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Aw man! I was looking forward to using the words "heaving," "throbbing," and "sensual."
On the upside for Quasit, she'll never have to worry about Kalchine asking her to shave anything.
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So one of the ways my brain works is that I like to imagine PCs in terms of musical artists that exemplify their energy/aesthetic. It’s a little shorthand for my brain when visualizing interactions or reactions. Kalchine can attest to this, in a previous game of ours, I chose Evanescence, Eminem, John Denver and Blackpink to represent our 4 characters. Needless to say, we were a fractious bunch.
I should note that these choices do not claim to be objectively definitive choices - I don’t claim encyclopedic knowledge of all genres of music. Nor do I wish to suggest that the characters would actually like or listen to the artists I pick, nor that their players would favor them particularly. It’s just a quick gestalt for my impressions. The soundtrack that might accompany them on a loading screen.
You would probably make different choices, especially about your own characters. But I like to share. I’m nice like that. For ease of comparison, most of my choices fit within a particular era, and that’s intentional. Plus I must confess that my knowledge of the post-CD music universe is pretty thin.
As an example of my method, consider Tezuzu, who I often use as a sock-puppet NPC. To me Tez is clever, a little prim, strong dad energy. I considered Barenaked Ladies, but they are too whimsical and frivolous. I likewise considered The Grateful Dead, but they’re too rambling and free-flowing. I finally settled on The Decemberists.
So without further ado, here’s the rundown of the party:
No doubt you all have your own thoughts! Soundtracks are naturally subjective things. I just happened to be stuck at work with hours to kill!
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This one was trickier. I needed something with a lot of energy, like thrashy energy. But not angry. I considered some really bouncy ska, but that’s too light. I finally settled on Iggy Pop. Just the right amount of wild and fun. And it doesn’t hurt that he usually performs half-naked.
Lust for Life is a great pick for Maka!
I love putting music to characters. Having playlists is so helpful for getting in the right headspace for writing.
This one was hard actually. I went with The Less I Know The Better - Tame Impala, though I can't put to words why. Just seems to fit his vibe.
These are definitely fun. :) I'll have to give them a listen, I don't think I recognize any of the songs except maybe one.
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Yeah those are fun reads. I like the Eagles comp for Fin, Q, that fits him well…and about 15 years back, I was actually “standing on that corner in Winslow Arizona”…
…and Maka, I like that song you attached to Fin as well…I had never heard it before but now I find myself humming it…and it fits that the Killers sing it as, right now, Fin thinks the only thing he’s really good at is killing things…
I’ll have to give this a shot; I’m a creature of the 80’s, and to a lesser degree the 70’s, so I’ll try to see if any music from that era fits our party well…already got a couple nailed down…
I would never have considered associating Selena with jazz, but then again I wouldn’t consider myself good at associating people with music. It just doesn’t really work in my head. Still, very interesting to see.
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Here’s my take on a song I’d relate to each character, with a 70’s / 80’s emphasis…
This came to me pretty quick, as both the singer and song seemed to be a perfect match for Q. During the 80’s, Pat Benatar was short, skinny, and cute with bobbed hair; Q’s avatar even favors her. And the song has the lyrics and tone of a spunky lass who won’t stay down, whom life has hit hard in both relationships and in general, just like Q…
This also came to me quick, not the artist but the song seemed a great fit for Maka. She’s a super freak in all phases of life; i.e., combat, Lanet Hai, flying, spewing fire, cooking pancakes, you name it, she’s awesome at it. She’s a stone cold badass on the battlefield and a fiery badass in the bedroom…
This song seems to fit Selena; she’s resilient, like a fungus, or perhaps a cat, she’s always coming back. She’s had to leave our party a few times but always came back. She’s died twice now and she’ll soon be coming back from the dead for the second time (‘nine lives, cat’s eyes’)…
There’s a single line in this song that, to me, is a dead ringer for Kal, who is, by all means, a first class gentleman:
‘He's the hairy-handed gent who ran amok in Kent’
Bull is the definition of a man’s man and this song reminds me of him. Strong, and brave but also a good man, a good friend, and a simple man; not too complicated, what you see is what you get.
Saki is the most virtuous one amongst us which is why I tagged this song for her. She’s prim, proper, always does the right thing, always helps her friends…at the same time, she is very naive, albeit in a cute and sometimes humorous way, of the ways of the world…
I really liked the song that Maka tagged Fin with; even though I had never heard it before, it just fits. But when Q mentioned the Eagles for Fin, I immediately thought of Desperado; always on the run, from his past, from his relationships, from the law, never settling in one place for long…
…and speaking of songs, here’s an old disco tune I had forgotten about that should’ve been our theme song for Book 5 of this AP:
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Part of me is tempted to have Zilvazaraat show up right in the middle of all these heartfelt conversations. :D
Ok I am past the second busiest time at work in the year... 218 posts... it'll take a while to catch up.
