Background It is widely known that professional bards around the known world live some of the most lavish and stylish lives a commoner can have. The wealthy often seek out a talented bard, offering them patronage in return for songs, performances, stories and artwork upon request.Bards, though aware of their patrons are not restricted from taking on other commissions or performances for compensation. Patronage Patronage of a particularly good bard is considered a status symbol amongst the upper-class. Often an up and coming bard will be courted by many nobles, merchants, templars and wealthy independents for service. In the North, Bardic Circle bards are always in high demand while unaffiliated bards are often considered to be of a lesser value and their services cheap. Tuluki bards looking for the best patron will compete often, trying to gain as charms as possible as by winning competitions. Charms are the most important sign of a bards talent and can directly relate to how much they will be paid for their services within their rank. In choosing a patron, though noble houses almost always provide the most lavish of lifestyles, many bards will choose one that best suits their personal talents, style and goals. Patrons can be very generous and will often give gifts, pay for costumes and lessons, as well as pay for a bards housing. In Tuluk, Master Bards who still choose public performance are so few and well educated in the arts, they are considered a prize to many in the upper class. Nobles have been known to go to ridiculous lengths and flat out bidding wars to gather an available Master Bard to their side. In Tuluk, the status of a bard in their circle directly correlates to compensation from any patron. Non circle bards that show signs of talent are often pushed towards selecting a circle to petition for apprenticeship.
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