Written By Gianna
Sept. 7, 2018, 10:58 a.m.(7/19/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
I am so proud to wear my prizes. Thank you so much. I will be singing your praises for some time.
Written By Gianna
Sept. 6, 2018, 9:58 a.m.(7/17/1009 AR)
We are almost ready. The final push toward opening the Bard's College officially is happening. I am entreating those with an interest in music or the arts to contact me if they wish to help in any way.
When I first dreamt up the idea for the College, I had no idea it would come together so fast. I had no idea I'd find the perfect building, no idea word would spread so quickly and be received with such enthusiasm.
When I first came to Arx, I played in various taverns and pubs and relied on my voice to make enough money to get by. The very first day I was here, I was given a lovely instrument by Mistress Petal Penrose, no strings attached. When I had my first unbelievably generous payment for a single song, I invested the money in a silk dress and slippers so as to be able to play in more refined establishments.
I'm proud to be able to offer bards help by giving them instruments to start out and help purchasing new ones. I'm proud to be able to offer a stipend to help them learn their craft more comfortably. I'm proud to have made a place for people to go to learn music, to be guided in their craft, to be mentored, and made it easy for anyone of any class to access.
Life is a song. I invite you all to sing with me.
When I first dreamt up the idea for the College, I had no idea it would come together so fast. I had no idea I'd find the perfect building, no idea word would spread so quickly and be received with such enthusiasm.
When I first came to Arx, I played in various taverns and pubs and relied on my voice to make enough money to get by. The very first day I was here, I was given a lovely instrument by Mistress Petal Penrose, no strings attached. When I had my first unbelievably generous payment for a single song, I invested the money in a silk dress and slippers so as to be able to play in more refined establishments.
I'm proud to be able to offer bards help by giving them instruments to start out and help purchasing new ones. I'm proud to be able to offer a stipend to help them learn their craft more comfortably. I'm proud to have made a place for people to go to learn music, to be guided in their craft, to be mentored, and made it easy for anyone of any class to access.
Life is a song. I invite you all to sing with me.
Written By Gianna
Aug. 26, 2018, 10 a.m.(6/19/1009 AR)
Congratulations to both Radiant Saedrus and Radiant Lumen; long live the Whisper House.
Written By Gianna
Aug. 18, 2018, 12:44 p.m.(6/3/1009 AR)
I shall be singing an original song penned by Princess Sabella tonight at the Gala. Do be sure to linger long enough to hear it!
Written By Gianna
Aug. 11, 2018, 4:32 p.m.(5/17/1009 AR)
I have won myself a legendary medallion of the Gala from Prince Cerdic otherwise known as Grandmaster Caspian Wild, by singing a song.
Written By Gianna
Aug. 10, 2018, 8:40 a.m.(5/15/1009 AR)
The Masquerade was a teeming mass of fur, feathers, and colour. I was the only snake. I am, of course, the Nightingale again today.
There were some truly lovely prizes; it was almost enough to make me wish for a dance partner, though as I said at the time, my dress was really not made for dancing. I would have been crushed by the competition anyway.
Many of the costumes were beautiful and inspiring; I particularly liked one of the peacocks, and the fawn gown was very interesting. I am adding my serpent gown to my regular wardrobe. I've been dying to ever since I lucked into it.
There were some truly lovely prizes; it was almost enough to make me wish for a dance partner, though as I said at the time, my dress was really not made for dancing. I would have been crushed by the competition anyway.
Many of the costumes were beautiful and inspiring; I particularly liked one of the peacocks, and the fawn gown was very interesting. I am adding my serpent gown to my regular wardrobe. I've been dying to ever since I lucked into it.
Written By Gianna
Aug. 8, 2018, 11:55 a.m.(5/11/1009 AR)
I've had two lovely dawnstones in my possession for a few weeks now and I've yet to be inspired by a design. I've entreated others to devise one for me; my patron, Prince Niklas, has secured some iridescite for me to use. What can be made with dawnstone and iridescite, I wonder? I leave it up to Arx to show me and am welcoming proposals for designs.
