A Call To Adventure
Call To Adventure is a game Produced by Brotherwise Games. In Call to Adventure players will choose their character's fate. Beginning with an origin, a motivation, and a destiny card will help to point the players in a direction they may go. The players will reveal their character's origin and motivation at the start of the game. These cards give players access to runes and abilities used throughout the game. A player's destiny is kept a secret from other players. The destiny card will give players a path to more victory points during final scoring. As players progress through the game they will gain traits, and select challenges to face. These traits and challenges help to shape the story, give the character more experiences to use. The goal of the game is to be the one with the most victory points at the end.
Call to Adventure is a fantastic story building game. I have played it quite a bit with my local gaming group with a lot of positive feedback from players. I have played this solo as well with a lot of enjoyment.
As a writer, this game provides a lot of inspiration for story building. Each time it is played reveals a new story. During the game, if you fail a challenge the card is discarded. For me, the failure is still part of the adventure, so I will often keep the failures set aside by my character sheet showing more of my character's overall story. Each time I’ve played I have worried less about winning and more about experiencing the story that comes from it.
The following is a story based on that adventure. It is a fictional story set in a fictional world yet to be developed. It was an exercise in writing based on what cards were gained through the course of the game.
Call to Adventure is a fantastic story building game. I have played it quite a bit with my local gaming group with a lot of positive feedback from players. I have played this solo as well with a lot of enjoyment.
As a writer, this game provides a lot of inspiration for story building. Each time it is played reveals a new story. During the game, if you fail a challenge the card is discarded. For me, the failure is still part of the adventure, so I will often keep the failures set aside by my character sheet showing more of my character's overall story. Each time I’ve played I have worried less about winning and more about experiencing the story that comes from it.
The following is a story based on that adventure. It is a fictional story set in a fictional world yet to be developed. It was an exercise in writing based on what cards were gained through the course of the game.
Adalynn's Call To Adventure
~ Act 1 ~
~ Unfinished - Work in progress ~
The world is spread out before us. A canvas of cards deciding our fate. To some, this is just a game. For those who live within it is their Call to Adventure.
Adalynn stood poised back braced against a tree with her bow drawn. The young girl aimed at the deer grazing in the field ahead of her. She felt something stir inside her. Closing her eyes for a brief moment the world seemed to slow around her. Focusing on the task at hand she took a deep breath in. She opened her eyes slowly breathing out. She prepared to release when something caught her eye in the distance. Raising the bow up a little further she let the string loose. The arrow flew through the air grazing over the back of the closest deer striking true into the large black cougar crouched in the grass just behind the deer.
The deer jumped and darted off while the cougar snarled and charged towards the girl. As it charged the girl noticed red markings on the back of the cougar. The girl knocked another arrow and quickly let it fly towards the cougar. It struck the cougars back near its hind end driving deep. The cougar staggered a little bit halting its charge forward. It stopped howling in pain. Fury forming it its eyes and it stared right into Adalynn’s eyes.
Adalynn slowly notched another arrow. She noticed a small saddle strapped to it's back. "Too small for a rider" she thought even though the cougar seemed to be of dire size. Almost as big as a horse. She pulled the bow string back aiming at the advancing cougar. She noticed the cougars eyes begin to glow a dark red. The claws on its paws seemed to get bigger and glow red with fury. The cougar charged forward as it stepped a black smoke seemed to billow from its feet. Her heart started to race as she realized this was no ordinary cougar. It had some kind of magic ability.
She began to admire the animal curious about it. The sheer beauty of nature and magic harnessed into such a beautiful creature. Her thoughts were quickly fleeting as the beast growled shaking it’s head beginning to move forward. She realized the danger was quickly approaching as it picked up speed.
She was good with a bow at range, not so good with a dagger in close range. As she drew back the bow and took another deep breath. With a long sigh, she let the arrow fly. It struck the cougar in its left front leg causing the animal to stagger again. The arrow seemed to glow a dark red and burn away in smoke. It continued to charge forward, the fury in its eyes staring deep into Adalynns own eyes. The cougar was closing the distance between them quickly. One more arrow notched and drawn back. The cougar leapt into the air as she released the arrow. The arrow striking the leaping cougar below it’s head deep into it’s chest.
Adalynn had just enough time to step aside as the cougar’s lifeless body slammed against the tree.
“That was too close” Adalynn thought.
She leaned down towards the animal. Letting the bow drop to the ground and reaching her hand to the dagger she kept in the hilt at her side. Nervously she drew the dagger with her hand. She knelt down cautiously reaching out her empty hand. She felt the animals fur on her fingers. It was surprisingly warm to the touch.
