Thematic Muses (Songs and Lists) for GMs and Players

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January 22nd, 2026, 00:13
Tempered7

Thematic Muses (Songs and Lists) for GMs and Players
Here's my prettified go-to song list for char-gen, place gen, and conflict inspirations...
How to use themes guide is at #7th post.

# Ode to Heroes & Heroines

What inspires better than songs about heroes of old?

For GMs: Traveler's Song by Aviators (fantasy rock) "Sent from the sky lies an Angel in need, give him muse to strengthen and words to heed."

Human: Imago by Pain of Salvation. Song Meanings. "Spring came with awakening, came with innocence and joy. Spring came with fascination and desire to deploy."

Dwarf: Diggy Diggy Hole by The Yogcast. "Born underground, suckled from a teat of stone. Raised in the dark, the safety of our mountain home."
OR Army of Stone by Wind Rose (dwarf metal) "Far on the road before us lie the mountains. Tall and mighty where they rose long ago."

Elf: The Passing of the Elves | LotR.
OR Lothlórien
OR Evenstar
OR Isil Elun'falo by Sharm

Halfling: Hobbit Drinking Songs & PART 2 by Colm R. McGuinness.
## Classes

Artificer: The Doctor's Wife by The Clockwork Quartet (steampunk). "But I swear, I'll apply my science! To the cause, brooking no defiance."

Barbarian: Ode to Fury by Miracle of Sound (slow folk) "Lock up the rage, it rattles the cage. The Fury it never leaves me."
OR Beast In Black by Beast In Black (power metal). "I seek no salvation, only RETALIATION! These roots of WRATH go ever deep!"
AND To Be Better by MoS "Cast the fury into the past. I can choose to be better at last."

Bard: The Bard's Song by Blind Guardian (acoustic) "But now hear my song about the dawn of the night. Let's sing the bards' song."
OR Answer the Call (BG3 song) by Jonathan Young. "You heroes left untested. Your destiny awaits. / The greatest of your battles will always be within."
OR Sing For Me (Lohse's Song from Larian's DOS 2) "Sing for me, I'll sing along Sing for me, oh, sing for me"

Cleric: Holy Warriors (Vrykul Theme / WoW instrumental)
OR Sol Invictus by Legio Symphonica (Warhammer 40K choral)

Druid: I Don't Speak Human by Omnia (pagan folk) "Deep within the shadows, I'm the hungry wolf you fear. But I can see that you're the only evil creature here!"

Fighter: Warrior by Imagine Dragons (alt rock) "We are the warriors that built this town from dust."
OR Fighting the World by Manowar (metal) "Manowar's made of steel, not clay!"

Monk: Mists of Pandaria Cinematic Trailer
OR Rope Dart Video - Same w/ Different Music

Paladin: A Call to Arms by Tirion Fordring (WoW OST) "In Excelsis Precedo Bellator Decerte / In the highest excellence, warrior, fight to the end!"
OR Paladin by Freedom Call (metal) "Stand tall and believe in the light of the day. When shadows appear and ghosts walk the land."
OR Oathbreakers by Oathbreakers (medieval folk) "These are the signs of a treacherous priest– Pleasure in anyone’s pain."

Ranger: Miles Away (From Sons of Anarchy series)

Rogue: Khajiit Like to Sneak by Miracle of Sound (synth) "Don't leave your treasures ignored. Get bigger bolts on your doors. And tougher locks on your drawers. Watch the street."
OR Liar's Dance by Robert Plant (rock) "Truth twist, liars dance. Money, money, greed, chance. Let's take a little more before we go."
OR Sera Was Never - Dragon Age Inquisition OST / "She's a rogue and thief and she'll tempt your fate!"

Sorcerer: Strike a Match by Zayde Wolf / "The night is gettin' colder under city lights. Lonely souls, they stagger like they've all gone blind."
OR Arsonist's Lullabye by Hozier "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"

Warlock: Devil's Price by Poor Man's Poison (country) "The devil said, Sit and have yourself a glass. He said I know you're angry right now, but the feelin' will pass"
OR Warlock by Dragony (power metal) "Virtue of the fallen, I condemn your soul to see The Warlock lives in me"

Wizard: Wizard by Black Sabbath (rock/metal) "Casting his shadow, weaving his spell. Funny clothes, tinkling bell."
OR Magic Of The Wizard's Dream by Rhapsody Of Fire (orchestral) "Riding from Heaven for the magic of the wizard's dream..."
OR Raistlin and the Rose by Lake of Tears (goth metal) "Shadows, shadows and fever. No one hears him cry so he turns to evil."
# 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
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: Under Pressure by Queen. Song Meanings.

"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: Ride the Comet by Ayreon. Song Meanings.

"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: Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin.
Song Meanings: 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: 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"

Thematic Muses For Everyone - A for Action

Successor to the Muses Series, the first entry is for action themes that you can use for your quests. I'm aware that the quote from previous article doesn't tell you HOW to get inspiration from these lyrics or music Consciously. Let me expand on the method;

Quote:

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. ~Muses for the Solo Player

Aside from Freeform Association, one way of getting inspiration is to take the story at hand as someone else's BUT focus on one emotion or idea (aka content) that piques your attention to play with it in your own way. I call this process "the inheritance" 'cause in Solo Play, art should be free.

Thinkers would probably like to use their analytical skills to shape the content at hand into different forms with logical thoughts and questioning. Focusing on ideas rather than characters and their feelings may be more suitable for this type.
While feelers might just open their hearts to the content and shape it according to their current mood. Some songs below are in character's point of view. Focusing on the feelings and thoughts of main protagonist may be more suitable for this type.
Sensing people, on the other hand, would prefer reading in between the lines and pull the content that is stuck in there by using their 6th sense. *sends the advice telepathically*
And gamblers would likely make some tables and roll for it. Note that dividing the content into smaller pieces and combining /contrasting it with other content is a good start for experimentation.

Whatever is your way, the most important rule to remember is: The content must be something that speaks to you.

