{"id":7559,"date":"2016-11-24T07:00:01","date_gmt":"2016-11-24T13:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.d20radio.com\/main\/?p=7559"},"modified":"2016-11-16T13:08:43","modified_gmt":"2016-11-16T19:08:43","slug":"holonet-uplink-music-of-the-old-republic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.d20radio.com\/main\/holonet-uplink-music-of-the-old-republic\/","title":{"rendered":"HoloNet Uplink: Music of the Old Republic"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the HoloNet Uplink, citizen. This series focuses on Fantasy Flight Games\u2019 Star Wars Roleplaying Game, with content aimed mostly at the Gamemaster. Threats, adventure seeds, rules supplements, and more are all to come for those who\u00a0access\u00a0The HoloNet Uplink.<\/em><\/p>\n

The music of Star Wars<\/em> includes some of the most recognizable pieces in the world. Most of the strange few who have never seen Star Wars<\/em> can recognize the iconic main theme, the oppressive Imperial March, and the emotional Binary Sunset\/Force Theme. The themes and leitmotifs within each score are designed to convey meaning about characters, locales, and situations effectively and quickly. This is paramount in a quick paced space fantasy such as\u00a0Star Wars<\/em>.<\/p>\n

GMs are often encouraged to play music at the table to focus the players and set the mood, all leading to greater immersion in the play experience. The films are an excellent starting point for pieces of music to play at your table, but so many more\u00a0Star Wars<\/em> works are out there, each with their own original soundtrack ripe with pieces to convey unique emotions and ideas. Today we will go through some pieces from\u00a0Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords<\/em> and\u00a0The Old Republic<\/em>. If this post is well received, I plan on expanding my view to\u00a0Republic Commando, The Force Unleashed,\u00a0<\/em>and of course\u00a0The Clone Wars<\/em> and\u00a0Rebels<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II Original Soundtrack<\/h3>\n

No doubt you are wondering why I have jumped directly to\u00a0Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (KotOR II)<\/em>. The original game’s soundtrack by Jeremy Soule does quite a solid job, but because it is hampered by some technical limitations I feel much of what it does is better done by\u00a0The Old Republic<\/em>‘s soundtrack. We need to remember\u00a0Knights of the Old Republic<\/em> is 13 years old, this is literally a game you can play on your phone now<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I’ve selected some pieces from the sequel’s soundtrack, by Mark Griskey, because they tackle more rare emotions in\u00a0Star Wars<\/em> music due to the game’s unique feel. More an\u00a0Empire Strikes Back<\/em> to the original’s\u00a0A New Hope<\/em>, KotOR II\u00a0<\/em>has a distinctly melancholy and pensive feel to its soundtrack befitting its story experience.<\/p>\n

“The Sith Lords,”<\/a>\u00a0a piece sharing its name with the title of the game, is fittingly mysterious and thoughtful. Unlike the more bombastic tracks associated with more action packed games, “The Sith Lords” is graceful with sinister undertones. Much like the game is meant to feel, something is wrong within this piece of music. This makes this theme perfect for use in games focusing on intrigue where no one is exactly as they appear, or in campaigns focusing on the mysteries of the Force.<\/p>\n