The Challenge Factory discussion
Can You Survive the Wilderness?
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Hiker Jess
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Mod
Do you have what it takes to survive in the wilderness? Far from civilization, everything changes. You can't go to the grocery store. If you're hurt, a doctor isn't a phone call away. If you're cold, you can't turn up the heat. Even finding safe water to drink can be a challenge.
Being lost or stranded in the wilderness will test both your strength and your intelligence. How will you find food? How can you get the attention of rescue aircraft? What would you do if you were staring down the jaws of a hungry predator?
It won't be easy, but if you stay calm and make good choices, you might be able to get out alive. Are you ready to find out whether you have what it takes?
Where would you like to start? The Canadian wilderness, the Blue Mountains of Australia, or Germany's Black Forest?
Mod
Good luck!
Mod
You're deep in the forests of Australia's Blue Mountains, and nobody knows where you are. You were planning to meet your friend Casey at a campsite later for some hardcore biking. First, though, you decided to take a morning ride on your own.
Now you're lost. The interesting little trail that you had been following has disappeared, and you can't find it again.
You're not too worried at first. You have your bike, and you're an expert rider. There's not much terrain you can't handle. But then your front wheel catches a rock. Your bike skids out from under you and you smash to the ground.
You're just scraped and bruised, but the bike is in far worse shape. The front tire is blown out, the chain is snapped, and the rim is bent beyond repair. That leaves you lost and alone with nothing but your feet to carry you. Not good.
You search your backpack and find a first-aid kit. You wipe down your scrapes and bandage them. As you look through your pack, you realize you're in trouble. You have a bottle of water, but no food. You have a small tool kit, a spare inner tube for the bike, emergency matches, and a windbreaker jacket.
With a sigh, you zip up your backpack and start hiking. You head east, knowing that the coast and civilization lie in that direction. After several hours of walking, your stomach is growling.
You know that the Australian wilderness contains many edible plants. But all around you, you can hear a variety of birdcalls. It's nesting seasons, and finding eggs wouldn't be too difficult. But getting them could be dangerous.
To forage for wild plants:
1. read a book with 'forage' in the text of the book
2. read a book with a wild animal in it
3. read a book with only plants on the cover (nothing else)
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
To try to find bird eggs:
1. read a book by an author that is new to you
2. read a book with a bird as part of the story
3. read a book where something is hatched or a baby is born
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
Decision: to forage for wild plantsBook: Triple Duty Bodyguard
Author: Lily Gold
Date Read: 10/29/2022
Task: Read a book with plants on the cover (nothing else)
How it fits: there are flowers on the cover
Mod
You keep your eyes open for plants that you know are safe to eat, including blue flax lilies and warrigal greens. You don't have much luck, though.
Your stomach is grumbling when you come across a small shrub with large clusters of green and red berries. You don't recognize the plant, but it's the closest thing to food you've seen so far.
You pluck a few of the berries and smell them. They don't have a very strong scent.
To look for something else to eat:
1. read a book with double letter word in the title (i.e., look, berries, letter)
2. read a book that is tagged 'mystery' *
3. read a book where the MC prepares a meal
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
* something - a thing that is unspecified or unknown
To eat the berries:
1. read the 2nd book in a series (to, two, too)
2. read a book with something edible on the cover
3. read a book with 'berry' or 'berries' in the text of the book
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
Decision: to eat the berries Book: What the Hex? (Book Two Family of Spells
Author: C.M. Stunich
Date Read:11/4
Task: read the 2nd book in a series (to, two, too)
How it Fits: it’s the second book from the family of spells
Mod
You're hungry and you'll need your strength, so you decide that it's time to take a chance. You pop a handful of berries into your mouth. The berries are bitter and tough, but you figure that at least they'll give give you energy. You force a few more handfuls down.
You begin hiking again, moving east, looking for a stream or river to follow. After a few hours of hiking, you're not feeling well. You have terrible diarrhea. You're stopping every few minutes. You feel as if you might have a fever. You sit down for a moment to catch your breath, but when you stand back up, you black out and fall back down.
After a few moments, you get slowly to your feet and continue moving. You need water. The diarrhea is quickly putting you into a state of severe dehydration. But you're exhausted. The berries you ate must have been poisonous. If you don't get medical help soon, you're going to die out here. But as you close your eyes to doze off, you know that help isn't coming.
Mod
You have some choices at this point.
1 - stop this challenge
2 - stay in Australia and start over making different decisions
3 - go to another location and read for that place
There may be other choices that I haven't thought of. What do you want to do?
