Moonpearl 32 Report post Posted May 23, 2012 I was listening to that song the other day and thought I might share it with you guys since it's in French and you probably don't know about it. History Those songs were written by John Lang (aka Pen Of Chaos) and sometimes friends of his who form the Naheulband. The idea originated from Pen Of Chaos's "Le donjon de Naheulbeuk" (Naheulbeuk's Dungeon), an audio webseries which is a parody of classical table top RPGs such as Dungeons & Dragons. Now it's somewhat part of the French RPG folklore. Since Pen Of Chaos is also a musician, he wrote a couple of songs which often mix traditional themes with funny lyrics. La compagnie du chien rugissant (The Company of the Roaring Dog) This songs deals with a wide-spread cliché for uninspired RPGs game masters - the mysterious-looking cloaked man who comes to meet the characters inside an inn to offer them a quest. In this song, the characters get carried away and kill the quest provider because his offer wasn't interesting enough. It is sung on the Scarborough Fair traditional theme. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KvVikD__XI[/media] Here are the lyrics, translated by myself. There were fours of us, sitting in the inn Drinking a mug with the little money we had The purse was empty, as was our backpack The company is waiting for a job A wizard, a fierce [female] warrior A thief from the north, and I, the dark elf This was our party, of which name already spoke for itself The Company of the Roaring Dog He came out the moving shadows A tall, cloaked silhouette With the suspicous look of those who are knowledgeable The company greets the stranger Dear friends, do you seek adventure? Said he as he joined our table I have the urgent need for a party of adventurers The company starts to like him You'll have to retrieve my spellbook You'll go and find him at the thieves' The affair is attractive, but will we gain something from it The company needs money Thirty gold coins for the entire party You don't seem to me like you're a good level Who did he take us for, this dirty scumbag The company's gonna kick his ass Son of a bitch! roared the warrior And put her sword into his right eye Farewell stranger, see you in the afterlife The company must leave the place There were four of us, sitting in the snow Oh what did I do? moaned the warrior Our first quest dumped into the river The company is waiting for a job Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kellessdee 48 Report post Posted May 23, 2012 I liked that, and it was nice of you to translate. Dramatic/Epic tone, with humorous lyrics. [OFFTOPIC] Is French your native tongue? Just out of curiosity, because you write in English very well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moonpearl 32 Report post Posted May 23, 2012 I liked that, and it was nice of you to translate. It was my pleasure to share it with you. :) [OFFTOPIC]Is French your native tongue? Just out of curiosity, because you write in English very well. Yes it is, thanks for the comment. It feels especially nice since French people suck at anything related to foreign languages. Guys from French game-making communities come crying to me because my blog's in English and they can't read it. Also, the other day, my pupils were frightened to see me read The Hunger Games in original version, they thought I was going on a bad trip or something. One of them told me "woah, you're crazy", I answered "nope, I'm bilingual, that's a different type of illness". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moonpearl 32 Report post Posted May 23, 2012 Un boulet dans le groupe! (A Drag in the Party!) This one tells the story of a witch who gets all members from her party killed one after another out of clumsiness. Another reccurring situation from table top RPGs, pushed to the extreme. At that inn where we met Five six soldiers I bumped into x2 Four of them wished to punch me My black cat they trampled x2 If I had known this spell Never would it have happened If I had known this spell Unfortunately i had forgotten about it! But for this spell I had forgotten... In front of the dungeon's gate I tried and pick its lock x2 Then a trap triggered The thief it killed x2 If I had had this scroll I could have detected it If I had had this scroll But it's covered with wine stains! But for this scroll covered with wine stains... But for this spell I had forgotten! In the first corridor we were advancing An orc troop arrived x2 A fireball I threw at them But the dwarf took it x2 If I had had my old spellbook I had certainly aimed better If I had had my old spellbook The one I lost the night before yesterday! But for this spellbook lost the other night... But for this scroll covered with wine stains... But for this spell I had forgotten! To the cellar we fled We thought we were safe x2 Into a troll we ran Of course it's the elf who was gobbled up* x2 If I had wielded my wand I could have petrified it If I had wielded my wand I didn't do it because it was crumbling to piece! But for this wand crumbling to pieces... But for this spellbook lost the other night... But for this scroll covered with wine stains... But for this spell I had forgotten! Inside the catacombs we were hiding A huge bell I brushed x2 The dragon I woke up Made its lunch out of the fighter x2 If I had had the Unique Ring I would have slaughtered this dragon If I had had the Unique Ring Which was once stolen from me by a Hobbit! But for the Unique Ring stolen by a Hobbit... But for this wand