Seeds:

1. The Sound & the Fury

Update: The Euphonic Light (tainted), The Winter Prince, The Prophet Toutant, The Servant of Adventure, The Avatar of the Void, All That Is Empathic, The Pride of Galdun, The True Bard, The Voice of Snow, The Dancer

2. The Balladeer: "It's an old story you all know. A balladeer travels the world, singing ballads, tales of history, legend, etc. And everywhere he goes, the stories he sings cause other adventures to happen. You see a figure, tall, swathed in traveling clothes, with a long Danuan [Spanish] guitar & a rifle, wandering, singing, creating adventures. He is... strange, not like any race seen on Shem before, but at the same time part of the fabric of the tales of Shem." - in game vision of Arsul's

Contest notes: Noted for never leaving his room during the lead up to the Contest.

Update: Has left the Contest.

3. The Prince of Thorns: "He's competition? Damn. He was a tricky bastard when we met him. This was right before we met Leonas. He's Gryfyn Cuniaid, the one we got the song from in Mwyr Aeld. We had to play the damnedest game of 'name that tune' with him. Every time we got one wrong, he stole something from us, & I don't mean money--he took things like your favorite meal, a memory, he even took Kansallas's sense of pride. We got them all back if we named a tune he couldn't name. I still can't eat alfredo sauce anymore." - Bartleby, on the Prince, if asked

Contest notes: Also noted for never leaving his room leading up to the Contest.

Update: Spearheading the conspiracy to kill you.

4. Ocean of Sound: "An international band, yeah. Battisto, you know a former noblewoman named Katerina Ryne? She was a duchess, I think, in the old regime. She was very loyal to the old Emperor, stayed with him during the war. She's now the fiddle player in Ocean. And Arsul, you might know Onjuk Irongrasp, that old mean bastard of a goblin? He drums for them. I also know I saw them in Merukis recruiting some reever-pipe player that I had my eye on, a kid named Eric Kipper. Other than that, I know they have a big ass troll, a halfling guitar player, & a sirine as a singer. Probably a few more." - Bartleby Appears on Ticket June 20

Contest notes:

• Duchess Katerina Ryne leads them (on violin). She carries a Gifted Violin. Her pet sunhawk is named Coriolus.
• Onjuk Irongrasp is their drummer, a greater goblin who apparently really joined the hate church. His pet dog is named Grot.
• Eric Kipper plays the sailor's pipes. Formerly a reever. He wears a cloak of cloth of mithril and wields a burning cutlass. His pet parrot is identical to Morgana, but her name is Marsha.
• Naltak is a slayer troll draped in morag-remains as armor. His pet boa constrictor is named Inott. Instrument unknown.
• Rella Lonecurl is a halfling guitar player. She carries a Gift, but what it is is unknown. Her "pet" is a great behemoth, small for its species.
• Harmonea and her floating pufferfish are singers, and she wears a dress made of cloth of sunsteel.
• Quaddoram is a shemir fluteplayer, composer, and song archivist. He is a bitter rival of Roshadam. His pet fox is named Trujo.
• Ultemetus is a lunarian (currently blue) who plays a strange hollow stick. He has crystal armor that he wears, and a giant lunar lizard quartered at the stables.
• Kingsley Allfenn is apparently a werewolf, though he has lightning arcing off of him. Said to be a Servitor of Force. His night wolf, Sturm, is huge for its kind. He plays trombone.
• Tracey Jamison is a 12 year old Dhunic girl who believes she is on a holy quest. Her Gifted Holy Mail backs this up. She has a warhorse in the stables, and she plays piano. She is intense, but kind.

Update: Tracey is a Scion of the Messiah, Swan branch, as is Carlos Conordices (Quail), one of the soldiers with them. Tracey's warhorse is dead.

5. Conell Colzayre: Former nobleman, named traitor in light of recent evidence. Agent of Civitello Fennvell. Competent swordsman, talented musician & composer, & clever schemer. True resources unknown. "He taught me guitar and bodhran. As long as I knew him growing up he was a loving, caring man, as husband and father. Not even his wife suspected it was a facade. To hide his true nature for who knows how long...he's dangerous, Civitello and his allies aside." - Avery, if asked

Contest notees: Last to arrive. His arrival was overshadowed by Leonas's death.

6. Roshadam the Shemir: Known to possess copies of songs dating back for millenia, since, perhaps, the start of Second Shem if not more. Almost every band in the contest got their Madzene song from him. Musical skill unknown. Appears on Ticket June 10

Contest notes: Patroned by Venuvea. He's ornery and keeps to himself.

