Dragons & Jetpacks discussion
Challenges
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The 2025 Hero Challenge: Dresden Files vs. Wild Cards
Mod
Harry Dresden (Christina)
1. Wizard- Read a book with a major character who can cast spells, where magic is important to the story, or a spellcaster of some kind on the cover.
2. Mister- Read a book- where a major character has a pet, where a pet plays a major part in the story, or with a cat or dog on the cover.
3. Duster- read a book where a character has a signature or trademark item of clothing, where someone always wears the same thing, or with someone in a long coat on the cover.
Karrin Murphy (Pamela)
1. Cop- Read a book where a major character is some kind of cop or agent, where law enforcement is important to the story, or with some kind of law enforcement on the cover.
2. Short- Read a book where a major character is short, where height is important to the story in some way, or with someone short on the cover.
3. Martial Artist- Read a book where a major character is a highly skilled hand-to-hand fighter, where hand-to-hand is important to the story, or with a skilled fighter on the cover.
Molly Carpenter (Shawnie)
1. The Dark Side- Read a book where someone does a bad thing for what they think is a good reason, where a good character falls to the dark side, or with some kind of fall (real or metaphysical) on the cover.
2. Distraction Advantage- Read a book where a major character is particularly well-endowed, where someone shows off their body and/ or likes using their looks to their advantage, or with a well-endowed character (yes you can get creative with how you interpret this) on the cover.
3. Padawan- Read a book where a character learns from another character, a book where a character trains for something important, or with a student of some kind on the cover.
Mac (Shawnie)
1. Bald- Read a book where a major character is bald, where someone goes bald during the course of the story, or with a bald character on the cover.
2. Tavern- Read a book that’s set in a bar or tavern, with a major character who is a bartender/server/tavern keeper, or with some kind of bar, tavern, or the sign for one on the cover.
3. White Apron- Read a book where a major character wears an apron in the story, where someone is concerned about keeping their clothes spotless, or with someone wearing an apron on the cover or a mostly white cover.
Susan Rodriguez (Shawnie)
1. Reporter- Read a book where a major character is a reporter, where news or a reporter is important to the story, or with a reporter of some kind on the cover.
2. Love Potion- Read a book where someone takes any kind of potion, where potions are important to the story, or with any kind of potion/flask/vial on the cover.
3. Blurry Film- Read a book where someone records a video with bad quality, where someone recording a video is important to the story, or with “blur” or “video” in the title, or a video camera on the cover.
Toot Toot (Christina)
1. Wingspan- Read a book where a character has wings, a character can fly under their own power, or some kind of character (not vehicle) with wings on the cover.
2. Summoned- Read a book where a being is summoned by some kind of magic, where a ritual to summon something happens, or with some kind of ritual shown on the cover.
3. Za-Lord’s Guard- Read a book with a bodyguard as a character, where someone is under protection, where the main characters eat pizza, or with a pizza or pizza place on the cover, or pizza in the title.
Donald Morgan (Shawnie)
1. Lawful Good- Read a book where a character always follows the rules, where rules or laws are important to someone, or with some kind of difficult character, or a rulebook/volume of laws/code of conduct on the cover.
2. Warden- Read a book where a major character is charged with enforcing the law, where someone’s job is essentially their life, or with some kind of enforcer (go ahead, get creative) on the cover.
3. Grey Cloaks- Read a book where someone has a magic cloak of some kind, where someone has an obvious symbol of power that they wear, or with a mostly gray cover.
Bob
1. Skull- Read a book where a skull or bones are important to the story, where a skull is used as a symbol, or with a skull on the cover.
2. Smart ass- Read a book where a character is known for consistently being a smart ass, where humor is a big part of the story, or with some kind of smart ass or even a clown on the cover.
3. Lech- Read a book where a major character is highly sexually active, constantly interested in sex, or with a sexy character on the cover (reader’s call, of course).
Will Borden
1. College Student- Read a book where a major character is a college student, where the story is set at a college or university, or with some kind of college scene of any kind on the cover.
