• General Facts
• Learning Structure
• Objects
• Members of the Glirdain

General Facts

     The Glirdain, or Songwrights, are an essential part of Lorien Society. By their name, one might think that they are just the musicians of Lorien. But, this is not true. They also function as the spiritualists, teachers and historians.

     The duties of the Glirdain are wide and varied. They are the keepers of the information at the Library, they teach poetry, languages and history to the whole wood, they are responsible for coordinating the many festivals and celebrations within Lorien and between the different Elf homes. Most importantly, though, is their duty to help Lorien live a spiritual, musical, and knowledgable existance.

     There are, for the most part, no strict specializations within the Glirdain, for the Elves often posess and develop many talents, and seek to create and preserve knowledge in many ways. However, in everyday life the members of the Glirdain do take some specific ocupations, as Librarian, Historian or Minstrel. There are also some elves that know a lot about every subject, and we call them Bards.

Learning Structure

The learning structure of the elves that join the Glirdain is divided in five different stages.

- Learner
- Student, <subject>
- <title>
- <title> Scholar
- Master <title>

The <title> may be:

Learner
At the first stage, the learner is encouraged to learn a lot of stuff, but nothing hugely specific. The idea is that Leaners should go into the Wood and get used to Role Playing with as many people as possible. They'll take classes on the basics of poetry, history, languages and so forth, but nothing overly rigorous. They will work with the Scholars and Masters on deciding their future occupation, which they choose when they get promoted (this choice is not permanent, it might be changed afterwards).

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Student, <subject>
At the second stage, we have a student with some specific orientation, who is to have more classes in that subject, but still learn some of the general things a member of the Glirdain has to know. In the case of 'Minstrels', for example,  they are to study on meter and rhyme and on how to perform and train in instruments. In the case of 'Historians', they are to study about both the History of Lorien and what we know of the world that surrounds us, and each different orientation has to concentrate in its field of study. They will also spend time with the guards, diplomats, healers and crafters and whoever else, learning from them.

<title>
When the Student is ready, he is granted the title and the occupation he has been studying for. For Minstrels this means starting to perform regurlarly in public, for Historians and Librarians doing some research for completing the Red Book of Lorien, and the other books in the Library.

<title>, Scholar

After getting the title, each member of the Glirdain should keep learning, not only on his specific subject, but on any other of the Glirdain subjects. It is important for Minstrels to know history and languages, and for scribes to know poetry, etc.
When the amount of knowledge in a member of the Glirdain grows more than the standard, that member is considered a 'Scholar'.

Master <title>

The member that knows more about one specific subject, is considered a 'Master' on that subject.  Therefore, there will be not many Masters around.  The Masters, as well as the Scholars are the ones in charge of teaching their knowledge to the rest of the members.

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Objects:
If you are a member of the Glirdain who has attained a full title and an ocupation, you may mail one of the Masters, regarding Books and Instruments. The idea of these objects is that they help you store your songs or any other information you think you need, so that you don't have to do the cut & paste every time you are going to use it.
These objects will only go to players who can prove they will use them and who are active enough to require one. If you send in a request, do not expect to receive an object, though you will be +mail'd one way or the other within a few days.

Members: