I like making music videos in my head, trailers for books and settings for songs. Having been swept along by the Imperial battle Anthem a few too many times, I came up with this one.
Imperial Battle Hymn, the music video.
This is in the form of a scene or two in each line. The song goes from preparation for an Empire event, through to post battle stuff. Showcasing a small cast of characters, and the fun they’re having. Each line is being sung by the people in the scene.
Robert (well groomed and serious looking man in his thirties) Highguard
Dave and the lads (a group of slightly scruffy looking young men, friendly with each other, generally stomping about as a mob), Marchers
Brian (older man 40s or 50s, shock of greying red hair) Urizen
Felicity (young woman, early 20s, long dark hair) Dawn
Joanne (old woman, grey hair down to her shoulders, non-nonsense demeanor and piercing eyes) Wintermark
(unsure what you’d have as an instrumental for this. Drum, guitar and flute? Anyway, short instrumental lead-in…)
(Verse 1, preparation for Empire)
I am the spear that’s swift to strike in anger
Robert comes through front door of an ordinary house. He’s in a suit and tie. He undoes the tie.
I am the shield that turns all foes away
Felicity, dressed in jeans and t-shirt, lifts a kite shield with a bright blazon (silver chains on red) into shot on her arm. She dusts it off she tests the weight.
I am the walls raised high against the darkness
Dave et all loading stuff into the back of a minibus, passing in a BBQ, a couple of sleeping bags, a halberd….
Standing fast until the day.
Joanne, in a neat trouser suit and looking very dignified, sweeps something out of a closet and around her shoulders. It settles into an impressive cloak, with black-feathered mantle and ornate animalistic patterns in gold on dark red. Camera view drops as she does this so she ends up looming (and glaring) slightly at the camera.
(chorus 1, en-route to and setting up at Empire)
One voice, one people and one Empire
Dave et al, singing raucously in a packed minibus as they drive up a crowded motorway
One throne and one loyalty
Felicity (in a group of others), hiking along with a large rucksack, shield on the back, stops to look at a field of tents and white pavilions in the distance
One will to drive us ever onward
Robert, looking smart in a (Sons of Korus?) Highguard tabard, carefully puts on a leather headband with runes on it, checking himself in a car wing mirror
One glorious destiny!
Brian, in full Urizen robes on blue and white, steps out of his tent and dramatically spins a staff (with a knob on the end), grounding it on the beat
(verse 2, social stuff)
I am the iron quarried from the mountains
Joanne in her Kallevesi gear, seated by a fire trading coins and potions and ingots of mithril. She’s in a lean-to, and the sun is low.
Forged in fire till only steel remains
Felicity fighting a duel with sword and shield, in the glory square, as the sun goes down. She’s in a tabard to match her shield, but unarmoured.
I am the wind that gives the Empire breath and life
Brian leading a ritual in the glowing stones of the regio circle, sweeping his staff in a circle as others in similar robes hold candles aloft and join in on this line.
I am the quick blood in its veins.
Dave et al, singing in the tavern, in costume in greens and browns and floppy hats, tankards aloft on the beat.
(chorus 2 prep for battle)
One voice, one people and one Empire
In a large room, Brian leans forwards over the battle map and taps a point with several markers on it. He looks stern and is surrounded by other impressive looking figures.
One throne and one loyalty
Robert in his robes over leather armour, holding a bell up in one hand and with the other raised in benediction towards Felicity, who (singing in unison) is looking rather nervous in shining steel shoulderpads over chain, her tabard atop it.
One will to drive us ever onward
This line slightly muffled as Dave et al are in barbarian orc kit, waving around spiky gear, and pull their masks down as they sing.
One glorious destiny!
Joanne watches the marching ranks of Wintermark headed for the Sentinel gate, looking enthused as she waves them on with her tasselled and feathered staff.
(verse 3, battle)
I am the flame that burns inside the Empire’s heart
Felicity and Dawn advance singing across the battlefield
I am the earth’s great bones, steadfast and sure
Dave et al drop their pikes and raise their shields to receive the charge
I am the bonds that hold us fast in fellowship
Brian holds up his staff above his head, visually (and presumably magically) backing up the Urizeni in front of him, who surge forwards as one.
That forever will endure
Sung quietly, by Robert, slumped at the base of a tree while the Orcs close in.
(chorus 3 post battle stuff)
One voice, one people and one Empire
Joanne leads the song over the corpses of the fallen.
One throne and one loyalty
Felicity is in the Glory Square, and receives a (swords-high) salute from several Dawnish.
One will to drive us ever onward
Robert joins in with Dave et al in the same costume of greens/browns/floppy hats, as they march along with pikes shouldered, towards the Sentinel Gate.
One glorious destiny!
(sung by the cast in chorus) A rapid pull back shot, starting with a sunset, pulling back through the Sentinel Gate, and then back over the tent city of Anvil.
Thoughts? Opinions?
for this