Hooked on Books discussion

I'm lost on this one. Looks like everything's done, right?

Yep. We are all done.

I just picked since the story is where we usually get frustrated. Sorry.

No problem. Thanks for doing the story.

Quest 2B
You are back in your bodies but you have caused a spell plague. Magic no longer functions properly. All magical places are now crumbling into chaos. To fix this you may choose to search for the scepter of Mystra OR you can choose to go ask her eternal enemy & aunt, Shar (Goddess of Darkness), for help.

To search for the scepter of Mystra:
Read a book with a scepter on the cover or in the text
Read a book with all the letters of MYSTRA in the title/series
Read a book with a neutral being (your interpretation)
Read a book where magic spells are cast

To ask Shar for help:
Read a book with a jealous character
Read a book with the word SHADOW in the text
Read a book with twin sisters
Read a book that starts with a letter in DARKNESS

We could treat it like ghostbusters and each do one task?

That would work.

Which one should we choose? I think Shar tasks are easier, except Twin Sisters....

I agree. I could find twin sisters (a couple May Archer books have them and a Fae Quin book). It would be my last choice though if someone else wanted it

Seanan McGuire has a series with twin sisters that I like so I can take it.

I can easily do any of the others
Jealous: Lovers Like Us - Farrow and Maximoff get jealous of the others past relationships
Shadow: A Mended Man - Pg 11: a dark shadow appeared
DARKNESS: A Mended Man

I can do any of the other 3 as well

I can also easily do any.

If I randomize it I get:

Read a book with a jealous character - Janine
Read a book with the word SHADOW in the text - Amanda
Read a book with twin sisters - Jackie
Read a book that starts with a letter in DARKNESS - Lisa

Sounds Good

Im reading mine now

Looks good.

https://chatgpt.com/share/68027389-96...

Not sure you can see it, but this is the ChatGPT I've been using to help out.

Checked Us in.

Quest 2C
Shar agrees to help you fix the spell plague, BUT only if you complete three tasks for her. You will have to choose: Complete the tasks fully? Betray Shar mid-quest? Try to double-cross a Goddess of Darkness??😈

Shar’s Three Tasks
Task 1: Shatter the Moonwell
Read a book with the word SHATTER in the text
Read a book with a moon on the cover
Read a book with a pool of water on the cover
Read a book with a healing item

Task 2: Steal the Heart of a Dreamer
Read a book with HEART in the title/series
Read a book with a thief
Read a book that starts with a letter in DREAMER
Read a book with the word STEAL in the text

Task 3: Snuff the Everflame
Read a book with the word SNUFF in the text
Read a book that ends with a letter in SNUFF
Read a book with a FLAME on the cover
Read a book that is tied to the element of fire in some way (title, theme, cover, etc)


Alternative Paths:
Betray Shar
S
H
A
R
Find a third party to bargain for backup (like Selune or other deity)
D
E
I
T
Y


Seek out forbidden magic to fake the tasks and trick Shar
Read a book with forbidden magic in the story
Read a book that starts with a letter in FAKE
Read a book that ends with a letter in TRICK
Read a book that has all the letters of SHAR in the title

Any idea on the path we should take?

No , but at least they all seem easy tasks

They all do seem pretty easy. No preference.

I asked ChatGPT:
Choosing to betray Shar mid-quest would be epic.

It keeps the story tense, lets you play in that delicious “we’re doing something really stupid but maybe it’ll work” energy, and fits the chaotic magic vibe you already have going. Plus, trying to betray a Goddess of Darkness opens the door for Shar to become a recurring frenemy/villain if you want her to pop back up later.

Fine by me

Okay.

I only have A coming up. I can do S or R, but that will be in May

I just started a R.

**Spell: Author First/Last Name, Title, Series Name

We’re up in Horoscope swap.

Can we dismiss the, a etc

Q: What are the spellout rules?
A: Spellout Rules

Author first or last initial
Title - you may use or drop articles
Series name

I’ve got H and E coming up. Plus more depending on race

OH I thought it was SHARDEITY lol

Im reading a H today

Changed to a S

Announcement: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Ive just finished the last book , do i need to check in with anything

Yes, but I can do it really quick!

Thank you

Quest 2D
Breaking the Fractured Veil
You dared to defy Shar—and she did not destroy you. Instead, she cursed you.

Each of you now casts a long, flickering shadow—a second self born of doubt, rage, grief, or power. These shadow selves are unpredictable, surfacing during moments of magic, battle, or fear. The longer you resist, the more they grow.

To sever the connection and reclaim your true selves, you must gather the following symbolic anchors from stories that reflect your struggle:

📖 Read a book where someone confronts their inner darkness
📖 Read a book with a mirrored or split personality character
📖 Read a book with a character literally or metaphorically trapped in shadow
📖 Read a book that ends in redemption

The Veil will break only when you can face your reflections and declare yourselves whole. Until then, trust nothing—not even your own minds.

These are hard....
I could do
...Read a book with a character literally or metaphorically trapped in shadow

Buy would need someone help me find a book for the others

I've got one about inner darkness that I'm reading now and I've got one I can read about redemption.

Also, might be able to make a case for Mirrored personality for a few. They are hard vicious men to the world, but udder softies to the men they love?

I'll have to look for any of them so I'll take whatever.

I'll just leave this here... https://www.talpasearch.com/

I could make argument for any

Congratulations! You have all levelled up a class level. You are all now level 4.

Ok. Janine and I did Inner Darkness and Shadow. I could probably be creative with Mirrors/Split Personality and/or Redemption if needed.

Jackie I'm going to randomly choose but if one of them ends up being easier for you let me know. i think this is all just being creative

Ive already added ..but i misunderstood the task slightly but tried to make it work . See what you think ..

Amanda wrote: "Jackie I'm going to randomly choose but if one of them ends up being easier for you let me know. i think this is all just being creative"

This whole challenge is about being creative. I love seeing your creative side.

Just an FYI, you have new skills that may be useful in your next story.

🌓 Quest 2E: Redemption or Ruin
You dared to defy Shar—and though you shattered the Fractured Veil and confronted your shadows, they are not gone. Not yet.

Each of you now faces a choice that could shape your fate forever.

Your shadow self is a part of you: the fear you buried, the anger you denied, the grief you never spoke aloud. It lingers at the edge of your soul, whispering in your voice. If you ignore it, it may consume you. If you embrace it, it may corrupt you.

There are two paths forward. You must choose: (everyone reads one book this time around - easy peasy!)

✨ Redemption: Fuse with the Shadow
To become whole, you must accept the darkness within you—not to be ruled by it, but to understand it. This path may grant new power, but at the cost of innocence, comfort, or control.

To redeem your shadow, read:
📖 A book where two enemies become allies
📖 A book with a magical fusion or binding
📖 A book with a corrupted character seeking forgiveness

🔥 Ruin: Purge the Shadow
To cast the shadow out, you must sever it completely. This will leave scars, both magical and personal. What was part of you will be gone forever. But some believe only in light or dark—never both.

To exorcise your shadow, read:
📖 A book with a banishment
📖 A book where someone gives up power
📖 A book with a divine or holy figure

Once everyone has completed their path, you will gain one of two new abilities:

Shadowbound: You fuse with your shadow and gain access to a unique power tied to your former flaw.

Lightforged: You reject your shadow and become radiant, resistant to corruption but marked by loss.

Choose wisely. Not everyone has to take the same path... but the party’s unity will be tested.