2. Werewolf- Read a book where a werewolf is some kind of major part of the story, where any kind of lycanthropy is important to the story, or with a werewolf, or even a regular wolf, on the cover.
3. Gamer- Read a book where games are important to the story, where a major character is a gamer, or with some kind of game or game piece (not a sport) on the cover.
Tera West (Pamela)
1. Amber Eyes- Read a book where someone has unusual eyes, where someone’s eye color is important to the story, or with someone who has unusual eyes on the cover.
2. Woman of Mystery- Read a book where someone has a mysterious past, where someone hides their background, or with any kind of enigmatic figure on the cover.
3. Fast and Graceful- Read a book where someone is notably fast or particularly graceful, where someone is famous for being fast or graceful, or with someone fast on the cover.
Michael Carpenter (Pamela)
1. Knight- Read a book with a knight or holy warrior is important to the story, with someone sworn to a god in the story, or with a knight on the cover.
2. Magic Sword- Read a book where a major character has a magic weapon, where magic weapons are important to the story, or with any kind of magical weapon on the cover.
3. Family Man- Read a book where family is important to the story, where close relations work together in the story, or with some kind of family on the cover.
Thomas Raith (Pamela)
1. Vampire- Read a book where vampires are important to the story, where an important character is a vampire, or with a vampire on the cover.
2. Coiffure Cup- Read a book where either coffee or hairstyle is important to the story, with at least one major setting in a hair salon or a coffee shop, or with something connected to either the hair or coffee industry on the cover.
3. Water Beetle- Read a book where a character owns a boat or ship, where a boat or a ship is important to the story, or with some kind of boat or ship on the cover (watercraft, not starship).
Mod
Dr. Tachyon (Kate)
1. Alien- Read a book where someone spends a lot of time on a planet that isn’t their homeworld, where someone leaves their native world, or with an alien on the cover.
2. Scientist- Read a book where a major character is a scientist, where an experiment goes wrong or has unintended consequences, or with a scientist or a laboratory on the cover.
3. Psionic- Read a book where a major character has telepathy and/or mind control, where mind control is an important part of the story, or with someone with mental powers on the cover.
Black Shadow (Milou)
1. So Many Names- Read a book where a major character uses multiple names, has many titles, or with some kind of list of names, or multiple names, on the cover, or “name” or “names” in the title.
2. Defeated Durg- Read a book where a major character beats a very difficult foe in physical combat, with some kind of specially engineered super soldier in the story, or with some kind of fight on the cover.
3. So Cold and Dark- Read a book where darkness or cold is significant to the story, where someone gets hypothermia, or with something very cold and/or very dark on the cover.
Golden Boy (Karina)
1. Betrayal- Read a book where someone betrays his friends/team/family, where someone gives in to pressure to do the wrong thing, or with some kind of traitor on the cover or “traitor” or “betrayal” in the title.
2. Actor- Read a book where a major character is an actor, where acting is important to the story, or with an actor on the cover.
3. Immortal- Read a book where a character is immortal/very long-lived, where immortality plays an important part in the story, or with an immortal of some kind on the cover or “Immortal” in the title.
Fortunato (Melanie)
1. Mixed Race- Read a book where a major character has parents of different races, where two different cultures play a part in the story, or with someone of at least two different heritages on the cover.
2. Pimp- Read a book with a major character who is any kind of sex worker, where someone pays for sex, or with a mostly red cover (red light district).
3. God-like Power- Read a book with an incredibly powerful character, where a ritual to attain vast powers is important to the story, or with some kind of god-like being on the cover, or “god” in the title.
Peregrine (Karina)
1. Angel is a Centerfold- Read a book where a character poses nude for any kind of photoshoot/movie, where at least one character has no problem with nudity, or with a mostly (or fully if you can find it) naked character on the cover.
2. Celebrity- Read a book where a major character is famous/infamous in some way, where celebrity is important to the story, or with a famous person on the cover.
