All Things Solo

Welcome back to the Successor of the Muses Series. The second entry is for story themes in this table. With examples on following methods for;

1. Thinkers: Logical thoughts and questioning. Focusing on ideas. (Apprentice)
2. Feelers: Focusing on feelings and thoughts of main character. (Journey)
3. Sensing people: Reading in between the lines, pulling out the hidden content. (The Quest)
4. Gamblers: Making tables by dividing the content into smaller pieces for FFA. (In Comments)
5. Bonus: Resolving Conflict

Amnesty Little Sadie by Crooked Still >A fun Bluegrass song about a crime to base our theme on solid ground for forgiveness requires an offense. . Blood by The Dear Hunter -Lyrics >There's no passion in being passive And no inaction could bring an answer. The song's about romance but it contains insight about the theme in offender's pov.	Apprentice Wrapped Around Your Finger by The Police >Great example on story progression for problematic Apprentice vs. Master relationships as the Narrator (Sting) wants to turn the tables and become the master. There are also good masters though. TINKERING THE THEME: Initiate analysis sequence 5W1H.exe WHO is our Apprentice? For the sake of the continuation of this method, we'll make her a wizard's apprentice. Inexperienced, naive but full of ambition. I rolled for the name Astra. Her backstory will unfold as we explore. WHAT does she want? To be a master wizard. Let's add Fear & Courage theme from the list to spice things up. And ask WHAT is she made of? But leave it there. WHERE is her story takes place? Stolen from the Journey example, it will be an Enchanted Wood. Let's give her a roof to study under and make it a private cabin of a Master Wizard. But her origin point should contrast: a poor village would suffice. WHEN did all this hustle start? Just gonna say "in the days of yore." HOW did it start? This is the crucial part that will determine contexts that will follow. Cause & Effect. It will depend on other sources. So let's just say "with an unfortunate event (conflict)" and move on. And WHY does she want to do it? Maybe the unfortunate event had a role in this. She wants something else because she couldn't get what she really wanted. So what would that be? I rolled for Clearing the Hex. TBC in Journey.
Betrayal Loreley by Blackmore's Night >This legend's faded storyline about a mermaid tried to warn us all. Oh, they called her Loreley. Careful or you'll fall. .	Clearing the Hex Witchy Woman by Eagles >The song -albeit good- isn't the perfect example for this theme but it's basically about a cursed character who is searching for a way to lift the curse.
Investigation Ocean Club by Yello -Lyrics >Here's how our investigation starts. Miss Cooper approaches the Detective for her case. My Rival by Steely Dan -Lyrics >Every good detective story needs a rival. . Private Eye by Bill Lloyd >Now the things are getting even more twisted.	Journey Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf >Right between the sound machine, on a cloud of sound, let's drift into the journey. Under a Violet Moon by Blackmore's Night >Happy Ending. That's what every hero and heroine wants. Keep in mind, this song will be Astra's final destination in the example. FEELING THE THEME: Wandering, wandering with a cosmic surfboard under a violet moon. The narrator (our Apprentice Astra) ultimately wants to live in a place where she can experience sweet events like dancing with her lover and stealing a kiss under the bridge. Shortly, the happy ending. BUT! Let's scramble these eggs, shall we? WHAT IF Astra's fiancée was hexed by a witch or a hag who envies her? Astra, once a naive girl with romantic feelings, has to learn magic to save her man from the curse. So that the handsome knight in shining armor can save her from the poor village they live in. Thus, the poor girl starts her transformation with her journey. Will she be alone the whole time? Will she have to deal with more obstacles? Will she stand the test of time? Will she stay on the course until the end? And the end... Will she finally confront the evil witch/hag and show her what she is made of? And how will all these affect Astra? This is the question! TBC in The Quest.
Kingmaker Past and Future Secret by Blind Guardian >Stay awhile and listen to Merlin as he tells you about the rise and fall of King Arthur.	Mutiny / Rebellion Ballad of William Kidd by Skiltron (Running Wild cover) -Lyrix >It's a song about a seafaring man in English history who was the victim of "blue-blooded men" after a mutiny that didn't end well.
Mystery (!) Hazard by Richard Marx >This song is about a murder mystery with clues scattered throughout the lyrics & the video. Can you solve the crime?	Negotiation Think by Aretha Franklin >I'm glad she lost this one sided negotiation, otherwise would leave the Blues Brothers incomplete. They have a mission from God after all!
Redemption Heaven Bound by Joel Robertson >What good is redemption if you don't allow the fate to test your faith? .	Romance The Maiden and the Selkie by Heather Dale >A folk song about a seal lord from the sea and the maiden he loves. Will they become espoused despite their differences?
The Quest / Discovery Vagabonds by New Model Army >It's time for our heroes to get out of their comfort zone and discover the meaning of their purpose. SENSING THE THEME: I'm not an expert on 6th sense but I guess we should start by determining what these lines may imply to flesh out Astra's journey in her bio. "We follow the tail-lights out of the city, Moving in a river of red. As the colours fade away from the dusky sunset, We roll for the darkness ahead." She has to find someone to teach her magic, right? What about after some questioning in the tavern, she hears a name of a Wizard who lives in a secluded part of the woods? But to reach him, she has to cross a river. "Night-time City Beat the radio is calling. The lost and lonely in vain." But then she gets lost in the woods before she finds the river and the first test starts. "River of red" might imply life, blood, magical sands, anger, heart... Let's pick a war theme for our 1st combat encounter: an angry kobold scout. "And still this childhood romance will not die." Equipped with an old padded armor and a simple dagger, our romantic girl faces the first harsh truth about the adventuring life. TBC in Wizardry.	Tragedy (*) Charm of the Seer by Ayreon >A window to the story of a Time Telepathy victim and his cries from the Dark Ages. The rest of the story is in The Final Experiment album. New Beginning by Tracy Chapman >Tragedies may happen all over your fantasy world but this song chimes with positive energy for a new chapter.
Unity All For One by Blackmore's Night >Forget the story, here's the vibe. I raise my glass to you all, Cheers! . .	Wizardry / PC vs Villain The Sorceror's Den by K-Rino >The story of an unfortunate man who is lured into a carnival booth and signed consent forms to see the meanest sorcery show ever. 3rd one from the series. (To be Concluded in the comments)

(*) Normally, tragedy is an established literary genre about a dark hero -normally the villain in traditional stories- and his spiral down to falling from grace and self-destruction. But I changed its meaning in more Lawful-Neutral terms 'cause of obvious reasons.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION:
Wind by Annihilator >Internal Conflicts are just food for the Soul. Here's why: .	Dance With The Dragon by Dark Sarah ft. JP Leppäluoto >External Conflict among a silver tongued thief and a menacing dragon.