Music

Music in Helerin

Music in the Helerin Archipelago plays an important role in religious practices, civic events, public entertainment, and cultural identity. Songs are generally composed from a communal or observational perspective, rather than from the first person. Musical traditions vary across regions, with styles and instruments influenced by local geography, culture, and language.

Musical Styles

A number of distinct musical styles exist across Helerin.
One common style, known as Kethralan Chant, is slow and resonant. It features repetitive phrasing, deep modal progressions, and a rhythm designed to evoke walking or breathing. Performances typically involve layered low-register voices, large frame drums, and long horns. This style is associated with history and storytelling.
A contrasting tradition is the Vinnic Rada, a fast-paced and rhythm-driven style often heard in coastal towns and across the Seynan Islands. It uses hand-drums, reed pipes, and plucked string instruments to produce a bright, syncopated sound. Songs are structured around repeating verses and chorus sections, and are commonly performed at festivals, markets, and social gatherings. Vinnic Rada is often accompanied by dancing.
A third notable style is the Lethon-Taree, known for its structured vocal arrangements and melodic interplay. These compositions typically involve three or more voices supported by instruments such as lyres and lutes. The focus is on balance and harmony, with an emphasis on musical counterpoint. This style is often used in temples, formal settings, and court performances.

Performance

Music is performed in a range of settings across Helerin, serving ceremonial, martial, and entertainment purposes.
In religious and civic ceremonies, music is used to mark events such as seasonal rites, public declarations, and royal functions. Performances in these contexts often involve formal ensembles, temple choirs, or instrumental groups using pipes, strings, and percussion.
In military contexts, larger forces employ horns and drums, both for battlefield signalling and ceremonial use. Rhythmic signals are used during manoeuvres, while formal marches and processional pieces are played at parades, honour ceremonies, and memorials.
Music for entertainment is widespread and informal. Performances take place in taverns, town squares, and during local festivals.
Musicians may perform solo, in duets, or as small ensembles. Repertoires often include local folk songs, travelling ballads, or improvised works. While most musicians perform part-time, some make a living through regular performance, patronage, or teaching. Travelling musicians are common, especially those affiliated with the Bardic Fellowship, a guild-like organisation with members across the archipelago.
Poetry is often set to music.

Notable Musicians and Singers

Seenom Veltha

Seenom Veltha is a well-known singer specialising in Kethralan Chant. His work is associated with ceremonial performances and religious events.

Dellan Reesh

Dellan Reesh is a bard active in the southern port towns of Forbin, known for her pipe-playing and melodic compositions.

Mirenna Thass

A harpist from the Dharo city of Nythralla, Mirenna Thass is recognised for her contributions to harmonic composition and instrumental music.

Renn Tovannik

Renn Tovannik is a travelling performer and former adventurer whose repertoire focuses on ballads related to exploration, conflict, and historical events.

The Bardic Fellowship

The Bardic Fellowship serves as a professional association for performers, composers, and music historians. It maintains a loose structure but facilitates cooperation among members, preserves traditional songs, and hosts periodic gatherings for training and exchange.

Instruments

A wide range of instruments are used across the Helerin Archipelago, typically grouped into drums, stringed instruments, horns, and pipes.
Drums are constructed from wood, leather, or ceramic, and are used in both martial and entertainment contexts.
Stringed instruments such as lutes, lyres, and harps are found in most musical settings.
Horns made of ivory, bronze, or shell are used in ceremonial, military, and signalling contexts. Pipes of bone, reed, or wood are common in folk and religious music.
Instrument production is widespread, but several regions are known for specific specialisations.
The city of Holdras produces a wide range of instruments and supports a large number of workshops. The island city of Jaltra is particularly known for its high-quality ivory horns. In Nythralla, the Dharo produce finely crafted wooden pipes, harps, and lyres, often used in ritual and court music. The island of Sar Ferrat is noted for its production of durable and resonant leather drums.
See also: Musical instruments

Cost of musical instruments

The table below gives typical prices for common musical instruments. Note that these may vary depending on quality and rarity.