Running Up That Hill - a Dungeons and Dragons Inspired Cover

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Hey hey guys!
I made this video mainly because I wanted to hear this song as an epic orchestra version, and wanted to stretch my chops with my arrangement skills! I am overall pleased considering I built this in just a little free time I had.
Ilyana (the character in question) has been through two different campaigns, Tomb of Annihilation and Waterdeep Dragon Heist. If you know those stories maybe you can make guesses to stuff.
Hope you enjoy!
Lyrics:
It doesn't hurt me.
Do you want to feel how it feels?
Do you want to know that it doesn't hurt me?
Do you want to hear about the deal that I'm making?
You, it's you and me.
And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
If I only could, oh...
You don't want to hurt me,
But see how deep the bullet lies.
Unaware I'm tearing you asunder.
Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts.
Is there so much hate for the ones we love?
Tell me, we both matter, don't we?
You, it's you and me.
It's you and me won't be unhappy.
And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building,
Say, if I only could, oh...
You,
It's you and me,
It's you and me won't be unhappy.
"C'mon, baby, c'mon darling,
Let me steal this moment from you now.
C'mon, angel, c'mon, c'mon, darling,
Let's exchange the experience, oh...
And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.
If I only could, I'd be running up that hill..
And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.
And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.
If I only could
Be running up that hill
With no problems...
"If I only could, I'd be running up that hill.
If I only could, I'd be running up that hill."

[@scaringthecrow]

A certain Double Life AMV brought me here.

[@wdf_skar]

ditto, does it break your soul too?

[@starstruck_gay]

That brings back memories-

[@NightStalkerTBO]

The same.

[@Weirdbrit]

This reminds me of the of an NPC my players once encountered. She was a cold, hardened fighter and leader, obsessed with never stopping and was always the first one in the battle. My players disliked her, since she was very harsh to anyone that showed any sign of weakness and oftentimes send soldiers home for no apparant reason. Or so it seemed. Until her backstory was revealed. She was an adventurer, with a kind soul and a big smile. No matter what she had to fight and overcome, she was always hopeful and a beacon of light to other. Thats because she had someone at home she wanted to see again, a husband that waited for her, that she was able to see whenever she came back from her travels. That was until she was gone for a year, lost in the depth of a mountain, losing her whole party and encountering any nightmare imaginable. Her only hope was her husband and after she alone was able to return, she got told that he got killed trying to protect children in an alley. He was not a fighter, just a normal person, but just as nice as she was. She broke and decided to fight any evil that resides in the world, until no one had to go through what she went through. The reason she was so harsh to others was to test them and to not let anyone in. And whenever she send someone away from the frontlines, it was because she overheared that they had someone at home, waiting for them. My player literally started crying hearing her backstory revealed after years of hating her. They thought she was just some "I hate everyone weak" NPC. I was so happy they reacted that way. As a DM, that is something I will always remember.

[@gandarf80]

im incredibly tempted to make this my next character backstory....wow

[@LadyGameshine]

Ow. Now I want to cry, this is amazing

[@smokescreen100]

Your ideas=my next character. Thank you, have a good day

[@midnights2631]

I'm sobbing, I love the backstory.

[@francisweller839]

Many people can sing, draw, animate, and tell stories. Very, very few can do all of them with the level of skill and cohesion you have, especially as regularly as you do

[@REDACTED-ny4st]

Must have rolled a NAT 20.

[@DarktoLight561]

Ey 😏

[@onryo4583]

Is just makes is song be even more good and inspiring and I think some 70s 80s and 90s songs can work together DND to make a good campaign and I would seeing a DND campaign like that

[@totaltcl1099]

She's a bard? What did you expect? Fucking great!

[@ChichiAi]

AAAAAAH CAMI THIS TURNED OUT SO GOOD!!! And the video that went with it, you’ve outdone yourself!!

[@Cami-Cat]

AAAAA THANK YOU LOVE!!

