Shadow Stalker (Oathbreakers)

[@abby-zg4rq]

It’s crazy to read Magic’s Promise and hear about how his reputation has spread all over Valdemar (and beyond) via bard’s songs, when those songs actually exist in real life too

[@Beldandy100]

And if you read later on in the series when It is inquired what the history says about Vanyel in Karse, You realize just how terrified the enemies of Valdemar were of him

[@jnharton]

@@Beldandy100 If you’ve read the books, nobody really wants to be on the bad side of a mage adept. A painless death is the least awful thing that could happen. Nor would you want to be the enemy of someone with a magical gift that allowed them to literally incinerate anything they can see (FireStarter). See ‘Lavan Firestorm’. Basically be on your best manners with magic-wielders and otherwise avoid them like the plague. -- To add that, Vanyel is a major hazard because of his unwillingness to compromise on morals. A powerful enemy that you can’t bribe and who both turns your secret weapons (“demons”) against you and can smite you from a distance…

[@RayleighJones]

I just started the series with Arrows, and I was brought to it by the songs (found through suggestions after Sci-fi filk songs). So far enjoying them.

[@TheKhopesh]

When your deeds are so legendary even the bard's songs about them transcend your own universe and bleed into others nearby... XD

[@MrGeneralissimus]

Wait. There is book series about what song is?

[@guinevereeastes8519]

This becomes even more impressive when you think that Vanyel frequently became depressed at Sovven. Sure he was Chosen on Sovven, but only after the person that was literally half of him died earlier that night. He was fighting not only her and her gift, but his own sorrow.

[@arbiterskiss6692]

But he was often so busy during Sovven that he didn't have time to think of Tylendel until it was over.

[@owenmcgee891]

I still cry over 'Lendel, fifteen years after first reading the book

[@lostpupper2632]

@@arbiterskiss6692 because he made sure he was busy so he didn't have time to think of Tylendel.

[@VictusVideos]

Had to get revenge for Mardic and Donnie

[@Isaac-hm6ih]

If he was already dealing with depression, that explains him being able to sense the shadows in the first place. He knows the effect they place on people and has already been fighting it, where people without that experience wouldn't see it.

[@danhelsting6308]

Herald Vanyel - An inspiration to all paladins.

[@Wanderingsage7]

He's more like a Bard to be honest. I agree though.

[@numnumtasty8597]

@Jakub Ziarno If we're talking 5e, Valor 14 Pally 6 is a pretty nice build...

[@shawnwilloughby1003]

He's literally the Herald Mage

[@justsaynotothots2171]

And Mages

[@LoneWolfCrusade]

@@Wanderingsage7 dont need to be a paladin to be an inspiration to them.

[@joserenatomigliorini4627]

3:00 when you succeed the Will save

[@danhelsting6308]

Herald Vanyel - An inspiration to all paladins.

[@hunnybee971]

Ah, this song brings back so many fond memories of books that still sit on shelves in my library which my daugher and grandsons have dubbed 'the dungeon'. When they were young, pre-school, those boys would come to visit and enter with all respect and care to look at 'Mamma Kaye Lee's' room of books. Now they have their own room of books.

[@veliqnespa]

