Virtuoso
Career
Qualifications
Requires:
- Years of training under a master or conservatory.
- Deep knowledge of music theory (mundane or magickal).
- In some cultures, the musician must undergo a Sound Rite to attune their spirit to the Great Resonance.
Career Progression
Local recognition through tavern or festival performance
Mentorship under a Maestro
Mastering an instrument, voice, or sound style
Touring in major cities, possibly receiving court patronage
Attaining the title of Virtuoso after public or divine acknowledgment
Payment & Reimbursement
Rarely steady; highly variable
Tips, patronage, or official commissions
Top Virtuosos may command fortunes for a single performance or receive estates, titles, or enchanted artifacts as payment
Other Benefits
Fame and reverence
Invitations to elite gatherings
Lifetime patronage
Perception
Purpose
To inspire, preserve memory, influence emotions, and record both beauty and tragedy. In some societies, music is a form of sacred speech.
Social Status
Highly variable. A bard in one town may be a beggar; a Virtuoso in another is treated like royalty. In artistic nations, they’re considered cultural treasures.
Demographics
Roughly 2–4% of the population engages in music; less than 0.01% rise to the Virtuoso level.
History
From ancient war drummers to divine choirs, musicians have shaped culture, diplomacy, and even battle. Some songs are said to predate written language, passed down from a time when sound shaped the world.
Operations
Workplace
Can be anywhere—from candlelit taverns to sky-borne amphitheaters. Often surrounded by sound-absorbing drapery, mood lights, and arcane sigils.
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