1. |
Dimiscian Overture
03:55
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2. |
Gallows Pass
05:31
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“If one be chained then none be free
No mercy for the enemy”
From the woods, the men emerge.
Surrounding them as a deadly scourge.
They swallowed the caravan as it passed,
To free a comrade from their grasp.
The guards drew swords with battle cries,
and held the line to protect their prize.
Not gold, nor treasure, nor trinkets of men,
But the shadowy figure chained within.
Held captive in sorrow,
Hangman's noose awaits on the morrow.
They'd not leave him to this fate,
there's men to kill and chains to break.
As the raiders charge, the silver moon
Caught glimpses of the cloaked platoon.
Shadows of men dressed in black,
Demons of the sneak attack.
In darkness the guards couldn't tell,
From whence they came, whether earth or hell.
When they saw steel it was too late,
As the dark assassins sealed their fate.
Held captive in sorrow,
Hangman's noose awaits on the morrow.
They'd not leave him to this fate,
There's men to kill and chains to break.
And the guards,
All men of the crown,
Lay dead on the ground.
All butchered like flies,
On cold earth they lie.
Vengeance is found.
Held captive in sorrow,
Hangman's noose awaits on the morrow.
They'd not leave him to this fate,
There's men to kill and chains to break.
Inside the wagon, they were met with the grin
Of a liberated captain freed by his men.
No doubt in his mind his brothers would come,
And into the woods the men did run.
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3. |
Overgaard
04:43
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On the shores of Dimiscia
Lies it's bustling capital
With a castle made of ivory
And it's outskirts poor and dull.
Amidst the huddled masses,
Of knaves and beggars of the town,
Marches forth a fatebound hero
Who's been summoned by the crown.
The throne room doors creaked open
To a great majestic hall
And into Ivory Keep he strode
To answer his king's call.
The way was lined by steelclad knights
And nobles of the land
At the end he faced to king
Who spoke his great command.
I king Ghermund summon thee,
Darius the Unyielding.
Three days have passed since my life
Was threatened by an assassin.
While en route to his execution,
Bandits attacked and sprung him free.
We can't allow this vagabond
To live in lawless sin.
I know you can be my justice,
And bring his head before me.
5 years ago, at North Haven’s door,
Darius saved the kingdom, from the barbarian horde.
100 foes, vanquished by his hand,
Now once more, he'd serve his land.
My lord, I, Darius, shall do as you command.
I will purge the assassin from this land.
I have heard of one kingsguard, who survived the sneak attack.
I shall seek him out for any clue to guide me on my track.
A mission, a challenge. Assassin, escaped.
To bring this man to justice, he must confront his fate.
The hunter, the hunted. Redemption and sin.
As we turn this page of history, another shall begin.
A treacherous road, for Darius now lies ahead
Laid with vile foes, and the dead.
He must find the truth, hidden behind bold deception
Or he will fall to corruption.
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4. |
Stumbling Huntsman
06:01
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The sun retreats below the city walls
As Darius strolls through crowded streets
When he hears the sound of a familiar voice
Verrone, a knight of the elite
“I hear rumors that you leave at dawn
To track the escaped assassin
Join us for a proper farewell
At the Stumbling Huntsman"
(Charlotte – Ah’s)
Raise our pints to this city
Long may reign the monarchy
Let us pour another round
For the one true crown
We raise our mugs to sword and shield
Poets of the battlefield
For our countrymen and king
Let us drink and sing
The tavern floors packed wall to wall
With knights of the king plated in gold
They empty pints with spirits high
Their thirst uncontrolled
The tavern emptied their reserves
The moon high into the night
Barrels of ale now unveiled
Brought untold delight
(Charlotte – Ah’s)
Raise our pints to this city
Long may reign the monarchy
Let us pour another round
For the one true crown
We raise our mugs to sword and shield
Poets of the battlefield
For our countrymen and king
Let us drink and sing
Sounds of joy and farewell cheers
Rang out into the night
Not a coin was spent on beers
It was their noble right
Raise our pints to this city
Long may reign the monarchy
Let us pour another round
For the one true crown
We raise our mugs to sword and shield
Poets of the battlefield
For our countrymen and king
Let us drink and sing
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5. |
The Landeer
04:50
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Verrone told him where
The survivor would be
So he traveled southward
Towards the western white sea.