[@AMPMASTER10]

@@Cami-Cat Hey Cami...I have a question. Who does she want to swap places with?

[@crimsonlastflags1059]

@@Cami-Cat I'm sure you've heard the news about techno so I'm curious will you do a tribute song? I'm just curious is all, obviously you don't have to, you do what you want to do don't let anybody or anything stop you... Unless it's illegal in which case I'd really rather you not. Okay anyways I'm getting a bit weird so I'll stop now, but you keep doing you Cami cause your music has helped and is helping me and other people through tough times. Oh and Chi-Chi if for some crazy reason you read all of that then first wow 2nd you're music helps others including myself as well

[@gandarf80]

@@crimsonlastflags1059 i just want to make sure you saw "Woe to the people of order".... been sometime since you asked and i dont see an answer

[@gandarf80]

@@AMPMASTER10 i know im 8 months late for this reply but i would assume her party

[@nightowlkid]

0:52 ~Level 1-5 : “The new adventure” 2:19 ~Level 5-10: “Llyana the freed” 2:50 ~Level 10-15: “The One Eyed Hero” 4:09 ~Level 15-20: “The Golden one of The Forgotten Realms”

[@gravatea8681]

Yeah that seems about right. Though I'd call her "The Golden Lion." But then, I'm dramatic.

[@ericbowens2310]

It works insanely well with the song

[@mr.perish6799]

where can I watch the games with her? I have to know her story

[@Stormwolf442]

@@gravatea8681 I mean, I think "The Golden Lioness" would be better since she's... You know, female. 😋

[@kingofvoid2323]

intresting

[@gabebaum6527]

That poor girl needs a hug, there's so much trauma there. Excellent work as always.

[@gabebaum6527]

Okay now that I'm listening to this again, holy fuck is the orchestral part of this song stellar. I'm already having that itch I sometimes get to wear I want to find the appropriate sheet music and get some friends together so we can play it because the orchestra behind is epic all on its own, and the vocals really do just elevate the song that much more. Definitely something I'll have stuck in my head for a bit

[@tassadarc8069]

Tomb of Annihilation is like that.

[@gabraelmoloney3541]

I havent been following the stream but i really hope they saved her. her in later episodes. the art suggests yess but from the later art... not to good news. poor girl

[@canyunhicks1587]

@@gabraelmoloney3541 what stream? is this from an actual campaign

[@draconicisha]

@@canyunhicks1587 from 2 actually yeah

[@OLuvMusicO]

Live long enough to see yourself become a villain but not in this, this girl keeps on fighting to beat the odds, no matter how many people she has lost.

[@charlieayer2459]

A new camicat song within two weeks of her latest one?!?!?! Talk about fortunate! Thank you so much for the music Cami! May RNG-sus bless thy Luck in the dice rolls!

[@Linguz]

So

[@payton278YT]

SUS?!

[@emeraldmoth3977]

She spoiling us so good xO

[@dragonsofstorm4340]

Do they need more luck? They already get a nat 20 on every performance roll!

[@FreshyKanal]

love love love this arrangement and your voice of course, amazing job, cant wait for the second half of season 4

[@tabletopnephilim4633]

Does that mean the campaign this character is from can be watched? Because if yes, I would like to watch it.

[@Missiletainn]

@@tabletopnephilim4633 its a song from stranger things

[@jackwriter1908]

​​@@Missiletainn that song is more than 35 years old, so no. it is not from stranger things. it was maybe used in the show, which is from where you recognize it, but the song isn't from the show. ...but I guess you meant with your statement that the second half of the fourth season was meant for stranger things.

[@tabletopnephilim4633]

@@Missiletainn I asked about the character in the video, not the song.

[@Missiletainn]

@@jackwriter1908 I was talking about the season 4 comment, but yes it isnt "from" stranger things, but its easier to type "the song is from stranger things" than "the song was covered becaused it appeared in stranger things season 4 part 1"

[@TheWolfwitch479]

came from Everen double life video to like and sub keep it up

[@Metzwerg74]

never thought tis song would get a decent cover.... but this was really a good cover, where it lacks the clearness of the original it excells in power and the "grit" on the voice that is heard at the end, really helps to deliver the story.... great job..... amazing......

