Canonfire!

Thu Mar 08, 2012 10:35 am Gaming "Flavor" and Songs of the Bards

This quote below from Master Smillan inspired me to this thread

Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:48 am

This is always a great idea, though I rarely have time to properly prepare for it.

One of my favorite examples was when I played Cry, Little Sister, from The Lost Boys, during the player's adventure through the original Castle Ravenloft. Evil Grin

They loved it.

My first attempt at writing things in runes was when I wrote special Frost Giant runes on the back of the magical shield that was part of Jarl Grugnir's treasure (he was wearing it, of course Wink

). I used the runes from the Best of the Dragon #1. My players had a blast deciphering them. Smile

SirXaris

Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:37 pm

Thu Mar 08, 2012 3:49 pm

Thu Mar 08, 2012 6:53 pm

Wed Mar 14, 2012 7:57 am

An addition to "game flavor" are also minis and terrain.
Being an ole war-gamer I have an addiction to minis anyway(5k plus), but probably not in the traditional wargame sense.

I generally don't utilize them in a unit fashion (unless enacting a piece of a battle of larger scale that the PCs may influence, but that is a one off), but I do utilize only certain figures to represent certain NPCs and ONLY that NPC. This develops instant recognition by the players.

I use the same mini for some NPCs(Galen as an example)for nearly 30 years so he has become recognizable in an instant the moment he shows up on the table. I think that brings a "flavor", of sorts, to the game. As the veteran players go into full retreat and the hairlings are looking at them as to WHY?? Even before a word is spoken.

Of course the PCs have there own mini (some lol more than one). I have a bard player that has two, one for "the stage" one "for the road". A paladin has one mounted, one on foot, and one at court.

As for terrain, I have never liked (although admired the work involved) those terrains that are not "reusable" if that makes sense. Meaning those that resemble a whole scale model area are impressive, but 1> they literally take alot of room up and 2> they lack versatility. I utilize segments by having wall sections, castle gates, tree groves etc. that can be rearranged quickly.

For example if the party is traveling cross country and the terrain is say sparse trees, scrub brush and rocks, they get a box of those elements to "randomize the terrain".
On the determination of a Wandering monster check, Each player, in turn, places a piece of terrain (ie tree, bush, rock) in a spot on the table (its hexed off).
When they complete the "terrain growing" (as they call it), I have each roll a D20 the high is the direction of travel. By doing this step it does no good for the PC to manipulate the terrain to create a tactical advantage since they do not know what direction they will be coming from. (they could end up giving that advantage to me)
I then set the path in place (if they are following one)based on there travel direction and set the game compass accordingly. They set there following order, and we spot check and initiative from there.
The whole set up takes less that 5 minutes and is only applied if there was a reason to stop. (ie camp, monster check etc).

The advantage is it helps the PCs (and me for that matter) to determine line of sight and terrain cover.
And much to my other half's delight it fits in one storage container. hehe

Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:43 pm

I almost always do voices/accents for the NPCs, as it helps cement their identities a bit more for the players.

As to music, for the fun of it we listened to "Cities in Dust" and "Burn Up", by Siouxie and the Banshees, while going through the Desert of Desolation series:

"Cities in Dust" lyrics

Water was running; children were running
You were running out of time
Under the mountain, a golden fountain
Were you praying at the Lares shrine?
But ohh oh your city lies in dust, my friend
ohh oh your city lies in dust, my friend

We found you hiding, we found you lying
Choking on the dirt and sand
Your former glories and all the stories
Dragged and washed with eager hands

But ohh oh your city lies in dust, my friend
ohh oh your city lies in dust, my friend
your city lies in dust

Water was running; children were running
We found you hiding, we found you lying
Water was running; children were running
We found you hiding, we found you lying
your city lies in dust
ohh oh your city lies in dust, my friend

Hot and burning in your nostrils
Pouring down your gaping mouth
Your molten bodies, blanket of cinders
Caught in the throes .......

...Your city lies in dust

***

[i]"Burn Up" lyrics (excerpts)

A crumpled future in your fist
The killing streak ascends sun kissed
And the firestarter from within
Pokes out from fever blistered grin
King salamander that’s his name
A desert maker that’s his aim
The benign cremator, branding iron in his hand
Eager and willing to torch the land

His ardour smoulders, phosphorous flies
He radiates with urgence to hypnotise
Stoke the furnace, feed his need
This thirst for fire is all he seeks...

All fire and brimstone
This salamander king
He basks while all around him burns

These words ignite and pave his way...
...He sings these words in fervid frame

All fire and brimstone...
...He likes to watch the pyres burn

***

The latter has somewhat of a western theme/sound, but it is most of the lyrics that really work for a certain part of things. Wink

There were other songs of many different kinds(classical, contemporary, etc.) that we have played while playing certain adventures, but those are a few for the Desert of Desolation, which is currently a topic in the general discussion forum. I have great memories of that adventure for a variety of reasons, including the idiocies of a fellow player. Laughing

I am totally going to play led Zepplin's "Immigrant Song" if/when I run a Thillronian adventure again though.

"Immigrant Song" (with a nice assist from "Vinland Saga")

Awww yeah! Somebody is definitely going to be taking a sword to the face at some point in that one! Laughing

I use tons of minis, always, and terrain when it suits the situation. I have also been known to make the occasional prop, such as a parchment message/map scroll.
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Fri Mar 16, 2012 8:02 am

Oh those are epic! I am so using them both.... I Youtubed Citys in the dust and also found a group called Manowar that has several good fits too (Die with Honor already being added)

Sun Jun 10, 2012 9:23 am

I rarely venture down here in 'the Backalley,' but glad I did this time. I posted a thread about what music makes a good background (called "Favorite Background Music") to set the mood on the General Forum sometime last year when I was posting left and right as a newbie.

I typically use accents, and so does my main player. He normally speaks like a Scotsman for his dwarves. I only do so from time to time (not very well, either, sadly). For Baklunish characters, we infuse a Middle Eastern or East Indian accent (I am more proficient at this, given that some of my closest friends were of this ethnic background).

For music (if you cannot find my earlier thread), I like the following: Conan the Barbarian soundtrack (1980s film starring 'the Governator' and NOT the remake), Hammerfall, and any of the Lord of the Rings soundtracks. Otherwise, we randomly pop in music we like (personally, I am a big fan of Rush).

-Lanthorn

Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:56 am