Birth of the Bardics

By: Madelyne Posted on: December 31, 2015

Way back in Achaea, in year Two Hundred One,

Lord Sarapis declared a contest to begun.

Adventurers came forth from Shallam and Ashtan

To submit their poems, just as fast as they can.

One noted librarian called Tancred Lasalle

Read the notice. "I will submit something," he vowed.

Setting aside a volume of his trilogy

He wrote up a ballad about Travian Shea.

A husband. A lover. A soldier. A monster.

He was second in command to Zarathustra.

As Tancred wrote the verses he left nothing out

Right up to the soldiers' final, triumphant shouts.

Then as Travian joined his beloved Anna

Tancred took a swill of some much needed manna.

He wrote "Final Resting for Travian Shea" and

Sent it by postal dove to Sarapis' own hand.

As Sarapis read the poems, one entry shined,

An epic poem with an epic battle outlined.

He turned to His boar and said, "Out of all I've read

I rather like these verses authored by Tancred."

Heartened by the number of mortal submissions,

He took to the news to praise all their ambitions.

"I know you all worked very long and really hard,"

He said, "but Tancred here has the soul of a bard."

And for his tale 'bout battle ending in fire

Tancred did receive the first artefact lyre.

RESOURCES: Public News #1188 and the Archives of Achaean Lore

AUTHOR'S NOTE: When I heard the theme competition, I immediately thought of the bardics themselves and the poem that started it all. Thank you for reading my submission.