<div class="parentguidance">
''Before You Begin''
This adventure is played while walking.
Before you read any further, take a few minutes to prepare your walk together.
''Choose Your Route''
Decide where you are going to walk. As a guide, a route of around 5 km / 3 miles works well for most families, but this is flexible. Shorter walks are fine, and longer walks can be taken at a slower pace. What matters most is that everyone can walk comfortably and has time to talk, notice, and reflect together.
''Your walk can be:''
* Circular, starting and finishing at the same place (such as a car park or gate), or
* Linear, with a different start and end point.
Both work equally well for this adventure.
''What You Will Need''
Before you set off, make sure you have:
* A map (we recommend an Ordnance Survey map where possible)
* Sensible walking gear, appropriate for the weather, terrain, and time of year
* A pen and paper, small notebook, or notes app on a phone
''Walking safely''
Choose routes that are suitable for everyone in your group.
Do not take risks to reach a waypoint. The story does not require steep climbs, exposed ground, dangerous crossings, or leaving marked paths. If a place feels unsafe, choose a different location.
''Marking Your Waypoints''
On your map, mark five waypoints. These give structure to the story and help pace the walk. The exact locations are up to you.
* ''Waypoint One: Start / Finish''
Mark where your walk begins. This is often a car park or entrance to a path.
If you are walking a circular route, this will also be your finishing point.
* ''Waypoint Two: The Trees''
Mark a point at the end of a forest, wood, or small copse of trees. This should be a place where the landscape changes as you enter into the trees.
* ''Waypoint Three: The Crossing''
Mark a crossroads, fork, or place where paths meet or divide. This might be two paths diverging, or a clear decision point in the landscape.
* ''Waypoint Four: Your Choice''
This waypoint can be anywhere that feels interesting or distinct. We recommend choosing a place within woodland, but trust your judgement and the land you are walking through.
* ''Waypoint Five: A Transition''
Mark a point on the map where the landscape changes. This might be open land moving into fields, forest into a clearing, or a path changing direction.
''Keeping Notes During the Walk''
You will need a place to keep simple notes during the adventure. This can be a sheet of paper, a notebook, or notes on a phone.
At times, the story will ask you to:
''Mark progress or mark tension''
You can do this using tally marks (vertical strokes, often grouped in fives). Each mark represents one point.
''Gain a tag''
This means writing the name of the tag in your notes so you remember you have it.
''Scratch out a tag''
This means crossing the tag out when instructed.
There is no need to keep perfect records. Simple, clear notes are enough.
When you are ready, gather together at your starting point and [[Start your walk.->Start of walk]]
</div>
<div class="parentguidance">
''Activity.'' Close your eyes if it feels safe.
Stay still for ten slow breaths.
How many different sounds can you name?
(Voices don't count. Wind, birds, water, footsteps, insects, leaves, distant traffic all count.)
[[No sounds->1.1.1]]
[[One to two sounds->1.1.2]]
[[Three or more sounds->1.1.3]]
</div><div class="parentguidance">
''Activity. ''Keep your eyes open.
Walk slowly for a short while.
How many different plants or trees can you spot?
(They do not need names. "Tall tree", "spikey bush", "grass", "red flowers" all count if they are different.)
[[One or less->1.2.1]]
[[Two to three->1.2.2]]
[[Four or more->1.2.3]]
</div>You have been sent out into the countryside today by The Lareow, a title for one of the senior Wild Wards meaning //the wise teacher//.
She has instructed you to go and explore the land so that you can get to know it deeply.
The Lareow meets you at the edge of the path.
"Before you go", she says,
"you must choose how you will pay attention today".
<div class="parentguidance">Do you?
[[Close your eyes and listen deeply?->1.1]]
Or
[[Look closely at your surroundings?->1.2]]
</div>The Lareow nods solemnly.
"Somedays the land is quiet" she says, "you will need to walk gently".
<div class="parentguidance">''Gain the tag: ''The Land is Brooding.</div>
"Go now and begin your walk", says Lareow. "We will speak again when you return. I have sent someone ahead to meet with you. They are small, you will have to notice them".
<div class="parentguidance">When you reach Waypoint 2: [[Continue the Story->2]]</div>The Lareow takes another long moment before opening her own eyes.
"You have heard enough to follow the path", she says.
"Go now and begin your walk", says Lareow. "We will speak again when you return. I have sent someone ahead to meet with you. They are small, you will have to notice them".
<div class="parentguidance">When you reach Waypoint 2: [[Continue the Story->2]]</div>The Lareow smiles broadly, creasing her eyes with warm laughter.
"The land is already talking with you!", she says.
<div class="parentguidance">''Gain the tag: ''Sharp Ears.</div>
"Go now and begin your walk", says Lareow. "We will speak again when you return. I have sent someone ahead to meet with you. They are small, you will have to notice them".
