Entry tags:
in the darkness, i say 'fuck'
Liam's various playlists and commentary, mostly for my own reference.
Vax'ildan - Music to Stab By
“Exit Music” – Radiohead
I thought it would be fun to use the first handful of songs on this list to shed some light on the twins’ backstory for the fans. Vex and Vax don’t talk about their past much, but it is a painful one. The twins are a couple of bastards born to a human seamstress and an elven diplomat during a brief fling. Year later, when their father caught wind of their existence, he had them brought to Syngorn for schooling and training. They were tolerated by the elves, but never welcomed. Their father was extremely cold. After several years of loneliness there, they turned their backs on him and fled. Which is where this first song comes in…
“Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten” – Arvo Pärt
A song for Elaina. After wandering on their own for a bit, the siblings decided to make the long journey back to their mother and the town they knew as small children. After months of traveling on foot, they arrived home only to find the house they remembered in ruins, charred and overgrown with vegetation. Villagers told them of the dragon that attacked a few years back. The twins stumbled through the wreckage, realizing their mother was gone forever. That painful homecoming brings to mind a classical piece I’ve always loved…
“Palomine” – Bettie Seveert
With no family and nowhere to go, the twins scraped by on their own, little better than beggars, with no direction or purpose. All Vax really believed in or trusted at that point was his sister… His best and only friend.
“All Alone” – Gorillaz
In time, the half elves began to find their way together, honing their skills, and forging their identities. With absolutely no one else to rely on, their bond grew even stronger as they learned to fight and survive. Basically, they began evolving into the badasses we know today…
“Been Caught Stealing” – Jane’s Addiction
As they did so, it became clear that Vex was becoming an expert hunter. Vax was meant for breaking and entering.
“Girls and Boys” – Blur
I’ll leave this one up to the fans’ imagination.
“I Bleed” – The Pixies
The trouble with Tal’dorei… is all the damn vampires.
“The Blower’s Daughter” – Damian Rice
(…)
“This is Why We Fight” – The Decemberists
As our story has gone on, Vax has found more direction in life. I think he wants to leave the world better than how he found it. And he definitely has come to think of Vox Machina as family. He would lay down his life for any one of them in a heartbeat.
“Glory and Gore” – Lorde
This last song is a little for Vox Machina, a little bit for the audience. The Critical Role community is amazing, and extremely passionate about our game. We see a weekly tsunami of feedback on all the choices we make, both good and bad. But I honestly believe that if we just tried to safely work the D&D system and be min-maxers, this show wouldn’t be half as interesting. Wander into the Briarwoods guest room? Amazing episode. Shoot a bullet through a young carriage driver’s hand? Riveting consequences. People aren’t tuning in for the “perfect game.” They’re coming for the Glory and Gore…
Over the Edge
"All Mine" — Portishead
The Raven Queen flipped everything on its head.
"Going Down" — Ani Difranco
Dragons destroying everything. Sister’s life dependent on an unintended bargain. Faith totally inverted. Love pushed further away. And hard times away from the table.
"Miss Macbeth" — Elvis Costello
There have been so many different opinions about the Raven Queen, both in Vox Machina, and the audience, I was reminded of this Costello song I’ve always loved. He was writing about an old woman in a town everyone thinks is a witch. The rumors and the reality all knotted together, impossible to be separated.
"Breathe Me" — Sia
Showing up at her door. Looking for comfort, or reassurance. Bad to worse.
"Bird Set Free" — Sia
Born again, from the belly of the beast.
"Tear in My Heart" — Twenty One Pilots
High five.
"It's Only Life" — The Shins
Vex.
"Don’t Tread on Me" — Kai Straw
After a month of scraping the bottom, Vax gets up.
"Second Chances" — Gregory Alan Isakov
Families can be complicated.
"The Otherside" — The Roots
A new battle anthem for Vox Machina. Battered and bloody, and worn down from the road. But not done.
"Sons & Daughters" — The Decemberists
At night, when Vax lays his head down to rest, he has started to foster the barest hint of hope for tomorrow. He almost believes it.
Vax (2017)
"Raven’s Song" – Aaron Embry
I’m going to miss this bastard quite a bit. And his sister. And his love. And his family. Still can’t believe how this little game evolved. Where the story has taken us. Vax’ildan will be part of me for the rest of my days.
"Trouble in Mind" – Larkin Poe
Briarwood’s bedroom? Umbrasyl’s guts? The Diseased Deceiver? Hold my snake belt.
"Some Nights" – Fun
Before the fall of Emon.
