Johann always stuck out to me as an NPC. His motivations, particularly wanting the world to see his work and being terrified of being forgotten hit super close to home. There's just something heartwrenching about having a story to tell, something that's meaningful and important, at least to you, that resonates with our struggle as people to just get our big break or the recognition we all crave. And nothing scares me more than being forgotten. Godspeed Johann!
They call it Inspiration, and it tells the listener what they need to hear, right when they need to hear it. And right now, you hear it too. The message in the music heard round the world. You hear Johann’s voice... telling you, “You’re going to have to fight...and... You’re going to win!”
@@nintendoloyalist7094 That whole-ass arc had me in a WAY. Everything after the Forgotten Century was just W I L D, and Griffin's composition has never been more on point.
johann: my greatest fear is being forgotten :( griffin,smiling down on him, voidfish in his lap like a cat: oh boy do i have a big surprise for you my boy
The origins to this song are so polarizing. On one hand, a composer that initially had nothing to live for meets an interdimensional being which exists solely to spread knowledge, culture, and art. He then learns from it, plays a duet with it, feeds it his life's work, then writes everything he has ever known about it in one triumphant score as a dying wish to have his music be remembered. And on the other hand a space jellyfish screams EGG BABE at a depressed bard, who goes "neat" and writes a song about it.
Ok but the way Griffin played the role of the voidfish by listening to this song and then liking it enough to broadcast it back to his entire audience by putting it on the episode like what a king.
I just listened to the Q&A episode from after Balance ended, and Griffin said that this song was a major factor in cementing the importance of the voidfish towards the end of the campaign. You literally made music so good that it influenced the course of the podcast it was about. That's an incredible achievement.
The collaboration that happened in creating this story is one of the most beautiful parts about it, and this song is the backdrop to my favorite part of the entire podcast. Thank you 🙏💜
The cool thing to me is, since this is used as the song everyone heard during story and song, and was written by Johann and broadcasted by fisher, that makes you canonically a part of Johann. So good job moon bard, good job.
@@evah4431 _I will give you that but I would like to point out I am still incredulous as to how someone could not get it. I understand but like. I don't._
See, there’s magic in a bard’s song. They call it “inspiration,” and it tells the listener what they need to hear right when they need to hear it. And right now, you hear it too. The message in the music heard round the world. You hear Johann’s voice telling you... “You’re going to have to fight. And... You’re gonna win!” You hear it now, too, don’t you? The song is now yours, just as the story has always been yours. And with this final piece, your understanding of these impossible events is complete. Like I said before, you’re ready now. Darkness surrounds you, but be not afraid-after all, you’re going to win; we know that much. But that is the limit of my knowledge. You’re all caught up now. Whatever happens next, well... We’ll just have to find out together.
Just thinking of the line “You’re going to have to fight. And... You’re gonna win!” all these years later still sends me directly to tears. If someone snuck up behind me and whispered that in my ears, I'd probably fall to the ground and have myself a good ol' fashioned cry right then and there.
i have listened to Story and Song more times than i can honestly count and the emotion in Griffin's voice when he says that first line is enough to bring me to tears every single time.
God, this just... The finale would have been incomplete without this. From those first five seconds, I can feel the emotion again, like I'm listening to it for the first time. Perfect. It feels like the spirit of Johann connecting truly with the voidfish.
Rachel Rose Mitchell You're welcome, this track legit makes me want to dust off whatever music making software I have ^^ And it's always great to meet another Zen main ^^
The fact that this is effectively based on a series of 7 notes just repeatedly astounds me. Who would have known that 7 notes arranged for the sake of a clue/pun would evolve into something so beautiful. Also, congrats on being included in the latest ep. Your acknowledgement by the man himself and inclusion in the story is well deserved. :)
i was so confused about that "WOOOOOOO" sound when i heard this for the first time in the podcast and i literally thought griffin was in his house with his baby and wife screaming "WOOOOOO" into a microphone but i love this
me: it’s been a year an a half since the finale, surely i can handle listening to this- [first six notes hit] me, through a waterfall of tears: EgG bAbE
MAJOR SPOILERS Johann’s fear was that nobody would remember him, that because he would only ever have an audience of one, the voidfish, no one would ever know or appreciate him - that he would never make an impact on the world. The thing is Johann wasn’t just sharing his music with Fisher, he gave this inter dimensional being access to a language they could use to communicate with others. Without the manuscripts, the voidfish would never have learned our notation system - it’s too much to believe that music notation is not only universal, but multi universal. Johann’s music gave Fisher the language to communicate their deep need for their child. That impact is incalculable, the gift of communication is incalculable, particularly as it pertained to something so primal and emotionally charged. The voidfish paid Johann back in kind, transmitting his music not only across his own universe, but all of them. Every. Single. One. Johann will never be forgotten. In any universe. The great tragedy is that Johann dies before he can see his legacy (what is a legacy?) but in truth, this only further reinforces the parable. We often don’t know our own impact on others, how we are perceived, or how we will be remembered after we’re gone, but by living as our truest selves, and by persevering even when we ourselves can’t see any change or reward for our pains, we may achieve what we longed for alone, with the love and support from others.