What you consume is someone else's story. You're here to make it your own, and express it in your own style. Don't worry if you don't know how. None of the artists knew about it at first. They just kept doing it until they have their own distinct style.

UPCOMING: Songs for Story Themes in the Thematic Word Table.

Assassination

Assassin by Iron Maiden
>Like an arrow released from a bow, the assassin starts the chase until the contract is completed. Undead Mascot Warning!

Where the Wild Roses Grow by Kylie Minogue & Nick Cave
>Elisa Day could be a princess, guildmaster's daughter, spymaster, who then turn into an avenging ghost or return with the help of a secret "lover" who happens to be a necromancer...
Attack

Fighter by Charlie & The Church
>Unrelenting, the fighter initiates the attack until someone falls. He may fall but he is not a quitter.

Broadsword by Jethro Tull
>Yes, offense is best defense but not without clear understanding. Though, I'm not talking about tactical assessment.

Cargo / Transport

Life Is A Highway by Rascal Flatts
>A catchy road song to sing for making those boring fetch quests more bearable.
.
.
Competition

Anything You Can Do by Ethel Merman & Ray Middleton
>Sometimes it's hard to find compassion in this world of competition. But any kind of race can be as serious or as funny as it needs to be. Not that Mr. Middleton had any chance to begin with. :>

Conspiracy

Conspiracy by Paramore
>From a victim's point of view, conspiracy conveyed as the inner thoughts of a hindered soul. There are many more songs that describe the theme generally but they are not suitable in here.
Defense

Defender by Manowar
>This can be a good story by itself. The son could later find his father's journals or listen to the tales of his legendary deeds from bards, hopefully, without spelling errors.
.

Escape

Fly For Your Life by GUNSHIP
>More of a metaphorical escape than a physical one... The danger is averted. Two protagonists finally meet in front of a car. One last look back, and they fly into a new life that awaits them.

Public Enemy #1 by Megadeth
>A funny clip for Joker type chaotic characters, or evil villains in heist themed plots. The feeling of being immortal caused by sheer luck can fuel the danger addiction in these types.
High Volume Warning!
Espionage

Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers
>Odds are he won't live to see tomorrow. But he always does. His name may be Bond, Bourne, Archer, Smiley or "smoking man." They always fall on their feet.
.

You Know My Name by Chris Cornell
>End Credits of Casino Royal. Arm yourself because no one else here will save you, The odds will betray you. And they will replace you!
...

Heist

Two Timing Bank Robber's Lament by Danny Schmidt
>Let me tell you friends about the recipe for pain. It’s a splash of fresh magnificence with a hint of old disdain.
Hunt

Hide And Seek by Lizz Robinett
>I knew the "beauty & the beast" concept, but in this song, Beauty IS the Beast!

Black Fox by Heather Dale
>Born hunters not the hunted, they weren't careful of what they wished for.

Infiltration

The Castle on the Hill by Jarred Venti
>Change the king with any other character type, add some McGuffins in his "castle" and there you have your reason to infiltrate.
Problem Solvers

Leverage Intro
>Spiritual successor to shows such as McGyver and A-Team. It shouldn't be hard to turn these character types into medieval equivalents.

Protection

Emerald Sword by Rhapsody
>Rich in fantastic imagery, in these lyrics, you'll find many ways to protect what's important to serve right ideals. Maybe except for the Red Dragons... I heard they are not very friendly.

No Good Deed from Wicked Musical
>Sometimes protecting someone fails or a character falsely believes so. This song reminds us how exactly such a good deed can go wrong both in physicality and in the minds of people.
Pursuit

Baby Driver Opening Scene
>Imagine you do this with horses and carriages, or magical transporters. In Solo Games, the dreams chase you.
.

The Medallion: Street Chase Scene
>Not a song but Acrobatics skills of Jackie Chan... I changed Deja-vu with this one, thinking there must be running instead of driving for variety.

Rescue

Blindness by Metric
>Oh, these lyrics are written in such a way that can fire up creativity with endless juice. Reminds me "Lost."
Sabotage

Sabotage by Wizzy Noise
>A trance tune to set the mood so you can find creative ways to break things up.

Smuggling

Smugglers Song by Steve Watkins?, based on Rudyard Kipling's poem
>If you wake at midnight, and hear a horse's feet,
don't go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street.
Time

Only Time by Enya
>I know this one is "duh" but it is still so strong that I believe Enya has passed the test of time. Just feel the rhythm of time...
.

Back In Time by Huey Lewis
>Can't think about the concept of time without mixing the desire to travel in it. Maybe not literally, but still...

Treasure Hunt

Of Treasure by Alestorm
>On the sea they sailed to find the X that marks the spot. On the land they searched and they searched for the forbidden treasure of old.

Barrett's Privateers by Stan Rogers
>But you're a broken man on a Halifax pier, the last of Barrett's Privateers. Sometimes it's better to keep what you have rather than to have more.
War & Peace

War Pigs by Black Sabbath (Warhammered)
>War... War never changes. The original song tells more about the theme but I'm sure you got the point.
.

Hallelujah by Deep Purple
>Peace side of the medallion. A Roman proverb says "if you want peace, prepare for war." I guess that's why Deep Purple wasn't enough to teach people about love in the '70s.

Enjoy!

Thematic Muses For Everyone - S for Story (w/ methods)

Welcome back. The second entry is for story themes in this table. With examples on following methods for;

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

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 which 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.

Quote:

"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.

Quote:

"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.

Quote:

"And still this childhood romance will not die."

Equipped with her man's old padded armor and his 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 hope for a new chapter.

Unity

We're gonna be drinking by dArtagnan ft. 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 in the series. (Will conclude in the next page)

(*) Normally, tragedy is an established literary genre about a dark hero -usually the villain in traditional stories- and his spiral down to falling from grace
and self-destruction. But I changed its meaning in better 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.

Table for Gamblers

FOR GAMBLERS:
Divide the source text into smaller pieces and add details.
Next thing to do is Freeform Association.