3. Wingspan- Read a book where a character has wings, a character can fly under their own power, or some kind of character (not vehicle) with wings on the cover.
The Great and Powerful Turtle (Karina)
1. Telekinetic- Read a book where a character has some form of telekinesis, where objects move without someone touching them, or something floating (in air, not water) on the cover.
2. Best Seller- Read a book where a major character is a writer, where a character’s life story is known to the public through some media (books, movies, whatever), or with a book on the cover.
3. Flood The Rox- Read a book where a character kills a lot of people while in a rage, where someone spends a lot of time regretting their past actions, or with a tidal wave of some kind on the cover.
Jetboy (Milou)
1. Pilot- Read a book with a major character that’s a pilot, where flying skill is important to the story, or with some kind of fighter-craft on the cover.
2. I Can’t Die Yet…- Read a book where someone has a catchphrase, where someone is famous for a speech or a quote, or with someone giving a speech on the cover, or “Movie” in the title.
3. Jetboy’s Tomb- Read a book where a tomb or a grave is important to the story, where someone dies a heroic death, or with some kind of tourist attraction on the cover.
The Sleeper (Melanie)
1. Virus- Read a book where a disease is important to the story, where someone can’t be cured of a disease, or with someone who is sick on the cover.
2. Addict- Read a book where a major character is addicted to something, where drugs play a part in the story, or with drugs or a user on the cover.
3. While He Sleeps- Read a book where sleep is important to the story, where a character sleeps abnormally in some way, or with someone sleeping on the cover or “sleep” in the title.
Captain Trips (Milou)
1. Glasses- Read a book where a major character wears glasses, where glasses or lenses are important to the story in some way, or with someone wearing glasses on the cover.
2. Sprout- Read a book where a major character has some kind of developmental issues, where a young girl is important to the story in some way, or with a father and daughter on the cover.
3. Just Say Yes- Read a book where a major character uses drugs, with a special formula being important to the story, or with some kind of laboratory on the cover.
Wraith (Milou)
1. Thief- Read a book where a major character is a thief, where someone steals something important, or where a theft of some kind is important to the story.
2. Bikini- Read a book where someone doesn’t wear much on a regular basis, where someone is known for revealing outfits, or with someone in a bikini on the cover.
3. It’s Just A Phase- Read a book where someone can pass through solid objects, where something can shift out of phase with reality, or with either someone passing through an object on the cover or “phase” in the title.
Sewer Jack (Milou)
1. Louisiana- Read a book set in Louisiana, with at least one major scene in Louisiana, or with something or someone from Louisiana on the cover.
2. ‘Gator- Read a book where an alligator is important to the story, where an alligator attacks a major character, or with some kind of alligator (no, not a crocodile) on the cover, or “alligator” in the title.
3. Subway- Read a book where subways are important to the story, with a major scene set in a tunnel of any kind, or with a tunnel on the cover or “tunnel” in the title.
Bagabond (Milou)
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1. Homeless- Read a book where a major character is homeless, where homelessness is a major part of the plot, or with a homeless person on the cover, or “home” in the title.
2. Talk to the Animals- Read a book where someone can communicate with animals, where animals are important to the story, or with some kind of animal on the cover.
3. Lonely- Read a book where a major character is lonely, where someone wants a relationship and can’t make one work, or with a lone person on the cover.
Mod
Anita Blake
1. Necromancer- Read a book where someone can raise the dead, where someone is attempting to bring back someone who died, or with some kind of undead being on the cover.
2. Scarred- Read a book where a major character has multiple scars (physically, not emotionally/mentally), where someone sustains an injury that will permanently scar them, or with someone with scars on the cover or “scar” in the title.
3. Federal Agent- Read a book where a major character is any kind of Federal agent, where Federal law enforcement is important to the story, or anything Federal or any kind of badge on the cover.
Trivia Fact Anita is formidable on many fronts, but she has a near-phobia of being in a car without a seatbelt due to events from her childhood.
