The Soundtrack of Sir Aramil Korrelin for Mystara

The first thing I think of the drive home Monday night is planning the next hour so that I can be in #Mystara in time to start D&D, that is to say if we managed to start at seven every Monday night. The second thought that comes to mind is the music that I’m going to queue up for the night to get myself in the mood to play Aramil.

Music might not be pivotal for some of you. I know for a fact that Sam and I have completely different taste in music. I wouldn’t be surprised to find that to get in the mood to play Krogoth that Sam listens to no music at all. But for some of us, I suspect that music plays a pivotal role in “how much” we get into character any given night.

I had this idea for a post quite awhile ago but waited to post for the reason that I was a little confused how the music I listen to for Aramil has evolved in the years I have been playing him. I noted to Alex this afternoon, the old Aramil used to focus on soundtracks—Lord of the Rings, King Arthur, Braveheart, you name it. It set the feel of the world.

I remember sitting in front of my computer in the dark of my room during my time at University listening to “The Bridge of Kazadum” dozens of times over with the bass cranked up because it set the mood I thought Alex might have been trying to set. Well, that was a silly thought—I get the same “mood” out of different music these days. After its all said and done, the way Brun “feels” to me probably “feels” different to each one of you.

In some ways the “new” but older Aramil plays to “younger” music. With the notable exception of “Furious Angels” by Rob Dougan, I listened to almost nothing alternative or rock-like with the younger Aramil similar to what I listen to now.

To those of you who can afford 99 cents a song to fulfill your curiosity, I decided I would post a brief yet organized list of the music I listen to for older Aramil. Some of you might already have this music, in which case you can get a great feeling for the sort of music that gives me inspiration to play Aramil the way he comes across. However, I suspect most of you who investigate my music, and compare it to the character, won’t know what the hell I’ve been thinking.

Track 1: Sway – Lostprophets

-Note: This is the most common song I play with Aramil. While not all the lyrics fit, the feel and beat of the song seem to be perfect when playing Aramil. However, the lyrics in this song fit better than most.

Track 2: We still kill the old way – Lostprophets

-Note: Can you see a pattern? Lostprophets is some of my favorite sound when playing Aramil. It has a good modern beat that I often enjoy, along with lyrics that despite meaning to its true content, can be taken to work for D&D.

Track 3: Right Behind You – Our Lady Peace

-Note: This song is most notable for slower times between periods of action. If anything this song is important for me if not for some just the repeating lines:

I don’t know, but I believe in yesterday
And what it means
To bleed and know that you’re okay.

Track 4: Hands Down – Dashboard Confessional

-Note: Well known by High School students everywhere, even the mighty fall to Dashboard Confessional. In terms of a “love song” when having contemplated Aramil’s recent love interest in Erela Ravyn, I was listening to this song. The lyrics don’t fit at all, but the feeling of young love in Aramil’s heart seems to fit perfectly.

Track 5: A Praise Chorus – Jimmy Eat World

-Note: This is the best “get up off your ass and get going” song out there. Before any great adventure this must be listened to at least once or twice. The lyrics fit for someone fed up with waiting and analyzing, and who just wants to seize the day. It shares a good fast beat with decent lyrics.

Track 6: Everlong – Foo Fighters

-Note: A return to the love song. Everlong happens to be my favorite song in existence, so it comes to no surprise that it finds its way onto this list with Aramil’s songs. Words cannot describe the beauty of this song—the guitar, the lyrics, the sound, the beat. If you haven’t heard this, and you are thinking of downloading anything, download this one.

Track 7: New Way Home – Foo Fighters

-Note: When waylaid away from home, and trying to accomplish something on some sort of time period, this song fits perfectly. If you haven’t gathered by reading this far, you really can’t go wrong with Foo Fighters and Lostprophets in terms of Aramil-compatible music.

Track 8: Furious Angels – Rob Dougan

-Note: The song affectionately entitled “The angry paladin music” by my former roommate, Furious Angels is a classic for when Aramil gets so pissed he can’t have lyrics to his music. It’s the idea that everything else disappears and that the only goal ahead of him is swift action and death. The fact that this song has no lyrics means that it is pure and simple concentration on the goal at hand. My roommate would always look over and smile, “uh oh, the angry paladin music, what’s going on?”

Track 9: 11:11 PM (CST) – The All American Rejects

-Note: No idea why this song fits, except for the fact that I seem to be in love with the refrain:

It’s a chance to fix mistakes,
One more for the last time,
Don’t you throw our dreams away,
Don’t waste this chance with your smile
10 seconds left on this dial,
This could be the last time.

Track 10: Eye Conqueror – Third Eye Blind

-Note: While not a huge fan of Third Eye Blind, I just happen to love the first verse:

I am the conqueror
I taste your scent in the wind
Set my sail but then you sink my boat
So I begin to swim
Bash my foes until I win
Lances smash across my chest
That's my quest you wonder why
I will never die.

A few bonus tracks to come, including a rewind to look at the sort of music that first sparked Aramil.