Til’ he arrived at the cottage
Where the Landeer Stream flows
From its humble chimney
A plume of smoke rose
He entered the hut
To find the guard there
The last known survivor
By the brotherhood spared
“they told me you’d come
To hear what I know,
and catch the escaped
Who has wronged our king so.”
Journey forth into foreign lands,
Beyond the world he understands.
Fleeting shadows dance through his mind,
Ghosts of the past he leaves behind.
“We took the assassin
Headed for Hangman’s Height.
For his execution
At the first morning light.
But they came in the night,
With the Brotherhood’s call.
They freed the prisoner
And they slaughtered us all.
When just I was left,
With the assassin,
He left me alive
On one condition:
“If the Unyielding
Should follow my path,
Tell him that just he
May escape my wrath.”
Journey forth into foreign lands,
Beyond the world he understands.
Fleeting shadows dance through his mind,
Ghosts of the past he leaves behind.
“The last thing he said before he left me,
Was to tell you Duke Cid would set your mind free.
He rules Fairhaven, as everyone knows,
Though I know not why his name arose.
The last bit of aid I might present you,
Is this green cloak I took from a brother we slew.
Should in your journey you need a disguise,
You’d appear as a friend in their eyes.”
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6. |
Fairhaven
05:09
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Greetings sir! Yes, please come in!
I welcome you to Fairhaven
There's a pub on every corner
and a brothel in every inn
Have a drink, sir! Don't be shy!
No man should walk these streets so dry!
You may come from a modest life,
But here you're just another guy.
There's a place in this world
That beckons to every lad
Where passion comes to life
And pleasure's to be had
Where beer flows through the night,
With mead, rum, and gin.
And all your troubles lost therein,
In the town of Fairhaven.
Craftsmen, all of high appraise,
Legs of meat, sure to amaze,
Jesters ran amongst the streets,
Juggling axes ablaze.
Pipes to the beat of bass and snare,
With cracking whips, falcons in air,
The turtle twins, a skeleton,
And mud-soaked men, all without care!
There's a place in this world
That beckons to every lad
Where passion comes to life
And pleasure's to be had
Where beer flows through the night,
With mead, rum, and gin.
And all your troubles lost therein,
In the town of Fairhaven.
Jousts with splintered shield and lance,
Music and exotic dance.
Bronze bells ringing through the air,
And nights filled with romance.
Have a drink, sir! One more round!
Before you must depart our town!
Your stay with us has been so grand!
We wish you luck where you are bound!
There's a place in this world
That beckons to every lad
Where passion comes to life
And pleasure's to be had
Where beer flows through the night,
With mead, rum, and gin.
And all your troubles lost therein,
In the town of Fairhaven.
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7. |
The Catacombs
05:02
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Darius met Cid, the steward of this land.
And told him of the words or the surviving man.
Cid knew not why the surviving man would identify his name.
And paused in silence quizzically until he did proclaim,
“I know a soul who might shed light upon this mystery.
He once rode with the Brotherhood, but now his life depends on me.
This city has it's secrets, dark voices hid below.
Come follow me, young Darius, there's things that you should know.”
On the outskirts of Fairhaven, in an abandoned tavern.
Cid opened up a secret door, revealing a dark cavern.
A spiral staircase led their steps, that echoed as they went.
As flickering torchlight danced the walls, and guided their decent.
Finally at deepest depths, there opened a great hall.
With hundreds huddled on the ground, the sick, the dying, one and all.
You see, young Darius, Fairhaven is a rouse.
Where above a constant pleasure feast, lies below this great refuge.
I take the funds from party-goers, and visitors of the town,
And use the money tending to the oppressed here underground.
Their shackled lives are here unbound.
"Duke Cid, who are these tortured souls,
And from whence did they come?
How did you come to house them here?
The sick, the poor, the blind, the dumb?
Bring word of this to King Ghermund,
His gracious majesty,
For surely he will heed the call,
and render aid to thee."
"Young Darius, though brave and strong,
You know little of the world.
You serve your king with blind devotion,
Now the truth must be unfurled.
For it was the king himself,
Who exiled them to this place,
They were overtaxed and underfed,
And fallen from his grace."
They reached the man that Cid had spoken of,
A wounded former Brother of the rebellion up above.
He said "I will not speak to this drone of an evil crown,
Tell him to ask the Brotherhood in their own town.
Renegade Ridge is where they're found."
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8. |
Renegade Ridge
04:50
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At Renegade Ridge, Darius arrived.
Adorning the green cloak that he took for a disguise.
The town was all alight, in vibrant jubilee.
