WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

[AdamLeisemann]

Long ago in a book I read about how to write horror fiction, a writer had a massive list of things that a character needs to feel alive. One of these items on that list was a "Theme Song."

 

A Theme song, in this case, is not a song you write for the character, but rather a song from elsewhere that fits the character almost perfectly.

 

So, what song, when you hear it, inspired your character or brings your character into your mind quickly? You may pick multiple songs if you wish.

[AmadanNaBriona]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

For my two favorite Champions Characters...

Revenantis barely a hero, kind of a bastard, and a major scrapper.

the Motely Crue cover of "Stone Cold Crazy" by Queen is probably about right.

 

Blackjack is known in his Secret ID as Jack O'Connor, and started out life as lower middle class Boston Irish. Working his way from revenge driven street vigalante to leader of a PRIMUS sactioned superteam has given him a perspective that makes this the song that pops to mind as his theme (plus, it's got a good beat for kicking butt to):

 

"Heroes From Our Past" -Dropkick Murphy's

 

And so the story's told of a hearty group of men it's a tale of their triumphs and their woes.

Be it raids and melees ancient or the modern worker's struggle

that inspires men to stand up for their rights.

And should we fall down by the wayside in this ever-changing world

we can look back to these heroes of our past.

With their staunch determination and ferocious iron will,

no tyranny would quell them in their task.

 

It's an age-old situation with an ever-present message:

that time and tide waiteth for no man.

So without fear of confrontation of the consequence of outcome,

it's for freedom and for happiness they toiled.

An in looking to the future,

we can see a better place where we can shake the yoke of tyranny for all.

It's been paved by generations who have gone now to their rest.

It's just remembrance of their dignity we ask.

 

[Chorus:]

So come on rally round this brave and valiant cause with tradition, pride, and honor at its core.

With swords drawn to defend stood these noble-hearted men fág an bealach,

clear the way, me boys!!

 

Under perilous conditions with small hope of success they left behind the lives that they once led

and by virtue of their fortitude and single-minded strength

they cleared the way for the people of today

so when we think back to our ancestors respectfully we hark

and thank the men whose struggle broke the chain it's a long road up ahead of us

let's forge on while we're strong and leave our mark of honor once again

 

So the story has been told and it comes now to an end.

It's setting any era, any land.

When abusive tyrants force the hands of matters great or small,

it inpires men to stand up for their rights.

 

Edit: As noted below, that's Stone Cold Crazy by Metallica, not Crue.

And if anyone hasn't heard "Hero of Our Past" someone did an OK video using Call of Duty 2 animations on youtube

[jkwleisemann]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

Hmm....

 

Well, a couple of 'em I've actually written to 'theme songs' of a sort, so that's one I won't cover here. But....

 

Sparky: The Underdog theme song.

 

Most of the others don't really have a particular "theme" that's *just* theirs... it tends to vary more from situation to situation, the 'theme' applying more to the scenario and what's going on than the character.

[Spidey88]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

My current Champions character, Phidippus, is a thinly-veiled Spider-Man homage who generally bounds around the landscape via vast amounts of Superleap (his name comes from a genus of jumping spider); so Van Halen's "Jump" comes to mind - at least on a bright, sunny day when he's out on patrol and in a good mood.

 

On the other hand, if the poop hits the fan and he's got to "take out the trash" (particularly if the trash in question is serious scum that really deserves a butt-whoopin' and has offended his moral sensibilities), the song that pops into my head is "Smack my B%$# Up", by the Prodigy - not for any questionable lyrics (it's mostly instrumental anyway), but for the whole feel I get from it of someone just sort of warming up, throwing some flashy moves to show his skill, and testing his opponent; then really cutting loose with high-speed righteous fury when the bass kicks in.

 

For when the stakes are high and the world depends on him, I think "The Wicker Man" or "Aces High" by Iron Maiden. The former feels right to me for something of really epic stakes, the latter more for a race against the clock when things get desperate.

 

If the other players are in need of some brevity and I feel like being a goof, then I'd toss "Captain Vegetable" from Sesame Street into the CD player. Holy crud - I speak from experience when I say that nothing cuts tension like this one, though it doesn't really fit Phidippus all that well. He's a wiseacre, but not a loon! Foxbat, on the other hand...

 

To tell you the truth, aside from the first choice, the songs I've listed don't feel all that attached to this character, but feel appropriate for hypothetical situations to me - Phidippus just happens to be the character that those situations would arise with at the moment.

 

 

By the way, AmadanNaBriona, are you sure you didn't mean the cover of "Stone Cold Crazy" that Metallica did? Correct me if I'm wrong - I just never thought the Crue covered that one.

[Metaphysician]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

Hermes theme song? Thats easy: the "Epoch" theme from Chronotrigger. Wouldn't always be the case, but since recent revelations, he's ready to travel time, kick ass, and save the world.

[CrosshairCollie]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

More for titles than lyrics ...

 

Quantum Kitsune: Original Prankster by The Offspring

War Wolf: Heavy Metal from the Heavy Metal Soundtrack

[AmadanNaBriona]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

 

By the way, AmadanNaBriona, are you sure you didn't mean the cover of "Stone Cold Crazy" that Metallica did? Correct me if I'm wrong - I just never thought the Crue covered that one.

 

Erk

you're right.

My brain said Crue, but in retrospect I think I was getting confused...

 

*reviews brain*

 

Ahhhh... right... superior metal covers... Crue, Helter Skelter.

Just as appropriate to Revenant, actually. I pick both

[GoldenAge]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

Bastion's powers are derived from a complex mechanism of his own creation that manipulates subatomic chromodynamic forces. Utilizing the Chromo-Dial, a complex Chromo-Field projector worn around his waist that works in conjunction with field amplifiers constructed as bracers, Bastion is able to manipulate his size and mass from subatomic to gigantic.

 

Blinded Me With Science comes to mind.

[CrosshairCollie]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

Bastion's powers are derived from a complex mechanism of his own creation that manipulates subatomic chromodynamic forces. Utilizing the Chromo-Dial, a complex Chromo-Field projector worn around his waist that works in conjunction with field amplifiers constructed as bracers, Bastion is able to manipulate his size and mass from subatomic to gigantic.

 

Blinded Me With Science comes to mind.

 

Weird Science sounds like it might work, too.

[BNakagawa]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

Mittens is probably Hateshinai Toiki (endless sigh) from the Gunsmith Cats soundtrack.

[Blue]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

Audra Blue - Lucretia, My Reflection by Sisters of Mercy

 

Anthem - Intersting that I don't think she'd listen to music very much so it's hard to equate her to a song. I think maybe, This Is It by Kenny Loggins.

 

Uncle Slam - Unforgiven by Metallica. He's definitely not a metallica guy.. he's probably into classical with a sideline in classic rock. The song just happens to be the vibe I get.

[jkwleisemann]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

Most of the others don't really have a particular "theme" that's *just* theirs... it tends to vary more from situation to situation' date=' the 'theme' applying more to the scenario and what's going on than the character.[/quote']

Just remembered another one that fits, though it's a character I haven't had the chance to use near as much as I'd like to (overly grim back story and the game she was originally designed for petered out):

 

Razor: Hero, Red Pill Remix

[Hermit]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

I've done this before, but my character collection has changed somewhat since then.

Aquatic: "On your side" by Ethergy perhaps

Gaze: "In the Eye" by Suzzane Vega

Jaunt: As much as it might make a old school Trekkie like young Jaunt wince to admit, "Faith of the Heart" from the show Enterprise probably fits him very well.

Mole: "All Star" by Smash Mouth for attitude, or maybe "Down Under" for the pun value

Saint: "Man in Black" Johnny Cash or perhaps the wordless "Night Train" by Jimmy Forrest if that's allowed.

[AdamLeisemann]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

Saint: "Man in Black" Johnny Cash or perhaps the wordless "Night Train" by Jimmy Forrest if that's allowed.

