A Different Kind of Haunting /// Music Monday #87

 Okay, this one's gonna be a quickie, because I'm not feeling particularly creative today.

Our song for today is none other than . . .

"In Hushed Whispers" from Dragon Age: Inquisition

Composed by Trevor Morris

I was wracking my brain for another spooky song to include this year when the Dragon Age: Inquisition soundtrack came to mind. When I listened to "In Hushed Whispers" again, I knew I had to include it. Not only is it one of my favorite songs from the OST, but it also fits the bill for October's song selection. As the post title says, it's a different kind of haunting. It's not in your face or cliché in its creepy tones, but those persistent strings send a chill down my spine. The song is dark and ominous . . . yet it also feels mournful.

Apparently in the game (potential spoiler alert? I've never played it, so I don't know how bad of a spoiler it is), this song plays when you do a certain mission if you chose the mage class. It involves you seeing the future of the world if you don't save it from the approaching evil. That's why a lot of people like to choose the mage, because that mission heightens the plot tension and makes the stakes feel even more real. Honestly, when I read about this, it alone makes me want to play the game. I feel like more games should use this approach, provided they pull it off well.

On another note, I plan on using this song when I novelize Darkened Slumber, my pseudo-feudal Japan fantasy retelling of Sleeping Beauty (say that three times fast). Very few people have read the original novella; in it, Karnu--the story's villain--was forced to become a ronin when he refused to run his province well and lost his honor in the process. He becomes hellbent on unleashing his revenge against those who wronged him, which entails a whole city falling asleep.

In the novel, I'm choosing to make his character a lot more interesting by giving him almost a complete one-eighty in his motives and personality. He instead tries his utmost to run his province despite everything going against, yet winds up looking like the opposite (haven't figured out all the details). When he becomes a ronin, he seeks out a way to prove that he did do his best, and that his life has become hell after losing his honor. What ensues is that he uses the Eldspin, a sword with unfathomable powers, in an attempt to simply teach those who did him wrong and accidentally puts a sleeping curse on the capital. As he tries to figure out how to undo his own mistake while the heroes seek out a way to stop him (again haven't worked out all the kinks, but I imagine both scenarios are the result of a big misunderstanding), he struggles with the blade and the entity/force behind it as they try to drag him into a state of a loss of control. It kind of makes him an antihero, or perhaps an accidental antagonist.

Basically what I'm trying to say is that I'm using the song for the scene when he is forced from his leadership position and becomes a ronin, but I ended up rambling and now really wanting to write this thing. So much for a short post.

So that's that! What're your thoughts on the song? How do you feel when books/movies/games show you the possible future if the antagonist wins? Does this song inspire any of your art of any kind?

Monthly HapPENings: September

Oh . . . I guess it's October already. Totally forgot about this.

Man, what did I do in September . . . I feel like this happens all the time, but especially in 2020. I can't remember much of what I did. One of my aunts got married, we celebrated my parents' anniversary, we took out the rest of the garden . . . not a whole lot else. Sad, I know, but that's life nowadays.

Bookish HapPENings

Sometimes I wonder why I even include this category these days. I still haven't finished any book in a while. Suppose I'll insert an obligatory "let's hope I finish one this month" here.

HapPENings on the Screen

When I started watching S3 of My Hero Academia, I had no idea it was going as intense as it has, as quickly as it has. I was so not prepared. Watching one episode a week can be absolute agony sometimes. How am I supposed to wait so long to see if the characters are gonna make it out okay? And if they're holding nothing back at the beginning of a season, what's it going to look like by the time I reach the end?

Fire Force is probably one of the best anime I've seen so far. Aside from the fan service that's thrown into each episode I've seen so far (it feels very obligatory), it's got a lot of things going for it. Even when it gets borderline ridiculous, I still feel nothing but love for the show. Shinra and Arthur are some of the greatest main protagonists, and a villain in a couple of recent episodes was super creepy--enough so that I wanted him to die because of how messed up he was, and I also wanted him to not die because I wanted him to get more screen time since he was so interesting. I'm very interested in seeing where the plot is all going to go . . .