Jean-Claude (claimed by the Wild Cards)
1. French- Read a book where a major character is French, with at least one major scene set in France, or with something French on the cover.
2. Master of the City- Read a book where a major character is a ruler or leader of some kind, where leadership or territory is important to the story, or with some kind of leader on the cover.
3. Swordsman- Read a book where someone is highly skilled with a sword, where a duel is important to the story, or with some kind of duel on the cover.
Trivia Fact Jean Claude is incredibly wealthy, owning many businesses throughout St. Louis (and possibly beyond). He occasionally performs at one of the high-end strip clubs he owns.
Richard
1. Teacher- Read a book where a major character is a teacher, where a teacher/trainer is important to the story, or with some kind of teacher or school on the cover.
2. Boy Scout- Read a book where a major character is known for being really nice, where someone being nice is a plot point of some kind, or with someone noted for being nice on the cover or “nice” in the title.
3. Bad Reaction- Read a book where someone has a bad reaction to a drug, where bad/faulty drugs are important to the story, or with some kind of bad drugs on the cover (yes, you can be very subjective here).
Trivia Fact Richard could have a truly amazing life, but between self-doubt and being massively conflicted, he can't get out of his own way.
Gladiator
1. Colorado- Read a book set in Colorado, with one major scene in Colorado, or with something/someone from Colorado on the cover.
2. Super-strength- Read a book where someone has superhuman strength, where someone is abnormally strong, or with a physically strong character on the cover.
3. Special Formula- Read a book where someone uses a special formula, where a special formula is important to the story, or with something to do with scientific experimentation on the cover.
Trivia Fact Many believe this is the inspiration for the original Superman. Aside from the same powers, there are even some of the same phrases used in this book and Action Comics 1.
Zorro Claimed by Team Dresden Pamela
1. The Man in Black- Read a book where someone is noted for wearing black, where an important uniform/costume is black, or with someone dressed in black on the cover.
2. Tornado- Read a book where a horse is important to the story, with a named horse in the story, or with a horse on the cover.
3. Secret Identity- Read a book where someone has some kind of secret identity, where someone hides who they really are, or with someone in a mask on the cover.
Trivia Fact A rich man fights crime by pretending to be a foppish playboy to hide his identity, wears dark clothes and a flowing cloak, uses an animal based codename, and is headquartered in a hidden cave under his mansion. Sound familiar?
The Shadow
1. It’s the Hat- Read a book where someone is known for wearing hats, where hats are somehow important to the story, or with someone wearing a hat on the cover.
2. Vigilante- Read a book where a major character is a vigilante, where vigilantism is important to the story, or with some kind of vigilante on the cover.
3. Network- Read a book where someone has a network of operatives, where being part of a network is important to the story, or with some kind of team on the cover.
Trivia Fact Also wealthy, living in a big city, wearing dark clothes, and fights evil by using the night and fear against criminals. And yes, both Zorro and the Shadow appeared before a certain Dark Knight.
Mod
John Marcone January 1-January 31 (Pamela)
1. Mob Boss- Read a book where organized crime is important to the story, with a gangster as a major character, or with a gangster on the cover.
2. No Kids!- Read a book where protecting kids is important to the story, with someone who saves/protects kids as a major character, or with children on the cover.
3. Vanilla Mortal- Read a book where someone without powers does well in a world with powered characters, where a non-powered person beats someone with powers, or with a non-powered character on the cover.
THE ASTRONOMOMER Feb 1-Feb 28 (Pamela)
1. Cult- Read a book where a cult is a big part of the story, where a major character is part of a cult, or with “cult” in the title or something to do with cults on the cover.
2. What Kills You Makes ME Stronger- Read a book where someone gains powers from death, where someone benefits from someone else’s death in the story, or with a dead body or grave on the cover.
3. Vengeance- Read a book where revenge is important to the story, where someone is obsessed with the idea of getting even, or with “revenge” in the title.
