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Hello all, New here and just finished my first challenge, so coming into this one a little late. From the looks of it, I’ll be late to the next party too, but then I should be caught up. Also, my first time outside the Level 1s. The adventurers looked like a good fit for what I’m looking at, glad to meet everyone. I’ve seen a few people do up their challenges as prose, and I thought that would be a fun way to go about it since this is meant to be roleplaying. Please bear with. Hopefully, it doesn’t come across as obnoxious. --- Anno didn’t so much walk up the hill as progressed. Walking was a dignity that had withered and fallen off about a mile back. He’d been limping since near the base of the hill when someone had, apparently, staked his knees with rebar. Staggering had left him when that rebar turned to salt. Now, he held his walking stick like an oar and rowed himself up the hill. In the last few paces, he saw a new, green vale reveal itself beyond the crest. A bright river ran through the middle, opening into a blue lake down below. A village sat on the valley’s far shoulder. On the side of a mountain in the near distance, he saw the outline of a monastery. Standing there on the very top of the hill, looking down on the steep path to the valley floor, Anno threw up up his arms. He let out a loud, “Woo!†and promptly collapsed onto his side beside the path. He let himself roll, content to simply flop down onto his back. His pack, however, was happy where it was and saw no reason to make things easy on its owner. Anno quickly found himself with his head and left arm dangling, the world sitting at an odd angle and him not giving any part of a damn to correct it. “You’re late,†a voice said behind him. Anno tried to sit up, but the pack and worn muscles firmly declared that that wasn’t happening, allowing only a groan and a weak flop. He kicked, squirmed and he tried to shimmy. He finally found and loosened the straps to his pack. He slid off the thing and onto the grass. A pull of the pack later and he was propped up, almost a sit, looking at an old man who sat on a nearby boulder. “I said, you’re late.†The old man tilted his head up to listen to birdsong in the trees. “And the birds are laughing at you.†My first challenge was largely my doing a modified Angry Birds split between two days. I plan to continue with the Angry Birds workout, now condensed to a single day to allow for more flexibility but with the same amount of exercise. 2x per week. 1) Maintain A - All workouts done. Less a grade per 2 workouts missed. (+1 Str, +1 Con, +1 Sta, +1 Cha) The original called for me to reach level 3 in the workout within the six weeks. This didn’t happen. This time, I’ll aim to progress to at least the next level in each exercise of the first by the end of the challenge. Reducing weight on stats for this one, partly because the increases aren’t fast and partly because they’re fairly incidental. Going up a level is dne by hitting 3-star on a part twice consecutively. 2) Progress A - All five, B - 3-4, C - 2, D - 1, F - None. (+1 Str, +1 Sta) The old cleared his throat, looking back at Anno. “Have you decided where you’re going?†“Not yet.†The man’s shoulders sagged. “You know, people don’t usually start up this way without some idea. Rude to make an old man wait here for you if you haven’t got any ideas.†The old man grinned. “Or did you just figure out that you don’t live in assassin country?†“How…?†“You’re not the first, kid.†The old man snickered and pointed down into the valley. “But if you’re still here, I’m guessing you still want to make something of yourself. The village always needs people, strong backs and in the forest, and the monastery’s not far off. You ever worked any of that?†“I was in the militia once, and I trained with a monk, but that…†The old man poked Anno in the gut with a stick. “A long time ago?†“...yes.†“You’ve got a ways to go, son. The Monks won’t accept new students until the Harvest Moon, but you won’t get there before then anyway. And the town needs someone a little less flabby.†He held his hand to shade his eyes as he peered off into the distance. “Still, might just be ready before you get anywhere...†3) C25K The listed three times a week, with the option to trade one out for a hike once a week. A - All workouts done. Less a grade per two workouts missed. (+3 Sta, +1 Con) “...and, for pity’s sake, loosen up. You move like a pregnant yak.†4) Flexibility: Eight Brocades of Silk Stretch. Minimum 3x per week, in-class sessions during Tai Chi count. A - All done, less a grade for each two missed. (+2 Dex) Anno sagged back against his pack and glared at the old man. “Is there anything else, or can I die for a little while?†The man snickered again. “Just one more thing.†He reached behind him and pulled a very slight, straight sword from behind his rock. “It’s dangerous to go alone. Take this.†5) Weapon training. Minimum 2 hours per week. Something I’ve always wanted to get into. Since I’m in a class for Tai Chi, I’ve recently picked up a book on a tai chi sword form. I’ve also signed up for an archery class starting in two weeks. Either or, but a minimum of 2 hours every week. (+2 dex, +1 wis) Anno took the sword and drew it, looking at the blade shining. The old man was gone when he looked back up. He looked around, then down at the village. He looked at the blade again, sheathed it, and promptly flopped sideways onto the ground. He spent enough care to set teh scabbard down and bunch up an edge of his pack for a pillow before he passed out. Above, the birdsong played through the trees as the birds kept laughing, but right then, he was too tired to care. -- That’s my goal this time around. It looks like a lot, and is potentially biting off more than I can chew, but realistically, I’m looking at two days of exercise on my off days from Tai Chi using a modified warm up, plus one lesson/sword study session and one hike a week. Shouldn’t be too bad. And, why yes, I would like some salt with my foot.

