The Glirdain, the Songwrights of Lothlórien
All elves love music and verse and hold history in high regard, making the role of Lothlórien's Glirdain (literally "The Songwrights", and often called simply "The Bards") an important and integral one. Members of the Glirdain participate in a wide variety of performance and knowledge-related pursuits: some do sing and play instruments, while others study history or languages, tell stories, act for theatre, and more. Often they aid in the planning of festivals or serve as teachers in their areas of expertise.
Structure
Titles
Promotions
Sindarin translations of titles
How to Join
Structure
While each member of the Glirdain specializes in one field of artistic expression, most within the guild will hold varying levels of competence in several other fields. Demonstrating a high level of creativity and intelligence, those of the Glirdain embrace the elven traditions of song and preservation. Possible specializations include:
The Performing Branch
These are the members that take thoughts, actions, and memories, then express them in melody, song, dance or through dramatic demonstration. With words, tone, or movements, they bring forth emotion and in the case of extreme talent, they bring forth images of that which they express. Those in this specialization might be found in other guilds such as Healers or Crafters. In the performing branch:
Actor, Composer, Dancer, Harpist, Minstrel, Musician, Playwright, Poet, Singer, Storyteller
The Knowledge Branch
These are the preservers. These diligent preservers record all that has been and all that is, into a written format. Those in this specialization might be found in other guilds such as the Order, or the Royal Court. In the knowledge branch:
Genealogist, Historian, Librarian, Linguist, Lorekeeper, Scribe
Titles
There are four levels of expertise (ranks) within the Glirdain. A Bard's Title is formatted as follows: "Specialty Title, Rank, Glirdain o Lothlórien".
- Student:
At this initial stage, members learn the basics of many Glirdain fields of knowledge, eventually establishing the preferred specialization they will receive upon their promotion. New Glirdain work closely with their colleagues above, receiving assignments to guide their studies while taking classes in other areas. Students are fervently encouraged to aid each other in their ongoing progression and impromptu plays, performances, poetry circles should be commonplace in their day-to-day life as a guild member. They are expected to complete a final project (anything from a play to a research project or a dance recital) to show their improvement within the Glirdain. - Scholar:
This is the stage at which the former Student gains the title of the specialization they have worked toward. Scholar-ranked Glirdain continue their pursuit of skill and knowledge in their chosen field of study, while at the same time beginning to share their knowledge with Students and the Wood at large: a Scholar Glirdan can (and does) teach his or her specialization to others, accept new Students into the Gilrdain, and begin to plan and lead Glirdain events. - Teacher:
A Teacher is recognized as having above-average knowledge in his or her specialization. Teachers hold the same responsibilities as Scholar-ranked Glirdain, and may also teach more advanced and specific classes within their field of expertise. They are usually expected to help organize events. - Master:
A Master is a true master in their area of specialization; promotion to this rank is an honor bestowed by the Lord or Lady. Masters are the leaders of the Glirdain, coordinating and overseeing Glirdain events (or delegating these responsibilities to others) while they continue to share their great knowledge with the rest of their guild and with lórien as a whole.
Promotions
Student to Scholar:
- Complete at least one assignment from any Scholar or higher.
- Attend at least one non-language IC lesson from any Scholar or higher.
- Attend at least two language lessons in a language that is applicable to the area of study.
- Be involved in creating/promoting Glirdain RP.
- Propose and complete a Student-level study-project.
Scholar to Teacher:
- Complete at least one assignment from any Teacher or higher.
- Attend at least one non-language IC lesson from any Teacher (or higher) or a Scholar of a different specialization.
- Attend at least one language lesson in a language that is applicable to the area of study.
- Organize at least one Glirdain event in an area of specialty and/or knowledge (can be a part of the Scholar-level project).
- Be involved in giving lessons (whether language or otherwise) to Students and other Scholar Glirdain and in creating/promoting Glirdain RP.
- Propose and complete an Scholar-level study-project in area of specialization.
Teacher to Master
- Complete and/or perform at least two self-appointed projects and/or assignments in area of study.
- Organize at least two Glirdain events in an area of specialty and/or knowledge (can be a part of the Teacher-level project).
- Be involved in giving lessons to Students, Scholar Glirdain, and other Teachers and in creating/promoting Glirdain RP.
- Propose and complete a Teacher-level study-project in area of specialization.
Samples of Glirdain Classes to give or to be taken:
HISTORY: Elu Thingol and the Making of Menegroth, The Fall of Menegroth, History of Nargothrond, Of Amroth and Nimrodel, Of Beren and Luthien, and the Theft from Morgoth, The Lamps of Night and Day, The Building of Gondolin, History of the Laiquendi, The Great Journey, Overview of the Wars of Beleriand
COMPOSING: Rhythm/Flow/Metre, Rhyme, Form, Introduction to instruments, Tonality
Performance arts:
MUSIC: Instruments (any specific)
THEATRE: Reciting, Emoting, Stage Movement/Placement, Effect of Music in Theatre
DANCE: Any form or style
LINGUISTICS: Language lessons (any specific), Comparison of languages (cognates, etc.), Culture/history of culture of language's speakers
Sindarin Titles
While official Lórien titles are in English, these optional Sindarin titles can also be used in RP. They can be applied to either gender, though specifically feminine forms can (unless otherwise specified) be created by changing -ron to -ril or -dir to -dis.
Actor: Carnaron
Bard: Gliron
Composer: Glirdan
Dancer: Lildir
Genealogist: Nosbennadir
Harpist: Talagand
Historian: Pennadir
Librarian: Heparon
Linguist: Lamdir
Minstrel: Rangliron
Musician: Telindir
Playwright: Trenardan
Poet: Glaeron
Scribe: Teithron
Singer: Lindir
Storyteller: Trenaron
Student: Ithradir
Scholar: Istuidir
Master: Hirlin (fem. Hirilin)
How to Join
- Complete a character description and have it approved.
- Review the Bard files to determine what job best suits your character.
- Roleplay about your interest in joining the Glirdain with any member ranked Scholar or higher.
For additional information, contact the Loremaster of the Glirdain, or the highest ranking Bard in the Guild.