Gregori Darset, The First Poet Laureate of Estoya

I listened to this song over and over again while writing the article and it served as the major inspiration for the story... Though they are cellos and not violins... Enjoy!

Gregori Darset is considered the first modern bard. He discovered bardic lore and routinely demonstrated exceptional skill in using it. While at first he was an Arcanist, the cold and calculated methods of the Mage towers in Espada didn't quite suit him and he never found a place among the many schools of thought.
Most considered him odd, as he often spent more time studying and practicing art than the arcane. His tutors were certainly amused by his uncanny ability to breathe life into his paintings, often literally, as the watercolor landscapes moved like looking through a window. He furthered his artistic talents as well as his magic to the surprise of his peers and tutors. An Insomniac from a young age, Darset spent his sleepless nights studying allowing him to stay on top of his academic pursuits.


A talented painter and violinist he also knew fencing, a common fighting style of Espada where the rapier was invented. He usually dressed in efficient clothing always chosen based on where he was or where he was going. With brown hair and green eyes, Darset was always described as stick thin, but healthy and full of life. His lack of sleep always made him look far older than he should, but served him well as it led to his great discovery and skill.

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The Birth of Bardic Lore

While his early life held little of note, his middle to later years held his greatest achievements. In particular, there was one moment that all bards know by heart: the birth of bardic lore.

He became a teacher of magic but found the job unfulfilling and often worked on his personal projects instead of furthering his arcane prowess. Many students recall him secluding himself in his office with his violin while his students studied.
One day he emerged from his office early, the look of defeat on his face. A journal entry of one of his students, Farrah Birnahm, described him as having the look of a broken man for days.
She mused about how, despite how odd it sounded, she missed the beautiful music he played and found it quite hard to study without it, but didn't want to ask until she noticed that he "was staring at the violin with a longing in his eyes."

She also mused on how all the students seemed on edge since he stopped playing. It was clear he was working on something and felt as though he had failed. Finally one afternoon she caught the longing stare again. She mustered the courage and asked him,

"I'm sure it wouldn't bother anyone if you played a few notes, professor. I, for one, would love it if you did, this particular chapter is quite dull."
To her and Darset's surprise, cries of agreement echoed throughout the chamber. He picked up the violin and began to play. The students began to relax as the tension in his shoulders loosened. The music began in somber tones and as the composition continued, it grew brighter and happier.

Darset seemed to be entranced and the music began to grow louder. He didn't play loudly, but one could hear every note on the floors above. He began to play in such a way that the students felt overwhelming sensations. Joy grew from sorrow, and each student stared with wonder and admiration. The students looked up and succumbed to the the rising action of the composition as it erupted into a glorious crescendo. It was as if an entire string orchestra could be heard from this one man.

Species

Humans

Ethnicity

Espadan

Gender

Male

Arcane light burst forth from the strings as a wind howled through the chamber like an operatic chorus. At first everyone, including Darset, seemed frightened until he let out a burst of laughter with tears in his eyes. He continued to play. The strands of light coalesced into what appeared to be waves of luminous water. The water filled the room waste deep and the students felt their clothing soak it in.

The music flowed, with notes held for long periods as his bow danced across the strings. The waves changed to a series of colorful hues that began to paint the walls with his watercolor light, "the filter of the soul" as bards would later call it.
This moment was the first time art had been used to produce an active change in one's current environment. It was the the first time magic came from art, and not the caster.

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Darset's Genius

No one, Gregori included, ever figured out what changed between the experiments in his office and the moment in the chambers. Some believe a bard needs an audience of some kind, and while oneself can be considered that audience, Darset was far too focused on success that he wasn't paying attention to the art he was making.
Other theories state it was the emotional element. Gregori was too cold and logical in his experiments but the sadness of failure, the joy of having students prefer his romantic tendencies toward music, along with the success itself created the perfect storm.
Gregori often theorized it was a combination of many elements including the two mentioned. Regardless, this changed his life forever.

Gregori would go on to teach bardic lore at the tower until he and each of the students in his class that fateful day, left to found the first bardic college. These students, while they didn't abandon their studies as mages, became the first bards. Darset would travel the freeholds, but eventually took a few of his pupils to Estoya with him as a gift from Espada.
He settled in Estoya. An old man with many works under his belt and died having lived a full life. He wrote many books ranging from epics to historical essays and plays. He composed many musical pieces, Instrumentals, and ballads featuring Farrah, who found she had a beautiful singing voice. He uncovered many artifacts during his trek across Dis, some by delving in long forgotten ruins and others from more “by the book” archaeological digs. He discovered texts and collected folk songs in his travels as well, spreading them far and wide.

While these accomplishments established and cemented his reputation, his paintings are the stuff of legend. One painting is even featured in the main hall at Rouxsgate, right over the king's throne among many other places.

It is a well-known rumor that these paintings hold a valuable clue to his most well-kept secrets of bardic lore. The first clue having to do with the massive mural on the outside walls of the university, painted by Darset soon after construction and acceptance of his new title and lands as the first Poet Laureate of Estoya.