Apprentice The Quest Journey Wizardry (Conclusion)

We start by answering:
WHO?
Wants WHAT?
and HOW to get it? Here we set the conditions for the Quest. And add the initial combat encounter. And here we answer:
WHERE?
HOW? Finally, this is the Conclusion part for the BG story of Astra. Inspired by The Sorceror's Den by K-Rino.

WHO? - An ordinary girl in between a rock and a hard place.
WHAT? - She wants to lift the curse of her fiancée by learning magic. (Will *he* stay the same all this time?)
HOW? - She hears the name of a wizard. She especially wants to learn "Remove Curse" spell (We've a plot twist here :>)

River of red is the landmark she has to reach to find the master.
But she gets lost in the Enchanted Woods.
First Combat Encounter: kobold scout.

WHERE? - Final Destination (happy ending).
She passes the red river and reaches the cabin.
HOW? - Maybe with the help of some will-o-wisp (red flag).

If you come in you may never get out.
The Wizard carries out magical deeds to prove he can teach her "the spell" but goes too far.
Astra, overwhelmed by the Wizard's power, wants to get out but is now trapped.

If you add another table with different sentences, you can combine & contrast. And that's it!
From there, you can start your solo session.

EDIT: Hmm, why don't she hire a cleric and make the cleric remove the curse?

* Unreachable resources (remote town),
* Poverty (they can't afford it),
* Haughtiness (she despises the hag),
* Impossibility (the curse has an unusual condition),
* Naivety (she decides to take the matter into her hands)...

Thematic Muses For Everyone - C for Character

Astra's Story Continues with Opression, Power Struggle, and Trust Themes.
I'll revisit Fear & Courage Theme [I added it in Apprentice Theme] right before I conclude the story in D for Deep Themes [Searching for The Answer].

Based on Character Themes in the Thematic Word Table.

Amnesia

AMNESIA by Miracle Of Sound
>A song & video to cheer Amnesiacs up during the hard times. Written for a good friend of MoS. Don't let your spirit fade away.
Bravery / Heroism

Hero by Chad Kroeger ft. Josey Scott
>And they say a hero can save us, I'm not gonna stand here and wait. But sometimes, all we can do is to wait for Godot.

Destruction

Sails Of Charon by Scorpions
>Not many people, even Scorpions fans know this masterpiece of their early years. Throw out your evil desire, The dark king's kingdom is Made out of mire...
Dreams & Reality

Infinite Dreams by Iron Maiden
>Infinity is hard to comprehend. Can dreams be the window to it for us to walk in its grift dimensions?
.

Fear & Courage

Fear of the Dark [Iron Maiden cover] by Igor Presnyakov
>Let's first establish our baseline for the other side of the medallion.

Watch Me Bleed by Fearless Motivation (feat. The Julianno)
>Now we can delve deeper into ancient wisdom. Without fear, courage does not exist. It is time to conquer all the fears. By charging into the enemy lines with slippers on!

Free Will

Part of the Machine by Jethro Tull, Lyrics
>Everybody's jumping on the circus train. Some jump high, some jump off again.

Rousseau by Nerina Pallot
>A state of grace, untouched, untraced. A ritual of passage. Does it really exist? That's what Nerina Pallot elegantly explores while Rousseau follows her down to the ladders.
.

Freedom

Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
>If I leave here tomorrow would you still remember me? This is how the legendary song that is the cause of all speed tickets in the 70s starts.

Resistance by Muse
>Freedom is not given, it is taken by force. It could be wrong but it should've been right in the first place.
Oppression

Age of Opression by Malukah
>First one to cover the Skyrim's famous ingame bard song and gain fame for her smooth and beautiful voice.
.

- ASTRA'S STORY CONTINUES 1 -

Previously, we left Astra in the Wizard's Cabin at the Enchanted Woods... She was hoping to get help on learning wizardry to break the Hag's curse on her fiancee. But the Wizard went too far when trying to ensure her about his power. And now she is a captive in the middle of nowhere.

New 5W1H Questions:

HOW can she solve her immediate problem?
WHAT would help to break out of her enthrallment?

This is where the twist take its toll. She can't solve her problem with her current mindset. First, she has to go along with path that the Wizard chose for her. Only then, she can try to break her chains.

How & What?

By exactly doing what she came for: Learning Wizardry...

So, she quietly plans her escape right after she learned enough to break the curse!

* TBC In Power Struggle

Optimism & Pessimism

Optimistic Thought by Blues Traveler, Lyrics
>She said "Life I embrace you, I shall honour and disgrace you. Please forgive if I replace you. You see I'm going through some pain." But probably the harmonica play makes her forget the pain, hence the "Optimistic Thought."
.
.

Bing Sings "The Pessimistic Character"
>Performed by Bing Crosby, Gloria Jean, El Brendel, Charles Winninger, and Nana Bryant, from "If I Had My Way" (1940).
Power Struggle

Anvil of Crom - Conan the Barbarian Theme
>"Crom, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad. Why we fought, or why we died. All that matters is that two stood against many. That's what's important! Valor pleases you, Crom... so grant me one request. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, then to HELL with you!"

- ASTRA'S STORY CONTINUES 2 -

Years pass in the Enchanted Woods after Astra gained her first level in Wizardry... Now she is a level 4 Wizard, almost an Adept.

A well-known knowledge that is the secrets of "Remove Curse" spell is so close yet so far for Astra. The Evil Wizard is not stupid, he knows what she wants and what will happen if he teaches her what she wants.

So, let's start the action, shall we?

When the Wizard is heavily asleep because of an alchemical sleep potion "accidentally" slips its way into his beverage, Astra searches the Cabin for her target: A spellbook that contains Remove Curse spell. And she finds it but she can not understand it yet [twist 2].

She runs out of the cabin after grabbing some provisions the moment she finds out what she's looking for.

[Freedom Theme Songs, especially "Resistance" helped me to get into mood for this part].

