The Song of the Sidhe (Audio play)
Project Overview
INTRODUCTION:
Hi! My name is Star and I'm currently working on a large collection of audio-only stories/role plays to be featured on my YouTube channel, Tearmann Audio Tales. Tearmann encompasses a universe that I've been building since early childhood and now, as an adult, I want to share the stories that I've been writing for years with the rest of the world. This is quite a passion project of mine so I'm very excited to find others to work with.
THE PROJECT:
Song of the Sidhe [pronounced SHEE...Irish is a weird, beautiful language] is the tale of a young royal (the Viewer), who is captured by an enemy warlord, and with the help of a captive druid girl, escapes just in time to prevent the ruin of their kingdom at the warlord's hand.
There are two major roles up for audition, as well as several supporting and minor roles. The ability to express powerful emotion through only your voice, while still being able to be understood clearly, is incredibly important. The ability to convincingly perform dialects and accents is preferred. If you can sing in a traditional, folk style, I'd love to hear a sample of that as well.
There will be some adult themes; genre typical violence, swearing, and death; so I ask that all applicants be 16 or older.
WHAT TO EXPECT
I'll be honest, I've only directed one major audio project like this before, so I'm a bit nervous. Cast members will be sent a link to a Discord server where we can all work together on rehearsing dialogue, receive the scripts, and even offer suggestions. I'm generally a very easy-going person, but I will not put up with any discrimination from my cast on the grounds of sexuality, race, gender, physical/mental ability, or religion. Bullying and harassment will not be tolerated towards any member of the cast; no matter how important your role is, if you hurt another member of the cast, I will recast you.
Aside from that, I really just hope this can become a friendly group that plays games together, collabs in other ways, and just in general gets along.
Although I can't offer payment as of now, should I earn any ad revenue, I'm willing to discuss some reimbursement. Unfortunately, as I have a small platform, this is more than likely an unpaid position. All actors will be credited in the description of each video, with links to their social media/CCC profiles, as well as at the end of the video and when their character first appears in the series.
WHAT I EXPECT
Since this is a large collaboration, I have a few expectations;
-
Good audio quality - While I am experienced in removing background noise; I really would rather not have to. I understand that proper microphones can be expensive, so that isn't a requirement; however, please note that if your audio quality is bad due to the fact, I'll have to pass off your audition. Files should have several takes of each line, with several seconds of space in between, and be in WAV format -
Punctuality - Please provide your lines before whatever deadline has been given, unless you have an excuse. I'm pretty lenient and understanding of personal issues getting in the way, especially since this isn't paid. Just let me know if your recording will be late and for what reason, as well as a time-frame that you expect to be finished by. -
Responsiveness - I do the majority of my communication via Discord, so I expect at least a few words in reply to a message about the project. If it takes you a day or two to reply, that's completely fine, but please, don't just read the message and not respond; even just an emote reaction will do.
THE AUDITION
- Read the lines in several different ways; while I have a vision of how they may be said, I'd love to hear your interpretation. I've supplied several voice inspirations, however, I'd much rather hear your take on it - not an impression
- Send you favorite takes of the lines, preferably as a WAV file. I don't mind if you keep some bloopers in, we all need to laugh sometimes.
- Please make sure to use clear diction. I have supplied a pronunciation guide with each character description
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TRANSMAN/TRANSMASC ACTOR PREFERRED
Ragnar is a kind old man, a healer who acts as a surrogate father to the Akuhito children. He's a blind old man whose experiences with transphobia have left him scarred, but he refuses to let that make him jaded. He's a healer, a teacher, and a counselor to those who need it. He carves wooden figures in his spare time. Sometimes, he still has nightmares about his parents, but he doesn't share them with others because he's afraid of being judged. He's a sweet, selfless old man who loves deeply and defends his charges without question because he adores them and never wants them to feel the way he did growing up
All in all, a very kind fatherly figure. Voice should be soothing, if a bit rough sounding due to age. There will be discussion of transphobia in dealing with his past, though it's unlikely to come up.
The first line's context; he has just given a healing draught to a patient who is near death, a prisoner who was rescued from a fighting pit. He cannot figure out how to remove her chains, which are clearly spreading an infection through her body and slowly killing her. He's feeling a bit helpless, knowing that there is little he can do.
Second line context; He's opening up about his past to his surrogate children and telling them the story of his transition. This is a painful topic for him, something he hasn't spoken to anyone about it years.
I gave her the potion, though it was little, she drank it in seconds and fell asleep immediately. She has a fever, no doubt, her skin was hot, and those damned cuffs...I could tell they are beginning to cause an infection.
