Lore:Music
Music(EmeratuinAyleidoon)[1]is a major part of most cultures acrossNirnwith music and poetry commonly being heard in taverns and cities, and dedicated schools and institutions for the musical arts existing acrossTamriel.There are a wide variety ofmusical instrumentsfound across all races and cultures, and music is also heavily featured in Tamrielic religions.
History[edit]
Origin[edit]
The godJephrethe Singer is credited with inventing the music of nature, teaching birds to sing songs and streams of their tinkling tune. Jephre is credited with inspiring the first great ballads of the elves.[2]
The anthology of tales known as theMyths of Sheogorathhas a story dubbed "Sheogorath Invents Music", which instead tells of the mad god inventing music. A young woman he encountered commented on how beautiful the birds' songs were. The Mad God agreed, but noted that mortals could not do the same. And so Sheogorath invented the first musical instruments from the body parts of that woman. From her tendons he made lutes, her skull and arm bones he made a drum and from her bones he made flutes. He presented these gifts to the mortals, allowing them to make music.[3]
TheKhajiitbelieve that the most ancient sounds were gifted to the world byKhenarthi,and so they honor her with music and song.[4]
Culture[edit]
Altmer[edit]
TheAltmerperform songs that were written by the Aldmer.[5]Aldmerimusical notation is notoriously difficult to read.[6]
Argonian[edit]
TheDead-Water TribeofNagause throat songs such as battle hymns, marching songs, and challenge chants.[7]
Breton[edit]
TheBretonsofGlenumbra Moorscelebrate the holiday of Broken Diamonds by singing the Sephavre, a song in Old Bretic that is the anthem for the murder of Kintyra II and the sorrow that still pervades Glenumbra Moors.[8]There is a minor deity in theIliac BaynamedJhim Sei,whose sphere of influence may revolve around music as they are compared to the likes of Jephre.[9]
Dunmer[edit]
TheSixth HouseandDagoth Urdisplayed a pronounced affinity for sound and music, though it's difficult to know if this was part of its makeup before its fall. Nearly every shrine encountered in Vvardenfell featured a set of large bells or chimes, which seemingly played an important role in the House's rituals. Some of the more advanced forms of Ash Creature have long, perforated, trunk-like snouts which may be used as musical instruments.[UOL 1]The fictional epicPoison Songdepicts the house having a strong connection to music to the point that its descendants can somehow "hear" its songs still. Dagoth Ur also proclaims he is "OLDER THAN MUSIC".[10]
Imperial[edit]
Imperialshave musical symphonies and opera houses to create and enjoy music.[11][12]TheImperial Legionalso has marching songs.[13]The Empire has two officially sanctioned guilds that employ minstrels and bards called theScenarist Guild[14]and theMinstrels Guild.[15]The former is an ancient guild that is present in every significant city in the provinces, but is headquartered in their citadel in theDragontail Mountains.[14]The latter was official recognized by theSecond Empirewith the approval of theGuild Actin2E 321.[15]
Dibellais called the Lady of Music.[16]
Khajiit[edit]
TheDro-m'Athraare linked to music. Khajiit can be transformed into Dro-m'Athra by being exposed to the "Bent Dance", which is a dance without music, only following the rhythm of the beating Heart ofLorkhaj.If a Khajiit is being corrupted by the Bent Dance, the "Chase Away" song (S'virash Sahaala) can be sung to break it if the corruption isn't too strong. The "Chase Away" song is the only song that can break the Heart's tempo; the notes dance up and down the scale, confusing the Darks and making the Heart sluggish and weak. The tempo eventually breaks, and the corruption will pass. The "Chase Away" song is slippery and unpredictable, asAzurahis. The Khajiit hold that it must not be used unless the need is great. In ancient times, it was used to treat diseases and ward offcane-locusts.Singing near Dro-m'Athra gives them a chance to twist the song to their tune and worm their way into a normal Khajiit's heart.[17]Songs, chanting, music, and relics such as Khenarthic Bells, which are rung in reverence toKhenarthi,can also be used to drive back the Darkness.[18]