* TBC in Trust

Simplicity & Complexity

Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd
>When thinking about simplicity, it is hard to separate it from the lifes we live. It is us, the people, that choose to simplify things or make them more complex than they should be. This is the "good" side of the medallion if such a thing exists.

The Dance of Eternity by Dream Theater
>Let the song do the explanation, 'cause complexity doesn't always have to be a bad thing. Especially if it has a 1920s Swing Solo in it. ^^ This album has an entire story on "past lives" set in both post-modern times and 1920s.
Temptations

Temptation by ELI & FUR Lyrics
>"You're deeper than my pocket, a flicker for my weakness. Just to feed my enemies." Lyrics of this electronic song, not just explain the theme but also ask questions about its consequences and sing the answers as a tempted person would.

Trust

Trust by Megadeth
>When temptations betray our heroes and heroines, their bodies ache from mistakes. This is a good time to think about the Trust Theme. Most anti-heroes abandon it in favor of "self-defense," unaware of what they lose in the process.

- ASTRA'S STORY CONTINUES 3 -

After returning to her village, Astra closes herself into her old house secretly and studies the Wizard's spellbook.

By endless motivation and diligent self-discipline, Astra finally cracks the code. She thinks she understands how to Remove Curses.

But did the things remain the same as she left?

If you remember the 1 - Apprentice part in The Gambler's Table, I asked a question to be answered later.

Quote:

Will her fiancee stay the same all this time?

It was for this moment to fire up the 3rd twist!

Her fiancee was the victim of a Hag that cursed him. And curses are known to make people do things that they would not normally do. Hmm, what would that be?

*I Roll on the Themes Table* [no good result]

Fine, I'll pick the Theme myself. Betrayal! Hehe. This is the one with the most drama. After going back to Loreley by Blackmore's Night, I decided that the villain is a Sea Hag! Now that we have our Villain's Stat-block, we can work on it.

TBC in D for Deep Meanings - Searching for The Answer. Wisdom

Old and Wise by The Alan Parsons Project
>How about instead of preaching about wisdom, I'll give you a song about nostalgia, reflection, and wisdom all at once. The destination of any character whether or not they are alive to see the end.

-HINTS ON ASTRA'S STORY -

The happy ending? Heh, life is not that generous.

Wisdom...

This is where Astra is going, slowly but surely.

From a naive, romantic girl, she will transform into a wise wizard who is capable and strong, as her path is revealed under her feet.

I created Astra as such and picked all these themes to demonstrate that, Solo Play doesn't have to stuck in Kill-Loot-Repeat Cycle. It can be way more than that, even if all you want is Action.

After "Searching for The Answer," we will witness this transformation. Not just Astra's, but also Solo Play's transformation from simple video game loop to more dramatic and meaningful approach that breathes life into RP and combat.

1 Attachment(s)

Thematic Muses For Everyone - D for Deep Meanings

WIP. I'll update in the INDEX page when it is finished...

We conclude our little list with Deep Themes. Based on Themes in the Thematic Word Table.
MOAR CONFLICT RESOLUTION is at the bottom.

Astra's story comes to a conclusion with Searching For the Answer and The Truth Themes.

Change

Changes [David Bowie Cover] by Butterfly Boucher -Lyrics
>"Time may change me, But you can't trace time." Seems like unfair at first but it is the best thing that can happen to one if you just flow with it. We can understand this in the Destiny theme. Because if everything happened according to our desires, life would be super boring at the end.
.
Confrontation

The Confrontation in Les Misérables Concert
>Les Misérables is a “social injustice” novel. Protagonist Jean Valjean steals some bread to feed his starving sister and nephew, and the main antagonist Inspector Javert does everything to imprison him. Finally, they meet again to clash words of their perspectives. If you'll excuse me, I'll go sing both lines at once. :D Then I'll return, I pledge my word!

Destiny

Wheel in the Sky by Journey
>"The wheel in the Sky keeps on turning. I don't know where I'll be tomorrow." Who knows, anyway? Wherever destiny brings our heroes and heroines, their steel is going to be tested, that's for sure.
Dilemmas

I Literally Finished Youtube, There's None by Tempered7
>So here's 4 Ethical Dilemmas: 1- Truth versus loyalty, 2- Individual versus community, 3- Short term versus long term, and 4- Justice versus virtue."
And The Wounded Centaur Dilemma:

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forum...1&d=1769909552
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forum...1&d=1769750349
https://preview.redd.it/9xk606acqmab...=webp&514b6195

Duality & Balance

The Chase by Tori Amos
>This is about characters instead of the Duality in the Universe. And Tori Amos understands it. She can explain it better than me. But every character IS a universe, so...
Fate vs. Free Will

Free Will by Rush Lyrics
>Nerina Pallot asked the question in Rousseau: "Are we born free?" Now Rush answers it: "I will choose a path that's clear, I will choose Freewill."

Order vs. Chaos

Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres by Rush -Lyrics
>Rush sings about the war between Apollo (wisdom and order) and Dionysus (love and chaos) that turn their human followers' Souls into battlefield.
Origin of Life

Tree of Life by Lunocode -Lyrics
>"Flowing through the air like an ethereal presence suspended high above the water, alone..." Other than this, who can say what is it and where can it be found?

Paradoxes

The Sounds of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel
>This was a hard one to find because no other song can give you the vibes and the info on paradoxes so beautifully as this one. Every line is a paradox in itself.
.
Philosophy

Nameless by Miracle of Sound - for Mature Audience!
>I was going to post the best rap battle about eastern vs western philosophy but it has too much profanity in it, so here's a question that passed the test of time: What Can Change the Nature of a Man? It's from Planescape: Torment CRPG.

Pursuit of Meaning

Beautiful Day by U2
>Most people search the meaning of life in the past or future. U2 searches it in the present time. Even if it's not what you were hoping for, where else?

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2
>Spoiler Alert: They didn't find the meaning of life, either. Welp, it says "Pursuit" though, if anyone found it, there would be no need for the chase. Run, run, so much fun!

