There was a time during the beginning of the Age of Nations when a musician of talent was required to receive a certification from the Church of Hormus in Zoher to call them self a Palveli and charge for the usage of their skill at events and banquets. Today the title of Palveli holds much less weight, musical busking and services long since having been deregulated by all states except for some Fiefdoms of the Ornsiire Empire. Now any dancer, singer, juggler or tumbler on a street corner or in a pub is often called a Palveli as a cover all for “one who performs for money.” Many musicians trained by other masters are often slightly offended by this thanks to the rich history of the term and the heritage it begs, but unfortunately for them, anyone can call them self a Palveli and be just as correct thanks to the term no longer carrying any legal precedent.
While it is now possible for anyone to play or sing for Chips each individual must broker their own jobs and positions competing with any other local Palveli in the area in the process. Several groups have risen in the new age in the Zyclester Empire and Jalar Confederation who sought to represent Palveli for a small fee, but they struggled to improve profits for their clients and have since dissolved.
Patronage
If a Palveli seeks to distinguish themselves from those around them there is still a time and tested method of doing so: Patronage. Specifically the patronage of the government be it local or nation wide. In some countries this is a combination of the governing religious party such as the Church of Hormus in Zoher or the Divine Star of the Claskarian Theocracy. This is distinct from the origins of Palveli: Requiring a certificate to practice in the first place. Instead the mutually beneficial connection provides widespread recognition for the artist, and generally improves public image for the sponsor. This goes additionally for other artisans such as sculptors. The Body of Hormus sponsored seventeen different artists to carve the legs, arms and palms of the temple’s archways and pillars. The Church of Hormus continues to sponsor several Palveli with the agreement that they include religious hymns or poetry of the church in their performances. In the Zyclester Empire The Table provides Patronage to a number of Palveli who they pay to travel and perform and in return receive regular information in regards to the rumors and feelings of the common man as it pertains to the country and its current politics.
Distribution
The origins of the Palveli lead the pursuit to commonly exist as a solo endeavor. Groups of Palveli are extremely rare and commonly scoffed at in most places. The discipline though now less esoteric still begs a kind of set-apart-ness that dissuades groups from forming. The only antithesis to this found is among the Yewdi in Strana Gigantov where small family groups often form the primary source of entertainment for their tribal homes.