Campaign Journal 2013: Music

Originally published August 14, 2013

I've noted before that I enjoy using music in my games. I also use music as a source of inspiration. I typically build a sound track for every game I run. I find it helpful to have the music playing in the background as I plan the next session, helping to focus my thoughts and keep a consistent tone.

In my earlier blog on music, I recommended against lyrics for game sessions and warned about strong associations. Since the soundtracks are for my consumption these are not issues. Lyrics, especially when they mesh with the themes I'm trying to put together, are absolutely fine while strong associations are the whole point.

So when designing my Changeling: the Lost game, The Price, one of the first things I did was construct a soundtrack for it. Additionally since I've gotten in the habit of sharing my inspiration with my players, I created a YouTube playlist for it.

I know I'm not the only one who does this. I know of at least one freelance roleplaying game writer who has a sound track he listens to when planning his games and Onyx Path has their own set of YouTube lists.

In creating my list, I was looking for music that reinforced the themes of the game as well as having a range of tempos (since I saw a need for action and slow building suspense). One thing that immediately jumped out at me was something to highlight the character of Miroslav, the young teen goth. For this I needed some good goth music. After some searching I decided against anything from the period and went with Marilyn Manson. Browsing Onyz Path's lists, turned up another gem. Being that the game is about bad things happening to children, "Hell is for Children" was a logical fit.

After the first few crucial choice it was mostly a matter of trimming away those sections of my music library that didn't fit. A more condense selection can be found here.

As a bonus for this post, here are some of the soundtracks for my 4 year long Mage: the Awakening game, The Darkness Men Make. This game was built in 5 arcs, four of which had their own play lists:

The second plot arc focused on the subtle control of the Seers of the Throne:

• Welcome to the Machine by Pink Floyd
• Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These) by Marilyn Manson (because I like that cover better)
• Mongrel Meets His Maker by DJ Shadow
• The Game by Disturbed
• Sleeping Awake by P.O.D.
• Pompeii by E.S. Posthumus
• Nothing by Stabbing Westward
• Deceiver by Disturbed
• Wake Up by Rage Against the Machine
• Clubbed to Death by Rob Dougan
• Life is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back by Meat Loaf
• Divide by Disturbed
• The Awakening by Nox Arcana (for things to come...)

The third plot arc was more focused on mortal affairs, ghosts, and death:

• Ruled by Secrecy by Muse
• Act of Demon or the Work of God by Yasushi Ishii
• Invisible Wounds by Fear Factory
• Cathedral Ruins by Midnight Syndicate
• Walking with the Ghost by Tegan and Sara
• Meeting of the Acolytes by Midnight Syndicate
• Hurt by Nine Inch Nails
• Stairway to Heaven by Led Zepplin
• The Drawing Room by Midnight Syndicate
• Haunted by Disturbed
• Don't Pay the Ferryman by Chris de Burgh
• Not Your Savior by Gavin Goszka
• The Awakening by Nox Arcana

The fourth plot arc of the Mage game was focused on demons and the growing doom hanging over the city:

• All I Really Want by Alanis Morisset
• Los Angeles by Tomandandy
• Furious Angels by Rob Dougan
• City of Delusion by Muse
• Fireman by Ramin Djawadi
• The Outsider by A Prefect Circle
• The Wrath of Callisto by Xena Soundtrack
• Soul Stealer by Nox Arcana
• Non Compos Mentis by Midnight Syndicate
• Perfect Insanity by Disturbed
• Master of Shadows by Two Steps From Hell
• The Stranger by Billy Joel
• Sanctuary by Midnight Syndicate

The Final playlist, bring everything to its conclusion can be found here.

I hope this brings you some inspiration as it did for me.