Creating a Character Pt3 - Songs
This is part three of my "Creating a Character" series. So far we've created the skeleton of a character via backstory and some specific traits, created the character inside the game and determined what they will start off looking like. Before we actually begin the first newbie experience "quest" I wanted to share some songs I've written for the character. He will be a bard by profession and will sing songs about stories he's heard, stories he's made up and lullabies and songs he's been sung growing up. The first is a lullaby his parents would sing to him when he was growing up and the second is a song he came up with after losing his parents.
Gnomish lullaby-
Good night my Berry, it is time for bed.
Finish your tasks and wash off your head!
Tomorrow is coming so we must prepare
for all the fun that will be there!
Grow up well to do what I will not do
Grow up smart to learn what I will not learn
Grow up wise to see what I will not see
Grow up slow so that I won't miss all of it
Rest now my Berry, one day you'll be wine.
Take up the dreams that used to be mine.
We'll always be there to show you the way
happy to be with you at the break of day.
Grow up well to do what I will not do
Grow up smart to learn what I will not learn
Grow up wise to see what I will not see
Grow up slow so that I won't miss all of it
May your inventions always work the first time
May your songs always have the most subtle of rhymes
Never get down when things don't go as planned
just stand up tall and conquer the task thats at hand
Grow up well to do what I will not do
Grow up smart to learn what I will not learn
Grow up wise to see what I will not see
Grow up slow so that I won't miss all of it
Tomorrow comes quickly with not but a word
Just as soon as you dream the morning bird's heard
We'll set upon our work with a devotion renewed
Till the night comes again and the day we conclude.
Grow up well to do what I will not do
Grow up smart to learn what I will not learn
Grow up wise to see what I will not see
Grow up slow so that I won't miss all of it
Something missing
I tried to go sailing today
down to the dock, I cast off my rope
I set my sights forward with childish hope
sadness washed over as my sails wouldnt sway
I tried to dance last night
Dressed up and asked out my girl
She couldn't wait for me to give her a twirl
We ended up in a heap when my footing just wasn't right
It seems there's something missing
It hasn't been happening for long
It only started when you were gone
now for your return I'm left wishing
I heard a jester tell a story
I expected to laugh out loud
He had gathered quite the crowd
but it turned out to be gory
I tried to hum a tune
A favorite melody of mine
whistled and tapped out the time
an off time beat just left ruin
It seems there's something missing
It hasn't been happening for long
It only started when you were gone
now for your return I'm left wishing
It seems there's something missing
You were the part that special piece
while our love will never cease
I'll be stuck here wishing
I tried to write a song to remember you
I thought of all the happy things we used to do
I hoped it would make me forget your missing for a few
I only ended up making myself blue
The lullaby tries to present how parents hope for more from their children. They want more than what they had for their kids, a better life, a better home, even if just a little bit. Things such as this would appeal and be more relevant to those of lower standings, but I think every parent wants their children to be able to do more and have more than they were able to. There is also a hint of selfishness, that the children are furthering the parent's goals and dreams.
The second is after he has lost his parents and living on his own for a bit. While none of the actual scenarios sung are anything that he did, the intent is that anything that used to be fun or could be fun is not without them. Hopefully neither is too hamfisted in its delivery. Though they may be a bit.
Let me know what you think in the comments!