crumbling to pieces... But for this spellbook lost the other night... But for this scroll covered with wine stains... But for this spell I had forgotten! *This is a reference to another song by the Naheulband which tells the story of how an elf was cooked by a troll Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kellessdee 48 Report post Posted May 23, 2012 It was my pleasure to share it with you. And thanks for another one. The lyrics remind me of the few times I've played Dungeons and Dragons. Once, I was playing with my Sister and some friends (my older brother was the Dungeon Master), and she thought it would be a good idea to try and reason with a pack of kobolds. Needless to say, they decided to ambush us instead xD Was the last bit a reference to The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien? Yes it is, thanks for the comment. It feels especially nice since French people suck at anything related to foreign languages. Guys from French game-making communities come crying to me because my blog's in English and they can't read it. Also, the other day, my pupils were frightened to see me read The Hunger Games in original version, they thought I was going on a bad trip or something. One of them told me "woah, you're crazy", I answered "nope, I'm bilingual, that's a different type of illness". Yes, indeed; I didn't have any right being so blunt about it though; since I only speak English and even as my native language it trips me up enough. I have a friend who can speak French/English, but he sucks at writing in English (I've never read his French, nor can I read French, so I can't comment on his French writing abilities). Although, it's cool because I get to use him for practicing my proofreading abilities (or lack thereof). hahahaha oh my, I like your response :) that probably caught them off-guard. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moonpearl 32 Report post Posted May 23, 2012 And thanks for another one. The lyrics remind me of the few times I've played Dungeons and Dragons. Once, I was playing with my Sister and some friends (my older brother was the Dungeon Master), and she thought it would be a good idea to try and reason with a pack of kobolds. Needless to say, they decided to ambush us instead xD Well, that's an interesting case of female roleplaying versus male roleplaying. Not trying to sound sexist (on the contrary since I have a preference for the female style myself) but I've noticed that women are much more diplomatic than men in RPGs - when presented with a problem to solve, men will try anything with what they have at hand, while women will seek assistance. Not trying to say women can't do anything without help, but rather that men are somewhat autistic. More seriously, this difference of style also shows very much in the game master's choices. Male GM tend to present their player much more with fights and puzzles, not necessarily the "thug" type, but the type you can potentially solve alone. On the other hand, female GM will rather introduce social problems, where the key is really to work as a team or gain NPCs' trust. So I can easily imagine how your sister was feeling somewhat out of place in such a full of testosterone scenario, and tried something inappropriate in the eyes of the GM (though reasoning kobolds actually seems a bit extreme, I as a GM would be glad if I had players who try to pass monsters with something different than brute force for once). Was the last bit a reference to The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien? Absolutely, another piece of fine parody if you ask me. Yes, indeed; I didn't have any right being so blunt about it though How have you been blunt? Maybe I replied inadequately, but I'm honestly glad to be told I speak good English in regards of France's dramatic level. And I'm the one saying France's level is dramatic. It kinda angers me when people around me tell me I'm so odd to even like English, whereas they're the ones who have a problem. That's another reason, by the way, why I'm perfectly okay with having an untranslated blog in English - that will force some to make an effort, it's for their own good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kellessdee 48 Report post Posted May 23, 2012 Hahaha, what you said about Males vs. Females role-playing is so true. And in fact, playing with my sister, that's basically what it was--she was the only female and it often came down to: "LET'S KILL THEM" "No, we shouldn't fight!" etc. And I think this type of psychology transcends role-playing. Of course, this is not really sexist, it's just males and their testosterone. Also, The Hobbit reference makes this song that much better, The Hobbit was definitely one of my favorite novels; and it puts a fun spin on the parody indeed. How have you been blunt? Maybe I replied inadequately, but I'm honestly glad to be told I speak good English in regards of France's dramatic level. And I'm the one saying France's level is dramatic. It kinda angers me when people around me tell me I'm so odd to even like English, whereas they're the ones who have a problem. That's another reason, by the way, why I'm perfectly okay with having an untranslated blog in English - that will force some to make an effort, it's for their own good. ah, no, my response was worded funny. When I was commenting on your proficiency in English, it was basically pointing out that, as you said, most non-native English speakers "suck" at it (which is why I was curious as to whether English was your native tongue or not). I meant, that I had no right to say they "suck" at it, because I am not bilingual, and have issues with English sometimes myself, and in actuality I'm impressed by your level of control of the English language. Your response was quite adequate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moonpearl 32 Report post Posted June 24, 2012 (edited) Même pas mage! (Not Even a Mage!