<div class="parentguidance">When you reach Waypoint 2: [[Continue the Story->2]]</div>The path darkens slightly where the trees begin.
Roots curl close to the ground.
As you look into the trees, you feel as though the forest might be looking back.
<div class="parentguidance">If you have Sharp Ears [[You hear something->2.1]]
If you have Sharp Eyes [[You spot something->2.1]]
Otherwise, do you want to
[[Stop and Listen->2.2]]
[[Stop and Look->2.3]]
[[Keep following the path->2.4]]
</div>The Lareow says "The land hides when you hurry, but do not worry".
<div class="parentguidance">''Gain the tag: ''Still learning to see.</div>
"Go now and begin your walk", says Lareow. "We will speak again when you return. I have sent someone ahead to meet with you. They are small, you will have to notice them".
<div class="parentguidance">When you reach Waypoint 2: [[Continue the Story->2]]</div>The Lareow says "You notice what most people miss".
"Go now and begin your walk", says Lareow. "We will speak again when you return. I have sent someone ahead to meet with you. They are small, you will have to notice them".
<div class="parentguidance">When you reach Waypoint 2: [[Continue the Story->2]]</div>The Lareow laughs softly,
"The land knows when you are watching".
<div class="parentguidance">''Gain the tag: ''Sharp Eyes.</div>
"Go now and begin your walk", says Lareow. "We will speak again when you return. I have sent someone ahead to meet with you. They are small, you will have to notice them".
<div class="parentguidance">When you reach Waypoint 2: [[Continue the Story->2]]</div>You hear a tiny rustle before you even stop walking.
And then you spot movement near the ground, quick as a blink.
A small, brown mouse pops out from below a half-rotten log.
<div class="parentguidance">[[Talk to the mouse->2.5]]
[[Keep following the path->2.4]]</div>Stop for a moment.
Stay quiet. Really quiet.
Can you hear something small moving?
<div class="parentguidance">''Activity.''
Each child names one quiet sound they can hear right now.
If at least two sounds are named, [[continue->2.5]].
(If you have the tag ''The Land is Brooding'' you need to hear three sounds).
Otherwise listen a little longer, or [[keep following the path->2.4]]</div>Look low, near roots and leaves.
Can you spot where something small might hide?
<div class="parentguidance">''Activity.''
Each child points to a place a mouse could hide.
If at least two three places are identified, [[continue->2.5]].
(If you have the tag ''Still learning to see'' you need to find four hiding places).
Otherwise look a little longer, or [[keep following the path->2.4]]</div><div class="parentguidance">''Mark 1 tension. ''
When you reach Waypoint 3: [[Continue the Story->3]]</div><div class="parentguidance">''Mark 1 progress. ''</div>
"You're big", Mouse says.
"You've got big feet and loud boots".
"But you're trying. I can tell".
Mouse looks into the forest, and then back at you.
"Something here is changing.
I don't know why.
I need help to understand it".
"Before you go any further," Mouse says,
"I need you to do something small.
Sometimes, small things matter the most."
<div class="parentguidance">[[Help the mouse->2.6]] or [[keep following the path->2.4]]</div>
"I need your help," Mouse says, "to find signs that this forest //really// is alive. "
<div class="parentguidance">''Activity.''
Find 3 signs that the forest is alive.
(These can be a moving leaf, an insect, a bird call, wind in the branches, animal tracks, bent grass, etc).
If you have the tag ''Still learning to see'' you need to find four signs. </div>
Mouse waits patiently.
"Were you successful?" Mouse asks.
<div class="parentguidance">[[Yes->2.7]]
[[No->2.8]]</div>
The path splits.
One way is worn by the passage of many feet and is easy to follow.
The other is quieter.
This is a place where the land waits to see what people do.
"People make choices at cross roads and forks", the Lareow once said.
"And the land remembers those choices".
Before you choose a path, you must learn something about it.
<div class="parentguidance">''Activity.''
Step 1: For each path, the family answers one question out load:
* Does this path look well-used or quiet?
* Does it feel open or closed-in?
* Does it seem fast or slow?
(There are no right answers, just your shared observations).
Step 2: Each of you makes one promise about how they will walk the next stretch.
For example,
* "I will walk quietly."
* "I will look after the path."
* "I will notice changes."
* "I will hold someone's hand."
Has everyone made a promise?
[[Yes->3.1]]
[[No->3.2]]
</div>
Mouse nods.
"Yes. It's awake."
"That's the problem".
<div class="parentguidance">''Gain the tag: ''Mouse Trusts You.</div>
<div class="parentguidance">Say goodbye to the mouse and continue your walk.
