#using one of my hyperfixations to describe current affairs

[nerdyfoxx]

Is this supposed to be our Sunshot Campaign?

[the-arcana-but-saucier]

(via https://open.spotify.com/user/x3q9pcau1lxkahl7prswt5g6n/playlist/3GG6dzSe8hP9msdZvdvwJZ?si=pNIMILroSAuKbdRVyG2hsw)

Hi everyone! I do not come empty-handed to this blog... indeed, I have some songs for your soul. They may dare to delight, but what is the story behind this playlist other than its link to everyone’s favorite plague doctor...?

Poetry aside, hello! I’m Tex, owner of this domain (call me what you want, I don’t mind ^^). I’ve recently been enjoying The Arcana, romancing Julian (he’s my fav, sorry Asra <3), and thinking of all the fan-content I could produce while the game is still my current hyperfixation.

So to start me off running, I carefully crafted a playlist full of songs that lead you on a path through Julian’s heart as he battles his demons and ends up falling head over heels for the player. (Bearing in mind I’m trying to unlock all his secret scenes so I haven’t actually finished his storyline yet. No spoilers!)

Below you can find a short explanation of why I included each song. Enjoy, and let me know what you think!

1. Killer by Crazy Lixx

This song sets out what the player knows about Julian at the start of the game: he’s a murderer on the loose, a villainous man running from his crimes, covering his face with the mask of a plague doctor. Scary stuff!

2. Blood On My Name by The Brothers Bright

This one covers how Julian feels about himself at the start. He’s afraid of what he might have done, afraid of himself, and facing the fact that he may well end up in the gallows. Deep down he wants help, but with the whole world seemingly after him, where in Vesuvia could he find it...?

3. Plague by Tris Mikal

It has ‘Plague’ in the title so I thought it was appropriate. General self-deprecating feel. What? Not all of these were thought out in such depth. I do my best.

4. Heaven On Hold by Bryce Fox

Julian feels like a dead man walking. With death knocking at his door and whispering his name from your deck of tarot cards, it seems he’s always minutes away from the afterlife, but never quite getting there.

5. I Need A Doctor by Martin Vide (Remix)

Obligatory meme song about doctors (were you around for all the animation memes they made of this one?). Had to be included. Chose a remix version because the rap lyrics are A) horrible to listen to and B) don’t really fit with the theming I previously laid out at all. Case closed.

6. Living Dead by Marina

Another one about how Julian is walking the line between living and dead. He’s surviving but not really living. Nice little reference to birds and therefore his ‘familiar’, Malak the raven. Touches upon his blossoming feelings for the player very briefly.

7. Whiskey Tango by Jack Savoretti

I promise we’ll get out of the ‘Julian wallows in self pity’ songs soon... this one describes how he feels like he’s stuck, unable to make right what he’s done wrong. He pushes the player away by lying to them and keeping secrets, and yet needs them desperately, running towards the light even though it only leads him further into the darkness.

8. Flesh by Simon Curtis

Hey, it wouldn’t be a Julian playlist without getting sufficiently spicy, would it? (Don’t play this one in the car with your mom...) Inspired by the secret scene backstage in the community theatre (Book VII - The Chariot, Chapter 2), this one dives straight into Julian’s affinity for pain and how for him, it’s also deeply pleasurable. This middle section of songs describes the sexual tension between Julian and the player and the fact that he is probably (definitely) a sub...

9. Bad Romance by Halestorm

Didn’t want to use the original because I feel rock/metal suits Julian a little better than modern pop, plus the singer’s voice is slightly deeper. This one describes the player’s feelings for Julian (and perhaps Julian’s feelings for the player, depending on which way you swing it), and the tantalizing world of danger he offers the player, seducing them into a romance that could put both of their lives at stake. Sexual tension so thick you can cut it with a knife (and we both know he would love that...)

10. Poison (Radio Edit) by Groove Coverage

Completely going against what I said last time and using a pop cover of a rock song (oops!). This song describes the tension on Julian and the player’s relationship due to his dangerous lifestyle and how they both want more of each other but rarely get the chance. The player should heed Julian’s glaring red flags that he may well end up hurting them, and Julian is poisoned by the player’s peppy attitude and refusal to let him self-sacrifice so easily, and tries in vain to drag himself down into the darkness again, pulling away from the player at times.

11. Can’t Help Falling In Love by Pentatonix

Something soft and sweet to offset the sexy tunez previously - Julian finally opens his heart up to the player and lets them in, despite all his instincts telling him it’s a bad idea to get someone he cares for involved in his dire affairs.

12. Believer by Imagine Dragons

This one speaks of pain again, throwing a sly wink in Julian’s direction due to his masochistic nature and also speaking of how the player is helping him to overcome his struggles and how they’re the face of his future and the blood in his veins. The player helps Julian to believe in himself and believe that he can have good things and deserves to live.

13. Nothing To Lose But You by Three Days Grace

Returning to a slightly darker place with a renewed interest in falling into death’s steely grip, Julian struggles with how the player will feel about his death, should it occur. He has nothing left to lose except the player themselves and it’s obvious that it pains him greatly to turn away from them again and face the gallows smiling. He admits how deeply his feelings run for them and how they’re the light of his life.

14. Don’t Let Go by GENTRI

A final song to bring this thrillsome playlist to its conclusion, and something a little different in genre - this song comes from a place of vulnerability for Julian. I imagine he so desperately wants to ask the player for their help, scared of himself and the future, and when they finally have him, he clings to them tightly: “I love you. Don’t let go now.”

And that brings us to our conclusion! Please let me know what you think! What songs would you have included, and did I do a good job picking these ones out? Many thanks for listening/reading and I hope you enjoy getting all the feels for this loveable red-haired rogue.