"My Best Friend" – Weezer
Oh Vex. Gods, does Vax love her. Their laughter together. Their competition. Their stealthing. How do I leave this part of the game behind? Couldn’t if I tried…
"Running Up That Hill" – Placebo
How important are the ones you love?
"Talking to Myself" – Watsky
It took time for Vax to accept…
"Believer" – Imagine Dragons
…but he did. And found faith.
"Black Wave" – K.Flay
A blur in the shadows, a dark blade impacts, a swirl of black feathers exploding seemingly from nowhere as an avenging angel materializes out of nothing then launches hundreds of feet into the air. Attack Attack Attack Double Dash OP please nerf.
"Graveclothes" – Birdtalker
That year in Zephra really brought the spring back to Vax’s step. If only…
"Marked Man" – Mieka Pauley
She will collect her due.
"Million Reasons" – Lady Gaga
Coming back from the Raven Queen, to his family in the Feywild… Knowing the effect his choices were to have on Keyleth… His greatest regret. Walking away from her.
"Could Have Been Me" – The Struts
"Blackbird" – The Beatles
"Stories" – Big Little Lions
What a time we had…
Raven's Epitaph
"What's Up Danger?" - Blackway, Black Caviar
One last song for man of flesh and blood.
"Dead Man's Arms" - Bishop Briggs
And the new man.
"The Wanting Comes in Waves" - The Decemberists
The Champion and his Queen. A Shadowfell version of Jean Paul Sartre’s No Exit.
"Dancing After Death" - Matt Maeson
Voice of the Tempest
"Far From Home" - Sam Tinnesz
“I am far, but not gone.”
Vax'ildan - Music to Stab By
“Exit Music” – Radiohead
I thought it would be fun to use the first handful of songs on this list to shed some light on the twins’ backstory for the fans. Vex and Vax don’t talk about their past much, but it is a painful one. The twins are a couple of bastards born to a human seamstress and an elven diplomat during a brief fling. Year later, when their father caught wind of their existence, he had them brought to Syngorn for schooling and training. They were tolerated by the elves, but never welcomed. Their father was extremely cold. After several years of loneliness there, they turned their backs on him and fled. Which is where this first song comes in…
“Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten” – Arvo Pärt
A song for Elaina. After wandering on their own for a bit, the siblings decided to make the long journey back to their mother and the town they knew as small children. After months of traveling on foot, they arrived home only to find the house they remembered in ruins, charred and overgrown with vegetation. Villagers told them of the dragon that attacked a few years back. The twins stumbled through the wreckage, realizing their mother was gone forever. That painful homecoming brings to mind a classical piece I’ve always loved…
“Palomine” – Bettie Seveert
With no family and nowhere to go, the twins scraped by on their own, little better than beggars, with no direction or purpose. All Vax really believed in or trusted at that point was his sister… His best and only friend.
“All Alone” – Gorillaz
In time, the half elves began to find their way together, honing their skills, and forging their identities. With absolutely no one else to rely on, their bond grew even stronger as they learned to fight and survive. Basically, they began evolving into the badasses we know today…
“Been Caught Stealing” – Jane’s Addiction
As they did so, it became clear that Vex was becoming an expert hunter. Vax was meant for breaking and entering.
“Girls and Boys” – Blur
I’ll leave this one up to the fans’ imagination.
“I Bleed” – The Pixies
The trouble with Tal’dorei… is all the damn vampires.
“The Blower’s Daughter” – Damian Rice
(…)
“This is Why We Fight” – The Decemberists
As our story has gone on, Vax has found more direction in life. I think he wants to leave the world better than how he found it. And he definitely has come to think of Vox Machina as family. He would lay down his life for any one of them in a heartbeat.
“Glory and Gore” – Lorde
This last song is a little for Vox Machina, a little bit for the audience. The Critical Role community is amazing, and extremely passionate about our game. We see a weekly tsunami of feedback on all the choices we make, both good and bad. But I honestly believe that if we just tried to safely work the D&D system and be min-maxers, this show wouldn’t be half as interesting. Wander into the Briarwoods guest room? Amazing episode. Shoot a bullet through a young carriage driver’s hand? Riveting consequences. People aren’t tuning in for the “perfect game.” They’re coming for the Glory and Gore…
Over the Edge
"All Mine" — Portishead
The Raven Queen flipped everything on its head.
"Going Down" — Ani Difranco
Dragons destroying everything. Sister’s life dependent on an unintended bargain. Faith totally inverted. Love pushed further away. And hard times away from the table.