[@nekogod]

Both Track & Field and Placebo did fantastic covers

[@Metzwerg74]

@@nekogod would have been the first thing that placebo did good.....

[@MisterVarlet]

I'll second the track & field version of the song. The version they played in warehouse 13 was amazing

[@ReaperBuildsRC]

after seeing the double life animatic...I had to come over and subscribe to show my support. I love your cover of the song...more so than the original, no joke. It just hits perfectly! Awesome job!!!!

[@charauniverse]

AAAAAAAA *IM JUST REMEMBERING WHEN THE TOA GROUP HAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO ILYANNA AND I HAVE FEELINGS*

[@blakechandler167]

Now I’m so curious what happened to this Ilyanna

[@robopope7584]

@@blakechandler167 it seems she has gone through Tomb of Annihilation (from experience I can say characters will experience plenty of trauma. Mine got survivor’s guilt in the TOA campaign my group did.) AND Waterdeep Dragon Heist (unfinished for their group). WDH isn’t too traumatic, fortunately.

[@WeaponizedAutismiii]

Was this in a streamed game or private only?

[@charauniverse]

@@WeaponizedAutismiii It was on over Internet Remix for ToA. Their waterdeep game is a private game but yeah.

[@WeaponizedAutismiii]

@@charauniverse thanks fam

[@gardenshed6043]

Saw this used in an animatic for Double Life (Great series you should check out). Beautiful cover. Honestly prefer it to the original.

[@patrickhallett6220]

Who is this character?!?! I must know!! Based on what I can gleam from the animatic (SPOILERS AHEAD), it seems like this person was part of an adventuring group following the Tomb of Annihilation story, but they were captured by the Yuan-Ti upon reaching Omu. However, Ilyana here willingly let them take her prisoner in exchange for letting the party continue their journey. There she likely stayed for years, subject to untold horrors at the hands of the Yuan-Ti, until she somehow got out (escaped, freed, can't tell) and fled to Waterdeep. There were some people there who looked out for her, but the trauma she endured in Chult has left her scarred, physically and mentally, making it difficult for her to live a normal life anymore. Cami, am I at least on the right track? Either way, brilliant cover and amazing story! Center of the target, as per usual :)

[@GioFireheart]

I’m actually feeling the emotions in my chest right now this is crazy. The arrangement makes this feel so cinematic and desperate 😭 Time and again you get me so invested in a story in just a matter of minutes!

[@Pizzagulper]

I feel like i need to hear her story now. I don't even care about the modules being spoiled. This has really inspired me with character ideas.

[@jananay2768]

I haven’t yet started, but I’m already so excited. A cover of Running up that Hill? So soon?! Inspired by D&D?!! Truly, we are blessed

[@aninnocentbystander119]

The armor plus the eyepatch and the lyrics remind me of Dimitri from Fire Emblem Three Houses. He had a story arc much like this.

[@mr.perish6799]

I may or may not have clicked on because I thought it was Didi

[@zeniomozara1280]

Yes!!! Yes yes yes, the exact reason why I clicked.i didn't even know what the video was about I just saw what looked like Dimitri and clicked lol

[@JaelinBezel]

I just remember him going feral and getting executed

[@mordredpendragon1235]

Same here

[@dragonstouch1042]

@@mr.perish6799 hard same

[@robopope7584]

I love the expressive elf ears! It’s a small detail, but it’s really nice to see and adds a lot to the impact of the scenes of fear for me.

[@AfroLegacy]

Yessss, love how this came out!! Vocals are just perfect, you're incredible Cami 🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@Paytonzane]

I can't stop coming back to this song. I know Tomb of Annihilation and Dragon's Heist very well. I get what's happening in the scene where she's put in the 'well' under a grate and her eyes changing color afterwards; that's the Yaun-Ti Ritual. And, is that a Flametonge or a Sunsword? Either way, such a badass weapon. I'd love to see a write-up or even just a written summary of your character's stories sometime.