 

Sure. Why not?

[Bunyip]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

London Pryde's theme would have to be the hymn "I Vow To Thee, My Country"; the whole Pryde family history is so bound up with service to the nation that not much else (other than possibly "Jerusalem") fits the bill.

 

Greenmantle's theme could really only be the theme music from the movie Local Hero, both for thematic rightness and the Scottish feel to the melody.

 

Robyn Hood's theme, for similar reasons, is Bryan Adams' "Everything I Do, I Do It For You" from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Every couple has a song that they think of as "our song" and this was it for Tony and Melody...

 

MC Sonik - well, a few tracks seemed likely, but "We've Got The Power" by Snap! seems to work best; Everton always preferred stuff with a strong beat, and the title certainly works...

 

For Nos (the only offworlder on the team), I'd go for the "Uranus" movement from Holst's The Planets, which I thought has a nice spooky quality to go with Nos' at times rather spooky demeanour.

 

Mini - well, "It's a Small World" would be a joke in poor taste; the poor girl is frozen at 10 inches tall and isn't as well-adjusted to the situation as she'd have everyone believe. But she's into some of the older 40s stuff, and for some reason I keep hearing "Cry Me A River"...

 

And Silvershadow would have wanted something a bit brighter, but for her I could only use the bit from Mussorgsky's Pictures At An Exhbition that indicated the movement between paintings - can't recall the title...

[Lord Mhoram]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

Some of mine are easy -

Black Cat - Black Cat by Janet Jackson - lyrics aren't a perfect fit, but the song title is just to perfect. And the character predates the song.

Ballistic - Demolition Man by Mannfred Mann - It just fits his personality - he's a rather forceful individual; brick EP Supermage in a supersuit. Can, and often does, cause lots of a collateral damage.

Meeb - Theme from the Blob (It creeps it crawls ect)

 

Most of my other characters I've not thought of in those directions.

[Maelstrom]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

Seven Dragon Thunder -- "Who Do You Love" by George Thorogood

Maelstrom -- "American Badass" by Kid Rock

 

Wolf -- "Shadow Warrior" by the Blue Oyster Cult

 

I have no home. I live within my mind.

I have no one. No one I'm bringing up to the sky with me.

 

No weapon - I carry no sword, only my hands to protect me.

No laws - I obey no laws; my spirit is righteous and free.

Her face, the image of a thousand wonders.

A bridge between today and yesterday.

If I pull her close what will the spirit say?

 

I have no home. I live within my mind.

I have no one. No one I'm bringing up to the sky with me.

 

Her face, the image of a thousand stars.

A bridge between tomorrow and today.

If we destroy one another, Dolman will ever break the day.

 

Day breaks, but there is no light.

In my mind, a voice calling.

Spirit singing, a song of the ages.

Depend on today, like father's honor,

She has come to take it away!

 

[instrumental]

 

I see - my life has flashed as the star meets my head.

Body of an angel, with the strength of ten men;

Through the trees, dark as a raven, black hair flying -

The justice of Heaven.

 

I have no home. I live within my mind.

I have no one, no one. My spirit is righteous and free.

No weapon - I carry no sword, only my hands to protect me.

No laws - I obey no laws; without honor, you'll never be free.

[Trebuchet]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

For Zl'f I've always thought the almost-frantic music during the light saber duel with Darth Maul in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace would be perfect. It's very fast paced and builds up the tension as the fight escalates through several scenes.

 

Plus I happen to like John Williams' music...

[Weldun]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

For Zl'f I've always thought the almost-frantic music during the light saber duel with Darth Maul in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace would be perfect. It's very fast paced and builds up the tension as the fight escalates through several scenes.

 

Plus I happen to like John Williams' music...

That would be "Duel of Fates" and way cool.

 

Well, for almost all my characters, I tend to get "Ego is not a Dirty Word" by the Skyhooks at some point, but specifically...

 

Beastlord - "Trip Like I Do" by Filter and Crystal Method (Spawn OST).