"Miss Macbeth" — Elvis Costello
There have been so many different opinions about the Raven Queen, both in Vox Machina, and the audience, I was reminded of this Costello song I’ve always loved. He was writing about an old woman in a town everyone thinks is a witch. The rumors and the reality all knotted together, impossible to be separated.
"Breathe Me" — Sia
Showing up at her door. Looking for comfort, or reassurance. Bad to worse.
"Bird Set Free" — Sia
Born again, from the belly of the beast.
"Tear in My Heart" — Twenty One Pilots
High five.
"It's Only Life" — The Shins
Vex.
"Don’t Tread on Me" — Kai Straw
After a month of scraping the bottom, Vax gets up.
"Second Chances" — Gregory Alan Isakov
Families can be complicated.
"The Otherside" — The Roots
A new battle anthem for Vox Machina. Battered and bloody, and worn down from the road. But not done.
"Sons & Daughters" — The Decemberists
At night, when Vax lays his head down to rest, he has started to foster the barest hint of hope for tomorrow. He almost believes it.
Vax (2017)
"Raven’s Song" – Aaron Embry
I’m going to miss this bastard quite a bit. And his sister. And his love. And his family. Still can’t believe how this little game evolved. Where the story has taken us. Vax’ildan will be part of me for the rest of my days.
"Trouble in Mind" – Larkin Poe
Briarwood’s bedroom? Umbrasyl’s guts? The Diseased Deceiver? Hold my snake belt.
"Some Nights" – Fun
Before the fall of Emon.
"My Best Friend" – Weezer
Oh Vex. Gods, does Vax love her. Their laughter together. Their competition. Their stealthing. How do I leave this part of the game behind? Couldn’t if I tried…
"Running Up That Hill" – Placebo
How important are the ones you love?
"Talking to Myself" – Watsky
It took time for Vax to accept…
"Believer" – Imagine Dragons
…but he did. And found faith.
"Black Wave" – K.Flay
A blur in the shadows, a dark blade impacts, a swirl of black feathers exploding seemingly from nowhere as an avenging angel materializes out of nothing then launches hundreds of feet into the air. Attack Attack Attack Double Dash OP please nerf.
"Graveclothes" – Birdtalker
That year in Zephra really brought the spring back to Vax’s step. If only…
"Marked Man" – Mieka Pauley
She will collect her due.
"Million Reasons" – Lady Gaga
Coming back from the Raven Queen, to his family in the Feywild… Knowing the effect his choices were to have on Keyleth… His greatest regret. Walking away from her.
"Could Have Been Me" – The Struts
"Blackbird" – The Beatles
"Stories" – Big Little Lions
What a time we had…
Raven's Epitaph
"What's Up Danger?" - Blackway, Black Caviar
One last song for man of flesh and blood.
"Dead Man's Arms" - Bishop Briggs
And the new man.
"The Wanting Comes in Waves" - The Decemberists
The Champion and his Queen. A Shadowfell version of Jean Paul Sartre’s No Exit.
"Dancing After Death" - Matt Maeson
Voice of the Tempest
"Far From Home" - Sam Tinnesz
“I am far, but not gone.”
Entry tags:
jenga!! (wip)
⇶ OOC ⇶ BACKTAGGING: Absolutely. I will backtag forever, so if you'd like to continue something, please feel free to give me a nudge. ⇶ FOURTHWALLING: I would prefer not to. ⇶ THREADHOPPING: Dependent on the thread, and so long as all parties are amenable, go for it. ⇶ CONTENT WARNINGS: There are aspects to Vax's history that could be potentially upsetting to some. Though unlikely to come up in casual conversation, please let me know if there is anything you wish to avoid. Any tags will be marked accordingly! ⇶ IC ⇶ PHYSICAL AFFECTION: He has a lot of love to give, and he is very openly affectionate with the people he cares about. Vax gettin' all the kisses. (Haircare is his love language.) ⇶ PHYSICAL VIOLENCE: Let's go - He has a tendency to throw himself into situations headfirst, even when it's not necessarily the wisest course. His fighting style is less about strength, and more dexterity and stealth, but he is not one to back down from a fight. I would just ask that you speak to me ooc before attempting to inflict any lasting injuries. ⇶ TELEPATHY / MIND READING: With discussion, absolutely. Hit me up, and I can let you know what's on his mind. ⇶ RELATIONSHIPS: I am open to exploring ships, with development. Vax is as reckless with his feelings as he is with everything else, and it doesn't always necessarily end well. After a certain canon point, he is entirely dedicated to Keyleth, although I am down for alternate timelines or universes should we want to go that route. Talk to me, and we can see where it goes. My only hard no would be shipping him with Vex. Sorry. |
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