If you guys haven't heard about The Book Junkie Trials, then here's a little bit of information to get you started.
The Book Junkie Trials was started by @_Rachel_Marie on twitter (technically her youtube channel which you can find here). This link will bring you right to the video where she explains what exactly The Book Junkie Trials will be and how to go about getting yourself signed up to participate.
Basically, the trials are a set of 5 reading challenges (4 challenges individualized for your specific path and then the last challenge is to read the group book which is Stardust.) Now the ideal way to play this is by reading the books in order as they are found on the prompt list for your specific path be it mage, outlaw, bard, or scribe. Each path has their own leader or royalty and then also the one and only Queen of the land. I definitely recommend following all these wonderful people on twitter and also giving their youtube channels a look. You can find a bunch of helpful information by following @thebookjunkietrials on twitter which has a bunch of links for a personality quiz, the leaders for each path, faq's, and everything else you might need to get started on this quest.
So the main challenge is to complete your specific path's prompts. However the Queen has also issued a challenge that if you would like to complete all of the prompts during the month, your character will be given a boost for next years challenge. (I'm very excited about the idea of this being a yearly challenge and will be attempting to complete all of the challenges).
I decided to do something a little different for this challenge and have decided that since the challenge feels similar to that of D&D, why not make my entries for the challenge also sort of D&D-esque. So below will begin my character's path on the quest as she set's her TBR for the challenge. I hope you guys enjoy!
It was a day like most others for Zara as she found herself drowning in her studies. She wished for the day that her studies would be over and she could be free to do as she pleased but according to her mentor Alminon, she had much to do still. She sighed and flipped the page of her yellowing and mildewed book. Alminon was a firm believer in studying non-combative spells, after all, how often is one in a combative situation, he always told her. This of course left Zara with no choice but to practice these spells in secret when her mentor was off buying things in the nearest town.
Outside, Zara could hear what sounded to be someone on horseback coming towards the small cottage where she spent the majority of her time. She quickly placed the book back in it's spot on the bookshelf before crossing over to the cottage doorway. Alminon must've been wasting no time on today's trip if he was back already.
Zara opened the door and swiped away the long lock of hair that had swept over her face in her rush to get to the door. When she looked out upon the wooded background, she was surprised to see an unfamiliar face riding towards her with a scroll in hand.
Unsure of this new stranger and her mentors absence, Zara thought of the first spell and called upon her powers. The familiar hum of her magic coursed through her as a small ball of energy began to take form in her hand. She hadn't planned to do anything with the ball of energy, except to show that she was not unarmed in front of this stranger and she definitely hadn't planned on spooking the approaching horse, but that was exactly what happened.
The horse reared and his unsuspecting rider was thrown off it's back, leaving the rider sore and horseless as it took off into the woods.
"I'm so sorry," Zara said as she called back the energy force and made her way over to the fallen man. "I hadn't meant to spook your horse."
"You're lucky that you are my last stop, otherwise you would have to answer to the Queen herself why her scrolls were not all delivered to their intended recipients on time."
"The Queen?" Zara whispered in shock.
Zara had heard the stirrings of a quest that the Queen was issuing across the land but only those who received the map would truly know the details of said quest. She eyed the fallen scroll still laying on the ground and her eyes widened in realization of what was happening. Zara, the girl who was teased for many years that she would never amount to anything, was receiving her first quest. And to make it even better, it was coming from the Queen! Most went their whole lives without once receiving a quest from the reigning King or Queen.
The stranger quickly grabbed the scroll and crossed the few remaining feet between the two and held it out for Zara to take, "From her majesty, the Queen. She has issued you a quest, but take heed, it is not for the faint at heart. Inside this scroll, you will find your instructions as well as a map outlining the land. Each of the four chosen professions (mage, outlaw, bard, and scribes) have their own routes to follow. Study the map well and be prepared to begin your quest on the 28th of June (mages only all other professions start on July 1st).
Zara opened the scroll and began to read:
Mage TBR:
Orc Grove: There's Someone Inside Your House (287 pgs)
Ol' Pirate Cove: Midnight Jewel (400 pgs)
Glimmer: Aurora Rising (470 pgs)
Draconic Isle: Nimona (272 pgs)
The Bookie Grail: Stardust (288 pgs)
There's Someone Inside Your House will fulfill my weakness as it's very out of my comfort zone
All Other Challenges TBR:
Crimson Peaks: These peaks are about to blow! Re-read a favorite to soothe them back into dormancy. Fangirl (433 pgs)
Queendom Stone: The stone of our Royal Majesty- what are the royal customs of other lands? Read a book featuring Royalty. Her Royal Highness (288 pgs)
The Forgotten Forests: All those open series, the forest knows and feels your forgetfulness. It will sing a mournful lament, tormenting you until you read the next in a series. The Dream Thieves (437 pgs)
The Weeping Falls: To pass through the rapids unscathed, you must give to the falls. Read a tear-jerker. They Both Die at the End (376 pgs)
Dwarf Mount: You spot a fair tavern wench, however the Dwarf Mines, grimey and dusty, didn't evoke a very romantic feeling. Read a book with a hint of romance to get you in the mood. P.S. I Like You (326 pgs)
Apothecary Towers: Where the wizards dwell. Tricksters. They have blind-folded you and randomized all of your books, choose a book at random from your bookshelf. Wildcard (341 pgs)
The Great Library: Ah the great archives, find and read a book that's been on your TBR forever. Throne of Glass (404 pgs)
The Drowning Deep: The whirlpool... is so.. mesmerizing. Read a book with rich world-building that will suck you into it's own world, instead. Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer (544 pgs)
The Elven Guard: are surprised by your visit, and are immediately on the offensive: read a book with war, miliatary, or political themes to help learn how to calm the situation. The Iron King (363 pgs)
On the Hallow Isle: lurk incorporeal monsters and the ghosts of your past: read an atmospheric or horror book to pass this test of nerve. A Curious Tale of the In-Between (226 pgs)
Empty Barrel Inn: everyone deserves a swig or two, some say it even aids warming up those vocal cords: enjoy an indulgent read. Eliza and Her Monsters (385 pgs)
Giant Squid, a fearsome fellow: Read a book that intimidates you and this foe shall be a doddle. Murder on the Orient Express (265 pgs)
Total pages read: 0/6105
It was clear to Zara that she had her work cut out for her but she felt that she was ready for this quest. Most of the places were so far off in the distance that Zara had only ever heard whispering's of what went on there. One thing was for sure, the only place for her to start was by putting one foot in front of the other.
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