Playlist cover art

Volume X — Scars and Steady Lines (Vol 5-8)

≈ −339 → 1,492 DR — Chalk-border kingdoms; Waterdeep and Cormyr rise; Zhent leverage and Harpers counterweight; Time of Troubles; Spellplague and Abeir; Second Sundering steadies the Realms. 83:11 Min

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20 songs

3:16

V5-S1: Kingdoms of Chalk and Dust

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: colder lo-fi darkwave with harsher glitch edges; asym meter emphasis; ultra-dry room; harder transient gating; darker mono-sub sustain MOOD: brittle; precarious; disciplined momentum; restrained intensity VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone close-mic; clipped phrasing; short sustains until chorus tail INSTRUMENTS: tight tom phalanx; single-voice sub; percussive piano stabs; stone/metal flicks; light bitcrush bursts; short bowed-metal swells TAGS: rhythm-first; glitch-edged breaks; negative-space; refrain reassembly; no ceremony, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (no chanting, ‑no murmurs, ‑no vocal drones, ‑no mmmms, ‑no ahhhs, ‑no humming)

3:34

V5-S2: Waterdeep Wakes

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: colder lo-fi darkwave with harsher glitch edges; asym meter emphasis; ultra-dry room; harder transient gating; darker mono-sub sustain MOOD: brisk harbor discipline; wary prosperity; restrained intensity VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone close-mic; clipped phrasing; short sustains until chorus tail INSTRUMENTS: tight tom phalanx; single-voice sub; percussive piano stabs; stone/metal flicks; ship-bell one-shots (very short); light bitcrush bursts; short bowed-metal swells TAGS: rhythm-first; glitch-edged breaks; negative-space; refrain reassembly; no ceremony, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (no chanting, ‑no murmurs, ‑no vocal drones, ‑no mmmms, ‑no ahhhs, ‑no humming)

3:58

V5-S3: Cormyr’s Oath

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: colder lo-fi darkwave with harsher glitch edges; asym meter emphasis; ultra-dry room; harder transient gating; darker mono-sub sustain MOOD: disciplined heartland strength; restrained intensity; steady ascent VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone close-mic; clipped phrasing; short sustains until chorus tail INSTRUMENTS: tight tom phalanx; single-voice sub; percussive piano stabs; stone/metal flicks; light bitcrush bursts; short bowed-metal swells TAGS: rhythm-first; glitch-edged breaks; negative-space; refrain reassembly; no ceremony, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (no chanting, ‑no murmurs, ‑no vocal drones, ‑no mmmms, ‑no ahhhs, ‑no humming)

3:33

V5-S4: Zhentil Iron

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: colder lo-fi darkwave with harsher glitch edges; asym meter emphasis; ultra-dry room; harder transient gating; darker mono-sub sustain MOOD: ironclad commerce; wary compliance; restrained intensity VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone close-mic; clipped phrasing; short sustains until chorus tail INSTRUMENTS: tight tom phalanx; single-voice sub; percussive piano stabs; stone/metal flicks; light bitcrush bursts; short bowed-metal swells TAGS: rhythm-first; glitch-edged breaks; negative-space; refrain reassembly; no ceremony, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (no chanting, ‑no murmurs, ‑no vocal drones, ‑no mmmms, ‑no ahhhs, ‑no humming)

3:56

V5-S5: Harpers in the Dark

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: colder lo-fi darkwave with harsher glitch edges; asym meter emphasis; ultra-dry room; harder transient gating; darker mono-sub sustain MOOD: covert steadiness; wary compassion; restrained intensity VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone close-mic; clipped phrasing; short sustains until chorus tail INSTRUMENTS: tight tom phalanx; single-voice sub; percussive piano stabs; stone/metal flicks; light bitcrush bursts; short bowed-metal swells TAGS: rhythm-first; glitch-edged breaks; negative-space; refrain reassembly; no ceremony, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (no chanting, ‑no murmurs, ‑no vocal drones, ‑no mmmms, ‑no ahhhs, ‑no humming)

3:49

V6-S1: Avatars in the Streets

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: harder hybrid pulse; tighter 5/4 transients; drier room; heavier kick emphasis; darker analog bass sustain MOOD: severe urgency; street-level awe; restrained menace VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone close-mic; clipped consonants; short sustains INSTRUMENTS: tighter tom phalanx; firm kick; sharper guitar decree-stabs; brief bell-strike fx; low brass synth stabs (sparingly); percussive piano pins TAGS: rhythm-first; avatar footfall 5/4; decree-drive; negative-space; no ceremony, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (no chanting, ‑no murmurs, ‑no vocal drones, ‑no mmmms, ‑no ahhhs, ‑no humming)

4:29

V6-S2: Portfolios Unbound

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: harder hybrid pulse; tighter 5/4 transients; drier room; heavier kick emphasis; darker analog bass sustain MOOD: austere urgency; administrative dread; restrained menace VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone close-mic; clipped consonants; short sustains INSTRUMENTS: reinforced tom phalanx; firm kick; sharper guitar decree-stabs; brief bell-strike fx; low brass synth stabs (sparingly); percussive piano pins TAGS: rhythm-first; avatar footfall 5/4; decree-drive; negative-space; no ceremony, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (no chanting, ‑no murmurs, ‑no vocal drones, ‑no mmmms, ‑no ahhhs, ‑no humming)