Adalynn startled briefly as the animal dissolved into a plume of ash and smoke into the ground. The black smoke lingered in the air for a brief moment before being taken by the breeze. The breeze picked up to a gentle wind blowing the smoke away. A small pile of ash remained on the ground.
She noticed a dark red stone among the ash. Leaning down to examine the stone. she returned her dagger to its sheath at her side. She cautiously picked up the stone. As she held it in her hand the red in the stone pulsed like a heartbeat.
She was so curious about the stone she almost didn’t see the ash on the ground seemed to start dissolving into more smoke. She expected the wind to carry this off too. She watched in confusion as a very large paw took shape from the smoke. A wave of fear began to grow in her. It was as though the black cougar was coming back to life and stepping from the ash and smoke itself.
The animal continued to take shape. The fear inside her took hold. Her instincts told her to run, as she reached for the dagger at her side. She felt an odd feeling welling up inside her. She tried to calm her nerves and stay sharp.
The cougar took full shape in front of her. She could see right through the smoky ash color of the animal. She was confused as it seemed like the animal was both there and not there. While it did stand intimidatingly tall, it simply stood facing Adalynn staring into her eyes. It sharply turned and looked across the opening. It lifted its nose up it appeared to sniff the air looking out into the woods.
“Looking for your master perhaps?” Adalynn thought “What kind of a master would you have?” she wondered.
Adalynn heard what sounded like whispers. She looked around but could not see where they were coming from. The cougars ears twisted, almost like the animal had heard the noise too.
Looking back at the cougar she noticed the dark red pattern on the animals back. It appeared to match the color inside the stone. It glowed with an unnatural hue. She looked down at the stone in her hand. It’s red center still pulsing like a heartbeat.
The cougar looked back at her once again they locked eyes together. She didn’t know what to do. Should she try to run? Her mind raced as fast as her heart. It was beating so loud it gently rang in her ears. Her Staring at this smokey cougar before her staring back at her terrified her. That strange feeling inside her begin to grow as she stood there.
The wind picked up as the smokey cougar’s eyes began to glow the same color of red as the stone. The creature took a step forward towards her. Its shape dissolved into a wave of black and dark red smoke enveloping Adalynn. She felt a wave of energy flow around her as the black smoke dissipated.
Taking a deep breath trying to get an understanding of what was happening. Adalynn felt warm and cold. She felt terror and peace. She felt chaos inside her. Her heart raced as energy began to flow through her it felt an intense burning inside her. A sharp pain was felt in the hand carrying the stone flowing throughout her. She hunched over trying to not let out a painful scream. Clenching her fists tight and falling on her knees to the ground. she tried to suppress the overwhelming pain.
The world grew dark.
(The Dream)The world is dark. Adalynn found herself lying in a bed of water. The forest was no longer around her. The water was moderately warm. She sat up abruptly. The water dropped off of her causing ripples in the bed of water she was sitting in. Looking out all she could see is the water rippling out endlessly. With a crack of red lightning the stone she had been holding was floating in front of her.
“You’re awake!” A deep yet comforting voice said. The red stone pulsing as the words came to her.
She looked around nervously. “What’s happening!” she said out loud trying not to tremble.
“Do not be afraid. You are waking up.”
“I don’t understand” she replied.
“You have a gift inside you.” a plume of grey and red smoke floated from the stone forming the shape of Adalynn standing with her bow drawn. Her arms with red tendrils of smoke eminating from her hands. The tip of her arrow was void of light.
Adalynn was in awe of the image before her. She looked where the smoky figure was pointing. She saw her friend Itheus, standing struggling against goblins that had his arms pinned and a goblin climbing up his arm with a knife. Itheus’ bear familiar was laying wounded next to him. Another figure bathed in white light lay against a tree holding his shield against a group of goblins trying to attack him. Two other figures lay on the ground lifeless.
She stood in the water as though it was ground. Looking at the images in front of her.
“Who are you? What are you showing me?”
The images faded in a plum, and it showed a bird flying through her home town. She could see the people talking but it sounded like a mix of whispers and normal tone. She focused her ears trying to hear and she could make out they were talking about her. Confused she turned to look at the stone still hovering near her.
“That is for you to figure out. The more you wake up, the more we will discover. That is all for now!”
She began to feel heavy as she sank into the water. She was falling through the water, but it quickly faded from water into nothing. She began to feel heavy.
