Word crawl/Tortallan Squire Word Crawl

by MagicPomelo MagicPomelo, Tortallan Squire Word Crawl, (NaNoWriMo Forums, November 2, 2023). See "https://forums.nanowrimo.org/t/tortallan-squire-word-crawl/565629". Accessed December 7, 2023.
Welcome to the Tortallan Squire Word Crawl, where you will embark on a journey through the world of knights, sorcerers, and mythical creatures created by Tamora Pierce. As a young squire, you’ll face numerous trials and adventures on your path to knighthood.
Squires will be required to choose a knight master, depending on their writing speed. Your master will determine your writing pace during this crawl.
*Lord Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie’s Peak:
**For those writing at a slower pace with their dog, Jump, while he fetches willow hoops and rolls in rain puddles.
*Alanna the Lioness of Trebond, Olau, and Pirate’s Swoop:
**For those writing at an average pace with their horse, Darkmoon, at a steady trot along the Great Road North.
*Lord Wyldon of Cavall:
**For those writing at a faster pace with Crown the sparrow - you’re like the wind under her wings.
Gold Nobles :coin: are used to skip a round of the crawl that is particularly daunting. Squires would do well to remember that you will receive a limited number of coins throughout this adventure - spend them wisely!
SPOILER ALERT: These events follow many major events from the plot of Squire, by Tamora Pierce, the third book of the Protector of the Small quartet. While most of the big spoilers have been taken out, proceed with caution. It’s my hope that fans of the author and the series will love this crawl, but I also hope that non-fans (or maybe not-yet fans) will also enjoy the adventure.
==The Adventure Begins==
Congratulations on finishing your Page years! You are now officially a Squire of Tortall. Sprint to 100 words to celebrate.
You see the other squires in your year being chosen by their knight masters, and you worry that you’ll get left behind. You visit the Chamber of the Ordeal, which shows you a future in which you are trapped in the life of a desk knight under the tutelage of Gareth of Naxen. Write for 5 minutes to distract yourself from these thoughts.
You have been chosen by a knight master! Your master will determine your writing pace during this crawl. Write for ten minutes. Your word count will determine how many Gold Nobles are in your purse.
*Lord Raoul
**Less than 100 words: 1 Gold Noble :coin:
**100-200 words: 2 Gold Nobles :coin::coin:
**More than 200 words: 3 Gold Nobles :coin::coin::coin:
*Lady Alanna
**Less than 150 words: 1 Gold Noble :coin:
**150-250 words: 2 Gold Nobles :coin::coin:
**More than 250 words: 3 Gold Nobles :coin::coin::coin:
*Lord Wyldon
**Less than 250 words: 1 Gold Noble :coin:
**250-350 words: 2 Gold Nobles :coin::coin:
**More than 350 words: 3 Gold Nobles :coin::coin::coin:
Your best friend gets chosen as Squire to King Jonathan of Conté! Help him celebrate this high honor. Roll a die and multiply your roll by 4. Sprint for that many minutes.
It’s nearly time to set out on your adventure with your new knight master. You must choose a new mount:
*Destrier (warhorse)
**Roll a die and multiply your roll by 50. Write that many words while your new mount gets properly fitted for armor.
*Palfrey (mare)
**Write for 15 minutes to get used to her paces.
*Pony
**Sprint to 150 words - what a fiery spirit!
You are awakened before dawn - there’s trouble in Haresfield, and you and your knight master must ride out immediately! Write to the nearest thousand as you climb into your saddle and settle in for a long ride. If you need to write more than 500 words for this challenge and choose not to skip this round, take one Gold Noble + :coin:.
You’ve arrived in Haresfield, and the place is…a mess. Raiders have taken everything of value, and many of the buildings and homes have been damaged by fire. The King’s Own are hard at work helping. Choose a task and make yourself useful!
*Follow centaur tracks
**Write for 5 minutes as you search for clues about where the Raiders have gone
*Help repair the main gate
**Roll a die and multiply your roll by 50. Write while you hammer away.
*Return a muddy doll to its owner
**Sprint to 150 words. There’s a lonely child somewhere that can’t sleep without it.
*Save a man from a collapsing roof
**Complete a 50-Headed Hydra challenge. Hurry, the roof is crumbling!
The Queen’s Riders have arrived! You’ve been called into a meeting to serve refreshments while they talk strategy. Write for 10 minutes and pay attention - you might learn something!
You and your knight master will accompany the Queen’s Riders and the King’s Own to capture the Haresfield raiders. Your knight master is debating which post might suit you best during the attack.
*Front lines
**Sprint to 300 words. Don’t forget your helm!
*Scout
**Borrow your knight master’s spyglass and climb the nearest tree to keep a lookout. Write for 45 minutes with no breaks.
*Command
**Impress your knight master by calculating how many words it will take you to write to the nearest 1,000.
*Guard the Hidden Escape Route
**You doubt anyone will come this way. Write 700 words in 30 minutes while you wait.
The battle is over. Participate in a Three-Digit Challenge while you bathe to wash off the blood and grime from the fight.
*If Lady Alanna is your knight master, you may skip this round for free. She will be dragging you to the healers’ tents to observe how they tend battle wounds.
