The Keepers is a soundtrack for an imaginary game about a world that is destined for destruction and the chosen Keepers who are the lone survivors and are tasked with carrying forward the stories and songs of their forgotten world. The game idea centers around these three Keepers who are telling the stories of their time in the world before it collapsed. It has a multiple parallel story-line RPG feel that is reminiscent of the novel/movie Cloud Atlas. With three prominent characters, I wanted to explore their lives and stories more deeply, which led to a relatively shorter track list compared to my previous projects, but the tracks themselves are much more intricate and story-driven, each with several themes that could easily be expanded into several separate tracks in a full-length OST. For each character, I created a unique sound palette and crafted memorable motifs that share what their home and culture are like and are heavily inspired by the theme image. I used Logic Pro as my DAW. For instruments, I used a mixture of Logic stock instruments, Spitfire Labs instruments, several Kontakt instrument libraries, Musio instrument collections, EastWest Hollywood Choirs, and Damage 2 (acquired at the end of the jam period).

Thank you to Lone Rabbit for hosting this jam, and an enormous thank you to Silverpeel for the beautiful and inspiring artwork and whose characters I used within the images that I created. I am grateful that you chose to listen to my music and I hope that the music allows you to explore and thoroughly enjoy the stories of the Keepers. 

*My OST accompanies a very story-rich game idea, which will be detailed below. Please note, for the purposes of rating, I am including this description for context and to enhance the listening - without any intention aimed at rating categories. I fell in love with this theme and my game idea, and my hope is that my music speaks for itself and immerses you in the story-telling either way.

In a world held together by the power of a crystalized relic, called the “Oracle”, time for those who live there only lasts as long as the relic survives. When the relic weakens and ultimately fractures, the world is ripped apart along with everything and everyone on it. From the chaos of the world collapse, a new relic forms and the life cycle of a new world begins again. These life cycles often last millennia which allows the people living in the world to live out their lives without even knowing how fragile their existence is. This also allows for growth and advancements to be achieved by several civilizations. With the last ounce of power prior to implosion, the Oracle plants its seed in a new world and as a gift to the new generation of inhabitants, it selects three individuals from the previous world - who were exceptionally impactful, used the wisdom of the Oracle to the greatest extent, and were key to the survival of the Oracle - and grants them a reincarnated life with their full memories intact on the charge that they share their stories, culture, and wisdom with the new world. The three Keepers are the three characters provided in the theme image and the stories they tell are the Songs of a Forgotten World.

Track 1 - Raindove, Founder in the Misty Sea of Trees

Story: Raindove is one of the early inhabitants of the old world. Before the time of advanced civilizations, there was mostly untouched natural land and the new inhabitants spent much of their time travelling to find each other in order to form communities. Raindove was tasked with venturing into the Misty Sea of Trees, a giant dense forest that covered much of the world in this early time and that housed many dangers. She was sweet and fair and always put others before herself. Day in and day out she would go into the forest and find lost people and bring them back to safety. On one expedition into a particularly dense and dark part of the forest, she stumbled upon a cave that she had never been to before. Inside, there was a faint glow deep on the far side of the opening. She went to investigate, and found that the light was coming from a small crystallized relic. She picked it up and immediately new thoughts and images filled her mind. She had found the Oracle and she knew that she needed to bring it to a place where it could be kept safe. She went on to be an early leader of her clan and saved hundreds of people from the Misty Sea of Trees in her lifetime. Unfortunately, her story has a sad ending as she one day became trapped in the forest and was never able to make it out. The Oracle chose Raindove as a Keeper because of her devotion to helping others and for being the first person of pure heart to find and secure the Oracle in the past world. She now bears the plain white ribbon in honor of her simple beauty and selfless grace. In her life, she loved to play a rudimentary string instrument reminiscent of a viola, and now she sings her songs while playing the sweet warm low bowed tones with the other Keepers.

Gameplay: When Raindove is sharing her songs, you are transported back to her time and control her as she goes out on expeditions into the Misty Sea of Trees. This story arc is largely exploration and puzzle-based with the goal of solving puzzles to find lost people and make your way through the forest maze.

Composition: The overall mood I tried to achieve was soft, contemplative, somewhat dark, but also with glimmers of hope. The opening arpeggios represent the mystifying and shrouding vegetation of the forest and the choir used throughout is also used to enhance the mystical and mythical nature of the forest. I used a high cello and low violin in the melody to represent Raindove’s warmth despite the somewhat cold surroundings. The slow tempo and the dirge-like distant drum convey a sense of sorrow and foreshadow Raindove’s ultimate demise. I filled in the rest of the orchestration instruments that help convey a forest atmosphere with string swells, reverberating piano, light percussion, and woodwinds.

