The Poet Laureate

The Best of Bards

The poet laureate is considered the most prestigious title one can possess in many nations. Almost every civilized nation other than The Provinces of Mhirriah and Lartasia have this position of office, and those who fill it are the most legendary of bards.

This bard would not only be responsible for keeping, maintaining, and protecting the heritage of their nation, but are also responsible for producing new works associated with the nation. Traditionally the poet laureate would also be the head of A Bardic University. On top of the responsibilities given to them by the ruling bodies of their nation, they also found themselves responsible for the curriculum of the University and the standards with which new bards must uphold. They would determine which Bardic Colleges meet necessary standards to be officially recognized by the university as well.

Becoming the Poet Laureate

Becoming a poet laureate is no easy task. One must not only command the respect of their nation and be loved by the nation's people, but they must also be highly decorated and respected by other bards. The university has its own process of determining who is the head of the University. The head of the university is usually sworn in as the poet laureate soon after.

The position requires a keen understanding and deep knowledge of the nation's history and culture. It requires an impressive body of work as well. One's body of work must be well received and well known. This doesn't mean that the bards work must be famous, but it is unlikely for a bard who wrote 100 novels to gain the title, if no one can even recall the works written.

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History

Bards began as a disorganized group and with the establishment of The University of Espada by Gregori Darset, they became an officially recognized organization. Within a few short years they grew to such a size that the Council of Princes in Espada created a position of office to be held by a single member of the University.

Archaeology

As decades went by and the prestige of this position of office grew, it became a custom to allow the poet laureate the authority to determine whether or not certain archaeological projects should begin, as well as how they are handled and who will be involved in the project. This came about in response to the fact that bards tend to take great care with what they find during these projects. They go to great lengths to ensure that artifacts are properly preserved and ruins are left undamaged.

This is what led to the Bardic Colleges as well. The university determined that more focused study would be more enlightening if done by those who care more about a specific finding due to preference. It is also possible for the bards of the university to miss something that a bard of a specific college would find due to the fact that they focus on specific themes.

Within this time period, bards found themselves in radically different roles. A bard was universally recognized as a symbol of friendship, peace, and understanding. When one visited a foreign nation, they were welcomed with open arms. They would offer their services to those in these foreign nations, uncovering secrets lost to time and restoring heritage to those who thought it was lost.

The Poet Laureate of Estoya

In The Estoyan Government, the traditions are slightly different. The meritocratic monarchy that serves as its government forbids appointment in the usual manner. While fame and skill can certainly be indications of merit, the position of poet laureate also has another responsibility. They are also responsible for establishing the standards of merit for bards in the nation, and are responsible for determining what the standards for the poet laureate are.

In other nations the poet laureate is a lifelong position, but if one meets and exceeds the standard of poet laureate they could very well be placed in the position. This has never happened before. Traditionally, the Estoyan poet laureate would choose their successor should they retire from the position.

If they die, leaving no indication of a desired successor, then the decision is left in the hands of The Judges of Law and Merit, who will screen any who wish to obtain the title for qualification. Whoever is determined to have the highest marks of merit and who also meets the previous standards of merit for the position will receive the title.

Diplomacy

Poet laureates we're often dispatched as ambassadors or diplomats. Bards wouldn't have existed in Estoya were it not for this practice. Darset was sent to Estoya, a custom that is often viewed as the first handshake between cultures. This custom is often considered literal as the poet laureate is seen as a representation of the culture they speak for. Darset reached Estoya, cementing the custom and bardic profession in Estoyan culture.
As the years went by, past the death of the first poet laureate, groups of bards would focus their talents in public speaking and diplomacy, seeing it as a refined art. They officially adopted the role that bards have been given. These groups would eventually merge into a single college found in Espada, The College of Peace, which is still active to this day.

It goes without saying that the bards were trusted by everyone, but all good things come to an end. About a century before Expedition Demeter departed, those seeking to gain an advantage against other nations would hire bards for espionage. These spies were quickly cast out from the university, but the stigma remains. Some governments would falsify documentation and Bardic Seals, planting spies in many nations.

The Oath of Neutral Peace

When word got out through public apologies and declarations by the Universities and the poet laureates, other nations who feared these potential spies ended up making spies of their own. The poet laureates investigated these claims, and took matters into their own hands.

The poet laureates, and each bard in The College of Peace, were forced to take solemn oaths. They were bound by law and arcane power. They subject themselves to enchantments that would seal their fate if they broke their oaths. This was referred to as the oath of neutral peace. Each poet laureate, as well as the members of the College of Peace, vow to never resort to espionage, regardless of their own allegiances. The oath would remain binding until death or until removed from their position.

A Brief List of Poet Laureates

Estoya	Espada	Cordais	Vanheim
Darset	Darset
Kirth	Farrah Birnahm	Jenivier	Phorth
Orthinis	Theo	Noel	Danyul
Valentina	Mayli	Cyrus	varse