Hail bards:
[OOC: This is the last time I will clarify questions on the EQBards forum.
If you have individual issues with The Soerbaird, please mail me
(
rvarnell@...) and I will answer your questions on that basis. I
do not wish to monopolize the general discussion of bardic issues with talk
of our guild. We have forums on our guild site where we can do that! I
apologize for the long thread of discussion here, but I will not let our
guild be disparaged without an answer.]
You are all expressing excellent questions and concerns. Let me see if I
can address them. Before I answer the questions, though, let me preface by
saying that The Soerbaird isn't a guild for everyone. There are many, many
guilds in Norrath that accept any applicant from any class, race, or
belief. If you're seeking to be in a guild just for the sake of being in a
guild, don't apply to The Soerbaird.
We are a working guild of bards. Soerbaird are expected to compose and
record, performing true bardic duties of writing ballads and recording
history. We are not banded together to help you achieve your 20th rank, nor
are we here to fit you with armor and magical items. We do help each other,
and reward excellent performance, but our goal is NOT to suit each of our
members in plate mail.
That said, let me address some of your concerns:
ON SERVERS...
Our primary presence is on Fennin Ro, but we do have bards on other
servers. The reason our charter is not specific about servers is we are
still trying to understand the best way to proceed. I would like at least
one bard on each server who could attend and record events that occur
there. Ideally, I would like a full branch on each server, but that will
take some time. One problem we face with other servers, though, is that we
cannot provide any member benefits there.
ON TUITION and STARTING LATER...
Each Soerbaird is expected to pay the tuition, regardless of the age you
start. And no, if you missed the benefits for the younger students, we will
not reduce your tuition. We will, however, try and find some meaningful way
to celebrate your entrance into the organization, but it will be on a case
by case basis, and will be based on your merit as a bard, judged by your
work and character.
ON THE ACADEMY...
Please note that acceptance into the Soerbaird Academy is not acceptance
into the guild. We have nine requirements that all students must meet in
order to be given full status in the Soerbaird. While acceptance into the
student body is rather easy, it takes time to earn the title of Soerbaird.
If you show during your time as a student that you do not have the
character or bearing we seek, then you will be respectfully removed from
the Academy, and your tuition will be reimbursed.
ON AGNOSTICISM...
Unfortunately, agnosticism is a very poor term for what the Soerbaird
believe. We are pantheistic, rather, seeking to respect no god above any
other. Our intent is to stay as neutral as possible in the politics of the
land, so we may act well in our capacity as historians and mediators. With
devotion to a single god comes the expectation that you have to serve that
god's needs above any other. While we respect you for that belief, it does
not embody what a Soerbaird.
That said, many in their youth pledge quickly to a deity, not understanding
full well what that costs them. Understanding that, I will not exclude any
who made such a pledge IF they will take an oath upon entering the
Soerbaird that they will respect all gods in their work as a bard,
reporting and recording truthfully and without bias what they see. However,
bards pledged as such cannot be a part of our Brehon Filidh, who will be
expected to be absolutely politically neutral.
ON PATRONS...
Many young bards have a benefactor, or 'investor' if you will, who seeks to
further their talent by providing the funds to enter our Academy. So, one
way to alleviate the hefty tuition, is to find a wealthy friend who would
sponsor you to the Academy. We feel this creates a unique and meaningful
relationship, and also encourages students to graduate more rapidly because
a third party has a vested interest in their success. Also, sometimes,
another guild might wish to sponsor a bard to our academy, with that bard
eventually becoming a Soerbaird Affiliate--still a member of the sponsoring
guild, but able to share and contribute to our collective work. The patron
is not a requirement, and I see now how that can be a bit confusing from
our application page. I'll clarify that a bit more there.
Again, thank you all for your questions and discussion. If you have further
questions, find me on Fennin Ro, or visit our Annals and leave a message on
our forum there.
Listen and Live!
-----------------------------------------------------
Jythri, Pencerdd of The Soerbaird
http://www.soerbaird.com