Trials of the First Moon

Trials of the First Moon is a "martial arts-meets-fantasy" genre role-playing gamebook complete with illustrations. The 250 page, 91,000 word adventure includes character sheets, random number table, combat results table, bestiary, glossary, FAQs, 500 numbered sections and excellent replay potential. Trials of the First Moon is the first of a lengthy saga planned by the author. Introduction . . . You are Tsai (pronounced "/tsaI/" and rhyming with "sky"), a promising young Shinté warrior preparing for your black-sash examinations. You are anxious about undertaking these trials, but know the time is right-these trials are scheduled only once each spring by your Shinté elders for those students, deemed ready to meet the challenge. To miss this opportunity means waiting another year and losing out on thirteen moons' time training in more advanced and exciting-though challenging-Shinté curriculum. The First Moon is now waxing over the monasteries clustered in the north of Escrinn, the young and growing kingdom situated in the southeast of the world of Shanoong in which you were born and reared. It is the dawn of springtime in this realm, and the icy frost peacefully blanketing the courtyards, monuments, gardens, and outdoor training grounds of these reclusive sanctuaries thins daily with each rising sun. Your mornings begin early and the days of training are long and grueling at the monasteries where you study. Here, students nurture and hone their abilities to tap into their internal and ever-flowing "dao." Simply defined, dao is known as the spiritual energy existing within all living things. Through due diligence, instruction, and time, Shinté practitioners both cultivate increased dao while learning how to harness it. In all, there are two dozen of these monastic guilds, laid out symmetrically across the countryside of Escrinn with a crisscross of roads connecting them all. Each institution is a place of learning and devotion, specializing in a different Shinté animal and weapon fighting art. While students are initially encouraged to try their hands at any discipline that interests them, they must eventually commit to mastering specific ones. Furthermore, each student's mentor weighs in on the decision, guiding younger pupils toward styles which complement their temperament, athleticism, and other, more subtle qualities. The choice of which animal and weapon fighting styles to study comes easily to some while others remain reluctant to commit themselves for some time. Each individual's choice of which disciplines to study is taken very seriously, though some would argue that the issue is something of a moot point. After all, in the pursuit of becoming a master, a Shinté practitioner will learn them all in due time. At the age of seventeen, you have chosen and have become proficient in five of these art forms. This is the requisite number before becoming eligible to participate in the challenging black-sash trials. Dawn comes too early for your weary eyes as the sun shines through your window onto your still sleeping face. Yet it is not long before you are tying your brown-sash around your waist and splashing your face with refreshingly cool valley water in attempt to rally yourself for this morning's exercises. Your muscles protest the thought of the hours of work ahead of you, sore as they are from the rigors of yesterday. Yet it is a routine you know all too well and not a lifestyle you would readily trade. There is something intrinsically rewarding in it all, a thought you pause to consider as you close the door to the student dormitory behind you. Your mentor, already up, is awaiting your arrival . . .