Call to Adventure



"Rosencrantz: (dramatically) It was urgent -- a matter of extreme urgency, a royal summons, his very words: official business and no questions asked -- lights in the stable-yard; saddle up and off headlong and hotfoot across the land, our guides outstripped in breakneck pursuit of our duty! Fearful lest we come too late.

(Beat.)

Guildenstern: Too late for what?

Rosencrantz: How do I know? We haven't got there yet."

- Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

The first step on The Hero's Journey: the Hero learns that he must leave the known world behind and venture to unknown regions. How the Hero reacts to the call to adventure varies, but Heroes who initially reject the call are usually significantly worse off than if they had accepted.

The Call To Adventure may be carried to the hero by one or more Heralds.

Sub-Tropes:

 * Adventure Rebuff
 * Burning Building Rescue
 * The Call Has Bad Reception
 * The Call Knows Where You Live
 * The Call Left a Message
 * The Call Put Me on Hold
 * Call Reception Area
 * The Chooser of the One
 * Consequence Combo
 * Desperately Looking for a Purpose In Life
 * Forgot the Call
 * Got the Call on Speed Dial
 * I'm Dying, Please Take My MacGuffin
 * Ignorant of the Call
 * I'm Not a Hero, I'm X
 * Jumped At the Call
 * Missed the Call
 * Red Pill, Blue Pill
 * Refusal of the Call
 * Got Volunteered
 * We Are Not Going Through That Again
 * Refused by the Call
 * Regular Caller
 * Resigned to the Call
 * Screening the Call
 * Take Up My Sword
 * Taking Up the Mantle
 * Two Roads Before You

"*Phone Rings*

I'll get it! Hello, this is Report Siht, can I help you?

Hello. This is Mr. Herald. I am looking for someone named Zenwan? D. Cho Zenwan?

Oh, he's not here right now.

Can I leave a message?

Well, he's a bit busy right now and I don't want to bother him. Perhaps I can help?

Hmmmm, I'll have to think about it. Please hold."

"Congratulations! You've won a free trip to another world! You'll get to see forests, mountains, bustling cities, ancient ruins, a Floating Continent, all culminating in a tour of a majestic castle. You'll be joined by a bunch of fellow tourists as well, who'll be like a second family to you. You'll all encounter love, hate, rivalry, personal challenges, tests of character, monsters, death-

Monsters? Death?! That doesn't sound very enjoyable!

Just relax, it'll be the time of your life. Besides, you'll meet a lot worse than that on this trip! Oh, and you'll also get to learn a whole lot of useful life skills, such as magic spells, sword fighting, Kung Fu Fighting, gunfighting, running away-

You know, a lot of these 'skills' seem to revolve around violence. Are you sure that I'll be safe?

I guarantee it! So, what do you say? We're all counting on you!

Thanks, but that doesn't really sound like my kind of thing. I'll pass.

But I'm telling you, you have to do this!

Hey, screw you.

Dude, don't mess with me. I can keep calling again and again. I know where you live! I'll destroy your home, and I'll kill your little sister and your favorite pet! Then what are you going to do? Mope around in the charred ruins of your house?

Is that a threat? Well give me your best shot, loser! What's the worst you could do to me?..."