Ballads and Performances
-- composed and performed by Ruach Rouan
The Elven Moonbeam
--- performed Aspis Bardfest 5102
You see Ruach Rouan.
He appears to be a Sylvankind
of the Fresiawn D'ahranal.
He appears to be in his 40's,
has receding silver hair,
grey eyes, and fair skin.
He has a long silver ponytail.
He is in good shape.
He is holding a pale white ash mandolin
in his right hand.
He is wearing some flawless onyx prayer beads,
some ivory silk brocade robes,
a silvery Imaera ring,
a carved rosewood acorn talisman,
a gold trimmed black silk satchel,
a blackened vultite kite shield,
a ruby inlaid panther hide sheath,
a panther hide scabbard,
a polished silver armband,
and a pair of tall ivory leather buskins.
(Ruach looks at his brother, Aerandar, and lays a hand on his shoulder for reassurance, then walks briskly forward onto the stage.)
Ruach removes a pale white ash mandolin from in his black silk satchel.
Ruach recites:
"Greetings citizens of Elanthia."
(Ruach strides forward, his ivory silk brocade robes billowing out behind him, and bowing first to the judges, then to the audience, continues...)
Ruach recites:
"It is my pleasure to perform for you tonight,
A song I have entitled, "The Elven Moonbeam."
Ruach recites:
"I wanted to be authentic and bring a large boulder in here to sit upon, but it proved my dream was stronger than my arms. I also thought to bring the ocean with me, but I could only carry a cup of it. And the last time I threw water on a floor my brother almost killed me."
Ruach recites:
"So please picture, if you will, a boulder on a hill above Marshtown overlooking Solhaven and the sea."
Ruach smiles slowly as he paces back and forth, gazing into the faces of the audience. His eyes reflect a peaceful seaside baytown.
Ruach recites:
"As is often my habit in the evenings when I am in Solhaven, which is quite often, I will walk the cliffs overlooking the "City of Dreams." My evening is concluded..."
Ruach kneels down.
Ruach recites:
"...kneeling above the city and praying my beads."
Ruach just touched some flawless onyx prayer beads.
Ruach stands up.
Ruach recites:
"This particular evening I was walking south of the broken tower on the lower hills of Marshtown."
Ruach smiles as he momentarily closes his eyes, his head tilted, and sniffs as though he were smelling the sea breeze.
Ruach recites:
"I was getting ready to take a rest when I noticed a young man in the distance."
Ruach recites:
"The sea in front of me, The wind whipping about my robes, I saw him standing to my right... Tears were glistening on his face."
Ruach recites:
"He was standing with his fists clenched at his side, Looking out to sea. I got what was politely close..."
Ruach sits down.
Ruach recites:
"...sat down on a boulder and listened to him."
Ruach begins playing a quiet song on his mandolin.
Ruach sings:
"I stand upon the hills of Marshtown,
And look across the quiet sea.
I look far off at the Elven Moonbeam,
And watch as she sails away from me."
Ruach slowly modulates through a series of chords, building a beautiful melody.
Ruach sings:
"Upon her deck stands a slender maiden,
With hair of finest raven's hue.
Her hand is raised in parting gesture,
Bidding me a fond adieu."
Ruach plucks his instrument's lower strings, adding a driving bass foundation to the melody.
Ruach sings:
"Helpless I watch as the sea is parted.
Silent the waters cut by her bow.
Dark is the night around us falling,
My life goes on, I know not how. "
Ruach deliberately strums an unhurried theme, letting each chord hang in the air for a time before striking another.
Ruach sings:
"As the Moonbeam rides upon the water,
Far away from Solhaven's shore.
My heart is trapped upon the hillside,
Dreading her love I'll know no more."
Ruach continues his soft music, providing pleasant background for the goings-on around him.
Ruach sings:
"As the sea winds blow the ocean to me,
My face is wet with spray and tears.
My heart sore aches for it has no purpose.
Gone are my love and my joyful years."
Paying complete attention to the mandolin's strings, Ruach begins building an intense melody.
Ruach sings:
"Helpless I watch as the sea grows silent.
The waters lie unbroken now.
Dark is the night around me falling,
My life goes on, I know not how."
Ruach slowly modulates through a series of chords, building a beautiful melody.
Ruach sings:
"Her vision is gone I can see no Moonbeam,
Gone in the mist hanging o'er the sea.
I pray some day as I stand here looking,
I'll see my love come back to me."
Ruach continues his soft music, providing pleasant background for the goings-on around him.
Ruach sings:
"So I'll walk the hills through Carinfang Forest.
I'll trod the paths of stone and pain.
I'll stand once more on the cliffs of 'Haven,
Looking for her ship to come again."
Paying complete attention to the mandolin's strings, Ruach begins building an intense melody.
Ruach sings:
"Helpless I watch for the sea to be parted.
Silent the waters gone the Elven's bow..."
Ruach continues his soft music, providing pleasant background for the goings-on around him.
Ruach sings:
"Dark is the night around me falling..."
Ruach sings:
"My life goes on, I know not how."
Ruach strums one final soft chord then allows his mandolin to fall silent.
(Ruach stands with his arms down to his side and head bowed.)
Ruach stands up.
Sizzlaa applauds.
Landrai applauds.
Tesserah applauds Ruach.
Koin lets out a cheer!
Lisiana applauds Ruach.
Tolwynn applauds.
Ruach sings:
"My life goes on..."
Charna applauds Ruach.
Evelith applauds.
Ahmeuseng says, "Beautiful."
Ahmeuseng sighs.
Silon applauds Ruach.
Merryleon applauds Ruach.
Ruach recites:
"Thank you."
Calloran applauds.
Rimalon applauds Ruach.
Caylene applauds.
Ruach put a pale white ash mandolin in his black silk satchel.
The City of Dreams
As I stand upon the clifs at sunset overlooking the city of dreams.
I ponder deep within myself,
why here all looks serene.
Each reflection in the city shows the facets of her schemes,
Below she sits reflecting the light of setting sun
Where the women's work has ended and the evening just begun.
The children yield to sleepiness which completes their day of fun.
While outside in wilderness beyond the gates and stair
A young cleric kneels and looking up concludes his evening prayer.
His beads he holds and knows the gods of Liabo all are there.
Solhaven thou art more than a city by the sea,
You have sheltered many strangers and now you shelter me.
A refuge found, a harbor where now all come to thee.
Solhaven the finest gem within Elanthia's crown
Surrounded by many witnesses which gather all around.
Proclaim their faith in thee and bless thy holy ground.
Your street I walk in silent thought 'til later I'll repose
In a temple garden wafting with the fragrance of a rose
Awaiting your awakening as onward your life flows.
By Ruach Rouan
Cleric of Imaera
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