Where Talent Meets Legacy
“Come in, come in!” The towering gates of Cadencetree Keep swing open, revealing the grand heart of House Wh-Hhae-Urthedth – The Bards Guild, a place where talent meets destiny. This is Bards U, the epicenter of bardic education and a sanctuary for those who seek to weave the melodies of Ertha into their lives. Sponsored by House Wh-Hhae-Urthedth, Bards U isn’t just a university—it’s a gateway to purpose, a proving ground where potential is refined into brilliance, and a place where future guild members are shaped.
From the moment the doors of Cadencetree Keep beckon us inside, the air hums with a lesson in humility. Each door here is a test, not of strength or skill, but of spirit. The smallest doors open to those who focus sharply and strive to perfect every detail. The grand, arching doors open wide for the dreamers and boundary-pushers, whose minds are untethered by tradition. The symbolism is profound: being a bard is as much about balance as it is about artistry.
The Influence
Bards U offers more than an education—it promises entry into the prestigious House Wh-Hhae-Urthedth – The Bards Guild upon graduation. Guild membership grants unparalleled resources, connections, and prestige across Ertha. While outsiders might know the institution as the Bards Guild, those who walk within the circles of the great houses understand the importance of addressing it by its true name, House Wh-Hhae-Urthedth. Proper address marks one as a member of the inner world, while those who fumble with titles betray their outsider status.
Many Paths
Bards U isn’t just a school for performers. It is a crucible where myriad paths intersect. Bardic warriors train here, melding rhythm with swordplay. Bardic spies hone their abilities to blend into the shadows, using sound and subtlety to manipulate the course of events. Even bardic assassins train to transform melodies into tools of deadly precision.
The diversity of applications for bardic talent ensures that every student finds their place in the world, be it in performance halls, battlefields, or royal courts. Representatives from other houses and guilds, such as House Sdrathozth – The Mages Guild, frequently observe students, identifying those whose control over sound hints at latent magical talents. This dynamic makes Bards U not just a school, but a crossroads where future paths are revealed.
The First Step
Cadencetree Keep is more than a building—it is a living embodiment of bardic tradition. Its grand library holds ancient tomes and manuscripts chronicling the music, tales, and legacies of Ertha. Rehearsal halls echo with the efforts of students striving to find their voice. Every corner is designed to challenge and inspire.
The first day here is humbling and exhilarating in equal measure. Walking through the Keep’s hallowed halls, there’s an undeniable weight of legacy and expectation. Each classroom and chamber is steeped in history, yet alive with the present, as students fill them with song, stories, and determination.
Living at Harmonic House
At Harmonic House, students find a home that reflects their journey. Each room is enchanted, reshaping itself to mirror its occupant’s essence. As students grow and evolve, so too do their rooms, offering a tangible reminder of the journey they are on.
But Harmonic House is more than private quarters. It’s a community where students collaborate, challenge each other, and form bonds that last a lifetime. Late-night rehearsals and impromptu performances fill the air, weaving a symphony of camaraderie.
Melody Hall
If Cadencetree Keep is the heart of Bards U, then Melody Hall is its soul. Here, sound takes center stage. Rehearsal spaces, arranged in concentric circles around a central courtyard, are each uniquely enchanted to enhance and contain sound. It’s a place where creativity flows freely, and the potential of sound is explored in ways that defy imagination.
The hall also serves as a proving ground, where students showcase their skills and innovations, often catching the attention of guild representatives. Whether practicing ancient ballads or crafting new harmonies, Melody Hall is a space where talent truly shines.
Graduation
Graduating from Bards U is not the end—it’s the beginning of a lifetime within House Wh-Hhae-Urthedth. Guild membership is more than a privilege; it is a responsibility. Members are expected to uphold the house’s values and contribute to its legacy, using their talents to shape the world around them.
Graduation is marked by a ceremonial passage through the doors of Cadencetree Keep. This time, the doors are chosen not by the student’s initial abilities but by their growth and achievements. The symbolism of this moment lingers in the minds of all who pass through, a reminder of the journey they’ve undertaken.
The Reach
House Wh-Hhae-Urthedth stands as a testament to the versatility of the bardic arts. Its members are found in every corner of Ertha, influencing the world in countless ways. Whether crafting a song that unites warring factions, gathering intelligence in shadowed corners, or inspiring armies on the battlefield, the bards of this house leave an indelible mark.