Adalynn heard the sound of the forest return. She felt the grass and ground beneath her. She lay there as she began to stir. She sat up. The burning pain fading away. She lay there as she began to stir. She sat up. The burning pain fading away.
After a few moments she crawled a short distance sitting her back against a nearby tree. Holding her head in her knees the pain continued to fade. She took a deep breath. Her mind raced trying to find reason in what just happened.
She wondered how long she had passed out. She looked up to try and catch where the sun was. The forest seemed too thick to see.
Looking out into the clearing where the cougar came from. She felt her senses sharpen. She noticed a group of birds singing in a tree across the clearing. She could hear them as though they were right next to her though they were at least 80 yards away. She heard rustling in the leaves to her left. Looking she noticed two squirrels chasing each other around the base of a tree. She continued looking around noticing her sight and sound were very acute.
As she sat there she remembered the stone. She looked at her hand expecting to see an impression of it from when she clenched her fist earlier. Thinking she dropped it, she looked around the ground. She reached her hand out, moving some of the underbrush where she was standing.
A rather angry and confused Goblin peeked around a tree. Normally she wouldn’t have been able to see the small creature but her eyesight seemed to be sharper than normal. She seemed to have heightened hearing as she noticed she could hear the Goblin breathing.
“What is going on?” she thought as she stayed motionless staring at the Goblin. She quickly grabbed her bow and notched another arrow sending it flying at the small green creature. The Goblin turned to run but was pierced with the arrow in the back of the neck. The goblin fell stiff to the ground.
Adalynn watched, and waited with an arrow notched, bow not drawn. Where there was one Goblin there usually was more.
After a few moments she grabbed the cougar saddle, and quickly crossed the field. Watching her surroundings for any kind of movement. Seeing none she searched the body of the goblin and found a hand full of gold, a dagger, and a paper scroll. She noticed the armor of the dead goblin had a strange marking on it. She carefully removed the armor strapping it to her back backpack.
Unraveling the scroll she noticed it was a map of the east side of the city. She couldn’t read the markings on the map but she knew who might be able to help her.
It was an awkward trek back to the city walls carrying the dead Goblins armor and the cougars saddle. She noticed her sight and hearing was still very sharp. She picked up things she had not noticed before. Her mind raced as to what is causing this and what the cougar really was.
Approaching the gates she saw her friend Tinker coming towards her. His dark tunic dusty from working in the forge. “Any luck today?” the familiar deep voice said “Here, let me help!” he said as he grabbed the saddle from Adalynn handing her a waterskin.
“Thanks” she responded as she took a drink of water.
“Goblin armor?” he said with a shock noticing the armor strapped to her backpack. “You didn’t go hunting for Goblins alone today did you?”
“That wasn’t my intent. I was hoping to have some fresh deer! But we need to get this to Elder Dylan immediately.” she said as she held out the scroll.
They made their way to the church of elders. The large building sat on a large hill in the middle of town. The door creaked as Adalynn and Tinker walked inside. The room inside was small. Two guards stood in front of the large double doors.
As they approached the door one of the guards stepped forward “What business do you have here?” he said.
Adalynn handed the scroll to the guard. “I need to see Elder Dylan.” As the guard looked over the scroll showing it to the other guard Adalynn unstrapped the goblin armor.
Adalynn stood poised back braced against a tree with her bow drawn. The young girl aimed at the deer grazing in the field ahead of her. She felt something stir inside her. Closing her eyes for a brief moment the world seemed to slow around her. Focusing on the task at hand she took a deep breath in. She opened her eyes slowly breathing out. She prepared to release when something caught her eye in the distance. Raising the bow up a little further she let the string loose. The arrow flew through the air grazing over the back of the closest deer striking true into the large black cougar crouched in the grass just behind the deer.
The deer jumped and darted off while the cougar snarled and charged towards the girl. As it charged the girl noticed red markings on the back of the cougar. The girl knocked another arrow and quickly let it fly towards the cougar. It struck the cougars back near its hind end driving deep. The cougar staggered a little bit halting its charge forward. It stopped howling in pain. Fury forming it its eyes and it stared right into Adalynn’s eyes.
Adalynn slowly notched another arrow. She noticed a small saddle strapped to it's back. "Too small for a rider" she thought even though the cougar seemed to be of dire size. Almost as big as a horse. She pulled the bow string back aiming at the advancing cougar. She noticed the cougars eyes begin to glow a dark red. The claws on its paws seemed to get bigger and glow red with fury. The cougar charged forward as it stepped a black smoke seemed to billow from its feet. Her heart started to race as she realized this was no ordinary cougar. It had some kind of magic ability.