I'll be thinking about songs that might suit the different characters.
I'm about five sessions into a Pathfinder 2e campaign. The character I am playing is partly based on Bulvi. The players all declared my Dwarven Fighter "The Party Dad" despite them all being around the same age (when factoring in races). This is helped a bit by him being the party healer with bandages but he's also very level headed and not a glory hound which adds to it. He'll absolutely take an easy victory rather than try show boating.
He's not as knowledgeable as Bulvi though and I like him speaking about some piece of lore that seems reasonable or at least interesting. "I heard eating the flesh of a basilisk gives you extremely bad constipation." Was something I recently said when the character aiming to be a cook wanted to try recycling the corpse of one we had just defeated. Then I flatly turned to the GM "Fionn has no training in arcane or nature- it's just something he heard once, and is completely unreliable."
I've done more GMing than playing but I am enjoying it as a player too. My play group has largely shifted over to it, if there is a premade adventure for 1e we want to play we'll do it but for a fantasy RPG PF2e is our go to now. It's largely easier to run with the principles of game mechanics being consistent all the way through. That said the people you play with and the adventure is always more important than the system, I'll go back and play 1e, D&D 5e, 4e, 3.5e, 3.0e or if someone hold my hand on the mechanics AD&D- I only have broad ideas of them from the older Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale entries.
My playgroup is very excited for Starfinder 2e and how cross compatible it should be with Pathfinder 2e remastered so they can assail my universe with Shoony Soldiers wielding mini guns or some other such horrors.
I've found Pathfinder 2e quite fun too, though the play-by-post campaigns using it keep dying... (then again *most* PbP campaigns die...)
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I've found Pathfinder 2e quite fun too, though the play-by-post campaigns using it keep dying... (then again *most* PbP campaigns die...)
Yep…and that’s why we appreciate you for sticking with us, GM. This has been such an awesome experience, I can’t believe we’re fixing to start Book 6, I’m excited for it…but I must admit, I’ll be a bit sad when it’s all over…
Thanks again, GM, much appreciated…
Thank you for the kind words. :)
I'll probably move things forward tomorrow!
I stay away from pf2 and dnd 5. They go the wrong direction for me, dropping the most important elements for me using a system, though I’m glad you are getting some enjoyment out of it.
I am still refining my system but I don’t know if I will be able to actually try running it. Might try a live one shot or something but I doubt I’d find any players mid day and mid week.
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I like the song selections (the ones I recognize) but I'm completely uninspired when it comes to making up suggestions. And I think my musical tastes overlap very little with what you guys have listed. I don't know all the songs mentioned but I recognize most of the artists. Couldn't necessarily identify those artists by hearing them...
My all time favorite band is Dream Theater. You know, I might be able to match you guys to Dream Theater songs. Let me think a bit.
As for PF2e, I like it a lot. I like that they've shifted the focus away from simulation and more towards story telling. No where near as many fidgety rules.
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@Sakitu: Just an FYI you’ve got Quasit’s spoiler inside Kalchine’s; but considering they’re an item now, that may be appropriate ;)
Never heard of the band but just listened to Repentance (that’s a long song)…it fits Fin well…
And I’m inclined to think any song with ‘Master’ in the title could be a good fit for Maka…and the same goes for Q with ‘Barstool.’ ;)
Perfect :D
Which reminds me, it's time for me to buy the last book...
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Perfect :D
Which reminds me, it's time for me to buy the last book...
Hey GM, let me buy that for you. You’ve been so faithful running this for us, it’s the least I can do…I think Paizo has electronic gift cards, so I’ll see if I can’t send that to you. I’m at a cookout now, but when I get home, I’ll check that out…
Too late, I already bought it. :D
Group question, should I aim to gain a powerful healing effect at level 16 (can heal ability damage and even regen lost limbs), or should I instead aim for something else, such as defense, hoarfrost (1 con dmg per minute till save, no duration limit), or casting spells while polymorphed?
I won’t gain anything this level unless I go gunslinger for a defense trait.
My vote would be the healing ability.
As the designated healer on the team, I also vote for healing.
Without a dedicated cleric, we need all the healing we can get.
Whenever you guys wish to, go ahead.
Anybody willing to read and comment on a set of rules I’m putting together to someday run?
My dear Fin, oh ye of little faith, why do you speak like it would be a bad thing to let Selena take the throne?
She’s not evil, and she likes you, and she wants to end this little “make it winter everywhere” thing that is going on.