5:06

V6-S3: Dead Magic, Wild Magic

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: hybrid orchestral pulse + darkwave engine; firm 5/4 footfall; ultra-dry space; sharp lift–collapse dynamics; hard mutes as “dead zones” MOOD: muscular urgency; civic adaptation; controlled dread; no gloss VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone; close-mic; tight phrasing INSTRUMENTS: tight kicks; tom phalanx; down-picked guitars (decree); analog bass engine; bell-strike fx (short); sparse low brass synth stabs; percussive piano pins (rare) TAGS: rhythm-first; 5/4 avatar footfall; negative-space cuts; surge bursts; decree stabs; no ceremony; no cinematic gloss, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (no chanting, ‑no murmurs, ‑no vocal drones, ‑no mmmms, ‑no ahhhs, ‑no humming)

4:54

V6-S4: Bhaal’s Shadow, Mystra’s Thread

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: harder hybrid pulse; tighter 5/4 transients; drier room; darker analog bass sustain; sharper decree-stab guitar MOOD: austere vigilance; tempered hope; restrained menace VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone close-mic; clipped consonants; short sustains INSTRUMENTS: reinforced tom phalanx; firm kick; decree-stab guitars (forward); brief bell-strike fx; sparse low-brass pins; percussive piano marks TAGS: rhythm-first; avatar footfall 5/4; decree-drive; negative-space; no ceremony, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (no chanting, ‑no murmurs, ‑no vocal drones, ‑no mmmms, ‑no ahhhs, ‑no humming)

4:21

V6-S5: After the Footfall

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: harder hybrid pulse; ultra-dry room; 5/4 locked; violent downpicked guitars (early entry, dominant, percussive chug-stabs); heavier kick emphasis; darker analog bass sustain; sharper decree-stab hits MOOD: austere steadiness; tempered hope; restrained menace VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone close-mic; clipped consonants; short sustains INSTRUMENTS: reinforced tom phalanx; firm kick; downpicked palm-muted chug guitars (forward, persistent, aggressive); brief bell-strike fx; sparse low-brass pins; percussive piano pins TAGS: rhythm-first; avatar footfall 5/4; decree-drive; negative-space; no ceremony, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (no chanting, ‑no murmurs, ‑no vocal drones, ‑no mmmms, ‑no ahhhs, ‑no humming), ‑clean jangly guitars, ‑shimmer guitars, ‑melodic guitar solos

4:34

V7-S1: Bluefire

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: harsher apocalyptic industrial; deeper detune; bigger grid breaks; harder transient gating; darker mono-sub sustain MOOD: catastrophic restraint; mechanical panic; bleak resolve VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone; clipped consonants; minimal vibrato INSTRUMENTS: tighter tom phalanx; heavy sub; corrupted arp stabs; abrupt bitcrush cuts; blue-noise sheets; low piano pins TAGS: rhythm-first; rupture bursts; negative-space cuts; corrupted re-entry; no ceremony, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (no chanting, ‑no murmurs, ‑no vocal drones, ‑no mmmms, ‑no ahhhs, ‑no humming)

3:32

V7-S2: Abeir in the Cracks

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: harsher apocalyptic industrial; deeper detune; bigger grid breaks; harder transient gating; darker mono-sub sustain MOOD: catastrophic restraint; disoriented resolve; mechanical panic VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone; clipped consonants; minimal vibrato INSTRUMENTS: tighter tom phalanx; heavy sub; corrupted arp stabs; abrupt bitcrush cuts; blue-noise sheets; low piano pins TAGS: rhythm-first; rupture bursts; negative-space cuts; corrupted re-entry, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (no chanting, ‑no murmurs, ‑no vocal drones, ‑no mmmms, ‑no ahhhs, ‑no humming)

4:49

V7-S3: Shades Over the North

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: harsher apocalyptic industrial; deeper detune; bigger grid breaks; harder transient gating; darker mono-sub sustain MOOD: imperial chill; mechanical panic at the edges; bleak resolve VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone; clipped consonants; minimal vibrato INSTRUMENTS: tighter tom phalanx; heavy sub; corrupted arp stabs; abrupt bitcrush cuts; blue-noise sheets; low piano pins TAGS: rhythm-first; rupture bursts; negative-space cuts; corrupted re-entry; no ceremony, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (no chanting, ‑no murmurs, ‑no vocal drones, ‑no mmmms, ‑no ahhhs, ‑no humming)

5:27

V7-S4: Neverwinter Broken

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: harsher apocalyptic industrial; deeper detune; bigger grid breaks; harder transient gating; darker mono-sub sustain MOOD: blasted stillness; mechanical panic; grim persistence VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone; clipped consonants; minimal vibrato INSTRUMENTS: tighter tom phalanx; heavy sub; corrupted arp stabs; abrupt bitcrush cuts; blue-noise sheets; low piano pins TAGS: rhythm-first; rupture bursts; negative-space cuts; corrupted re-entry; no ceremony, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (no chanting, ‑no murmurs, ‑no vocal drones, ‑no mmmms, ‑no ahhhs, ‑no humming)