When you reach Waypoint 3: [[Continue the Story->3]]</div>Mouse says.
"That's alright.
The forest doesn't rush, and we still have time".
''Mark 1 tension. ''
Say goodbye to the mouse and continue your walk.
When you reach Waypoint 3: [[Continue the Story->3]]<div class="parentguidance">Continue your walk.
''Mark 1 progress.''</div>
As you walk away, the cross roads stay behind. But it does not forget.
<div class="parentguidance">When you reach Waypoint 4: [[Continue the Story->4]]</div>Continue your walk.
<div class="parentguidance">''Mark 1 tension.''
''Gain the tag: ''The Path is Uneasy</div>
As you walk away, the cross roads stay behind. But it does not forget.
<div class="parentguidance">When you reach Waypoint 4: [[Continue the Story->4]]</div>You come to a halt, realising that the path is slowing you down.
Not because it is hard to walk, but because the path is paying attention.
<div class="parentguidance">If you met Mouse, [[Continue->4.1]].
Otherwise, [[Continue->4.2]].</div>
Mouse is here again.
This time, Mouse does not hide.
"I was wondering when you'd notice me," Mouse says.
"The land has been listening and watching you all day.
Mouse looks at the ground, the trees, then back at you.
"It remembers how you walked".
<div class="parentguidance">If you all kept your promises from the last waypoint, ''mark 1 progress''.
Do you have either of the tags ''Sharp Eyes'' or ''Sharp Eyes''?
[[Yes->4.1.1]]
[[No->4.1.2]]
</div>A small brown Mouse sits poised on the stalk of a small woodland shrub.
"I was wondering when you'd notice me," Mouse says.
"The land and I have been listening and watching you all day.
Mouse looks at the ground, the trees, then back at you.
"It remembers how you walked".
<div class="parentguidance">If you all kept your promises from the last waypoint, ''mark 1 progress''.
Do you have the tag ''The Land is Brooding''?
[[Yes->4.3]]
[[No->4.4]]</div>Mouse lowers their voice.
"At first... the land wasn't sure about you."
"It felt rushed. Like no one was really listening."
<div class="parentguidance">Do you have the tag ''The Path is Uneasy''?
[[Yes->4.5]]
[[No->4.6]]</div><div class="parentguidance">Do you have the tag ''The Path is Uneasy''?
[[Yes->4.5]]
[[No->4.6]]</div>Mouse scuffs the dirt.
"Paths don't like being chosen without being spoken to."
"They worry about where they'll lead."
"The land listens", Mouse says.
"But it needs to hear you too."
"Will you show the land that you care?"
<div class="parentguidance">[[Yes->4.7]]
[[No->4.8]]</div>"The land listens", Mouse says.
"But it needs to hear you too."
"Will you show the land that you care?"
<div class="parentguidance">[[Yes->4.7]]
[[No->4.8]]</div><div class="parentguidance">''Activity.''
Choose one as a family:
* Thank the Path: each person says one quiet-thank you to the land.
* Walk Gently: walk ten slow steps without speaking, noticing your feet.
* Make it Right: one child says a promise for how they will walk next time.
If you do, ''mark 1 progress''.
You can scratch out either ''The Land is Brooding'' or ''The Path is Uneasy'' tags if you have them (but not both).</div>
Mouse thanks you, and scurries off into the undergrowth.
<div class="parentguidance">When you reach Waypoint 5: [[Continue the Story->5]]</div>Mouse looks at you intensely for a long moment, and then with a soft sigh turns and scurries off into the undergrowth.
<div class="parentguidance">''Mark 1 tension.''
When you reach Waypoint 5: [[Continue the Story->5]]</div>
As you finish your walk, the Lareow is waiting for you.
They want to hear about your walk.
<div class="parentguidance">''Activity.''
Tell the Lareow about where you went, what you saw, what you did, and anything else that comes to mind.
Then,
If you have marked at least three progress and less than three tension,
[[Finish your story->6.1]]
If you have marked at least three progress and three or more tension,
[[Finish your story->6.2]]
If you have marked less than three progress and less than three tension,
[[Finish your story->6.4]]
If you have marked less than three progress and three or more tension,
[[Finish your story->6.5]]</div>"You walked well," the Lareow says.
"You noticed what needed noticing.
You chose carefully.
And the land felt safe with you."
The Lareow crouches low and places a hand on the path.
"This place is calmer now than when you found it."
You feel it too. The land feels settled.
<div class="parentguidance">Scratch out all tags, then ''Gain the campaign tag:'' Trusted by the Land.
''You have finished Wild Wards: The Old Paths. ''
More walks. More Choices. More stories. All are waiting for you on the path ahead.</div>
The Lareow frowns. Not at you, but at the ground.
"The land is unsettled," she says.
