I have someone playing a bard in my current campaign, and it got me thinking about the role of bards and artists in d&d. I find it to be a topic not explored enough (other than the awesome adventure in Council of Thieves). A lot of what the bard is is rightfully focused on adventuring, however, in a world with magic, music and the arts must be wonderous, with music and performance arts augmented by magic. What would be the art scene like in Golarion? Who would be patrons to the art? What would music be like? What about performance arts? I'd love your thoughts and will post mine as i develop it in my homebrew.
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I have someone playing a bard in my current campaign, and it got me thinking about the role of bards and artists in d&d. I find it to be a topic not explored enough (other than the awesome adventure in Council of Thieves). A lot of what the bard is is rightfully focused on adventuring, however, in a world with magic, music and the arts must be wonderous, with music and performance arts augmented by magic. What would be the art scene like in Golarion? Who would be patrons to the art? What would music be like? What about performance arts? I'd love your thoughts and will post mine as i develop it in my homebrew.
one of the early pathfinder modules dealt heavily in art, as did the first few parts of CotCT. Basically, the biggest collectors are the rich in the cities. (Ivy district in Absalom I believe)
There is alot of information regarding arts in various PF sourcebooks and adventures (gallery of evil), but mostly in city descriptions (take Karcau in Rule of Fear for example or Korvosa or Absalom or Westcrown etc.). I think you just have to skim-read alot of books for a compilation of the information you like.
Do any of them go into some form of a patron system? Specific art forms?
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Do any of them go into some form of a patron system? Specific art forms?
Gallery of evil is the one I was thinking of... might want to read the blurb on it Here it is a 3.5 module and not PFRPG though
Any devout follower of Shelyn would be an excellent patron of the arts, and the Renaissance model of patron giving money (or food and lodging) for a prodigy, or donating to a workshop with one master and many apprentices would work out pretty well, I think.
Any devout follower of Shelyn would be an excellent patron of the arts, and the Renaissance model of patron giving money (or food and lodging) for a prodigy, or donating to a workshop with one master and many apprentices would work out pretty well, I think.
I am pretty much thinking that as well. The Patrick Rothfuss Books- Name of the Wind and the Wise Man's Fear, have me thinking along those lines. How does politics and power play into the arts? More specifically, i am thinking of the history of art within my campaign setting; it's not a topic often found in campaign settings- Who were the famous bards? Playrights? Artists? How did they use magic in art? How did that art evolve? Who were the Beatles of the campaign setting? Essentially, i am trying to build up a history of art within the setting and also combine adventuring opportunities into it- be it lost masterpieces that had astounding effects, Works of art that were magical keys, or magical effects that have withstood centuries as art (for example, an illusion that springs forth at certain times of the day and "acts" out a certain scene).
I am pretty much thinking that as well. The Patrick Rothfuss Books- Name of the Wind and the Wise Man's Fear, have me thinking along those lines. How does politics and power play into the arts? More specifically, i am thinking of the history of art within my campaign setting; it's not a topic often found in campaign settings- Who were the famous bards? Playrights? Artists? How did they use magic in art? How did that art evolve? Who were the Beatles of the campaign setting? Essentially, i am trying to build up a history of art within the setting and also combine adventuring opportunities into it- be it lost masterpieces that had astounding effects, Works of art that were magical keys, or magical effects that have withstood centuries as art (for example, an illusion that springs forth at certain times of the day and "acts" out a certain scene).
Heh. Check out the history of the Medicis - they used their patronage of artists as political clout. Lemme poke some folks and get their attention to this thread.
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Not just the Medicis : pretty much every other noble family was playing this game at the time to the limit of their financial possibilities.
That is why we have so many treasures dating back from that time.
There was an exhibit in Paris about the treasures of the medicis, which is probably moving to some other part of the world by now. Go there if you can.
Or best, go visit Firenze.
Not canon, but one thing I rather liked about my Milani-article was the idea that her clerics support more avant-guard and rebellious artists, the Shelynites being a bit too taken up with making things that are pretty.
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Although printing is happening on Golarion I think there's probably still space for some serious illuminated manuscripts.
With so many invasions and ancient civilisations there's probably room for a lot of looted art treasures. When you consider the importance of Greek and Roman statues to the art of the last 600 years it might be interesting to have similar influences in the Inner Sea.
Director of Narrative
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Not canon either, but in Absalom, there's a group of anarchist performance artists called the Jocund Pranksters (Wayfinder #3) who stage all manner of art-related mayhem they can get away with.
Not canon either, but in Absalom, there's a group of anarchist performance artists called the Jocund Pranksters (Wayfinder #3) who stage all manner of art-related mayhem they can get away with.
It doesn't matter if it's cannon or not, i just want cool ideas to work with. Thanks for all your suggestions so far!
Not canon, but one thing I rather liked about my Milani-article was the idea that her clerics support more avant-guard and rebellious artists, the Shelynites being a bit too taken up with making things that are pretty.
I'm now curious where to find the Milani article you mentioned. My Kingmaker campaign has characters that are artists and musicians and one who is a priestess of Milani, so I may find what you've written useful.
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What would Thassolonian art be like? Art based around the seven sins? Hot dog eaing contests for gluttony?
Not canon, but one thing I rather liked about my Milani-article was the idea that her clerics support more avant-guard and rebellious artists, the Shelynites being a bit too taken up with making things that are pretty.I'm now curious where to find the Milani article you mentioned. My Kingmaker campaign has characters that are artists and musicians and one who is a priestess of Milani, so I may find what you've written useful.
It's in Wayfinder #3. :)
Ninjaed by a gninja.
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What would Thassolonian art be like? Art based around the seven sins? Hot dog eaing contests for gluttony?
I'm using Cycladic Art as a touchstone because it is ancient, I like it and it feels genuinely different to all the classical art and stuff influenced by classical art.
It's in Wayfinder #3. :)Not canon, but one thing I rather liked about my Milani-article was the idea that her clerics support more avant-guard and rebellious artists, the Shelynites being a bit too taken up with making things that are pretty.I'm now curious where to find the Milani article you mentioned. My Kingmaker campaign has characters that are artists and musicians and one who is a priestess of Milani, so I may find what you've written useful.
Awesome! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.