Week 1: Draconian Parenting

In this first week, Trackers are recruited to help fend off a poaching ring. Called the Apex Predators, these poachers have begun capturing magical creatures, which could have dire consequences for all of Cascadia!

As the Guide, you play a local villager, belonging to a Guild of your choosing. Your were assigned by the Village to lead the Trackers in finding and driving the poachers out of the area.

Advance Preparation

• This storyline deals with the Dragon Cycle and Land of the Mems. You may want to bookmark these resources for quick reference.
• Depending on the games chosen for a day, you may need bands, rope, or other easy obtainable items. Plan your day out with your resources in mind; there's always an alternative for buying or having a prop on hand.
• You will need to design a bird call to serve as the cry of a phoenix on Days 2 and 5. You can use your voice or a whistle, but it should not sound overly similar to the call of a native bird.

• There are a few props recommended to represent the following:
  1. Dragon Egg - a football or other game ball
  2. Dragonling - a medium game ball (soccer, volley, basket, etc.)
  3. Phoenix - a hacky-sack, pine cone, or small game ball (tennis, softball, etc.)

NPCs

This is a list of NPCs present in this week's story, ordered from most to least time in the narrative:

1. Cinna
2. Indigo
3. Orrin
4. Ral
5. Isha

Walkthrough

Day One Morning

The first Team Game of the day divides the group randomly into their teams for the week. Choose one of the following minigames:

Forehead Dots

Trackers all get a colored mark on their forehead while their eyes are closed. Mark four Trackers in each color, and choose randomly, as these will be future teams. The "dots" can be masking tape, a post-it, or even washable marker.

When you're done, Trackers open their eyes. They must now sort themselves into teams in complete silence, using only non-verbal communication to find their color matches.

OR

Hide and Seek Out Your Team

Half the Trackers hide within specified boundaries. After 30 seconds head start, send the other half out in search. When the seekers find someone, they both head back to group up, and are now teammates!

In the second round, play this in pairs to end with teams of four.

Backstage time throughout the morning can be spent on character creation and getting to know teammate's characters.

When you reach the Team Camp site, introduce yourself as the Guide.

“Welcome to the Village! This is biggest community of humans in the area, especially with all of you here. The Village elders called you from your homes because we need help. A notorious poaching ring called the Apex Predators have made the woods around here their headquarters. Bad enough when they prey on normal creatures, but lately, they’ve been hunting magical creatures, which threatens the very balance between the human world and the Land of the Mems.”

Engage with the Trackers and answer any immediate questions about the Village or Land of the Mems. The direct the Trackers to get to know each other better, to ensure you're all ready to work together.

Pure Play Game of Choice

After this game, an NPC approaches! Introduce the Trackers to Indigo and his osprey, Scree.

Hi there, newcomers! My name is Indigo, and this-- oww, hey! This is Scree. He's not the best behaved, sorry about that. I’m here to tell you about the poachers and your mission. We need someone to run them out of Cascadia and make sure they’re not ruining the things around here.

Trackers may engage Indigo in conversation as everyone finishes decorating. Then, Tracker Sticks in hand, we set out for our first mission.

Team Exploration Game of Choice - Hide the dragon egg prop somewhere near the lunch site. If you have time, you may also leave tracking signs suggesting poachers went through the area with the egg.

Group everyone up once the egg is found, and announce your suspicion: that appears to be a dragon egg!

Day One Afternoon

reassemble with the dragon egg. Before they can decide what to do with it, the dragon in the egg begins to move! It's heating up, to the point where you can't hold it, even through a layer of clothing!

Hot Potato Dragon Egg Game

Pathfinders must keep passing the egg around to prevent it from burning them while the Whiskers find materials for a sling or basket for the egg, passing materials on to and eventually joining the Cloaks in weaving together a carrying solution for the egg.

Once the egg has been contained, teams are approached by a new NPC, Cinna.

Well met, adventurers. I'm Cinna, and I presume you're all the new scouts! The Apex Predators are known for being a rough bunch... are you sure you're all tough enough to take them on? Let’s see your fighting form.

Combat Game of Choice - Sticking Fight or Projectiles

Cinna is impressed! He’s sure the village will be safe with such stalwart defenders. Before you part ways, he's curious about the strange egg you're all carrying. Here are some questions he may ask, if given the opportunity:

• Where did you pick up such a thing?
• Why do you think the poachers left it? Surely such an artifact is too valuable to misplace.
• What do you know of dragons in Cascadia? (If a Tracker knows the lore, allow them to volunteer information. Otherwise, the Guide may step in.)
• What do you plan to do with the egg?

Following this conversation, it will be time for Trackers to stealth back towards the check-out area. If you have extra time, refresh animal walks or help them into camo to give your teams an edge.