Nicodemus Archleone March 1-March 31 (Milou)
1. Denarius- Read a book that has a magic coin in it, where any kind of coin is important to the story, or with a coin in the cover.
2. Noose- Read a book where someone hangs themselves, where someone is hanged, or with a noose, or a rope, on the cover.
3. True Evil- Read a book where a character isn’t misunderstood or fearful but actually, truly evil, where someone willingly serves an evil cause, or with “evil” in the title or someone evil on the cover.
PUPPETMAN April 1-April 30 (Shawnie)
1. Senator- Read a book where a major character is an elected official, where an election is important to the story, or with something to do with elections on the cover.
2. Riot- Read a book where a riot is important to the story, where a character gets caught in/participates in a riot, or with “riot” in the title or a riot on the cover.
3. Up The Sleeve- Read a book where someone hides the fact that they have powers, where other people can’t tell when someone is using their powers, or with someone with a big secret on the cover.
Lasciel May 1-May 30 (Pamela)
1. Seducer- Read a book where someone is skilled at seduction, where someone is known for seducing people, or with “seduction” in the title or someone being tempted on the cover.
2. Illusions- Read a book where someone can cast illusions, where someone falls victim to an illusion, with “illusion” in the title or something not real on the cover.
3. Resist- Read a book where someone resists a great temptation, where someone is convinced to change sides of a conflict, or with a scene of resistance on the cover.
The Swarm June 1- June 30 PAMELA
1. Invasion!- Read a book where a planet gets invaded, where any kind of invasion is part of the story, or with some kind of invasion on the cover.
2. Copied- Read a book where someone can duplicate someone else’s powers, where copying in any form is important to the story, or with “copy” in the title or some kind of copy on the cover.
3. Hive Mind- Read a book where characters have linked thoughts, where minds merge in some way, or with a brain on the cover.
SHAGNASTY July 1-July 31 (Pamela)
1. Shapeshifter- Read a book where someone can change forms, where shapeshifting is part of the story, or someone changing on the cover.
2. Maybe a Nuke?- Read a book where nuclear weapons are part of the story, where there’s a nuclear explosion, or with something nuclear on the cover.
3. Ghost Way- Read a book where at least one major character is an American Indian, where Indians are important to the story in some way, or with an Indian on the cover.
The Jumpers Aug 1- Aug 31 (Milou)
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1. Loophole- Read a book where a major character is a lawyer, where lawyers are important to the story in some way, or with a lawyer or courthouse or courtroom on the cover.
2. STD- Read a book where a character has a sexually transmitted disease, where any kind of sexually transmitted disease is important to the story, or with any kind of couple on the cover.
3. Possession- Read a book where a character is possessed, where someone has the ability to possess someone, or with either someone possessed on the cover or “possess” or “possession” in the title.
Marva September 1-30
1. Black Court- Read a book where something commonly believed turns out to be true, where a book is published to reveal secrets, or with a mostly black cover.
2. One of the Last- Read a book where someone is the survivor of a massacre or purge, where a group thought to be killed off ends up being still around, or with some kind of hunt on the cover or “hunt” in the title.
3. Veil- Read a book where someone can turn invisible, where something in the story can’t be seen, or with “invisible” or “veil” in the title or something fading from view on the cover.
