This game and my Vox Machina family mean the absolute world to me. Being away is ABSOLUTE TORTURE, but just like Pike, sometimes you have to leave the ones you love.

Music is a huge part of my life. In some ways, it’s the easiest way for me to communicate. A song can sometimes best describe the movements and emotions I feel. Putting this list together was so fun and trimming it down to this amount felt like an impossible task! It’s meant to be listened to from beginning to end, like a story (but of course, do as you wish)!

Ashley Johnson – Pike’s Playlist

250,000 Miles – Patty Griffin

Working to rebuild Sarenrae’s lost temple with its cold, stone walls, can feel isolating and bleak. Building something you may never see the completion of can make you wonder if it’s worth it. Worth leaving everyone you love. At times, the miles and miles apart from the family can feel infinite.

Where’d You Go – Fort Minor

“Sometimes I want to quit and just be normal for a bit.” It’s a constant battle. But sometimes, you need to stay behind and get a job done. You may not want to… but you need to.

Exile Vilify – The National

Most days, Pike works hard in restoring the temple but then some days, the loneliness and yearning for her family can be over-whelming. “Exile, it takes your mind.” A decision was made from Sarenrae and sometimes you have to leave the ones you love to work for a greater purpose. This is a trial that Pike must pass.

Holocene – Bon Iver

This song represents the time after Pike was brought back to life from being killed in the fight against the Glabrezu.

In battle, you think you’re invincible. Then, mortality lays it’s heavy blow and life flashes before your eyes. “And at once I knew, I was not magnificent… but I could see for miles and miles and miles…”

After dying, Pike had to leave. Thinking of putting her family in danger and not being there to heal and pull her weight in battle was just too much. Her heart was heavy. She needed to gain physical and mental strength so it would never happen again.

Atlas Hands – Benjamin Francis Leftwich

She joined the crew of The Broken Howl. An unlikely crew member because of her stature but they accepted her and taught her the ways of navigating a ship through treacherous waters. She became strong (and also gained the scar she now wears on her left eye). As they say “The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea.”

She dreamed of home and about a certain someone. Another reason she chose to leave is the desire for the one she really loves (which was hinted at in one of the games). Maybe one day she will tell him, if she ever finds the courage. These lyrics perfectly represent the aching a heart can have for someone you know is all wrong for you.

Hello My Old Heart – The Oh Hellos

Working in the temple, Pike’s mind often drifts to Percy. The worry is almost too much to bear. There’s a battle for his soul and even in the temple, Pike goes to war for him.

“Every day I add another stone

To the walls I’ve built around you

To keep you safe.”

Nothing Like You And I – The Perishers

Even though Pike’s heart belongs to another, it can’t be denied that Pike and Scalan have a special connection. Whatever that turns out to be. 🙂

Brother – NeedToBreathe

These lyrics so perfectly display the love Pike haves for Grog, it makes me tear up a bit. After finding Grog and nursing him back to health after he was left for dead, they became family and Pike will defend him to the death. Besties for life.

“Brother let me be your shelter

I’ll never leave you all alone

I can be the one you call

When you’re low

Brother let me be your fortress

When the night winds are driving on

Be the one to light the way

Bring you home”

Clique – Kanye

Walking into battle with your clique. This one is pretty self explanatory because, well… Vox Machina.

Colour In Your Hands (Feat. Fink) – D.L.i.D.

This is Pike’s battle song. Pike is very conflicted between healing and dealing damage. As we’ve seen, she can get into trouble for her actions. There’s a dark side to Pike that we’ve only seen glimpses of and this song has a little bit of both. The heaviness of having a power that can be used for good or bad. The battle between the light and the dark. Cause let’s be honest, sometimes dealing that final blow can feel oh so good.

Love Is All – Tallest Man On Earth

Pike continually has to fight her inner demons to stay good and pure and true. You try and you try, but sometimes you don’t win that fight. “Love is all, from what I’ve heard, but my hearts learned to kill.”

Coming Home – Diddy

Someday…

Feature image credit: Nikolay Asparuhov