Facet - "She's Got The Power" by Stan Bush.

Gate - "Open Your Heart" by Crush 40 (Sonic Adventure #1).

Gee - "Look Up!" by Yellow Dancer (Robotech: New Generation).

Gigas - "Kick some @$$" by Stroke 9.

Hardcase - "Body Hammer" by Fear Factory ("As of now/I am a tool/Of severe impact/Hammer down/Cause and effect/And create a new world").

Leatherback - "The Thing I Hate” by Stabbing Westward.

Platinum - "Little Less Conversation" by Elvis Presley & JXL.

Polecat - "One" by Filter (orig. John Farnham).

Professor Grey - "Liberi Fatali" by Nobuo Uematsu.

Shadowfire - "Freak on a Leash" by Korn.

The Specter - "Land of Confusion" by Genesis.

The Swarmling - "The End is the Begining is the End" by the Smashing Pumpkins.

Whisper - "I Kill Children" by the Dead Kennedies.

Weldun - (Firstly, *gasp* He's letting us know something else about his namesake!) "Plowed" by Sponge.

 

Will I wake up

Is it a dream I made up

No I guess its reality

What will change us

Or will we mess up

Our only chance to connect

With a dream

 

Say a prayer for me

Im buried by the sound

In a world of human

Wreckage

Im lost and Im found

And I cant touch the

Ground

Im plowed into the sound

 

To see wide open

With a head thats broken

Hang a life on a tragedy

Plow me under the ground

That covers the message

That is the seed

[Trebuchet]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

That would be "Duel of Fates" and way cool.

I didn't know the name. Thanks.

 

EDIT: Just listened to it as a free mp3. 4½ minutes of ass-kickin' goodness!

[Enforcer84]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

Hmmm...

Enforcer: Get in On - Kingdom Come. When that song came out I was listening to it and reading some comics, getting a new drawing of Enforcer ready for our game and had this image of that song playing while Enforcer, flanked by his team, challenged the "Galactus" style villian.... and since the song is about a band getting ready to play, it easily can be for a superteam ready to kick ass.

 

Grand Mantis - Little Fighter - White Lion

Powerman - Living on the Edge - White Lion

Vice - Every little thing she does is magic - the Police; or...Bad Reputation - Joan Jett

Ace - Into the Night - Ace Frehley

Captain Blaster - New Thing - Enuff Z Nuff

[nexus]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

Shidoku: Let the Bodies hit the floor by Drowning Pool

Eve: I'm just a Girl

Tao: The main theme from The Terminator

Ivy: Undecided, I'll have to get back to it.

[Lucius]

WIYCT: What is your character's theme song?

 

Kristina of Aquilonia: "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera

 

After all you put me through

(Hunted <= 14 Former Patron)

You'd think I'd despise you

But in the end I want to thank you

Because you made me that much stronger

(STR 13 3 pts)

 

When I, thought I knew you

(KS: Former Patron 4 pts)

Thinking, that you were true

I guess I, I couldn't trust

(Psych Limit: Suspicious)

Called your bluff, time is up

(Gambling 3 pts)

'Cause I've had enough

You were, there by my side

(Teamwork 3 pts)

Always, down for the ride

(Riding 3 pts)

But your, joy ride just came down in flames

'Cause your greed sold me out of shame, mmhmm

(Hunted: Agents of the King of Aquilonia <= 8 )

 

After all of the stealing and cheating

You probably think that I hold resentment for you

But, uh uh, oh no, you're wrong

'Cause if it wasn't for all that you tried to do

I wouldn't know just how capable I am to pull through

(EGO 14 8 pts)

So I wanna say thank you

 

'Cause it makes me that much stronger

(BOD 11 2 pts)

Makes me work a little bit harder

(CON 13 6 pts)

It makes me that much wiser

(+1 perception 3 pts)

So thanks for making me a fighter

(Fam Common Melee Wpns 2 pts)

Made me learn a little bit faster

(Cramming 5 pts)

