I attempted to use music in my last campaign, and hopefully in this one, to convey certain feelings and messages. Picture, if you will, you're a group of escaped gladiators who got out when the city was attacked. You flee and realize to your horror you were in an undead necropolis. It gets worse, the attackers are demons, devils and all fiends of hell somehow being controlled by a powerful king of fiends who's only opposition is a monstrous undead lich whom sees all others as tools and betrayed those who once trusted him most, forcing them into undeath and servitude.
Then a party of scouts from the hell nation come with prisoners, out to collect more. The heros find themselves fighting them and as they did this music played for my players.
Later, when they met a bard whom they befriended, whom gave one hope by recognizing her species (that she thought might be extinct after losing her entire clan, home and family) after offering the paladin true insight that hes taken to his heart (There are two evils in the world. Evil that has never known the touch of good, that does not know there is another way to live, and evil who preys on those who do live those better lives. One of these is a tragedy and redeemable. The other deserves no mercy), after he aided a young girl escape the hell nation after her parents died, after he offered to delay a undead army chasing them it happened.
The flying Iskya saw them first, returning to her friends she told them what she saw. The bard was in full army, leading an undead army against them. They were at the only source of rebellion and possibly good they've seen so far, with refugees fleeing the terrible war and here he was, leading the undead to them. This music played.
For the record, the bard was hoping to lose, to die, to be burned. Remember when I mentioned the Lich forced his former friends to serve him? It turns out one was a bard. Truth be told it was a touching moment and one of the best in the game, partly because one of the players grappled him as the others killed the other army, forcing him to admit what he had done. In the end, they gave him the peace he wanted.
Later, they met the Asura. The Asura are not a race per say. When the gods were making this world and life and before they invented the idea of self-replicating creatures (AKA bow chicka time) they made the Asura. Unable to make more of themselves, unlike any life, they had a unique look to them. They were uncanny valley, they were things out of silent hill, they were things from the imaginations of children and dreams of beautiful and delicate crystal skeletons. They were gorgeous and monstrous both and surprisingly a favorite with my players.
Later, when they faced the BBEG, who was the rebirth of one of this realm's first gods, back when gods need only think things to exist, the man who made hell itself. With his companion beside him, an elder god, a creature that existed before even he and though it was a weaker creature it was still powerful. Picture, if you will, sudden lightning strike....
Then an army. Demons, devils, all denizens of hell. Controlled by Het, creator of hell and remade god. If he exists much longer he shall attain his first divine level and be unstoppable. In this godless land, that the gods themselves refuse to touch for fear of the death that covers it Het is free to regain his power and once he does none can stop him. Only they can.
And there he is. Tall, red skinned, with molten gold for eyes and small golden veins leaving them and interlacing with his crimson skin. No hair upon his head, but a crown of horns with two large ones in front, all god, with huge rubies in the bigger horns.
From his neck down the veins of gold turn silver, his body muscular and strong. From his elbows and knees down the veins turn to obsidian, ending in sharp obsidian finger nails and hooves. His wings are fire and in his hand is an old ancient looking obsidian sword, it gives the impression its been around longer then humanity and will not miss them when they are gone.
Along with this army there is the elder god, a big bloated green maggoty creature with two human eyes that constantly flicker into the back of its eyelids, as if struggling hard not to ever let themselves free. Its body filled with pores that release long, thin orange tendrils that end in wicked hooks but most disturbing of all is the people on him. Their bodies seem to be turning into green, fleshy substances that become a part of the creature as they're absorbed outside its skin. They move with him, obviously still conscious and alive but too weak or hurt to continue to scream and with that, came this music.
I'm hoping to use music in my latest campaign as well. Hopefully when a spell comes over a city that makes a cloud of terrible acidic vapors with long thorn covered vines coming out and grabbing anything and anyone it can get to drag into its ever growing mass this song will do:
Edit:Oh, also the Blind Guardian's bard song is the bard's theme song. That was his only known name in the game, simply the bard. If you wish to hear said song just do a forum search for a topic on bards.
