Hooked on Books discussion

🕯️ The Veilbound Reserves

👥 Team Roster
✔️Emma
Jammin Jenny
✔️Rachel
Brittany
✔️Priya
✔️Upton
✔️Amanda
✔️Alyana
✔️Audrey
Alma
✔️Shae



Not every Hunter enters the field immediately.

Some arrive after the teams have already been formed. Others wait while the Conclave watches for the next opening.

These Hunters become the Veilbound Reserves—guardians who strengthen the Veil from behind the scenes until they are called upon.

Though you may not yet walk beside a hunting team, your service is no less important. Every ritual completed, every whisper uncovered, and every hidden mark discovered reinforces the barriers between our world and the supernatural.

Should a team require another Hunter, the Conclave will summon a member of the Veilbound Reserves to join the hunt.

Until then... your work begins here.

🔮 Earning Veil Sigils

While serving in the Veilbound Reserves, you may complete special Reserve Activities to earn Veil Sigils.

Veil Sigils represent your growing connection to the Veil and your preparedness to join the hunt.

You may earn Veil Sigils in the following ways:

🕯️ Complete one Ritual Spellcasting to earn 1 Veil Sigil.

👁️ Complete five Veil Whispers to earn 1 Veil Sigil.

👁️ Complete five Veil Signs to earn 1 Veil Sigil.

🩸 Complete five Veil Marks to earn 1 Veil Sigil.

A maximum of 3 Veil Sigils may be earned while serving in the Veilbound Reserves.

When you are assigned to a hunting team, your Veil Sigils travel with you. Each Veil Sigil may be exchanged for one additional use of your Conclave Boon during the Supernatural Roundup. Use them whenever you feel the hunt demands it.

Each qualifying book may be used for only one Veilbound Reserve Activity. Choose whether your book contributes to a Ritual Spellcasting, Veil Whisper, Veil Sign, or Veil Mark.


🕯️ Ritual Spellcasting

"Ancient words strengthen ancient wards."

Complete a spell by reading one book per letter of a chosen word.
Spellout Words Available:
VEIL • RIFT • HUNT • BIND • MARK • SHADOW • SPIRIT • CONCLAVE • SUMMON • CURSED

Rules:
Letters may only come from:
⭐The first letter of the book title
⭐The first letter of the series name
⭐The first letter of the author’s first or last name
⭐Letters do not need to be completed in order
⭐All standard rules apply (📚 HOB Standard Rules)
Each book may only be used for:
📘One letter
📘One Spellout
📘One Veilbound activity
📘Spellouts must be completed in full to earn credit

👁️ Veil Whispers

"The Veil speaks to those willing to listen."

Read a book that contains one of the following words in the title, synopsis or text:
blood • bone • shadow • spirit • ghost • curse • ritual • omen • whisper • veil
hunt • prey • fang • claw • howl • bite • mark • bind • break • summon
night • dark • moon • forest • grave • crypt • ash • mist • flame • storm

Rules:
⭐Word variants are permitted. Singular/plural forms and common grammatical variations (such as curse/cursed, bind/bound/binding, or whisper/whispers/whispering) all count toward the required word.
⭐Must appear clearly in the title, text or book synopsis
⭐Each book may only be used for one Word Hunt
⭐All standard rules apply (📚 HOB Standard Rules)

Every five Veil Whispers earn one Veil Sigil.

🩸Veil Marks

"Some warnings reveal themselves before the story even begins."

Read a book with a clearly visible object on the cover:
skull • chain • weapon • candle/flame • book/scroll • key • mirror • crown • mask • clock/hourglass

Rules:
⭐The object must be clearly visible and identifiable
⭐No implied or abstract interpretations
⭐One book = one object\
⭐All standard rules apply (📚 HOB Standard Rules)

Every five Veil Marks earn one Veil Sigil.


👁️ Veil Signs

"Not every secret hides in the shadows. Some leave signs for those who know where to look."

