Stages of a Hero's Journey

The hero receives a mysterious message, an invitation, a challenge.

• Departure

• Crisis

• Call to adventure

• Trials

The hero needs some help. Probably from someone older, wiser.

• Assistance

• Trials

• Approach

• Status Quo

The hero crosses the threshold, from his normal, safe home and enters the world, an adventure.

• Call to adventure

• Departure

• Approach

• Return

Being a hero is hard work. Our hero solves a riddle, slays a monster, escapes from a trap

• Approach

• Crisis

• Trials

• Return

It's time to face the biggest ordeal. The hero's worst fear.

• Result

• Approach

• Trials

• Crisis

This is the hero's darkest hour. He faces death, possibly even dies, only to be reborn.

• Approach

• Crisis

• Treasure

• Result

As a result, the hero claims some treasure, special recognition, power.

• Treasure

• New Life

• Result

• Return

This can vary between stories. Do the monsters bow down before the hero, or do they chase him as he flees from the special world.

• Return

• New Life

• Crisis

• Result

After all that adventure, the hero returns to his ordinary world.

• Status Quo

• New Life

• Result

• Return

This quest has changes the hero, he's outgrown his old life.

• Result

• New Life

• Status Quo

• Return