Game Composer’s Guide to RPG Music: Creating Soundtracks for Open-Ended Storytelling
Lore of aetherra: The lost druid
“The cloaked indosian”
The Lore of Aetherra RPG Series: World-Building Through Story and Sound
Lore of Aetherra (LOA) is a richly developed fantasy RPG series that blends deep world-building with immersive storytelling. Known for its intricate lore, unique settings, and compelling characters, LOA provides a vast and evolving world for players to explore. Each installment expands upon the mythology and history of Aetherra, offering new adventures while maintaining a creative narrative foundation and soundtrack.
My Creative Role in The Lost Druid & Dark Symmetry
Quick context before diving in! For those that don’t know me, I’m jessy ribordy, and I am the composer of both lore of aetherra: the lost druid (watch trailer) and Lore of Aetherra: dark Symmetry (Trailer), including all sound design of the series on the alchemy rpg platform. In addition to my musical role, I am also the lore and world builder of both Lore of Aetherra games and author (check out more writing projects here) of The Lost Druid book. These were super cool projects to be part of, so I’m stoked to talk about my experience writing the music! Let’s dive in.
composing for open ended games, specifically rpgs
When composing music for RPGs, the goal isn’t to dictate the narrative but to enhance it. The music should complement the tone and mood of the story while remaining open-ended enough to allow players to forge their own paths. Since every player's journey is unique, the score should provide an atmosphere that guides emotions without being too prescriptive.
One key approach I take is creating a musical bed or drone that sets the scene while introducing subtle thematic elements in waves. Rather than overwhelming the gameplay with dominant themes, I prefer to let melodies emerge naturally, ensuring that they don’t clash with dialogue-heavy moments. The challenge is to strike a balance between subtlety and engagement—keeping the music intriguing but not overpowering while also crafting music that feels embedded in the story itself, rather than simply standing next to it.
Scoring for the Scene, Not the Event
Instead of scoring specific plot points—since the story varies for every player—I focus on the broader atmosphere of a scene. Take, for example, a voyage across the ocean in search of treasure. The journey could involve battles, quiet nights under the stars, or moments of camaraderie. Rather than scoring for potential combat or specific interactions, I compose to evoke the feeling of being on a ship in open waters—the mystery, adventure, and anticipation of the unknown.
This approach allows the music to be flexible and immersive. The score should support the emotions tied to exploration and possibility rather than forcing a reaction. If the music were too prescriptive—such as an intense combat theme when no fight is happening—it would break immersion. Instead, the composition should create a dynamic, living world where players feel emotionally connected to the setting without being pushed in any one direction.
Favorite Track from The Lost Druid
One of my favorite compositions for Lore of Aetherra: The Lost Druid was Lunar Road. This piece was written for a setting called The Flickering Fingers, an alley reminiscent of a medieval fantasy version of the Las Vegas Strip. Players could explore gambling dens, watch a play, or even end up in a bar fight. To capture this dynamic environment, I created a musical bed inspired by the lively atmosphere of Bourbon Street, blending jazz undertones with medieval instrumentation like harps and clarinets. The result was a festive yet slightly unpredictable track, reflecting both the excitement and the subtle danger of the location.
What made this track special was how it embodied both my storytelling and musical styles. I envisioned this part of Aetherra and built it with a specific musical fingerprint—melding world-building with composition. Because I had a hand in designing this setting, I could craft music that felt deeply intertwined with the narrative. The challenge was making something engaging yet open-ended enough that players could experience the environment in their own way.
Another reason I loved composing Lunar Road was that it danced along the edge of being busy but never crossed into overwhelming. I wanted a track that had energy, movement, and a touch of mystery. The score had to feel like a party—one where anything could happen. Whether the players were drinking, laughing with friends, getting into a fight, or encountering a mysterious individual, the music supported all those possibilities without forcing one outcome.
RPG vs. Video Game Scoring
Additionally, this track highlights one of the main differences between RPG scoring and video game scoring. Unlike structured video games, which often have direct cues triggering music in response to events, RPGs require a more fluid approach. The scene doesn’t unfold in front of you like a movie, meaning there's less direction in the music. Open-world video games are closer to RPG scoring in that they share this dynamic quality, whereas more linear video games provide clear narrative beats for composers to follow. Understanding this distinction is crucial for crafting music that truly feels at home in an RPG setting.
Favorite Track from Dark Symmetry
For Lore of Aetherra: Dark Symmetry, my standout composition was Phosphorescence. This piece underscored a moment in a medieval empire that, on the surface, seemed ordinary. However, the scene revolved around a character with a deeply emotional backstory. Instead of scoring the broader setting, I chose to reflect the character’s internal struggle, resulting in a nostalgic and heartbreaking piece.
Unlike typical RPG compositions that remain neutral, this track subtly guided players' emotions. Without dictating their choices, the wistful and melancholic tones encouraged a sense of empathy, influencing how players might interact with the character and the story. While RPG scoring often avoids direct emotional manipulation, this was an instance where leaning into the drama served the narrative without imposing on the player's agency.
What made Phosphorescence unique was that it was one of the rare moments in an RPG score where I could push a specific emotion while still maintaining player freedom. The music suggested a tone rather than enforcing it. If someone is hearing this wistful, heartbreaking music, they may not be as inclined to make a ruthless choice. Instead, the score subtly nudges them toward compassion. This is a powerful tool—one that composers must use sparingly but effectively when the moment is right.
How RPG Composers Influence Player Experience
Although the music in an RPG doesn’t directly dictate what happens, it does play a role in shaping how players feel about their journey. This is where the power of subtlety comes in. A well-crafted RPG score doesn’t tell players how to feel—it creates an atmosphere that allows them to feel something on their own terms.
For example, if players enter a ruined temple filled with ancient relics, the score might not be overtly ominous. Instead, it could have an air of mystery—low, droning notes with faint echoes of a forgotten melody, like the ambient soundtrack of Breath of the Wild. In that video game, the music subtly shifts to match the environment, allowing players to feel the ancient grandeur or quiet desolation of a place without being explicitly told how to react. This approach doesn’t force fear or awe but instead leaves room for players to interpret the space however their imaginations take them, which is very similar to RPG composing.
On the other hand, when I scored Phosphorescence, I did take the opportunity to push the emotions just slightly further than normal because I felt in that particular scene it was important to. The goal wasn’t to necessarily manipulate, but to act as a guiding presence—an invisible hand steering the mood just enough to create a more impactful experience. I wouldn't say this is the norm though for this type of game scoring. Again, it's why I enjoyed getting to compose Phosphorescence, I chose to bend the rules.
At its core, RPG composition isn’t just about writing music—it’s about shaping the story without taking control of it. A talented composer knows how to create music that feels one with the story, rather than outside of it (read more about it here). When done well, the score blends seamlessly with the world, making the experience more immersive and memorable for every player who embarks on their own unique journey.
You can purchase the books and soundtrack over on alchemy rpg’s website
