Bookish Challenges discussion

Dungeons & Dragons Challenge



Sign-ups are open until February 28th.
The challenge is open-ended.

The Challenge

1. Comment here to sign up, and I will create a personal challenge thread for you.

2. You will create your adventurer step by step: first by reading for a race/class, then a weapon, then a companion. Each of these will come with a one-time-use advantage to help you later in the challenge.

3. After your character is ready, you will begin the journey. At each stage, you will face a short story and a choice of tasks. The book you choose to read will determine the path your story takes.

4. To move forward, you must read for at least one of the tasks presented. You can only choose one task per branch — but you may use your earned advantages to skip or bend a rule if you wish.

5. Please make a completion post in your thread using this template:

Book/Author:
Date completed:
Task:
How it fits:

6. If you feel stuck, you may use 5 points to skip a task.

7. Completing a task gives you 2 points. Completing the challenge gives you 25 points.

8. If you don't have a personal point account thread yet, request one here.

CHARACTER

Race/Class

Read a book from a genre you usually don't read.

This will determine your race/class.

Book/Author: Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White
Date completed: 6/1
Task: Read a book from a genre you usually don't read.
How it fits: I don't usually read horror.

Orc Warrior

You are strong and daring, never backing down from danger.
Advantage: “Battle Fury” – Once, you may double-count a single book (if it fulfills two prompts in a row).

Weapon

Read a book and tell me the page count and format.
This will determine your weapon.

Book/Author: Cursebreakers by Madeleine Nakamura
Date completed: 10/1
Task: Read a book and tell me the page count and format.
How it fits: I read this in a paperback format, 284 pages.

Sword

Balanced and reliable, a hero’s classic weapon.
Advantage: “Parry” – Once, you can deflect a prompt you dislike and swap it for a random new one from the DM.

Companion

Read a book that meets the guidelines.
The title will determine your companion.

Book/Author: Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
Date completed: 14/1
Task: Read a book that meets the guidelines.
How it fits: This meets the guidelines.

Owl 🦉

Wise and watchful.
Advantage: “Keen Eyes” – Once, ask the DM for a clue/tip to make your next prompt easier.

🌄 The First Quest: The Call to Adventure

The air is crisp as dawn breaks over your quiet village. Life has always been simple here — until today. A mysterious figure in a dark cloak arrives at the village gates, carrying a scroll sealed with an unfamiliar crest. They call for brave souls to leave the safety of the village and journey into the unknown.
As you step forward, the figure hands you the scroll. Inside, it reads:

“Choose your first step wisely, for your path will shape the fate of your journey…”

⚔️ Choose Your Path (Read one book):

The Forest Path 🌲

Prompt: Read a book with green on the cover.
Outcome: You follow winding trails into the forest. Strange whispers echo among the trees — something magical is watching.

The Mountain Pass ⛰️

Prompt: Read a book over 400 pages.
Outcome: The climb is harsh, but the view is breathtaking. High above the world, you find ruins carved into the cliffs — but they’re not abandoned.

The River Road 🌊

Prompt: Read a book set in another country.
Outcome: You journey along rushing waters, where merchants and wanderers trade stories. Yet rumors of bandits make every crossing dangerous.

The Shadowed Alley 🌑

Prompt: Read a book with "shadow" or "alley" in the title.
Outcome: You slip into the backstreets of a crumbling city. Eyes follow you from the shadows, and a dangerous secret is about to be uncovered.

Let's go into the Forest!

Book/Author: Booked by Kwame Alexander
Date completed: 25/2
Task: Read a book with green on the cover.
How it fits: The title is in green, there's green writing on the ball and the cleats are green:

The Forest Path 🌲

The forest deepens, its canopy swallowing the light. The whispers grow louder — part warning, part invitation. Ahead, the trail splits in two.

The Glade of Light ✨

Prompt: Read a book with flowers, trees, or plants on the cover.
Outcome: You step into a sunlit clearing where the forest spirit may aid you.

The Cursed Hollow 🌑

Prompt: Read a book with MPG Fantasy.
Outcome: Shadows slither between the roots — something old and dangerous stirs.

Let's go towards the Glade of Light!

Book/Author: The Wolf and His King by Finn Longman
Date completed: 18/3
Task: Read a book with flowers, trees, or plants on the cover.
How it fits: There are trees on the cover:

The Glade of Light ✨

Golden light fills the clearing. In its center stands a stone altar, vines curling around its base. You sense both safety and danger here.

The Spirit’s Blessing ✨

Prompt: Read a book by a new-to-you author.
Outcome: A guardian spirit offers guidance, but only if you prove yourself worthy.

The Hidden Door 🌿

Prompt: Read a book with a secret passage, hidden world, or portal.
Outcome: Among the roots, you discover a door leading deeper underground.

The Spirit’s Blessing

Book/Author: North Woods by Daniel Mason
Date completed: 26/3
Task: Read a book by a new-to-you author.
How it fits: I haven't read anything by Daniel Mason before.

The Spirit’s Blessing ✨

The guardian spirit rises from the altar, offering visions of what may come.

The Trial of Wisdom 📖

Prompt: Read a nonfiction book.
Outcome: The spirit whispers secrets of the past into your mind. Knowledge sharpens your path.

The Trial of Courage ❤️‍🔥

Prompt: Read a book you’ve been intimidated to start.
Outcome: Bravery burns bright within you, and the spirit blesses your journey with strength.

The Trial of Wisdom

Book/Author: Textual Poachers: Television Fans and Participatory Culture by Henry Jenkins
Date completed: 23/4
Task: Read a nonfiction book.
How it fits: This is a non-fiction book about fandom.