Should someone's design be chosen, I shall sing their praises (perhaps literally), award them with five thousand silver, and proudly flaunt the jewelry.
Should someone's design be chosen, I shall sing their praises (perhaps literally), award them with five thousand silver, and proudly flaunt the jewelry.
Written By Gianna
July 29, 2018, 8:59 a.m.(4/14/1009 AR)
I attended my second ladies night and came away with some coffee liquor to add to the cabinet at the office of the Bard's College. I always like to win a game. I also always like excellent ginger cake. Thank you!
Written By Gianna
July 27, 2018, 8:03 a.m.(4/10/1009 AR)
I enjoyed hearing my fellow musicians play in the musician's tourney. I wasn't entirely certain how such a contest was going to work, but it did. Truly, there is so much talent in this city.
Written By Gianna
July 26, 2018, 8:38 a.m.(4/8/1009 AR)
I attended a lovely gathering at the Ashford Orangery, where I made several new acquaintances. The results of Lady Olivia's work are astounding; what a charming place to spend time. And useful, too! She is to be commended.
Softest Saedrus has a deft hand with illustration; the cards for the little game were excellently executed. Very pretty.
Softest Saedrus has a deft hand with illustration; the cards for the little game were excellently executed. Very pretty.
Written By Gianna
July 21, 2018, 10:50 a.m.(3/24/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Aurora
I am always pleased with your work, Mistress Thornburn.
Written By Gianna
July 21, 2018, 10:29 a.m.(3/24/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
Black goes with everything, too.
Written By Gianna
July 21, 2018, 9:11 a.m.(3/24/1009 AR)
On fashion:
Trends may come and go, but classic style is classic and by no means boring. I favour classic designs that can be worn to multiple occasions. The key to building a wardrobe is versatility. While I would love to wear a new gown every day, that simply isn't feasible. Accessories make the outfit: build a collection of basic but beautiful jewelry that you can swap around and you cannot go wrong. And be sure to have appropriate clothing for the location you're going. Like many Whispers, I am often in upscale surroundings, though as a bard, I can find myself in rowdy taverns, too. Do not wear your ballgown to sing drinking songs unless it would be amusingly subversive. When in the Redrain ward, for example, leathers and fur are quite a bit more fashionable than seasilk and aeterna. And feathers. I do love feathers.
My outfits for grander performances tend to be more unusual and not necessarily appropriate for day-to-day wear. These are my statement pieces, meant to stand out, but even then, I try to purchase garments I can wear more than once. They are part of the performance.
Regardless, clothing can be considered an investment. Strive for quality over quantity, versatility over fads. I will also admit to liking silk very much, as it is readily available, relatively easy to work with, and makes for some absolutely stunning garments. Even yellow ones.
Trends may come and go, but classic style is classic and by no means boring. I favour classic designs that can be worn to multiple occasions. The key to building a wardrobe is versatility. While I would love to wear a new gown every day, that simply isn't feasible. Accessories make the outfit: build a collection of basic but beautiful jewelry that you can swap around and you cannot go wrong. And be sure to have appropriate clothing for the location you're going. Like many Whispers, I am often in upscale surroundings, though as a bard, I can find myself in rowdy taverns, too. Do not wear your ballgown to sing drinking songs unless it would be amusingly subversive. When in the Redrain ward, for example, leathers and fur are quite a bit more fashionable than seasilk and aeterna. And feathers. I do love feathers.
My outfits for grander performances tend to be more unusual and not necessarily appropriate for day-to-day wear. These are my statement pieces, meant to stand out, but even then, I try to purchase garments I can wear more than once. They are part of the performance.
Regardless, clothing can be considered an investment. Strive for quality over quantity, versatility over fads. I will also admit to liking silk very much, as it is readily available, relatively easy to work with, and makes for some absolutely stunning garments. Even yellow ones.
