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. M-may I see? How beautiful… look at the flecks of color in the eggshell. Perhaps the dragonling will be that color when it hatches.”

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 Trackers have come across an enemy. Define the boundaries of the enemy camp.

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: misdirection, thievery, projectiles on escape

At the end of this game, the poachers run away, 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: 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…

Do your best, as the Guide, to continuously challenge the Trackers. While they cannot be fully discovered in this scenario, they should feel like it’s a serious threat. This may act as validation for their decision to keep moving; they definitely wouldn’t have gotten out of this camp if they’d broke in!

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!

DRAGON DECIDING GAME- An improv game or pure play game which determines the dragonling’s characteristics: color, size, spikiness, etc. After the dragonling has a “character” established, prompt Trackers to give it a name.

With the newly named dragon, remind the Trackers of the mission to find Orrin. The birds are more receptive to helping you now.

However, the dragonling will begin to act out frequently as the teams travel, proving just as difficult to handle out of the egg. Teams must decide how to address its needs and split up to find the necessary resources to keep it alive.

Multiple Survival Games of Choice - Get the dragonling food, water, a transportable shelter, and some cord for a harness.

The Trackers’ efforts are working, but the baby is still difficult. If there’s time before lunch, discuss how best to find Orrin.

Day Three Afternoon

TRACKING GAME IN TEAMS- race to find Orrin while the Guide, carrying the dragonling, will randomly imposes little dragonling-based tasks on any team they can find

The first team to find Orrin should call the others to group them up. When they first happen upon Orrin, he may be portrayed by a guide, Elder, animal, or simply an object to mark his position until the main Guide can take up the role. You may speak with him and ask him questions, but will be interrupted shortly after introductions.

It’s a group of poachers! They warn the Trackers to back off their rackets, and demand the phoenix back if you have it.

COMBAT GAME - stick or foam swords, projectiles

After the poachers have been repelled, Orrin will invite you to sit and learn from him. He will freely answer any questions about dragon lore. If the Trackers are struggling to find the right questions, you can also have him offer information.

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 in this world

You must return the dragonling to the Land of Mems, or it will become too destructive for the human world

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. It requires a powerful connection to your homeland, or else you can get stuck there forever! 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:

Tunneling/following animals (recommended)

Sailing through the Gap between the sea and the sky

Find Worm People, harvest their silk and use it to slice into the Land of Mems

Meditation on connection with mems

Trackers must choose a method to use, which will be enacted the following day. They may also spend the rest of the day planning or beginning preparations for their chosen method.

CARETAKING & STRATEGY GAME

As the day wraps up, remind Trackers that success or failure rests on their bonds with their home. They may want to think or journal about this over the evening to improve chances the following day!

Day Four Morning

Have Trackers proceed directly to their Team camps for some journaling and meditation. Remind them of the connection they must have to successfully get back! If you skipped the caretaking and strategy game on Day Three, work in a shorter version of it after Trackers return from their Secret Camps.

Rally everyone together to pursue your teams’ choice for entering the Land of Mems. Each path includes two different games. These storylines meet on page __.

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 - Tunnel through ancient tree roots.

Sailing Through the Gap

This method requires gathering materials and having each team build a “ship.” These will in fact be shelters, though the type will vary depending on available materials.

Survival Games

Improv Game - Sailing through storm-tossed seas.

Worm People Silk

Tracking Game of Choice

This method requires hunting down clues to find the Worm People. There should be at least as many clues as there are Tracker teams, forcing them to first hunt down the clues, then group up to put the clues (and their wits) together.

Clue Hunting Game

Improv Game - Meet the Worm People and trade for silk

Improv Game - Cut through the planes of reality

You’ve made it to the Land of Mems! The dragonling immediately, unceremoniously departs.

Day Four Afternoon

Set an otherworldly scene for Trackers as they re-enter a strange new world.

Earth motes

Have them sit in a circle and close their eyes, then walk them through the following:

“Close your eyes and steady your breathing. As you step up from the roots / ship / through the tear, you see the Land of Mems. Flavor text!

Improv Game of Choice

If you saved the phoenix earlier in the week, it flies over and greets you, then flies back into the mist.

Exploration Game of Choice - Plant three dragon pieces for them to potentially find: a tooth, a scale, and “finger” bone (wing).

Have the last round of the game halt prematurely, as Cinna bursts into the Land of Mems! He effectively explodes the entrance he used.

“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 the 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 (name for poaching ring here)! 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, Mercure, that it would be fun to keep some hapless adventurers here. Would you like to meet them?”

We won’t let you have the phoenix! “

We don’t have the dragon/phoenix. “Oh dear. If you’re not lying, this really won’t end well for you. If I can’t get any profit out of this trip.”

End on a menacing but ambiguous threat. Tomorrow is 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

Tip the odds in Cinna’s favor near the end of the game. However, 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.

Mercure warns everyone that Cinna won’t be killed from the fall, and that he’ll likely make it back to the human world eventually. They suggest you find a way back if you want to stop him! And no… Mercure will not be helping.

There are two ways the Trackers can finish the morning. They may choose to find the single available exit or meditate.

If they choose to search for the exit:

Pure Play Game of Choice

If they choose to meditate:

Run the Trackers through a checklist to get into a meditative state before focusing in on their connection with nature.

“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. Open your mind to your memories…”

Instruct them to choose and focus on their favorite aspects of life in the human world. Their connection with an animal they met and named over the week, their Hearthstone, their family or friends, etc. The stronger the memory and sentiment behind it, the better their chances of success!

When lunch time draws near, announce the teams’ arrival back in the human world! Only one problem… they’re surrounded by enemies.

Day Five Afternoon

Return from lunch to be 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 dragon and phoenix.

However, the beasts won’t attack! The dragonling and phoenix marked you as friends, and they won’t behave for the poachers any longer.

Game of Choice: The objective is to free the beasts and run the poachers out of the area for good!

Return to the Village with much fanfare. You completed the mission and gained human and animal friendships along the way.

Final Secret Camp Time

After Trackers have returned their Hearthstones to their Secret Camps, it’s time to celebrate! Get all the teams together to share stories, visit the Troll Market, play Trackers Trivia, have snacks, and sign each others’ journals.