Read a book tagged with one of the following genres or themes on Goodreads:

horror • supernatural • paranormal • gothic • dark fantasy • urban fantasy • fantasy • mystery • thriller • occult •
ghost • vampire • werewolf • witch • demon • angel • zombie • fae • monster • shapeshifter
mythology • magic • haunted • folklore • psychological • suspense • magical realism

Rules:
⭐ Common tag variants are permitted (such as ghost/ghosts, witch/witches, or werewolf/werewolves).
⭐ The required tag must appear clearly on the book's Goodreads page.
⭐ Each book may only be used for one Veil Sign.
⭐ All standard rules apply (📚 HOB Standard Rules).

Every five Veil Signs earn one Veil Sigil.


📖 The Conclave Ledger (enter books)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...


For each qualifying book, enter:

📚 Book Title
✍️ Author
📄 Number of Pages
🕯️ Activity Type

Then complete the appropriate fields for your chosen activity.

🕯️ Ritual Spellcasting
Spell Word
Letter Contributed

👁️ Veil Whisper
Word Found

🩸 Veil Mark
Object Found

The Conclave Ledger will automatically track your completed Ritual Spellcastings, Veil Whispers, Veil Marks, Veil Sigils, and your current Summoning Readiness.

⚡ Summoning Readiness

As you earn Veil Sigils, your readiness to answer the Conclave's call will grow.

🌫️ Gathering
Continue strengthening the Veil and preparing for the hunt.

🔥 Ready
You have earned at least one Veil Sigil and stand prepared should the Conclave require another Hunter.

⚡ Prime Candidate
You have earned the maximum three Veil Sigils and have gathered the greatest reserve of power before entering the hunt.

Once the Conclave summons you to a team, your Veil Sigils remain yours. Carry them into the hunt and exchange them for additional Conclave Boons whenever you choose.

The hunt does not begin when you join a team.

It begins the moment you pledge yourself to the Conclave.

I pledge myself to the Conclave. I stand ready to strengthen the Veil and answer the call when summoned. 🕯️🔮

This is me pledging myself to the Conclave!

I pledge to the Conclave! (I am also no longer going on vacation and will be open and available) Thanks.

I also pledge myself to the conclave, and will work to get ready for the hunt...

I am going to withdraw, was jusy trying to play with friends and/or play competitively, thank you

Brittany wrote: "I am going to withdraw, was jusy trying to play with friends, thank you"

I'm sorry you didn't read the signups.

Well, well... there you are. 😈

Four Reserves accounted for, one new arrival still to come...

I suppose it's time I properly introduce myself.

I'm Twitch.

You'll be seeing quite a lot of me around here.

Whether that's good news or bad news... well, I suppose you'll find out. 👀

Twitch wrote: "Well, well... there you are. 😈

Four Reserves accounted for, one new arrival still to come...

I suppose it's time I properly introduce myself.

I'm Twitch.

You'll be seeing quite a lot of me arou..."

I think I'll run and grab my holy water to be safe.

That might be a good idea. I am hoping that I won't get noticed while hiding behind a book.

I was going to hide behind a book too, but now Upton has mentioned holy water I'm wondering if I should bring both. 👀📚🕯️

Someone grab the SALT!

OK, it’s been a while since I have done a challenge, and never one with a spreadsheet before. So I’m sorry if this is really obvious. I have entered my book into the SS, I haven’t finished it yet. Should I have waited until it was finished? And the date - is that start or finish date? Or is it the date I found the word? 🫣

Emma wrote: "OK, it’s been a while since I have done a challenge, and never one with a spreadsheet before. So I’m sorry if this is really obvious. I have entered my book into the SS, I haven’t finished it yet. ..."

I think it is okay to add your book to the spreadsheet before you finish, although if it's not then I will take mine off. I like to add a book I am planning to read or am currently reading. The date is for when you finish the book.

RachelG. wrote: "Emma wrote: "OK, it’s been a while since I have done a challenge, and never one with a spreadsheet before. So I’m sorry if this is really obvious. I have entered my book into the SS, I haven’t fini..."

Fab, thank you! I have a couple of books I have in mind to read too, but am scared to get too ahead of myself in case of Twitch! 🫣😜

Good call Emma. And I would grab an amulet of protection while you at it!

I need 2 players. None of you have earned sigils yet. SO I will make a deal. I will allow the two players to remove their books from here and try to reallocate those books if they can to the creature(s) they are working on with their new team. 1st two players to respond get the spots.

