THE
GREAT
STORY-TELLER
MASTER
TRIBELL |
Welcome to an introduction to Master Tribell! Or should we better say: "Once Upon a Time"? - Master Tribell (ca. 1240-1315) is an extremely well-known bard, narrator and storyteller in the Kingdom of Santharia, as well as an appreciated acrobat in his younger years. A person generally thought to belong to everyone, his stories are loved by many, adults and children alike, his name synonymous with the idyllic space of childhood so much so that many a time, the stories precede his name. His collected works, known today by the title "Master Tribell’s Miraculous Narrations", is regarded as one of the classic works of Santharian fairy-tales. Every child in the whole kingdom knows most of these stories by heart as Tribell's tales have developed into an important part of the kingdom's education. Master Tribell's narrative style is simple and straight to the point which seems to be exactly the way children want to have their tales presented. Many narrators try to copy this unique style of the famous Tribell, but only few can be accounted to succeed in this endeavour.
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Image description. The great Santharian story-teller Master Tribell. Drawn by Artimidor. |
Appearance/Personality.
Master Tribell was not simply a man words but also one of personality.
One of the descriptions of the great Master Tribell is from a letter contributed
by a member of the public when the house was converted into an archive and a
fragment of it reads:
"I had a most amazing experience today. I had the good fortune of passing by the
house of one of our resident story-tellers Master Tribell in the act of
narrating one of his tales. I have long heard of his amazing ability to
captivate his audience but I have never actually seen him doing so. He was
comfortably seated on the bench outside his house, which is really quite
ordinary for someone of his stature and in front of him were seated a group of
ten children or so, silent and still - and my goodness, anyone who can keep
children still like that deserves respect, story-teller or not. I stopped to
listen and I too found myself rooted to the spot. He reminded me of my
grandfather (who I am sure cannot hold a story the same way Master Tribell can),
slightly wrinkled in skin but filled with the energy of a young foal. His eyes
were bright and twinkling (I couldn’t tell what colour due to my standing
distance) as if it held a whole mass of knowledge behind and the luxurious tinge
of white in his hair gave him the honour that age bestows on its elderly. He
could be anyone’s grandfather; however, the magic is really not in his looks but
in his voice. He had a deep melodious voice that rose and fell with the mood of
his tale, at times soothing like a gentle breeze, at others roaring like the
waves on a stormy day. It was a voice that inspired one’s imagination to take
flight and even though I was rather firmly grounded in my position, I thought I
was traveling off to long ago places and faraway lands. I have no doubt the
children felt the same."
Another letter that one would be able to read in that house spoke of him more as
a person than a storyteller. It was a thank you note from a housewife to Master
Tribell:
"Dear Master Tribell, Words cannot express how grateful we are to you for funding the education of our only son. We will forever be indebted by your generosity. Yours Truly: The Baryl Family" |
It is common knowledge that Master Tribell was a great advocate
for education and would willingly spare what he could afford to children who
came from poorer families in order to give them the chance of an education. For
this very fact he was respected by many and even inspired a momentary movement
to push for basic mandatory education for all children in their formative years.
Biography. While it
is hard to write an accurate biography of Master Tribell, the speculation that
is taken to be the closest to his life story is as such.
Childhood (1240-1255). Tribell is believed to have
been born in Carmalad since evidence from
some of his writings show evidence of his parents being dyers, not to mention
his extensive knowledge regarding the different colours that come out in his
stories.
Tribell the Acrobat (1255-1260). Tribell was picked
up acrobatics and joined a traveling troupe. This piece of information was
gathered from some pieces of parchment that advertised to towns the details of
performances.
The Travels to the North (1260-1280). Tribell left
the troupe and went missing for 20 years. It is believed that he wandered the
places of North Sarvonia exploring
and collecting stories.