"It doesn't know what to expect yet."
The Lareow straightens up.
"That means it will test you next time."
You feel it too. The land does not seem angry.
But it is not calm, either.
<div class="parentguidance">Scratch out all tags, then ''Gain the campaign tag:'' The Land Watches Closely.
''You have finished Wild Wards: The Old Paths. ''
More walks. More Choices. More stories. All are waiting for you on the path ahead.</div>The Lareow smiles gently.
"You walked kindly," she says.
"Even if you did not fix much today."
She shrugs.
"Some walks are for learning how to listen. This is one of those."
Nothing to you feels any worse than before.
And nothing has shifted yet, either.
<div class="parentguidance">Scratch out all tags, then ''Gain the campaign tag:'' Still Learning the Paths.
''You have finished Wild Wards: The Old Paths. ''
More walks. More Choices. More stories. All are waiting for you on the path ahead.</div>The Lareow nods slowly.
"You did what was needed," she says.
"But the land had to work hard to keep up with you as well."
She looks back toward the trees.
"Change has started.
And that always stirs things up."
You feel it too. The land is awake now.
And it is watching and waiting.
<div class="parentguidance">Scratch out all tags, then ''Gain the campaign tag:'' The Land is Stirring.
''You have finished Wild Wards: The Old Paths. ''
More walks. More Choices. More stories. All are waiting for you on the path ahead.</div>"You noticed things early", Mouse says.
"That's why the land opened up to you."
<div class="parentguidance">Do you have the tag ''The Land is Brooding''?
[[Yes->4.3]]
[[No->4.4]]</div><div class="parentguidance">Do you have the tag ''The Land is Brooding''?
[[Yes->4.3]]
[[No->4.4]]</div>You notice that something large moves ahead.
An animal steps into the way. An old badger.
It does not charge.
It does not flee.
But it does stand its ground.
"No", the animal growls.
"You don't pass here."
Their fur is bristled, and their eyes are sharp.
"Every time the land changes," they say, "someone like you says it's for the best."
They scrape the ground.
"And it never is".
<div class="parentguidance">''Activity.''
You must decide how to respond.
Do you?
1. [[Stand tall and speak->5.1]].
Everyone says one calm sentence, such as "we won't harm the land" or "we are here to help".
2. [[Show, don't tell->5.2]].
As a group, demonstrate care by stepping back together, lowering your voices, or moving slowly and clearly.
3. [[Wait them out->5.3]].
Stand still together for ten slow breaths. No talking. No moving.
4. [[Scare the old badger off->5.4]].
You don't have time for this! </div>
You do not move forward, but stand where you are and speak clearly, one by one.
The badger's claws stop scrapping the ground.
"Hmph," they mutter.
"You sound like you mean it".
They step aside, slowly, never taking their eyes off you.
"Walk carefully," says the badger.
"Words are easy, steps are harder."
<div class="parentguidance">''mark 1 progress''.
When you reach the end of your walk: [[continue->6]]</div>
Without saying much, you change how you stand.
You step back.
You move together.
The badger watches closely.
Their fur slowly settles down.
"You know," they say, quieter now,
"most folk don't bother showing what they really will do."
They turn their head away and make space on the path.
<div class="parentguidance">''mark 1 progress''.
When you reach the end of your walk: [[continue->6]]</div>You make a big noise.
The badger snarls and backs away, startled.
"So that's how it is," they snap.
They vanish into the undergrowth, angry and afraid.
<div class="parentguidance">''mark 2 tension''.
If you have the tag Mouse Trusts You, [[continue->5.4.1]]
Otherwise, when you reach the end of your walk: [[continue->6]]</div>You stop.
The badger glares at you, expecting shouting, or rushing.
But this does not happen.
Time stretches out.
Finally, the badger huffs.
"Stubborn," they say. "Like the old paths".
They step aside, not pleased, but not angry either.
<div class="parentguidance">''mark 1 progress''.
''mark 1 tension''.
When you reach the end of your walk: [[continue->6]]</div>As the badger disappears, you notice something small watching.
A flicker of movement.
A familiar pair of bright eyes.
Mouse says nothing.
But they stay.
<div class="parentguidance">When you reach the end of your walk: [[continue->6]]</div><div class="parentguidance">When you are ready to begin the walk, read the following text: </div>
Long ago, people made promises to the land. To the woods, the fields, the wild places and to the very paths that wove between them.
Most people forgot or abandoned these promises.
The ''Wild Wards'' did not.
The Wild Wards walk the old paths, the forgotten paths, and help make sure the land stays safe for everyone.
Together, you and your family are on the beginning of your own path to become Wild Wards.
Will you look after the paths, the woods, and the creatures who live there?
<div class="parentguidance">[[Let us begin.->1]]</div>