Erato

Published in the year 777 was a long narrative poem with only one word at the top: Erato. This has been used both as the name and the identifier for the poet, as no one is quite certain who wrote the work. It is a romantic poem about the idea of love throughout the ages, using the cornerstone story of Auravir and Jennadyl (famously popularized by Getoh in his play of the same name) as its focal point.
It begins as such, with little fanfare and no dedication, only increasing the mystery of its author:

In hearts of ev'ry man and girl alike
There sits a flutter, pitter-patter too,
That damns them all to sword or lance or pike
Yet still we march to its unceasing tune
And do whatever it may beg us to.
For few can thwart the Gods who loom above
While fewer still can halt the tides of love

Following this, it continues the rhyme scheme and structure above, following the pattern of: A
B
A
B
B
C
C
With this, Erato begins to tell the story of Auravir and Jennadyl's first meeting: Jennadyl was a Dwarven soldier fighting on the front lines against the Elves when an Elven diplomat named Auravir arrived to discuss peace terms. Most of Jennadyl's fellow soldiers wanted to behead Auravir and send it back to Camor, but Jennadyl fell in love with the Elf the moment she saw him.

Who is Erato?

Erato's true identity is unknown, but they are believed to be an elderly resident of either the the Kingdom of Man, Modan, or Alzirgos, due to the poetry style and wide breadth of knowledge on various romantic tales, as evidenced by the subject matter of their poetry.
To many, Erato's poetry reads as the work of a wise poet who has read a great deal in their long life, but their identity, gender, and true location are a complete mystery.
The only reason they are believed to be from one of the lands above is the location where these works were first published: Perilun. While this is the location of a large publishing house, meaning that it was likely chosen so that the work could have further reach, it is difficult for people elsewhere to travel to. Whoever Erato is, they had access to (and may have even lived in) Perilun.

Type

Text, Literary (Novel/Poetry)

Erato's version of their meeting, at a Dwarven tavern, paints Auravir as an ethereal being that contrasts the loud, boisterous noise of the tavern, and shows the moment the Dwarf fell for him.

Upon the stair was Auravir, in white
Attire, a hat atop his golden hair,
A presence shimmering, idyllic, bright.
Not fit for that thick, choking tavern air
Where little, bearded men did drink and swear
To rid the world of Elves and liberate
Their land, but Jennadyl could hardly concentrate
When chants of "Death to Elves" just served to call
Attention to the pointy-eared new guest,
Who seemed to stare right through her soul at all
The warmth she held beneath her armored breast.
She raised an arm to quiet down the fest,
And all the world did pause for but a breath
Like love, like fear, like dreams, like death.

The party continues around her, but Jennadyl does not listen to any of it, abandoning her drink and her squad to "confront" Auravir, whose words charm her more than his appearance had. As the bar breaks into raucous music that still centers around the death of Elves, the two begin to dance, as all the Dwarves around them fail to notice, preoccupied with their revelry and ale.

Auravir and Jennadyl by Jarhed

As they dance, the exchange compliments and flirt, and Erato uses this to transition to lovers throughout the ages, telling the meetings of famed couples like Mya Regalcrest and Donhals Dokhar, Nalrik Tilrak and Yilkin Nagil, as well as Meiriris Nerifir and Narkard Tinnel.
In Auravir and Jennadyl, there is a pure kind of love that reaches throughout history, or so Erato claims, and that is what this book continues hammering home, even as the love between Auravir and Jennadyl grows more tragic, as the Dwarves refuse the peace that Auravir brought, and soon start to suspect Jennadyl's allegiance.
But Erato does not believe that tragedy and loss lessen love in any way. They write, at the death of Auravir and Jennadyl:

Is death the end of love? If both lives end
Does love's pure light go out? If one flame dies
Does right demand another join the trend?
What Auravir and Jennadyl shared lies
In blood, but in our hearts that unforgotten prize
Remains steadfast, a beacon to look to
When love seems lost, in death e'en, it stays true.

Cultural Reception

Erato's poetry was widely praised and read, especially among Geltic noblewomen who found the romance to be exhilerating and their message to be beautiful. Among noblemen, however, there was an uproar as many demanded to know who the strange poet was whose work had invaded their homes. This only further spread word of Erato, however, who even began to seep into the common libraries and inns, where public readings of their work became commonplace.
Some famous names have been thrown around as possible culprits, and numerous theories have spread saying its a nobleman from Perilun, the publisher themselves, or even someone like Yamyuel Minglethon, Piesyr Waterflow, or Professor Calador of the Magic College of Zephys.
This was not Erato's only work, but it is their most famous, due to its succinct message and the nature of its release. The King, Vamar Forestarm, has demanded to meet Erato, but no one has answered the summons. Some wonder if he means to reward them or imprison them, but no one has dared ask his majesty. Whoever Erato is, they seem to wish to remain anonymous, despite the frantic search for them, and their work remains all the more popular for it.