2 I’ll stay in Australia. SMH I didn’t even last a day
Mod
SMH I didn’t even last a day"
I'm sure you'll do better this time around :)
Mod
You're deep in the forests of Australia's Blue Mountains, and nobody knows where you are. You were planning to meet your friend Casey at a campsite later for some hardcore biking. First, though, you decided to take a morning ride on your own.
Now you're lost. The interesting little trail that you had been following has disappeared, and you can't find it again.
You're not too worried at first. You have your bike, and you're an expert rider. There's not much terrain you can't handle. But then your front wheel catches a rock. Your bike skids out from under you and you smash to the ground.
You're just scraped and bruised, but the bike is in far worse shape. The front tire is blown out, the chain is snapped, and the rim is bent beyond repair. That leaves you lost and alone with nothing but your feet to carry you. Not good.
You search your backpack and find a first-aid kit. You wipe down your scrapes and bandage them. As you look through your pack, you realize you're in trouble. You have a bottle of water, but no food. You have a small tool kit, a spare inner tube for the bike, emergency matches, and a windbreaker jacket.
With a sigh, you zip up your backpack and start hiking. You head east, knowing that the coast and civilization lie in that direction. After several hours of walking, your stomach is growling.
You know that the Australian wilderness contains many edible plants. But all around you, you can hear a variety of birdcalls. It's nesting seasons, and finding eggs wouldn't be too difficult. But getting them could be dangerous.
To forage for wild plants:
1. read a book with 'forage' in the text of the book
2. read a book with a wild animal in it
3. read a book with only plants on the cover (nothing else)
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
To try to find bird eggs:
1. read a book by an author that is new to you
2. read a book with a bird as part of the story
3. read a book where something is hatched or a baby is born
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
Decision: to forage for wild plantsBook: Obsession
Author: Cassie Hargrove
Date Read: 11/11/2022
Task: Read a book with plants on the cover (nothing else)
How it fits: there are flowers on the cover
Mod
You keep your eyes open for plants that you know are safe to eat, including blue flax lilies and warrigal greens. You don't have much luck, though.
Your stomach is grumbling when you come across a small shrub with large clusters of green and red berries. You don't recognize the plant, but it's the closest thing to food you've seen so far.
You pluck a few of the berries and smell them. They don't have a very strong scent.
To look for something else to eat:
1. read a book with double letter word in the title (i.e., look, berries, letter)
2. read a book that is tagged 'mystery' *
3. read a book where the MC prepares a meal
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
* something - a thing that is unspecified or unknown
To eat the berries:
1. read the 2nd book in a series (to, two, too)
2. read a book with something edible on the cover
3. read a book with 'berry' or 'berries' in the text of the book
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
Decision: Look for something else to eatBook: Groupie
Author: C.M. Stunich
Date Read: 11/13/22
Task: read a book where the MC prepares a meal
How it Fits: the FMC makes mac and cheese BLT sandwiches
Mod
No matter how hungry you are, you are not about to start eating mystery berries. You keep searching, and a few minutes later, you're rewarded. You find a bunch of saffron milk caps - an edible and nutritious species of mushrooms. You quickly eat them.
With a little food in your belly, you feel ready to keep moving. You move carefully through the thick forest. Soon you come across a small river. You start to follow it downstream. You know that rivers usually lead to civilization.
As you walk alongside the river, you realize that the sun will set soon. You'll have to make camp soon. This side of the river is rocky and rough. You notice a perfect flat location on the far side. The river is not a very big one. You think it's no deeper that waist level, and the current doesn't seem strong here. You decide to cross.
To strip off your clothes before you cross:
1. read a book where the MC is stripped of their rank, power, or property
2. read a book with a bare chest on the cover
3. read a book that is yours (you own it)
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
To stay dressed for the crossing:
1. read a book where the MC stays in one location during the story
2. read a book where the MC wears a dress
3. read a book with a street or road on the cover
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
Decision: To stay dressed for the crossing Book: The Bratvas Baby
Author: Jane Henry
Date Read: 11/15/22
Task: read a book where the MC wears a dress
How it Fits: The FMC wore a traditional Russian wedding dress.
Mod
The air already has a chill to it and you're not about to get into the river naked. You step carefully into the water and start across. At one point you stumble. Now everything is soaked - you, your clothing, your backpack, and everything in it.
By the time you reach the over side, you're shivering. You need a fire to warm up. You gather wood, shaking your arms and legs as you move. But when you go to go pack, you realize that your matches got wet. They won't be any good at lighting a fire.
