ShanshanStormwind

BEIRDD:    Forsake the swelling millstone of desire!           Twas better for Her not to love at all.           Presuming in His frost bit trinket shire,           Thy Bard enslaved Her in His wint'ry thrall.           For who could not conceive this toothsome town,           Fair Caer Witrin spun from Scarlatti's hand,           Must for Selene a cunning trap lay down,           A siren song Her Love could not withstand.           Bring forth Your archers and Your perfumed fur,           Your artisans and poisoned beauteous buds!           This dusted mountain paradise, for Her           A certain death, as sure as fir

"Speak always with truth, justice, and mercy" The powerful voice of our High Priest. Seldom clothed in Basilican shadows, Waxen pale, he faces east. Beneath its soaring spires and angels, Creation's marble Seraph stands Beside the Zaphar river wild, A gleaming mace proud in his hands. Falling on his gold-veined cheek, A single braid, carved unique. His eyes with grace and wisdom speak, "Noble Vizier, your Virtue keep." Patriarch of Angels serene, Two score years, he served the Guild. How could this marble, fair figurine Begin to hold his wisdom distilled. Sultan gracious, Shallam united, Crown of Ithmia's ally became. Je

Shanshan dips into a brief curtsey, and raps on the edge of her harp twice with her knuckles. Skipping into the Basilica from the Chamber of Celestial Harmony, the Basilican Children's Choir bursts into a frenzy of cheers and excited shouts. The more energetic of the bunch cartwheel and back-flip amongst each other, slapping their palms together with grins as they form into three rows, wrapped in voluminous golden choir robes. Each robe of shot silk shimmers gold when the bias of the fabric is caught by the light, the cheerfully scintillating beads decorating the gowns scattering shards of light in a riotous explosion of colour as the garm

You say loudly with a mild Aeraithian accent, "Children, time to pratice!" You say with a mild Aeraithian accent, "Form up, we'll do it just as though we had an audience with us." Waving her arms about, Shan Shan directs the children to form up for the dress rehearsal. You whisper with a mild Aeraithian accent, "Ready? Good!" Moving out of the Chamber of Harmony quietly, the children begin to assemble behind Shan Shan, the occasional glint of metal visible from their hands. You say clearly with a mild Aeraithian accent, "Thank you all for taking a moment to join me, for what has been my first piece in some time." Shanshan slightly nervo

This roulette wheel, that pack of cards. Whoever knew life would turn out this hard And for a barkeep or a bard, Another patron smiles. Yet for the girl who's standing here With pristine shirt and shining hair, There's none who would a moment care To friend her for a while. Though while my nametag bears a name, The words you call are not the same, A truffle eater, shady dame, I've listened to them all. You take your chance, you roll my dice, To say I cheat, you don't think twice, Yes, all the while, you think you're "nice", Just watch your city fall. Then in the rubble, smouldering still, You'll catch your breath, you'll star

Shanshan turns to the western windows of the Basilica, gazing at them a moment, before clapping her hands together, the sharp noise reverberating and bouncing off the walls, echoing for a few moments after. Swinging with a slight creak, the door to the Chamber of Celestial Harmony opens outwards, and a small child's face peers cautiously around the corner, his amber eyes wide as can be. Shanshan discretely beckons to the child, her fingers curling back towards herself, then raises her hands, coughs, and claps twice, a little louder this time. Faint excited whispers drift out from the Chamber of Celestial Harmony, then hus

 Behind my veil of snow blossoms fair, Beneath the pale rune'd bough, Under Her blessing, we spoke our vows, As solemn as young love knows how. The ash tree smiled as it saw my tears How they kissed my eyelashes fleeting, And as you took my trembling hand, You knew how my heart must be beating. Steady you stood, I knew that you would, For my strength, you long now have been, My heart and my pride; and I, your bride, Promised to you for years unforeseen. Family and friends and fellows and foe, They gathered in peace, held their quarrel, For such is love's power among mortal men; Love's touch leaves the shadows aur

Three journeys all entwining Three lives of lonely wand'rers Southern Vashnars, there always calling Lonesome travellers from the west Oh, silently they rode up Through the silvery mountain rivers Southern Vashnars, the snowflakes falling Falling on them in their rest Three mothers dabbed at teardrops Three felt grief's caress so gentle Southern Vashnars, an end apalling For those who understand best Oh, the siren song of unknown Wicked lure of travelling free Southern Vashnars, my luck so galling, I survived your cold behest.

Crossing o'er the continent, towards the dawning morn, One journey brought an innocent her unexpected kin. With glassy eyes and smirking smile this child exists folorn, Fragility concealing inner strength and inner sin. Decaying from her limbs, her clothes misleading at the first, She stared at me unblinkingly, an enigmatic gaze. I drew her in my arms at once, unknowingly coerced, Then recognised her tilted chin, her lonely calm malaise. I thought she was a marionette, a baby to be loved, You thought it of me too just months ago, a hard truth plain, But as a canvas for a whip, our nature is ungloved, We drain an oil of crimson red,

  Along the length of Shallam Road  Divine and mortal stood.  Tis none but Us that may proclaim  The reckoning of Good.  What is Our Will guides best this Jewel  Shallam, this is your truth,  To serve Creation faithful yet,  Bring not dissent uncouth.  The children of the Te'Serra,  All serve Good with hearts clear,  We know our Mothers, Father all  Each quiet entreaty hear.  Claim, you might, to not betray  Your evanescent vow;  Kneel in the dust of Shallam Road,  Or if not, leave us now.