It was just a week till Sovven, and the nights were turning chill And the battle turned to stalemate, double-bluff, and feint and drill When a shadow drifted northward, just a shadow, nothing more. No one noticed that the shadows grew all darker than before. No one noticed while the shadows seemed to creep into the heart, But from then the fight for freedom seemed a fool's quest from the start. All the hopes that they had cherished seem unreasoned and naive Nothing worth the strength to pray for, or to strive for, or believe. And the shadows stole the sunlight from the brightest autumn day, As they sang a song of bleakness that touched every heart that heard As they whispered words of hopelessness, all courage fled away, And they wove a smothering blanket over all, that lived and stirred. Herald Vanyel came upon them, and he sensed a subtle wrong, And there was some magic working; deeply hidden, yes, but strong. And it moved and worked in secret, like a poison in the vein Like a poison meant to weaken, this was magic meant to drain. Herald Vanyel saw the Shadows, and they turned their wiles on him For one moment even he began to feel his spirit dim- But he saw their secret evil, and he swore ere he was done He would stalk and slay these Shadows, and destroy them one by one. Herald Vanyel, Shadow Stalker, hunted Shadows to their doom They turned all their powers upon him, turned away from other men And although they strove to take him, he unwove their web of gloom. So the Shadows fled his anger, their creator sought again. Herald Vanyel faced the Singer who had sung them into life And she sang to him of grief and loss that cut him like a knife. And she sang to him of self-hate, and she wove a net of pain With her songs of woe and hopelessness bent to be Vanyel's bane. 'So now what is there to strive for?' was the song she sang to him. And the Shadow came upon his heart, the world grew gray and dim. But the Singer of The Shadow did not know the foe she fought, Nor how dear he held his duty, nor by what pain power was bought. Herald Vanyel looked upon her, and he saw through her disguise And she strove then to seduce him into death or madness sweet. Herald Vanyel looked within him, and he saw her songs were lies, And he gathered up his magic then, her powers to defeat. Herald Vanyel raised his golden voice and sang of life and light, Of the first cry of a baby, of the silver stars at night. Herald Vanyel sang of wisdom, sang of courage, sang of love, Of the earth's sweet soil beneath him, of the vaulting sky above, Sang of healing, sang of growing, sang of joy and hope and dreams, And the Singer Of The Shadows felt the death of all her schemes. It was then she tried to flee him, but his song and magic spell Struck her down and held her pinioned and she faltered, and she fell. Then the Singer Of the Shadows saw her Shadows shatter there, Saw her lies unmade before her, saw her darkness turned to day And how empty and how petty was the spirit then laid bare- Like her Shadows then she shattered, and in silence passed away.

[@30leaves99]

Thank you for leaving the lyrics here! ❤

[@olivialeger3647]

I wish guitar tabs for these songs exist somewhere T-T Imagine how awesome it would be to learn these badass songs.

[@NuriannaGypsyArts]

Did you ever find them?

[@olivialeger3647]

@@NuriannaGypsyArts No, unfortunately.

[@annawing770]

Who shall be the Herald Vanyel 'gainst the Singers of today? For though our time and place is yet a stranger world away, a world with no clear magic, yet must hold the Singer's curse, for so many see the Shadows and think things are getting worse. People say that things are hopeless and we shouldn't even try, and mere children in the prime of youth all say they wish to die. Burning hate and chilling sorrow now both plague humankind. Oh, who-e'er's our Shadow-Singer, cleanse the doom-shade from thy mind!

[@reddir]

Wow. Brilliant.

[@chrisjones7594]

I will. Night blades rending.

[@TreespeakerOfTheLand]

We will sing together, all who believe, we will sing of hope into the night. We will weave the spell together and tell people of love and light. We will weave a web of love and light, holding it true and with ease. It will be little burden, for together we will carry and find shoulders allied.

[@user-vz3xv8kb3x]

But until we join together, we will each do our part To help the world, to help each other, all we have to do is start. Kindness we will share, empathy we will show, Then when the Singers come, we will all say, "No." We will not listen to their song, we will stand as one, And sing ourselves, as Vanyel did, beneath the rising sun. The darkness will fade, as day comes after night, We will bring the hope. We will bring the light. We will drown out their evil song, hearing only our own. We will show the good in the world, reaping our seeds sown. Then when the Singers hear us, they, too, will realize, That we alone were controlled. We together will rise.

[@marcusc9931]

The greatest rap battles of history

[@dembones8415]

Well fuck your right

[@amarmendiratta8183]

Sorry, that's got to go to the battle of finrod and sauron or eru and melkor

[@arbiterskiss6692]

If I recall the Magic's Promise, he repeated this process twice. Trying to hunt the mage who murdered Mardic and Donni, he didn't know which of Karse's Adept mage's did the deed. So he went after all three. I believe the song describes the chase as Vanyel Stalking the Shadows.

[@kimlindner4033]

From what i was told the story this song tells was just vaguely refered to in the books and that the shadow singer was captured and hung? I dunno funny how he beat her at jer own game though pretty sure Vanyel didnt actually have the bardic gift just a crap ton of others and could mimic it? I only ever got through the first book the writing style was just not for me but i like the stories the songs tell kinda weird to like the stories but not able to get into the actual books enough to finish them.

[@HungryHobbitz]

vanyel did get the bardic gift; he got all of them. the ones he wasn't good at was healing.

[@MoonlighPurrfection]

@@kimlindner4033 He didn't have the Bardic Gift in the beginning, but once his channels were blasted open, he did have the Bardic Gift along with many others. In the book, it was even described as the gods were taking so much from him but at the same time offering the one thing he had always wanted.

