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Over the centuries, artists have become more and more valuable to society. During the First Barbarian War, for example, all forms of sculpture and painting were greatly undervalued. Artists could not support themselves with their work. By the end of the Second Barbarian War, nobles and rulers found increasing interest in artwork in all it's forms. Emperor Thocoly Lob is credited for creating the Imperial Society for Artists. This society was comprised of a group of Supreme Councilors and the Emperor, making it their business to support the less wealthy artists. In return for their monetary support, the artists would donate some of their work to the Society.

During the year of 750AL, Emperor Cantorri founded the Catalanian Exhibit or Art, a day dedicated to all the forms of art. This day (30th day of Autumn) is commemorated as far south as Serval, and as far north as Lione. It is usually celebrated in a large government building where painters and sculptors may show their work, musicians may perform their songs, and poets may recite their prose.

Today, some artworks of ages past have become priceless. These objects are usually kept in vaults or protected palaces, not readily accessible to the general populace. There are still many artists still struggling to support themselves with their work, as the Imperial Society for Artists has never been able to assist great numbers of individuals.

Music on the Continent of Catalania

Traditional Catalanian instrumental music has it's roots in Corundrian Minstrelsy. This form of simple music has evolved into today's Folk Music, and utilizes simple musical instruments, like the recorder and the Corundrian Lute. Also, during the beginning of the last millennium of the Age of Light, these small groups of musicians inspired numerous musical advances.

The most significant advances in Catalanian music was the creation of orchestral music. Orchestras are comprised of 5 to 50 instrumentalists. Some of the current orchestral groups have two violin sections, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The exact number and types of musicians depends on the compositions being performed.

The Militocracy of the Snar is also known for it's superb composers of orchestral music. Among them, Sir Peltrin Ardrei, composer of Dawn at Sea, and Carthe Ivanov, composer of Victory. Orchestral music in Jaguari is usually dramatic and powerful, and highly valued by nobles and folk alike.

But, like in Catalania, the most common musical style in the Militocracy has always been folk music. It is enjoyed by many nobles as well as by the general populace. Bards travel the countryside playing popular folk music at taverns and at celebrations, making good wages in the process. Their main instruments are the Corundrian Lute and the Folk Accordion (also called the Ceralna).

Painters and Sculptors

Efran Sophir
This sculptor of the 5th century AL is best known for his great monuments, including statues of Imperial commanders and many religious works. The entire Cathedral of the temple of Torla in Port Serval was sculpted by Sophir, including the great statue of the goddess and various other saints of that faith.

Morris Avenwarr
Avenwarr, born early in the 6th century PO, is widely known for his paintings of folk settings, making use of simple, yet unique imagery. He sold dozens of paintings throughout the south, and only a few have made their way to well known collections. Among them, "Valley" is the most famous, and shows a calm village, seen from the vantage point of a mountaintop, somewhere in the south of the Blue Suns Mountains.

Reylach Levlan
Perhaps the most famous artist of all time is Reylach Levlan, who lived about fifty years before the First Barbarian War. His paintings and sculptures were not given much value, forcing him to work hard to produce other practical artwork to sell for support. He produced many paintings, however, and great images of landscapes, cities, people and creatures were scattered across the Empire and the South.

Levlan was given a single honorable commission by the High Messenger of Cattar of the time, who was especially fond of his work. The main cathedral dome of the high Temple in Catalania City was entirely painted by Levlan, and is well preserved to this day.

Levlan's most famous work is unquestionably "The Suns", where the city o Catalania is seen from atop the clouds, and the three suns shine in the direction of the capital. Some other works are "Eclipse", "Mountain Pass", and "The Battle". These paintings, and all of his others, transmit a powerful sense of awe and magnificence, and possess a unique level of realism.

Persetria Barkos
Barkos worked mostly during the 10 year Oblivion, painting in a small cabin just west of Salfe Dorsa. Her scenes of heroic struggle, loss, and hope provide insight as to how the Dark Feline Empire ruled its subjects and hunted it's enemies. Her most famous work is "Raquillard", her memory of her visit to the Imperial court of the time.

Detri Credorian
Best known for his use of exotic colors , Detri Credorian lived during the 1st century AL. He spent most of his time making sketches of different landscapes, and painting portraits of nobles. "Peasant Girl in Blue Dress" is a well known example of this. But his personal work, and his most famous today, encompassed vast landscapes and colorful afternoon skies, like in his painting, "Sand and Sky".

Seileen of Brandon
This famous sculptor is credited with most of the great statues of Catalanian Emperors. Her 12' statue of Emperor Pargthan I is in Leonce's Crown Square, surrounded by a shallow pool, and was completed in 562AL.

Vitrenne Giournne
Not very well known in her time, Vitrenne Giournne is famous for her paintings of still life. She lived in Felineo during her youth, until 170PO, when she moved to Pallassi. Her most famous work, "Summer Wedding Flowers", is coveted by collectors around the continent.