Please humor this old man, my boy. I have kept this secret for many years.
Aoife (pronounced Eve), is the mother of the Connelly children - twins Muriel and Gwaine, Bran, Aisling (Ash-linn), Aiden, and Roisin (Ro-sheen), and the wife of Cian Connelly. She passes away before the story begins, back when Muriel and Gwaine are still teenagers. She is kind and usually exhausted from constantly running around after her little ones. When she dies after a plague sweeps through Hemshire, she forbids her eldest daughter, Muriel, from trying to heal her, as she knows it would only result in both of their deaths.
Song reference:
He was a wonderful man, your father. He looked much like you, Gwaine, except older, yet still so young. He carried himself with such grace, it seemed that he floated off the ground.
[ill, dying]
Be strong, a thaisce, you must keep going. Please, do not waste your magic to save me...it's too late. I can see how it is draining you...
No!
[coughs painfully]
No, Muriel. I forbid you to give up your life in exchange for mine. Do not throw your life away, a stóirín, be strong. Be brave, my treasure. Know I will always be by your side
[section of Bellyeamon Cradle Song]
The birdeens sing a fluting song
They sing to thee the whole day long
Wee fairies dance o’er hill and dale
For very love of thee
Dream, Dream, grah mo chree
Here on your Mamma’s knee
Angels are guarding and they watch o’er thee
As you sleep may Angels watch over
And may they guard o’er thee.
The twin brother of Muriel and a druid warrior. He has been searching for his sister for years, since she was stolen from their village after it was raided by De Rege's horde. Unlike his sister, he has no magic. Flirtatious, cocky, and humorous, with a hidden sensitive side. A chronic alcoholic prone to getting into trouble. Deep voice with a soft Irish accent (somewhere between a Limerick and a Wicklow dialect).
Vocal range: baritone to tenor, with some falsetto. Ability to harmonize preferred.
Some vocal inspiration:
Suggested song for audition: She Moved Through the Faire
Pronunciation guide:
Adair: ə-DEHR
De Rege: dee-RAY
Muriel: MYUWR-ee-əl
Salarona: sal-ARA-nah
Ginlandsaint: GIN-lan-saynt
Pruthannen: PROO-thAHn-ehn
Cucullian: KOO-cuh-lehn
Aisling: ASH-lyən
Roisin: RO-sheen
Cian: KYEE-ən
[building frustration, to the point of shouting]
No. She is the reason that Aiden is still alive! She's the reason that Roisin can communicate, that bran and Aisling have grown up strong, that you never died out in the snow after drinking too much! Muriel has kept this family going and kept us all alive through every winter, every famine, every single hard day, but you never cared!
[sad, but reverent]
This blade was my father's, I never met him...but mam always said that he was magnificent. He was from the mountains, in the court of the Fae Queen...but he was exiled, for some reason or another...and he had to flee before Muri and I were born.
[soft, regretful]
My mam lived with the druids then...she still taught us the old ways, until she married Cian. I often wonder if I could have had magic too, had she stayed.
<< sing a new bars of your favorite Celtic folk song, without any backing music. Nothing pop or rock, please. You can use minor pitch correction, but I'd rather hear your bare voice. Try to keep the Irish accent, if possible. >>
The princess of Enwin. Haughty and often rude to her servants, she has a reputation around the castle for her arrogance and callous tendencies. Eventually, she learns humility with the help of Peggy, her maidservant and lover. She is betrothed to Romilly
I beg your pardon? Who do you think you're talking to?!
Peggy, my Peggy...you have never failed me, not once. I will always trust you, even if my parents do not
[heartbroken]
They...they took her. My Peggy...my dear, sweet Peggy. She told them that... [sob] she told them that she was the princess! And they took her! My beloved Peggy...she's gone.
A young serving girl from a peasant household. Formerly a scullery maid in the kitchen - she was elevated to the position of Princess Roselynn's maidservant when her former handmaiden birthed her child. Peppy, very sarcastic, and has little respect for Roselynn’s authority over her. Her disregard for the rules starts as annoying, but quickly becomes one of the reasons that she and Roselynn fall in love. She disguises herself as the princess in order to keep Roselynn from being kidnapped by pirates.
[hesitant]
Oh um...she uh...went into labor last night. Did you not hear? So I'm here. Obviously.
[cheeky, with no respect, but still lighthearted]
Your highness.
I swear it's true! I would never lie to you
[in pain, but defiant]
Took you idiots long enough to figure it out. What are you gonna do now, huh? Kill me?