Update: Betrayed Venuvea to Gryfyn. Tried to unmake your songs. Dead. The Woven Song.

7. Domy Toutant: Incredible fiddler, known vagabond. Brother to Arsul. Clairvoyant. Was present at his mother's death, & met his father before he went.

Contest notes: Has a long trail of animals accompanying him. His Robes are Gifted. He's devoted to the Animal God, and he defeated a Walker of the Path of Pestilence to get disease immunity.

8. Fane Crow: A nightingale, not a crowe, but evil all the same. One of the Crow family. Able to turn into a murder of 13 crows. Leonas is or was in love with her & cursed by the Devil to die if she loves him back. Appears on Ticket April 14

Contest notes: Fell in love with Leonas, and has lost all her personal ambitions. She now completely serves the Spider, and hates the Devil.

Update: Warned you of the Conspiracy.

9. Monir the Unseelie: No information. Appears on Ticket February 3

Contest notes: Hates Avery. He appears to be a tall, lanky figure with pale white skin, pointed ears, insect eyes, and fangs, but otherwise human. He sneers at Avery, especially, and dislikes a strange fellow named Dreamer Cray. He has a daemonsteed with him.

Update: Dead. The Lower Court Musician

10. Qualla the Fool: Former Maraddonian court jester, now a contestant. Full of mockery and spite. "She's pestilence faithful, I know that. She kept dogging me for a while. I think she was trying to join me, but I just ignored her til she went away." - Bartleby Appears on Ticket February 12

Contest notes: Took to insulting her first round opponent to no apparent avail for the duration. She has rats following her.

Update: Warned you of the Conspiracy.

11. Darion Bumblebee: Jack's distant cousin, his contempt for others made him many enemies.

Contest notes: Everyone who saw him believed him to be contemptuous, but upon the first day of the tournament, a subtle change indicates he may be a new man. His demeanor is much, much more gentle now. He does carry a white hammer now.

12. Servant of the Never: Once you met him in Tamarnthek and he aided you in a brawl. Now, he is, of course, utterly opposed to Sue and would love to destroy him. Appears on the Ticket June 1

Contest notes: Goxix is afraid of him.

Update: Dead.

13. Gom Daniver: "The old man is quite a player, but I don't recall seeing his lips move. It's like he doesn't speak." - Dionysus 'appears on Ticket February 11

Contest notes: The quiet old man who was a gate-watcher, Gom still hasn't said much. He has some sort of Gifted garment that he keeps hidden.

14. Inner Soul Orchestra: "Aurelia, you've heard of them--they were the Elven National Orchestra back in the day, before elves got rights in Akazad. Freedom fighters, all of them. And there's about forty of them in there. A full blown orchestra." - Bartleby

Contest notes: There are 40 of them, and the high elven judge arrived with them. They are all life faithful, and regularly attended services in the life temple.

15. Dreamer Cray: No information. Appears on the Ticket June 2

Contest notes: He dresses with huge, fake butterfly wings and carries a sparkly wand.

Update: Dead & revived.

16. Goxix Muoxio: Sue would recognize this as an athak name.

Contest notes: Sue lent her his Mark II Antivox. She is a stunningly beautiful greater athak woman (to athaks), and she has the Sword of Nullifying. She is devoted to the Void-Father.

17. Asad Windkin and his crew: Windkin throat singers that the party met in Myrmexia. Asad entered into a rash deal for performance space with Jack and regretted it. He's very stern and proud. Appears on Ticket...

Contest notes: Friendlier now.

18. Shatter: No information. Appears on Ticket April 11

Contest notes: Mountain giant destruction priest. He's friendly. His trumpet, Wallbreaker, is legendary for having taken down the walls of the Amorite city of Jericho.

19. Mark Goodrick: Paladin of Light once detailed to protect Jack. He hates Jack.

Contest notes: Travels with Jack's old manager Rysham and a squire.

Update: Dead. Mad. Traitor. The False Light

20. The Starlings: "I heard about them. Big in Kren'atan and Myrmexia a few months back. I think they were on one of the ships in the Merukisi war. Supposed to be really good, but they have a weird set of instruments." - Bartleby Appears on the Ticket May 13

Contest notes:

• Fitzgerald "Fitz" Romaine is their psionist leader, a hammered dulcimer player, and noted dedicate of balance.
• Irrosus Nijsk is a badgerman said to be a skilled hunter. He plays bugle. The rough fur of his leathers is that of a golden hind. Two hunting dogs always accompany him.
• Laerell Phaedara is a high elven singer and healer. She has the Gifted Bottle of Antidote, which she generously shares with all contestants. She has been seen wearing golden elven armor (like Paul had, but she wears it better).
• Ovanembra, who plays bullroarer, is said to feel and smell of whispers. He watched the gates.

