Muses for the Solo Player
by
, August 6th, 2024 at 13:42 (6023 Views)
Here's my go-to list for char-gen, place gen, and conflict inspirations...
# Ode to Heroes & Heroines
What inspires better than songs about heroes of old?
For Solo GM: "Sent from the sky lies an Angel in need, give him muse to strengthen and words to heed." Traveler's Song by Aviators (fantasy rock) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZno7ZAR-fM
Human: "Spring came with awakening, came with innocence and joy. Spring came with fascination and desire to deploy." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIt51XSw4lk Imago by Pain of Salvation. Song Meanings https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/...2107858521458/
Dwarf: "I am a dwarf and I'm digging a hole, diggy diggy hole." Diggy Diggy Hole by The Yogcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytWz0qVvBZ0 OR "Far on the road before us lie the mountains. Tall and mighty where they rose long ago." Army of Stone by Wind Rose (dwarf metal) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wory9B-HfDc
Elf: The Passing of the Elves | LotR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HUwstuIjw0 OR Lothlórien https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU0aaq5pjnQ OR Evenstar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgVM6HFFj28 OR Isil Elun'falo by Sharm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsjckemVXmY
Halfling: Hobbit Drinking Songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xVMqM7OzcI by Colm R. McGuinness.
## Classes
Artificer: "But I swear, I'll apply my science! To the cause, brooking no defiance." The Doctor's Wife by The Clockwork Quartet (steampunk). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHEJrXPvU5s
Barbarian: "Lock up the rage, it rattles the cage. The Fury it never leaves me." Ode to Fury by Miracle of Sound (slow folk) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RROd79kpDKw OR "I seek no salvation, only RETALIATION! These roots of WRATH go ever deep!" Beast In Black by Beast In Black (power metal). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdlAZj5iDc8 AND This is for recovering rageoholic barbs from Miracle of Sound: To Be Better "Cast the fury into the past. I can choose to be better at last."
Bard: "But now hear my song about the dawn of the night. Let's sing the bards' song." The Bard's Song by Blind Guardian (acoustic) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAdwKWv0hzo OR "You heroes left untested. Your destiny awaits. / The greatest of your battles will always be within." Answer the Call (BG3 song) by Jonathan Young https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SrDXjsol2U OR Sing For Me (Lohse's Song from Larian's DOS 2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXTje80hLWk
Cleric: Holy Warriors (Vrykul Theme / WoW instrumental) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBAN_qjiMKs OR Sol Invictus by Legio Symphonica (Warhammer 40K choral) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWJzuC2IMNs
Druid: "Deep within the shadows, I'm the hungry wolf you fear. But I can see that you're the only evil creature here!" I Don't Speak Human by Omnia (pagan folk) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLZ_Zy1VhMI
Fighter: "We are the warriors that built this town from dust." Warrior by Imagine Dragons (alt rock) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3W5ngVTtRE OR "Manowar's made of steel, not clay!" Fighting the World by Manowar (metal) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnMFZELu7o8
Monk: Mists of Pandaria Cinematic Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvYXoyxLv64 OR Rope Dart Video https://img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/phot...b_460svav1.mp4
Paladin: "In Excelsis Precedo Bellator Decerte / In the highest excellence, warrior, fight to the end!" A Call to Arms by Tirion Fordring (WoW OST) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXVmZuPOzU0 OR "Stand tall and believe in the light of the day. When shadows appear and ghosts walk the land." Paladin by Freedom Call (metal) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTO_P04R8RM OR "These are the signs of a treacherous priest– Pleasure in anyone’s pain." Oathbreakers by Oathbreakers (medieval?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyuSg9WaUAs
Ranger: Miles Away (From Sons of Anarchy series) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDYtl_jzh_M
Rogue: "Don't leave your treasures ignored. Get bigger bolts on your doors. And tougher locks on your drawers. Watch the street." Khajiit Like to Sneak by Miracle of Sound (synth) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqEVCTMkBnI OR "Truth twist, liars dance. Money, money, greed, chance. Let's take a little more before we go." Liar's Dance by Robert Plant (rock) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV_jvkt8GC4 OR "She's a rogue and thief and she'll tempt your fate!" Sera Was Never - Dragon Age Inquisition OST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7Zkun0tJc4
Sorcerer: "The night is gettin' colder under city lights. Lonely souls, they stagger like they've all gone blind." Strike a Match by Zayde Wolf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B1-f6VhzYc OR "All you have is your fire. And the place you need to reach. Don't you ever tame your demons. But always keep them on a leash" Arsonist's Lullabye by Hozier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoQvbDROucQ
Warlock: "The devil said, Sit and have yourself a glass. He said I know you're angry right now, but the feelin' will pass" Devil's Price by Poor Man's Poison (country) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpW8-iI3nVg OR "Virtue of the fallen, I condemn your soul to see The Warlock lives in me" Warlock by Dragony (power metal) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF2m1lV6kQs
Wizard: "Casting his shadow, weaving his spell. Funny clothes, tinkling bell." Wizard by Black Sabbath (rock/metal) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftKNGzh7t94 OR "Riding from Heaven for the magic of the wizard's dream..." Magic Of The Wizard's Dream by Rhapsody Of Fire (orchestral) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTzBwJYEXaQ OR "Shadows, shadows and fever. No one hears him cry so he turns to evil." Raistlin and the Rose by Lake of Tears (goth metal) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oywjqkBVLg4
# Questioning the Holy Grail
In pursuit of the Holy Grail -that is our quest- we should ask more questions to start our search:
- WHAT is the Holy Grail? Is it really a grail? Or just a symbol? Am I chasing mirages?
- WHERE is the Holy Grail? Surely, someone should know. But who?
- WHEN did the Holy Grail lost? If we find out the time of its disappearance we can tie it to a place!
- HOW did the Holy Grail lost? If we knew how, it could give us a clue for starters.
- WHY did the Holy Grail lost? Nothing gets lost by itself.
- WHO caused the Holy Grail to disappear? If only we could find him!
- WHAT IF the Holy Grail doesn't exist? WHAT IF The Inquisitor heard about your inquiry and he's on his way to your barracks?!
# Solitude In Mystical Places
A small collection of place lists.
UNESCO World Heritage List: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/
50 Most Beautiful Places on Earth
Environmental Info by Location
15 Mysterious Places
Weirdest Places In The World
# All That Glitters Is Trap
Inspirations for general elements. Think of these OR your favorite songs, books, with the context of your story element in mind. When you find a song that clicks, check its lyrics' meaning for inspiration. OR start by reading / listening to your media and whatever sticks, take it and play with it.
Conflict: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HglA72ogPCE Under Pressure by Queen. Song Meanings: https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/13171/
"Pressure pushing down on me
Pressing down on you, no man ask for
Under pressure that burns a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streets"
Pioneering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJe12o96_AA Ride the Comet by Ayreon. Song Meanings: https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/...2107858709424/
"Find your way home, little extremophiles
Fly, beloved sons
Find your way home, donors of life
Fly, my chosen ones"
Turning back from a mistake & Double Meanings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbhCPt6PZIU Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. Song Meanings https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/7768/ THIS ONE is a rabbit hole! ^^
"There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold
And she's buying a stairway to Heaven
When she gets there she knows if the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for"
Conflict Resolution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFi7bWkyRpA March of Cambreadth by Heather Alexander. Song Meanings: No meaning! BAM! BAM! BAM!
"We'll teach them the ways of war,
They won't come here any more
Use your shield and use your head,
Fight 'til every one is dead"