Bast’s Quest- A Word Crawl

So far during this year’s NaNoWriMo, I have learned that I am a person who might need to free-write to keep the creative juices flowing. I have found myself doing a lot of it this year and in the process of it, I wrote a Word Crawl. Yep, I just wrote a Word Crawl.

I actually didn’t know about them until this year and couldn’t find one that really pleased me. So, I decided to make my own. I’m counting all my blog posts and random free-writes for this year’s word count and honestly, it’s been very helpful in keeping my brain moving. That said, here is my word crawl and I hope you all enjoy it!

Bast’s Quest- A Word Crawl

You step out of your apartment and see a cute kitty at the end of the carpeted hallway of your apartment complex. It is sitting there like a cat statue, staring at you. You notice a bright heavenly light is encircled around the feline. This is weird because as far as you know, the landlord hadn’t put in a roof light and there are no windows to cast light over the cat.

Do a 1 minute word sprint as you walk towards the cat.

• If you have written less than 40 words, you walk around the cat to get out of the apartment building. The cat is displeased by this and attacks your ankle. As you are bleeding in pain, the cat commands you to kneel: “Bow before me peasant!” WRITE 100 WORDS AS PENANCE.
• If you have written 40+ words, you kneel before the cat and bring out your hand. The cat sniffs at it and allows you to pet the top of his head. As you are caressing his fluff, he purrs softly to you that come out as actual words: “Good, Peasant. You are suitable for this quest.”

Do a 5 minute sprint as you listen to the cat’s quest.

You have learned that the cat’s mistress, the Egyptian goddess Bast, is having a tough time. She’s sick and needs someone to gather the ingredients for her healing potion. There is a problem though, each ingredient is being safeguarded by dangerous creatures and only one hero can obtain them.

For some reason, the cat has deemed you as that hero. Do you accept your new role or back off?

If you accept that role, write 150 words as you gather up your essentials for the arduous journey ahead.

If you decline the offer, do a 20 minute sprint.

• If you have written less than 400 words, the cat is angered by your decision. He smacks you in the face with claws out. “You will obey me, Peasant! If you do not, you will suffer greater deaths than my prey.” Continue to write until you have reached your 400. You will be going on that quest even if it kills you.
• If you have written 400+ words, the cat is disappointed, but impressed at your silver tongue. “That is fine, Peasant. I shall find a different hero who is more equipped at this quest. Thank you for your time.” Write another 100 words if you decided to change your mind. You are free to do whatever you want if you decided to leave.

You have decided to take on the quest. You have your provisions in your suitcase and the cat has instructed you to get into your car. Where are you going first? To Providence, Rhode Island. The first ingredient is a tentacle from a sea monster.

To use your GPS, do a 2 minute sprint.

• If you have written less than 40 words, you have gotten lost somewhere down the trip. You have to pull over and ask directions. The cat is not pleased about this. “You imbecile!” He hisses. He has smacked you in the hand for your lack of progress. And yes, the claws were out. Write 100 words as you heal and get the directions you need to please your new overlord.
• If you have written 40+ words, not only is your GPS working but you are somehow able to figure out how to get there before it instructs you. Is this the magic of the cat? Reward yourself on a good job. Take a mini walk, get a drink, and then get back down to business. You have a sea monster tentacle to obtain.

“You have reached your destination.” Your GPS says to you. You sigh in relief. The cat purrs and stretches out the kinks in his muscles. “Be sure to not kill the monster, Peasant. We do not have time for his kin and I do not wish to waste what time we do have in this hellhole.”

Do a 10 minute sprint as you find out where the sea monster resides and prepare to take its tentacle.

It appears that the sea monster likes to frequent an inn on the boardwalk. He is currently staying at one right this moment. You decide to visit the inn. But, how are you going to get the tentacle? You have three choices on how to do this. Do you: A. Ask the sea monster graciously for a piece of one of his lesser loved tentacles, B. Attack the sea monster as he walks down the boardwalk, or C. Wait until the sea monster sleeps before you attack.

