Setting the mood for the game - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Setting the mood for the game

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Jul 07, 2003 9:25:56 Okay, I understand taht there's going to be some people who think that this topic is fluff. I also understand that most people who pose these questions are looking for a) trouble or b) posts on message boards. With that in mind this is a serious question: :D

I am a strong believer in getting in the correct mood for the game. I am also a believer that music can affect moods for good or for bad. So I am trying to get a list of music to put my players in the right frame of mind to play Dark Sun. Any suggestions?
#2
zombiegleemax
Jul 07, 2003 11:05:41 I'm working on a website right now for DS and was seriously thinking of having appropriate music resource for DS. Won't be able to if its under a free host or limited bandwidth host since most mp3s are 3-5 megs or more (and that would kill any free host's monthly allocation), but if I chunk out for a paid host, it will most certainly be there.

I use a mixture of India and Middle Eastern chants, sutras, and other such music, as well as ambient music for flavor tone. There are some okay midi's out there that you can use, but the midi quality lacks and tends to add a cheese atmosphere.

I tend to avoid compositions that use 'normal' instruments (flutes, piano, etc.) since these pieces tend to create a contradictory atmosphere. I have found a few percussion heavy pieces of African influence that worked their way into my collection as well, even one or two from Native American derivation (without vocals since that distinguishes the root music too much and spoils the tone).

As for modern music (rock, metal, etc.), even though there are a number of artists whose work has a definitive 'fantasy' theme (especially in the progressive metal genre), I avoid those at the gaming table since they once again are 'foreign' sounds to Athas.

Music that may work in other Tolkienesque fantasy just doesn't seem to hold true to Athas.

Well, I guess what to use is far more limited in scope that what not to use. Anyhow, that's my take on it.

BTW, what's wrong with talking fluff ;). Beats the heck out of the usual number crunching jargon going on.
#3
warhead
Jul 07, 2003 11:19:31 I've been looking for some appropriate music too, the PC's don't know it yet but they're being whisked off to Athas from Toril next time...and I want to add some flavour.

I went looking for some Moroccan music but that hasn't really hit the mark yet.

Any suggestions gratefully received.
#4
zombiegleemax
Jul 07, 2003 11:42:31 As for a resource, try MP3.com. Your allowed a 15 day free and full access, plenty of time to nab up hundreds of songs that are appropriate for your game.
#5
zombiegleemax
Jul 07, 2003 12:04:45 Well I've come up with a list here that I'm putting in my DS player's primer. I typically don't like to use rock, metal, etc. in my games, but they do work before the game to warm-up the crowd.

- Bottom – Tool – Undertow: track 4
- Swamp Song – Tool – Undertow: track 6
- Flood – Tool – Undertow: track 9
- Forty Six & 2 – Tool –
#6
jon_oracle_of_athas
Jul 07, 2003 16:58:19 The "Gladiator" and "Gladiator More Music" soundtracks are both among my personal favorites for DS background music.
#7
nytcrawlr
Jul 07, 2003 17:45:42 Been meaning to get those...
#8
Shei-Nad
Jul 07, 2003 18:53:54
Originally posted by Jon, Oracle of Athas
The "Gladiator" and "Gladiator More Music" soundtracks are both among my personal favorites for DS background music.

Hehehe... That soundtrack should almost officially be renamed Dark Sun! :D I use that too, well many of these songs anyways.

Seriously. Try to find a passage written by the wanderer about the "harsh beauty" of Athas. Then, play "Strenght and Honor" (Track 10 I think) of the Gladiator Soundtrack, wait something like 10-15 seconds from the start, and read the text out loud, measuring your words. You'll see... :D

I'll try to download yours too. Very good topic of discussion by the way.

Now, here are mine.

Note that I remix them a lot to make continuous songs of the parts I like, especiially for combat.