A New Chapter
As the sun sets on our first day at Bards U, we stand beneath the stars visible from Chord Keep’s observatory, contemplating the journey ahead. The path of a bard is not easy, but it is deeply rewarding. We are reminded that this is more than an education—it is an invitation to shape the story of Ertha itself.
GM Tips
Bards U, with its rich history, dynamic culture, and connections across Ertha, is a versatile setting for any tabletop RPG or Dicesongs-style game. As a Game Master, you can use this environment to deepen character backstories, create engaging story arcs, and expand the worldbuilding of your campaign.
A Starting Point
Bards U is a perfect starting location for bardic characters. Players can begin their journey as freshmen entering Cadencetree Keep, navigating the symbolic doors that represent their personal strengths and challenges. This opens opportunities for roleplaying their characters’ first steps into the world of bards, discovering their unique paths, and building connections with NPCs.
The grand library of Cadencetree Keep may serve as the centerpiece of early adventures, with ancient tomes providing the spark for quests. Symbolic details, such as the doors themselves, can shape how the players view their characters and the challenges they face. Cadencetree Keep is also an ideal setting for introducing mentors, rivals, or mysterious figures who will impact the players’ journeys.
Connections and Influence
Graduation from Bards U grants characters membership in House Wh-Hhae-Urthedth – The Bards Guild, connecting them to a prestigious and influential house. Guild membership provides players with a platform to interact with NPCs of great power and gain access to unique resources, from rare bardic relics to opportunities for inter-guild diplomacy.
Players who excel at Bards U may catch the eye of representatives from other guilds. House Sdrathozth – The Mages Guild, for example, may notice characters whose control of melody hints at arcane talent. Other guilds could see a player’s skills in negotiation, stealth, or combat as signs of potential for paths far removed from traditional bardic roles.
Allies, Rivals, or Mentors
Bards U is a vibrant setting filled with potential allies, rivals, and mentors. NPCs can serve as the foundation for complex storylines, offering guidance, challenges, or camaraderie. Each instructor, guild representative, or fellow student has a role to play, whether it’s pushing the players toward their goals or standing in their way.
The competitive nature of Bards U allows for dynamic relationships. Rivals might compete for prestigious performances in Melody Hall, while mentors might assign tasks that force players to prove their worth. These relationships can evolve, with former rivals becoming allies—or enemies—later in the campaign.
Adventures at…
Cadencetree Keep and Melody Hall are ripe for creative encounters and skill challenges. The Keep’s sprawling library is perfect for puzzles or mysteries, such as unlocking an ancient enchantment or uncovering forgotten lore. Melody Hall’s acoustically perfect rehearsal spaces can be the setting for unique roleplaying moments where players must perform or collaborate to solve problems.
These iconic locations allow players to explore their characters’ strengths while emphasizing the collaborative nature of bardic life. The enchantments in each space offer opportunities for imaginative gameplay, where sound and story are as vital as strength and skill.
Flashbacks and Nostalgia
For campaigns involving experienced bards, Bards U is an excellent source of flashbacks or reflective moments. Characters might recall their days as students, reminiscing about old rivalries, formative experiences, or the lessons they learned within the Keep.
These moments of nostalgia can enhance roleplay by grounding players in the history of their characters. Recollections of struggling with symbolic doors or formative performances can give depth to a bard’s motivations and actions. NPCs from the characters’ past, such as former instructors or classmates, can resurface to create new plotlines or rekindle old tensions.
Doors of Cadencetree Keep
The symbolic doors of Cadencetree Keep are a recurring motif that can reflect the growth of a character over time. For new students, the doors represent their initial abilities and focus. For alumni, the doors might reveal how far they’ve come—or how much they’ve strayed from their potential.
The doors also provide opportunities for roleplaying and storytelling. As players revisit the Keep later in their journey, their experiences with the doors can serve as a mirror of their development, allowing for character introspection and group reflection.
Inter-Guild Tension
Bards U, as a nexus of guild interactions, is an ideal setting for inter-guild tension and intrigue. Representatives from various guilds observe the students, each with their own agendas. This creates opportunities for alliances, rivalries, and power struggles that extend far beyond the campus.
The players may find themselves navigating the complex web of guild politics, choosing who to align with and when to remain neutral. The presence of guild representatives offers chances for social encounters, political maneuvering, and moral dilemmas, adding layers of depth to the campaign.