Im a little... no... alot late in saying this, but because of the existence of Kravitz and the soul sea... the great tragedy you mentioned is moot. He can see his impact on the planes from the afterlife, in a sea of countless souls who all heard his work. His tale is not a tragedy. Its an end to his lengend, that started because of his story and song And he can enjoy that fact for eternity.
This music is incredible. The hootings of unknown birds and a lone owl, the deep rumblings of beasts and the calls of whales, the drums and the sound of rain all draws the listener into this sound of an unfamiliar world built on wonder and exploration. And then, the music picks up at 2-3 minutes in, and there is this sense of something building. Something coming that is exciting - even exhilarating. And then there's that sliding scale that starts that reminds me of a plane taking off. Again, that theme of building and building and building. And then, the bass (oh that bass!) and the clear high notes and the strings. AND THEN - 4 minutes in - the music hits with a ton of bricks. If this had been background noise before, it most certainly isn't now. I don't even really have words for it. It feels like the notes just sort of sweep into me, filling my mind and my body. That violin (I believe) is simply striking, leading the fore with beauty and poise and confidence. I feel tears just listening to this, and this solo, oh man I have no words to do this feeling justice. The bells chime. The choir sings. And now..... /it's time/. And we're going to win! As the music fades out (beutifully done, again, with the lone sad song of a voidfish and softly slowing down piano) and decrescendos I am left something of a wreck, for lack of a better term. I've been on a ride and one I will take again I dare say. The way you tie in the narrative, and the emotions, and the music ITSELF... if you ever find yourself in doubt of your capability, or if you have truly made something worth 100k views (and climbing).... please find me. I have lots of love and enthusiasm and I will remind you that you've done something that shows so much love and hard work. Thank you for creating this piece, and for sharing it with us. I love every minute.
I absolutely loved the voidfish duet, but when I looked on RUclips for a cover I did NOT expect this. I found this way before I ever got to the finale, and when I heard this playing, I lost my shit. Like, this song made me cry the first time. Adding it to the actual podcast--nay, the emotional finale of the podcast--made me sob like a baby. 10/10 Would cry again
I love finding my old comments when I'm revisiting something--my boyfriend and I are doing a listen through right now, still on gerblins. it's his first time through--I can't wait for him to experience this like I did
@@conwool2609 Guess this comment is becoming a diary of my Adventure Zone shenannigans lol. We finished it a while ago. He loved it, natch. We have all of the graphic novels now and a rainbow light up letterboard sign in our apartment that says "abra-ka fuck you". He made it through the whole podcast without crying BUT he did get misty eyed at "How does Magnus die?". Specifically, the song playing as, for the last time, magnus rushes in. We're getting engaged soon, ring picked out and everything. Gonna try to convince him to use the piano song that plays during that scene as our first dance :)
Re-listening to this after episode 64 is such a complex experience that awakens a deep, ancient emotion in me that I'm pretty sure is only allowed to be felt by some kind of ethereal entity. I feel like I just broke some extra-terrestrial law by going on this journey. Absolutely heavenly.
When this started playing in episode 68 I flipped out because I FREAKING LOVE THIS SONG. I'm so happy this wonderful piece of art got to be used in the show as Johan's final, masterful piece.
Dude you're song is on of my favorites of this whole show you don't understand before Lucretia (reprise) THIS is the song that made me start cry! Fiction can rarely do that and it wouldn't have ever happened without this song so thank you so much, you're the best, and I hate you for all this beautiful pain I feel.
oh man the ambient kind of whale noises and water noises... and the way it just builds up.... this is so good Honestly, has griffin seen this?? i bet he'd love it
This song is so amazing when the crescendo hit during the podcast it sent chills. This is the only podcast that has made me cry like a baby with the amazing story telling of Griffin and the accompany of amazing music like this!
You wrote the song that stands in the hearts of countless nerds as "the magnum opus of the most powerful bard that ever lived in the planar system." I don't even know who you are and I'm proud of you.
i'm glad this song made it into the show. it was always my favourite version of the voidfish song. whats more i'm glad this song was used as the most powerful spell of inspiration across the whole of reality.
I dont even have to hear Griffin's words over this to get that same feeling I feel every single time I hear that underlying chord for this song. It makes me cry every single time, Johann's words echoing through everything. Johann is why I play bards now in dnd, honest to god.
There is a dark and beautiful duality to this song. The void fish screams for help, begging someone to retrieve its child, and a depressed bard, one of this creature's only friend's finding a beauty in the suffering and writing a song with it. It reminds me of the story of Nietzsche grabbing a horse that was being beaten and screaming I understand you. They have an understanding in each other, despite everything, and this song is them sitting together and screaming, and crying, and finding comfort in their shared misery.
I got the Murder on the Rockport Limited graphic novel and noticed that Johann has the notes E and G transcribed on a whiteboard, and I love that detail so much!
Rachel Rose Mitchell Honestly, you earned that spot on the show. This piece is beautiful and I remember feeling emotional when I first heard it, long before Story and Song rolled around. ❤️
I somehow found this before I actually listened to any episodes of TAZ... and I'm back here now that I've finished them, and I'm crying internally only because I've cried externally too much over the past few days. Absolutely phenomenal job. ....... all I wanted was for Magnus and Fisher and Junior to play ducks 😭😭
I love how the bloom of the voidfish looks like it's just an open tear into the void, and it's really just tendrils reaching out of an opening of light.