Also, I am a big fan of customised event theme music (just like in a movie. You'll see)

Conan the Barbarian (Soundtrack)

- Anvil of Crom (cheesy, maybe, but makes a good classic battle song when you remix the first 50 seconds)
- Funeral Pyre (sad theme, first 2min30secs, tragic event from 2min30 to 3min)
- Orphans of Doom - the Awakening (Night music, outside travel or camp)
- Recovery (nice melancholy soothing theme)
- ? (Missing one title but serries of eerie and slow chants make very cool for mysterious, evil spellcaster scenes)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Soundtrack)

- Desert Capriato (a little oriental, but still makes an interesting desert travel music)

Evanescence (Origin album) *Special

- Feilds of Innocence (Not really usefull in game, but I work on my Dark Sun stuff with that song on Repeat, and for some reason, it works... dunno why... not especially Dark Sun)

[b]The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Soundtrack)

- A Journey in the Dark (Used the first 1min15sec on repeat remix for under Tyr. Works great for underground ruins, doesn't look to medieval. Also, from 2min to 3 min, you have a great build up for important or triumph scenes)

* Don't use too much of these LotR songs. They mess up with Dark Sun a lot.

Gladiator (Soundtrack)

- The Wheat (nice but short)
- The Battle (used the first 1min30sec as the Crimson Legion set out of Tyr, rest is too chaotic, but has great build-ups)
- The Earth (Very nice brooding calm resting theme)
- The Emperor is Dead (can be used as short sad theme)
- Sorrow (name says it all. Has an arabic touch)
- Strength and Honor (THAT'S Dark Sun, harsh wonders)
- The Might of Rome (used 30secs to 2min time in Crimson Legion when the Character's unit are reached by Urik's army's vanguard, describing both armies, it could be used when describing Urik or Draj, warlike cultures)
- Barbarian Horde (brooding and building part is good, rest can be used for battles. Song when gladiators come out to the arena)
- Am I not Merciful? (Nice but has 2 big build ups which can alter the mood or distract)
- Elysium (interesting sad theme)
- Honor Him (Sad theme, short)
- Now we are free (Nice brooding song)

Last of the Mohicans (Soundtrack)

- Massacre (for dangerous and culminating fights)
* Sadly the rest can't really be used in DS

Vangelis (1492-Conquest of Paradise album)

- Opening (Slightly dreamy)
- Delivrance (Brooding hispanic. Works somewhat)

Warcraft III (the game, mp3s are in it)

- Nightelf (kind of mysterious arabic theme. Used it with athasian elves and the elven market)

Baldur's Gate (the game)

- Ruins of Ulcaster (always good for haunted ruins thing)

That's pretty much it for now, but I'll definately try to find those you metionned. I really like this idea. You could do the same Posting for images (Like the silt drake posted a couple of days ago)
#9
zombiegleemax
Jul 07, 2003 23:51:12 Gotta grab up the Gladiator soundtrack (hated the movie, but always did like the music).

Some other pieces I like to use are:

Antonin Dvorak's The New World (2nd & 3rd movements) has a few sections that are great exploration or discovery songs.

Holtz's Mars movement from The Planets makes for a great battle song. Some of the other pieces fit Athas as well (except perhaps the light Venus score).

Wanger's Der Rings Des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) which features Ride of the Valkyries has a few other movements that are very much worth a listen (fans of the old late 70'S Excalibur movie would recognize Seigmund's Funeral as the piece used for Arthur's funeral, which I like to play for any PC deaths as a grand farwell. The intro isn't bad either as a general background score.

For a bit of contemporary classical, try finding Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells, its about the only music with electric guitar that I play at my gaming table, but the whole album is rather a blend of modern, classical, and err . . . weird stuff tossed in (the very beginning was used in the movie The Exorcist, but the whole one hour song is, well, different). Another album by Oldfield called Voyager could have been the soundtrack for Braveheart had it not come out in '96. Some interesting takes on Celtic music that actually would fit well in Dark Sun as most of it is more dark and moody than you would think Celtic to be.

Another great online resource for classical music is The Classical Music Archive. Free limited access (only allowed 5 downloads each day) or $25 a year for full access along with additional access to zipped scores. Lots of mp3s and even some fairly decent midi recreations.
#10
zombiegleemax
Jul 08, 2003 7:42:57
Conan the Barbarian (Soundtrack)

- Anvil of Crom (cheesy, maybe, but makes a good classic battle song when you remix the first 50 seconds)
- Funeral Pyre (sad theme, first 2min30secs, tragic event from 2min30 to 3min)
- Orphans of Doom - the Awakening (Night music, outside travel or camp)
- Recovery (nice melancholy soothing theme)
- ? (Missing one title but serries of eerie and slow chants make very cool for mysterious, evil spellcaster scenes)

What no Wheel of Pain?
#11
zombiegleemax
Jul 08, 2003 7:45:45 Thanks everyone for the list. It is definately going to come in handy. I also hope this discussion helps to add to each of your own campaigns.
#12
zombiegleemax
Jul 08, 2003 10:04:03 Anyone interested in sharing music resources? I've got a spew of sings downloaded from various sites that I'd be more than willing to zip up and send out if anyone's interested (not ripped songs, just the freebies I got).
#13
zombiegleemax
Dec 05, 2003 9:05:54 Someone was looking for this.