I kind of accidentally went to a concert of Laibach, heard only Iron Sky soundtrack before. When this song started I barely stopped myself from laughing hysterically at a huge, purple "RESISTANCE IS FUTILE" on background screen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOBEu8Bn9-M&feature=kp (It's so much better live, though...)
Muse - Stockholm Syndrome http://youtu.be/gXN9acC9edU Had a chance to see these guys live at a concert hall with a max capacity of 2,000 people. Needless to say, they rocked my face off. Still my favorite show.
To celebrate the fact that the annual Pan-European pop fest, also known as Eurovision Song Contest, will be held in Copenhagen this week, here are a couple of older Eurovision songs to entertain you.
(As you can see, I have problems taking the contest seriously!:-))
Seriously though, despite the ridiculous outfits, I love this band. I guess the outfits fit their dramatic style of music. I think this song is their best one, everything just works, from the vocalist to the guitar solo. Love it!
EDIT: lyrics
Japanese
第一楽章「神の誕生」
God Palace, Apostle, We give, Bonds of death Method of Revival, Glory to God!
It's fallen into the pitch like darkness The judgment of God is the gate of the awaken Taken over by the violent pain The solitude squeezed his body And his heart began beating at the same speed as a ticking clock And then he was reborn.
We live with the rose. You (are) holding the fate. Time is your grace. I’m already god.
光無き闇 永遠へ続く扉
Romanized
Dai ichi Gakushou: [Kami no Tanjou]
God Palace , Apostle , We give , Bonds of death Method of Revival , Glory to God !
Nageki to itami kurushimi kioku no kanata Jikan toyuu daichi no tanjoo Tori ni wa sora wo hito ni wa ai wo atae Watashitachi ni sabaki no yumi wo
Yasashi sa wa zankoku na shiuchi kodoku koso towa no ai Soo shinji ikite kitta Aishite aisarete Yume wo mitte yume de au Mamotte mo uragirareru noni
Naze hito wa mina ai ni kizutsuku tame dake ni umare te kuru Kizutsuite kizutsukete ushinatte iku hate wa Rasen no yoo na kurushimi nukedase nai
Umarekawareru naraba utsukushii hanabira wo Kizu wo toge ni kae te watashi wa bara to naru
Dai ni Gakushou: [Gekidou no Jidai]
Ah... Kagayaki dashita hitomi no oku e Sekai ga irozuite yuku Sosei no giwaku no naka Ishiki ga toonoki ? Sabaki ga hajimaru
Hikari naki yami toware tsuzuku tobira
It's fallen into the pitch like darkness The judgment of God is the gate of the awaken taken over by the violent pain the solitude squeezed his body and his heart began beating at the same speed as a ticking clock and then he was reborn.
Dai san Gakushou: [Unmei]
Watashi wa bara ni tsutsumarete kodoku totomoni iki te yuku Hikari ga umare ta sadame wa mune ni dakishimete
Aishiteiru kara nikumi mo suru hito wa sonna mono Tsuranaru namida wa dare no tame ni nagashite kitta ?
Kodoku wa shisoo no tawamure namida wa kioku no kakusei Dare ka no tame ni sakihokore sadame wo kokoro ni daite
Utsukushiku ikite yuke hageshiku hanayaka ni Barairo no jinsei wa kodoku to ai no menuetto
Choo no yoo ni mai odore kane no oto hibiku made Utsukushiku utsukushiku utsukushiku sakihokore
Yofuke made no menuetto genwaku ni oborete Eien no hate
Dai yon Gakushou: [Eien no Hate]
Kore ga genjitsu da toshite dare ga yume to surikae ta Kami yo anata no shiwaza ka ? Nani o osore te kowashi ta Hito wa itsuka horobu darou sono toki anata ni kodoku wo
We live with the rose . You (are) holding the fate . Time is your grace . I' m already god .
Hikari naki yami toware tsuzuku tobira.
English Translation
First step: [The Birth of the God]
God palace, apostle, we give, Bonds of Death, Method of Revival, Glory to God!