I had to come back here and listen again after hearing the first part of the finale! It fucked me up so bad I'm so proud of Johann and I'm so happy he gets the recognition he deserves oh I'm so emotional
For everyone coming back here to cry over Johann (like I was), if it offers any comfort, nobody's truly dead until they're forgotten. By that definition, Johann is more alive than any of us, in this world and in his. See, there's magic in a bard's song. They call it inspiration, and it tells the listener what they need to hear, right when they need to hear it, and right now you hear it too. Johann's voice is still here, so Johann is too.
The Adventure Zone is fantastic, but my favorite part of it is how the incredible artists in the community make it so much more amazing than the sum of its parts with their inspiring works, and the part this song played in the newest episode is the perfect example of that. Thank you so much for what you've done for the show!
Still absolutely floored that Griffin took one of the most maligned and hated classes in D&D, the Bard, and made Johann one of the most influential characters
"See, there's magic, in a bards song. They call it 'Inspiration.' It tells the listener what they need to hear, right when they need to hear it. And right now, you hear it too! The message in the music, heard round the world. You hear Johann's voice, telling you, *"You're going to have to fight... And, You're going to win!"*
Hearing this now, after finishing balance sends chills through me. Remembering what Lup’s speech was while this played in the background, Griffin telling us about all of the stories coming together, the star blaster as it flows in the sky, the magic in a bards song. Inspiration. I am overcome with emotion just hearing this, the line: “You’re going to win” I don’t know if I can ever express my gratitude to the McElroy’s for giving me this amazing story, for bringing to me my choice of joy, for inspiring me as a dungeon master and person. They really are amazing.
I looked this video up about 3 quarters through balance and after finishing it I came back and im almost in tears hearing Johann say "you're going to have to fight! And...you're gonna win!" In my head as I listen to this.
Griffin McElroy: “When someone leaves your life, those exits are not made equal. Some are beautiful and poetic and satisfying. Others are abrupt and unfair. But most are just unremarkable, unintentional, clumsy.” Also Griffin McElroy: "When you nut in space it push you backwards"
i’m sitting in the dark with tears streaming down my face gods this song i’ve never felt this much emotion with any song before, i don’t even know how to put it into words
Listening three years later. Discovered this song while looking for music and covers and thought it was pretty amazing when Griff used it for the very definition of the title of the arc "Story and Song." The best part is the fact that the song is called Voidfish Plural and the song literally occurs when Fisher and their child play the song together. This song, in part, shaped the future of this amazing Avengers Endgame conclusion of a campaign and I'm very happy that it was used in the OST of the story. I guess you could say you did an EGGcellent job!
I always get emotional during this song, it's SO beautiful. I literally can't listen to Griffin's narration during this moment of the podcast without shedding some tears, lol
This has a really unique and ethereal feel to it, and instills a sense of awe in the listener. It really does justice to the Voidfish’s glory. Johann would be proud. (I nearly cried when I heard this in the finale akfjdkjl)
I've had no idea what this was from, but I somehow stumbled across it randomly on Spotify, and I absolutely love it. It's so hauntingly beautiful to listen to.
"See, there's magic in a bard's song. They call it inspiration, and it tells the listener exactly what they need to hear, right when they need to hear it. And right now, you hear it too. The message in the music heard round the world. you hear Johan's voice, telling you, 'You're going to have to fight and... YOU'RE GONNA WIN.'"
This is so unexpected and gorgeous, there's so much depth and the many layers are just haunting. This'll make a great soundtrack for writing TAZ stories
I found this video before I ever found the adventure zone. I’ve listened to this dozens of times, read and re-read comments. I made the first seven notes my town tune on animal crossing. Somehow, despite all of that, despite the title, despite the comments, despite _fucking EGG B A B E_ I never put together the idea that the voidfish had a baby. (I also didn’t expect this song to show up in the podcast itself, and, not gonna lie; I totally cried)
This is groundbreakingly stunning. I've been listening to this every day for a week straight. What instruments did you use? How did you get the sound effect of the voidfish roar? I'm blown away. Thank you so much for uploading this, it's outstanding.
aw thank you!! here's a copypasted list of instruments from another comment: "instruments from era medieval legends II, forest kingdom II, ewql stormdrum 2, cantus and mystica, impact soundworks celestia, frozen plain victorian music box, frozen plain terracotta, ewql silk, best service gu zheng, ewql symphonic orchestra, ewql symphonic choirs, ewql gypsy violin, and i think i'm missing something but i can't remember it haha" the voidfish roar in particular is the 'beast moans' patch from best service forest kingdom :) with like, a mountain of reverb thrown at it
Since I discovered this song, I come back to listen to it at least twice a week (sometimes more) because it's so beautiful. I usually end up tearing up or crying while listening.
I literally had a visceral reaction (goosebumps, immediate tearing up) to the first ten seconds and for the life of me I couldn't remember why, and then I read the comments and remembered.
this song, paired with the memories i now have, fucking invigorate me every time i hear it. it's always a gamble though. sometimes i wanna cry and sometimes i feel like getting shit done. damn inspiration hit me hard today.
