Starting with 9 Years Yearning and continuing through the rest of the series, we learn about High Poetry, Breme’s magic system that relies on the power of words. Cerie Korviridi begins as a student of the art, and we follow her as she grows in strength through the rest of the series.

Saint Luridalr, the First High Poet

Luridalr was a part of the nomadic Seinn tribe, a coastal people. She would have gone by Seinn Luridalr Breme, lending her name to the country that she helped to found by her power.

As detailed in the fairy tale Saint Luridalr and the Peony Phoenix, Luridalr was an early devotee of the goddess Poesy, said to be the “writer of the world.” She, along with her tribe, would sit around the fire and recite epic poetry, with Luridalr being considered wise beyond her years.

The Seinn were driven from their homes by invaders. Poesy’s intervention saved their lives – and changed the surface of the earth to protect them.

You can read more about Luridalr’s story in Saint Luridalr and the Peony Phoenix, a permanently free novella available from most retailers.

Luridalr’s brave act is the origin of High Poetry, as Poesy began to bless those who had assisted Saint Luridalr with the same power. 

Organization of the High Poet Society

High Poets are divided into two groups: Bestowed Poets, who are blessed by Poesy at birth and are born with the sigils in their skin, and Inculcated Poets, who undergo rigorous training to become High Poets. This training typically begins in childhood and takes over a decade. Each poet-in-training is assigned a Bestowed Poet who trains them. 

The culminating act of inculcation is a ritual known as the Sigillum, where the Bestowed Poet pulls out the Inculcated Poet’s fingernails, brands them with special sigils, and then hammers in black ink to help them stand out. As many Bremish are afraid of High Poets, most wear gloves.

Most High Poets live in what are known as meronyms, which are essentially monasteries for High Poets. Some High Poets choose to live outside the community for whatever reason, but it is rare.

Relation to the Government

The High Poet Society, while not necessarily part of the government, is essentially a powerful lobby that coordinates with the Bremish Council on matters of importance to the nation.

They also work closely with the War Committee regarding military movements, which is one of their specialties. This is particularly of importance to the Goldnin meronym, the closest one to the Bremish Council, which is tasked with many of the defensive movements of the nation.

High Poets bless and enchant all the weaponry used by the Bremish Army; because of their work, the Bremish have been able to repulse the Sinans for centuries.

Impact on Society

As High Poets are all female, their strength and essentiality to Bremish culture has created a society which reveres the Bremish saints and recognizes the unique strengths of women. They have also encouraged a strong love of literature, even amongst the illiterate. Poetry recitations are a critical part of every feast, and the High Poets are viewed as both wise and terrifying.