Both him and the DM agreed that my human character will be greatly irritated by the "Orc music" or any other non orcish character. However, mechanically, I would still be buffed by his bard abilities, so there is no real reason to complain. I just find it odd that his character, with a 20 (level 9 character) in charisma, would sing so "badly" to anyone. I don't disagree that the music would probably be horribly different, but for the most part, wouldn't all humanoids have some universal level of pleasure.
Basically, I see it as an excuse for the player to start going "Get 'em boyz! Dakka dakka dakka! WAAAGH! THE ORKS! WAAAGH! " in the middle of the session. Hilarious yes, but now my character has to reflect this when he start singing.
Personally I don't really like grunge, most hip-hop, or most '90s music, but I imagine if I had to sit and listen to it long enough I'd either shut it out of my consciousness or learn to appreciate it.
Certainly you'll appreciate it a bit more after it helps keep you alive -- but if the Orc is any kind of Bard worth his salt, he'll learn different kinds of music to please different audiences for different situations.
I think at first you might comment how it sounds like just noise, but eventually come around.
BERSERKER!!!!!!
"Oh by the love of gods! I must kill those guys as quickly as I can or he'll NEVER STOP!"
Or: orcs are known to love fighting (duh). Their music could also express this love. Even if your ears don't like it, your subconscious is reacting.
A human town to slay
Killing elves
Killing elves
Oh what fun it is to loot
A big fat merchant wagon
....
Whadda matter boss? You no like my Orc singin' ?
Personally I don't really like grunge
We can't be friends In all seriousness, I don't think it's up to him or the DM whether or not your character appreciates the songs...I think that'd be more of a character choice. In addition, you DO learn to shut out crappy music at some point, as I've learned to do with hip hop and rap,
"See? An orc learns two chords and he thinks he's the Guildmaster Harper."
"Orcs - decent baritones, but ain't a single prime tenor among 'em."
"Now, if only you would do to the bad guy's head what you keep doing to that poor drum of yours..."
"Wow! I never thought anyone could make me think that dwarven drinking songs were high art!"
"Isn't that thing due for its annual tuning?"
"Sing that again - I didn't quite catch all the swear words."
"Orcs and music. They go together like bulls and china shops."
Oddly enough, the description makes me think of Scottish bagpipes - personally, I love the sound, it can be sad or exciting or anything else, and could listen to it for hours. I know some people who can't stand it, and I know a significant minority of people who don't like the music, but admit that they can find it stirring, especially the more martial flavors (I recall one pacifistic lass in particular, who outright said she didn't mind the music per se, but bagpipes always made her feel like getting a sword and finding bad guys to slay). Perhaps this could be a way to react to the orcish bard.
Oddly enough, the description makes me think of Scottish bagpipes - personally, I love the sound, it can be sad or exciting or anything else, and could listen to it for hours. I know some people who can't stand it, and I know a significant minority of people who don't like the music, but admit that they can find it stirring, especially the more martial flavors (I recall one pacifistic lass in particular, who outright said she didn't mind the music per se, but bagpipes always made her feel like getting a sword and finding bad guys to slay). Perhaps this could be a way to react to the orcish bard.
An orcish bagpiper? YES.
"Orkz is made fer' two fings! Fightin', and winnin'! "
Both him and the DM agreed that my human character will be greatly irritated by the "Orc music"
Well, tell the DM and the other player that your character actually loves orcish music, and instead truly loathes dwarvish music and despises elvish music. Letting them decide what kind of music your character likes is only a few steps away from them telling you what kind of weapon your character is wielding.
Oddly enough, the description makes me think of Scottish bagpipes - personally, I love the sound, it can be sad or exciting or anything else, and could listen to it for hours. I know some people who can't stand it, and I know a significant minority of people who don't like the music, but admit that they can find it stirring, especially the more martial flavors
The comparison to Bag Pipes would be the best description. Most people would find them annoying to listen to for entertainment reasons, I myself wouldn't want to listen to them bleat away in my living room. And on many occasions I have heard them described as someone torturing a bag of cats.
However in highschool one of our teachers would lead the rugby team into the field playing them, and they are excelent for matial songs, marching in parades etc. And when played in that format you can easily invision a marching army being lead by bagpipes into battle.
It's a good example of a musical instrument that most would find annoying outside of the culture, but which fits an intended function and is appretiated in that format very well.
Imagine the Orc chanting a viscious battle dirge, complete with battle cries, harsh Orcish words that grate the ears, songs meant to stir the blood of cold-blooded killers in a frenzy, and strike terror in the enemy, with offensive lirics such as "Tear their flesh and limbs, we'll feast on their meat...." or "Let their bodies rot in the field, we'll feast on the tender meat of their women and young tonight". Hardly pleasant music to sit and relax too, definately not something you would download into your ipod.
However, as bad as the style is, the orc is talented, and it is ideal for the atmoshpere of facing down hordes of enemies. In battle yes, however sitting around the campfire afterwards and you will either kill him or flee to make the noise stop.
My love for you is ticking clock
BERSERKER!!!!!!
Best reference made on this site...ever.
Imagine the Orc chanting a viscious battle dirge, complete with battle cries, harsh Orcish words that grate the ears, songs meant to stir the blood of cold-blooded killers in a frenzy, and strike terror in the enemy, with offensive lirics such as "Tear their flesh and limbs, we'll feast on their meat...." or "Let their bodies rot in the field, we'll feast on the tender meat of their women and young tonight". Hardly pleasant music to sit and relax too, definately not something you would download into your ipod.
Oy, and why the hell not? That'd be good for a workout mix...not that I have one of those, mind, just saying.
Oy, and why the hell not? That'd be good for a workout mix...not that I have one of those, mind, just saying.
Indeed. Violent, jarring, loud music is great for increasing the adrenaline that's pumping through your system.
When I was fighting in the SCA I listened to music that could described like that before every practice and/or fight.
And still do whenever I have to do hard labour.
[b]Imagine the Orc chanting a viscious battle dirge, complete with battle cries, harsh Orcish words that grate the ears, songs meant to stir the blood of cold-blooded killers in a frenzy, and strike terror in the enemy, with offensive lirics such as "Tear their flesh and limbs, we'll feast on their meat...." or "Let their bodies rot in the field, we'll feast on the tender meat of their women and young tonight". [/b]Hardly pleasant music to sit and relax too, definately not something you would download into your ipod.
However, as bad as the style is, the orc is talented, and it is ideal for the atmoshpere of facing down hordes of enemies. In battle yes, however sitting around the campfire afterwards and you will either kill him or flee to make the noise stop.
(Emphasis added)
Now imagine the orc bard whiling away the time doing some mundane task, like washing dishes or just walking down the street, idly singing to himself as people often do. Passersby might give him a wide berth, if they don't call the cops!
So either you understand the lyrics and are offended/disgusted by them (but can ignore them in combat to let the melody carry you), or you don't understand the lyrics and either get paranoid that the orc could be singing insults about you or your people (which you don't worry about in combat), or that you find the orcish tongue unfit for music (but it will suffice in certain situations).
Or, someone might have different feelings about a song if he knew what the lyrics meant despite what he thinks about the melody.
I had this with Border of Extacy ... thought the song was alright, then went and found the lyrics. Absolutely hilarious to me now, and I really like listening to it.