I remember hearing this song for the first time during Story and Song and it literally gave me chills - good job writing a song so excellent it influenced the original podcast it was based on!
Johann always stuck out to me as an NPC. His motivations, particularly wanting the world to see his work and being terrified of being forgotten hit super close to home. There's just something heartwrenching about having a story to tell, something that's meaningful and important, at least to you, that resonates with our struggle as people to just get our big break or the recognition we all crave. And nothing scares me more than being forgotten. Godspeed Johann!
WHAT HAPPENED TO JOHANN??
idiosynchrony spoiler
he died dude I'm sorry
That first episode of the last arc though, man Johann will be remembered.
the worst part is that I finished the episode where Johann died just yesterday without knowing y'all had replied so
"I will show you fear in a handful of dust."
"There's magic in a bard's song, you see."
They call it Inspiration, and it tells the listener what they need to hear, right when they need to hear it. And right now, you hear it too. The message in the music heard round the world. You hear Johann’s voice... telling you, “You’re going to have to fight...and... You’re going to win!”
That line and this song together transform me into a pile of sappy ass tears.
This means a lot less in a campaign with actual bards, let alone annoying ones.
Reading that with this gave me chills all over again
Honestly, Kudos to Griffin for taking one of the most dunked on classes, and turning it into much more than a cheap joke about fucking monsters.
Hear that, babe? We're *legends*.
tell you what my heart SOARED at that moment omg
I got chills and all the hairs on my body stood on end.
Hear that babe? We’re *egg*
It would have been so cool if the main three got skins or characters in League of Legends
@@nintendoloyalist7094 That whole-ass arc had me in a WAY. Everything after the Forgotten Century was just W I L D, and Griffin's composition has never been more on point.
johann: my greatest fear is being forgotten :(
griffin,smiling down on him, voidfish in his lap like a cat: oh boy do i have a big surprise for you my boy
So true
Only now do I understand the meaning of this words that seemed cryptic to me before, and you know what? thanks for the tears. I hope you're happy.
I just got to the story and song arc at *that part* and damn this comment hits different
The origins to this song are so polarizing.
On one hand, a composer that initially had nothing to live for meets an interdimensional being which exists solely to spread knowledge, culture, and art. He then learns from it, plays a duet with it, feeds it his life's work, then writes everything he has ever known about it in one triumphant score as a dying wish to have his music be remembered.
And on the other hand a space jellyfish screams EGG BABE at a depressed bard, who goes "neat" and writes a song about it.
Both of those could probably be the canon narration for that moment with how The Adventure Zone is. XD
Cheese Wizard
Voidfish: MY BABY
Johann: Anyway, here’s Wonderwall
i think this comment completely sums up the vibes from the podcast XD
You just summed up everything I love about Johann's story and everything I love about this podcast in general.
@@friendbotlu3920 i nearly died laughing at this thank
I wonder what Johann thought when he heard the voidfish play his song from the astral plane.
thanks for shattering my heart dude
"Aw hell yeah"
its cool im not crying you're crying
Ouch.
Wow first time I considered that would absolutely happen thanks for fresh tears
Ok but the way Griffin played the role of the voidfish by listening to this song and then liking it enough to broadcast it back to his entire audience by putting it on the episode like what a king.
And we didn’t have to drink Griffin’s ichor to hear it, thank goodness
For Johann
Lost, but never forgotten.
i will never forget the moonbard as long as i live
Rachel Rose Mitchell goodbye moonmen
Miss ya big man
i mentally blocked out the fact that johann died and these comments gutted me wow
I'm right there with you 😢
I just listened to the Q&A episode from after Balance ended, and Griffin said that this song was a major factor in cementing the importance of the voidfish towards the end of the campaign. You literally made music so good that it influenced the course of the podcast it was about. That's an incredible achievement.
Fucking good because the Voidfish is one of the best parts of balance and this is the best song from it
The collaboration that happened in creating this story is one of the most beautiful parts about it, and this song is the backdrop to my favorite part of the entire podcast. Thank you 🙏💜
Johann's greatest fear was being forgotten. I'm glad to know that fear didn't come true.
Even better, the EXACT opposite happened. EVERYONE knows. And I'm only a little weepy about it.
Right? Now THAT'S how you bring a character arc full circle.
Not just everyone. Everyone in a large portion of THE KNOW TAZ MULTIVERSE
@@theartistswings9810 you said not _just_ everyone and then mentioned a smaller group of people
@@captasticts8419 depends on your definition of everyone.
You see, there's magic in a bard's song.
The cool thing to me is, since this is used as the song everyone heard during story and song, and was written by Johann and broadcasted by fisher, that makes you canonically a part of Johann. So good job moon bard, good job.
...it took me way too many re-listens to realize the first seven notes of the entire song were "EGGBABE"
_but- but it's an entire plot point of the- what- Griffin LITERALLY SPELLS IT OUT FOR US-_
@@nicestpancake maybe they didn't connect the song that was talked about in the story with the song we were literally hearing in the podcast?