Congratulations for completing the first day!

Day Two Morning

The first game of the day is wayfinding to the Village.

Remind the Trackers where you left off: you have a dragon egg and no idea what to do with it. There are three NPCs available to ask for information. You've already met Indigo, and can also speak with an elder, Isha, or a teenage Artisan, Ral.

Roleplay with Indigo

Trackers ask about the egg: Wow, a dragon’s egg! Is it real? Let me see… I didn’t think they existed outside the Land of Mems. The real expert on Mems and dragons around here is Orrin.

Trackers ask about Orrin: Orrin is an Elder in the Artisan’s Guild, but you won’t find him there this time of year. Have you met his apprentice, Ral? If anyone can help you find Orrin, it’ll be Ral.

Roleplay with Isha

Introduction: “Nice to see some new blood around the Village. I’m Isha.”

If asked about herself: “I’ve lived in this Village longer than the lot o’ you’ve been alive. I’m the best healer in Cascadia. Make all kinds of potions and poultices. If you need some wild magic and can get the ingredients, I’m the one to bring ‘em to.”

If asked about the egg: “Pah! I won’t believe it less you show me.” When shown, Isha looks shaken. “...By the sun and stars, where did you get such a thing!?  It shouldn't be here, among us mortals. Take it along to Orrin quick now, he can help you.”

Ask about Orrin: “He’ll be wandering somewhere around (insert name of area around the camp). Ask the birds. They always know where to find him.”

Roleplay with Ral

Introduction: Ral fumbles a piece of pottery as you enter. “Ahhh, tech! Not again. H-hello, you must be the newcomers to the Village. My name is Ral, I’m an Artisan. An, err, struggling Artisan.” 

Ask about the egg: “Truly? That’s incredible! I don’t know anyone alive who’s seen a dragon’s egg. They're laid at the peaks of mountains in the human world."

Ask about Orrin: “Of course, you must be looking for him. He left two days ago, heading north and following (a common local bird) friend of his. If you ask the birds, they can help you track him down.”

When you have the hint, "follow the birds," let Trackers take the lead in interpreting. Listen to their ideas for communicating with birds and, if possible, use them. As a Guide, try to limit your feedback and let Trackers guide the discussion. Here are some activities that may be pursued:

• Trackers spend their Team and Secret Camp time observing and recording details about birds.
• Begin a hike into nature, utilizing an animal walk while traveling to avoid bird alarms.
• As a Guide or by utilizing other Elders, teach Trackers to identify the most common local species.
• Track a specific bird, or a type of bird that appears most communicative.

Plan to have birding activities draw to a close about an hour before lunchtime. At this point, announce that the birds have stopped moving and seem to be warning you of something ahead.

The poacher’s encampment looms ahead, right where (your tracked bird) was headed. It’s possible they were trying to warn us! There are guards around the perimeters, and at least two dozen inside the camp. There are too many to fight, but we have the advantage of time. Let’s put on some camouflage before sneaking by.

Apply Camouflage

Stealth Game of Choice

Part way through this game, make a bird call to represent the phoenix. As the Guide, you can give the Trackers the following information:

• The bird call is probably a rare species caught by the poachers
• It sounds near, so it’s likely on the edge of the camp
• It would be very dangerous to try and rescue

The Trackers are allowed a choice: save the bird or don’t save the bird. Their choice will play out after lunch!

Day Two Afternoon

Save the Bird Heist Game

Hide the phoenix within the poacher's camp area before games resume.

Design lines of sight for "guards" within the camp. Pathfinders can briefly "deactivate" sightlines with distractions. Whiskers must explore and find the phoenix, then get it safely out of camp. Finally, Cloaks wait with projectiles to cover the escape.

After the phoenix has successfully been extracted, a poacher spots you! All Trackers must vacate the camp while Cloaks get a projectile game.

At the end of the phoenix heist, the poachers give up chase, shouting about how they’ll tell the boss about you. The phoenix was saved, but appears to be in bad shape. Have the Trackers attempt first aid on the magical creature. Walk them through several steps, based on factual avian emergency care:

• Gently and quietly restrain the bird
• Wrap it in a cloth
• Examine the bird to determine where it may be injured
• Keep the bird warm and dry
• If bleeding, place a clean cloth over the wound and apply firm pressure for about five minutes
• Make and apply a natural disinfectant: a paste of wood ash and water, garlic leaves, or honey

You may also mix in fantastical steps, but be clear that these measures are specific to the phoenix and would not be helpful to regular birds. Regardless of the attempts, the phoenix will unfortunately die. No need to make this too sad or traumatic, however-- it will be reborn moments later!

