Kal Altan Character in Alana | World Anvil

Kal Altan

WFRP4e
Work in progress!
ORC License
Slightly NSFW!
Kal Altan is an experienced bard who teaches music and bardic magic at the Arcane University in the city of Bridgeport. He has a passion for teaching, which he puts to great use when instructing his students about the power of music and its ability to bring people together, as well as how it can be used for magical purposes. Kal specialises in both traditional and modern styles of composition, playing instruments such as lutes, lyres, and harps. He also knows numerous ancient songs that have been passed down through generations.   Kal’s classes are popular with students due to his engaging lectures filled with stories from around the world that demonstrate how powerful music can be when used creatively. His classes cover topics such as improvisation techniques, musical forms and scales, rhythm exercises, songwriting tips, and more! Kal teaches the theory and practise of music, but he also tells people how to create their own unique style of performance art and how to make magical effects happen during a performance. His lessons include spells for making soundscapes, controlling light and shadow, calling up creatures from stories and legends, and giving powerful charms to objects.   When he is not busy teaching or performing himself (which he does frequently), Kal enjoys using his spare time to explore Bridgeport's cultural heritage by visiting historic sites like churches or castles where old manuscripts may still exist, containing rare pieces of music knowledge from past centuries.  
This is GM information
  • His true identity is unknown, as he does not share it with anyone outside of the Arcane University. It's rumoured that he was once a member of an ancient order dedicated to preserving magic in all its forms throughout history. Indeed, Kal Altan was a member of Warehouse III at some point but got evicted after using items that were meant to be archived so no one could ever use them again.
  • Despite being an instructor at the University, Kal Altan sometimes engages in activities that are considered illegal by Bridgeport law enforcement. These include stealing rare artefacts from tombs and other places where they should remain undisturbed for posterity's sake; breaking into private dwellings; using mind-altering substances; engaging in duels with rival bards; etc., although none have ever been caught or prosecuted for any such activities yet.
  • In addition to teaching about music and bardic magic at the University, Kal Altan also privately tutors wealthy nobles on how to use their own voices as weapons against their political rivals (or enemies). He has helped many nobles increase their power without resorting directly to violence or intimidation tactics - a skill that few can match.
  • Kal Altan is after a magical instrument that he believes is hidden in Warehouse III: the Lute of Amolo.
 
Lute of Amolo   The mythical magic lute was said to have been crafted by the gods themselves and bestowed upon a great bard, who used it to bring peace and harmony throughout the land. With its magical strings, the bard could play mesmerising tunes that soothed even the most hardened soul. He became an inspiration for all of his people as he spread joy through music wherever he went.   Little did anyone know, however, that this magical instrument had a dark secret hidden within its strings: if played in reverse order, it would unleash a powerful curse that brought sadness and despair into the hearts of those around him. So at some point, when a listener asked jokingly if he could also play a song backwards, the terrible truth was revealed to all who heard its cursed melody. The instrument vanished shortly after.
Bridgeport
The map of Bridgeport, a harbour city located in the south of Farenia, showcases a maritime center characterized by vibrant activity and bustling trade. Unlike other cities in Farenia, Bridgeport's harbour opens onto a different sea, setting it apart and granting it a unique status. To bolster its connectivity and reinforce its importance in regional trade, the ambitious Bridgeport Channel project is underway. Not everyone is pleased with the construction of the new channel, leading to a surge in violent resistance...  
Bridgeport by Tillerz using MidJourney

Current Location
Children
Aligned Organization
Ruled Locations


Cover image: Kal Altan by Tillerz using MidJourney
Character Portrait image: Kal Altan by Tillerz using MidJourney

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