The father of Romilly and the ruler of Ginlandsaint. A firm, sometimes ruthless king, whose stance on the eradication of magic sets the plot in motion, unbeknownst to him. Despite being very hard on Romilly, he genuinely loves his child, but tends to keep them at arm's length in attempt to make them "stronger." When Romilly is kidnapped, Bernard is heartbroken, believing them to be dead, and falls ill, leaving his wife, Caitriona, to rule as regent. Upon Romilly's return, he is overjoyed, but only for a short period of time, before resuming his strict, stoic façade.
Voice References:
You are the future ruler of this kingdom; you must never show mercy to those with magic. As soon as you turn your back, they will slaughter you for it. Magic is not to be trusted, it is a disease that must be eliminated, no matter the price.
Is it really you? Oh my child! I thought...I thought...never mind that now. My poor child, what have they done to you?
I do not care what this witch did for you. It is corrupt, just as all infected with the plague that is magic. I understand that you feel deeply about this and it is certainly my fault. I have been too soft with you.
The queen of Ginlandsaint and mother of Romilly. Reserved and motherly. Cares deeply for her child and wishes for them to be happy. She is the calm to Bernard's storm and is far more patient than her husband. Secretly has magical abilities that she has hidden from her kingdom since childhood out of fear.
Voice inspiration:
Song
[sobbing with relief]
Romilly! You're alive. Your father and I had given up all hope
Please, my lord, consider your temper. They have been through a great deal and were desperate for comfort. If a sorceress is what brought them that comfort, we should be grateful.
<<song; Connemara Cradle Song>>
Hear the wind blow love, hear the wind blow
Lean your head over and hear the wind blow
Oh, winds of the night, may your fury be crossed,
May no one who's dear to our island be lost
Blow the winds gently, calm be the foam
Shine the light brightly and guide them back home
A knight of Ginlandsaint. Killed in the ambush. Close friends with Wynne, who was their former squire. Light French accent.
[jovially]
Yes, and it appears that poor Wynne has begun to get rather saddle sore!
We need to get you out more, your highness! Who knows when your old man will start having you fulfill all his duties.
Oi, easy, your highness. I know he’s my King, and ‘tis an honor to serve under him.
Me? Make supper? But that’s....that’s squire’s work!
Barret is the younger brother of Adair De Rege, who was killed in a raid by Ginlandsaint's army. He is about nine years old at this time. He adores his older brother, always excited by the thought of Adair's minor magical abilities. His death is what causes Adair to become the cruel warlord that he is.
'Dair? Can you show me the...the thing again, please?
[excited, in awe]
Wowee! I wish I could do that
[terrified]
'Dair! 'Dair, where are you?
[sobbing]
Don't hurt my brother! Leave him alone!
[screams]
Princess Roselynn's father, the king of Enwin. While he views those of non-noble blood to be little more than street rats, he would do anything to make his daughter happy. He dotes on Roselynn, resulting in her spoiled nature
Come here, my Rosie. Look at you, a vision! Is there anything you would like?
I understand you are fond of the girl, but I cannot send any troops out on a wild goose chase just for some servant. We will find you a new one...one that actually does her duty properly.
Adair's right hand, a particularly cruel character. Lecherous, conniving, and weaselly. He's just an all around bad guy, who fears his master. At one point, he may have been enslaved, much like Muriel, but he has apparently long forgotten the pain of it, enjoying inflicting punishments for minor infractions
If I may, my lord, perhaps the brat could do with some...persuasion.
[cackles]
Silly little bird, I'm not going to hurt you...I'm just going to train you up proper, so his majesty has a strong weapon, one what does what it's told
The king of Salarona; whose kingdom has been at war with Ginlandsaint for nearly ten years. Domineering and cruel, but seductive and incredibly manipulative. Keeps captive sorcerers as slaves to attack the outer towns of Ginlandsaint. He plans to conquer the entire continent of Pruthannen and force Muriel to be his queen. He despises King Bernard for yet unknown reasons and desires to rip everything he ever loved away from him.
Deeper, somewhat bass tone. Plummy, high class accent preferred.
Some vocal inspiration:
Tom Ellis as King Cenred (BBC's The Adventures of Merlin)
PJ Woods as William Afton (Five Nights at Freddy's)
Mark Hamill as Firelord Ozai (Avatar; the Last Airbender)
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar (The Lion King 2019)
Pronunciation guide:
Adair: ə-DEHR
De Rege: dee-RAY
Muriel: MYUWR-ee-əl
Salarona: sal-ARA-nah
Ginlandsaint: GIN-lan-saynt
Pruthannen: PROO-thAHn-ehn
Hmm. I suppose it would be advantageous to see that the royal brat does not die in the coming months. I’ll need to extract information from them should their father refuse...and you shall use your skills to patch them up after our little sessions, hmm?
