Chord Keeper
Chord Keeper (aka Skyship Bard)
Singing Down the Kelpie, the Hymn Ceaselessly Sung Among those who sail the skies of the Expanse / Veil, the role of the Chord Keeper aboard ship is both revered and feared. These individuals, often scarred by the trials of their trade, bear the responsibility of protecting the ship and its crew from malevolent entities known as Cloud Kelpie. These accursed denizens of the Expanse are born from broken oaths or bitter curses of the otherwise faithful. Resentful and loathing of mortals who wield their words carelessly, Kelpie possess a terrible intelligence that manifests in psionic siren songs, capable of luring sailors to their doom. The Skyship Bard's weapon against these ethereal horrors is song. Through intricate melodies and haunting harmonies, they weave a web of sound that resonates through the winds, calming the Kelpie and warding them away from the airship. Their performances require a mastery ancient ballads and improvisational genius, as no two Kelpie are alike in their disposition or intent. The Bard must sense the temperament of the entities and adapt their music accordingly, a task that demands both skill and a soul hardened against fear. This profession is not for the faint-hearted. The Chord Keeper often stands alone on the deck, exposed to the psionic whispers of the Kelpie, their minds under constant assault by alien concepts too vast and unfathomable for mortals to comprehend. A lesser mind will would crack, succumbing to madness or despair, but the Bard endures, their voice a defiant shield against the void. Though indispensable, Skyship Bards are often outsiders among their crew. Their songs, filled with the weight of sorrow and echoes of the beyond, set them apart. Many harbor secrets of their own—some have whispered oaths they regret, others seek redemption for curses they’ve unleashed. Whatever their past, their voices now stand between their ship and the ravenous winds, where one misstep could spell doom for all aboard. Chord Keepers often begin their journey as apprentices to an experienced Skyship Bard. Their training involves not just learning ancient songs and melodies but also studying the Kelpies and the Veil. Mentors guide them through the nuances of psionic defenses and the art of weaving music that resonates with the alien and otherworldly. Then they complete The Pilgrimage of Winds - a bardic tradition involving traveling between isolated skyports and settlements, learning the unique songs, chants, and instruments of each culture. This pilgrimage teaches them not just technical skills but also the emotional depth needed to channel melodies potent enough to hold back the Kelpie. During their pilgrimage, most Chord Keepers also explore their craft through the creation and discovery of their own instrument, often imbued with supernatural properties. These instruments are attuned to the Bard's voice and soul, amplifying their resonance and allowing them to counteract the Kelpie’s psionics. The process of creating or earning such an instrument is a rite of passage in itself. Many apprentices fail, broken by the mental strain of their early encounters with the alien whispers of Kelpie.
In the dark and perilous world of the Expanse, the Chord Keeper is both a guardian and a mourner, a master of song and sorrow, tasked with holding back the tides of the cursed and unrelenting Expanse.
Singing Down the Kelpie, the Hymn Ceaselessly Sung Among those who sail the skies of the Expanse / Veil, the role of the Chord Keeper aboard ship is both revered and feared. These individuals, often scarred by the trials of their trade, bear the responsibility of protecting the ship and its crew from malevolent entities known as Cloud Kelpie. These accursed denizens of the Expanse are born from broken oaths or bitter curses of the otherwise faithful. Resentful and loathing of mortals who wield their words carelessly, Kelpie possess a terrible intelligence that manifests in psionic siren songs, capable of luring sailors to their doom. The Skyship Bard's weapon against these ethereal horrors is song. Through intricate melodies and haunting harmonies, they weave a web of sound that resonates through the winds, calming the Kelpie and warding them away from the airship. Their performances require a mastery ancient ballads and improvisational genius, as no two Kelpie are alike in their disposition or intent. The Bard must sense the temperament of the entities and adapt their music accordingly, a task that demands both skill and a soul hardened against fear. This profession is not for the faint-hearted. The Chord Keeper often stands alone on the deck, exposed to the psionic whispers of the Kelpie, their minds under constant assault by alien concepts too vast and unfathomable for mortals to comprehend. A lesser mind will would crack, succumbing to madness or despair, but the Bard endures, their voice a defiant shield against the void. Though indispensable, Skyship Bards are often outsiders among their crew. Their songs, filled with the weight of sorrow and echoes of the beyond, set them apart. Many harbor secrets of their own—some have whispered oaths they regret, others seek redemption for curses they’ve unleashed. Whatever their past, their voices now stand between their ship and the ravenous winds, where one misstep could spell doom for all aboard. Chord Keepers often begin their journey as apprentices to an experienced Skyship Bard. Their training involves not just learning ancient songs and melodies but also studying the Kelpies and the Veil. Mentors guide them through the nuances of psionic defenses and the art of weaving music that resonates with the alien and otherworldly. Then they complete The Pilgrimage of Winds - a bardic tradition involving traveling between isolated skyports and settlements, learning the unique songs, chants, and instruments of each culture. This pilgrimage teaches them not just technical skills but also the emotional depth needed to channel melodies potent enough to hold back the Kelpie. During their pilgrimage, most Chord Keepers also explore their craft through the creation and discovery of their own instrument, often imbued with supernatural properties. These instruments are attuned to the Bard's voice and soul, amplifying their resonance and allowing them to counteract the Kelpie’s psionics. The process of creating or earning such an instrument is a rite of passage in itself. Many apprentices fail, broken by the mental strain of their early encounters with the alien whispers of Kelpie.
In the dark and perilous world of the Expanse, the Chord Keeper is both a guardian and a mourner, a master of song and sorrow, tasked with holding back the tides of the cursed and unrelenting Expanse.
Inspired by Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow, & Thorn fantasy series; Art by Midjourney AI
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments