1618 Ouverture

From the liner notes:

SCENE: The Holy Roman Empire of the German nations during the Thirty Years' War (mostly Bohemia), Hell, or Underworld, the spheres between the realms from 1618 - 1648.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

1. Nicolas – Mercenary in the Thirty Years' War, but as well the First Horseman of the Apocalypse (Conquest/White) — of this he has no recollection;
2. Magdalena Ophelia – Engaged to Nicolas, daughter of the Fourth Horseman (Death) and later on Queen of the South;
3. Bez, the Red Dwarf – an Egyptian, lower god, ingenious inventor and a mad scientist;
4. The Faceless Lord – 2nd Horseman of the Apocalypse in disguise (Red/War);
5. The Golden King – The disguised Third Horseman of the Apocalypse (Black/Famine);
6. The Harverster of Souls – The Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse (Pale/Death)
7. Joß von Cramm – A recruiter in the Thirty Years' War (Editor's note: referenced in the actual song lyrics as "Joost" for unknown reasons);
8. Jaecklein – Mercenary, friend of Nicolas;
9. Eve – Confidant of Nicolas — a protecting angel in disguise, former guardian of the Netherworld;
10. Lucifer – The fallen angel and partner in crime with Nicolas;
11. Johannes Kepler – Astronomer and astrologer;
12. Albrecht von Waldstein or Wallenstein – Most powerful warlord in the Thirty Years' War, who has a strong belief in astrology;
13. Tahmina – A female Persian mystic, old friend of Nicolas and Jaecklein;
14. The voice between the realms;
15. Storyteller 1;
16. Storyteller 2;
17. The Conjurer;
18. Servants of the Secret Eye;
19. The Children of the Sun – Templar knights;
20. Pierre de Molay – Grand Master of the Children of the Sun;
21. Holder – Giant.