The phoenix goes limp, and it's body suddenly combusts into a bright blaze. After just a few moments, though, the glow dies down, and a fledgling phoenix with bright orange plumage is nestled in you arms. It appears healthy and alert, getting to its feet and inspecting you before taking off. It wobbles a little before stabilizing and soaring out into the world.

Skip the alternate scenario to finish out the day.

Don't Save the Bird Stealth Game: The stealth game continues, but gets more difficult. There are now guards on alert, and if you enter their line of sight, it will trigger a round of You’re Only Safe If... If you decided they've failed too often, use the end of the SAVE THE BIRD scenario where poachers chase you out of the camp.

Just as the action is winding down, announce that something odd is happening with the egg again...

You all hear a sharp cracking as a tiny, reptilian claw punches it’s way through the eggshell. The dragonling is hatching!

Day Three Morning

The first game of the day is an improv game. The dragon egg hatches! As the Guide, you can determine if the dragon is male or female, but everything else will be up to the Trackers.

Dragon Deciding Improv Game - An improv game or pure play game which determines the dragonling’s physical characteristics and personality. Using the dragonling prop, Trackers throw it to a random teammate as you call out a prompt. The Tracker who catches the ball must then determine that trait. Here are several prompts to use:

• Main color
• Underbelly color
• Eye color
• What color fire it breathes
• Does it have horns
• Tail Length
• Number of toes
• Smooth or spiky back
• Fast or slow
• Aggressive or shy
• Slim or stocky
• What does it sound like
• What does it smell like
• Does it bite or lick
• Does it like being held

After the dragonling has a “character” established, Trackers may give it a name (if they hadn't already). This can take place during backstage time or traveling time.

When Morning Adventures begin, remind the Trackers of the necessity to find Orrin before the dragonling gets out of control. Before you can resume tracking, however, the dragonling is crying and acting out! Teams must decide how to address its needs, the split up to find the necessary resources it needs.

Multiple Survival Games of Choice - Get the dragonling foraged food, clean water, a transportable shelter, cordage for a harness etc.

The Trackers’ efforts are working, but there is clearly a need to find Orrin soon!

Day Three Afternoon

Before gameplay resumes, you will need to place Orrin somewhere in the field of play. He may be portrayed by an assistant Guide, Elder, or simply a band to mark his position until the main Guide can take up the role.

Team Hunt for Orrin Game - For increased difficulty on the Cloaks, counter-tracking skills, the Guide can patrol the area in play and impose short dragon care tasks on any team they can find.

The first team to find Orrin should call the others to group them up. Orrin was injured in a scuffle with the Apex Predators and can't walk without help, but he notices the dragonling and understands your need for knowledge is dire.

In addition to the Dragon Cycle and the Land of Mems lore, here are some points of knowledge Orrin can provide:

• Dragon eggs are not meant to be hatched off mountaintops
• It's needs will quickly become too difficult for human keepers, and it will get destructive
• Returning the dragonling to a mountain is unfeasible; he releasing it into the Land of Mems
• Dragonlings often run away from or harm mortal keepers-- the Trackers must treat it well for it to stick around at all

Orrin can also tell you how to travel to and from the Land of Mems. He would go himself, but he’s too physically weak to handle the dragonling or the crossing. Instead, he will outline his knowledge of four methods:

• Tracking and tunneling (recommended)
  • This choice involves following an animal you are familiar with (individual or species) until you come across an ancient tree, then tunneling through its roots.
• Sailing through the Gap between the sea and the sky (harder)
  • This choice is like it says on the tin. Build a raft and (improv) sail away.
• Meditation on connection with Mems (hardest)
  • This method is includes meditation (and improv), but is considered unreliable.

Once Orrin has told Trackers everything they need to know, he'll ask them to head back towards the Village to get help and start planning your journey.

If there's enough time before Trackers are due at the check-out area, have them run into a small band of Apex Predators. They're angry about the phoenix, and threaten the Village if the Trackers interfere with their operation again.

Combat Game of Choice (to run them off)

Ask Trackers to decide which path they'll take to the Land of Mems before ending gameplay.

Day Four Morning

The first game of the day can be any Pure Play game suitable for a warm-up. This is an active day! Morning Adventures start with the group's choice for entering the Land of Mems. Each path includes two consecutive games:

Tracking & Tunneling

This method involves finding an animal to track with which the Trackers are familiar. Ideally this is an animal they’ve come to know, but a familiar species will work as well. Instruct them to focus on envisioning what it would look and feel like to be that animal.

Tracking Game of Choice

Improv Game - At the base of the largest tree the Trackers can find, improvise tunneling through ancient tree roots. Use existing terrain to crawl in, over, and under.

Sailing Through the Gap

This method requires gathering materials and having each team build a raft.

Survival Games to gather and build the raft.

Improv Game - Sailing through storm-tossed seas and into the Gap between the sea and the sky.

