#sawano you evil genius

[spontaneousmusicalnumber]

Example: Playlist for Adella, my fire-themed seafaring barbarian/paladin with severe PTSD from a TPK

The entire playlist is generally split into two parts: Before and After the TPK.

The Fly by Cosmo Sheldrake

Thought is life and strength and breath / And the want of thought is death

This was the first song I chose for her over 4 years ago. The modern sound and sea shanty lyrics fit her sailor background, and the simple lyrics reflect her outlook.

Iron by Woodkid

I want to feel the pain and the bitter taste / Of the blood on my lips again

This is how someone on the outside might describe her... if they only saw her in battle. She likes a fight. She likes to lose herself in a challenge. Things are simple with a weapon in her hand and an enemy ahead.

Catastrophe by Know Name

I am the greatest one / So don't you try and run / I'll show you how it's done

She has something of an ego. She thinks she's the strongest and most capable, or at least that she has to look like it. Very easily taunted into unwise charges.

Hurricane by Lord Huron

I get a thrill out of playing with fire / cause you hold your life when you hold that flame... I rumble the hardest / I don't feel alive if I ain't in the fight

She's a danger junkie and she knows it. She picks the path that's the most fun, or the challenge that will make her look the most impressive.

Rage of Dust by Spyair

Rage vibes. Battle is fun for her.

Crazy = Genius by Panic! At the Disco

You can set yourself on fire / but you're never gonna burn, burn, burn / You can set yourself on fire / But you're never gonna learn, learn, learn

A warning to her. Even before the TPK, she was pushing the line between self-improvement and self-destruction. A reckless advance caused her to die once. A cloak that turns into fire keeps her rage up but is a real risk to her life. She can set herself on fire, but she needs to learn she's not indestructible.

To the Night that Couldn't be the Future by Amazarashi

A lament and a rage. The night that changed everything. She remembers what it feels like to watch everyone she loves die, and then to feel the rocks come down on her head. Not everyone came back that day. She still believes it's her fault.

NE:ONE by Survive Said the Prophet

Who makes it right, and what makes it wrong? Who in the hell decided this all along? ... Is it better just to burn or fade away?

She thinks those are her options. She's burning through a life she now sees as borrowed time.

Thistle & Weeds by Mumford and Sons

Plant your hope with good seeds / Don't cover yourself with thistle and weeds

What I would say to Adella right now. She's making all the wrong choices in the misguided belief that that's what's needed of her.

Hikoutei by King Gnu

Another pure vibes song. Contrast the tone with Rage of Dust earlier.

Ashes ~Returns~ by Hiroyuki Sawano

I could hear the signs calling out from the bottom of the fire... I'd rather rise from here, or should I hold on to my past?

She's taken two levels in paladin since that day, but a voice inside her cloak urges her to burn brighter, burn harder... which one is the flame of hope?

God's Gonna Cut You Down by Johnny Cash

You can run on for a long time... sooner or later gotta cut you down

She's sworn revenge against the necromancer that did this, and all necromancers as a whole. She's never been one for faith, but instead sees this as a working relationship. Evil must be punished.

Sudden Storm by Know Name

As I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I fear no evil cause I've got you by my side... Nothings gonna stop my blade from slaying on, I'll keep my faith

Contrast this with Catastrophe earlier, her tone and outlook is that much more grim. Also the line "I don't care about a war crime" is notable

Blood on my Name by The Brothers Bright

When the fires, when the fires are consuming you, and your sacred stars wont be guiding you...Oh Lazarus, were you so afraid?

It won't be long... Till I'm dead and gone! Watch the fires burn, burn through my skin, down to the bone, scorching my soul, nowhere to run, nowhere to run, nowhere to run!

What line of this isn't Adella? Listen to this one, then listen to it again. She already sees herself as living on undeserved time. She's so afraid- that she won't be enough, that the rest of her friends will die next time she's found lacking. Will her sacred stars be guiding her? Or will she be consumed by the fire she seeks to harness?

Champion by Barns Courtney

Oh lord, sell my soul, take my pain and turn it into gold.

Adella still has her good days. Sometimes that old ego kicks in and she convinces herself that she's indestructible. After all, who else has been to death and back twice? Surely it won't stick next time either- bring it on.

Character playlist creation prompts

Or, "I want to make a playlist for my character, but I don't know where to start." Weighted towards RPG characters.

Their overall vibe is a good place to start. Find a song that personifies their vibe/style, and look for more in the same vein. Will they have a lot of upbeat pop? Hard-driving rock? Ominous country? Weird folk? Once you find a few songs, it's easier to find more.

-A song that reminds you of them, even if you can't pinpoint why

-A song that describes their outlook on life

-How would they describe themselves?

-How would someone else describe them?

-Are they an open book, or do they keep things hidden?

-What happened in their past? How did it affect them?

-Have they undergone a major change or shift? How do they view themselves before and after?

-What traits or qualities do they value? In themselves? In others? In society?

-Do they have a purpose or a role to play? What do they think of it?

-Do they have a theme, favorite weapon, or attack style?

-Where are they from? How do they feel about it?

-Where do they think of as 'home?'

-Do they have any family? What are their feelings towards them?

-Who is the most important person to them? In what way?

-What do they dream of?

-What do they fear?

-What are they most afraid to lose?

-In a fight, how would they react?

-If you could say something to your character, what would it be?

-If your character could say something to someone they care about, what would it be?

Good artists have lyrical songs heavy in metaphor (Although for the vibes, no lyrics are needed!) Artists that come up repeatedly on my playlists: Lord Huron, The Oh Hellos, Mumford and Sons, Bastille, Cosmo Sheldrake, Hozier, Woodkid, Barns Courtney, Saint Motel, Bill Wurtz, and Tally Hall.

Or, look at Critical Role's character playlists for ideas!