*) This song tells the story of a guy who became the ruler of the world unwillingly. This time I couldn't find a video with the nice strips by Marion Poinsot, I don't know if she even illustrated that one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbxWBRDVX68&feature=related SOLOIST I come from a small village So rotten that it doesn't even have a name I avoided a pillage Hidden among pigs Covered with liquid manure, smelling like death With dignity I stood back on my feet And I walked toward the North Determined to forget I had barely been walking for an hour I heared the wardrums Suddenly, alarmed, I cowered I was knee-deep in the crap On both sides two armies Swords and shields raised Were engaging hostilities And I was in the middle of the mêlée I'm not a wizard I never killed a dragon If I'm there, it's because of fate Which really made a fool out of me CHOIR Wounded at the ear and trembling Sole survivor, he was healed The king, really grateful Made him into a valiant knight Wielding his sword with both hands To swear him loyalty He was pulled forward by its weight And chopped down the king's head SOLOIST I was already imagining myself hanging At the gallows on the main square But I had slain a tyrant And they made me king in his place Far beyond my frontiers They were all praising my deeds So that my equals Were jealous of me TO DEATH** CHOIR He wasn't a wizard Never killed a dragon If he's there, it's because of fate Which really made a fool out of him SOLOIST Really determined to end This terrible nightmare I summoned all of the monarchs To tell them I was fed up with it Sitting around a meal I recalled the pigs' story The kings while laughing at it Choked and suffocated for good But what did I just do to fate For it to hammer at me like that? CHOIR His dream was to be a good-for-nothing Not a knight, let alone a king SOLOIST I wished I'd be a peasant And I'd married a pretty blonde CHOIR But this isn't possible anymore Now he's the ruler of the world SOLOIST Oh I've become the ruler of the world CHOIR He's become the ruler of the world CHOIR He wasn't a wizard Never killed a dragon If he's there, it's because of fate Which really made a fool out of him SPOKEN *weary sigh* So, are you going to polish those boots? *This is a play on words with "même pas mal", which is a colloquial way to say "it didn't even hurt". **The choir cries out this part because in French, it also means "kill him!" Edited June 24, 2012 by Moonpearl Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon Bon 43 Report post Posted June 24, 2012 Loved them both. The first one instantly reminded me of the movie The Gamers: Dorkness Rising. You have good taste. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moonpearl 32 Report post Posted June 24, 2012 You have good taste. I like to think so! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrimsonInferno 35 Report post Posted June 24, 2012 I very much like the songs. I can't say what it reminds me of, but it is something I like! By the way, superb English! :0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moonpearl 32 Report post Posted June 24, 2012 By the way, superb English! :0 To be honest, I get wordreference.com to back me up from time to time. I don't always have the exact phrasing to fully render the original version up my sleeve. Sometimes there are expressions I don't know, sometimes there are some I'd forgotten. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrimsonInferno 35 Report post Posted June 25, 2012 (edited) If I am not mistaken by that site, it will only teach you vocabulary and definitions. Your grammar is also superb. *unless it helps with that too?* Well, even if it does, it doesn't change the fact that you are speaking it and learning it very well! :) Edited June 25, 2012 by CrimsonInferno Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moonpearl 32 Report post Posted June 25, 2012 Thanks CrimsonInferno, but English grammar is childplay next to French one. ;) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon Bon 43 Report post Posted June 25, 2012 Thanks CrimsonInferno, but English grammar is childplay next to French one. Yup. French has WAY too many tenses and participles in my opinion. I hated learning French as a child, it was so difficult they actually had to use grammar songs that I still remember to this day to help us learn. Every person I know who learned French as a second language said it was harder then English, and every person I know who learned English as a second language said it was easier to learn it than French as a first language. As a French Canadian myself, I must say Moonpearl's English is impeccable and probably better than my own. Here is a link to a way more modern version of a song we used to sing in class to help learn verbs. This song is about conjugating one verb, the verb 'have'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moonpearl 32 Report post Posted June 25, 2012 Like I always say, French is a good reflect of its people's way of thinking - it was made specifically to repel foreigners. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