Searching for The Answer

Don't Try So Hard by Queen
>Wise words sang by the silken voice of Freddy Mercury for heroes and heroines in need.
.

- ASTRA'S STORY CONTINUES 4 -

Wizard... The original zero-to-hero class.

Reflect on Themes Through Roleplay

...

The Truth

Fooling Yourself by Styx -Lyrics
>This song is a warning against self-deception and denial which any hero or heroine can find themselves in its repressing claws.
The Moment of Truth

- ASTRA'S STORY CONCLUDES -

...

MOAR CONFLICT RESOLUTION:

INTERNAL CONFLICTS EXTERNAL CONFLICTS

Where Things Have No Colour by DESTRAGE -Lyrics
>"Can you remember when you were alive? Feeling the air as pure energy, blowing right into your mind." When characters can't feel that way and have had enough, they can snap outta crushing claws of Fate and yell: You won't take this moment away from me and make me a silent slave of yours.
.
The Battle of Evermore by Led Zeppelin
>With direct references to Tolkien's Lords of the Rings, you can get inspired by the overall story arc of a classic fantasy setting. Take it as the Whisper game. You know, when the arbiter whispers a word to the first player, and he/she whispers it to the next, and then the next... Tolkien whispered the word into Led Zeppelin members' ear. Now they whisper it to yours.

Tears of the Dragon by Bruce Dickinson
>With self-doubt and fear, Iron Maiden's legendary vocalist is reflecting on his personal struggles in this song.

Visions by Guilhem Desq
>An EPIC instrumental song from the hurdy-gurdy master for your BBEGs to go nuts! Nat20 on Performance...

- THE END -

Prologue by Eluveitie
>When I reminisce about all those years I see many things. Life and Death strung together like the Mountains and Valleys in which we lived... And after All, When I reminisce about those years, I mostly remember our Songs.

HOW TO USE THEMES?

Full List of Thematic Word Table.

Pick one, mix & match or roll for these d8 methods to your heart's content:

d8 Definition Example

1. Identify Themes from Existing Settings Many RPG settings already come with built-in themes (i.e: Heroism in D&D, Survival in Fallout). Use these as a foundation. In a D&D campaign focused on *Heroism*, your character might struggle with self-doubt but still rise to the occasion when their kingdom is threatened. This ties into the theme of heroism through internal conflict.

2. Use Plot Hooks and Random Tables Many solo RPG guides suggest using random tables or plot hooks to generate ideas that align with a chosen theme. If you roll "Impending Doom" on a theme table, your story might involve deciphering ancient prophecies about an unavoidable catastrophe, adding urgency and tension.

3. Simulate Experiences to Understand Themes To make themes resonate, simulate experiences that force the Player Character or NPCs to grapple with the theme. If your theme is *Paranoia* in a sci-fi setting like Paranoia, you might create scenarios where the PC's trust in their allies wanes due to mysterious disappearances and cryptic messages from authority figures.

4. Incorporate Thematic Challenges Design challenges that force the player to confront or embody the theme. In a Cthulhu-inspired game with the *Impending Doom* theme, you might face increasingly strange occurrences (i.e: disappearing NPCs, odd weather patterns) as hints of an inevitable disaster.

5. Use Thematic Character Backgrounds Create character backgrounds that tie into the chosen themes. If your game's theme is *Survival*, your PC could be a former soldier who lost their squad to harsh conditions, now determined to protect others from similar fates.

6. Leverage Symbols and Motifs Use recurring symbols or motifs in the setting to reinforce the theme. In a survivalist RPG with the *Scarcity* theme, you might use thirst or weather patterns (i.e: endless sandstorms) as both literal obstacles and metaphors for internal struggles.

7. Reflect on Themes Through Roleplay Use NPCs or events to challenge your PC's understanding of the theme. If your game explores *Heroism*, an NPC mentor might question whether your PC's actions are truly selfless, forcing you to reflect on your PC's motivations.

8. Use Thematic Callbacks Tie past events or decisions back to the theme for narrative cohesion. In a fantasy RPG with the *Redemption* theme, earlier choices where your character failed might resurface as opportunities to make amends and prove their worth.

Feel free to add your songs to the list. With or without explanations.
Sometimes GMs base their entire campaign on one song. It can inspire someone.

May 25th, 2026, 19:09
Tempered7

Coding Bees Occasion - Special

Watching every FGU coder working like bees, writing and fixing code, I thought this would be a good time to add a humorous metal song about coding:

NANOWAR OF STEEL - HelloWorld.java (Source Code Video)

