After finding out that the Critical Role cast creates accompanying essays/explanations of their character playlists, I was inspired to do the same. I'm not great at creating playlists with overarching vibes, themes, or even similar genres. Most of these picks are just songs that, over the years, have reminded me of some of the characters and relationship dynamics. I've ordered them to vaguely follow the emotional/story arc of the fic.

Playlist can be found on Youtube under the name "The FTSOF Playlist".

"The Mighty Fall" by Fall Out Boy

I couldn't think of a better way to open the playlist than with the song that inspired the name for Part III of FTSOF. Yes, I tried.

They fall in love, how the mighty fall, the mighty fall, the mighty fall

Oh, how the mighty fall in love

"Demons" by Imagine Dragons

Rumple's theme.

A song for a man wracked with guilt for his past, who is afraid to let others get close enough to hurt him and to be hurt- but who is, ultimately, motivated by love.

Don't wanna let you down, but I am hell-bound

Though this is all for you, don't wanna hide the truth

No matter what we breed, we still are made of greed

This is my kingdom come, this is my kingdom come

"Brother" by Madds Buckley

Ellyn's theme.

When I first heard this song, I was struck with how closely it parallels the emotional arc Ellyn has and will go through regarding her relationship with her little brother, starting with Oh brother of mine, it's been a long, long time / Since I've seen my face in your eyes, and ending with Oh brother I am home in the fires of our youth/ I could care less if it hurts you anymore. Ellyn needs to come to terms with the childhood traumas she shared with her brother, make peace with the fact that she could not protect him from it, and recognize that sometimes she should choose herself and her own happiness over her brother's.

Oh brother, I see

You burn like me

The singes on our skin like a brand

Oh brother, I confess

There is little of me left

That could care about dousing the wildfire

"Just A Man" by Jorge Rivera-Herrans

A song for some of the doubts and woes that Rumple and Ellyn have in common. Graham reminds them both of the boys they raised, lost, and are desperate to see again. Hand-in-hand with this desperation is the fear that when they do find their boys, they will be unrecognizable to them- or worse, unforgivable.

Deep down I would trade the world to see my son and wife

I'm just a man

But when does a comet become a meteor?

When does a candlе become a blaze?

Whеn does a man become a monster?

"Drive" by Halsey

A song for a pair of idiots who care deeply for each other, but are terrified to admit it.

Your laugh echoes down the highway

Carves into my hollow chest, spreads over the emptiness

It's bliss

It's so simple but we can't stay

Over analyze again, would it really kill you if we kissed?

"Coming Down" by Halsey

Another Halsey song? Another Halsey song from the same album? Most of the Badlands album could fit in this part of the playlist, so really, I'm showing restraint.

This one in particular made it because it captures the guilt and resignation of someone who knows that they're in love with the wrong person, and that they will pay for it... but don't want it to end.

I've got a lover, a love like religion

I'm such a fool for sacrifice

/

I've got a lover and I'm unforgiven

I'm such a fool to pay this price

"Guiding Light" by Mumford & Sons

Relying on each other to be able to stay sane and hold out hope for a better future.

But fix your eyes on me

I guess I'm all you have

And I swear you'll see the dawn again

"Georgia Law Man" by Poor Man's Poison

He said, "We're gonna die today but I loved you all the way

And I'd go right down to Hell just to set you free

And I'd find a way to promise you forever

Even if forever means dying right here with you next to me"

"Evermore" by Dan Stevens and Alan Menken

As Dostoyevsky said, "Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing compared to love in dreams". It can be bittersweet and achingly melancholy. A song for the pain of parted lovers, and for the hope of meeting again.

I'll never shake away the pain

I close my eyes but she's still there

I let her steal into my melancholy heart

It's more than I can bear

"Blood on My Name" by Brothers Bright

A requiem. Everything comes with a price; you can avoid it for a little while, but the bill always comes at the end. How do your debts get paid, indeed.

Not a spell gonna be broken with a potion or a priest

When you're cursed, you're always hopin' that a prophet would be grieved

Oh, Lazarus, how did your debts get paid?

Oh, Lazarus, were you so afraid?

"The Greyhound" by Heather Dale

The epilogue of our playlist. Rum and Ellyn have their own themes, and in honor of (and hope for) the future epilogue of For the Sake of Family, this song is Davey Jones' theme.

So put your back into it lads, and haul against the thunder

Curse the Reaper, bend your back and cheat your sorry grave!

And cry a prayer into the winds the ship won't pull us under

Curse the Reaper, bend your back and cheat your sorry grave!