[@otlan2724]

Her Enemies: "Finally, we've Broken her ~ !" The Gods: "Yes...and now she comes to brake you..."

[@chaoitcdie6444]

Sorry to nitpick, but it’s “break” not “brake”. Just gad to say it.

[@otlan2724]

@@chaoitcdie6444 Thank you n_n .

[@Onua118]

Alternative The Gods: You shouldn't have done that. You should NOT have done that.

[@dravenocklost4253]

@@chaoitcdie6444 had* :p

[@redspyke8227]

I like this.

[@earclops7583]

Damn you weren't kidding in that stream, when you said this girl NEEDS a break. This was a really well put together song too really enjoyed it!

[@einsteiner2249]

Came here from another animatic which had this song just to say, phenomenal job on the song! Love the passion put into the lyrics, and the orchestral background is perfect.

[@Ghalaghor_McAllistor]

No matter how many pieces you break into, you can always put them back together and become something new. Not all cracks can be seen from the outside so make sure to use your emotions to keep them from getting bigger. And even if they grow, you can always put yourself together again piece for piece until a new artwork is made.

[@Davx_87]

Im a simple person. I see Cami drop a new song. I click.

[@deepseastonecore3017]

How often do l make jokes about chemistry? Periodically.

[@birubu]

Okay yes the song is brilliant but I really want to understand the story of this girl. I’m too small brained to put it together even after rewatching it twice

[@Cami-Cat]

I purposely keep it pretty vague because of a few things. Primarily her story spans over two pre-made modules for DnD, Tomb of Annihilation and Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. I have answered this tho on my patron discord, and if there’s enough demand I’ll add her story to the description of the video!

[@birubu]

@@Cami-Cat Thank you! I’m always intrigued with the stories of the characters which you tie to each song. Usually, I feel it adds a lot to or even changes the meaning behind the lyrics, at least it does for me. Alone is a perfect example, since I nearly cried on first listen and then bawled on the second one once I had context.

[@ShadowZealot7]

@@Cami-Cat I also cast my vote towards adding some of her story in the description. Love the song! Been listening to it repeatedly today lol!

[@melchiorzibeon5024]

​@@Cami-Cat I would also like to vote in favor of this! I am also too small brained for this.

[@Stardipped_Paws]

@@Cami-Cat This is late but I'd also like to cast my vote to see her story in the description! Her story is so intriguing to me, as a person who is drawn to dnd but is too shy to play it ;)

[@xenoexe4954]

Man 20/20 on every dnd song performance check.

[@mighty_polar_bear3786]

You can really hear the emotions AND see them in Cami Cats characters. Another favorite I can’t wait to rewatch!

[@insanitysymphony9175]

Only heard a little and can already tell it's amazing your voice is so angelic

[@littleraptor2297]

Incomes another masterpiece by Cami-Cat. Absolutely phenomenal!

[@ravenrose_99]

OMG This is incredible!!!! You showed the growth of the character so perfectly and each updated image of the character gave me chills! Amazing!!!

[@luigiboi4244]

You really went above and beyond in this one Cami! Never have I wanted to give a "fictional character" a hug before. (I put Fictional character in quotes because from a certain point of view every D&D character is a shard of their creators' self)

[@jameskurth3560]

Fiction is just another world. Within the heart of everyone may be a hero. Even if only for a few hours on Tuesday night.

[@jackiecozzie4803]

I agree, though D&D is fiction, it's such a unique and incredibly special form of fiction due to the power it holds in representing the player's psyche and allowing them to work through issues first-hand rather than vicariously through a TV character

[@mordredpendragon1235]

I love the fact that after rewarding this like 10 times over you realize that she has the same sword but it burns brightly over time

[@kasgeroth]

I actually like this version better than the original, it seems more emotionally impacted and you can feel it in the voice.