• If you chose A, do a 5 minute sprint as you explain to him why you need this lesser loved tentacle.
  • If you have written 40-80 words, he laughs in your face. Write 100 words in order to gain the confidence to either try again or do a different route.
  • If you have written 81-100 words, he takes into consideration your plight, but tells you that there is a price for his tentacle. Write 250 words to pay for the tentacle.
  • If you have written 101+ words, the sea monster is impressed with your fervor and passionate plea. Not only does he give you a tentacle, but he gives you his business card. He may need a word-smith like you for a future adventure.
• If you chose B, do a 10 minute sprint as you attack the sea monster for his tentacle.
  • If you have written 40-80 words, he laughs at your puny attempt in an attack. The cat appears and has to heal you now. Write 400 words in order for the cat to heal you so that you can try again or a different route.
  • If you have written 81-100 words, the sea monster is impressed that you made the idiotic attempt at attacking him. He still wins the fight, but he might give you the tentacle… for a fee. Write 300 words to pay for the tentacle and to heal.
  • If you have written 101+ words, you have beaten the sea monster and have gotten the tentacle. Use this time wisely and haul ass. He isn’t pleased.
• If you chose C, do a 15 minute sprint as you wait for the night to fall.
  • If you have written 40-80 words, the sea monster has been woken up the moment you stepped into his room. He has found you and is upset that you interrupted his beauty rest. Write 500 words to get away from him and get the courage to try again or go a different route.
  • If you have written 81-100 words, the sea monster has been woken the moment you have obtained a tentacle you have two choices:
    • Write 400 words to lull the sea monster back to sleep and hightail it out of there.
    • Write 100 words to explain to the sea monster why you are there and have taken the tentacle. He will give it to you, but for a price. Write another 250 words to pay for the tentacle.
  • If you have written 101+ words. You have gotten the tentacle and made it out of the inn unscathed. The cat is impressed with your work. He allows you to pet him as he compliments you on your work, “Very good, Peasant. You truly are suitable for this quest.”

Congratulations on getting the tentacle. You now have two more ingredients to get: A vampire fang and a hair from a Sasquatch. Which one are you going to get first?

• To go to New Orleans, Louisiana for the vampire fang, write to the next 1000. Vampires are nasty little buggers and you need to be prepared.
• To go to the National Redwood Forest in California, write 550 words. The Sasquatch are strong, but not as mean as the vampires.

NEW ORLEANS, LA

You have made it to New Orleans and man is it cool! Well, it’s actually hot, but it’s a cool place to be. Take a 5 minute break to experience the city. You see a whole bunch of different people walking around having a great old time. The cat is walking down the sidewalk like he owns the city and he probably does. He is talking to you as he walks.

“The sea monster is a baby compared to the vampire. You need to be on your guard. You may want to get some wooden stakes for this one. Or garlic. But you definitely need to make sure you don’t kill a living vampire. Those are humans who drink blood.” He weaves under people’s feet, causing them to trip and almost fall. He doesn’t care and he doesn’t expect you to either. Don’t bother taking care of them. You’re on a mission.

“Remember, we don’t have the time for you to mess around. Get the fang and get out. If you end up killing a living vampire and go to prison, I’m not paying for your bail.”

Do a 10 minute sprint as you search for the blood-drinking undead and get the garlic and wooden stakes.

• If you have written less than 80 words, you have accidentally found a living vampire. Quick! Write another 100 words before you end up staking them. After that is done, you have sufficiently scared the living vampire into giving you the location of the real vampire’s lair. Be proud of yourself, you aren’t in prison.
• If you have written more than 80 words, congratulations! The person you’ve been following was actually a living vampire, but they do know a real vampire. They take you to the vampire’s lair. You’re going to need to do some quick thinking. Do you bring the wooden stakes or the garlic with you?
  • If you have chosen the wooden stakes, you’re in luck. For the following sprints, be sure to add an extra 3 minutes to your sprinting time.
  • If you have chosen the garlic, take off 3 minutes to your sprinting time for the following sprints.

You now have your weapon of choice and follow the living vampire to the vampire’s lair. Do a 5 minute sprint as you sneak to the vampire’s coffin.