Sorrow and pain, suffering, this place is so distant in my memory. Time, which is called the birth of earth, Is the gift of heaven for birds and gift of love for human. The arc of judgement is unfolded upon us.
Pleasure is an act of cruelty, among which the lonely eternal love is trapped. I lived believing my dearest, beloved I'll see in a dream, we will meet in a dream. And even if I will cover it, I would be betrayed.
Why do all people born only for being hurt by love? Wronged hurt, losing each other as a result. The suffering is like unbroken spiral.
If I'm able to be born again, I would change my wounds into thorns, Petals of superb flower, and I'll become a rose.
Second step: [An Age of Upheaval]
Ah, glare appeared in my eyes once again, Wold anew takes on colour. Among the doubts arising from revival My consciousness grows distant... Adjudication begins.
Unilluminated darkness, gate to the eternal life.
It's fallen into the pitch like darkness The judgment of God is the gate of the awaken Taken over by the violent pain The solitude squeezed his body And his heart began beating at the same speed as a ticking clock And then he was reborn.
Third step: [Destiny]
I'll live in solitude surrounded by roses, Holding my born of light fate in my chest.
If you love, you can hate easily, such kind of being people are. Whether it is worth to still shed our tears for them?
Solitude is conglomerate of thoughts, and tears only stimulates them. They bloom for someone, whose fate we're cuddling in our hearts.
Live beautifully, violently and colorfully. Life has the colour of roses, it's the minuet of love and solitude.
Dance this dance like a butterfly until bell appeals. Beautifully, beautifully, beautifully and fully blossom!
Minuet played until dusk comes, I'm drowning in daze, It's the end of eternity.
Fourth step: [The End of Eternity]
If it's really happening in reality, then who merged it with dreams? Oh God, is it your cause? What have you broke in your fear? Some day people will perish and then you will stay alone!
We live with the rose . You (are) holding the fate . Time is your grace . I' m already god .
My search for good Danish music finally succeeded and I have something to listen to before classes... Danish/Faroese band, haunting and incredibly beautiful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvD3J5HQ3_4
Had to add one more. Enya's song, "The Longships" actually inspired me, along with her song "Cursuum Perficio" to write a poem about the Vikings. My favorite part, about the Longships themselves, "And the ships fly forth like angels, like clouds up in the sky, filling the air with a Viking song, until the winds themselves run in fear."
And the ending, "One hundred pairs of strong, muscled arms, two hundred oars lifting in long, perfect strokes. Water flies as froth, glinting in the sun; and the ships of the Vikings fly on, ever on."
I am the shadow - with the eyes, eyes of fire I will fulfill your every - hellish desire Come sit on this throne - here beside me and be mine And we'll watch the flames get higher and higher and higher and higher...
This is just the start dear friends For i have come to claim revenge My victims turning, running scared You people better go and beware Your weak god can not help you now Come, we will play in the fire
Worship the sun Worship no one Worship the sun Worship no one Worship the sun Worship no one
Comments
Life is just a fantasy.
My soundtrack for Bodhi's fight!
"don't look so surprised, happy birthday...fucker" YEAH!
Then a party of scouts from the hell nation come with prisoners, out to collect more. The heros find themselves fighting them and as they did this music played for my players.
Later, when they met a bard whom they befriended, whom gave one hope by recognizing her species (that she thought might be extinct after losing her entire clan, home and family) after offering the paladin true insight that hes taken to his heart (There are two evils in the world. Evil that has never known the touch of good, that does not know there is another way to live, and evil who preys on those who do live those better lives. One of these is a tragedy and redeemable. The other deserves no mercy), after he aided a young girl escape the hell nation after her parents died, after he offered to delay a undead army chasing them it happened.
The flying Iskya saw them first, returning to her friends she told them what she saw. The bard was in full army, leading an undead army against them. They were at the only source of rebellion and possibly good they've seen so far, with refugees fleeing the terrible war and here he was, leading the undead to them. This music played.