Written By Gianna
July 21, 2018, 8 a.m.(3/24/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Jayden
The College has proven lucky once again. Lord Jayden Ravenseye essentially showed up on our doorstep with a beautiful viol and said he wished to work with the College. We have a dedicated instrument maker, one that seeks no stipend nor any proceeds from his work. He will also take an apprentice if he so desires.
To say this is fortuitous is quite the understatement.
The interest and support in the College is phenomenal, and it moves with such speed as to make me breathless. I thought it would be a much more difficult path. The city is eager to fill a curious void.
To say this is fortuitous is quite the understatement.
The interest and support in the College is phenomenal, and it moves with such speed as to make me breathless. I thought it would be a much more difficult path. The city is eager to fill a curious void.
Written By Gianna
July 14, 2018, 7:43 p.m.(3/11/1009 AR)
I very much enjoyed modeling at the Crafter's Gallery Grand Opening. I make no secret of the fact that I love silks and gowns and jewels and this was a wonderful opportunity to wear some gorgeous pieces.
Goodwoman Lyiana Averdeen is an excellent tailor who made a lovely aeterna and seasilk gown with matching slippers.
Goodwoman Josephine Arcuri made a star iron ring with epiphanite, duskstones, and diamonds. I fear I will never have the chance to wear something so beautiful (and expensive) again.
My cuff and earrings were inspired by Eurasi traditions and made by Guildmaster Joscelin Arterius, whose work I always love.
I managed not to weep when I returned it all for later sale.
Goodwoman Lyiana Averdeen is an excellent tailor who made a lovely aeterna and seasilk gown with matching slippers.
Goodwoman Josephine Arcuri made a star iron ring with epiphanite, duskstones, and diamonds. I fear I will never have the chance to wear something so beautiful (and expensive) again.
My cuff and earrings were inspired by Eurasi traditions and made by Guildmaster Joscelin Arterius, whose work I always love.
I managed not to weep when I returned it all for later sale.
Written By Gianna
July 11, 2018, 5:42 p.m.(3/5/1009 AR)
We have returned from the tour and I am pleased to report that it went very well; we were welcomed everywhere we went, and enjoyed warmth and applause from our audiences. Word is traveling far and wide, and I hope that come spring, the College will have more visitors from afar coming to join our ranks.
I am trying to learn how to play this beautiful citole. It is not unlike my gittern, though just different enough that it's a challenge.
I missed my warm bed at Whisper House and I'm grateful to be out of travelling clothes and back into silks.
I am trying to learn how to play this beautiful citole. It is not unlike my gittern, though just different enough that it's a challenge.
I missed my warm bed at Whisper House and I'm grateful to be out of travelling clothes and back into silks.
Written By Gianna
July 10, 2018, 8:49 a.m.(3/1/1009 AR)
The opening of The Playwrights was an incredible success. The Bard's College was happy to lend their hands to musical accompaniment.
If you couldn't see it on opening night, do attend another showing. It's quite funny, and the music is wonderful.
If you couldn't see it on opening night, do attend another showing. It's quite funny, and the music is wonderful.
Written By Gianna
July 8, 2018, 5:26 p.m.(2/26/1009 AR)
What does one require for a well-stocked liquor cabinet suitable for entertaining? The one in my new office is dreadfully bare.
Written By Gianna
July 8, 2018, 12:28 p.m.(2/26/1009 AR)
I've set up an office for myself in the College so as to be able to meet with people without having construction underfoot, or, of more concern, overhead. I have a very large desk perfect to spread my papers out on, larger than the desk I put in my chamber in Whisper House. I'll have to find a good liquor cabinet and likely a tea service so that I may entertain guests. Mostly, it's good to have a place to work inside the actual College; while the Whisper House is close, it's still a bit of a walk to bring work back and forth.
Written By Gianna
July 4, 2018, 8:02 p.m.(2/18/1009 AR)
A lovely evening. I spoke to several interesting people, found some useful reading material, and gave out two copies of the Nightingale's Guide to Music.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.