Ritual Dancers and Speakers
In the rural area surrounding Lorla Lake, culturally connecting the village folk to the rather densely populated island in its centre, the Academy invites everyone with decent coordination to join their course for ritualistic dancing. Ritual dancers enhance the level of magic during the Aevan holidays. The dancers perform on plazas and in concert halls, participating in various forms of festivals and events. With their masterful choreographies and enchanting performances, they honour the council of Aeva, bringing blessings to the world. Ritual dancers are divine agents, carrying out ceremonies that entertain and please the gods. Their alignment follows their commitment to the council. Most of them are connected with the Bard, the Muse, Pa'axi, the Peacemaker or Lady Aeva, the Creator herself.
Their expertise includes several different styles of dancing, single, pair and group dances, as well as acrobatics, martial arts (reminding of capoeira and taichi, as well as fire breathing and electric stunts. Every ritual dancer is required to be in a good physical state, muscular, lean and healthy.
During their dances, they were colourful costumes. Men, women and beyond are required to have long hair. Most ritual dancers are women. As they graduate from the academy, they receive a personalised necklace with their god's emblem embedded in the form of glistening gems.
Ritual speakers, on the other hand, are mediators and public speakers, often opening and closing public events during the holidays. They serve as both hosts and preachers, telling the stories of the council members and answering questions for their fellow citizens.
Similar to ritual dancers, they often follow specific gods and carry their emblems around their necks.
There are no special requirements for their physical appearance. Many wear golden chains and robes with long sleeves, covering their wrists. They are asked to refrain from smoking and an overconsumption of alcoholic beverages, to keep their minds sharp and voices pure, void of any unnatural changes.
Both professions can be studied at the Academy between Corcovah and Lemdaux. It has the second best reputation in Lorla. Ritual dancers and speakers are highly respected and admired by the common folk.
Career
Career Progression
It takes three years for each student to complete their education. Those that want to specialise in a specific field (fire breathing or celestial legends, for instance) add one or two years of studying more to their degree. As soon as they are done, they are offered internships at the temples and shrines nearby. Some move to the Cathedral of Lorla for some time to gather first or second-hand information about enlightened Omni.
Payment & Reimbursement
Ritual speakers earn slightly more than ritual dancers, mostly due to their jobs being slightly more dangerous (unless you are a firebreather, they earn double). Some of the lesser educated folks take ritual speakers for charlatans.
Both professions have 45 days of leisure each year with ten days of which are spend to ease the burden on their voices and bodies.
Other Benefits
The stronger your public image is, the easier it is to obtain a higher standing in society. Since ritual dancers and speakers remain in the public eye, they are appreciated and looked up to. Dancers are often admired for their strength and beauty, while speakers are seen as particularly wise and approachable. Both are highly beneficial in the sense that the commoners will grant them discounts and giveaways.
Perception
Demographics
Ritual dancers usually retire between 40 and 50 years, mostly due to the strict physical requirements they have to fulfil. For most ritual dancers, this is enough to set up a good savings plan. After leaving the dancing company, many either become dance instructors, open their own businesses or invest more time into building their family.
Most dancers are currently between the age of 20 and 31.
Ritual speakers can be age 18 to 70. Most important factor is that their voices are strong and warm. The youngest members of this society have started their education at age 15. The oldest ritual speaker to ever exist was Alnara Menni. She was a hoofler (deerfolk) druid turned speaker for Pa'axi and the Scholar. She opened the winter festivities each year for fifty years and finally retired at the age of 98. She died about two years later.
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