Mod
Dresden Files 416 Energy Cells 40/45
Johanne
Christina
Shawnie
Pamela
Hayley
Kate
Saar
Greg
Kirsty
Wild Cards 417 Energy Cells 30/30
Melanie
Fannie
Milou
Vinca
Kate II: The Wrath of Kate
Audrey
Karina
Ophelia
Falynn
Mod
Signing Bonus to Johanne for being the first to sign up
Law of the Street to Pamela for defeating Johnny Marcone
Recruiter to Milou for getting the first recruit of the year
Hobo Queen to Milou for recruiting Bagabond
Sex Positive! to Melanie for recruiting Fortunato
I Know What You're Thinking... to Kate for recruiting Dr. Tachyon
Ill-Starred to Pamela for defeating the Astronomer
SPLATTERCON! to Shawnie for recruiting Molly
Best steak sandwich in town to Shawnie for recruiting Mac
Into the Darkness to Milou for recruiting Black Shadow
Wise-Cracking Wizard to Christina for recruiting Harry Dresden
No Exceptions! to Shawnie for recruiting Donald Morgan
Humble Servant to Pamela for recruiting Michael Carpenter
Under the Streets to Milou for recruiting Sewer Jack
The Shadows Darken to Milou for defeating Nicodemus
Coming out of her Shell to Karina for recruiting Turtle
Celebrity to Karina for recruiting Peregrine
Five More Minutes! to Melanie for recruiting the Sleeper
Far Out, Man! to Milou for recruiting Captain Trips
There's A Reason for the Bikini! to Milou for recruiting Wraith
Come Fly With Me to Milou for recruiting Jetboy
Speed Reader to Milou for finishing her main roster this early in the year and, I believe, faster than I've ever seen before.
No Strings On Me to Shawnie for defeating Puppetman
The Short Arm of the Law to Pamela for recruiting Karin Murphy
Got the Scoop! to Shawnie for recruiting Susan Rodriguez
She's Such A Temptation... to Pamela for defeating Lasciel
New 'Do to Pamela for recruiting Thomas Raith
Get Off My Planet! to Pamela for defeating the Swarm
Sweet Summer Child to Hayley for recruiting Lily
Fight Me! to Melanie for recruiting Carnifex
Let's Rock!to Melanie for recruiting Jumpin' Jack Flash
The Woods are Dark and Deep.... to Pamela for defeating Shagnasty
I'm Not Myself to Milou for defeating the Jumpers
The Foxy One to Pamela for recruiting Zorro
Table for two to Milou for completing Aces High
Is it already that time of year?!?!? Anyway I’m in!I’d like to join team Dresden Files.
Simply because I’ve wanted to read them for years but somehow haven’t gotten to them (there are so many books in the world you know).
Mod
I’d like to join team Dresden Files.
Simply because I’ve wanted to read them for years but somehow haven’t gotten to them (there are so many bo..."
I'm very familiar with this issue. And they're both great series, IMHO
I haven’t read Wild Cards either … but seems like 2025 could be a good year to remedy that.
I would like to sign up for Dresden Files. :)
Mod
I have to look up the Wild Cards series now.
I'm in as a wild card? Willing to trade sides to even things up later.
Hi Wayland, will you also be putting up the discussion thread soon? Thanks again for all the hard work you do on these!
Mod
Sorry, busy week and weird stuff at work.
Mod
Thanks again for all the hard work you do on these!"
And here it be.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Wayland wrote: "Christina wrote: "Hi Wayland, will you also be putting up the discussion thread soon? Thanks again for all the hard work you do on these!"
And here it be.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."
Thanks Wayland!
I would like to be on the Dresden team this year. I have read all of the Dresden series and about half of the Wild Cards series, and would be willing to change later if it's too uneven. Thanks!
Mod
Wayland,FYI- I only see 10 Wild Cards heroes.
I can’t say I have a preference so I’ll join Wild Cards
Mod
FYI- I only see 10 Wild Cards heroes."
This site is getting glitchier all the time. Hopefully all 12 are there this time for real. Thanks.
They are all there now. The art for Bagabond is not showing, but the words are there for his challenges.
Can I sign up to team Dresden please? I've been trying to get back into reading again the last couple of months so don't expect much from me but will see how it goes. I'm hoping the challenge will give me more motivation to read!
Mod
I have fixed that like three times and it's not taking. I may just take a break from banging my head on that particular wall, and let her hide away, which she prefers anyway.
