Best Of

Bruin said:

As someone who created their character to scratch a musical creative itch, it pleases me to see a kindred spirit. When writing music for it myself I looked at my own talents: A constant need to make ditties in my head, and a lack of music theory. I rolled a character in Duiran because forests, trees, primeval culture, all heavily fit the fact that by any means of the word, my music would be considered 'folk' at best. So here are a few tips, I use myself, and I'm hoping they're applicable. You didn't mention whether you wanted the creations will be created by your character, but my own personal experience is from doing a character study, so the advice will dip into your character's experience as well.

• When picking an instrument, a Lute would be universal. Aetolia is its own game, and there isn't a bard class, but the easiest way to trope yourself as a bard is to get yourself a stringed instrument. I have less experience with shadow side, but I imagine string instruments are common enough with semi-industrious settings like the cities of Aetolia.
• Borrow inspiration from music your focus' culture is based on. While it's hard to sometimes pinpoint what culture a writer or player drew there inspiration from, most areas give some kinds of clues. I know for a fact the Duamvi culture is in part based off of the culture of India, so having some music inspired by sitar or tabla wouldn't be out of the question.
• Explore the area. Enorian has multiple sections, there's a poor quarter, there's a market district, there's an island with a building dedicated to the light divines and a large flame. There are at least two taverns, the air is filled with the clanking of armor and the chime of bells for the faithful, reminding everyone of the presence of the gods. Tainted seagulls and snakes are constant pests
• If you catch yourself thinking a ditty in your head, record it if you can. I get constant earworms and it's all I can do to get them to stop, honestly.
• Learn about the lore through events posts, news posts, poetry posts, library books, or even socializing.

I rolled a grook in Enorian a few months back, but due to time constraints in real life I never felt like I fully brought him into fruition. His back story was a grook vermin hunter from the dock district, a very simple beginning, but it helped me visualize and grow the character. Here's a song I was writing about Enorian and using a few factors of just experiencing things in game I came up with this. The song can be put to the tune of Age of Aggression/Oppression from Skyrim.

'Killing vermin's not pretty, but neither am I.' Said the young verdant grook with the wink of his eye. But gulls lead to gold, and gold leads to drink to swig by the Beryl* till our faces turn pink. Hark Enor'ian, one day I'll have wealth, The Grand Flame will burn with such vigor and health. With a flame in my heart, and a lute by my side, The agents of Shadow will cower and hide. The clank of the steel, the gruff blacksmith's swears. The chiming of bells, and the calling to prayer. A call to defend, to serve with our skills. Should again city fall, with the Light we rebuild. Cower, o Shadow, you've numbered your days. Vampires and Undead, repent in your ways. When the battles are won and history is writ We cry 'Blessed be Light and all who reach for it!'

*Not once have I seen a 'Beryl of Laughs', 'Beryl of Wine', or a 'Beryl of Monkeys' mentioned anywhere, and I feel like this is a squandered opportunity.