@@evah4431 _I will give you that but I would like to point out I am still incredulous as to how someone could not get it. I understand but like. I don't._
See, there’s magic in a bard’s song. They call it “inspiration,” and it tells the listener what they need to hear right when they need to hear it. And right now, you hear it too. The message in the music heard round the world. You hear Johann’s voice telling you... “You’re going to have to fight. And... You’re gonna win!”
You hear it now, too, don’t you? The song is now yours, just as the story has always been yours. And with this final piece, your understanding of these impossible events is complete. Like I said before, you’re ready now. Darkness surrounds you, but be not afraid-after all, you’re going to win; we know that much. But that is the limit of my knowledge. You’re all caught up now. Whatever happens next, well... We’ll just have to find out together.
You really had to make me cry didn't you
i wanted to like it, but its at 69, i cant
Anyone else hear a message clearer than any other they've read?
Just thinking of the line “You’re going to have to fight. And... You’re gonna win!” all these years later still sends me directly to tears. If someone snuck up behind me and whispered that in my ears, I'd probably fall to the ground and have myself a good ol' fashioned cry right then and there.
i have listened to Story and Song more times than i can honestly count and the emotion in Griffin's voice when he says that first line is enough to bring me to tears every single time.
God, this just... The finale would have been incomplete without this. From those first five seconds, I can feel the emotion again, like I'm listening to it for the first time. Perfect. It feels like the spirit of Johann connecting truly with the voidfish.
I can't believe Griffin actually heard and loves this song as much as we do
The world is beautiful
thank you ;u;
also i just want to say your zenyatta profile pic makes me happy as a wannabe zen main myself
Rachel Rose Mitchell You're welcome, this track legit makes me want to dust off whatever music making software I have ^^
And it's always great to meet another Zen main ^^
In loving memory of Johann: the moonbard of my heart
WAIT DID SOMETHING HAPPEN TO JOHANN??? I'M NOT FINISHED YET BUT IF HE DIES IM GIVING UP ON THE PODCAST
i dont know what to tell you my friend
Rachel Rose Mitchell I JUST FINISHED THE LUNAR INTERLUDE AHHHHHHH WHY HE DIDNT DESERVE IT HE IS TOO GOOD
he was too good for this world, and apparently also for that moon in particular
no johann's on the moon, they just die off the goddamn thing
The fact that this is effectively based on a series of 7 notes just repeatedly astounds me. Who would have known that 7 notes arranged for the sake of a clue/pun would evolve into something so beautiful.
Also, congrats on being included in the latest ep. Your acknowledgement by the man himself and inclusion in the story is well deserved. :)
And those seven notes making up EGGBABE
There’s a lot of stuff about 7, I just am starting to realize.
@@AnUnfortunatePotato JUST realized that it's SEVEN notes god this story was really woven like a quilt
@@AnUnfortunatePotato HOLY SHIT! I DIDN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT! OH MY GOD! THANK YOU!!!!!!
i was so confused about that "WOOOOOOO" sound when i heard this for the first time in the podcast and i literally thought griffin was in his house with his baby and wife screaming "WOOOOOO" into a microphone but i love this
I mean he would
But no it was the voidfish doing it
Griffin mcelroy?
as in, the guy who made a greasy bart simpson?
ANNA yes
Toe to tip, this was an incredible podcast and I cannot believe it's been 3 years since Balance ended!
The one who stuck all those amiibos in his mouth
Pipis room boy
The guy that doesn’t understand ‘to be continued’ memes and, at this point, is too scared to ask?
I'm having a strange problem where I only hear static. Is anyone else having this problem, or is it just me?
I had this problem at first, but then I had some sort of epileptic episode and now it works fine. Very strange.
Yeah, I had the same problem as well. I can hear it now, though? It may have been the blue light outside my window
I can't tell you how much your comment unnerved me...
godzilla463gaming I couldn't hear it until these weird lights were everywhere, then I heard it.
I used to have that problem but I drank some weird juice a dud gave me and now it's gone
me: it’s been a year an a half since the finale, surely i can handle listening to this-
[first six notes hit]
me, through a waterfall of tears: EgG bAbE
EGG BABE 😭😭😭😭😭
Five years later, there remains magic in The Bard's Song
*Oh it'll keep affecting us much longer than that, pal*
YES! GRIFFIN USED THIS SONG IN THE PODCAST IT DESERVED RECOGNITION SO MUCH CONGRATS
Brian Bucceri what part of what episode (if you remember)
Part 2 of Story and Song? Just keep listening.
MAJOR SPOILERS
Johann’s fear was that nobody would remember him, that because he would only ever have an audience of one, the voidfish, no one would ever know or appreciate him - that he would never make an impact on the world.
The thing is Johann wasn’t just sharing his music with Fisher, he gave this inter dimensional being access to a language they could use to communicate with others.
Without the manuscripts, the voidfish would never have learned our notation system - it’s too much to believe that music notation is not only universal, but multi universal. Johann’s music gave Fisher the language to communicate their deep need for their child. That impact is incalculable, the gift of communication is incalculable, particularly as it pertained to something so primal and emotionally charged.
The voidfish paid Johann back in kind, transmitting his music not only across his own universe, but all of them. Every. Single. One.