For the record, the bard was hoping to lose, to die, to be burned. Remember when I mentioned the Lich forced his former friends to serve him? It turns out one was a bard. Truth be told it was a touching moment and one of the best in the game, partly because one of the players grappled him as the others killed the other army, forcing him to admit what he had done. In the end, they gave him the peace he wanted.
Later, they met the Asura. The Asura are not a race per say. When the gods were making this world and life and before they invented the idea of self-replicating creatures (AKA bow chicka time) they made the Asura. Unable to make more of themselves, unlike any life, they had a unique look to them. They were uncanny valley, they were things out of silent hill, they were things from the imaginations of children and dreams of beautiful and delicate crystal skeletons. They were gorgeous and monstrous both and surprisingly a favorite with my players.
During their first meeting a player linked this.
Later, when they faced the BBEG, who was the rebirth of one of this realm's first gods, back when gods need only think things to exist, the man who made hell itself. With his companion beside him, an elder god, a creature that existed before even he and though it was a weaker creature it was still powerful. Picture, if you will, sudden lightning strike....
Then an army. Demons, devils, all denizens of hell. Controlled by Het, creator of hell and remade god. If he exists much longer he shall attain his first divine level and be unstoppable. In this godless land, that the gods themselves refuse to touch for fear of the death that covers it Het is free to regain his power and once he does none can stop him. Only they can.
And there he is. Tall, red skinned, with molten gold for eyes and small golden veins leaving them and interlacing with his crimson skin. No hair upon his head, but a crown of horns with two large ones in front, all god, with huge rubies in the bigger horns.
From his neck down the veins of gold turn silver, his body muscular and strong. From his elbows and knees down the veins turn to obsidian, ending in sharp obsidian finger nails and hooves. His wings are fire and in his hand is an old ancient looking obsidian sword, it gives the impression its been around longer then humanity and will not miss them when they are gone.
Along with this army there is the elder god, a big bloated green maggoty creature with two human eyes that constantly flicker into the back of its eyelids, as if struggling hard not to ever let themselves free. Its body filled with pores that release long, thin orange tendrils that end in wicked hooks but most disturbing of all is the people on him. Their bodies seem to be turning into green, fleshy substances that become a part of the creature as they're absorbed outside its skin. They move with him, obviously still conscious and alive but too weak or hurt to continue to scream and with that, came this music.
I'm hoping to use music in my latest campaign as well. Hopefully when a spell comes over a city that makes a cloud of terrible acidic vapors with long thorn covered vines coming out and grabbing anything and anyone it can get to drag into its ever growing mass this song will do:
Edit:Oh, also the Blind Guardian's bard song is the bard's theme song. That was his only known name in the game, simply the bard. If you wish to hear said song just do a forum search for a topic on bards.
Music from the LotR soundtracks always gets me in the mood to mod BG.
(It's so much better live, though...)
Damn them... damn them all for eating my comrades! ;_;
Had a chance to see these guys live at a concert hall with a max capacity of 2,000 people. Needless to say, they rocked my face off. Still my favorite show.
Sometimes I just fall in love with my mother tongue all over again:)
(As you can see, I have problems taking the contest seriously!:-))
Schmetterlinge: Boom Boom Boomerang (Austria 1977)
Télex: Euro-Vision (Belgium 1980)
Peter, Sue & Mark + Pfuri, Gorps & Kniri: Trödler & Company (Switzerland 1979)
Guildo Horn: Guildo hat euch lieb (Germany 1998)
Seriously though, despite the ridiculous outfits, I love this band. I guess the outfits fit their dramatic style of music. I think this song is their best one, everything just works, from the vocalist to the guitar solo. Love it!
EDIT: lyrics
Japanese
God Palace, Apostle, We give, Bonds of death
Method of Revival, Glory to God!
