The Beat Goes On: Drums of Elanthia

The Beat Goes On: Drums of Elanthia is an Official GemStone IV Document, and it is protected from editing.

Opening

Drums are among the oldest musical instruments of Elanthia, their distinct sounds echoing throughout history. Their rhythms are woven into every culture, race, and society. Every aspect of life is strengthened by their strong cadences that enhance communication, healing, celebration, and spiritual connections. Through their powerful beats, drums unite people using the traditions of dance and storytelling. Their patterns preserve the rich cultural heritage and embrace traditions that connect communities with the thrum of their unique patterns marking significant events from birth to death.

Burghal Gnome

The hexenarc, or hexen drum (less commonly, hexenarc drum), is a burghal gnome invention. Built on a metallic, six-sided frame, the hexenarc is a unique entry into the world of hand-held drums. Small, clockwork mechanisms affixed to the frame beneath a taut, animal hide drumhead add additional beats in counterpoint to the player's, and these mechanisms can be adjusted in myriad ways using traditionally copper gears affixed to the tapered body's metal or wood ribbing.

Dark Elf

Evashiran

In Evashir, the most popular drum is a goblet drum, also known as the chalice drum, talavari, or talavari drum. Like its Common name, the talavari is shaped like a goblet or chalice, and the body is heavily decorated with intricate tile and glass mosaics. Usage techniques include tucking under one arm or resting upon one's bent leg, and a variety of sounds can be made depending on where it is held and whether or not the musician uses only their hands or combines a hand plus a single stick.

Erithi

Erithi favor the drum when it comes to theatrical performances requiring dramatic sounds, as they can herald something happening but in a musical and beautiful way. Various types of erithian theatre, including their most well-known, shi'hadara, have specific drum sounds that indicate a specific action is about to happen. This has caused many an enrapt audience member to shout out warnings or cries of concern based solely off the beat of the drum.

The most popular style of drum for the erithi is a taigo'ta drum (or simply taigo'ta). These are medium-sized, barrel-shaped drums typically (though they can scale larger or smaller for variety) with each barrel end covered in taut hide. Straps can be affixed to make the smaller ones portable and free the hands to use the traditional sticks, and most taigo'tans (drummers) will also have a stationary frame to hold their taigo'ta in for longer performances.

The barrels are expertly crafted of wood then intricately decorated. Carving is most common, but inlays of contrasting woods, metals, and gems are fairly popular as well. Like many erithi creations, the taigo'ta is both a functional instrument and a revered work of art.

Forest Gnome

Many forest gnomes include the kandatil drum into their musical endeavors, unless they are purely nomadic, as its size (roughly waist-high for the average forest gnome) is unwieldy when light loads are needed. Kandatil players use kansiqs (drumsticks) and stand while playing, though if a musician has an impediment to standing, elevated chairs may be used. Playing is a full body experience; the drummer sways and bobs to their beats.

Kandatils are comprised of a hollow, wooden shell somewhat goblet-like in shape, and the drumhead is made of finely treated hide. The best skins to use are said to be snake or lizard skin, and drum crafters are known to trade well for the skin of enormous snakes like pythons and other constrictors. Artisans are commissioned to carve and decorate the shell to the drummer's specifications.

The kandatil drum appears most frequently as part of an ensemble musical group, and it has a wide variety of sounds because one can also integrate hand and kansiq beats along the hollowed shell.

Inyexat

Inyexats often have small drumming circles using an ashtixal, especially as part of certain divination rites involving sacred mushrooms and toads. Ashtixals (also known as ashtixal drums) are dual hand-held drums in a conical (wide top to tapered bottom) shape; crafted of wood with capybara hide for the drum head, these drums are lashed together securely at their widest point and are often heavily decorated.

It is tradition to use the hide of a beloved capybara who has passed from old age so that they can live on and serve a special purpose.

Half-Elf

Vanadre Chiras

While pipes and strings comprise the majority of instrumentation used by the Vanadre Chiras, they are often accompanied by a velatam, a type of frame drum also known as the velatam drum or riddle drum. Its diameter is typically a bit wider than similar instruments, with a roughly half-foot depth. Koza hide is stretched across one side of the intricately carved wooden frame, with the other side open-ended. The velatam player adjusts timbre by placing one hand on the inner head. Ribbons and nakheva often decorate the velatam, adding artistic flare with each beat.

Halfling

Paradis

Crafted from a wide variety of wood, the seludai, is a small, oval-shaped drum that is formed to fit in the crook of a halfling's arm. The size made them perfect for travel and were commonly seen when the Paradis were wandering after the Undead War. After establishing the city of Icemule Trace, they became a common fixture in pubs and other places where people would gather. The thin body is traditionally carved with runes and artwork that form a connection to the musician. Small beads are woven together forming a decorative fringe around the rim, while a tanned hide is stretched tight across the body, usually fashioned from goatskin. A pure white head signifies that the drum is used for rituals of importance, while darker skin is used for more common celebrations.

Many of the old families have seludai that have been passed down for generations since the time of wandering. They are crafted from rare, foreign materials picked up along their travels.

Closing

While drums are universal, each preserves the histories, traditions, and values of its people. The cultures of Elanthia are enriched by the percussive rhythms that unite their communities through expression, dance, and storytelling. Each unique sound reflects the identity and heritage of its people while acting as a bridge that connects with others throughout the lands. The strong rhythms bring people together, where traditions and histories are celebrated, shared, and preserved for future generations.

Credits

• GM Xynwen: Erithi, Evashiran, burghal gnome, forest gnome, Inyexat, Vanadre Chiras
• GM Valyrka : Paradis, opening and closing. Play messaging
• GM Ivry : Drum coding and assistance with Messaging
• GM Mariath and APM Isten : Document and Messaging QC

Notes

• This is meant to be a living document with plans for more cultural styles of drums to be added.
• Approved nouns for alterations: hand drum, drum, seludai, velatam, ashtixals, talavari, and hexenarc. Descriptions should not contradict the above lore.