So here a mighty

I know there's another around here . . . let me see . . .
#14
Grummore
Dec 05, 2003 15:42:37
Originally posted by Mach2.5
Anyone interested in sharing music resources? I've got a spew of sings downloaded from various sites that I'd be more than willing to zip up and send out if anyone's interested (not ripped songs, just the freebies I got).

How big would this be ? oh! Mighty bummer! :D
#15
zombiegleemax
Dec 06, 2003 0:37:41 Not sure, never tallied them up. I'm reduced now to using Yawnhoo! so I'd have to send them one by one. Most have links in the other music thread anyhow.
#16
zombiegleemax
Dec 22, 2003 13:44:49 Since a lot of people here love the Gladiator OST, I shall put some more songs by Lisa Gerrard, one of the composers of that score. All these tracks have a similar feel to Gladiator.

Lisa Gerrard
Shadow Magnet (very good)
Sacrifice
Tempest
Sanvean

Dead Can Dance (Lisa Gerrard's old band)
Cantara (the BEST Dark Sun/desert song ever!)
Mother Tongue
Rakim
Indus
Song of the Nile

Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke
Iguazu

Also, the room in which you role play, put up all the Dark Sun artwork like posters and maps. Put up pictures of the desert and ancient sites. On the table, up some eastern art like an cup or figurine. Throw down an imitation Persian rug etc. You might want to consider role playing on a coffee table and sitting on pillows, like they do in the middle east. Also, serve Dark Sun like food (or close to it, you don't need to feed your players fried spiders and snakes). If you want to dress up, go right ahead. Try not to go too far. If you have to answer the door and you are dressed like an S&M gladiator elf, that might freak out your neighbors.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Jul 07, 2003 9:25:56	Okay, I understand taht there's going to be some people who think that this topic is fluff. I also understand that most people who pose these questions are looking for a) trouble or b) posts on message boards. With that in mind this is a serious question: :D I am a strong believer in getting in the correct mood for the game. I am also a believer that music can affect moods for good or for bad. So I am trying to get a list of music to put my players in the right frame of mind to play Dark Sun. Any suggestions?
#2 zombiegleemax Jul 07, 2003 11:05:41	I'm working on a website right now for DS and was seriously thinking of having appropriate music resource for DS. Won't be able to if its under a free host or limited bandwidth host since most mp3s are 3-5 megs or more (and that would kill any free host's monthly allocation), but if I chunk out for a paid host, it will most certainly be there. I use a mixture of India and Middle Eastern chants, sutras, and other such music, as well as ambient music for flavor tone. There are some okay midi's out there that you can use, but the midi quality lacks and tends to add a cheese atmosphere. I tend to avoid compositions that use 'normal' instruments (flutes, piano, etc.) since these pieces tend to create a contradictory atmosphere. I have found a few percussion heavy pieces of African influence that worked their way into my collection as well, even one or two from Native American derivation (without vocals since that distinguishes the root music too much and spoils the tone). As for modern music (rock, metal, etc.), even though there are a number of artists whose work has a definitive 'fantasy' theme (especially in the progressive metal genre), I avoid those at the gaming table since they once again are 'foreign' sounds to Athas. Music that may work in other Tolkienesque fantasy just doesn't seem to hold true to Athas. Well, I guess what to use is far more limited in scope that what not to use. Anyhow, that's my take on it. BTW, what's wrong with talking fluff ;). Beats the heck out of the usual number crunching jargon going on.
#3 warhead Jul 07, 2003 11:19:31	I've been looking for some appropriate music too, the PC's don't know it yet but they're being whisked off to Athas from Toril next time...and I want to add some flavour. I went looking for some Moroccan music but that hasn't really hit the mark yet. Any suggestions gratefully received.
#4 zombiegleemax Jul 07, 2003 11:42:31	As for a resource, try MP3.com. Your allowed a 15 day free and full access, plenty of time to nab up hundreds of songs that are appropriate for your game.