[@GlitchGhost1285]

Whoa not only a great song but it felt like I was watching this character´s whole journey. Give me a d12 because I feel inspired yo. :)

[@OneSpikeyGuy]

Another d&d song! You are spoiling us with great tunes cami!

[@Drakefallen]

Beautiful! Man, your arrangements always make me deeply interested in knowing more about the characters in them!

[@ElbyHere]

Killer work, can definitely feel the emotion, both from the song itself and the drawings.

[@thomaskalland9276]

God damn… I make playlists for all of my characters that when you listen to them in order it tells the story of what had happened to them before they met the party, and this is immediately gonna get added to a number of them

[@deathzilla964]

This song is Beautiful

[@space_0wl480]

So I know nothing of the characters being portrayed here, right? Stumbled here through youtube recomandations. But oh boy. The sheer emotion in your voice made me cry. Congratulations, really. You're an amazing singer

[@willieoelkers5568]

Once again you just knock it out of the park with a powerful and haunting piece! This was just epic

[@ZarloSkald]

I love the storyline told in the animations, and the cover is so good! Keep up your work!

[@user-kp2tu6hz7i]

i like the scratchy-ness of cami-cats voice, its just so, pleasing to the ears

[@hunterfrymire5576]

I really like this, your cover is beautiful and the story you tell is great. It's wonderful seeing the evolution of a character and seeing them side by side in such a way as this is amazing. Great job.

[@TheGameRonin0619]

Your character survived Waterdeep and the Tomb of Annihilation! Holy shit! Ok! That's awesome!

[@FabulousFemFiend]

Fuck this hits in the feels. Absolutely wonderfull work. Character growth and beautiful story telling.

[@KyrasTheMoontamer]

This is an absolutely amazing arrangement! I've always been inspired by your music, and this one has not only plucked the pen from the pits but I admit has gotten this fool to feel a bit of emotion again! Keep up this amazing work!

[@spartanarthus]

This gave me chills. Your voice is amazing!

[@starkmandalore6570]

Amazing arrangement Cami! The emotion in the vocals hit hard and I love the art you did showing some of Ilyana's journey!

[@Starrie-o]

I know that this is a lil older at this point, but I swear words are not capable of expressing how much I love this cover. Your voice is so beautiful and brings (what I'm guessing is) the pain and emotion of the character in the video in so amazingly. Every so often that "no problems" will play in my head and I have to come back to listen to this. ❤

[@notoriousgoblin83]

Going through the goddamn Tomb of Annihilation and only losing an eye is quite possibly a legendary feat

[@hanfletch5388]

This brought up so many emotions! This is so so good! It definitely makes me think of my own dnd character. Beautiful, beautiful video and music!

[@bassettehound]

God you're so amazing! This is so bone-chillingly beautiful

[@skyeshi3570]

I want to thank ya for making this, Really helping me with some of my characters, and me myself

[@sunbaoth611]

Oh my god.. i feel some power in this music i love your cover and your art so much

[@Nenorama]

Cami just consistently slays like no tomorrow!!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@benitoslair]

Powerful mix of art and music here! Really get a feel for what she's been through, poor girl needs a break!

[@KaylaPearlCPNinja]

I absolutely love this version of this song! Especially because I have started getting into Dungeons & Dragons.

[@Flamus_12_]

Can’t wait for more your music is always incredible Even tho I’m not a stranger things fan the opening is amazing

[@alvinleonardo1263]

This song was beautiful, so elegant and emotional. I love it ❤️

[@wonderfulpaperz1761]

This is crazy... I got chills halfway through, very well done!

[@archiestephan2595]

This is one of my fave songs of all time. So excited you did something with it, cause I love your content as well. Win Win!

[@Captain_Reaper]

This is amazing, and I'm fighting tears over here in the flight deck of my plane watching and listening. Holy shit, Cami.