Bonfires blazed as merry chants were shouted with glee.
Brotherhood of Ale are we,
Death befall the Monarchy.
Damn the castle, damn the crown,
Let's bring the tyrant down!
Never falter, never yield,
Drink until our souls are healed.
Cheers for what tomorrow brings,
Now let us drink and sing.
Welcome back, dear brother,
You've traveled long indeed.
Come warm your body by the fire
And your soul with mead.
Come tell us of your travels.
What news from the King's domain?
How many tales of valor,
How many Kingsguard have you slain?
Have a pint of Black Barrel Ale,
Illegal in these lands!
What better way to spite the king
Than chugging contraband?
The Ale begins to take effect,
Erasing all our fears.
Give in dear brother, to the booze,
And join us in our cheers!
Brotherhood of Ale are we,
Death befall the Monarchy.
Damn the castle, damn the crown,
Let's bring the tyrant down!
Never falter, never yield,
Drink until our souls are healed.
Cheers for what tomorrow brings,
Now let us drink and sing.
And in that moment, Darius saw what it meant to live free.
These people saw each as an equal living in harmony.
He saw a people of great love and camaraderie.
How could they be the monsters that the king made them out to be?
Brotherhood of Ale are we,
Death befall the Monarchy.
Damn the castle, damn the crown,
Let's bring the tyrant down!
Never falter, never yield,
Drink until our souls are healed.
Cheers for what tomorrow brings,
Now let us drink and sing.
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9. |
Grimfang Woods
06:13
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The brotherhood's spies returned late that night with word from Overgaard.
"I come with grave news, the king has sent out Darius,
The famous knight who has stood against over a hundred men,
We've tracked him down and found he's hiding amongst us.
The crowd began searching for anyone who looked suspicious,
Then the spy saw Darius and drew blade in hand
All shifted their gaze but none dared to move or speak a word,
Then the spy shouted, “Seize him! That’s the man!”
Running fast as he can, fleeing hundreds of men
Dodging swords and spears alike, shield blocking arrow strikes
The bells now sounding, "Will I get out alive?"
Fighting on until the end, with sword and shield in hand
Dashing amidst the fray, trying to find his way
Searching for an escape, "I have to survive"
The camp on alert, their torches blazed brightly searching for him,
Reaching the stables he was quick to steal a horse.
But the road ahead was blocked off giving him but one choice,
He rode into Grimfang Woods chased by a massive force.
Riding fast as he can, fleeing hundreds of men
Dodging swords and spears alike, shield blocking arrow strikes
The dogs now howling, "Will I get out alive?"
Fighting on until the end, with sword and shield in hand
Dashing amidst the fray, trying to find his way
Searching for somewhere safe, "I have to survive"
Striding through the forest dark there shined a foreign light
It was the flames upon a volley of arrows that had set flight
The horsemen of the Brotherhood galloped at lightning speed
As javelins and crossbow bolts struck Darius and his steed
The forest burning amidst the night as he blocks a charging lance,
Silhouetted against the flames, he fought off their advance.
His mount leaping a wall of fire he attempts to break away,
But the hounds had caught their scent and brought with them a melee.
The crackling fire gave way to the sound of clashing steel,
As Darius fought throughout the night with unyielding zeal.
He rode until the morning sun shined bright through the trees
Leaving Grimfang woods behind he knew that he was free.
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10. |
Barren Fields
08:00
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As Darius emerged to Barren Fields
He saw the King’s army thereupon
Behind them Fairhaven was ablaze
Silhouetted by the light of dawn
He saw the Brothers change their course
And face the kingsgaurd on offense
The armies squared off on the field
The final battle now commenced
Crimson the sun
Culmination
Of a journey begun
Enshrouded
But with the light
Reveals the sight
Of a land in the plight
Of bloodshed
For history
Is writ with the blood
Of the slain, by the hand
Of Conquerors
Bards of the dawn,
What tale shall you write?
The stage is set for darkness.
The stage is set for light.
Pikes gripped tight and shields up high,
Sun breaching the twilight sky.
The time for battle is nigh,
Thunderous sound of the war cry.
Charge!
The king's general Verrone rode forth with with horse and lance.
Charging with heavy cavalry, an unstoppable advance.
"Run them through! Sever their heads!
These mere peasants don't stand a chance!
Kill them like the dogs they are!
Show no mercy, have no fear,
For our victory is near.
Let them rue the day that they stood against the knights of Overgaard."
