The following stories are primers that will lead you into a song.
The idea behind this comes from the fact that many of us share the experience of producing a music video in our minds when listening to music. This is a storytelling experiment, a guided musical experience.
I want you, the reader and listener, to become the imagineer.
Read the primer thoroughly
Picture the scene in your mind
Play the song embedded in the page, ignoring any video
Pause and reread the story if needed.
Continue the story in your mind
Cards
In a small town out past Whitehaven, there lies a bar run by a struggling couple.
The men, restless for work jump at every opportunity, some stealing just to survive. Men of the town play poker in a back room; a fist comes flying across the room.
One stands up and slams the aggressor to the ground.
He stands over him, brow furrowed, gun aimed.
Rodeo
A group of young friends sit on a fence out in Antiford.
They look out at the hot desert and finish their lunch.
"Hey, y'all want to mess with the chanka?"
A Hero is Born
Tonight, you get revenge. No more tears, the fear has nearly left you.
You don your mask of tentacles, and strap the goggles on with your trembling hands.
What weapons you've decided tonight isn't so important as the mission.
You drop down into the empty mill building, and he is waiting.
Belle
You're dressed to the nines tonight.
Your dress shimmers in the moonlight, heels dressed to kill.
You've got nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
Look out, this lady is going to be the talk of the party!
Shenanigans
A group of young lads are playing on this fine day of celebration in Antiford.
A band comes along, the conductor is dressed as Uncle Antiford.
You're all goofing off as you follow the happy scene and explore the city of Astam Junction.
Cogger
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
Factory life.
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
Gearford. Why did I move to Gearford?
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
Work. Garunteed work.
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
Screw the module together, hammer the left sprocket into place.
You'll Solve It
Walking home from the station, you can't help but feel like it's really the detectives of this town that do the hard work.
You need to think on this case, charge the engine a bit, clear the sails.
A detour back home, you find one of the many dank cemeteries of Gearford to wander through.
Heat Waves
Life's been hard, searching for water out here in the sand and sun.
"Come on Grandpa," you say to your old man.
He's getting on in years now, but you can't turn back.
You can never go home again. All you can do is hope.
You clank and whizz as all the equipment jostles on your back.
There is a hidden aquifer out here, damn it. There just has to be.
A Kuu Story
A friend takes you to the forest to help you forget your grief.
The fireflies dance about the snow and you feel the pain full force. It's a good pain, breaking through the numbness. You fall weak to the ground, and they embrace you.
Vibranni
There is no war. There is no peace.
They enslave us with debts we can't repay, and give us the worst parts of the city to squeeze into like sardines in a greasy can. Why did we ever leave the desert to live with the humans who hate us so?
No money, no power, no rights.
Captain
You and your hardened crew have chased the beast out onto the ocean.
You know it mocks you. The sky is lit a great deep crimson.
You know you shouldn't, it's not ready yet.
You ready the device for battle.
This is a war demon sea monster!
The Sun Sets in Antiford
"How far you think he made it?"
"Does it matter? Where's he gonna run?"
"I suppose you're right. We'll get him."
We rode out into Antiford's Istoki Desert, a place for the foolish and adventurous.