Slamurai

Music Appreciation Thread

<Snipped quote by souleaterfan320>

0/10 vid is not available for me m8 get good

for all u religious nuts <3

@Wade Wilson

I see your Bible rap parody and raise you a Bible black metal parody.

Any Dungeon Synth listeners here?

Considering that a chunk of RPs are fantasy-based, and assuming that a number of players have been or are active in pen-and-paper RPGs, I thought I'd see if anyone else on the site listens to this genre.
For the uninitiated, I'll leave a few definitions here:

1

"Dungeon synth is a genre of music characterized by its strong use of atmosphere and melody to create a sonic reality usually pertaining, in concept, to the fantastic or historical periods. The genre draws influence from the Dark Ambient music genre, while encompassing musical structures that are relatable to medieval and folk music. Many artists within the genre have been known to draw inspiration from a variety of other musical styles such as film music, video game music, and classical music.

The genre emerged in the early 1990s from the (Norwegian) Black Metal scene and was "founded" by Artists like Mortiis (Emperor), Wongraven (Satyricon) with their side-projects and extended the tradition of many Black Metal bands having atmospheric intros and outros or in-between tracks on their albums. In this upcoming new genre, full albums were made of only this characteristic sound. Another huge impact was also given by the Austrian Black Metal scene with projects like Pazuzu & Die Verbannten Kinder Evas. Today the genre is a world of its own with many artists from all over the world, some still being connected to the world and aesthethics of Black Metal and some with a completely self-contained approach."

2

"Dungeon synth (also known as fantasy music) is a genre that emerged in the early 1990s, stylistically related to orchestral Soundtracks, particularly Film Score music. Where the purpose of a film score is to set the mood accompanying visual scenery, dungeon synth can be considered a similar concept using sound only, making it a 'score without a film'. In this sense, the genre is a highly narrative form of music, with "scenes" that are played out in almost theatrical fashion. Synthesizers and keyboards are the primary instruments of choice, with vocals, samples and acoustic instruments also frequently used.

The intention of dungeon synth is generally to evoke settings of fantasy and adventure, drawing inspiration from European mythology, fantasy writers such as J.R.R. Tolkien, fairy tales, as well as role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons. Ambient music, Western Classical Music and Darkwave are often cited as influences for the mood and atmosphere of dungeon synth. The style is also used in the soundtracks of some Video Game Music with medieval or dungeon-based settings, often being blended with Bit Music."

3

In a nutshell, dungeon synth is a genre that originated from black metal and dark ambient artists, with synths being the main instrument of choice. It's purpose is to paint a narrative and immerse the listener; striving to create an atmosphere of fantasy, medieval or mythological settings. It borrows a fair number of elements from orchestral film and game scores, and bands are almost always underground one-man projects. Many artists take inspiration from fantasy literature, especially Tolkien, and RPG sourcebooks in the vein of old school D&D. For this reason, the genre appeals mainly to fantasy nerds (using the term lightheartedly), but also black metallers that follow the likes of Burzum, Satyricon/Wongraven, Graveland/Lord Wind and other artists that operate in both metal and orchestral camps. Most artists thrive on Bandcamp, or interact with fans on social media, others by word-of-mouth. Releases may be sold through Bandcamp, while some specialized labels work with artists to promote limited cassette and CD runs. It's a very small, close-knit community.

Useful links:
reddit.com/r/DungeonSynth
facebook.com/DarkMedievalAmbient
bandcamp.com/tag/dungeon-synth?sort_fi..

If anybody's interested, I'd be down to share a few artists that I really enjoy.

Into The Dark: Mercenaries (Heroes of Fame and Fortune)

@POOHEAD189I definitely am; I've been a bit preoccupied by off-guild activities and responsibilities, so I need to spend a bit of time having a seat and getting back in the swing of things. I'd like to get a character rolling, though I do have my own RP to run and breathe life back into, so my priorities might see the char sheet come a bit later on.

A WIP map for a friend's RPG campaign

Thought I'd share this here; I volunteered to draw a map for a friend of mine to use in an upcoming Pathfinder campaign. It's my first time sitting down and trying to draw a serious map, and I think it came out alright.

The climate is reminiscent of Scandinavia and northern Europe. The planet is rather unstable, causing earthquakes and rises and falls in the tide. Islands are constantly being flooded over, only to have new ones spring up. The land is full of nomadic tribes, fighting for hospitable land; the unlucky ones have to make do off the mainland.

The Broken World: Nations of Azoth

Added my sheet to the char tab; the last few sections will be filled as needed when they arise in the IC narrative. I included a little image gallery at the bottom I used for inspiration.

