Alita Maschup

Seeing a show by Alita is like nothing you’ve experienced. They can take the crowd through emotional highs and lows, leaving the audience feeling like they’ve just ridden a dragon through the heavens and hell. Their ability to transform current and classic music is uncanny – the combinations are endless, and her skill seems to match. If you even have the opportunity to catch a show, do it. You will not regret it. 10/10 | Davon the Harper, Orsholon Music Gazette

Alita Maschup is a relatively new artist on the Orsholonian music scene. Believed to be originally from Baduhm, she was introduced to Orsholonian music fans at a recent music festival in Orsholon City by none other than Hargus Hurryhouse. It is reported that Hargus saw Alita in a Baduhmian tavern and was so impressed by their talent that he insisted they play the festival. The performance was powerful enough to cause the King Roigos II of Orsholon to offer them a “residency” of sorts, paying them to perform around Orsholon wherever they chose, as long as they could make themselves available for special royal events.

The position includes room and board in the finest establishments, but Alita tends to shy away from the pricier places, instead preferring to be near the common folk that she is most comfortable with.

Alita’s style of music is a mix of older and newer styles, and they are often combining new lyrics with older tunes, making the songs familiar and easy to learn. In some cases, they also take two or three different tunes and recombine them, giving new life to older works. Alita also produces original music but uses the existing music to draw the audience into experiencing the original material.

Not much is known about Alita’s early history, and it seems they prefer it that way. Alita has an engaging on stage presence, and audience members consistently report that it feels like Alita is speaking and singing only to them. But while Alita seems to connect deeply with audiences on stage, they are shy offstage and speak little, especially about themselves.

Alita dresses very simply, most commonly with a simple shirt and buckskin pants. Their boots show some wear, likely due to Alita's preference in walking from place to place if at all possible. This reference comes from wanting to experience life at "the ground level" as they are known for saying, taking in everything around them.

In the few interviews Alita has done with journalists, they have revealed that they are a self-taught musician partial to drums and guitar, although keyed instruments are also a skill. But the cost of keyed instruments and the logistics of keeping one have kept Alita from using them more frequently. When not on stage, Alita can usually be found strumming their guitar and trying out new tunes or skills.

Currently working as the "Resident Bard at Large" for the Orsholon Royal Family, Alita has been traveling the Orsholon Kingdom, going from town to town to play in venues large and small. The position comes with many perks, such as the option to stay in any establishment they choose. Alita, however, prefers staying in smaller inns, avoiding the limelight when possible.

Alita presents as gender neutral, and prefers the they/them pronouns. However, this is not really a point of contention for Alita, as it seems that gender is the least of their concerns.

Although mostly covered by clothing, Alita has "tiger-stripe" markings over what appears to be the majority of their body. It is unknown if they are tattoos, r perhaps natural. While there are individuals with such markings, they are exceedingly rare, and therefore the markings are believed to be tattoos, with much speculation over their meaning. Alita also frequently changes the color of streaks in their hair, often changing them to reflect the region, venue, or event in which they are performing.

Alita always has their guitar with them, fashioned by a Baduhmian luthier, as well as a trio of Dangoang drums. One is designed to be carried under the arm, while the other two are more decorated and are designed for play while seated. These latter two are only ever seen on stage with Alita, and are normally kept in a sturdy, padded trunk until they are ready to be played.

Alita seems to genuinely be motivated by the emotions they can stir in audiences. They seem to share the emotions at the same time, which appears to fuel Alita's passion for performing.

Alita is slender and physically fit. They keep a regimen including a healthy diet and light exercise. Their schedule keep them quite busy, and good health demands that they stay in shape.

Alita was brought to the attention of the masses (and the Orsholon Royal Family) by Hargus Hurryhouse. He has acted as an advisor of sorts, and has made sure she has played in front of the King and the Royal Court.

Alita has a way of connecting with their audience that is uncanny. After each performance, audience members can be heard talking about how they felt that Alita was speaking to them directly, how the music touched their souls. While some have ascribed it to magic, there has never been any evidence of such abilities in Alita. Yet, the power they have to touch others' hearts is undeniable.