Bardic college

Bardic colleges were organizations specialized in the training of bards, as well as the name given to loose associations of bards that followed similar particular styles as they pursued their studies. As a way of learning, they were considered an alternative to the traditional method of apprenticeship under a single master.

The Seven Elder Bardic Colleges
The tradition of bardic colleges started with Falataer, a bard from the Moonshaes who established a college divided into seven levels of skill. In time, those individual levels became known as separate colleges in their own right, referred to as the elder bardic colleges.

The elder bardic colleges were ranked by their original levels and strictly respected that hierarchy. Bardic students who wanted to progress in their knowledge traditionally attended all seven colleges, in that order. A bard who attended all seven colleges then acquired the title of Magna Alumnae.

The seven elder colleges were:


 * Fochlucan:
 * Located in Silverymoon, it represented the first level of skill. Before its decline, bards graduating in the Fochlucan college were awarded a Fochlucan bandore.


 * Mac-Fuirmidh:
 * Located in the northern Moonshaes, it represented the second level of skill. Before its decline, bards graduating in the Mac-Fuirmidh college were awarded a Mac-Fuirmidh cittern.


 * Doss:
 * Located in Berdusk, it represented the third level of skill. Before its decline, bards graduating in the Doss college were awarded a Doss lute.


 * Canaith:
 * Located near Zazesspur in Tethyr, it represented the fourth level of skill. Before its decline, bards graduating in the Canaith college were awarded a Canaith mandolin.


 * Cli:
 * It represented the fifth level of skill. Before its decline, bards graduating in the Cli college were awarded a Cli lyre.


 * Anstruth:
 * Located in Sundabar, it represented the sixth level of skill. Before its decline, bards graduating in the Anstruth college were awarded an Anstruth harp.


 * Ollamh:
 * Located in Waterdeep, it represented the seventh and final level of skill. Before its decline, bards graduating in the Ollamh college were awarded an Ollamh harp.

By the 14 century DR, most of the bardic colleges had long since entered decline and ceased their activities. However, the styles of play of some colleges were still recognizable in certain players, and older bards still sometimes referred to each other by their ranks in the elder colleges.

By the late 15 century DR, only Ollamh, renamed as New Olamn, and a newly reopened Fochlucan were still operational in their original locations.

Notable Bardic Colleges

 * The College of the Herald, located in Herald's Holdfast, focused on the preservation of and organization of lore for peaceful purposes.

Other known loose associations of bards included:


 * The College of Valor was the style followed by fighting bards who sang of great deeds in battle. It was common among the skalds of the Northlanders and the Reghedmen.