Assassination Assassin by Iron Maiden >Like an arrow released from a bow, the assassin starts the chase until the contract is completed. Undead Mascot Warning! Where the Wild Roses Grow by Kylie Minogue & Nick Cave >Elisa Day could be a princess, guildmaster's daughter, spymaster, who then turn into an avenging ghost or return with the help of a secret "lover" who happens to be a necromancer...	Attack Fighter by Charlie & The Church >Unrelenting, the fighter initiates the attack until someone falls. He may fall but he is not a quitter. Broadsword by Jethro Tull >Yes, offense is best defense but not without clear understanding. Though, I'm not talking about tactical assessment.
Cargo / Transport Life Is A Highway by Rascal Flatts >A catchy road song to sing for making those boring fetch quests more bearable. . .	Competition Anything You Can Do by Ethel Merman & Ray Middleton >Sometimes it's hard to find compassion in this world of competition. But any kind of race can be as serious or as funny as it needs to be. Not that Mr. Middleton had any chance to begin with. :>
Conspiracy Conspiracy by Paramore >From a victim's point of view, conspiracy conveyed as the inner thoughts of a hindered soul. There are many more songs that describe the theme generally but they are not suitable in here.	Defense Defender by Manowar >This can be a good story by itself. The son could later find his father's journals or listen to the tales of his legendary deeds from bards, hopefully, without spelling errors. .
Escape Fly For Your Life by GUNSHIP >More of a metaphorical escape than a physical one... The danger is averted. Two protagonists finally meet in front of a car. One last look back, and they fly into a new life that awaits them. Public Enemy #1 by Megadeth >A funny clip for Joker type chaotic characters, or evil villains in heist themed plots. The feeling of being immortal caused by sheer luck can fuel the danger addiction in these types. High Volume Warning!	Espionage Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers >Odds are he won't live to see tomorrow. But he always does. His name may be Bond, Bourne, Archer, Smiley or "smoking man." They always fall on their feet. . You Know My Name by Chris Cornell >End Credits of Casino Royal. Arm yourself because no one else here will save you, The odds will betray you. And they will replace you! ...
Heist Two Timing Bank Robber's Lament by Danny Schmidt >Let me tell you friends about the recipe for pain. It’s a splash of fresh magnificence with a hint of old disdain.	Hunt Hide And Seek by Lizz Robinett >I knew the "beauty & the beast" concept, but in this song, Beauty IS the Beast! Black Fox by Heather Dale >Born hunters not the hunted, they weren't careful of what they wished for.
Infiltration The Castle on the Hill by Jarred Venti >Change the king with any other character type, add some McGuffins in his "castle" and there you have your reason to infiltrate.	Problem Solvers Leverage Intro >Spiritual successor to shows such as McGyver and A-Team. It shouldn't be hard to turn these character types into medieval equivalents.
Protection Emerald Sword by Rhapsody >Rich in fantastic imagery, in these lyrics, you'll find many ways to protect what's important to serve right ideals. Maybe except for the Red Dragons... I heard they are not very friendly. No Good Deed from Wicked Musical >Sometimes protecting someone fails or a character falsely believes so. This song reminds us how exactly such a good deed can go wrong both in physicality and in the minds of people.	Pursuit Baby Driver Opening Scene >Imagine you do this with horses and carriages, or magical transporters. In Solo Games, the dreams chase you. . The Medallion: Street Chase Scene >Not a song but Acrobatics skills of Jackie Chan... I changed Deja-vu with this one, thinking there must be running instead of driving for variety.
Rescue Blindness by Metric >Oh, these lyrics are written in such a way that can fire up creativity with endless juice. Reminds me "Lost."	Sabotage Sabotage by Wizzy Noise >A trance tune to set the mood so you can find creative ways to break things up.
Smuggling Smugglers Song by Steve Watkins?, based on Rudyard Kipling's poem >If you wake at midnight, and hear a horse's feet, don't go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street.	Time Only Time by Enya >I know this one is "duh" but it is still so strong that I believe Enya has passed the test of time. Just feel the rhythm of time... . Back In Time by Huey Lewis >Can't think about the concept of time without mixing the desire to travel in it. Maybe not literally, but still...
Treasure Hunt Of Treasure by Alestorm >On the sea they sailed to find the X that marks the spot. On the land they searched and they searched for the forbidden treasure of old. Barrett's Privateers by Stan Rogers >But you're a broken man on a Halifax pier, the last of Barrett's Privateers. Sometimes it's better to keep what you have rather than to have more.	War & Peace War Pigs by Black Sabbath (Warhammered) >War... War never changes. The original song tells more about the theme but I'm sure you got the point. . Hallelujah by Deep Purple >Peace side of the medallion. A Roman proverb says "if you want peace, prepare for war." I guess that's why Deep Purple wasn't enough to teach people about love in the '70s.

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 which 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. Quote: "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. Quote: "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. Quote: "And still this childhood romance will not die." Equipped with her man's old padded armor and his 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 hope for a new chapter.
Unity We're gonna be drinking by dArtagnan ft. 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 in the series. (Will conclude in the next page)