A storm of blades and carnage reigns on,
As blood soaks the Barren Fields.
Darius looked on in horror at the head of
Cid on the spear of a kingsman
Royal banners covered in the blood of Fairhaven.
"I cannot sit idly by and witness unjust bloodshed.
Parted with my ignorance I curse the king's name.
I shall slaughter all of you for becoming so corrupted,
Now come and face The Unyielding"
Sword now ablaze
Cut through the haze
Of this treacherous maze
Of Bloodshed
Darius & Verrone
Squared off alone
For both knew behind their raged filled eyes
Only one would leave this field alive.
With swords and shields they exchanged a flurry of blows,
As the ground itself quaked beneath these two foes.
A storm of blades and carnage reigns on,
As blood soaks the Barren Fields.
Darius, though stabbed, swings his blade
And severs the head of Verrone.
Darius, soaked in blood,
As his sight fades he falls.
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11. |
The Divide
07:13
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Light returns
As his senses are regained
Body burns
With the wounds he had sustained
He awoke on the ground of a tent by the battle's edge
Bandaged and repaired,
And across from him sat a wounded warrior
Who smiled at him as he stared.
Welcome back Darius
May your mind free of pain
For the battle is won
And the King's army slain
You awake in the camp of the Brotherhood's men
I have much to explain my friend.
I am the mark that you have sought
I am the scourge the crown has fought
I tried to take Kind Ghermund's life
I am the blade, the edge, the knife
And though they chained and shackled me
By the might of my brothers I am free
Now with my mission nearly through
I give it to you...
Although my face you do not know
I've known you since five years ago
Many sing your legends high,
But none of them know it more than I
Five years ago, the Unyielding One
Held back an army of barbarians
Though all his troops had fled from his side
The Unyielding fought and emerged alive
The King had cowered and ordered retreat
But the Unyielding stood and repelled defeat
When the enemies ran and returned to their homes
That coward King claimed victory for his own
But there are
Those of us who know the lie
We were there
And we heard your battle cry
I was among the peasants, unarmed and sick
Who you saved from death that day
And from henceforth we formed the Brotherhood
And swore that King Ghermund would pay
All the same, there remains
One last puzzle piece left
In our plans for the King
And his glorious death.
We need one of his own
Who will see this land free,
And complete the mission for me.
I am the mark that you have sought
I am the scourge the crown has fought
I tried to take Kind Ghermund's life
I am the blade, the edge, the knife
And though they chained and shackled me
By the might of my brothers I am free
Now with my mission nearly through
I give it to you...
Darius understood what he must bring to pass
For his journey had led him to purpose at last
And the truth was revealed, and the hour was late
As he gazed off the edge of fate
Now
Take my blade, take my hilt
Take my life's work in hand
And in death may it bring
A new life to this land
Though I die from this world, there is no need to cope
In your hands shines a shard of hope
I am the mark that you have sought
I am the scourge the crown has fought
I tried to take Kind Germond's life
I am the blade, the edge, the knife
And though they chained and shackled me
By the might of my brothers I am free
Now with my mission nearly through
I give it to you...
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12. |
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At the gardens of the Ivory keep,
A celebration is under way.
The coronation of Darius,
A new general is named this day.
The rebels he slayed, their army dismayed.
He slew the assassin and brought back his blade.
So the tale was told of Darius the bold.
Men gathered round, from the keep and the town,
To revere Darius and the one true crown.
Cheers to Darius, The king's justice!
"My countrymen, behold, my general.
For our land he's an agent of great change."
But as the king proclaimed these final words,
Darius surveilled the kingsguard safely out of range.
He reached down for the weapon hid beneath,
And drew the assassin's blade forth from it's sheath.
"Tyrant Ghermund, meet your justice!"
And he plunged the dagger into the King's chest.
For the crime of regicide,
Darius was bound and tied.
Knowing this night would be his last,
He was taken through Gallows Pass.
Held captive in sorrow
Hangman’s noose awaits on the morrow
But they’d not leave him to this fate
There’s men to kill and chains to break...
“If one be chained then none be free
No mercy for the enemy”
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Adavant Phoenix, Arizona
Formed in the fall of 2007, Adavant has been unleashing their unique brand of epic folk metal upon the Arizona metal scene for the last decade. With a style that vividly represents the heat of battles fought, enemies vanquished, and mugs raised to the warriors of old, their listeners will find themselves compelled to grab a pint and partake! ... more
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