Johann will never be forgotten. In any universe.
The great tragedy is that Johann dies before he can see his legacy (what is a legacy?) but in truth, this only further reinforces the parable.
We often don’t know our own impact on others, how we are perceived, or how we will be remembered after we’re gone, but by living as our truest selves, and by persevering even when we ourselves can’t see any change or reward for our pains, we may achieve what we longed for alone, with the love and support from others.
thanks i'm dead now
Im a little... no... alot late in saying this, but because of the existence of Kravitz and the soul sea... the great tragedy you mentioned is moot. He can see his impact on the planes from the afterlife, in a sea of countless souls who all heard his work.
His tale is not a tragedy.
Its an end to his lengend, that started because of his story and song
And he can enjoy that fact for eternity.
Okay, no but this is almost 7 minutes long, and that's normally a really long song, but for this song, it's only barely long enough to feel it fully.
This music is incredible. The hootings of unknown birds and a lone owl, the deep rumblings of beasts and the calls of whales, the drums and the sound of rain all draws the listener into this sound of an unfamiliar world built on wonder and exploration. And then, the music picks up at 2-3 minutes in, and there is this sense of something building. Something coming that is exciting - even exhilarating. And then there's that sliding scale that starts that reminds me of a plane taking off. Again, that theme of building and building and building. And then, the bass (oh that bass!) and the clear high notes and the strings. AND THEN - 4 minutes in - the music hits with a ton of bricks. If this had been background noise before, it most certainly isn't now. I don't even really have words for it. It feels like the notes just sort of sweep into me, filling my mind and my body. That violin (I believe) is simply striking, leading the fore with beauty and poise and confidence. I feel tears just listening to this, and this solo, oh man I have no words to do this feeling justice. The bells chime. The choir sings. And now..... /it's time/. And we're going to win!
As the music fades out (beutifully done, again, with the lone sad song of a voidfish and softly slowing down piano) and decrescendos I am left something of a wreck, for lack of a better term. I've been on a ride and one I will take again I dare say. The way you tie in the narrative, and the emotions, and the music ITSELF... if you ever find yourself in doubt of your capability, or if you have truly made something worth 100k views (and climbing).... please find me. I have lots of love and enthusiasm and I will remind you that you've done something that shows so much love and hard work.
Thank you for creating this piece, and for sharing it with us. I love every minute.
"The hootings of unknown birds and a lone owl"
I SAW SEVEN BIRDS
That you for typing this all out so I didn't have to God bless
i could never have put it better myself. this is TRULY a work of art. johann would be proud.
I absolutely loved the voidfish duet, but when I looked on RUclips for a cover I did NOT expect this. I found this way before I ever got to the finale, and when I heard this playing, I lost my shit. Like, this song made me cry the first time. Adding it to the actual podcast--nay, the emotional finale of the podcast--made me sob like a baby. 10/10 Would cry again
I love finding my old comments when I'm revisiting something--my boyfriend and I are doing a listen through right now, still on gerblins. it's his first time through--I can't wait for him to experience this like I did
How far is he now?
@@conwool2609 Guess this comment is becoming a diary of my Adventure Zone shenannigans lol. We finished it a while ago. He loved it, natch. We have all of the graphic novels now and a rainbow light up letterboard sign in our apartment that says "abra-ka fuck you". He made it through the whole podcast without crying BUT he did get misty eyed at "How does Magnus die?". Specifically, the song playing as, for the last time, magnus rushes in. We're getting engaged soon, ring picked out and everything. Gonna try to convince him to use the piano song that plays during that scene as our first dance :)
@@bbhavefun11 that’s so great to hear! Hope you two nerds have lots of fun together! :)
@@bbhavefun11 I wish I could have somebody like you. Hope you two live a happy life
3:30 The violin joins in. Johann got his duet.
Re-listening to this after episode 64 is such a complex experience that awakens a deep, ancient emotion in me that I'm pretty sure is only allowed to be felt by some kind of ethereal entity. I feel like I just broke some extra-terrestrial law by going on this journey. Absolutely heavenly.
When this started playing in episode 68 I flipped out because I FREAKING LOVE THIS SONG. I'm so happy this wonderful piece of art got to be used in the show as Johan's final, masterful piece.
gUYS I CAN'T LISTEN TO THE EPISODE FOR A FEW HOURS AGSDAHSFD
thank you for all the kind words ;u;
Dude you're song is on of my favorites of this whole show you don't understand before Lucretia (reprise) THIS is the song that made me start cry! Fiction can rarely do that and it wouldn't have ever happened without this song so thank you so much, you're the best, and I hate you for all this beautiful pain I feel.
For Johann
[raises glass] FOR JOHANN
Banana Slipstream *raises glass through tears* FOR JOHANN!
Rachel Rose Mitchell *raises cup purchased from fantasy costco* "To Johann!"
*raises mug with picture of Taako bought from his merch store* "To Johann!"
Never forgotten! For Johann!
oh man the ambient kind of whale noises and water noises... and the way it just builds up.... this is so good Honestly, has griffin seen this?? i bet he'd love it
aww thank you!! that's so kind ;u; I don't think he has seen it yet!
