Roll for Initiative - A Symphonic Campaign

Amber Sheeran

Instrumentation:

Piccolo

Flutes 1+2

Oboe

Bassoon

Clarinets 1+2

Bass Clarinet

Contrabass Clarinet

Alto Sax 1+2

Tenor Sax

Bari Sax

Trumpets 1+2

F Horns 1+2

Trombones 1+2

Bass Trombone

Euphonium

Tuba

Timpani

Glockenspiel

Xylophone

Percussion 1

● 3 Concert Toms

● Chimes/Tubular Bells

● Woodblocks

● Dice

Percussion 2

● Suspended Cymbal

● Crash Cymbal

● Brake Drum

● Wind Chimes/Mark Tree

● Tambourine

● Chimes/Tubular Bells

Concert Notes:

- e speaking parts are optional, but I think they’re funny.

- Within the spirit of the game, the lines do not need to be word for word e line can be changed if the speaker wishes, so long as it gets the general concept across

- e size of the bucket of dice should be enough to make ample clattering for 2-3 seconds If there is not enough dice available, rocks or something similar can be used

- To assist with clean-up, dice can be dumped into another bucket instead of the table But there’s something both funny and devastating about having to roll so much damage dice that they fall on the loor

Program Notes:

is piece goes out to all the other musicians that happen to also be TTRPG nerds When I first began playing this immersive and creative game, I loved how much fun I had getting into ridiculous scenarios and having to think(or fight) my way out of them with the rest of my party is piece is meant to be a symphonic walk-through of a fairly standard quest, i e go into a dungeon, and fight a dragon

It starts with a heroic fanfare to introduce our adventuring party Once our party has suficiently paraded themselves around town, proclaiming their great deeds and daring adventures, the next step is obviously to go to the nearest tavern. While I personally have never burnt down a tavern, it’s a fairly common theme for the party to arrive at a tavern, sit peacefully for a moment, and then somehow, someway, burn it down. e reasoning can be diferent. Someone insulted someone else, the party found a band of cultists or bandits, the well-meaning barbarian knocked over a candle. But no matter the reason, a tavern fight is a classic is is where I introduce our two main themes which I dub the “Fighter’s eme” and the “Spellcaster’s eme” e Fighter’s eme is played first by the low brass and is dense and heavy like our axes, clubs, and greatswords e Spellcaster’s eme is played second, by the woodwinds It is lighter, like the lick of a wand, the wave of a hand, or the lilt of a lute(we love the bards) With loud hits from the brass and percussion, come the sounds of swords clanging and spells hitting their mark With all this chaos in such a small building, the tavern gets destroyed, yet again

Ater the party successfully makes a mess of the tavern, it is time to receive the quest In this campaign, our party is presented with a prophecy that speaks of a terrifying dragon that has caused ruin and destruction to the town e party will fight this monster, but one member is fated to fall to its fire. Faced with such terrible words, the party is somber. But adventure awaits, and the prospect of doing something great can lit the spirits, especially when doing so with friends. us the piccolo begins in an attempt to lighten the mood, and the melody is passed through the ensemble until the whole party is singing along to the bard’s song But once they hit the cave of the dragon, it is easy to see how much danger they could be in ey proceed slowly and with caution, listening for the monster lurking in the cave Until finally, they are face to face with a terrible beast Roll for initiative

Our party struggles against such an ancient and powerful being, and while our melee fighters are giving it their all, the dragon fights back with ferocity at every turn Until one badly timed hit and the beast’s fire is unleashed at’s a lot of damage, and our poor Fighter goes down But we have healing spells for a reason So with renewed vigor, the party fights hard Swinging their weapons, shooting spells and bows, teeth and ambitions bared! And finally with one last hit, the dragon is vanquished ere is relief and celebration, and now, with their prize in tow, the party heads out to find a new adventure.

HerosoftheRealm(=72)