嘆きと痛み 苦しみ 記憶の彼方
時間という大地の誕生
鳥には空を人には愛を与え
私達に裁きの弓を
優しさは残酷な仕打ち 孤独こそ永遠の愛
そう信じ生きてきた
愛して 愛されて
夢を見て 夢で会う
守っても 裏切られるのに
何故 人は皆 愛に傷つく為だけに生まれてくる
傷ついて傷つけて失って行く果ては
螺旋のような苦しみ 抜け出せない
生まれ変われるならば美しい花びらを
傷を刺に変えて私は薔薇となる
第二楽章「激動の時代」
Ah… 輝き出した瞳の奥へ
世界が色付いてゆく
蘇生の疑惑の中
意識が遠のき… 裁きが始まる
光無き闇 永遠へ続く扉
It's fallen into the pitch like darkness
The judgment of God is the gate of the awaken
Taken over by the violent pain
The solitude squeezed his body
And his heart began beating at the same speed as a ticking clock
And then he was reborn.
第三楽章「運命」
私は薔薇に包まれて孤独と共に生きてゆく
光が生まれた運命を胸に抱きしめて
愛しているから憎みもする 人はそんなもの
連なる涙は誰の為に流してきた?
孤独は思想の戯れ 涙は記憶の覚醒
誰かの為に咲き誇れ 運命を心に抱いて
美しく生きてゆけ 激しく華やかに
薔薇色の人生は孤独と愛のメヌエット
蝶のように舞い踊れ 鐘の音響くまで
美しく美しく美しく 咲き誇れ
夜更けまでのメヌエット 幻惑に溺れて
永遠の果て
第四楽章「永遠の果て」
これが現実だとして 誰が夢とすり替えた?
神よあなたの仕業か? 何を恐れて壊した?
人はいつか滅ぶだろう その時あなたに孤独を!
We live with the rose.
You (are) holding the fate.
Time is your grace.
I’m already god.
光無き闇 永遠へ続く扉
Romanized
God Palace , Apostle , We give , Bonds of death Method of Revival , Glory to God !
Nageki to itami kurushimi kioku no kanata
Jikan toyuu daichi no tanjoo
Tori ni wa sora wo hito ni wa ai wo atae
Watashitachi ni sabaki no yumi wo
Yasashi sa wa zankoku na shiuchi kodoku koso towa no ai
Soo shinji ikite kitta
Aishite aisarete
Yume wo mitte yume de au
Mamotte mo uragirareru noni
Naze hito wa mina ai ni kizutsuku tame dake ni umare te kuru
Kizutsuite kizutsukete ushinatte iku hate wa
Rasen no yoo na kurushimi nukedase nai
Umarekawareru naraba utsukushii hanabira wo
Kizu wo toge ni kae te watashi wa bara to naru
Dai ni Gakushou: [Gekidou no Jidai]
Ah... Kagayaki dashita hitomi no oku e
Sekai ga irozuite yuku
Sosei no giwaku no naka
Ishiki ga toonoki ? Sabaki ga hajimaru
Hikari naki yami toware tsuzuku tobira
It's fallen into the pitch like darkness
The judgment of God is the gate of the awaken
taken over by the violent pain
the solitude squeezed his body
and his heart began beating at the same speed as a ticking clock
and then he was reborn.
Dai san Gakushou: [Unmei]
Watashi wa bara ni tsutsumarete kodoku totomoni iki te yuku
Hikari ga umare ta sadame wa mune ni dakishimete
Aishiteiru kara nikumi mo suru hito wa sonna mono
Tsuranaru namida wa dare no tame ni nagashite kitta ?
Kodoku wa shisoo no tawamure namida wa kioku no kakusei
Dare ka no tame ni sakihokore sadame wo kokoro ni daite
Utsukushiku ikite yuke hageshiku hanayaka ni
Barairo no jinsei wa kodoku to ai no menuetto
Choo no yoo ni mai odore kane no oto hibiku made
Utsukushiku utsukushiku utsukushiku sakihokore
Yofuke made no menuetto genwaku ni oborete
Eien no hate
Dai yon Gakushou: [Eien no Hate]
Kore ga genjitsu da toshite dare ga yume to surikae ta
Kami yo anata no shiwaza ka ? Nani o osore te kowashi ta
Hito wa itsuka horobu darou sono toki anata ni kodoku wo
We live with the rose .