#5 zombiegleemax Jul 07, 2003 12:04:45	Well I've come up with a list here that I'm putting in my DS player's primer. I typically don't like to use rock, metal, etc. in my games, but they do work before the game to warm-up the crowd. - Bottom – Tool – Undertow: track 4 - Swamp Song – Tool – Undertow: track 6 - Flood – Tool – Undertow: track 9 - Forty Six & 2 – Tool –
#6 jon_oracle_of_athas Jul 07, 2003 16:58:19	The "Gladiator" and "Gladiator More Music" soundtracks are both among my personal favorites for DS background music.
#7 nytcrawlr Jul 07, 2003 17:45:42	Been meaning to get those...
#8 Shei-Nad Jul 07, 2003 18:53:54	Originally posted by Jon, Oracle of Athas The "Gladiator" and "Gladiator More Music" soundtracks are both among my personal favorites for DS background music. Hehehe... That soundtrack should almost officially be renamed Dark Sun! :D I use that too, well many of these songs anyways. Seriously. Try to find a passage written by the wanderer about the "harsh beauty" of Athas. Then, play "Strenght and Honor" (Track 10 I think) of the Gladiator Soundtrack, wait something like 10-15 seconds from the start, and read the text out loud, measuring your words. You'll see... :D I'll try to download yours too. Very good topic of discussion by the way. Now, here are mine. Note that I remix them a lot to make continuous songs of the parts I like, especiially for combat. Also, I am a big fan of customised event theme music (just like in a movie. You'll see) Conan the Barbarian (Soundtrack) - Anvil of Crom (cheesy, maybe, but makes a good classic battle song when you remix the first 50 seconds) - Funeral Pyre (sad theme, first 2min30secs, tragic event from 2min30 to 3min) - Orphans of Doom - the Awakening (Night music, outside travel or camp) - Recovery (nice melancholy soothing theme) - ? (Missing one title but serries of eerie and slow chants make very cool for mysterious, evil spellcaster scenes) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Soundtrack) - Desert Capriato (a little oriental, but still makes an interesting desert travel music) Evanescence (Origin album) Special - Feilds of Innocence (Not really usefull in game, but I work on my Dark Sun stuff with that song on Repeat, and for some reason, it works... dunno why... not especially Dark Sun) [b]The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Soundtrack) - A Journey in the Dark (Used the first 1min15sec on repeat remix for under Tyr. Works great for underground ruins, doesn't look to medieval. Also, from 2min to 3 min, you have a great build up for important or triumph scenes) Don't use too much of these LotR songs. They mess up with Dark Sun a lot. Gladiator (Soundtrack) - The Wheat (nice but short) - The Battle (used the first 1min30sec as the Crimson Legion set out of Tyr, rest is too chaotic, but has great build-ups) - The Earth (Very nice brooding calm resting theme) - The Emperor is Dead (can be used as short sad theme) - Sorrow (name says it all. Has an arabic touch) - Strength and Honor (THAT'S Dark Sun, harsh wonders) - The Might of Rome (used 30secs to 2min time in Crimson Legion when the Character's unit are reached by Urik's army's vanguard, describing both armies, it could be used when describing Urik or Draj, warlike cultures) - Barbarian Horde (brooding and building part is good, rest can be used for battles. Song when gladiators come out to the arena) - Am I not Merciful? (Nice but has 2 big build ups which can alter the mood or distract) - Elysium (interesting sad theme) - Honor Him (Sad theme, short) - Now we are free (Nice brooding song) Last of the Mohicans (Soundtrack) - Massacre (for dangerous and culminating fights) * Sadly the rest can't really be used in DS Vangelis (1492-Conquest of Paradise album) - Opening (Slightly dreamy) - Delivrance (Brooding hispanic. Works somewhat) Warcraft III (the game, mp3s are in it) - Nightelf (kind of mysterious arabic theme. Used it with athasian elves and the elven market) Baldur's Gate (the game) - Ruins of Ulcaster (always good for haunted ruins thing) That's pretty much it for now, but I'll definately try to find those you metionned. I really like this idea. You could do the same Posting for images (Like the silt drake posted a couple of days ago)