Wayland wrote: "The Teams:Dresden Files
Johanne
Christina
Shawnie
Pamela
Hayley
Wild Cards
Melanie
Fannie
Milou"
Team Dresden Files for me please (haven't read Wild Cards)
Wayland wrote: "I have fixed that like three times and it's not taking. I may just take a break from banging my head on that particular wall, and let her hide away, which she prefers anyway."I totally understand. I'm not complaining, honest. So grateful for you doing this every year. It's so much fun. I don't know how I'd choose what to read next with the challenge, lol.
Looks like the Wild Cards team is a little short, so I'll join that one please Wayland. Can't resist an underdog ☺️
I joined in on this a few years ago and remembered it was really fun! Can I join team wild cards? edit: I just noticed there's already someone named Kate on team dresden so feel free to add me as Kate 2 or something if its confusing XD
Shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure you include the right team name when you post or Kate 1 will steal our points.
Mod
There really should be some kind of doppleganger fight here...
I haven't read any of them and this challenge is new for me. You can sign me up for Team Dresden Files.
Mod
Done, and welcome to the challenge. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Kate wrote: "I joined in on this a few years ago and remembered it was really fun! Can I join team wild cards? edit: I just noticed there's already someone named Kate on team dresden so feel free to add me as K..."Welcome Kate 2! Soon we will be legion!
Mod
Need to get back into reading. Love these challenges. I haven't read either series so I'll go with Team Wild Cards.
It looks like the two teams have exactly the same number with the new folks. I guess I'll join Dresden Files.
Dresden team has 1 more, with Greg that makes 2 more.
Melanie, is that true with Karina joining Wild Cards? I think she isn't on the list yet.
You're right!
Mod
Mod
Shawnie wrote: "This is so exciting! I have so many books and I can't decide what I'll start tomorrow. LOL"This is a nice problem. :)
Mod
This is a nice problem. :)"
:) The best problem. lol
Mod
Thomas Raith/Water Beetle/Our Wives Under the Sea/1 of 3
*a boat or a ship (submarine) is important to the story
Dragons & Jetpacks
Books mentioned in this topic
Whose Bed Have Your Claws Been Under? (other topics)Mail Order Minotaur (other topics)
A Court of Wings and Ruin (other topics)
The Godbreaker (other topics)
Cursed Bread (other topics)
More...
Ends: 12/31/2025
Continuing the tradition started by Mpauli, I present the Dresden Files vs. Wild Cards superhero reading challenge.
Players are welcome to join in whenever they want during the year, as long as the event is running.
Note: I am, first and foremost, a comic book fan. If there’s a difference between the comic book version of a character and the cartoon/tv/movie version, I’ll pretty much always use the original, comic book one (there are very few exceptions to characters being in the comics first. Oddly, most of them are female).
Note the Second: This year is a different challenge. While both Wild Cards and Dresden Files are novel series, both have been adapted to comics several times. I have done what I can to avoid spoilers, and to that end, this year, there will be no bios.
Rules:
-Each player decides, if he or she wants to compete for the Dresden Files or Wild Cards team.
- Dresden Files players are trying to complete the Dresden Files roster challenge, Wild Cards players trying to complete the Wild Cards roster challenge.
-There are going to be 12 characters on each roster, each represented by 3 challenges based on that character’s traits and powers. A bio for each character will be posted the first time that character is completed.
-For each trait challenge you're able to complete, your team is awarded 1 point.
-If you manage to complete all three trait challenges you "recruit" that character completely, which is awarded with 3 additional points.
-With 12 characters and 3 trait challenges per character, you need to read 36 books for the maximum of 72 points from the recruitment part of the challenge.
-The books for the recruitment challenge can be read at any point during 2024.
-Each book can only count toward one trait challenge, so you can't complete multiple challenges by just reading one book, even if the book would technically qualify for more than one challenge.
-For a book to count, it should have at least 100 pages. Graphic Novels do not count for the challenge.
-In addition to the main recruitment part, each month a supervillain will be revealed. Like the heroes, each villain will have 3 trait challenges. For each completed challenge you're rewarded with 1 point, if you manage to "beat" the villain by completing all 3 related challenges, you're awarded with an additional 3 points.