*Update: I'm pretty sure Griffin saw this*
reading this comment when you've heard story and song... it hits different
This song is so amazing when the crescendo hit during the podcast it sent chills. This is the only podcast that has made me cry like a baby with the amazing story telling of Griffin and the accompany of amazing music like this!
You wrote the song that stands in the hearts of countless nerds as "the magnum opus of the most powerful bard that ever lived in the planar system." I don't even know who you are and I'm proud of you.
i'm glad this song made it into the show. it was always my favourite version of the voidfish song. whats more i'm glad this song was used as the most powerful spell of inspiration across the whole of reality.
Rest in peace, Johann. You will be missed, but NEVER forgotten. *raises glass in toast*
It's not a toast, it's a taco
I dont even have to hear Griffin's words over this to get that same feeling I feel every single time I hear that underlying chord for this song. It makes me cry every single time, Johann's words echoing through everything.
Johann is why I play bards now in dnd, honest to god.
There is a dark and beautiful duality to this song. The void fish screams for help, begging someone to retrieve its child, and a depressed bard, one of this creature's only friend's finding a beauty in the suffering and writing a song with it. It reminds me of the story of Nietzsche grabbing a horse that was being beaten and screaming I understand you. They have an understanding in each other, despite everything, and this song is them sitting together and screaming, and crying, and finding comfort in their shared misery.
damn, thats good
"You see, there's magic in a bard's song..." *endless tears*
I got the Murder on the Rockport Limited graphic novel and noticed that Johann has the notes E and G transcribed on a whiteboard, and I love that detail so much!
>> sobs loudly
for Johann
Martin Garcia every time I listen to this I cry
This is such a high quality cover, I'd steak my career as a professional wizard Griffin would dig this.
you knoW WHAT
two people have told me he might like it in the past hour
i'm going to tweet it to him
WISH ME LUCK
(thank you)
I'll just cast a luck spell. Boop. There.
and so history was made when rachel tweeted at griffin. super happy your amazing work got recognized
Rachel Rose Mitchell Honestly, you earned that spot on the show. This piece is beautiful and I remember feeling emotional when I first heard it, long before Story and Song rolled around. ❤️
I am eternally grateful to everyone who gave the artist courage to tweet this to Griffin
the finale wouldn't be the same without it
I somehow found this before I actually listened to any episodes of TAZ... and I'm back here now that I've finished them, and I'm crying internally only because I've cried externally too much over the past few days. Absolutely phenomenal job.
....... all I wanted was for Magnus and Fisher and Junior to play ducks 😭😭
You're going to fight... and you're going TO WIN!
"As the Starblaster flies, for the first time, INTO, and not away from, the storm"
The finale wouldn’t be the same without you 💖
aw thank you, that’s so kind!
I love this, and I think, Johann would too
thank you ;u; bless johann's soul tbh
I love that C H U N K Y brass that kicks in on the build roughly halfway into the song.
I love how the bloom of the voidfish looks like it's just an open tear into the void, and it's really just tendrils reaching out of an opening of light.
"Never forget what has already be forgotten."
GHOST BARD INSPIRES
(Ghostly) Bardic Inspiration?
yeah, thats the plot of the finale
hey i just want to let everyone know this should be going live on spotify/itunes/amazon/google play/etc within the next few days :) :)
I had to come back here and listen again after hearing the first part of the finale! It fucked me up so bad I'm so proud of Johann and I'm so happy he gets the recognition he deserves oh I'm so emotional
On a scale of one to a million, how much are you freaking out right now??????
All of the numbers
For everyone coming back here to cry over Johann (like I was), if it offers any comfort, nobody's truly dead until they're forgotten. By that definition, Johann is more alive than any of us, in this world and in his. See, there's magic in a bard's song. They call it inspiration, and it tells the listener what they need to hear, right when they need to hear it, and right now you hear it too. Johann's voice is still here, so Johann is too.
"There's inspiration in a Bard's song"
Six minutes and thirty eight seconds of pure fucking ecstasy and crying over The Moon Bard
my god, this song is one hell of an experience
The Adventure Zone is fantastic, but my favorite part of it is how the incredible artists in the community make it so much more amazing than the sum of its parts with their inspiring works, and the part this song played in the newest episode is the perfect example of that. Thank you so much for what you've done for the show!
Still absolutely floored that Griffin took one of the most maligned and hated classes in D&D, the Bard, and made Johann one of the most influential characters
Hey dude congrats on getting your music into today's TAZ!
"See, there's magic, in a bards song. They call it 'Inspiration.' It tells the listener what they need to hear, right when they need to hear it. And right now, you hear it too! The message in the music, heard round the world. You hear Johann's voice, telling you, *"You're going to have to fight... And, You're going to win!"*
This song always gives me goose bumps, esp that ONE part, you know the one
literally the best fan art I have ever encountered. I am in awe.
Hearing this now, after finishing balance sends chills through me. Remembering what Lup’s speech was while this played in the background, Griffin telling us about all of the stories coming together, the star blaster as it flows in the sky, the magic in a bards song. Inspiration.