I have struggled with exercising since I came to college. I have probably used the gym a total of 14 times in 4 years. This is my last semester and I want to get on the right foot for when my whole world gets turned upside down after graduating. My inspiration is both having gained some skin in areas, not fitting into pants, and the show Arrow. If you haven't seen it yet, start now! It is the best thing ever! I have been an archer since the age of 8, where I first learn at summer camp. Archery has followed me through my life at camp and then to college where I started an archery club. After all of this though I don't practice ever and have lost the enjoyment of it after being in charge of it for so long. I have recently handed over the club to the new presidents and as soon as the weight was off my shoulders I was enjoying practice 10 times more. While in the end I want to gain muscle and improve on my archery skills I realize that my real problem is basic fitness and nutrition so that is where I am starting. Main Quest: Build a fitness habit. Goals: - work out 3 days a week - eat gluten free 80% of the time - get up at 7 every week day, and by 9 on weekends Included in the working out 3 days a week I am going to try out my local crossfit since the first few times are free and see how that goes. Otherwise working out at home or in the school gym. There is a suspicion from everyone I know that I might be gluten intolerant so I want to start incorporating gluten free food, to see how I feel without it. Last, the lazy mornings must stop, getting up at 7 I will either have an extra hour to do homework or simply get to class on time. As far as the weekends, sleeping in is overrated. Any help/suggestions are welcome! I will struggle with this.

Once upon a time, there was a hobbit called Ruby. She had a cheerful life, with good friends, a loving family, and a job that made her happy. But somewhere, deep inside, there was something missing. A discontentment. Unlike other hobbits, who preferred to stay at home and never stray beyond their borders, Ruby pined for adventure. And so, at the first dawn of the new year, she packed up her things, and set out on her quest into the unknown… + + + + Main Quest: So what’s my ‘real life’ motivation? A fairly shallow one, if I’m honest. I love going shopping with my friends, but it becomes a bit of a painful subject when they’re all picking out lovely little designer clothes in sizes that, right now, I could only dream of fitting into. I also don’t have the confidence in myself right now with the way I look to try and get into a meaningful relationship with someone. And thirdly, I want to take up an active hobby, to devote time to an interest, meet new people, and to have something in my life other than being at home or being at work. So, no more. I have the time, and now, I have the willpower to change things too. I successfully managed my career-focused goals of 2013 (going from unemployed to the first rung of the ladder in my dream career from January to September), so 2014 is going to be my year of focusing on my own wellbeing and happiness. CURRENT STATS: Age: 24 Height: 5ft 1†Weight: 219lbs Level 0 STR: 0 | DEX: 0 | STA: 0 | CON: 0 | WIS: 0 | CHA: 0 My overall goal is to lose 100lbs before I'm 30. Instead of looking at that as my one and only thing to aim for, I’ve decided to break that down into more manageable and achievable sub-goals. My first goal is to lose 20lbs in weight, so my first Six Week Quest is to lose 10 or more pounds in 6 weeks and to introduce exercise back into my weekly routine. To do this, I will: Phase processed foods out of my diet.Walk my dog for half an hour every day.Go out on my bicycle every Sunday morning for one hour. Side Quests: To finish my current short film script in these 6 weeksTo join an after-work class to make new friends and try out a new hobbyEarmark one evening a week where I will look after me: have a bubblebath, read a book, do my nails and generally make me feel good about my inner and outer self. Life Quest: Save up 100% of my mortgage deposit over the next two years and buy my own place to live! Quest Progress Side Quest #1: Pages Completed - 1/5 Side Quest #2: Class Joined - NO Side Quest #3: Evenings Taken Out - 0/6 Life Quest: 0/25

(For those that don’t know them already please check out two of my friends who play in a band with Chris Bowes of Alestorm, Gloryhammer. They are the cheesiest of European power metal bands in a Rhapsody meets Edguy way. This is the quest for the hammer of glory!) Main Quest Achieve a waist of 36†to meet medical guidelines for reducing risk of diabetes by being 38†or below. Gnoll Avengers: Lifting. Last challenge my squat went FUBAR. I shall work on that whilst increasing all other lifts. (Bench, OHP, DL) Deadlift: 135kg current desired 160kg Squat: 90kg current though I’ve dropped a lot of weight off.100kg desired OHP: 40kg current (working weight) 60kg desired Bench: 60kg current, 75kg desired. Rodents of Unusual Size: 3 Sessions: Last challenge I wanted 3 gym visits. This didn’t really fit. Now I want at least 2x Gym visits a week and 1 of either Archery, Bodyweight Circuit & Mobility work or a third gym session. This does not count in the week around my walk where sense needs to take precedence. This will also be different getting towards the autumn. I can’t shoot whenever I find someone else to shoot with me, I’ll have to wait for allotted indoor times. Lich: Walk: Dadadada-da-daaah [/Pantera] I’m walking 26.2 miles for Cancer Research UK at night around London. At 3.5 mph that’s over 2000 kcal burned. You can sponsor me here: http://www.justgiving.com/MarkVernon2013 Part of this though is seeing proper planning and recovery afterwards. I may have to miss deadlift day or move it from a Monday! Skeleton Archer: Sidequest: First year shooting indoors since returning to archery. Hit a 400 portsmouth. Depending how easy that gets I may make it 450, 475 or highly doubtful at the minute a 500.