Arrow S2, baby! Let's GOOOO! Sorry, I loved S1 so, so much, and I was super excited to get into the next season. One thing I love about it is how it has consequences--and a lot of 'em too--thanks to what happened in the first season and its ending. It's all felt so natural and realistic in that regard. And I can't praise them enough for how they integrate backstory. Other shows should take note. I'm thrilled about where this season is ending, and I can't wait to see how it plays out. (Also yes, the ending of S5 of The Flash ended up being quite the turnaround from how the season started. It honestly made the whole thing so much better.)

So I'm a little over halfway through S1 of Ace Attorney, and I'm quite enjoying it! One might say I'm biased because I love the games so much, but c'mon, the show has plenty of merit on its own. I don't know why people give it so much flack. Sure, the revelations of whodunnit are best experienced in the games where they have more time for buildups. That doesn't mean the anime is no good. The casting is absolutely perfect in my books, and it's just an entertaining experience overall. I can't wait to see more of my favorite cases!

Gaming HapPENings

Among Us is one of my current gaming addictions. I've only owned it for a few weeks, and I think I have close to 25 hours clocked into it (at least, as of the time that I'm writing this). It's basically Mafia in space. The mechanics are simple and easy to get the hang of, but it can be difficult to actually master the game. I've failed as the imposter due to really bad mistakes, most of which involve me killing someone and either having someone walk in on me or walking out and bumping into someone else. Sometimes you end up in a lobby full of great people; sometimes it's a bunch of toxic players--which can actually end up being pretty hilarious on occasion. If you ever want to play this with me, hit me up! It's free on mobile (obviously with optional in-app purchases), and only $5 or so on Steam. Trust me, you're getting a lot of fun and entertainment for pretty cheap.

Writerly HapPENings

Nothing here again. I've thought about writing again, sometimes getting in the mood, but haven't acted on it. Can't put my finger on exactly why. But it probably won't happen this month, considering as I'm participating in Inktober.

Well, that was September for me. Was yours any better? Are you glad that it's finally autumn? (I know I am.)

Spooky Season is Back, Baby! /// Music Monday #86

Well, would you look at that? It's October, which means it's time for the spooky songs to make a return!

Today's track is a bit different--not your average spooky song, that's for sure.

"Hellwalker" from Doom (2016)

Composed by Mick Gordon

This one is a gritty type of creepy. There's a fair amount of atmospheric stuff, but it also builds up to the main riff. If the comments on the video are right, then it was done by putting a chainsaw through a synthesizer. Lemme just repeat that real quick: they used a CHAINSAW to make music. That's crazy, though in a totally genius sort of way. Whoever thought you could use household items for creating songs?

I love the whole Doom soundtrack, actually. I'm usually not into metal, and some of the tracks can get quite intense. But this OST seems to be an exception in regards to my musical taste. I'm not sure what exactly it is about it that makes it different from standard metal--maybe the lack of screaming? Whatever the case, the album has some great story inspiration, especially if you're writing harrowing action scenes.

This track in particular is one of my favorites, partially because I'm using it as a theme for an antagonist in The Titan Saga (the sequel trilogy to The Portal Chronicles). I'm having this dude--tentatively called the Puppeteer at this point--who lives up to his namesake by turning people into his personal puppets and controlling them however he sees fit. I haven't worked out all the kinks and details, buuut it's gonna be super creepy. Man, I really need to get back into writing.

Not sure what else there is to say, especially now since my brain is getting into that writerly sort of mood. But I figured this was a fun, different way to kick off a few weeks of music that has more of a chilling atmosphere.

What're your thoughts on the song (and the chainsaw)? Have you heard this soundtrack before? Do you have any suggestions for other spoopy songs I could share?