Track 2 - Emberhen, Leader of the Volcanic Capital, Origin City

Story: Emberhen lived during the height of civilization in the capital, the volcanic Origin City, and was one of the greatest leaders of the old world. Emberhen was a brilliant individual who grew into their power exceptionally well, always seeking growth and betterment of their people, but never at the expense of peace. Since Emberhen was the leader of the largest nation, they were granted the task of housing the Oracle. Emberhen used the wisdom from the Oracle in exceptional and miraculous ways, including successfully negotiating unification of several powerful nations at war, founding one of the largest and most successful cities in the world, and harnessing the power of the volcano that it sits upon to provide energy and food for the entire population. Emberhen lived a long and prosperous life and left an enormous legacy that provided peace and prosperity for many generations following their rule. The Oracle chose Emberhen as a Keeper because of selfless leadership and countless contributions to the people of the world, in addition to using the wisdom of the Oracle better than anyone else in the entire world’s history. They now bear the royal golden crest in honor of their elegant wisdom and renowned leadership. Emberhen was classically trained to play a lute-like instrument and now continues to play this with the other Keepers.

Gameplay: When Emberhen is sharing their songs, you are taken to the volcanic Origin City which is located partially underground within and next to a volcano. This story arc emphasizes city exploration and relationship-building. Meeting new people and finding different places in the city wins you favor with your subjects and helps you further advance your many contributions as a leader.

Composition: I started this track with an effect that makes it sound like you are walking in a lava tube to get to the city and the music is on the other side and suddenly opens up when you reach the end of the tunnel. I used strummed and plucked instruments prominently in this track to showcase the instrument that Emberhen is holding in the theme image. I imagine this track accompanying the player as they walk through different parts of the city, such as on the perimeter where you can get a good view of the whole city, the bustling dance-like market, past the boiler-works and factory, and finally arriving at the palace. I used heavy drums and brass to convey the volcano setting and the fast and upbeat nature of the track to convey the populated city aspect.

Track 3 - Skylark, Guardian of the Oasis in the Sky Mountains

Story: Skylark lived during the last phase of the Oracle’s lifespan. After thousands of years, the Oracle grew weak and the grasp on control of the world waned. Because of this, the world began to fracture, pre-empting the ultimate total collapse. Skylark lived on a mountain that was once the Origin City Volcano that had separated from the rest of the world and now existed in the sky among the clouds. These times were dark and many evil forces sought to take the Oracle, but Skylark was tasked with guarding the Oracle from any danger. The Oasis was the place where the Oracle was held and was the safest place in the world at the time for it to be kept. There were almost daily threats made to the Oasis with constant enemies attempting infiltration. Skylark valiantly defended the Oracle day in and day out and never complained or wished for a different life. Skylark lived an exceptionally long life and lived until the final day of the world. He was successful at keeping the Oracle away from evil hands and when the Oracle finally fractured, marking a natural end to its life cycle, Skylark held it close to him with the same love and dedication he had shown to it for decades as the world imploded into nothingness around him. The Oracle chose Skylark as a Keeper because of his dedication to the safety of the Oracle and his compassionate bravery which allowed for the most peaceful end of the life cycle possible. He now wears the crystal necklace in honor of his steadfast courage and unwavering loyalty. Skylark had a voice that sounded like the whistling of a flute and so he now sings his soft flute-like songs with the other Keepers.

Gameplay: When Skylark is sharing his songs, you embody him at the Oasis in the Sky Mountains as he engages in regular combat to defend the Oracle. With every enemy defeated, the Oracle is able to live a little longer and give what little strength more it has left to help Skylark increase his strength. The gameplay would be advancing through battles in a graduated difficulty manner with the goal of making it all the way to the final boss who is an enormous spirit of thunder who wishes to harness the world-building (and world-destroying) abilities of the Oracle.

Composition: I used melodic vocals and flute prominently in this track to represent Skylark’s role in the Keepers. This track intends to convey a sense of determination, adventure, and mysticism. I used brass and heavy drums alongside singing bowls to set the location high in the mountains. I used playful and adventurous melodies and motifs throughout to give a sense of a freedom of flying in the sky. I started the track with the theme for trekking the mountain, then introduce Skylark’s theme. Then I change keys and tempo to signify an enemy encounter and let the energy push forward to optimistic, fun, and epic places as the piece finishes for a fitting climax for the OST.