Kothringi[edit]
Music was very important inKothringisociety. They were known to make instruments out of a variety of different materials, such as turning hollow logs intowamasu-sizeddrums, plucking sinew fromcliffstridersto make low humming bow harps and most notable of all, theirchimesknown to be the Kothringi's most loved instruments. A Kothringi by the name of Baelah molded hundreds of chimes fromtinandcopper,hanging them from branches and striking them for their sounds. The Kothringi sometimes invited theSaxhleelfor feasts and celebrations where they played their instruments for the Argonian people.[19][20]The Kothringi people also created bugles from horns ofleviathan.[21]Glass beads were also worn, serving as wearable instruments.[20]
Nord[edit]
TheNordsof Skyrim have skalds who write and recite songs and poems. These skalds are known to join the Imperial Legion as war bards.[22]"Skald" is an old Nord word meaning "bard".[23]Skald's RetreatonLake Honrich'sIsle of Goldis a place where Skyrim's skalds can study their trade and spend time among others with similar talents and interests.[24]TheBards CollegeinSolitudeis another facility where bards can study music, poetry and other similar arts. The College and the Skalds also keep records of thePoetic Edda,an ancient collection of poems, stories, and legends that depict the extensive history of Skyrim to which all bards are said to contribute to in their time.[25]Skyrim's bards can elect to celebrate important occasions by putting on a salskap, a gathering of bards featuring song, poetry, and drink.[26]In Skyrim, exceptional singing voices are said to be a "blessing from Kyne".[23]
Other Uses[edit]
Music can be used as a means to cast spells or carry out rituals. The practitioners of the art of using music to cast spells are known asThaumavocalists.[27]In2E 582,Vaerminacompelled a skald to sing a tune to words found in a specific tome held in Skald's Retreat's library.[28][29]The song this bard sang plunged Skald's Retreat into a space betweenMundusandQuagmire.[29][30]A performance ofThe Song of Sinmur,one of the old songs of theCompanionswas enough to wrench Skald's Retreat from Vaermina's grasp.
Instruments[edit]
Instrumentsare objects used to produce sounds for use inmusic.
Songs[edit]
Songsaremusicalcompositions written to be performed by singing.
References[edit]
- ^Nilata Search Plan
- ^Of Jephre— Anonymous
- ^Myths of Sheogorath—Mymophonus
- ^The Sky Spirits—Amun-dro,the Silent Priest
- ^High Elf SongbookinESO
- ^Aldmeri Sheet MusicinESO
- ^Dead-Water Throat SongsinESO
- ^Broken Diamonds—Ryston Baylor
- ^King Edward, Part 2— Anonymous
- ^36 Lessons of Vivec, Sermon 15—Vivec
- ^Imperial Opera House PosterinESO
- ^Renee Geonette's dialogue inOblivion
- ^Legionnaire Marching SonginESO
- ^abThe Daggerfall Chronicles— Ronald Wartow
- ^abHistory of the Fighters Guild
- ^Augustine Viliane Answers Your Questions— SibylAugustine Viliane
- ^Twilight Rites and Hymns
- ^Events ofChiaroscuro CrossroadsinESO:Dragonhold
- ^Chimes of Silver—Geem-Shah,Singing Mouth of theNaka-DeshTribe
- ^abHarpooner's Wading Kilt's codex entries inESO
- ^Kothringi Leviathan Horn
- ^Jorn's dialogue inSkyrim
- ^abThe Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: Skyrim—Flaccus Terentius,2E 581
- ^Jorunn the Skald-King—Helgreir Lute-Voice,Bard of Windhelm
- ^Viarmo's dialogue inSkyrim
- ^Leiborn's dialogue duringA Salskap to RememberinESO:Greymoor
- ^Meryline Barthel's dialogue and actions during the questA Father's PrideinESO
- ^Engling's dialogue duringSong of AwakeninginESO
- ^abSage Odana's dialogue duringSong of AwakeninginESO
- ^Events ofSong of AwakeninginESO
Note:The following references are considered to beunofficial sources.They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.
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