avatarJF Danskin

Summary

The web content introduces an interactive story game set in a fantasy world where a young adventurer joins the Adventurers' League and prepares to embark on quests.

Abstract

The website presents "On the Road to Adventure," an introductory chapter to a 'choose your own' interactive story. It invites readers to engage with the narrative by making choices, with the suggestion to use a notepad and dice to enhance the experience. The protagonist, a novice adventurer, leaves the city of Westport equipped with basic items and heads towards the Adventurers' League headquarters, facing light ridicule from city guards. Upon arrival, the protagonist meets Yorrick, a guildmaster, and pays a fee to join the guild. The narrative is part of the Medium Adventurers' League, with rules detailed in a separate linked guide. The story encourages readers to take on the role of the protagonist and participate in the adventure, with the promise of more stories to come and the option to subscribe for updates.

Opinions

  • The guards' laughter at the protagonist's ambition to join the Adventurers' League suggests a common underestimation of new adventurers.
  • The protagonist's determination and readiness for adventure are emphasized despite their inexperience and the teasing from the guards.
  • The guildmaster, Yorrick, initially seems skeptical of the protagonist's readiness but is willing to give the young adventurer a chance to prove themselves.
  • The narrative implies that while the roads near the city are safe, the further regions hold potential dangers, hinting at the excitement and challenges that lie ahead for the protagonist.
  • The interactive nature of the story is highlighted as a key feature, with the author encouraging readers to actively participate in the adventure by making choices and managing their character's inventory.

Fiction | Game | Medium Adventurers League ⚔️

On the Road to Adventure

A starter chapter for a ‘choose your own’ interactive story

Image by the author using Midjourney AI

This is the beginning of a story that works as an interactive game. If you want to make the most of it, have a notepad and dice at the ready! And check out the rules here:

The gates of Westport stand open. Two middle-aged guards watch you as you approach. It’s dawn, and you are ready to set out on the road to adventure.

“Where are you headed, kid?” asks one of the guards, as you step across the threshold.

You give a nervous smile, turn and look to the east, then point to where the Adventurers’ League headquarters can just be made out atop a small cluster of hills, some miles from the city walls.

“The Adventurers’ League? You going for a job sweeping their floors or something?” At this, both of the guards burst out laughing.

You scowl and stride off, trying to dismiss their rude words. So, you’re young, and you’ve never been on an adventure before. But hey! Everyone has to start somewhere…

Right?

You have been saving your allowance. As well as a basic backpack, you have gathered together the following items:

A hand axe (+0 to Brawn)
2 torches
Flint and steel
A waterskin (full)
10 silver pieces
(Hint – note this down! It's your character's inventory)

It’s not much. But if all goes to plan, you will find a mentor to train you, rack up a few easy quests, and get rich as hell.

How hard can it be? You’ve never once met an adventurer who got killed on a quest…

You stride on, the sun rising at your back. To your right lies the grim, rotten mass of trees known as the Deadwood. Fortunately, you don’t need to go through it. Besides, the roads so close to the city are pretty safe. Not that a brave adventurer like you would be scared.

Before long, you depart the main road, and begin to cross the marshy area into the western foothills of the Trollkiller Mountains. These hills were known to be highly dangerous in the past, but the adventurers who founded the Adventurers’ League dealt with the worst of the threats a generation ago.

Far ahead, atop a distant hill, you see an ancient monastery. There is also a wizard’s tower even further off and to the north, cloaked in mist. Much closer, a set of stone stairs leads up to the massive wooden edifice of the guildhall. You begin to climb.

Five minutes later, panting from the exertion, you push your way inside. A man with the head of a bull stands behind the bar, sipping a mug of coffee.

“I’m here to join the guild,” you announce, patting the axe at your belt.

He chokes on his drink for a moment, and then tries to keep a straight face as he rounds the bar and approaches. “You sure you’re, uh… ready for this, kid?”

“Uh, huh!” you reply. “No doubt!”

“Very well, then. My name’s Yorrick, and I’m one of the guildmasters. It costs two silver pieces to join. Membership gives you access to all our quests, and we also stock some basic adventuring supplies. There’s a member’s rate to get a room for the night, too.”

You nod, taking this in as you hand over the coins. “I’d like to get started straight away, please. There are monsters to slay!”

“Well,” says Yorrick, “if you’re sure… there are a bunch of basic, easy quests that none of our more experienced members will waste their time on.” He pauses, looking you up and down. “You might just about cope with them. Take a look — the noticeboard is inside the main door.”

Take two silver pieces off your inventory.
Add 'Guild membership pass' to your inventory.
Then, click below to continue.

Continue

Thanks for reading! You can find more ‘choose your own’ stories in the links below, and the rules to Medium Adventurers League right here.

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Fantasy
Fiction
Medium Adventurers League
Ideas
Roleplaying Game
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