[Pirotess]

This morning we have an exclusive piece of Vanguard FanMusic which I believe is the first of its kind. Our very own Cobalt Katze has put together a track he calls "A King's Lament". Here's what CK had to say about the piece.

Originally Posted by Cobalt Katze

The piece is a tone poem of sorts based on a segment of the lore Willem's Stand. The part of the story that I connected best with was the personal relationship between the scribe and the king. This was an honest king, open and imperfect. In private he disclosed his discomfort with calling for volunteers to fight to their death in order to hold off the advancing army until the people could reach safety. Yet he emerges from his private chambers as a dignified king, a leader and warrior ready to give everything up for his people. He passes by the Scribe with a nod and emerges to a balcony, welcomed by fanfares and applaud from his people.

I essentially framed this piece around the king. It begins, as the title says, with his lament. He starts in private, knowing what he has to do and stating it plainly for himself.. He emerges from his chamber, masked with the brilliance of his regalia but strong-minded as he repeats what he has to do, walking towards the curtain. After a brief peek at a sensetive nod, he emerges into the fanfare of his people. They grow ever enthusiastic and the king urges them to hear him out. The speech begins, grows, and we get washes of the advancing army and back to the king and his people as they reply to his call to arms.

So, rather epic/dramatic, which is very different from my usual work (more subdued with smaller groupings of instruments), but it was very fun to work on. Please let me know what you think!

Great work CK!