Amnesia AMNESIA by Miracle Of Sound >A song & video to cheer Amnesiacs up during the hard times. Written for a good friend of MoS. Don't let your spirit fade away.	Bravery / Heroism Hero by Chad Kroeger ft. Josey Scott >And they say a hero can save us, I'm not gonna stand here and wait. But sometimes, all we can do is to wait for Godot.
Destruction Sails Of Charon by Scorpions >Not many people, even Scorpions fans know this masterpiece of their early years. Throw out your evil desire, The dark king's kingdom is Made out of mire...	Dreams & Reality Infinite Dreams by Iron Maiden >Infinity is hard to comprehend. Can dreams be the window to it for us to walk in its grift dimensions? .
Fear & Courage Fear of the Dark [Iron Maiden cover] by Igor Presnyakov >Let's first establish our baseline for the other side of the medallion. Watch Me Bleed by Fearless Motivation (feat. The Julianno) >Now we can delve deeper into ancient wisdom. Without fear, courage does not exist. It is time to conquer all the fears. By charging into the enemy lines with slippers on!	Free Will Part of the Machine by Jethro Tull, Lyrics >Everybody's jumping on the circus train. Some jump high, some jump off again. Rousseau by Nerina Pallot >A state of grace, untouched, untraced. A ritual of passage. Does it really exist? That's what Nerina Pallot elegantly explores while Rousseau follows her down to the ladders. .
Freedom Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd >If I leave here tomorrow would you still remember me? This is how the legendary song that is the cause of all speed tickets in the 70s starts. Resistance by Muse >Freedom is not given, it is taken by force. It could be wrong but it should've been right in the first place.	Oppression Age of Opression by Malukah >First one to cover the Skyrim's famous ingame bard song and gain fame for her smooth and beautiful voice. . - ASTRA'S STORY CONTINUES 1 - Previously, we left Astra in the Wizard's Cabin at the Enchanted Woods... She was hoping to get help on learning wizardry to break the Hag's curse on her fiancee. But the Wizard went too far when trying to ensure her about his power. And now she is a captive in the middle of nowhere. New 5W1H Questions: HOW can she solve her immediate problem? WHAT would help to break out of her enthrallment? This is where the twist take its toll. She can't solve her problem with her current mindset. First, she has to go along with path that the Wizard chose for her. Only then, she can try to break her chains. How & What? By exactly doing what she came for: Learning Wizardry... So, she quietly plans her escape right after she learned enough to break the curse! * TBC In Power Struggle
Optimism & Pessimism Optimistic Thought by Blues Traveler, Lyrics >She said "Life I embrace you, I shall honour and disgrace you. Please forgive if I replace you. You see I'm going through some pain." But probably the harmonica play makes her forget the pain, hence the "Optimistic Thought." . . Bing Sings "The Pessimistic Character" >Performed by Bing Crosby, Gloria Jean, El Brendel, Charles Winninger, and Nana Bryant, from "If I Had My Way" (1940).	Power Struggle Anvil of Crom - Conan the Barbarian Theme >"Crom, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad. Why we fought, or why we died. All that matters is that two stood against many. That's what's important! Valor pleases you, Crom... so grant me one request. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, then to HELL with you!" - ASTRA'S STORY CONTINUES 2 - Years pass in the Enchanted Woods after Astra gained her first level in Wizardry... Now she is a level 4 Wizard, almost an Adept. A well-known knowledge that is the secrets of "Remove Curse" spell is so close yet so far for Astra. The Evil Wizard is not stupid, he knows what she wants and what will happen if he teaches her what she wants. So, let's start the action, shall we? When the Wizard is heavily asleep because of an alchemical sleep potion "accidentally" slips its way into his beverage, Astra searches the Cabin for her target: A spellbook that contains Remove Curse spell. And she finds it but she can not understand it yet [twist 2]. She runs out of the cabin after grabbing some provisions the moment she finds out what she's looking for. [Freedom Theme Songs, especially "Resistance" helped me to get into mood for this part]. * TBC in Trust
Simplicity & Complexity Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd >When thinking about simplicity, it is hard to separate it from the lifes we live. It is us, the people, that choose to simplify things or make them more complex than they should be. This is the "good" side of the medallion if such a thing exists. The Dance of Eternity by Dream Theater >Let the song do the explanation, 'cause complexity doesn't always have to be a bad thing. Especially if it has a 1920s Swing Solo in it. ^^ This album has an entire story on "past lives" set in both post-modern times and 1920s.	Temptations Temptation by ELI & FUR Lyrics >"You're deeper than my pocket, a flicker for my weakness. Just to feed my enemies." Lyrics of this electronic song, not just explain the theme but also ask questions about its consequences and sing the answers as a tempted person would.
Trust Trust by Megadeth >When temptations betray our heroes and heroines, their bodies ache from mistakes. This is a good time to think about the Trust Theme. Most anti-heroes abandon it in favor of "self-defense," unaware of what they lose in the process. - ASTRA'S STORY CONTINUES 3 - After returning to her village, Astra closes herself into her old house secretly and studies the Wizard's spellbook. By endless motivation and diligent self-discipline, Astra finally cracks the code. She thinks she understands how to Remove Curses. But did the things remain the same as she left? If you remember the 1 - Apprentice part in The Gambler's Table, I asked a question to be answered later. Quote: Will her fiancee stay the same all this time? It was for this moment to fire up the 3rd twist! Her fiancee was the victim of a Hag that cursed him. And curses are known to make people do things that they would not normally do. Hmm, what would that be? I Roll on the Themes Table [no good result] Fine, I'll pick the Theme myself. Betrayal! Hehe. This is the one with the most drama. After going back to Loreley by Blackmore's Night, I decided that the villain is a Sea Hag! Now that we have our Villain's Stat-block, we can work on it. TBC in D for Deep Meanings - Searching for The Answer.	Wisdom Old and Wise by The Alan Parsons Project >How about instead of preaching about wisdom, I'll give you a song about nostalgia, reflection, and wisdom all at once. The destination of any character whether or not they are alive to see the end. -HINTS ON ASTRA'S STORY - The happy ending? Heh, life is not that generous. Wisdom... This is where Astra is going, slowly but surely. From a naive, romantic girl, she will transform into a wise wizard who is capable and strong, as her path is revealed under her feet. I created Astra as such and picked all these themes to demonstrate that, Solo Play doesn't have to stuck in Kill-Loot-Repeat Cycle. It can be way more than that, even if all you want is Action. After "Searching for The Answer," we will witness this transformation. Not just Astra's, but also Solo Play's transformation from simple video game loop to more dramatic and meaningful approach that breathes life into RP and combat.