21. Pomilla the Green Piper: "Green pipers are for plants, right? The Berellian plant bards." - Bartleby. She got a song from Sue. Quite resourceful in gathering songs. Appears on the Ticket...

Contest notes: She gave Little Wing haoma seeds to make him grow up.

22. Eliza Hawk: According to Artur Arkara, she turned a servant of despair in his inn and played better than any musician they'd ever had. "A funny stick with a string and a gourd is what she played, but it sounded amazing. And her voice was like crystal. I have to admit, I was skeptical at first, what with her big cat with her and her gold armor, but when I heard her play..." - Artur Appears on Ticket May 24

Contest notes: Her sense of honor is strong, and clashed a bit with Arlie's freewheeling ways, but they didn't hate each other. There was respect there. Her armor and sword are sunsteel, and she has a pet lioness. She plays the berimbau.

23. Uriah Trumble: Cultist of the Mouth who spoke to Arsul about fate and chaos. He had some information on some of the bands. Could see chaos. Appears on the Ticket...

Contest notes: Remains on good terms with Arsul. Has bats and the Gifted Bolos of Entropy.

24. Gorya the War Singer: "Oh, I met her during the raid on Merukis. Kren'atanic. Hard, & very powerful. Spellsinger." - Leonas

Contest notes: Was a very dangerous opponent in the training grounds. She rides a bull.

Update: Dead.

25. Indigis: Empathic emotion mage. Crazy. Appears on Ticket March 8

Contest notes: Absolutely nuts. His room was Escherian. Big on his kettle of fish. Has a pet chimp.

Update: Dead. The Nexus Mage

26. Gratacanrastas: "That's a draconic name." - Leia Appears on the Ticket...

27. Orogrim: "Known raider on the coasts. Ogre. One of the Slaver King's best captains, we think." - Damon Appears on the Ticket...

Contest notes: He has six slaves that count as his 'instrument,' and there was some trouble over some people trying to free them. He's an evil bastard. He rides a kting voar.

Update: Dead. The Servant of Slavery

28. Argast Taern: "Oh, the bone drummers from Tamarn--Mwyr Aeld now, I guess. They're amazing. The rhythms they create are so complex, so loud, so powerful. I was drunk and insulting them when I lost my arm." - Magnum Appears on the Ticket...

Contest notes: Four of them, each of them huge, bulking warriors.

29. The Free: "They were involved in the Merukis raid, too. They're about fifteen sea elves who split off from the slaves in Dalurine to involve themselves in the Contest. They helped sink ships." - Leia

Contest notes: A large band, but also a focused one. They keep to themselves.

30. Pernille the Red Piper: "I don't know her, but the pipers of Berellia have different colors for different powers. Red is fire." - Bartleby Appears on Ticket February 7

Contest notes: She has a Gifted Gem somewhere on her. Her robes are made of opaque heat. Her pet firedrake is named Vzar.

31. Ayanna the Fierce: "Tonne is her last name. She's a dragon monk or something. 'Fierce' is the right word for her." - Leia Appears on the Ticket...

Contest notes: Her body is covered in runes.

32. The Crystal Shapers: "Lovely ladies, all of them. Very beautiful band, in more way--I mean, uhh. They're all right, you know. It's always good to see women succeed in the face of such heavy patriarchal values like those the dwarves impose." - Bartleby Appears on the Ticket...

Contest notes: A muse in a feather dress and a heron as a pet, a nightingale with armor made of sound and a thrush as a pet, a nymph with plate mail made of magical sapphires and a cockrobin as a pet, an oceam with a pet gull and platemail made of waves, & a petaline with a hummingbird as a pet.

33. The Maraddonian Drum Corps: "They're well trained soldiers, but much better at drumming. War drums. We train them in psychological warfare, using their music and discipline to intimidate. The noise was particularly effective against the Atanaxans. They are all also chosen for their size and race--we hand picked them to be terrifying." - Damon Appears on the Ticket...

Contest notes: A huge number of large women with military precision and discipline. Their leader says, "We are trouble on the grounds."

34. Roberto del Trilla: Arrogant, controlling Maraddonian noble and drummer. Skilled, but stuffy. Appears on the Ticket...

Contest notes: He wears the Gifted Swordskin and remains an arrogant asshole.