I am available but because I am also doing a solo roundup I don't mind if other people want to join a team before I am called into action.

Checking in. I'd love to be put on a team, but I also just showed up so am okay if someone who has already started playing gets it.

Also Donna in your next call for players mass message you might want to just note that your email to backups might have gone to spam (mine did)

I've only just unpacked my books in the Veilbound Reserves and begun strengthening the Veil. 😅📚🕯️

If the Conclave permits, I'd be grateful to remain here a little longer before being summoned to a hunting team.

I'm good either way Donna. I am good to stay, and I am good to go. Whatever makes your life easier :)

I am available to join a team if needed.

you guys are very sweet so I used a random picker

Priya The Black Sigils
Rachel The Conclave Sentinels

Donna wrote: "you guys are very sweet so I used a random picker

Priya The Black Sigils
Rachel The Conclave Sentinels"

Thank you. I will head to the Conclave Sentinels.

Good luck you two!

I was at peace for sitting this one out, but then the veil lifted and I heard the conclave call. I abide my time in the darkened mists until summoned.

Welcome to the Veilbound Reserves. I hope you brought protection...Twitch is creeping around here somewhere.

😈 You called for me?

Oh, Reserves...

You really should be more careful about calling a gremlin's name. I might actually show up.

I reached into my Bag of Tricks, and it seems one of your paths through the Veil has... shifted.

🔄 VEIL SHIFT

I've taken a particular interest in your 🔮 Ritual Spellcasting path. Consider it temporarily rerouted.

Want it back? You'll have to complete all three of my little targets:

🔮 Title contains at least two A's
🔮 Title contains at least two O's
🔮 Title begins with S

And don't think one of you can do all the work. At least two different Reserves must contribute.

Complete all three, and I'll restore the path.

Until then...

Enjoy the detour. 😈

Hi I'm here checking in! Thanks for letting me know Donna! Is this a NC team? What do I need to do at the moment?

Checking in! I pledge to the Conclave!

Alyana wrote: "Hi I'm here checking in! Thanks for letting me know Donna! Is this a NC team? What do I need to do at the moment?"

You guys are the Reserves. Technically, you are the backups. You will be earning sigils while you are waiting to be put on a team. However, someone on this team called out Twitch so he gave you guys a task. You need to decide who is going to do it. At least two of you need to volunteer to do those 3 tasks. Otherwise, the regular tasks are in msg 1.

Talk amongst yourselves.... Who will volunteer for those tasks?

I can do either the A’s or the O’s.

That darn gremlin. The next time I see him...I will run away!

I can do any of the tasks, let me know which you prefer.

I can do the "title begins with the letter S" or the "Os"

Twitch wrote: "😈 You called for me?

Oh, Reserves...

You really should be more careful about calling a gremlin's name. I might actually show up.

I reached into my Bag of Tricks, and it seems one of your paths t..."

I just finished an S book yesterday, smh

I've got O's in my current book so can take that one

So shall I do the A’s as I seem to be the only one to volunteer for that particular task?

You can if you want Emma, but I mentioned I was happy to do whatever was left over. Either way is OK with me. Just let me know what you prefer to do.

I'll take the A's then. Before Twitch decides to reroute another path while we're still discussing it. 😈📚

Looking at the SS, we just need an S in the title now 🙏🏼✨📖

Hey VRs...I should be done with my 'S' book in a few hours but if anyone else is close to being done, please do he task to appease the gremlin.

Done with S...did the review but router just died an houragoand I'm running out to do errands. Is anyone able to update the ss on my behalf?

If it isn't done, I could do it. I just got home from work. I'll check now

Audiophile Archives wrote: "Done with S...did the review but router just died an houragoand I'm running out to do errands. Is anyone able to update the ss on my behalf?"

I need your first name to add your book :)

I put my book into the SS, The Incandescent, but it is showing as False. Any one got any ideas why?

There aren't two a's in the title.

That wasn’t the one for two a’s. That was A Court of Mist and Fury. The Incandescent was a Veil Sign and on the book’s page the first tag is fantasy so it shouldn’t be false 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sorry about that. I actually don't know why. I should read the rules attached to the SS again.

There are a few entries on the ss, not just mine showing as false 🙁