Change Changes [David Bowie Cover] by Butterfly Boucher -Lyrics >"Time may change me, But you can't trace time." Seems like unfair at first but it is the best thing that can happen to one if you just flow with it. We can understand this in the Destiny theme. Because if everything happened according to our desires, life would be super boring at the end. .	Confrontation The Confrontation in Les Misérables Concert >Les Misérables is a “social injustice” novel. Protagonist Jean Valjean steals some bread to feed his starving sister and nephew, and the main antagonist Inspector Javert does everything to imprison him. Finally, they meet again to clash words of their perspectives. If you'll excuse me, I'll go sing both lines at once. :D Then I'll return, I pledge my word!
Destiny Wheel in the Sky by Journey >"The wheel in the Sky keeps on turning. I don't know where I'll be tomorrow." Who knows, anyway? Wherever destiny brings our heroes and heroines, their steel is going to be tested, that's for sure.	Dilemmas I Literally Finished Youtube, There's None by Tempered7 >So here's 4 Ethical Dilemmas: 1- Truth versus loyalty, 2- Individual versus community, 3- Short term versus long term, and 4- Justice versus virtue." And The Wounded Centaur Dilemma: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forum...1&d=1769909552 https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forum...1&d=1769750349 https://preview.redd.it/9xk606acqmab...=webp&514b6195
Duality & Balance The Chase by Tori Amos >This is about characters instead of the Duality in the Universe. And Tori Amos understands it. She can explain it better than me. But every character IS a universe, so...	Fate vs. Free Will Free Will by Rush Lyrics >Nerina Pallot asked the question in Rousseau: "Are we born free?" Now Rush answers it: "I will choose a path that's clear, I will choose Freewill."
Order vs. Chaos Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres by Rush -Lyrics >Rush sings about the war between Apollo (wisdom and order) and Dionysus (love and chaos) that turn their human followers' Souls into battlefield.	Origin of Life Tree of Life by Lunocode -Lyrics >"Flowing through the air like an ethereal presence suspended high above the water, alone..." Other than this, who can say what is it and where can it be found?
Paradoxes The Sounds of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel >This was a hard one to find because no other song can give you the vibes and the info on paradoxes so beautifully as this one. Every line is a paradox in itself. .	Philosophy Nameless by Miracle of Sound - for Mature Audience! >I was going to post the best rap battle about eastern vs western philosophy but it has too much profanity in it, so here's a question that passed the test of time: What Can Change the Nature of a Man? It's from Planescape: Torment CRPG.
Pursuit of Meaning Beautiful Day by U2 >Most people search the meaning of life in the past or future. U2 searches it in the present time. Even if it's not what you were hoping for, where else? I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2 >Spoiler Alert: They didn't find the meaning of life, either. Welp, it says "Pursuit" though, if anyone found it, there would be no need for the chase. Run, run, so much fun!	Searching for The Answer Don't Try So Hard by Queen >Wise words sang by the silken voice of Freddy Mercury for heroes and heroines in need. . - ASTRA'S STORY CONTINUES 4 - Wizard... The original zero-to-hero class. Reflect on Themes Through Roleplay ...
The Truth Fooling Yourself by Styx -Lyrics >This song is a warning against self-deception and denial which any hero or heroine can find themselves in its repressing claws.	The Moment of Truth - ASTRA'S STORY CONCLUDES - ...

INTERNAL CONFLICTS	EXTERNAL CONFLICTS
Where Things Have No Colour by DESTRAGE -Lyrics >"Can you remember when you were alive? Feeling the air as pure energy, blowing right into your mind." When characters can't feel that way and have had enough, they can snap outta crushing claws of Fate and yell: You won't take this moment away from me and make me a silent slave of yours. .	The Battle of Evermore by Led Zeppelin >With direct references to Tolkien's Lords of the Rings, you can get inspired by the overall story arc of a classic fantasy setting. Take it as the Whisper game. You know, when the arbiter whispers a word to the first player, and he/she whispers it to the next, and then the next... Tolkien whispered the word into Led Zeppelin members' ear. Now they whisper it to yours.
Tears of the Dragon by Bruce Dickinson >With self-doubt and fear, Iron Maiden's legendary vocalist is reflecting on his personal struggles in this song.	Visions by Guilhem Desq >An EPIC instrumental song from the hurdy-gurdy master for your BBEGs to go nuts! Nat20 on Performance...

Apprentice	The Quest	Journey	Wizardry (Conclusion)
We start by answering: WHO? Wants WHAT? and HOW to get it?	Here we set the conditions for the Quest. And add the initial combat encounter.	And here we answer: WHERE? HOW?	Finally, this is the Conclusion part for the BG story of Astra. Inspired by The Sorceror's Den by K-Rino.
WHO? - An ordinary girl in between a rock and a hard place. WHAT? - She wants to lift the curse of her fiancée by learning magic. (Will he stay the same all this time?) HOW? - She hears the name of a wizard. She especially wants to learn "Remove Curse" spell (We've a plot twist here :>)	River of red is the landmark she has to reach to find the master. But she gets lost in the Enchanted Woods. First Combat Encounter: kobold scout.	WHERE? - Final Destination (happy ending). She passes the red river and reaches the cabin. HOW? - Maybe with the help of some will-o-wisp (red flag).	If you come in you may never get out. The Wizard carries out magical deeds to prove he can teach her "the spell" but goes too far. Astra, overwhelmed by the Wizard's power, wants to get out but is now trapped.

d8	Definition	Example
1. Identify Themes from Existing Settings	Many RPG settings already come with built-in themes (i.e: Heroism in D&D, Survival in Fallout). Use these as a foundation.	In a D&D campaign focused on Heroism, your character might struggle with self-doubt but still rise to the occasion when their kingdom is threatened. This ties into the theme of heroism through internal conflict.
2. Use Plot Hooks and Random Tables	Many solo RPG guides suggest using random tables or plot hooks to generate ideas that align with a chosen theme.	If you roll "Impending Doom" on a theme table, your story might involve deciphering ancient prophecies about an unavoidable catastrophe, adding urgency and tension.
3. Simulate Experiences to Understand Themes	To make themes resonate, simulate experiences that force the Player Character or NPCs to grapple with the theme.	If your theme is Paranoia in a sci-fi setting like Paranoia, you might create scenarios where the PC's trust in their allies wanes due to mysterious disappearances and cryptic messages from authority figures.
4. Incorporate Thematic Challenges	Design challenges that force the player to confront or embody the theme.	In a Cthulhu-inspired game with the Impending Doom theme, you might face increasingly strange occurrences (i.e: disappearing NPCs, odd weather patterns) as hints of an inevitable disaster.
5. Use Thematic Character Backgrounds	Create character backgrounds that tie into the chosen themes.	If your game's theme is Survival, your PC could be a former soldier who lost their squad to harsh conditions, now determined to protect others from similar fates.
6. Leverage Symbols and Motifs	Use recurring symbols or motifs in the setting to reinforce the theme.	In a survivalist RPG with the Scarcity theme, you might use thirst or weather patterns (i.e: endless sandstorms) as both literal obstacles and metaphors for internal struggles.
7. Reflect on Themes Through Roleplay	Use NPCs or events to challenge your PC's understanding of the theme.	If your game explores Heroism, an NPC mentor might question whether your PC's actions are truly selfless, forcing you to reflect on your PC's motivations.
8. Use Thematic Callbacks	Tie past events or decisions back to the theme for narrative cohesion.	In a fantasy RPG with the Redemption theme, earlier choices where your character failed might resurface as opportunities to make amends and prove their worth.