Update: Dead. The Swordskinned Traitor

35. Unity: Old drummer friend of Jack's. Nightingale woman, very gentle drummer, but very skilled. Also quite a singer. Appears on Ticket April 9

Contest notes: She practices all the time, in her room, desperate to beat Fane Crow in the first round. She has redsteel armor.

36. Wivena: "I am a rich merchant woman of Mesoine & a sirine. My voice is pristine. My financial... empire is vast. 36th? An insult." - herself

Contest notes: Arrived wearing shell armor.

Update: Dead & revived.

37. Wild Wanderers: "I never heard them play, but that one big lizard fella in their group has some of the most intense eyes I've ever seen. It doesn't help that he's what? 12 feet tall? And the others are just as intense." - Bartleby Appears on the Ticket May 26

Contest notes:

• Andros the Liar, an ulus-tythe, who wears bell-covered armor. He plays the sralai, and has a winged cat as a pet whose name changes with each telling.
• Delkir the mountain dwarf, who has goblin-leather armor and plays cornet.
• Gaurud the Guardian, a triceratops saurian, who has the Gifted Guisarme of Rending. He sings with a booming voice.
• Jallu, a wemic and oud player, who has goldweave robes and a staff capped in a lion's mane. His pet python is named Al-Harmad.
• Mirot, a Merukisi islander, he plays steel drums and has mail made of seashells. His pet monkey is named Danno. He keeps a raft in the stables.

Update: Dead. The Liar, The Stoneshaker, The Guardian, The Sun Priest, The Poisoner

38. Qaddira: No information available. Appears on Ticket March 15

Contest notes: A dolphin in a bubble of water. Noted as an iconoclast.

39. Ushpishtim Gamini: Gaja's brother. Appears on Ticket May 20

Contest notes: He has a phonograph and recording equipment and a collection of autographs. He has a platypus he does experiments on.

Update: Dead. The Musical Inventor

40. Hirana, Walker of the Path of Time: No information in specific, but given your IC knowledge of Walkers...

Contest notes: A typical Walker of the Path. She is an excellent drummer.

41. Joya Canary: "Canary was the hope line of the Messiah's Scions, right, Crane?" - Bartleby Appears on Ticket March 4

Contest notes: Her robes are woven of chysanthemums, and she plays bassoon. She is very friendly, and she has a pet feng huang.

42. Ramon Jericho: "He hit on me, the dirty little rat! He's a lyre player, but I don't know much more." - Leia. Helped Arsul kill the last succubus. He Appears on the Ticket...

Contest notes: His pet mongoose is named Aloysius.

43. The Coral City Rounders: The imperial court band of Belthine. The Colour helped them get free to compete, but they were extremely competitive. Appears on the Ticket...

Contest notes: They remain competitive.

Update: Dead.

44. Sather: A title. Individual holding it is unknown. Appears on the Ticket...

Contest notes: He is a weaselman obsessed with being hidden.

45. Glimmena: "A star elven name." - Tomerane "Means 'star-aura'," - Bartleby. Got a song from Sue. Worships the Starfather. Skilled bowwoman. Appears on the Ticket...

Contest notes: She has a flock of crystal butterflies.

46. Jemora the Gambler: "She's... addicted to gambling. Ever dealt with a real junkie? The sort that will do anything for a fix?" - Bartleby

Contest notes: Gives odds on the Contest.

47. Rumarty Krellgar: "He's a gross roxad. I mean, really gross." - Bartleby Appears on the Ticket...

Contest notes: He wears bonemail and is covered in slime.

Update: Dead. The Servant of Filth

48. Dophanon Pard: Leopardman drummer and priest of music, he is an old friend of Arsul's. Appears on the Ticket May 28

Contest notes: Three leopards join him.

49. Martha Mellaus: Known as Hyun Boxmaker's favored musician & lover. And yes, rumor has it Hyun is gay. Something fishy, no? Appears on the Ticket May 20

Contest notes: Aurelia knows she is a he. Aurelia has offered to turn her into a woman via painting, but Martha has delayed that until the results of the Contest are in as regards her. She is in love with Hyun. She has fancy armor.

Update: Changed.

50. Half-Nose Skutt: "Big, scary ogre who once crushed me in Tamarnthek. I mean, literally, with a club. It was bigger than I was." - Leonas Appears on the Ticket...

Contest notes: His club is huge, and he wears bonemail. He plays tuba.

51. Vol Telloan: "All I know is he's a drummer & a good one." - Leia

Contest notes: Son of one of the Untouchables. His horse is impressive and magical.

Update: Dead & revived.