[@laurenekins8986]

Stars above! So your version was the first time I heard this song. Since then, I’ve listened to the original and a few covers and they can’t even compete with how amazing this is!! Your orchestral music is stunning and truly adds this wonderful depth to the song. Not to mention, your voice is gorgeous as ever! And your artwork is beyond amazing!! Incredible job!! I’m going to go back to listening to this on repeat now!

[@Xenodragon]

Wow...Cami, I think this is your best arrangement to date. It hit perfectly.

[@UltimateInnerSpirit]

This brought tears to my eyes! So beautiful and heart-wrenchingly touching!

[@REDWOLF5652]

Heavy and haunting! Marvelous work!

[@thomastobin736]

Love the character you've made and their story/style progression throughout the song, as well as your cover of this song is amazing!

[@petercooper456]

Darwin’s Beard those are pretty unforgiving quests especially the Tomb it’s why my thief is so paranoid

[@Sparkle8205]

chills.. this song is so powerful and it gave me goosebumps and chills all down my arms and legs.. holy moly!!

[@slyfirefly]

Nothing makes the greater evening than Cami's beautiful voice, amazing video, incredible arrangement skills and our beloved girl Ilyana with the stories to tell.

[@o0bookwyrmknight0o]

Everything from the art to the singing, is beautiful. Good job!

[@cozumcosbourne6089]

The orchestral bits and your voice work so well with this song. Had only heard the Placebo version of this prior to Stranger Things and I feel like this combines what I like about that cover and the original into something awesome. Very cool :D

[@JanTuts]

I used to think Within Temptation's cover was "the original" (and also my favourite song of theirs), until I discovered Kate Bush' actually original, which remains my favourite version in general. :)

[@garrettnoid8681]

The emotion at the end. Can't get enough

[@trevynlane8094]

And anouther awesome experience from Cami. Thank you.

[@JJW-md3qc]

Love this! Just finished a six year campaign and this couldn’t have come out at a more perfect time than this. The loss of his loved ones syncs so well with this song as well! Again camicat killing it with these songs and art story telling!

[@deathtor3ality803]

Really intriguing storyline and great vocals!! I won’t lie, I got surprisingly invested😅 Great job Cami!!

[@jellyfishdonut]

Shivers. I love all your videos, but I think this one's my new favorite!

[@Fabyskan]

This scene hit so dam.... Great work Cami As always

[@shanesams6942]

heard this song so many times. I don't know the story behind the immages but you singing it brought me to the edge of tears almost instantly. Braavo

[@jimdandy6124]

Love it!!!! It’s brilliant, amazing, fantastic, just so much eeeeeeee!❤️❤️❤️

[@mr.shgamingguy]

So cool and yet I want to sing just love it.

[@uksoloz]

as always i feel the chills building haha love it :D

[@zoeernst5124]

I love this so much! I really wish i got more of the story cause it seems like such a cool character progression!

[@dextra_24703]

Cami you really have such a beautiful voice, really makes me smile when I hear it.

[@endernile8182]

The cover is so good! You did an awesome work with it!

[@FreyaofCerberus]

Whelp this made me cry, which I consider the highest mark of story-telling. Bloody brilliant, the art the music. Everything. Well done.

[@charlesdewitt8087]

Is there somewhere one can find a summary of the character's story? I'm having trouble interpretation the animation.

[@hornettecco7499]

She's talked about the character a few times in livestreams. Beyond that I'm not sure.

[@weezact7]

As always amazing voice and amazing visuals

[@Sundershard]

An incredible piece as usual Cami-Cat :D *TwoThumbs Up!*

[@noxactis8011]

This arrangement is so so beautiful aaaaaaaaaaaa

[@vazak11]

Amazing vibes!

[@alexbond2691]

Ok this is really good I get literal chills every time I listen to it

[@theultrasceptile]

All these songs… why are you so freaking talented? Teach me your singing ways, master…

[@Dirge14th]

Oh this hit me in the feels! Good stuff!

[@ChrisSingsYT]

Brilliant stuff Cami!! 👏🏻