The Broken World: Nations of Azoth

The Helvetani

Faction Description:

Beyond the Godsfangs, northwest of the Rainland, there lies a small domain unmolested by the Salished Empire. Here, tucked into the foothills of adjoining mountains, thrive a loose confederation of men, abhumans and beastmen. Though the tribes that fall under their banner are many, their sum is known collectively as the Helvetani. This union of people are deemed savage by more “civilized” lands, yet the Helvetani are not without culture. Their lands harbor chains of gold mines, and they mint their own coinage, and turn the metal into handsome jewelry. They trade with their neighbors, having even done so with Salished merchants that dare the journey through the Godsfangs.

While they are more than the uncultured brutes popular opinion makes them out to be, the Helvetani are still a largely straightforward, bellicose people. They clash with nearby tribes often, over disputes of land, property, gold and of faith. They pride themselves on the ability to defeat one's enemies, having resisted the hordes of mutants that rove from the east for generations. Impetuous warbands sally from their palisades in search of glory and material gain, some just as likely to test themselves against fellow Helvetani as they would their traditional enemies.

Of the Helvetani's humans, Salished scholars exaggerate, “They are tall and lofty, possessed of a dour visage and equaling the vigor of ten Salished men. Were a man to call his wife to his side, not a whole squadron of foreigners could withstand them.” They are fair-skinned, usually birthed with light eyes and dark hair. It is common for both men and women to tattoo or paint their bodies with tribal markings. It is said that the ancestors of the human Helvetani migrated from beyond the Broken Coast, before a nomadic lifestyle brought them to the Godsfangs.
The abhumans counted among the Helvetani include the aelgs, a race of broad-shouldered men with pointed ears and brutish faces. These orcish reavers are indigenous to the mountains and make up the most warlike of the tribes. Yet, they are renowned trackers and huntsmen, knowing their territory like the face of a lover.
Other abhumans include bands of ogres, and beastmen driven from more civilized lands. Provided they are able-bodied and sound of mind, the Helvetani welcome most undesired refugees that happen upon their hillforts – as servants, more often than equals.

Government Type:

Each individual tribe enjoys its own political independence, without a definitive ruler over all. The aelgs and ogres are known to elect and follow chieftans, but tribes with greater human populations typically decide on matters through a semi-democratic conference of nobles. This is just as well, for perhaps the Helvetani are more beholden to the words of the Mountain Wisdoms than any secular king. Man, aelg and ogre alike all look to the trio of Red Gods that dwell in the Godsfangs for guidance. The Wisdoms do not commune with their faithful directly, but through the Pale Witches. This order consists of three women, who reside in a sacred cavern within the Godsfangs. These witches can be said to be at the tip of the Helvetani hierarchy, both revered and feared by all. By their word, the tribes set aside all rivalries and worldly concerns, and carry out their will.

Faction Specie(s):

Human, aelgs, ogres, beastmen & misc. abhumans

Species Descriptions:

(See Faction Description)

Location:

Faction Religion/Ideology:

The tribes of the Helvetani revere the Mountain Wisdoms through three Pale Witches, called so because they dwell in an ancient cavern called the Pale. They are respected by all of the Helvetani, feared, even, as they are powerful wielders of magic. It is believed that they interpret the will of the Mountain Wisdoms, and then pass along this knowledge to the Helvetani. The unfiltered voices of the Wisdoms are said to be too great for mortals to hear without sundering their bodies.
The Pale Witches appear as three young women, clad only in cloaks of fur, gold and totems of animal bone. Their eyes and lips are daubed black, and they bear tattoos on their arms. It is unknown for how long they have lived in the Pale, and how, for they rarely appear to the tribes of their own volition. The word of the Pale Witches has been passed down for centuries, yet they can always be found in the Pale when visited by men for their guidance. Some suspect that new witches are chosen by the Wisdoms as they pass on, other swear that the witches themselves are immortal. They are often indirect and cryptic, preferring to reveal their wisdom in visions. Should a need arise that demands all of Helvetani heed their call, their voices roll like thunder from the heavens, and the tribes obey without hesitation.

Faction History:

(WIP)

Important Characters:

(TBA)

Important Holdings/Territory/Possessions:

(TBA)

Relation to other Factions:

(TBA)

Gallery:

The Pale Witches of the Godsfangs

Helvetani Warriors

Helvetani Noble Cavalry

Aelg Warriors

Aelg Cavalrymen

Aelg Warrior Detail

Helvetani Ogres

A Helvetani Tribe Defends Itself Against Mutants

Rival Tribes Attack!

The Broken World: Nations of Azoth

Helvetani WIP

The Helvetani

Faction Description:
Beyond the Godsfangs, northwest of the Rainland, there lies a small domain unmolested by the Salished Empire. Here, tucked into the foothills of adjoining mountains, thrive a loose confederation of men, abhumans and beastmen. Though the tribes that fall under their banner are many, their sum is known collectively as the Helvetani. This union of people are deemed savage by more “civilized” lands, yet the Helvetani are not without culture. Their lands harbor chains of gold mines, and they mint their own coinage, and turn the metal into handsome jewelry. They trade with their neighbors, having even done so with Salished merchants that dare the journey through the Godsfangs.