‘Tis no use trying to free yourself, your highness. Those chains are enchanted...the more you struggle, the tighter they will hold. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Adair De Rege - King of Salarona, conqueror of Pruthannen, and your most gracious host. Your father has been giving me quite some trouble...perhaps a little bargaining chip will make him see reason, hmm?
I see you staring at my little pet. A vision, isn’t she? Such rare beauty for a barbarian. It has taken me quite some time to make her look...presentable. You two will be seeing much of each other, my royal friend. She will be your nursemaid. Say hello, my little sparrow.
I AM LOOKING SPECIFICALLY FOR A GENDER NEUTRAL SOUNDING VOICE
Romilly is the future sovereign of Ginlandsait, the firstborn of King Bernard and Queen Caitriona. They are fiercely loyal to their kingdom, particularly to their father, whose approval they seek more than anything else. After being captured by Adair De Rege, they find refuge with De Rege's enslaved sorceress, Muriel, who helps them unlearn their biases against magic.
They are firm, confident, and sometimes a bit arrogant, but can be very soft spoken and kind when alone with someone. Hesitant to show weakness and eager to live up to their father's expectations, they struggle with the knowledge that magic itself is not evil, like they had been raised to believe, but nothing more than a tool, much like their own sword.
Mind your tongue, Modeste. That is your king you are speaking of.
[awestruck, perhaps a bit smitten]
Your eyes...
[caught off guard, slightly embarrassed]
They um...they glow when you do that. It's...It's kind of pretty.
Please, Father, she saved my life. She helped me escape! I cannot just let her die. Magic or no, she kept me alive, at the risk of her own well-being.
[as if a damn is breaking, as they realize how wrong their father has been for years and are flooded with guilt at their own actions]
Your hatred of magic is what caused this...magic is beautiful, Father, I have seen that now. I have seen in heal wounds, grow food, ease suffering, and all the while, I learned how wrong you have been. How wrong we all have been. Magic is not a plague, it's a gift.
A sorceress and priestess of the Cult of Cunahir, the Lord of Betrayal. Has the ability to waken the dragons from their long sleep. She is a Lamia - half human, half serpent - used to being treated as a monster. She is Adair's advisor, the one who created the binding spell that ties Muriel to Adair's service.
So it's true then, the royal whelp yet lives. Pathetic what you have stooped to, dearest sister, to save the life of one who would see you and all your kin burnt.
You could have had a beautiful life, you know. The King is fond of you, little sparrow. If you had agreed to be his consort, he would not have bound you this way.
One of the knights of Ginlandsaint and the only survivor of the doomed patrol, who the Listener believes to be dead as well. Noble, loyal, and soft spoken. Originally from Lubea. The Listener’s closest friend.
Your Highness, we’re nearing the border. Should we set up camp for the night?
Yes, of course, your highness, I understand that this mission is of the utmost importance, however, the horses have begun to slow.
Sorcery! Get behind me, your highness! Run, your highness! Towards the border, swiftly!
A knight of Ginlandsaint. Killed in the ambush. The King’s senior knight, sent to keep an eye on the Listener
[playful, chiding as if talking to a younger sibling]
Oh, hush Ariel. You worry too much. I think the quiet is a nice change of pace.
[laughs heartily]
You needn’t blush, your highness! I would have thought you more aware of the more secretive side of the courts. Why, even Modeste and Wynne have been known to...galavant about since Wynne was merely Modele’s squire. Although I do suppose that you often are too involved in your training. I know your father has kept you busy since you were just a welp.
Who goes there? Show yourself!
A knight of Ginlandsaint. Killed in the ambush. Generally anxious.
I don’t like the look of this place, your highness. It seems...too quiet.
I’ve a bad feeling about this. There’s something wrong.
Yes, your highness, I know I tend to fret, but your father sent me with this rabble to protect you. I’m merely taking my duty seriously.
A knight of Ginlandsaint. Killed in the ambush. The youngest of the patrol, still in their late teens
No, no of course not, my friend. Merely that if a bandit were to attack you from behind, they might mistake your arse for a shield.
We’ve no squires on this journey, friend. Come, I’ll help you make something that doesn’t poison the lot of us.
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