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Scenes from "Master Tribell's Miraculous Narrations", containing fairy-tales and fantastic stories, enjoyable for everyone. All pictures drawn by Quellion for the game Mystical Empire™, used with friendly permission. |
Settling in
Voldar (1280-1285). Tribell settled in
Voldar which scholars believe was a move on
Tribell’s part to inform himself further on the rich mythological stories
available there. It is also here that he started his storytelling profession.
Many thanks to the Town Council
of Voldar which provided us this clue to his
pass since it is written that he was a registered storyteller with the city
during that time.
The Travels in the South (1285-1295). Tribell moved
again and it is during this time that he was believed to have traveled South
Sarvonia and if he made any contributions
to the School of Quills in Bardavos, it
would be during the years of 1285-1295.
Tribell in
Manthria (1287). This is one of the
periods that we knew Tribell was in the
Santharian province of Manthria. The
lake that was named after him several years after his death has an inscription
commemorating him carved into a rock. What is inscribed reads: "To the man of
stories, Master Tribell, who could always be found by this lake and on this rock
telling tales of wonder to those who would listen."
It is also said that such an honourary inscription was given because he helped
the Duke win the love of his life through an allegorical story of love that
touched the heart of the Duke’s beloved and she who was once unwilling to accept
the advances of Duke found reason to do so after being mesmerized by the a story
of Tribell’s.
Tribell's Death in
New-Santhala (1295-1315). Tribell
finally settled in New-Santhala till
the end of his days. Upon his death, the people of the town came in full force
to bid good bye to their favourite storyteller, reminding themselves of the
stories he told and held special storytelling sessions in the days that followed
to commemorate the life of such an acclaimed personage. Following his wishes,
his body was burned and his ashes scattered into the sea and his money given to
build more schools. As far as we know, Master Tribell never married. Each year
ever since Master Tribell's death on the 17th day of Changing Winds, these
storytelling sessions are repeated at most local inss in New-Santhala.
More Information Regarding Master Tribell’s Works: The collection of tales
called "Master Tribells Miraculous Narrations" was published for the first time
a few years after the story-teller's death. Famous fairy-tales included in this
book are
"The Tomcat of
Minich", "The Wandering Tree",
"The Dancing Wooden
Shoes", "Of Margo, the Pastry-Loving Drake",
"The Snow Maiden",
“The Harlequin Lover”
and many more. In the course of time even more fairy-tales were added to the
book in further editions.
At the same time, some scholars have noted that his tales often have a dark edge
to it, warnings that can be delivered to a child to instruct them in the right
ways of behaviour or things that have gone horribly wrong for people who have
strayed off the path. While straightforward, some have considered his stories to
be harsh and violent in the dealing of punishment and a selected few of his
tales, especially those that talk of dark magic,
can even be credited with the potential to induce nightmares in a young child.
However, these darker tales are usually watered down in newer publications to
allow for a more enjoyable reading experience. The books containing the original
tales can be found in the archives of the better known libraries in the kingdom
and they are considered to be of immense value due to the limited numbers in
circulation.
Importance.
While no one knows for certain where Master Tribell was born, it is known that
in his later years, he settled down in
New-Santhala where he made his name by being a collector and original writer
of hundreds of fairy-tales and other similar stories. There have been many
theories as to how he came about amassing such a huge collection of tales though
a large part of these are a result of popular imagination. Some people believed
him to be a wanderer who played a small part, but nevertheless a part, in
bringing together the current United Kingdom
of Santharia, his stories illustrating and bringing together a shared
heritage that was part and parcel of building a strong kingdom. There were
others who thought that he was simply an adventurer who had the good fortune of
different experiences which allowed him to write the wonderful stories he did.
There are even rumours that he helped found the School of Quills in
Bardavos though there are no evidences that
show it to be as such.
Currently, what we do know about Master Tribell is from snippets of left-over
writings and letters that chronicle the traces that he left behind. Most of
these have been found in a house in the heart of
New-Santhala which is believed to be
his place of residence. Now it has been converted to an archive of sorts for
Master Tribell’s stories and the display of all things believed to have belonged
to him. Visitors to New-Santhala often
find this house a worthwhile visit.
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