While they are more than the uncultured brutes popular opinion makes them out to be, the Helvetani are still a largely straightforward, bellicose people. They clash with nearby tribes often, over disputes of land, property, gold and of faith. They pride themselves on the ability to defeat one's enemies, having resisted the hordes of mutants that rove from the east for generations. Impetuous warbands sally from their palisades in search of glory and material gain, some just as likely to test themselves against fellow Helvetani as they would their traditional enemies.

Of the Helvetani's humans, Salished scholars exaggerate, “They are tall and lofty, possessed of a dour visage and equaling the vigor of ten Salished men. Were a man to call his wife to his side, not a whole squadron of foreigners could withstand them.” They are fair-skinned, usually birthed with light eyes and dark hair. It is common for both men and women to tattoo or paint their bodies with tribal markings. It is said that the ancestors of the human Helvetani migrated from beyond the Broken Coast, before a nomadic lifestyle brought them to the Godsfangs.
The abhumans counted among the Helvetani include the aelgs, a race of broad-shouldered men with pointed ears and brutish faces. These orcish reavers are indigenous to the mountains and make up the most warlike of the tribes. Yet, they are renowned trackers and huntsmen, knowing their territory like the face of a lover.
Other abhumans include bands of ogres, and beastmen driven from more civilized lands. Provided they are able-bodied and sound of mind, the Helvetani welcome most undesired refugees that happen upon their hillforts – as servants, more often than equals.

Government Type:
Each individual tribe enjoys its own political independence, without a definitive ruler over all. The aelgs and ogres are known to elect and follow chieftans, but tribes with greater human populations typically decide on matters through a semi-democratic conference of nobles. This is just as well, for perhaps the Helvetani are more beholden to the words of the Mountain Wisdoms than any secular king. Man, aelg and ogre alike all look to the trio of Red Gods that dwell in the Godsfangs for guidance. The Wisdoms do not commune with their faithful directly, but through the Pale Witches. This order consists of three women, who reside in a sacred cavern within the Godsfangs. These witches can be said to be at the tip of the Helvetani hierarchy, both revered and feared by all. By their word, the tribes set aside all rivalries and worldly concerns, and carry out their will.

Faction Specie(s): Human, aelgs, ogres, beastmen & misc. abhumans

Species Descriptions:

Location:


Faction Religion/Ideology:
The tribes of the Helvetani revere the Mountain Wisdoms through three Pale Witches, called so because they dwell in an ancient cavern called the Pale. They are respected by all of the Helvetani, feared, even, as they are powerful wielders of magic. It is believed that they interpret the will of the Mountain Wisdoms, and then pass along this knowledge to the Helvetani. The unfiltered voices of the Wisdoms are said to be too great for mortals to hear without sundering their bodies.
The Pale Witches appear as three young women, clad only in cloaks of fur, gold and totems of animal bone. Their eyes and lips are daubed black, and they bear tattoos on their arms. It is unknown for how long they have lived in the Pale, and how, for they rarely appear to the tribes of their own volition. The word of the Pale Witches has been passed down for centuries, yet they can always be found in the Pale when visited by men for their guidance. Some suspect that new witches are chosen by the Wisdoms as they pass on, other swear that the witches themselves are immortal. They are often indirect and cryptic, preferring to reveal their wisdom in visions. Should a need arise that demands all of Helvetani heed their call, their voices roll like thunder from the heavens, and the tribes obey without hesitation.

Faction History:

Important Characters:

Important Holdings/Territory/Possessions:

Relation to other Factions:

The Broken World: Nations of Azoth

@TheRedViper
Hop in the chat so we can flesh out our relations and decide how we'll terrorize the Xiang.

The Broken World: Nations of Azoth

@TheRedViper
Sounds like a good time!

I had a similar idea, in that I'd play a tribe, made up of smaller ones assmiliated over the ages. They'd be primitive, compared to the Empire, but resilient and militarially strong, having defended themselves from mutant incursions, rival tribes and other dangers for centuries.
Don't know if they'd be Red God worshippers for certain, but I wanted the Ghul to feature in their cosmology.

Ethnically, they'd be based on the Celts or Cimmerians of Conan - dark hair, light eyes; probably a bit of variation due to the many people incorporated under their leadership.

The Broken World: Nations of Azoth

@TheRedViper
What are your people like, ethnically and culturally? I'm heavily considering moving up north, past the Sea of Glass, eastward of you. If I do that, I want to make sure we have some continuity and not totally alien concepts plopped next to each other.