Post by Shrike on Mar 8, 2008 9:36:56 GMT -5
The Empire of Arcyon is large. Very large. It is also very important: so much so that people inside it don't really care about what's outside it. As far as they are concerned, it is the centre of the universe.
The Empire, besides its extremely capable army and world wide trading, is best known for two things: its Musicians and its Mages.
There is nothing more important in Arcyon than its music. At least, so would say any member of the Royal Arcyon Academy: The school where any Soulsinger or Songcrafter worth mentioning has received their training.
There is nowhere else in the world where a single note can convey such meaning. In Arcyon, music has a magic of its own.
From the lowliest village to the grandest Palace, you will find music in Arcyon. Nobles in Court hum or lilt to convey veiled meanings. Messages are passed via a short tune.
Bards tamper with emotions of their listeners. Even if you have no Musical Talent, a youth in Arcyon grows up learning how to read music-messages as well as the huances of the spoken word. A single note can hold a dozen meanings.
But it is the Arcyon Academies that are known world wide. It is the Empire's pride. Every Noble family can boast of having produced a Soulsinger or Noteweaver, or Melodyhealer, or Songcrafter.
Regular Mages, those Gifted with the ability to manipulate the classic Elements, are not so celebrated. Anyone in the world could do that!
And anyone in the world who can comes to the Academy of Mages to receive training.
The Empire spans many countries and contains many races, and is ever expanding. Nobody knows how far it will get--but one thing is certain.
The Musicians of Arcyon -and maybe the Mages if people remember they exist- are always going to be a part of it.