You and your knight master must accompany the Haresfield raiders back to Corus to face justice. It will be a more leisurely pace on the way back than it was coming here. You’ll be driving the wagon that carries the prisoners. Write for one hour while you ride.
*Lord Raoul’s Squire: If you write 750 words within the hour, take two Gold Nobles. + :coin::coin:
*Lady Alanna’s Squire: If you write 1,000 words within the hour take two Gold Nobles. + :coin::coin:
*Lord Wyldon’s Squire: If you write 1,250 words within the hour take two Gold Nobles.+ :coin::coin:
Your mount has thrown a shoe. Write 200 words in 10 minutes as you look for a blacksmith.
*Succeed - The blacksmith replaces the shoe and gives you a spare. Take one Gold Noble. + :coin:
*Fail - You spend so long looking for the blacksmith that by the time you find him, it’s well after dark, and he refuses to replace the shoe until morning. Write 200 words as you try to convince him to do it tonight.
*Raoul’s Squire may skip this round for free. He and the blacksmith are old friends.
Your old rival from your Page years has challenged you to a duel in the practice courts. Your knight master thinks it would be a good experience for you. Roll a die, multiply by 100, and write as many words as you calm your nerves and prepare for the duel.
During your duel, your rival cheats by using their Gift. Sprint to 250 words and rethink your strategy!
*Lord Wyldon’s Squire may skip this round for free. Your rival is too afraid to cheat in his presence!
After your duel, your friends take you out to the Dancing Dove for a night of fun. Write for 15 minutes while you catch up on each other’s adventures.
Midwinter is here! You receive one Gold Noble + :coin: as a gift from your family. You also receive a challenge from your best friend. Write 1,000 words in under an hour.
*Succeed - you get one Gold Noble. + :coin:
*Fail - you must scrub your friend’s armor and write 250 more words.
Your knight master has decided it’s time for you to learn how to joust against a real opponent. You will be jousting against your rival! Your friends are betting on who’s going to win. Word Sprint/Word War with a fellow NaNoWriMo participant for 15 minutes.
*If you beat them, you win the bet and take 2 of their Gold Nobles + :coin::coin:.
*If you lose, you have to give your friends two Gold Nobles - :coin::coin:. Gambling is a risky business!
A contingent of Yamani nobles has arrived at the palace. Their princess is to wed the Crown Prince of Tortall! There is a celebration tonight. Attend the party and write for 10 minutes. Wear your best formal uniform!
*Lady Alanna’s Squire may skip this for free - she has dragged you off to a nearby village to study the healing of a very persistent case of the sniffles.
==The Grand Progress==
THE GRAND PROGRESS HAS BEGUN!
In honor of the Prince’s marriage to the Yamani princess, the King and Queen will be traveling throughout the realm to survey their lands and introduce the new royal couple. Their first stop is Fief Eldorne, where a jousting tournament is to be held. You put your name on the lists, and you are matched with Ansil of Groten. Write 200 words in 5 minutes to win.
*Succeed - You win 1 Gold Noble. + :coin:
*Fail - Write 200 words while your knight master reviews your mistakes.
*If Raoul is your knight master, you may skip this round for free. He refuses to be used like a string of pearls to dress up Their Majesties, and he decides to avoid the Progress for now.
The Progress makes its next stop at Tirragen. Write for 20 minutes and watch the Yamani ladies do a fan dance. That fan is heavier than it looks. Is it made of metal?
There’s trouble at the Scanran border. You and your knight master are to go immediately to Fort Mastiff. Things are heating up, and there are reports of something…strange…in the forests nearby. Write 250 words in the saddle. No time to rest!
* Lord Wyldon’s Squire may skip this round for free. He dragged you up there three weeks ago and you’ve barely had a moment to breathe ever since! Wyldon doesn’t seem to believe in taking breaks.
The King’s Own are escorting refugees to Fort Mastiff when they get word of a giant nearby and at least 50 Scanrans. Roll a die. If it’s even, write 450 words and take a 15 minute break afterward. If it’s odd, write for 45 minutes and take a 10 minute break afterward.
Your company defeated the giant! Rest up for a day or two at Fort Mastiff. Write for 10 minutes at your own pace.
You can’t believe it’s almost time for Midwinter yet again, and this is your last year as a Squire. It’s a long way back to Corus, and you and your knight master have to hurry if you want to get there in time. Sprint to 500 words.
Back in Corus, You go through the ritual process of preparing for your Ordeal of Knighthood. The priest is opening the door. You enter the chamber. Do a 50-Headed Hydra Challenge as the Chamber tests your worth.
You emerge from the chamber, exhausted but triumphant. You are now a Knight of the Realm. Write for 5 minutes as your friends and family congratulate you and admire your new shield.
You have completed the Tortallan Squire Word Crawl!
==The End==
You’ve embarked on a thrilling journey through the pages of your imagination. Your dedication, creativity, and perseverance shine through in your achievement.
Much like Keladry of Mindelan, you’ve faced challenges, overcome obstacles, and demonstrated your commitment to your writing goals. Your words are your own sword and shield, and you’ve wielded them with skill.
Savor your success, and may the inspiration you’ve gathered from this adventure carry you forward to even greater literary feats. Your determination is a testament to your potential.
CONGRATULATIONS!
==References==