[@wickedmagician529]

@@kimlindner4033 Nah, he had it, he just had to get his channels blasted open. I think he had every Gift in the book, although obviously in different amounts - he was strong in Mage-Gift and Bardic, but not so hot in Healing, etc

[@peterwall8191]

To the end of his life he regretted her death, most of every other. She was a kindred spirit, that's why she could not defeat him. Her shadows were a paltry thing, compared with the darkness hidden away in his heart. Yfantes had a job and a half holding him to the straight and narrow. One step from the abyss was Vanyel. Everyone prais3s the herald , everyone forgets the companion.

[@JustARoamer]

I mean, companions are reincarnated Harold's and companion. Well, except for grove born ones. Though I haven't read all of the content

[@eliotreader8220]

@@JustARoamer I think it was hinted that the Companions where former Heralds in the stories.

[@JustARoamer]

@eliotreader8220 I read the wiki a while back and yeah. They are reincarnations of Grove born companions and dead Harold's, though dead Harold's can also choose to be Harold's again, though will loose their memories.

[@eliotreader8220]

@@JustARoamer thanks for letting me know In book three of the founding series I believe that the King’s companion said that the future Companions would be people who had lived. I can’t remember if it specifically mentioned that they were Heralds or not. I am wondering if Kero’s grandma might have become a Companion given her connection to Valdemare and being a powerful White Winds Magician. I understand that it’s mentioned in The vows and Honor series what would happen to Tarma when she passed away but I can’t remember if Lackey mentioned what would happen to Keth if she passed away.

[@JustARoamer]

@eliotreader8220 wow maybe. Vows and honor was actually my first introduction to her written works! Found it through these songs, lol

[@VarianAlastair]

That moment when you realize one of your favorite Lackey songs, particularly relevant right now, was shared by "the Doctor." Ok, ok. I'm listening....!

[@NuriannaGypsyArts]

Which Dr? Which eppisode?

[@wickedmagician529]

This song is what made me want to read Vanyel's story. Vanyel is now one of my favorite fictional characters of all time, and this song among my favorites as well. It has gotten me through some rough times, and I know if Vanyel made it through everything that happened to him, I can get through my comparatively insignificant struggles

[@willisler10]

My sister used sing to me at night to me all the time

[@OrionoftheStar]

I loved the books about Vanyel. So badass...

[@nuissance8600]

Yes. Really underappreciated.

[@mikato2]

his personal life was kinda shit. he didn't give a fat damn about being a badass, or fame, fortune, glory, whatever. he just did his godsdamned job, and it was enough.

[@maryorosco1027]

What was the series can you please tell me I've been looking for new books because I'm almost done with The Legend Of Drizt series.

[@ashwheeler1109]

The Last Herald-Mage Trilogy by Mercedes Lackey Magic's Pawn Magic's Promise Magic's Price.

[@electrofonickitty823]

Yeah it is still my favorite stories

[@maironaulendil972]

If Sauron were a woman and Finrod had won their contest of chant

[@elsalaiho1699]

Honestly I'm more inclined to compare the battle of song between Sauron and Finrod to a certain scene in Kalevala if the characters of Kalevala were clearly good or evil and were at all competent in anything, but you're not wrong :D I'm still kinda sad that we don't get to see the "true events" behind this song in the books, since this takes place between Magic's Pawn and Magic's Promise, so we'll never know how accurate or how far off from truth this is (as in-universe this is meant to be some Bard's tale of the events, and while Bards made everything sound heroic, Vanyel himself regarded all that happened during the war as just terrible, exhausting, and something he had to do because no one else could)

[@stardestroyerism]

Ah, this makes may day seeing this here. He chanted a song of wizardry....

[@Coldyham]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5a6i3aPqr6FbNU

[@maironaulendil972]

@@Coldyham kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHbVXp2Mepl-gKc

[@stellarascendant6437]

I thought the same when I heard this

[@alexandersvideopicks8735]

Awesome! Haunting....

[@chrisjones7594]

Ive called my stones. The lady winds will be done.

[@chrisjones7594]

Do you feel the chill on the breeze?

[@travistruth9169]

Long live the ancestors

[@chrisjones7594]

The whirlwind is at her commamd. Tell me megan. And illl strike them all down.

[@tomrodgers6629]

I like to listen to this song when darkness tries to bring me down. it will fail it does not know the foe it fights.

