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: Demon Bound: The Battle for Anastasia Aaronson by Steve Higgs
Date completed: 28/09/2025
Task: Race/Class -Read a book from a genre you usually don't read.
How it fits: Don't normally read urban fantasy

Elf Mage

You are graceful and intelligent, with a knack for seeing what others miss.
Advantage: “Arcane Wisdom” – Once, you can ask the DM (me) for a hint about an upcoming prompt before you commit to a path.

Weapon

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

Book/Author: So You Think You Know What's Good for You? by Norman Swan
Date completed: 28/09/2025
Task: Read a book and tell me the page count and format.
How it fits: 540 pages ebook and audible

Staff

Channeling wisdom and knowledge into power.
Advantage: “Knowledge Burst” – Once, you can ask the DM to give you a choice between two different prompts instead of one.

Companion

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

Book/Author: Temple by Matthew Reilly
Date completed: 01/10/2025
Task: Read a book that meets the guidelines
How it fits: Book fits general guidelines

Stag 🦌

Noble and guiding.
Advantage: “Guiding Horns” – Once, push a prompt into the future (postpone it).

🌄 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.

⚔️ Choose Your Path

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.

Aisle Kill Him by Steve Higgs
Date read: 02/10/2025
How it fits: 530 pages

The Mountain Pass ⛰️

The climb grows steeper, and the ruins carved into the cliffs call to you. In the cold wind, two paths open: one leading into darkness, the other into danger.

The Forgotten Mines ⛏️

Prompt: Read a book published more than 10 years ago.
Outcome: You descend into the mines, where treasures — and monsters — lie in wait.

The Storm Peak ⚡

Prompt: Read a book with a storm, sky, or weather element on the cover.
Outcome: Lightning crashes as you reach the summit — something ancient awakens above the clouds.

The Mountain Pass ⛰️
The Forgotten Mines ⛏️
The Stone Monkey by Jeffery Deaver
Date read: 09/10/2025
Task: Prompt: Read a book published more than 10 years ago.
How it fits: First published March 12, 2002

The Forgotten Mines ⛏️

The tunnels echo with dripping water. Rusted tracks hint at long-abandoned work — but you’re not alone here.

The Crystal Cavern 💎

Prompt: Read a book with a jewel, gem, or precious object on the cover or in the story.
Outcome: The cavern walls glitter, but touching the crystals may awaken something.

The Goblin Warren 🪓

Prompt: Read a book with MPG Adventure.
Outcome: Torchlight flickers — a band of goblins has made this place their home.