#9 zombiegleemax Jul 07, 2003 23:51:12	Gotta grab up the Gladiator soundtrack (hated the movie, but always did like the music). Some other pieces I like to use are: Antonin Dvorak's The New World (2nd & 3rd movements) has a few sections that are great exploration or discovery songs. Holtz's Mars movement from The Planets makes for a great battle song. Some of the other pieces fit Athas as well (except perhaps the light Venus score). Wanger's Der Rings Des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) which features Ride of the Valkyries has a few other movements that are very much worth a listen (fans of the old late 70'S Excalibur movie would recognize Seigmund's Funeral as the piece used for Arthur's funeral, which I like to play for any PC deaths as a grand farwell. The intro isn't bad either as a general background score. For a bit of contemporary classical, try finding Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells, its about the only music with electric guitar that I play at my gaming table, but the whole album is rather a blend of modern, classical, and err . . . weird stuff tossed in (the very beginning was used in the movie The Exorcist, but the whole one hour song is, well, different). Another album by Oldfield called Voyager could have been the soundtrack for Braveheart had it not come out in '96. Some interesting takes on Celtic music that actually would fit well in Dark Sun as most of it is more dark and moody than you would think Celtic to be. Another great online resource for classical music is The Classical Music Archive. Free limited access (only allowed 5 downloads each day) or $25 a year for full access along with additional access to zipped scores. Lots of mp3s and even some fairly decent midi recreations.
#10 zombiegleemax Jul 08, 2003 7:42:57	Conan the Barbarian (Soundtrack) - Anvil of Crom (cheesy, maybe, but makes a good classic battle song when you remix the first 50 seconds) - Funeral Pyre (sad theme, first 2min30secs, tragic event from 2min30 to 3min) - Orphans of Doom - the Awakening (Night music, outside travel or camp) - Recovery (nice melancholy soothing theme) - ? (Missing one title but serries of eerie and slow chants make very cool for mysterious, evil spellcaster scenes) What no Wheel of Pain?
#11 zombiegleemax Jul 08, 2003 7:45:45	Thanks everyone for the list. It is definately going to come in handy. I also hope this discussion helps to add to each of your own campaigns.
#12 zombiegleemax Jul 08, 2003 10:04:03	Anyone interested in sharing music resources? I've got a spew of sings downloaded from various sites that I'd be more than willing to zip up and send out if anyone's interested (not ripped songs, just the freebies I got).
#13 zombiegleemax Dec 05, 2003 9:05:54	Someone was looking for this. So here a mighty I know there's another around here . . . let me see . . .
#14 Grummore Dec 05, 2003 15:42:37	Originally posted by Mach2.5 Anyone interested in sharing music resources? I've got a spew of sings downloaded from various sites that I'd be more than willing to zip up and send out if anyone's interested (not ripped songs, just the freebies I got). How big would this be ? oh! Mighty bummer! :D
#15 zombiegleemax Dec 06, 2003 0:37:41	Not sure, never tallied them up. I'm reduced now to using Yawnhoo! so I'd have to send them one by one. Most have links in the other music thread anyhow.
#16 zombiegleemax Dec 22, 2003 13:44:49	Since a lot of people here love the Gladiator OST, I shall put some more songs by Lisa Gerrard, one of the composers of that score. All these tracks have a similar feel to Gladiator. Lisa Gerrard Shadow Magnet (very good) Sacrifice Tempest Sanvean Dead Can Dance (Lisa Gerrard's old band) Cantara (the BEST Dark Sun/desert song ever!) Mother Tongue Rakim Indus Song of the Nile Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke Iguazu Also, the room in which you role play, put up all the Dark Sun artwork like posters and maps. Put up pictures of the desert and ancient sites. On the table, up some eastern art like an cup or figurine. Throw down an imitation Persian rug etc. You might want to consider role playing on a coffee table and sitting on pillows, like they do in the middle east. Also, serve Dark Sun like food (or close to it, you don't need to feed your players fried spiders and snakes). If you want to dress up, go right ahead. Try not to go too far. If you have to answer the door and you are dressed like an S&M gladiator elf, that might freak out your neighbors.