4:21

V7-S5: Before the Re-Stitching

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: harsher apocalyptic industrial; deeper detune; bigger grid breaks; harder transient gating; darker mono-sub sustain MOOD: held breath; mechanical vigilance; bleak resolve VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone; clipped consonants; minimal vibrato INSTRUMENTS: tighter tom phalanx; heavy sub; corrupted arp stabs; abrupt bitcrush cuts; blue-noise sheets; low piano pins TAGS: rhythm-first; rupture bursts; negative-space cuts; corrupted re-entry; no ceremony, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (no chanting, ‑no murmurs, ‑no vocal drones, ‑no mmmms, ‑no ahhhs, ‑no humming)

3:54

V8-S1: Sundering Bells

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: minimalist hybrid resolve; firmer clean 4; drier room; heavier kick articulation; slightly darker mono-sub; piano forward with tighter hemiola turns MOOD: restrained relief; grounded steadiness; patient confidence VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone close-mic; clipped phrasing; short sustains INSTRUMENTS: tight kick; mono-sub; forward piano; light guitar harmonics; austere short synth beds; occasional single bell one-shot TAGS: rhythm-first; clean 4; subtle hemiola; negative-space; no ceremony, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (mmmms, ‑ahhhs, ‑humming, ‑chanting, ‑murmurs, ‑vocal drones)

3:16

V8-S2: The Weave Reknit

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: minimalist hybrid resolve; ambient depth with clear motif; clean 4 with subtle hemiola turns; firmer pulse and forward carry; warm low-end bed; piano-led ostinato motif; restrained percussive accents; longer outro tail into slow fade MOOD: patient confidence; quiet relief; careful strength; grounded steadiness; calm that moves VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; male deep baritone; close-mic dry; tight consonants; short sustains; lexical-only; sung-only; no ad-libs INSTRUMENTS: tight kick (steady); warm mono-sub; piano motif/ostinato (clear, repeating); light guitar harmonics; austere short synth beds (low, steady); occasional low string pulses (short); single bell hit (rare); subtle delay trails (instrumental only) TAGS: ambient resolve, ostinato motif, steady pulse, long fade-out, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (mmmms, ‑ahhhs, ‑humming, ‑chanting, ‑murmurs, ‑vocal drones)

3:34

V8-S3: Cities That Stand

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: minimalist resolve; clean 4 pulse; subtle hemiola bridges; ultra-dry space; warm bass + clear piano focus; austere synth support MOOD: earned calm; civic steadiness; restrained hope; practical confidence VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone close-mic; tight phrasing; short sustains INSTRUMENTS: steady kick; warm mono-sub; clear piano motifs; light guitar harmonics; austere synth pads (short, non-choral); sparse stone/metal bell one-shots TAGS: rhythm-first; clean 4; subtle hemiola; negative-space discipline; no ceremony; no cinematic gloss, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (mmmms, ‑ahhhs, ‑humming, ‑chanting, ‑murmurs, ‑vocal drones)

3:35

V8-S4: Quiet Harps, Black Roads

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: minimalist hybrid resolve; firmer clean 4; drier room; heavier kick articulation; slightly darker mono-sub; piano forward with crisper hemiola turns MOOD: grounded steadiness; discreet tension; patient strength VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + deep baritone close-mic; clipped phrasing; short sustains INSTRUMENTS: tight kick; mono-sub; forward piano; light guitar harmonics; austere short synth beds; occasional single bell one-shot TAGS: rhythm-first; clean 4; subtle hemiola; negative-space; no ceremony, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (mmmms, ‑ahhhs, ‑humming, ‑chanting, ‑murmurs, ‑vocal drones)

5:13

v5

=== STYLE / MOOD / VOICE / INSTRUMENTS / TAGS === [is_MAX_MODE: TRUE](MAX) [QUALITY: MAX](MAX) [REALISM: TRUE](MAX) [REAL_INSTRUMENTS: TRUE](MAX) STYLE: expanded minimalist resolve; clean 4 pulse; wide-horizon ambience; late lift into darker energy; experimental industrial-electronic texture (modular stutters, tape-warp, hard mutes) kept behind the vocal; slow fade by subtraction MOOD: broadened perspective; poised momentum; patient strength; open wonder; end-rise exhilaration VOICE: fully sung human vocal; adult; controlled range; no chant; no spoken word + male deep baritone; close-mic dry; clipped phrasing early; stronger sustain late; lexical-only INSTRUMENTS: tight kick; steady tom ostinato; warm mono-sub sustain; clear piano motif (repeating); austere synth horizon; light guitar harmonics; rare single bell hit; brief glitch cuts (late); sparse low brass pins TAGS: finale arc; late lift; wide horizon; slow fade-out, ‑EXCLUDE: non-lexical vocalizations (mmmms, ‑ahhhs, ‑humming, ‑chanting, ‑murmurs, ‑vocal drones)