I am overcome with emotion just hearing this, the line: “You’re going to win”
I don’t know if I can ever express my gratitude to the McElroy’s for giving me this amazing story, for bringing to me my choice of joy, for inspiring me as a dungeon master and person. They really are amazing.
Goosebumps... am I the only one?
What a hauntingly beautiful song.
I looked this video up about 3 quarters through balance and after finishing it I came back and im almost in tears hearing Johann say "you're going to have to fight! And...you're gonna win!" In my head as I listen to this.
Griffin McElroy: “When someone leaves your life, those exits are not made equal. Some are beautiful and poetic and satisfying. Others are abrupt and unfair. But most are just unremarkable, unintentional, clumsy.”
Also Griffin McElroy: "When you nut in space it push you backwards"
Also Griffin McElroy: *eats banana with peel on*
i’m sitting in the dark with tears streaming down my face
gods this song
i’ve never felt this much emotion with any song before, i don’t even know how to put it into words
"You're going to have to fight and.....
You're gonna win!"
Listening three years later. Discovered this song while looking for music and covers and thought it was pretty amazing when Griff used it for the very definition of the title of the arc "Story and Song." The best part is the fact that the song is called Voidfish Plural and the song literally occurs when Fisher and their child play the song together. This song, in part, shaped the future of this amazing Avengers Endgame conclusion of a campaign and I'm very happy that it was used in the OST of the story. I guess you could say you did an EGGcellent job!
No fictional story has moved me as much as The Adventure Zone and I think that’s saying something.
I'm so glad Griffin used this in the show
THIS SONG IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED LAST EPISODE
BECAUSE THIS IS WHY WE CALL THAT DAY, THE DAY OF SPIRIT AND SONG
I think it's 'Story and Song' but yeah
I've been looking everywhere for the voidfish song I'm so happy
I always get emotional during this song, it's SO beautiful. I literally can't listen to Griffin's narration during this moment of the podcast without shedding some tears, lol
This has a really unique and ethereal feel to it, and instills a sense of awe in the listener. It really does justice to the Voidfish’s glory. Johann would be proud. (I nearly cried when I heard this in the finale akfjdkjl)
........WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAOAAAAA........
(my favorite bits in this song)
It's been like 6 years and this song still makes me cry. Thank you, thank you, thank you
I've had no idea what this was from, but I somehow stumbled across it randomly on Spotify, and I absolutely love it. It's so hauntingly beautiful to listen to.
Amazing! Hearing this in the latest TAZ was just so magical and great!
the fact this song was used as his grand encore made me cry like a baby
"See, there's magic in a bard's song. They call it inspiration, and it tells the listener exactly what they need to hear, right when they need to hear it. And right now, you hear it too. The message in the music heard round the world. you hear Johan's voice, telling you, 'You're going to have to fight and... YOU'RE GONNA WIN.'"
This is so unexpected and gorgeous, there's so much depth and the many layers are just haunting. This'll make a great soundtrack for writing TAZ stories
I found this video before I ever found the adventure zone.
I’ve listened to this dozens of times, read and re-read comments. I made the first seven notes my town tune on animal crossing.
Somehow, despite all of that, despite the title, despite the comments, despite _fucking EGG B A B E_ I never put together the idea that the voidfish had a baby.
(I also didn’t expect this song to show up in the podcast itself, and, not gonna lie; I totally cried)
This is groundbreakingly stunning. I've been listening to this every day for a week straight. What instruments did you use? How did you get the sound effect of the voidfish roar? I'm blown away. Thank you so much for uploading this, it's outstanding.
aw thank you!! here's a copypasted list of instruments from another comment:
"instruments from era medieval legends II, forest kingdom II, ewql stormdrum 2, cantus and mystica, impact soundworks celestia, frozen plain victorian music box, frozen plain terracotta, ewql silk, best service gu zheng, ewql symphonic orchestra, ewql symphonic choirs, ewql gypsy violin, and i think i'm missing something but i can't remember it haha"
the voidfish roar in particular is the 'beast moans' patch from best service forest kingdom :) with like, a mountain of reverb thrown at it
My god, this gave me so many chills!
I will never not get goosebumps listening to this song
I love the instrumentation on this. The drums and the violin and the harp i'm dying? help and thank you?
Since I discovered this song, I come back to listen to it at least twice a week (sometimes more) because it's so beautiful. I usually end up tearing up or crying while listening.
*I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE FULLY IMMERSED IN A SONG IN MY FUCKINGNLIFE THIS ORCHESTRATION IS SURREALLY AMAZING THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THIS*
I literally had a visceral reaction (goosebumps, immediate tearing up) to the first ten seconds and for the life of me I couldn't remember why, and then I read the comments and remembered.
May this song be a kickass battle hymn for another year.
What this song is in itself and represents is like... My favorite thing
I still choke up whenever I hear this. It’s one of the greatest moments in RPG history.
this song, paired with the memories i now have, fucking invigorate me every time i hear it. it's always a gamble though. sometimes i wanna cry and sometimes i feel like getting shit done. damn inspiration hit me hard today.
I remember hearing this song for the first time during Story and Song and it literally gave me chills - good job writing a song so excellent it influenced the original podcast it was based on!
Here from the future, enjoying this. Thanks! 💕