You (are) holding the fate .
Time is your grace .
I' m already god .
Hikari naki yami toware tsuzuku tobira.
English Translation
God palace, apostle, we give, Bonds of Death, Method of Revival, Glory to God!
Sorrow and pain, suffering, this place is so distant in my memory.
Time, which is called the birth of earth,
Is the gift of heaven for birds and gift of love for human.
The arc of judgement is unfolded upon us.
Pleasure is an act of cruelty, among which the lonely eternal love is trapped.
I lived believing my dearest, beloved
I'll see in a dream, we will meet in a dream.
And even if I will cover it, I would be betrayed.
Why do all people born only for being hurt by love?
Wronged hurt, losing each other as a result.
The suffering is like unbroken spiral.
If I'm able to be born again, I would change my wounds into thorns,
Petals of superb flower, and I'll become a rose.
Second step: [An Age of Upheaval]
Ah, glare appeared in my eyes once again,
Wold anew takes on colour.
Among the doubts arising from revival
My consciousness grows distant... Adjudication begins.
Unilluminated darkness, gate to the eternal life.
It's fallen into the pitch like darkness
The judgment of God is the gate of the awaken
Taken over by the violent pain
The solitude squeezed his body
And his heart began beating at the same speed as a ticking clock
And then he was reborn.
Third step: [Destiny]
I'll live in solitude surrounded by roses,
Holding my born of light fate in my chest.
If you love, you can hate easily, such kind of being people are.
Whether it is worth to still shed our tears for them?
Solitude is conglomerate of thoughts, and tears only stimulates them.
They bloom for someone, whose fate we're cuddling in our hearts.
Live beautifully, violently and colorfully.
Life has the colour of roses, it's the minuet of love and solitude.
Dance this dance like a butterfly until bell appeals.
Beautifully, beautifully, beautifully and fully blossom!
Minuet played until dusk comes, I'm drowning in daze,
It's the end of eternity.
Fourth step: [The End of Eternity]
If it's really happening in reality, then who merged it with dreams?
Oh God, is it your cause? What have you broke in your fear?
Some day people will perish and then you will stay alone!
We live with the rose .
You (are) holding the fate .
Time is your grace .
I' m already god .
Unilluminated darkness, gate to the eternal life.
angry music helps me not punch people
There's a possibility I'm going to see them as well as Eluveitie and Arkona in November and it makes me very happy:)
And I just love the songs Clannad did for the series "Robin of Sherwood" back in the 80's. Their album "Legend" collected those songs.
They also did the theme song for "Harry's Game", another series on British TV.
And Enya did music for the series "The Celts", including this song inspired by/about Boadicea
And the ending, "One hundred pairs of strong, muscled arms, two hundred oars lifting in long, perfect strokes. Water flies as froth, glinting in the sun; and the ships of the Vikings fly on, ever on."
And my Fav of all time Wardruna
Old school thrash.
This is their first song:
Type 0 Negative made this incredible cover:
And finally they made this sort of a cover from a different prospective.
I find this amazing!
This one deserves the lyrics:
Who is she that kneels - so respectfully before me
A virgin of snow white - purity
Do not fear - my fortunate one
Let us consummate our igneous union
Ave ave satanas
Ave ave satanas
Ave ave satanas
Ave ave satanas
I am the shadow - with the eyes, eyes of fire
I will fulfill your every - hellish desire
Come sit on this throne - here beside me and be mine
And we'll watch the flames get higher and higher and higher and
higher...
Ave ave satanas
Ave ave satanas
Ave ave satanas
Ave ave satanas
This is just the start dear friends
For i have come to claim revenge
My victims turning, running scared
You people better go and beware
Your weak god can not help you now
Come, we will play in the fire
Worship the sun
Worship no one
Worship the sun
Worship no one
Worship the sun
Worship no one