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Dwarven war song
- Thread starter Aereas
- Start date
Mycanid
First Post
Well ... as far as dwarves singing. Tolkien describes the dwarves in the Hobbit as slowly rocking side to side and singing in unison. (And the rhyming and meter he pulls off is incredible ... if you haven't recently read it, take a look at the Hobbit again for the dwarves' songs.)
I must admit that whenever someone mentions it the sound of the chorus singing the dwarven songs for Rankin n Bass' version of the Hobbit is what comes to mind. A deep throated, slow singing that is almost like a mixture between ancient Gregorian chant and those repetitive Celtic folk songs of a tragic natured theme - you know, so and so loves so and so, but her brothers won't stand for it and go and kill her lover, and when she finds out she dies of grief. Stuff like that. (Of which I am a great fan, btw....)
So on a personal level I am having a hard time "hearing" what you have written song wise. Can you give me a reference for what it will sound like?
But again, the question I have is ... what are the surroundings he will be singing this in? What will be his audience? In battle I just cannot picture a detailed song like you have written (very nicely, I might add) somehow "fitting" if it is going to be sung in a battle....
I must admit that whenever someone mentions it the sound of the chorus singing the dwarven songs for Rankin n Bass' version of the Hobbit is what comes to mind. A deep throated, slow singing that is almost like a mixture between ancient Gregorian chant and those repetitive Celtic folk songs of a tragic natured theme - you know, so and so loves so and so, but her brothers won't stand for it and go and kill her lover, and when she finds out she dies of grief. Stuff like that. (Of which I am a great fan, btw....)
So on a personal level I am having a hard time "hearing" what you have written song wise. Can you give me a reference for what it will sound like?
But again, the question I have is ... what are the surroundings he will be singing this in? What will be his audience? In battle I just cannot picture a detailed song like you have written (very nicely, I might add) somehow "fitting" if it is going to be sung in a battle....
Aereas
First Post
As stated before I normaly play a ftr or barbarian when I play a dwarf. This time I am playing a priest (2e specialty cleric of Clangeddin to be more precise). Because of his highly religious nature a simple battle cry doesn't seem to fit as well as it would for just a follower. I wanted a song that he could sing in battle to offer praise to Clangeddin and signify some of the dieties beleifs that no matter how the battle goes you will still be in Clangeddins grace as long as you follow his teachings.
This is the paragraph from Faiths and Pantheons that led to the longer song idea (and more specificaly the red part is where my attention focused on):
Known as alaghor ("those who demonstrate valor in battle"), clerics of Clangeddin Silverbeard pray for spells in the morning. The anniversaries of past battles hold special significance for the alaghor. On such occasions, the clerics break old weapons anointed with their own blood and recount tales of fallen heroes that they might never be forgotten. More disturbing (at least from the perspective of their enemies) are the frenzied war chants in which the alaghor engage during the heat of battle. Known as ehontar ("songs giving fear to the hearts of the craven"), these low, droning songs bolster the spirits of nearby dwarves, assuring them that Clangeddin immediately enlists in his celestial army those who fall furthering the destiny of the dwarves or protecting their holdings. Alaghor know they will die in combat; the rest is merely a matter of timing. Clerics of Clangeddin frequently multiclass as divine champions, dwarven defenders, or fighters. Some few gain levels in barbarian, or were barbarians prior to heeding the call of the Father of Battle.
This is the paragraph from Faiths and Pantheons that led to the longer song idea (and more specificaly the red part is where my attention focused on):
Known as alaghor ("those who demonstrate valor in battle"), clerics of Clangeddin Silverbeard pray for spells in the morning. The anniversaries of past battles hold special significance for the alaghor. On such occasions, the clerics break old weapons anointed with their own blood and recount tales of fallen heroes that they might never be forgotten. More disturbing (at least from the perspective of their enemies) are the frenzied war chants in which the alaghor engage during the heat of battle. Known as ehontar ("songs giving fear to the hearts of the craven"), these low, droning songs bolster the spirits of nearby dwarves, assuring them that Clangeddin immediately enlists in his celestial army those who fall furthering the destiny of the dwarves or protecting their holdings. Alaghor know they will die in combat; the rest is merely a matter of timing. Clerics of Clangeddin frequently multiclass as divine champions, dwarven defenders, or fighters. Some few gain levels in barbarian, or were barbarians prior to heeding the call of the Father of Battle.
Mycanid
First Post
Hey there Aereas - sorry for my being so dense about what you were saying ... sigh.
Okay. Frenzied war chants I can understand.
But I don't think what you have written would qualify as a "frenzied war chant" per se ... in fact, that is the image I had in mind somewhat when I first posted n the thread.
However what you have written does qualify, to my mind, as: "On such occasions, the clerics ... recount tales of fallen heroes that they might never be forgotten." Tolkiens' poems are easily able to fit in the same sauce.
As for lyrics for a frenzied war chant, though.... Hmm. I'd have to think of that. I have many reference music-wise, but not lyrics wise.
Okay. Frenzied war chants I can understand.
But I don't think what you have written would qualify as a "frenzied war chant" per se ... in fact, that is the image I had in mind somewhat when I first posted n the thread.
However what you have written does qualify, to my mind, as: "On such occasions, the clerics ... recount tales of fallen heroes that they might never be forgotten." Tolkiens' poems are easily able to fit in the same sauce.
As for lyrics for a frenzied war chant, though.... Hmm. I'd have to think of that. I have many reference music-wise, but not lyrics wise.