But seriously, do you guys actually expect Selena to be a bad choice for the throne?
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Fin doesn’t really care who’s selected, Selena, he only cares about putting a stop to Elvanna’s plans…and he was talking tongue in cheek about missing with that shot, he’d never do something like that…
His only concern would be if/when we free her from her prison, if Baba Yaga were to turn on us, would Selena’s ambition to be the next Queen of Irrisen affect her loyalty to the party? I don’t foresee Baba Yaga doing that…but she is evil after all and you are her granddaughter…
And Fin would be surprised to know Selena liked him; she used to yell at him a lot for having a quick trigger finger… ;)
Curious question though, Selena. You mentioned something in Gameplay to the doll about being a halfling for the moment; I’m guessing that might put a damper on you’re being named successor but do you have some kinda plan to become human again?
I plan on a wish spell, though more likely to wish to be a shapechanger with her old human form and the winter wolf form. She liked that ability when she had it and it is fitting symbolically. Though the big cat form was cool as well and she might choose that instead if things go poorly with Baba Yaga.
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Ah, gotcha. Will you have the wish spell by then?
Another question…I know you mentioned early on of a plan to keep reincarnating yourself into eternity…but won’t becoming Queen of Irrisen throw a wrench into that? I thought Baba Yaga lets the Queen’s rule for 100 years, replaces them, and then stores the old ones away or something…
Well, Selena doesn’t plan on staying queen forever, if she becomes queen at all, but given what has been discovered, she does not plan on going back to the status quo and giving herself to Baba Yaga either. In fact, next level she gets to start making a demiplane if her own should she need it, and since Baba Yaga can’t get there without an attuned fork, if all else fails, she’ll have a place to escape too. But she is hoping that if she ends up as queen, then her being part of saving Baba Yaga will be leverage to avoid the same fate as the other queens.
Sorry for being MIA for a bit. I caught covid and I'm just getting back on my feet.
But seriously, do you guys actually expect Selena to be a bad choice for the throne?
As far options for the throne goes, I'd say we actually don't have a better option than Selena. She's likely to be accepted by the ruling class and knows how to play the game. Poor Anastasia would have her soul locked in a doll within a week, if she's lucky.
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No worries, Maka, happy to hear you’re feeling better. My daughter-in-law works in a hospital and says the COVID numbers are up all around down here…
As far options for the throne goes, I'd say we actually don't have a better option than Selena. She's likely to be accepted by the ruling class and knows how to play the game. Poor Anastasia would have her soul locked in a doll within a week, if she's lucky.
Yeah, I wouldn’t wish that on Anastasia…she’d be in over her head…
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Well, by that criteria, Selena would be too. Has she ever run anything bigger than a sewing circle?
Anastasia being a minor, would most like have a regent taking care of the day to day work of ruling while she grew into the job. And I imagine that Baba Yaga will have her own ideas about protecting and ‘helping’ whoever she chooses to replace Elvanna.
Selena may not have been in charge of anything yet, but she is the daughter of a noble and would have taken over Badelund and therefore been trained specifically for that duty. Not a big jump to Irrisen from that. Anastasia probably has similar training except she lacks knowledge of magic and how magic affects society, a weakness Selena lacks. Additionally, Selena is local nobility while Anastasia is someone the people of Irrisen have had no contact with before. Cultural differences would have an impact as well.
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I think Quasit is mostly agnostic on the question of who should be the next queen of Irrissen. If anything, her opinion would be that Baba Yaga and her Jadwiga should be deposed altogether. They run an oppressive and evil police state of goblins, trolls and winter wolves. But no one is likely to ask her.
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If anything, her opinion would be that Baba Yaga and her Jadwiga should be deposed altogether. They run an oppressive and evil police state of goblins, trolls and winter wolves. But no one is likely to ask her.
I agree with you 100% but…I think Baba Yaga is the only one that can stop Elvanna’s plan. And I also think Baba Yaga being a mythical/epic level NPC, I don’t think we’ll be in a position at the end where we’ll be capable of deposing her…
I think Quasit is mostly agnostic on the question of who should be the next queen of Irrissen. If anything, her opinion would be that Baba Yaga and her Jadwiga should be deposed altogether. They run an oppressive and evil police state of goblins, trolls and winter wolves. But no one is likely to ask her.
Of course, but that's a whole ass quest or three.
On the other hand, we could always just completely take over any place we depose the leaders and become a less evil version of Baba Yaga, ruling from afar, from a beach in Quasit’s case, and maybe making lives better, when we feel like it.
:)
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Ok, ok, you guys can stop hinting, now. I get it.
Kalchine will do it. He'll become your new supreme alien overlord.