[@LoneWolfCrusade]

Turnabout is fair play... to bad for her that she couldnt take as well as she gave it

[@greymage5335]

Lol, you've named this after my half elf fighter mage from 1989.

[@cjjacobowitz5093]

Is there a story for this? I would love to read one.

[@SavitarTheSurfingGod]

+Clarissa Jacobowitz Mercedes Lackey Valdemar Series it has a lot of books mostly grouped in Trilogy's from different times and about different people this particular song is from one of the books on Vanyel the Trilogy is called "The Last Herald Mage" and the books in it are Magic's Pawn, Magic's Promise, and Magic's Price. Don't remember which one this song comes in probably Magic's Promise but really you need to read all three to know what is going on reading the rest of the Valdemar series is not necessary to understand those three books though i would recomend it if you like fantasy. The whole Shadow Stalker album is all based on bits and pieces of the three books about Vanyel.

[@cjjacobowitz5093]

I knew that. I own that trilogy. I was wondering if there was a short story on the event portrayed in the song especially.

[@CoffeeCakeNation]

+Clarissa Jacobowitz vanyel has flashbacks to this story towards the end of magics promise

[@MiframSecurity]

Mercedes Lackey said in past interviews that she has no intention of writing books for the stories mentioned within the books. I believe she was referring to Sun & Shadow / Wind Rider at the time.

[@shadowbanisher1]

it is from The Last Herald Mage

[@codyp.1184]

Is this series as good as The Dragon Jouster's Series by Mercedes Lackey.

[@Xarestrill]

I personally think this series is quite a bit better than the dragon jouster's, but you'll have to see what you think.

[@jandex4838]

unequivocally it is. The Last Herald mage is the absolute best series ML has ever written, and that is a hill I am prepared to die upon.

[@Nightshade552]

Yes, yes it is. The whole Valdemar series is absolutely amazing

[@chrisjones7594]

Shadows ciuld never phaze the wind. The lady of thevWind is the last golden light that the wind blows for.

[@the13inquisitor59]

I find myself asking the Singer's question a lot lately.

[@Natalia-nu5se]

then it's a good thing you don't have to fight her...

[@jessicac4082]

I know this is late and may be a more serious reply than intended, but there is *always* something to strive for, be it someone or something. A goal so grand you base your life around it or just getting to the next episode/ volume of your favourite series. If you can't think of something right now, that's okay, you'll find something, you just have to keep looking. Hope you're doing alright.

[@mountaingoat8788]

@@jessicac4082 was not to Late for me Thank you

[@the13inquisitor59]

@@jessicac4082 I'm doing fine thanks. I made this comment in one of my less charitable moods. It wasn't so much about me and my personal life as the state of the world generally and how humourless and hate-filled it's becoming. Especially towards anyone who dares point out some peoples' blatant hypocrisy and dishonesty. You're right, of course, I've just got a misanthropic streak and watching the human race destroy itself and certain factions revel in it is... disheartening, to say the least. Especially with the knowledge that when all is said and done, there'll be no hero in the nick of time. And if there was, they'd likely be branded a villain of some variety.

[@jessicac4082]

@@the13inquisitor59 I know this is a very late reply but I think of the current state of the world as the beginning of a book, you know the first few pages where everything sucks. the difference is that instead of one or a few heroes we need thousands, thankfully there are more and more people going out and making a change be it big or small. hope you're still doing alright.

[@splorg64]

Oh, I rather like this.

[@Lincoln-q6s]

Wouldn't it be grand if that's how it played out today

[@kaleyeantaris6167]

Does anyone know the chords to this?

[@m4nuz]

ohh nice.. what i found here

[@chrisjones7594]

Aria seth sadie

[@SirMandokarla]

To be honest, at that point in her career, Mercedes Lackey was a better songwriter than a novelist.

[@jandex4838]

Considering that The Last Herald Mage is the absolute best work she ever wrote... I can't say I can agree. I will toast to her being awesome and both song and story writing.🍹

[@stoneybrotherbass]

am i the only one that wants Iron Maiden to cover this

[@narvesen7657]

Sigma male Vanyel

[@jandex4838]

Our Man Van was the entire freakin' alphabet.

[@murlocknight1427]

Local man too depressed and gay to fall to evil song?

[@RichardLeslieWhereat]

Ah, edgy batman wannabe.

[@casarocio4762]

Richard Whereat this comment made my day XD

[@RichardLeslieWhereat]

SV?