52. Till the Beat Keeper: "A beat keeper is a title for a Jorgendish raider who drums the beat of the rowers." - Bartleby

Contest notes: Jorgendish raider and beat keeper, Till is a quiet, strange man. He keeps to himself.

Update: Dead. The Jorgend Warrior

53. Waudan Brunnharan: The dwarf who tried to smash Arsul's cello during a show in the Desert of the Winds. Last you saw, he was being arrested.

Contest notes: Still an asshole.

Update: Dead. The Saboteur

54. Deepa Ramanarah: "A Vimalan chanter, with one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. He's... strange, but sweet." - Bartleby Appears on the Ticket...

Contest notes: He is reputed to be a castrati, and he wears clothes of pure light.

55. The Hurricanes: "Oh, they're the band of footpads, right? Aptly named." - Dionysus Appears on Ticket April 9

Contest notes: They never, ever stop.

56. Henry the Guileless: "He can play the oboe better than anyone save Aurelia here, but... I once saw him stare at a staircase for five minutes, trying to figure out how to climb it." - Bartleby Appears on Ticket March 20

Contest notes: Drool drool drool.

As yet unseeded:

The Blue Rovers, a band of fun loving goofballs

Qualla the Fool, a rude jester

Qaddin the Splashsinger, a lonely dolphin child

The Coral City Ramblers, court musicians of the Belthine Empire

Whitney Bumfuzzle, gnomsih friend of Gaja's who had a submarine

The Maraddonian Imperial Army Drum Corps, deserters from the army

The Wild Wanderers, Kren'atanic troubadours

Ayanna the Fierce, Kren'atanic singer

Pomilla the Green Piper, Berellian piper

Mark Goodrick, paladin & musician

Uriah Trumble, Kren'atanic clarinetist

Half-Nose Skutt, Ogre tuba player

The Starlings, Myrmexian minstrels

Asad Windkin, leader of a trio of throat singers

---

Pages: Characters . Logs . Setting . The Artistocrats . We Are The Band . List of Known Contestants . The Golden Ticket . Compositions . The Cards . List of Help & Danger

Characters: Arlie Battisto . Avery Colzayre . Jack Crane . Aurelia Lucent . Subiquim Ixioj . Arsul Toutant . Dionysus Berrywight . James "Magnum" Peltier . Bartleby the Rogue . Tomerane the Snowsinger . Leia Bantae . Leonas Willow . Hunny . Manny . Little Wing . Kashaji . Odellino . Muxiat Solgheraq . Klaus Uwengelter . Lucilla Toutant . Greipur . Jack the Diamond . Rumbleford . Rubella Crane . Stalker Toutant . Domy Toutant . Shatter . Samuel Jericho . Rex Cuniaid . Dayrum . Damon Argent . Merian Dremholz Battisto . Conell Colzayre . Valara Lucent . Kansallus the Rogue . Gaja Gamini . Ushpishtim Gamini . Darion Bumblebee . Todzeney Gemmerit . Uvex . Berko . Bentley Pharnum . Thelser . Robin Goodfellow . The Merry Men . Beauregard . The Balladeer . Katerina Ryne . Kinglsey Allfenn . Tracey Jamison . Roshadam . Fane Crow . Monir the Unseelie . Qualla the Fool . Servant of the Never . Asad Windkin . Fitz Romaine . Eliza Hawk . Uriah Trumble . Wivena . Martha Mellaus . Henry the Guileless . Ulysses Bloom . Roan Asher . Deepa Ramanarah . Civitello the Great . Mark Goodrich . Ismuth . Borreliosis . Idjallora . Seela Wile . Necrocurcuriba . Shezeri's Son . Queen of the Black Goats . Gryfyn Cuniaid . The Crippler . Giobog . Avery Jericho . Deltriquim Ixioj . Christopher Laird . Hornet Rust . Caella Markanan . Nadia Hyatt . On'Jandu . Genfyllid Cuniaid . Corwin Jericho . Blake Guidry . The Norns . Flick Tinpot . Albert Renkarr . Marilyna Maraddon . Onitan . Shona . Minerva . Bast . The Nilos . KratsatsMeky . Boelvasmithr . ShijieDeMailuo . NagyVadaszno . NeizaiFangshi . Eris . ZirehliZeng . VahKadumavenRashaven . TananIlay . Gorgeron . HiliKar . MiteraTonAlogon . Jodis . Drifa . Valdis . Salmei . Ilse . Jana . Grag Headsplitter . Chiyo Date . Inteus . Hanisim . Marcus Johansen . Nicholas Kringle . Hrodwulf Grom . Germaine Butterfelter . Makeko . Guiteau Toutant . Ten Thieves of Renown