus was a talisman for good
born."
Kortny says, "The leader of the Mountain Elves
recognized that this talisman would be needed in the future and the safest
place for it would be in the great temple in Crossing. "
Kortny says, "She chose twenty of her finest
warriors to escort the staff to the province of Zoluren. To lead this war party she chose her
daughter Anlorahlhe. "
Kortny firmly says, "Now Anlorahlhe was the
pride of the Mountain Elves. There were
many songs sung of her praising her beauty and her kindness. "
The bandages binding Triesse's right hand soak
through with blood as it begins bleeding again.
Kortny darkly says, "Unfortunately unknown to
the Elves their actions had not gone unnoticed. Spies for the necromancer watched as the war party readied itself
for departure."
Kortny darkly says, "The mage summoned up his
creature and infused it with his power.
He then sent it to intercept the Elves and destroy the tailsman. The creature raced toward the Elven lands
with great speed."
Xaphira frowns.
Kortny says, "The war band, having gotten
ready, departed from the mountains and arrived at the gondola. Anlorahlhe sent one half of her guard across
to secure the northern platform. "
Kortny says, "The gondola guided by an Elven
mage returned to the south platform to pick up the rest of the party. The spirits of the party were high and
laughter and song filled the air as the party took their seats."
Kortny sighs.
Kortny sadly says, "No one noticed the small
thump on the top of the gondola."
Kortny slowly says, "The beast attacked without
warning. The Elven mage operating the
gondola was the first to die. The
guards leapt to fight but were flung back and overcome by the pure savagery of
the beast. In the end only the princess
Anlorahlhe and the beast were left."
Kortny says, "Well, the princess held the staff
in front of her and the beast was kept at bay.
But the princess had not been unscratched in the struggle, a red stain
was now forming at her side."
Kortny exclaims, "Suddenly the prophecy was
made clear to her!"
Several Halfling men stride purposefully up to the
fireplace. They deftly climb atop one
another to form a tower of Halflings.
The man at the top grabs a beer mug from the mantel and passes it
down. They tumble off of each other and
proudly walk back to their table.
Kortny glares at the halflings.
Kortny chants in a baritone voice:
"A
mother's milk will quench the flame
A
noble's blood will talisman bring
To the
center must it go
And wait
there for it's appointed foe."
Kortny sadly says, "She knew the future would need this talisman and also
what she had to do. She reached down
and ran the staff along the blood of the wound at her side."
(Kortny stamps the ground with a loud !!!THAMP!!!!)
Kortny says, "And a bright light enveloped the gondola,
and Anlorahlhe's body fell to the ground.
The beast with a heart of ice was too strong to be overcome so easily
but it was greatly weakened by the magic of life that shone forth."
Kortny says, "With a jerk of the ropes the
gondola started to move again, with no hand to guide it. The warriors having heard the cries stood
ready on the platform. But whatever
they where expecting it was not the creature that sprang past them and fled
down the ridge."
Kortny says, "The rest of the war band rushed into
the gondola with cries of dismay. All
inside where dead and the enchanted staff was not to be found."
Kortny says, "Some say the Elves failed in
their mission that day. Others are not
so sure, because that gondola with no hand to guide it still travels back and
forth. And a few have been said to hear
a young lady weeping as if some duty had long kept her seperated from those she
loved. "
Kortny quietly says, "But I guess only
Anlorahlhe really knows the truth. For
now........."
Kortny bows.
Kortny takes a sip of his beer.
Kortny smiles.
Kortny says, "Well this next song was written
during the aftermath of the gorbesh war."
Kortny says, "and was part of a petition to help
us find Wren."
Kortny says, "I hope you enjoy it."
Kortny says, "I will now sing "Wren and
the Red Winter War" by Kortny Horselord"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"A
swirl of destiny does flow
Amid the
rumours of war
In this
torrid soil a plot does grow
And
gives rise to the prophecies of lore."
Kortny slowly sings in a baritone voice:
"A
Chalice, a Bard, and a Lute
All
intertwined with blood and tears
In this
mixture an evil plan bears fruit
As
reality gives birth to our deepest fears"
Kortny sadly sings in a baritone voice:
"A
battle springs across the lands
Warriors
rally to the horns call
The
enemy comes with bloodstained hands
And
clash against the city's walls."
Kortny hopelessly sings in a baritone voice:
"The
cities are separated and heroes fall
As the
warriors battle for the gates
Each
town sends out an urgent call
And
through it all we wait our fates."
Kortny angrily sings in a baritone voice:
"A
message from the enemy arrives
A demand
of just one bard's life
To stop
the wounded cries
And put
an end to this dreaded strife"
Kortny quietly sings in a baritone voice:
"The
answer is no and the bardess hides
The chalice
and lute are guarded closely
To try
to stop death's swift ride
As the
attackers ranks swell hopelessly"
Kortny hopelessly sings in a baritone voice:
"Warrior, Priest, Bard, and Empath
All fall
to evil's sword
The cities
are lost to the enemies' wrath
And at
the gates the enemy now wards"
Kortny regretfully sings in a baritone voice:
"Gentle bard is taken at last
Guardians of the lute are taken one by one
All
defenders fall to arrow, sword, and axe
Many
claim that the Gorbesh have won"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"A
standard rises and warriors rally
The
wounded heal and an army forms
These
stalwart warriors challenge the tally
This
army girds themselves all weary and torn"
Kortny emphatically sings in a baritone voice:
"The
paladins lead and the warriors follow
The
towns are reclaimed one at a time
But
victory brings a harsh sorrow
As
violence is repaid in kind."
Kortny hesitantly sings in a baritone voice:
"As
the world does recover
And the
foolish belive it has ended
The wise
discover
That our
last hope might have been left unattended."
Kortny slowly sings in a baritone voice:
"A
memory of three notes
Bring the
bards together
They
share a faint hope
But they
find just a wrens feather."
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"A
voice to guide gives the way
As one
of each is gathered togather
They all
join to sing and pray
And
three step forward with a wren's feather"
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"Their faith brings its reward
And Wren
is saved from death
But only
her life will the god's ward
But they
give no guarantee for our last breath."
Kortny bows.
Kortny smiles.
Kortny takes a sip of his beer.
Kortny says, "ok I think you all need to wake
up a bit."
Kortny says, "so if the bards could join in and
sing with me."
Kortny says, "lets see if we can cause a bit of
chaos."
Kortny says, "I think most of you know this
one."
Kortny says, "feel free to jump in and dance a
bit."
Kortny says, ""Life of the Dance" by
Kortny Horselords"
Kortny begins his Bardic performance for his
audience.
Kortny slowly starts to play a beat on his boness
matching each beat with an intricate dance step.
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"I
was born to the sound of a screaming cry,
But I
will dance till the day I die.
Ever
since I heard my first lullabye,
I
couldnt just let my feet lie."
Kortny smiles as he whirls around his cape and hair
flying, as he taps a counter melody with his boots and spurs.
A chorus of voices join with Kortny's leading
baritone as he sings:
"Dance,
dance, everyone dance!
Come on,
join in the romance!
Come on,
tap your feet!
Come on,
get off your seat!"
Kortny continues to dance, he suddenly whirls to a
stop and winks at you then continues.
Kortny sings in a baritone voice:
"When I was only three,
A bard
came and sang for me.
With
halting steps, I began to sway,
And I
did not stop dancing all that day."
Kortny bones's blur as a rapid dance rhythm escapes
from them.
A chorus of voices join with Kortny's leading
baritone as he sings:
"Dance, dance, everyone dance!
Come on,
join in the romance!
Come on,
tap your feet!
Come on, get off your sea