She began to admire the animal curious about it. The sheer beauty of nature and magic harnessed into such a beautiful creature. Her thoughts were quickly fleeting as the beast growled shaking it’s head beginning to move forward. She realized the danger was quickly approaching as it picked up speed.
She was good with a bow at range, not so good with a dagger in close range. As she drew back the bow and took another deep breath. With a long sigh, she let the arrow fly. It struck the cougar in its left front leg causing the animal to stagger again. The arrow seemed to glow a dark red and burn away in smoke. It continued to charge forward, the fury in its eyes staring deep into Adalynns own eyes. The cougar was closing the distance between them quickly. One more arrow notched and drawn back. The cougar leapt into the air as she released the arrow. The arrow striking the leaping cougar below it’s head deep into it’s chest.
Adalynn had just enough time to step aside as the cougar’s lifeless body slammed against the tree.
“That was too close” Adalynn thought.
She leaned down towards the animal. Letting the bow drop to the ground and reaching her hand to the dagger she kept in the hilt at her side. Nervously she drew the dagger with her hand. She knelt down cautiously reaching out her empty hand. She felt the animals fur on her fingers. It was surprisingly warm to the touch.
Adalynn startled briefly as the animal dissolved into a plume of ash and smoke into the ground. The black smoke lingered in the air for a brief moment before being taken by the breeze. The breeze picked up to a gentle wind blowing the smoke away. A small pile of ash remained on the ground.
She noticed a dark red stone among the ash. Leaning down to examine the stone. she returned her dagger to its sheath at her side. She cautiously picked up the stone. As she held it in her hand the red in the stone pulsed like a heartbeat.
She was so curious about the stone she almost didn’t see the ash on the ground seemed to start dissolving into more smoke. She expected the wind to carry this off too. She watched in confusion as a very large paw took shape from the smoke. A wave of fear began to grow in her. It was as though the black cougar was coming back to life and stepping from the ash and smoke itself.
The animal continued to take shape. The fear inside her took hold. Her instincts told her to run, as she reached for the dagger at her side. She felt an odd feeling welling up inside her. She tried to calm her nerves and stay sharp.
The cougar took full shape in front of her. She could see right through the smoky ash color of the animal. She was confused as it seemed like the animal was both there and not there. While it did stand intimidatingly tall, it simply stood facing Adalynn staring into her eyes. It sharply turned and looked across the opening. It lifted its nose up it appeared to sniff the air looking out into the woods.
“Looking for your master perhaps?” Adalynn thought “What kind of a master would you have?” she wondered.
Adalynn heard what sounded like whispers. She looked around but could not see where they were coming from. The cougars ears twisted, almost like the animal had heard the noise too.
Looking back at the cougar she noticed the dark red pattern on the animals back. It appeared to match the color inside the stone. It glowed with an unnatural hue. She looked down at the stone in her hand. It’s red center still pulsing like a heartbeat.
The cougar looked back at her once again they locked eyes together. She didn’t know what to do. Should she try to run? Her mind raced as fast as her heart. It was beating so loud it gently rang in her ears. Her Staring at this smokey cougar before her staring back at her terrified her. That strange feeling inside her begin to grow as she stood there.
The wind picked up as the smokey cougar’s eyes began to glow the same color of red as the stone. The creature took a step forward towards her. Its shape dissolved into a wave of black and dark red smoke enveloping Adalynn. She felt a wave of energy flow around her as the black smoke dissipated.
Taking a deep breath trying to get an understanding of what was happening. Adalynn felt warm and cold. She felt terror and peace. She felt chaos inside her. Her heart raced as energy began to flow through her it felt an intense burning inside her. A sharp pain was felt in the hand carrying the stone flowing throughout her. She hunched over trying to not let out a painful scream. Clenching her fists tight and falling on her knees to the ground. she tried to suppress the overwhelming pain.
The world grew dark.
(The Dream)The world is dark. Adalynn found herself lying in a bed of water. The forest was no longer around her. The water was moderately warm. She sat up abruptly. The water dropped off of her causing ripples in the bed of water she was sitting in. Looking out all she could see is the water rippling out endlessly. With a crack of red lightning the stone she had been holding was floating in front of her.
“You’re awake!” A deep yet comforting voice said. The red stone pulsing as the words came to her.
She looked around nervously. “What’s happening!” she said out loud trying not to tremble.