Meditation

Will always fail at this stage, necessitating a return to the Tracking & Tunneling method.

You successfully arrive in the Land of the Mems! The dragonling unceremoniously departs. What an ingrate.

Day Four Afternoon

After returning from the break, it's time to set the scene for the Land of the Mems. Arrange Trackers in a circle and have them close their eyes. Then, walk them through a guided visualization.

“Close your eyes and steady your breathing. As you step up from the roots / ship, you see the Land of Mems, a world of pure spirit. Strange, lantern-like plants emit a blue light on a ground covered in plants and fungus taller than you. The ground beneath our feet is part of a giant floating earth mote... one of innumerable platforms of strange, magical lifeforms. Flying mems looking like birds cross paths with jellyfish in a perpetually twilit sky. Let's explore before heading back to the human world!"

If you saved the phoenix earlier in the week, it flies over and greets the group! It has grown and appear to be doing well. After a minute, it will fly back out into the mist.

Nature Exploration Game of Choice

At the end of the game, a rift of bright red light opens and Cinna bursts into the Land of Mems! He's accompanied by a starling Mem.

“If it isn’t my favorite group of unwitting pawns! If you want to get out of here, you’d better have that phoenix, or at least that dragonling. All known crossings around here have been destroyed, except for the one I’ll be using, so don’t think you can get away.”

Allow Trackers to interact with Cinna for the remaining time. They can ask Cinna questions and Cinna can do a villain monologue.

Why are you doing this? “I thought you might’ve figured it out… I’m the leader of the Apex Predators! You really surprised me by handling that dragon egg, not to mention stealing the phoenix right from under our nose.”

What did you do to the exits? “Well, technically, I didn’t do anything at all! But I did convince my new friend here, Mercure (the starling), that it would be fun to trap some hapless adventurers here for their entertainment.

We won’t let you have the phoenix! / We don’t have the dragon/phoenix. “If that's true, this really won’t end well for you. If I can't recoup my costs, maybe stranding you here is too light a punishment."

Prepare to fight tomorrow for the big finale!

Day Five Morning

As soon as morning activities have wrapped, we can return to the showdown with Cinna.

Combat Game of Choice

Make the odds appear to be in Cinna’s favor near the end of the game. At the last moment, the dragonling returns to help! Cinna, battered from your attacks, is on the edge of the earth mote when the dragonling slams into him, knocking him back into the mists. The dragonling takes off again, shedding one scale which Trackers may keep.

Mercure, the starling Mem, was very entertained by your performance. It tells everyone that Cinna won’t be killed from the fall in a place so dense with magic. He'll make it back to the human world eventually, as the exits Mercure destroyed will regenerate. Mercure suggests you get going if want to keep the village out of trouble!

Improv Game - Returning to the Human World

Lead Trackers to the open portal, but you can't simply walk through it. To direct the portal to your home, versus anywhere in the human world, you have to concentrate on your connection with your home and Hearthstone.

“Close your eyes and slow the pace of your breathing. Take deep breaths, hold them for a count of four, and then breathe out all the air in your lungs. Put as much space between your ears and collar bones as possible. Run your focus over your body, taking stock of how you feel. Notice how your feet feel in your socks. Notice how the fabric of your clothes feels on your skin. Notice how the ground feels beneath you. Notice how your hair feels on your head. Now try to remember your connections to the human world with the same clarity."

You may also have them recollect their connection with an animal they met and named over the week, their Hearthstone, or their family. The stronger the memory and sentiment behind it, the better their chances of success!

The Trackers make it back, just in time for the break. Only one problem… they’re surrounded by the Apex Predators!

Day Five Afternoon

You start surrounded by the poachers. They’re surprised Cinna isn’t with you, and threaten to set their animals (dangerous beasts they hunted and caged) on you if you don’t return the phoenix.

However, their beasts won’t attack! The dragon scale you brought back has protective magic, and they won’t behave for the poachers any longer. The objective now is to free the beasts and run the poachers out of the area for good!

Defeat the Poachers - a variant of Red Light, Green Light

Trackers goal is to reach one of four markers symbolizing four chained creatures. Four individual Trackers need to reach a single objective. Together they must correctly answer three Trackers Trivia questions to break the chains on the creature, sending it running after several poachers.

If Trackers are caught moving at the wrong time, they will have to sit out for one cycle of red light, green light. Guides may up the difficulty by moving the objectives during the Red Light phase, symbolizing the Apex Predators retreat.

Play until all the creatures are free and the Apex Predators chased off to the four directions. Then you may return to the Village with much fanfare. It's now time to celebrate! After Trackers have returned their Hearthstones to their Secret Camps, get everyone together to share stories, visit the Troll Market, play Trackers Trivia or other games, and sign each others’ journals.

End of Draconian Parenting