Hiya! I've been googling and lorebook oogling over and over, but I can't seem to find sufficient lore for what holds my curiosity. Bards! Specifically, the Bowmen of Eld. Do you have anything nifty on these guys~? Thanks in advance!♥
A Song of Bards and Bowmen
Jehantel: “When folks think of a bard, they conjure images of a minstrel wandering the realm, performing at banquets and in alehouses for the pleasure of king and commoner alike. But the bard I would speak of is one born from a battle-hardened archer - one who sings her songs in the heat of combat to inspire her comrades to ever greater feats of martial prowess.”
The Era of the Bard ( c.1077 - c.1327 )
The first bowmen-turned-bards began appearing in the Twelveswood sometime following the founding of Gridania towards the end of the eleventh century of the Sixth Astral Era. These early bowmen defended their homes and hamlets from outside threats such as the Ixal and neighboring city-states such as Ishgard.
Eventually, as war gave way to peace in Gridania, the true battlesongs of the Bards began to lose their magic and these once proud bowmen fell into the shadows of the common tavern bards and military minstrels from across the realm. By the early fourteenth century, the art of the battlesong had disappeared almost entirely, the last true bards likely dying off by the time of the Creeping Death, a five year plague that killed off a third of Gridania’s Hyuran population by the time a cure was found in 1327.
Encyclopedia Eorzea: “Five hundred years ago, in the time when the city-states engaged one another in bloody conflict, Gridanian hunters were often forced to take up their bows to defend their nascent nation from outside invaders. These reluctant archers would strum their bowstrings and sing songs for their comrades, and it was from those encouraging, arching tunes that the inspiring melodies of the bard were born. Their lilting notes stirred the spirit, lending their fellow soldiers a tangible strength that could turn the tide of battle.
Witnessing the effect of those ‘battlesongs,’ each nation formed units of minstrels in an attempt to amplify the phenomenon, but these hollow, regimented choruses failed to produce the same mystical influence. The original performers, on the other hand, found themselves drowned out by ranks of military musicians, and one by one their voices grew quiet on the battlefield.
When not fighting wars, bards would travel from tavern to tavern to share the tales of their experiences. As the periods of peace grew longer and longer, however, they began embellishing their stories to appeal to a wider audience, and what was once a true recounting of battle became a form of entertainment by which the bard made his living.”
Jehantel: “Would you believe that common bards, too, were born of archers? This may seem far-fetched upon first hearing, but it isn’t so far a stretch. Ask yourself this: what becomes of soldiers when conflict gives way to peacetime? Some have lives they might return to, aye, but most needs take up a new trade to make ends meet. Well, it so happened that many who had once bent the bow took to strumming the harp.
They wandered the realm, singing passionately and earnestly of the war as seen through their own eyes - of sweet victories and bitter defeats, of sacrifice and cowardice. Their songs so captured the imagination of the people, nary a day passed that a bard was not called to perform, be it in humble tavern or some great lord’s hall.
Alas, their popularity proved their downfall. Intoxicated by the attention of the masses, the bards took to embellishing their songs in a bid to outdo one another. And over time, each song was shorn of verity, till the bard’s repertoire contained not one shred of truth. By now you will know that such songs have no purchase upon men’s hearts.
For a blessing, this decline did not escape the notice of the moogles. As great patrons of the arts, they feared that the true power of song might be lost to mankind. So it was they labored to gather and safeguard those crystals known as Souls of Bard, that they might be bestowed upon worthy men and women.”
Aoidos Attire: “A bard ensemble that first appeared around the thirteen hundredth year of the Sixth Astral Era, the original Aoidos attire is notable for adopting elements of the Near Eastern garb that began arriving on the continent after trade routes with the lands of the East became firmly established. A style proposed by the legendary minstrel, Santhelme, the attire garnered much attention amongst the courts and clothiers of the age, and Near Eastern fashion saw a sudden surge in popularity. Aside from enthralling audiences with his haunting voice and fashionable appearance, Santhelme was also famous for his extraordinary skill with the bow. Citing the dwindling numbers of performers with similar martial expertise, many historians consider Santhelme’s generation to be the last in which true battlesongs were sung.”
Besides the constant threat of the vengeful Ixal, who were but recently exiled from Tinolqa in the time of Gelmorra, there’s precious little history on the conflicts between the city-states around this time period. Who were these early archers fighting against that inspired such poignant songs? To the north, warring clans shed blood across Gyr Abania until Anshelm Cotter unites the tribes and births Ala Mhigo. To the south, Ul’dah and Sil’dih vie for control over their dwindling water supplies.
Meanwhile, the Gelmorrans build their city-state beneath the grace of the elementals. Perhaps early bards took this migration, this new beginning, as inspiration for emotional ballads? Perhaps tensions with the Duskwight, who wished to remain in Gelmorra caused conflict? Perhaps even in these early years, Gridania faced invasion from Ishgard?
Encyclopedia Eorzea: “Not all residents of Gelmorra chose to leave the caves in which their people had resided for centuries, expressing distrust towards the elementals who had driven them underground in the first place. Those few Elezen who refused to leave the city would, in time, become known as the Duskwights.”
Alaire: “Gridania and Ishgard have raised their banners against one another several times in the past. The Battle of Dragonfall, in particular, was… tragic. Neither Gridania nor Ishgard is likely to soon forget.”
Assuming these bowmen-turned-bards were able to repel Ishgard’s numbers on many occasions, it may account for the lore regarding Ishgardian markmanship’s original fall from popularity until its more recent revival at the hands of House Haillenarte’s manufactory.
Loyalist’s Bliaud: “The Loyalist’s Bilaud is a thick coat of indigo velveteen that was once awarded by the Pontifex to musketeers who performed exemplary deeds in service of the Holy See of Ishgard. The grossly oversized shoulder pads and billowing drapery about the hem make for a stunning silhouette, and the look was considered à la mode for many decades. The garment was far from practical for use on the battlefield, however, as the gaudy design proved an easy target for enemy archers.”
Now updated with lore from the new Encyclopedia Eorzea II! You can read more about Bards, the Gods Bow, Bard Songs, and equipment in the Read More below!
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