Greetings, wanderers!
I’m Elrehon, the Wandering Bard, and today I invite you to sit by the fire (or your favorite screen) as we travel behind the score of one of my latest compositions: the Encyclopedia Theme from Nexomon 3.
This piece was commissioned by Vewo Interactive for the latest devlog of Nexomon 3, specifically for the in-game encyclopedia, a section that gathers knowledge, lore, and history from the Nexomon world. My goal? To compose a soundtrack that feels wise, ancient, and noble… yet calm enough to sit quietly in the background, supporting the story without ever stealing the spotlight.
🎼 The Challenge: Weight and Wonder
Writing this track was like walking a tightrope between majesty and subtlety.
The music needed to feel grand and meaningful, but also gentle and supportive. Think of it as the musical equivalent of an ancient tome opening under candlelight: full of secrets, but never shouting them aloud.
When I think of an encyclopedia, I imagine something filled with knowledge and reverence. That was my guiding image: a sound that carries the weight of history while maintaining a serene and steady flow.
🧩 Building the Sound
The melody rests on the shoulders of two instruments that couldn’t be more different - and yet, together, they dance beautifully:
Solo Violin – adds a human, expressive touch. Its warmth carries emotion through every note.
Dizi (Chinese bamboo flute) – brings a bright, airy tone that shimmers above the orchestration.
Their contrast creates a delicate balance between intimacy and elegance: the heart and the spirit of the piece.
Behind them lies the string section, forming the foundation with long, sustained chords. This gives the track that solemn, timeless atmosphere, like a library echoing with memories.
Next comes the brass, adding that regal, monumental color. It’s the sound of wisdom carved in stone, or perhaps, the feeling of opening a sacred scroll.
Together with the strings, the brass lifts the melody, giving it presence and power.
But I wanted more grandeur: the kind of grandeur that makes you sit a little straighter while listening.
Enter the French horns.
Their noble, rounded tone weaves beautifully with both the strings and brass, enriching the entire soundscape. And then, at the bottom of it all, percussion: slow, deep, spacious hits that add gravity without rhythm.
Every impact feels like the turning of a significant page.
🎵 The Harmonic Spell
One of the most crucial decisions was to keep the track in a major key.
This gives the music a bright, noble energy, something inviting rather than intimidating.
After all, the encyclopedia isn’t a battlefield or a dark dungeon; it’s a space of curiosity and discovery.
Imagine walking into that section and hearing sad, tragic music, it would feel completely wrong!
The harmonic simplicity keeps the listener grounded while allowing the dialogue and visuals to take the lead. The flow had to remain steady, stable, and never distracting.
🧙 A Quick Recap from the Bard’s Scroll
Solo Violin & Dizi – carry the main melody with color and emotion.
Strings – provide a solemn, timeless foundation.
Brass & French Horns – add majesty and nobility.
Percussion – deep hits for weight and gravity.
Major Mode – keeps the tone bright, wise, and welcoming.
All together, they form a piece that feels elegant, ceremonial, and full of knowledge: just what Nexomon 3’s Encyclopedia needed.
🎧 Listen to the Full Breakdown
If you’d like to hear how all these layers come together, you can watch the full Behind the Score video here:
🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube
And if you enjoy this kind of storytelling around video game music, you can join my newsletter, where I share insights, new compositions, and a free five-track fantasy album as a welcome gift.
Until next time, fellow travelers,
may your path be melodic and your quests ever in tune.
– Elrehon, The Wandering Bard