-Villains will only be active for one month each and you can't score from their challenges afterwards. But of course you can complete them for fun.
-Villains should be revealed at least 2-3 days before the end of the month (I try to aim for 5), so you get a little bit of time ahead to think about potential books to beat them.
-IMPORTANT: The books required for the villain challenges have to be read completely within the timeframe the villain is active. A book started 2 days prior the villain goes active can't be counted for the challenge.
-Beating each villain within the given amount of time would result in an additional maximum of 72 points you're able to earn for your team.
-IMPORTANT: To be able to keep up the score, it would great, if you could use a new post for each new book read, maybe like this: book link/character name/challenge name/number of challenges completed for that character:
Example: Dune/Captain America/Shield Toss/2 of 3
Of course you can additionally use a huge post, where you can schedule your books for all the challenges.
And it would be extremely helpful, if you would write "x recruited" within the post you completed the final trait challenge for a hero, or "x defeated" respectively for beating a villain.
- Portal Heroes:
Both teams are trying to recruit help for their teams and are trying to open portals to other comic universes to recruit heroes from there.
That means that we will have 6 additional heroes this year. But to be able to score from them, they need to be brought through the portal by the teams.
How does that work? Every time a player reads one of the Dragons & Jetpacks Books of the Month, this book counts towards an "Energy Cell" counter for his team. After the counter (30 for the first portal) is filled the team can unlock 1 of the 6 outer-dimensional heroes. After the decision is made, the hero belongs either to the Royalty or Commoner team and can't be unlocked by the other side. When the second team opens a portal, they choose from the remaining 5 heroes.
-For the portal heroes, only books count that are read after the time the hero was unlocked, so if a hero is unlocked in April, you can't use books read prior to that date.
By popular demand, in addition to Books of the Month, Mod Specials can also count towards Portal Heroes.
-After we see how fast the teams manage to open the first portal, the amount of Energy Cells needed to open the second portal might be adjusted to a lower or higher number.
-It is up to the players to decide when they read a BOTM, if they want to have it count towards a normal challenge or as an energy cell. Please include that information in your posts
By popular demand, a mystery Portal Hero will be revealed to the first team to hit 100 Energy Cells.
Various Bonus Heroes will be revealed throughout the year, with assorted special timeframes. They usually center around holidays or seasons. The Bonus Heroes this year will be drawn from other novels or series that have been adapted to comics at some point or another.
-So, that's how you can play. I hope you're going to enjoy this challenge. :)
A reminder, it’s always helpful if you specify a character is defeated when you get there, which team you’re on, and, if it’s a BOTM, whether you’re using it for an Energy Cell or a slot in the challenge.
That said, have fun. Go forth and read.
For those unfamiliar with the series:
The Dresden Files, by Jim Butcher, is an urban fantasy series about a wizard in modern day Chicago. Harry Dresden ignores the traditions of many of his more experienced, reclusive elders, actually publicly advertising his services. It’s a world of magic, myth, creatures of nightmare and the stuff of legends, narrated by a snarky ridiculously tall man who makes a lot of pop culture quips. The amount of research is amazing, and the way so many different traditions and stories are woven in is really impressive. It is my second favorite series of all time.
The Wild Cards novels are something unique. Many of the books are collections of short stories by different authors, with the stories broken up scene by scene, telling a tale of a very different world from the one we know. Earth was the same until 1947, when an alien race decided Earth was a great place to run an experiment, and released what became known as the Wild Card Virus. Not everyone was exposed to it, but of the ones who were, 90% die horribly, 9% are changed into monsters of some kind, and 1% effectively become superpowered beings to rival some of the ones from the comics. Earth’s history is slightly different from ’47 forward, and some of the fun is seeing the various changes and ripples in history. The series is edited by George RR Martin (yes, that one), and the body count tends to be on par with Game of Thrones, so don’t get too attached to new characters. Or even some of the old ones.