Order Of The Flute

Description: The Order Of The Flute(or more commonly known as the Flute Order) are a worldwide organisation of musicians of the highest caliber, who have colleges in almost every major town in Fou Lu. Though originally it was a group composed of only flute players, it has since expanded to include every musical instrument known to the world, including the voice. As such, not only do they produce the finest musicians ever seen on Fou Lu, they also employ the most skilled craftsmen and women to create instruments of the highest quality. While having no disrespect towards magic, they do not allow the use of magic in their music, strictly teaching the use of only what fingers and lungs and tongue can produce. Anyone of any age/race can petition and be accepted, as long as their musical talent and skill is of an excellent standard.

The Order is composed of a hierarchy of six levels, named after different musical voice ranges. Though usually for male or female, the Order uses the voice ranges as levels, not as an indication of what the person(should they be a vocalist) sings at.

Castrato - The lowest level, these are the initiates of the Order Of The Flute. They remain at this level for a minimum of two years, increasing their musical knowledge, learning the history of the order, and usually deciding on their primary instrument. At the end of the two year period, they must undergo an exam, both theory and practical, to advance to the next level.
Formal clothing: White pants, white shirt.

Contralto - After passing the exam, they emerge as Contralto, the second level. The Contralto level is for three years, in which they study not only their instruments, but other instruments in order to incorporate new techniques into their own playing. To proceed to the next level, a Contralto once again must undertake an exam.
Formal clothing: White pants, white shirt, grey vest.

Tenor - The third level of The Order, this is the level that most students do not pass beyond. Lasting two years at minimum, this time is spent in training, for to pass beyond the Tenor level, they must compose an original song, and have it be judged worthy.
Formal clothing: Black pants, white shirt, grey vest.

Soprano - The Soprano level is the fourth level, which lasts for five years. Four of those years are spent at fostering colleges, learning from different masters to those of their home campus. The final year is spent at their home college, learning not with their teachers, but with the instrument makers. It's during this year that a Soprano will make their instrument as a sign of their dedication to music. Sopranos advance by holding a concert, and are judged on how well they play with others, as well with how far they've progressed with their playing.
Formal cothing: Black pants, white shirt, black vest. Instrument sewn onto the vest in golden thread(open hand symbol for vocalists).

Baritone - The teachers of the Order, Baritones are fully qualified masters of their instruments. They teach all the levels below them, and also supervise the hiring of craftsmen. This level has no set time limit. They can petition for the next, the highest level, when they feel they are ready.
Formal clothing: Black pants, white shirt, black vest, purple sash around waist.

Bass - The highest level of the Order. At any time, there are at least two Bass' at a college, a male and a female. To advance from Baritone to Bass requires the witnessing of at least six Bass'. Unequalled masters of music who determine when new teaching methods must be implemented in the colleges.
Formal clothing: Black pants, black shirt, black vest, purple sash.

Members of the Order are referred to by their level within it. For example, "Tenor Gulna", "Castrato Elalla", etc.

Location: Colleges in almost every major town or city in Fou Lu, the main building is located in Balorin.

History: Three hundred years ago, an elf by the name of Gerrelein had been considered an absolute master of his instrument, the flute. Having travelled everywhere he could, playing his music, he had the idea of imparting his mastery to others. Retracing his steps, he gathered along the way a group of multi-racial flutists who called themselves "The Flutists". Over the next few years, he taught them as much as he could, and they changed their name to the "Order Of The Flute". Eventually settling in Balorin, Gerrelein established the original college, where he and his Order began to make themselves known.

As the college flourished and grew due to the word-of-mouth spread of his school, Gerrelein and the original Order created the levels of the school. Gerrelein also travelled to other cities, where his reputation preceeded him. He began to establish schools wherever he went, travelling for the next hundred years. However, during this time, he contracted an illness that would prove fatal. Refusing medical treatment, he made his way back to Balorin. There, in the company of the five remaining members of the original Order, he told them that he wished for the Order Of The Flute to spread and be known across Fou Lu. He also told them what he wished to be done with the school, including the hiring of instrument makers. Upon his death, a tomb was built by the students at the school, which has became a landmark every student of the Order visits at least once in their life.

From then until now, the schools have grown and expanded, and are now world famous. Existing almost everywhere, their methods have been refined and polished to the excellence that it is today. The uniforms are a relatively new addition, being only thirty years old, instituted by the last member of the original Order, the elf His'lei. Though on the same level as every other Bass, everyone speaks to her with the utmost respect, as is due her right as one of the founders of the Order. She still resides in Balorin, overseeing the first college.

Relationships: The Order Of The Flute is accepted everywhere, remaining strictly out of all political affairs but their own. They submit students over to the local law if they break it, which puts them in good standing with governments.

Financing: The Order Of The Flute is financed in several ways. Chief among these is the students themselves, who, once reaching the Tenor level, are eligible to perform minstrel duties; that is, singing on street corners, in taverns, for nobles, etc. Tenors are a common sight to any town or city. Though not taking all money, the Order recieves 60% of any funds Tenors and above receive.

Another way they gain money is contributions. Due to their popularity for their music, people, both wealthy and poor, constantly donate sums of money to the Order. Also, the Order gains money from selling spare or specially commisssioned instruments.

The colleges also exact a fee for enrollment to the schools. The scale is a sliding one, depending on the money they/their parents have. While not extremely expensive, it has been known to put dents in peoples pockets.