Aereas
First Post
Mycanid said:
Hello right back
No worries on the dense part
Its easy to miss stuff in posts..especially when theres alot of stuff to post I am sadly one of the few gamers who doesn't really know much of Tolkien's work. I have been planning to get his books for awhile now but have yet to get around to it.
Mycanid said:But I don't think what you have written would qualify as a "frenzied war chant" per se ... in fact, that is the image I had in mind somewhat when I first posted n the thread.
However what you have written does qualify, to my mind, as: "On such occasions, the clerics ... recount tales of fallen heroes that they might never be forgotten." Tolkiens' poems are easily able to fit in the same sauce.
As for lyrics for a frenzied war chant, though.... Hmm. I'd have to think of that. I have many reference music-wise, but not lyrics wise.
This is my first time writing a song of any nature so I wouldn't doubt if I'm a bit off. Thats why I came here to seek advice from those who would know
Thanks for your help so far though
Presto2112
Explorer
I wrote a War Chant for a Dwarf Skald in a 2e game about 14 years ago, and actually posted it to RGFD a few weeks ago. Use and edit as you wish
Vallore Battle Cry
Nothing can make the blood course forth
Than pounding down on a cursed orc
The thrill of a battle is dwarven blood's bread
Without it we'd be pansy elfies instead
With lust we defend from the vermin's invade
As we clash, one by one, troop by troop, blade to blade
Filling Vallore with an ungodly stench
With blood flowing freely, the battleaxe drenched
And the drums pounding proudly, the siege wages on
The head of a vermin rolls into the pond
Of fallen orc bodies; all covered in gore
All our foes will lie dead, all seventeen score!
They seek our vast riches, which hard work and toil
Hath brought us to keep; to the victors the spoils!
A pig disemboweled; a dismembered ear
A quite gruesome keepsake - a war souvenir
for the owner shall see it no more, it lies dead
The blunt of a hammer churned pulp from its head
We wage with a chant; a collection of pride
Of a spirited race that's too stubborn to die
A brother falls near me in life's final stage
Thay've only succeeded in fuelling the rage
I see my poor clansman; he gasps his last breath
They've slaughtered the drumsman; the penalty - DEATH!
The Great Orb of Flame sets aglow the east sky
And sheds light on the scene of the siege from last night
The orcs stand no more, those not dead have retreated
To group up once more, else their loss be repeated
The clan stands triumphant; the victors - Vallore!
With casualties totalling loss of three score
Their names shall be etched on the walls of our mind
And those of the families those souls left behind.
Vallore Battle Cry
Nothing can make the blood course forth
Than pounding down on a cursed orc
The thrill of a battle is dwarven blood's bread
Without it we'd be pansy elfies instead
With lust we defend from the vermin's invade
As we clash, one by one, troop by troop, blade to blade
Filling Vallore with an ungodly stench
With blood flowing freely, the battleaxe drenched
And the drums pounding proudly, the siege wages on
The head of a vermin rolls into the pond
Of fallen orc bodies; all covered in gore
All our foes will lie dead, all seventeen score!
They seek our vast riches, which hard work and toil
Hath brought us to keep; to the victors the spoils!
A pig disemboweled; a dismembered ear
A quite gruesome keepsake - a war souvenir
for the owner shall see it no more, it lies dead
The blunt of a hammer churned pulp from its head
We wage with a chant; a collection of pride
Of a spirited race that's too stubborn to die
A brother falls near me in life's final stage
Thay've only succeeded in fuelling the rage
I see my poor clansman; he gasps his last breath
They've slaughtered the drumsman; the penalty - DEATH!
The Great Orb of Flame sets aglow the east sky
And sheds light on the scene of the siege from last night
The orcs stand no more, those not dead have retreated
To group up once more, else their loss be repeated
The clan stands triumphant; the victors - Vallore!
With casualties totalling loss of three score
Their names shall be etched on the walls of our mind
And those of the families those souls left behind.
Mycanid
First Post
You know ma'am (and I'm only guessing a ma'am based on the avatar ... apologies if I am wrong here) one possible source that may be of help would be looking into the old Germanic and Scandanavian sagas and eddas and the link. Beowulf is probably the best know on a pop level, but there is a lot of other material too. I just read "Egil's Saga" (written about a 9th c. majorly tough viking named Egil) and the main character is constantly breaking out in short 8 line poems that reminded me strongly of the dwarven milieu.
Might try that.
Might try that.
Aereas
First Post
Presto2112: That could be fun to use just to change the song from time to time. Maybe reserve it for fighting giants (with slight modification of course). Clangeddin hates giants more than orcs afterall
Mycanid: I'm a guy (no worries on the mistake). I've only periodicaly checked this site for awhile but a friend of mine began hosting a game on here. Its the only one I have a character in and so I just added a pic that fit my character. Now that I have been going here more and posting on more than just the game I will one day change it though
I don't suppose you could give me some search tips to use on google or something to help find those easier? I could always start with 'old Germanic and Scandanavian sagas' but that would only go so far until I run out of good results
Mycanid: I'm a guy (no worries on the mistake). I've only periodicaly checked this site for awhile but a friend of mine began hosting a game on here. Its the only one I have a character in and so I just added a pic that fit my character. Now that I have been going here more and posting on more than just the game I will one day change it though
I don't suppose you could give me some search tips to use on google or something to help find those easier? I could always start with 'old Germanic and Scandanavian sagas' but that would only go so far until I run out of good results
