The Wayward Bard CYOA

[Rascal]

The camp was all but assembled. The tents were pitched, the wagons were set in a circle, and the forest was permeated by the smell of a well-cooked stew. Baxter was on his second bowl when the meaty paw of a badger clamped down on his shoulder, "Bard. Do you tell stories?"

The fox finished swallowing before replying to the wagon master. "Typically I prefer the lute or a little bit of music but I do dabble in some storytelling from time to-"

"All you had to say was yes," The badger rolled his eyes. "We be traveling harsh territory in the morning. The beasts here could use a yarn to lift their spirits."

Ears around the campfire perked up to the sound of a story coming. "Oh! Yes! Tell us a story!" Said an otter.

Baxter smiled, "Well if it's a story you beasts are wanting, I know the perfect one. Daring sword fights, deadly games of chance, heroic tales of-"

"You're from Northvale, right?"

The fox gave pause. "Yes?" He said hesitantly.

"Then surely you must know the story of how the arena fell!"

"I should hope so, I was there," Baxter said with a touch of smugness. "Shall I recount the daring deeds of those who fought to liberate themselves from under the yoke of oppression?"

"Tell us a story about Kali."

The fox's eyes snapped to a small mouse dibbun huddled against his parents. "Tell us about the bat!"

Several nods of agreement arose from around the campfire.

"A good comedy is just what we need!"

"Yeah! Tell us a tale about the Wayward Bard!"

"Yes! A tale of the Wayward Bard!"

"Surely you would want a. . . different story," Baxter laughed weakly, "Any other story. Literally. Any. Other. Story."

"Bat! Bat! Bat!" The mouse dibbun's silly chant was taken up by the others. "Bat! Bat! Bat!" They chorused.

Sighing in defeat the fox rubbed his eyes. "Fine. . . Which story of the Wayward Bard do you want to hear?"

The crowd of beasts did not deliberate long. As one voice they shouted, ". . ."

(Choose the story you are about to embark on. Leave a comment down below with the title of the story. The winning title will be chosen at random or based on its level of silliness. Actual rules will come later.)

[The Grey Coincidence]

The Wails And Willows Of The Wonky Tree

[Rascal]

"Northward Bound!"
"Whatever happened to the Watershed Weasels!"
"Nah, you mean the Wayward Weasels."
"Kali and the pot of lukewarm coffee?"
Baxter only continued to rub his eyes and sigh. "I don't know half of those stories and as for the last, no. No. No. No, never again. No. NEVER. But I think I have one you will all like."


The Wayward Bard and the Wails and Willows of the Wonky Tree

Once Upon a Time. . .

It had been many days since Kali set off from Northvale in search of her homeland. It was a pain, having to rely on her own two legs while her wing continued to heal, but the walk had at least slimmed her down to a more manageable pear shape.

North and south she did travel, seeing many sights and visiting many places along the way, admittedly not on purpose. Kali refused to call herself lost. She spent good money on her map so she had better not be lost! The map just. . . spoke to her in a different language, that's all. For example, when the map told Kali she should be going through a wide grassland it obviously meant the mountains. . . because that is all that was around her. Hills and rocky Mountains for as far as she could see.

Kali sighed, stashing the map in her satchel. "As long as I keep heading east, I will be ok!" Or something to that effect, she thought. All she could do was travel onward, following the narrow dirt road to its inevitable conclusion. . .

The fox-bat winced, clutching her stomach as it growled at her.

. . . and hope that there was food at her next destination.

Welcome to The Wayward Bard! You dear readers get to play the many random thoughts of Kali, directing her on her path to her homeland. . . or horrible doom. To play, simply leave comments down below in-between segments of the story on what she should do or where she should go. I'll try to incorporate all that I can into the story, within reason.

There is a dice system at play but only when needed. When needed, I will roll the D20 of Fate, adding and subtracting Kali's traits, items, and conditions from the role to determine what happens. 10+ is a success. 1 or lower earns a bad ending. Etc etc.

Oh, yes. Bad endings. Kali can die! Sort of. Anytime Baxter has to pull a Dais ex Machina to save Kali from a bad situation, the alternate ending will be put in the Bad Ending forum thread.

So let the games begin!

Traits
Bard x2, Bat, Chubby, Voice of the Dying Moose (terrible singer)
Items
Lute, dagger, map, satchel, poncho, cloth belt, wide floppy hat
Conditions
Healing Wing, hungry