• If you have chosen garlic:
  • If you have written 40-80 words, the vampire has smelled the garlic and has awoken. He attacks you and you are now dying. Write 200 words in order for the cat to heal you. He won’t be happy, but you have a job to finish. Try the sprint again.
  • If you have written 81-100 words, the vampire has smelled the garlic and has awoken, but you were quick on your feet. You’ve not only punched the vampire in the face, you’ve also kicked him! Look at you, you badass! A fang has fallen out of his mouth. Write 100 words in order to find the fang and get out of the lair quick.
  • If you have written 101+ words, that vampire is so tired he didn’t even open an eye at the smell of your garlic. You shove the garlic into his mouth and he starts coughing. A fang has been blown clean out of his mouth and you catch it. Quick! Get out of there!
• If you have chosen the wooden stakes:
  • If you have written 40-80 words, the vampire wakes just as you have the stake to your chest. He grabs at you before you can get him. Write 200 words in order for the cat to heal you. He won’t be happy, but you have a job to finish. Try the sprint again.
  • If you have written 81-100 words, the vampire screams as you are pushing the stake into his chest. His loud voice has broken your eardrums, but you have successfully killed him. Write 100 words to get the fang out of his mouth. The cat is pleased and heals you for your hard-work.
  • If you have written 101+ words, the vampire sleeps through his death. There is a soft gasp as he opens his mouth. You quickly grab the fang and put it in your pocket. Walk out of his lair like the badass you are, you deserve it!

Great job at getting that fang! It was a toughie. If this was your last stop, head over to Bast’s house. If you still have to get the Sasquatch hair, head on to the National Redwood Forest, but watch out! They are a lively bunch those Sasquatch.

National Redwood Forest, California

You are now traveling the heavily wooded back roads of the National Redwood Forest. These trees are HUGE. Take a little 5 minute break to experience the majesty of these old trees. The cat is sitting in the passenger seat of the car and instructs you to drive to a little campground. The campground is free and not filled with tourists. He is talking to you as you sit in the car.

“Now, the Sasquatch are actually a peaceful bunch, but they like to party. Don’t bother with a fire because they won’t come over, but if you have some good music, then they might come to join you.”

Do you decide to turn on the music or let nature’s call lead the Sasquatch to you? Do a 5 minute sprint as you make your decision.

• If you have chosen music, put on your favorite song or a song in your WIP playlist and sprint to the time of that song.
  • If you have written 40-85 words, the Sasquatch have heard your song and have joined the party. Write an extra 100 words to convince one of them to give you a lock of its hair.
  • If you have written 86+ words, the Sasquatch have heard your song and have joined the party. Not only do you get a lock of hair, but they also invite you to visit again! Party with them for 5 minutes, you deserve this break!
• If you have chosen nature’s call, do a 5 minute sprint.
  • If you have written 40-85 words, the Sasquatch are bored with your stagnant ways and haven’t bothered to join you. Write 100 words to turn on the radio and get that lock of hair.
  • If you have written 86+ words, the Sasquatch have come to check you out. They think you’re pretty chill for a human. They give you a lock of hair and a piece of advice: “Sometimes you got to dance it out and sometimes you just need to breathe and take in life.”

Congratulations! You have gotten the lock of hair from the Sasquatch. If this was your last ingredient, head over to Bast’s House. If you still have the vampire fang to get, good luck on your adventure!

Bast’s House

The cat is very pleased with your work. He understands that you are tired, but he knows that there is no rest until the quest is over with. Now that you have your three important ingredients, take a 5 minute break to gather up something to drink.

“Good job with what you have done. Here is my lady.” The cat introduces you to a sickly woman. At first she seems like a normal person who is sick in bed, but on quick notice, you find that she has adorable cat ears and a tail. She doesn’t look well though. You need to get that potion made and quickly!

Do a 20 minute word sprint as you gather the ingredients and brew Bast’s potion for her.

Bast drinks the potion and slowly regains a healthy color. She looks at you and nods her thanks. The cat purrs and jumps into his mistresses lap. You are rewarded for a good quest’s work. Go and have a fun time you amazing writer! You just saved a goddess. Not many people can say that!