CIL Report: The Bard

A traveling troubadour type with intimate knowledge of CIL classified data, under investigation, no current action arranged.

Preliminary Report:

Only known as "The Bard," the subject has finally found a location to remain at for the time being. He has taken up residency in the Gutz Tavern and now spends his evenings teaching the histories and mysteries of Midgard to those in Kumpania, the ethereal caravan traveling through The Wilds of Tyr Na Linormr. I keep my distance but I've been able to catch a segment of his current tale, "A Conceit of Provenance."

Furthermore:

There are concerning details held within the stories being told. I will need to cross reference with the CIL database, though many names of the people and places seem to be in archaic form or adjusted for anonymity. The details are still suspiciously familiar to details that the CIL would prefer remain veiled by the uncounted eras.

I have discovered a few of his followers who have sought out the true identity of The Bard, though further details of his origins tend to be lost to time. In all their years of searching, they managed to find only one piece which is rumored to be pertaining to this mysterious man; the "Ballad of the Bard."

I have preserved the piece within my report. I hope that other researchers in the Defense Council may identify related details from past or future reports.

Ballad of The Bard

The Bard’s story begins in ages long since past
Ere time immemorial, beyond our own sun
In a snow-capped forest amongst high elven caste
Bastard blood twixt elf and ‘man formed this misfit son
Banished, merely a child, into the cold plain
The reason was unknown for one who was so young
Though old enough in years to bear thy family shame
Shelter was had with humans where they lived as one

Newfound vigor pushed burgeoning passions to grow
A driving thirst for knowledge unleashed his desire
Discovery of music made his spirit glow
New songs he wrote every day within his shire
The World Song destined within symphony’s sire
Seeking the deepest hidden truth of melody
At Lokasenna’s Heart, the quest would retire
Within the mountain core lie truth of harmony

Alas, peace was not meant for the burgeoning bard
Mount Lokasenna’s toxic ash covered his home
The kingdom fled their homestead, lost, vagrant and marred
They swarmed to build anew like bees losing their ‘comb
Answers were sought in every myth, legend, and tome
Cursed gods had wrought bastard suffering since birth
Vengeance for the kingdom beyond an endless roam
Worst of the godly crimes, they’ve stole the people’s mirth

Decades upon decades plans unfurled for vengeance
Countless adventurers within machinations
Maneuvering the pawns to ensure ascendance
Brought through the breach, war with godly aberrations
A surprising first strike shattered their foundations
Old gods were cast out and the world recreated
One man’s quest hath sown havoc for generations
Chaos reigned on high, uncontrolled, unabated

Woe and woe yet more, weight of guilt could not be borne
Efforts went to waste, actions couldn’t be undone
Endless discord, the unfit god could naught but mourn
Failing through history revealed what must be done
The Song was found once more then vanished from our sun
Telling and retelling tales, stories of import
Working to stop folly in all worlds, one by one
Balance of thy cosmic scale always somewhat short

CIL Defense Council

Character Profile Report:

Potentially Problematic Person

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Alignment

True Neutral

Current Status

Educating denizens of The Wilds.

Current Location

Gutz Tavern

Age

Unknown

Date of Birth

Unknown

Circumstances of Birth

Unknown

Birthplace

Unknown

Gender

Male

Eyes

Ice Blue

Hair

Long, sleek. raven black

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Tanned fair

Height

5'11"

Weight

166

Rumored Aliases:

High Elves: Cursed as Verdenn Slu'k.
Humans: Ferumfast Ultramond, adopted cousin to the royal heir.
Seelie Elves: Sinpendeh, teller of tales.
Unseelie Elves: Quenlindo, singer of stories.

Possible Acquaintances:

Midgardian Primal Felis Catus: Black fur, behaves unusually for a domesticated feline from Midgard. Further investigation necessary.

Personal Notes:
The Bard uses thaumaturgy and other illusory magic to enhance his stories. It enraptures the audience without actually using any sort of enchantment magic, which I usually detect in these types of cases. Very curious.

Report Notes:

If this ballad is accurate (and actually refers to the subject), then there are a few things I was able to learn of this Bard.
Interpretation of the Ballad:

• Right from the off there's an implication of being born from elf and human. If this is even possible, it suggests an age over over three thousand years due to the elves making their exodus from Midgard at that time.
  
  • Check genetic compatibility to assess elf-human crossbreeding viability.
  • Also check the archives for any reference to this unusual nomenclature "high elves." I've never heard an elf from either Seelie or Unseelie courts refer to themselves as such.
• Upon being exiled from the home of the elves it seems he found solace with humans and music, though the peaceful time ended when a volcano destroyed his home.
  • Strong references to the core, or "heart," of the volcano seems important but that is likely due to a layman's understanding of molten magma.
• The prose meanders for a bit and goes into relocating kingdoms, possibly adding adventures and references to tall tales, of which I am unaware. However, most curiously, there are multiple references of attacking God or "gods," which is truly an outlandish notion.
  • Due to the ancient time period, this must be a reference to rebelling against "holy ordained" kings or tyrants. Poetic licensing has raised the stakes to epic proportions, no doubt.
  • The previous note can be verified as there has only been one war in known history against God, and the aggressors were dealt with appropriately.
• The ballad ends with a dour note. It seems The Bard has won the rule of his kingdom but regrets the actions he took to accomplish the goal. He relinquished his claim to the throne and left his "sun," or holy throne.
  • The sun is often used as a holy symbol to denote a position ordained by God.
  • _{There's a miniscule chance that "sun" in this case is referencing a home planet and The Bard is not from Midgard. If this is the case, all points of reference will need to be recalculated.}

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