Made my skin a little bit thicker

(PD 6 3 pts)

Makes me that much smarter

(INT 13 3 pts)

So thanks for making me a fighter

(Fam Common Missile Wpns 2 pts)

Ohh, ohh, ohh, ohhhh, ohh-yeah ah uhhhuh

 

Never, saw it coming

All of, your backstabbing

(Combat Sense)

Just so, you could cash in

On a good thing before I realized your game

I heard, you're going around

(KS: Intrigue 2 pts)

Playing the victim now

(Reputation, <= 14 : Betrayed Mentor)

But don't, even begin

Feeling I'm the one to blame

'Cause you dug your own grave

 

 

After all of the fights and the lies

Yes you wanted to harm me but that won't work anymore

(Danger Sense)

Uh, no more, oh no, over

'Cause if it wasn't for all of your torture

(Resistance)

I wouldn't know how to be this way now, and never back down

(Psych Limit: Stubborn)

So I wanna say thank you

 

'Cause it makes me that much stronger

(STUN 30 5 pts)

Makes me work a little bit harder

(REC 7 2 pts)

Makes me that much wiser

(Tactics 3 pts)

So thanks for making me a fighter

(PS: Warrior 3 pts)

Made me learn a little bit faster

(Linguist 3 pts)

Made my skin a little bit thicker

(ED 6 3 pts)

It makes me that much smarter

(Scholar 3 pts)

So thanks for making me a fighter

(+1 all combat 8 pts)

 

How could this man I thought I knew

Turn out to be unjust so cruel

Could only see the good in you

Pretended not to see the truth

(Vulnerable to Illusions: Twice effect from Mental Illusions, double perception penalty from Images.)

You tried to hide your lies, disguise yourself

Through living in denial

But in the end you'll see

YOU-WON'T-STOP-ME

(PRE 20 10 pts)

 

I am a fighter and I

I ain't goin' stop

(Rapid Healing? )

There is no turning back

I've had enough

 

'Cause it makes me that much stronger

(+10 STR, No Figured Characteristics, only to meet STR minima or do added damage with weapons or hand to hand 5 pts)

Makes me work a little bit harder

(END 29 1 pt)

Makes me that much wiser

(Deduction 3 pts)

So thanks for making me a fighter

(+1 Melee Combat 5 pts)

 

Made me learn a little bit faster

(Jack of All Trades)

Made my skin a little bit thicker

(Damage Resistance 6 pts (does not stop 1st BOD of a killing attack ¼ ) Real pts 5 I like this kind of build more than Combat Luck)

It makes me that much smarter

(+1 all INT based skills 3 pts)

So thanks for making me a fighter

(+1 Swords 3 pts)

 

Thought I would forget

but I...

I remember, I remember, I remember

Thought I would forget

but I...

I remember. I remember, I remember

(Eidetic Memory, No Conscious Control)

 

'Cause it makes me that much stronger

(+5 STR ... )

Makes me work a little bit harder

(...X5 END cost on +5 STR)

Makes me that much wiser

(Analyze Motive : Analyze skill for deducing the true motivations behind words and deeds 3 pts)

So thanks for making me a fighter

(Martial Arts, 15 pts)

 

Made me learn a little bit faster

(Cramming 5 pts)

Made my skin a little bit thicker

(Power Defense 3 3 pts)

It makes me that much smarter

(Speed Reading)

So thanks for making me a fighter!

 

 

Lucius Alexander

 

The palindromedary notes that this is crossposted from Fantasy Hero forum

[Sundog]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

For Terminus - Queen's The Show Must Go On. In a great many ways, Terminus just doesn't know how to stop...

[Weldun]

Re: WIYCT: What is your character's theme?

 

For Terminus - Queen's The Show Must Go On. In a great many ways' date=' Terminus just [u']doesn't know how to [/u]stop...

Emphasis=Mine.

In that case, wouldn't "Don't Stop Me Now" be more apropriate.

 

EDIT: This thread got me thinking.