Meanwhile, your teeth are chattering. Your body is losing heat quickly. You recognize that you're in terrible danger. You can't make a fire, your clothes are wet, and the air is growing colder by the minute.
You fall to the ground and curl up into a ball. You're so cold. Your breathing becomes shallow, and your thoughts become clouded. In another time and place, you'd know that you're suffering from advanced hypothermia. Sometime before morning, you take your last breath.
Mod
What do you want to do now?
can I delete msg 18? lolThis must be a sign for me not to travel alone lol
Mod
Well I read a book for the other decision and come back and post my completion if that’s alright
Mod
Sure. Just don't tell anyone :)
Decision: to strip off your clothes before you crossBook: Zombie Wolf of Piston
Author: T.S. Joyce
Date Read: 11/19/22
Task: Read a book with a bare chest on the cover
How it Fits: there’s a man without a shirt on the cover of the book
Mod
Nights in this region can be chilly, and you don't want to face one with wet clothing. You strip off every bit of clothing and put it all in your pack. You lift the pack above your head and start across.
The water is ice cold. It's also deeper that you expected. Luckily the current isn't powerful, or you'd be swept away. You manage to make it across, but you're shivering badly. You quickly get dressed, gather wood, and start a fire. You need to get warm as soon as possible. You can't afford to get hypothermia out here!
Within a few hours you're snoozing by the fire. Even with its warmth, it's still a long and cold night. But you make it through and you're off again at dawn.
As you continue to follow the river, you hear a faint roaring. Soon you see why - the river tumbles over a sheer cliff. It's one of the area's many waterfalls.
You peer over the cliff and see that it's easily a 50-foot drop. You gasp as you notice something else far in the distance - a road! If you can get down this cliff, you should be able to reach it before sunset.
To climb down the cliff:
1. read a book with a significant character that is a climber (your definition)
2. read a book that is (or could be) on the Directions in Titles list
3. read a book where the MC is known by a shortened version of their given name (cliff - Clifford)
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
To try walking another direction:
1. read a book where the MC walks a lot
2. read another book in a series that you've already started
3. read a book that is (or could be) on the Cardinal Directions in Titles list
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
Decision: try walking another directionBook: Roadie ( Rock Hard Beautiful book 2)
Author: C.M. Stunich
Date Read: 11/22/22
Task: Read another book in a series that you’ve already started
How it Fits: this is the second book in a series
Mod
Come to think of it. I would rather go down the cliff lol I’ll come back with my decision post
Mod
Good choice :)
Decision: to climb down the cliffBook: Moxie
Author: C.M. Stunich
Date Read: 11/26/22
Task: read a book where the MC is known by a shortened version of their name
How it Fits: Lilith FMC is known by Lil, Derek Muser nickname is Muse and Paxton goes by Pax.
Mod
You consider yourself an excellent climber, and you think you can handle this cliff. But with no rope, you know that one slip will leave you dead. You have to be careful.
Off to one side of the river, the cliff is mostly dry. You see exposed tree roots sticking out of it. They'll make excellent handholds and footholds. You take a deep breath and start your way down.
About half way down, a tree root snaps off in your hand. For a moment you're falling, but you somehow manage to catch yourself. Your heart is racing but you keep calm. You slowly make your way down, and finally your feet are on solid ground.
As you turn around to continue walking, your jaw drops. Two people are walking towards you. They are two sisters and their car is parked only a few miles away. They offer you food and water and a ride into town.
You close your eyes. You're going to be okay.
Mod
What do you want to do now?
I’ll stop here. Thank you for your help along the way
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Obsession (other topics)Triple-Duty Bodyguards (other topics)
You are lost in the wilderness. Predators roam through the forest. Hot days and cold nights will test your strength. High cliffs, rushing rivers, and deep gorges will block your path. Any wrong decision could be your last.
Will you survive? In this challenge you'll make choices that could mean the difference between life and death.
I'll set the scene. You choose which path to follow. Follow the directions at the bottom of each post.
You can begin as soon as you get your thread.
HOW TO PLAY:
1. Read through the scenario.
2. Make your first decision and read one task for that decision. The fourth task will always be "Read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'". You can use or ignore the articles 'A', 'An', or 'The'.
3. Once you complete one of the tasks, post in your thread the following:
Decision:
Book:
Author:
Date Read:
Task:
How it Fits:
4. The moderator will then post the related decision result story.
Books must be at least 140 pages.
Page count for audio books will be determined the first paper version shown on Goodreads. From the book's page, select “all editions”, then select the first paper edition as your guide.