“Do not be afraid. You are waking up.”
“I don’t understand” she replied.
“You have a gift inside you.” a plume of grey and red smoke floated from the stone forming the shape of Adalynn standing with her bow drawn. Her arms with red tendrils of smoke eminating from her hands. The tip of her arrow was void of light.
Adalynn was in awe of the image before her. She looked where the smoky figure was pointing. She saw her friend Itheus, standing struggling against goblins that had his arms pinned and a goblin climbing up his arm with a knife. Itheus’ bear familiar was laying wounded next to him. Another figure bathed in white light lay against a tree holding his shield against a group of goblins trying to attack him. Two other figures lay on the ground lifeless.
She stood in the water as though it was ground. Looking at the images in front of her.
“Who are you? What are you showing me?”
The images faded in a plum, and it showed a bird flying through her home town. She could see the people talking but it sounded like a mix of whispers and normal tone. She focused her ears trying to hear and she could make out they were talking about her. Confused she turned to look at the stone still hovering near her.
“That is for you to figure out. The more you wake up, the more we will discover. That is all for now!”
She began to feel heavy as she sank into the water. She was falling through the water, but it quickly faded from water into nothing. She began to feel heavy.
Adalynn heard the sound of the forest return. She felt the grass and ground beneath her. She lay there as she began to stir. She sat up. The burning pain fading away. She lay there as she began to stir. She sat up. The burning pain fading away.
After a few moments she crawled a short distance sitting her back against a nearby tree. Holding her head in her knees the pain continued to fade. She took a deep breath. Her mind raced trying to find reason in what just happened.
She wondered how long she had passed out. She looked up to try and catch where the sun was. The forest seemed too thick to see.
Looking out into the clearing where the cougar came from. She felt her senses sharpen. She noticed a group of birds singing in a tree across the clearing. She could hear them as though they were right next to her though they were at least 80 yards away. She heard rustling in the leaves to her left. Looking she noticed two squirrels chasing each other around the base of a tree. She continued looking around noticing her sight and sound were very acute.
As she sat there she remembered the stone. She looked at her hand expecting to see an impression of it from when she clenched her fist earlier. Thinking she dropped it, she looked around the ground. She reached her hand out, moving some of the underbrush where she was standing.
A rather angry and confused Goblin peeked around a tree. Normally she wouldn’t have been able to see the small creature but her eyesight seemed to be sharper than normal. She seemed to have heightened hearing as she noticed she could hear the Goblin breathing.
“What is going on?” she thought as she stayed motionless staring at the Goblin. She quickly grabbed her bow and notched another arrow sending it flying at the small green creature. The Goblin turned to run but was pierced with the arrow in the back of the neck. The goblin fell stiff to the ground.
Adalynn watched, and waited with an arrow notched, bow not drawn. Where there was one Goblin there usually was more.
After a few moments she grabbed the cougar saddle, and quickly crossed the field. Watching her surroundings for any kind of movement. Seeing none she searched the body of the goblin and found a hand full of gold, a dagger, and a paper scroll. She noticed the armor of the dead goblin had a strange marking on it. She carefully removed the armor strapping it to her back backpack.
Unraveling the scroll she noticed it was a map of the east side of the city. She couldn’t read the markings on the map but she knew who might be able to help her.
It was an awkward trek back to the city walls carrying the dead Goblins armor and the cougars saddle. She noticed her sight and hearing was still very sharp. She picked up things she had not noticed before. Her mind raced as to what is causing this and what the cougar really was.
Approaching the gates she saw her friend Tinker coming towards her. His dark tunic dusty from working in the forge. “Any luck today?” the familiar deep voice said “Here, let me help!” he said as he grabbed the saddle from Adalynn handing her a waterskin.
“Thanks” she responded as she took a drink of water.
“Goblin armor?” he said with a shock noticing the armor strapped to her backpack. “You didn’t go hunting for Goblins alone today did you?”
“That wasn’t my intent. I was hoping to have some fresh deer! But we need to get this to Elder Dylan immediately.” she said as she held out the scroll.
They made their way to the church of elders. The large building sat on a large hill in the middle of town. The door creaked as Adalynn and Tinker walked inside. The room inside was small. Two guards stood in front of the large double doors.
As they approached the door one of the guards stepped forward “What business do you have here?” he said.
Adalynn handed the scroll to the guard. “I need to see Elder Dylan.” As the guard looked over the scroll showing it to the other guard Adalynn unstrapped the goblin armor.
