Blogwagon: A Rankin/Bass Themed Hex - The Drumlands

After my prior grimdark trench-fighting rabbits, I might as well lighten up my next hex contribution to the collaboration. 

Oh look, no one's selected this little bastard as their theme/inspiration:

Even St. Joan can't save this travesty.

Ok. To start from the most belovedly hated Christmas song, and hopefully make a place of less suck...

Welcome to The Drumlands

Not to be confused with drumlins...

...although there could be drumlins in the Drumlands...

The Drum-Cult arose around the storied night where an orphan was said to have found favor with yet another desert messiah. Legend said that the infant messiah was amused or soothed by the orphan's drumming, so much so, that the babe recruited their divine powers to heal the orphan's lamb. Or so said an itinerant astrologer, who claimed to have heard about it from a colleague who heard it from another astrologer who claimed to have been there. Anyway, you want your tarot read?

Where were we? Oh yes, the Drumlands. An arid highland in the northeast, with cold, clear winters. Skin cracks from the cold, dry air, and the native shepherds have concocted any number of unguents from oils and saps to keep themselves supple as they watch their flocks by night. Spring brings thunderstorms and their accompanying life bringing water, which fills the streams and reservoirs, which then waters the barley, figs, olives, and other crops. Because of this, the populace tends to worship an obscure storm god. Summer is hot as the streams dwindle and crops ripen. Autumn is the harvest and celebration. Beer and wine are brewed as impoverished gleaners scour fields to collect missed grains and fruits.

At the heart of the lands is the Drumeo, a temple raised in the memory of Pater Aaron, the legendary orphan drummer. While the original percussionist faded into the sands of times, the temple is built around his relic drum, allegedly found years later in an animal stall. Now, the temple thrums with the beats and prayers of those who study of the powers of percussion, and to worship he who once soothed a prophet.

Rumpapumpum, bitches

Those who came brought their weapons instruments of rhythm: Toms, Djembes, Congas, Bongos, Tablas... for study and tutelage in the halls of the Drum. 

bring the beat

Here, away from the limelight, they study the rhythm method, finding ways to get closer to the heart, releasing their own freewill, connecting with the body electric, until time stands still and they find their own mystic rhythms. 

Understandably, those without sufficient grace under pressure are cast out and exiled.

Once their tutelage has completed, Drummers are in demand for their mystical abilities to appropriate various rhythms and cadences to create spell-like effects.

Drummers' Talents:

1. Make Fervent/Zealous: The staccato drives a group of allies into a ecstatic state, immune to fear and single-minded in their pursuit of a goal, victory, or glory.
2. Calm Animals and Children: Subtle rhythms soothe both the child and beast, flushing out rage and bringing a peaceful spirit, even inducing slumber.
3. Signal: Drummers arrayed throughout allied forces beat out a semaphore code that may be heard above the din of battle, mobilizing troops, wheeling formations, calling for reinforcements. 
4. Cause Fear: The wall of pounding pulses strike straight to the hearts of enemies, causing breath to become shallow, limbs to weaken, legs to quake.
5. Increase Travel Endurance: The marching drum fortifies the hearts and legs, allowing for longer and faster marches without fatigue and degradation.
6. Call to Worship/Celebration: The joyous beats and rhythms draw the faithful, announce good tidings, and lift up those who celebrate a moment, event, or holiday. The drums bring a beat under whatever other instruments or hymns, further amplifying any holiday.

Go to sleep

Recently, the Drummers have been collaborating with corps of mercenary pipers and incorporating tightly coordinated, shifting formations to further enrapture and/or terrorize the targets of their beats.

Pure terror

Drum on, shiny and chrome.