17 Steps of the Hero’s Journey

Here are all 17 steps of the hero’s journey, as outlined by Campbell:

5 Book Series

DEPARTURE

1. The call to adventure:

Something, or someone, interrupts the hero’s familiar life to present a problem, threat, or opportunity.

• Ansa presents to him a stone

2. Refusal of the call:

Unwilling to step out of their comfort zone or face their fear, the hero initially hesitates to embark on this journey.

• Thoughts and speaking with Morgreth and the others in the “pre-hero’s chamber”

3. Supernatural aid:

A mentor figure gives the hero the tools and inspiration they need to accept the call to adventure.

• The hero’s chamber

4. Crossing the threshold:

The hero embarks on their quest.

• Jestro arrives and escorts them out.
• They start their journey.

5. Belly of the whale:

The hero crosses the point of no return, and encounters their first major obstacle.

• When Rythe tells them he will live or die fighting the Rishk, they are all in.

INITIATION

6. The road of trials:

The hero must go through a series of tests or ordeals to begin his transformation. Often, the hero fails at least one of these tests.

• The phases and the doors

7. The meeting with the goddess:

The hero meets one or more allies, who pick him up and help him continue his journey.

• The twin flying elves in the dimensions

8. Woman as temptress:

The hero is tempted to abandon or stray from his quest. Traditionally, this temptation is a love interest, but it can manifest itself in other forms as well, including fame or wealth.

• Desires to stay in the perfect world, soft singing, perfect place, a test, but he remembers his goal, picks up the summoner and blows for the dragon.

9. Atonement with the father:

The hero confronts the reason for his journey, facing his doubts and fears and the powers that rule his life. This is a major turning point in the story: every prior step has brought the hero here, and every step forward stems from this moment.

• Clal tells his true feelings about inadequacy.
• Gains further understanding of parents, and of wielders, and gains advice.
• They do fly high and see Hanone.
• “Hanone is not a myth Clal. You’ve now seen it.”
• What is his real reason: “I’m a no body. No parents. No name. How can I be the chosen one?
• Sedrak instills within him the truths.
• He finds out who he really is?
  • (Royal Blood.
  • Direct decendent of Ottomus?)
  • One of the rules of one of the hidden kingdoms gave him up because they knew it would be too dangerous, gave the twins up

10. Apotheosis:

As a result of this confrontation, the hero gains a profound understanding of their purpose or skill. Armed with this new ability, the hero prepares for the most difficult part of the adventure.

• They fly back, with Larkin and Skyla, through the dimensions and find the other three heavy in combat with all four Rishk.

11. The ultimate boon:

The hero achieves the goal he set out to accomplish, fulfilling the call that inspired his journey in the first place.

• He has found the dragon.

RETURN

12. Refusal of the return:

If the hero’s journey has been victorious, he may be reluctant to return to the ordinary world of his prior life.

1. Reluctant to move forward for fear of losing the dragon

13. The magic flight:

The hero must escape with the object of his quest, evading those who would reclaim it.

1. Not applicable?

14. Rescue from without:

Mirroring the meeting with the goddess, the hero receives help from a guide or rescuer in order to make it home.

15. The crossing of the return threshold:

The hero makes a successful return to the ordinary world.

16. Master of two worlds:

We see the hero achieve a balance between who he was before his journey and who he is now. Often, this means balancing the material world with the spiritual enlightenment he’s gained.

1. He is ruler among a new world, but still young, the Clal he always was. Wiser.

17. Freedom to live:

We leave the hero at peace with his life.

1. Living in his own kingdom amid a glorious world with Leara at his side.

Book 1

DEPARTURE

1. The call to adventure:

Something, or someone, interrupts the hero’s familiar life to present a problem, threat, or opportunity.

1. Clal meets Rythe who tells him of lurking danger.
2. Tallon disappears.
3. Rythe tells Clal to come with him to the castle.
4. Morgreth identifies Clal as the chosen one and gives him a scroll, instructions to follow.

2. Refusal of the call:

Unwilling to step out of their comfort zone or face their fear, the hero initially hesitates to embark on this journey.

• Refusal to open the scroll.
• Almost too late to follow the scroll’s directions
  1. (Clal waits till after the feast and when they are going to bed.)
     1. This is where Clal meets one “bad boy.”
     2. This is where Clal meets one “good boy.”
  2. Clal waits till the night time luring Rythe along.
  3. No one follows them.

3. Supernatural aid:

A mentor figure gives the hero the tools and inspiration they need to accept the call to adventure.

• Ansa makes it to the room of secrecy by Hittle’s direction.
• (Hittle leaves)
• Still reluctant but now, everything lights up and moves, (walls, floor)
• The sealed book, the key, the companions, knowledge.

4. Crossing the threshold:

The hero embarks on their quest.

• Jestro arrives and escorts them out.
• They start their journey.

5. Belly of the whale:

The hero crosses the point of no return, and encounters their first major obstacle.

1. The first encounter with the RISHK at the smithy.
2. The sword.
3. The fire.
4. The desire to right the wrongs of the RISHK.

INITIATION

6. The road of trials:

The hero must go through a series of tests or ordeals to begin his transformation. Often, the hero fails at least one of these tests.

1. The gaining of the sword
2. Gulnerye’s Attack
3. Add more?
4. What kinds of tests?
5. Finding Kelvkoroth
6. Gaining the Crystal?

7. The meeting with the goddess:

The hero meets one or more allies, who pick him up and help him continue his journey.

• Gulnerye
• Leara

8. Woman as temptress:

The hero is tempted to abandon or stray from his quest. Traditionally, this temptation is a love interest, but it can manifest itself in other forms as well, including fame or wealth.

1. The Kelvkoroth world.
   1. Stay here for a while
2. Leara in Kelvkoroth?

9. Atonement with the father:

The hero confronts the reason for his journey, facing his doubts and fears and the powers that rule his life. This is a major turning point in the story: every prior step has brought the hero here, and every step forward stems from this moment.

• What is his real reason: “I’m a no body. No parents. No name. How can I be the chosen one?
• Sedrak instills within him the truths.
• There is no one else. Clal is the chosen one.
• Not sure what this would be

10. Apotheosis:

As a result of this confrontation, the hero gains a profound understanding of their purpose or skill. Armed with this new ability, the hero prepares for the most difficult part of the adventure.

• He goes to fight the RISHK on the shore.
• He has supernatural ability.
• So does Ansa.
• What is the confrontation?

11. The ultimate boon:

The hero achieves the goal he set out to accomplish, fulfilling the call that inspired his journey in the first place.

• He

RETURN

12. Refusal of the return:

If the hero’s journey has been victorious, he may be reluctant to return to the ordinary world of his prior life.

13. The magic flight:

The hero must escape with the object of his quest, evading those who would reclaim it.

14. Rescue from without:

Mirroring the meeting with the goddess, the hero receives help from a guide or rescuer in order to make it home.

15. The crossing of the return threshold:

The hero makes a successful return to the ordinary world.

16. Master of two worlds:

We see the hero achieve a balance between who he was before his journey and who he is now. Often, this means balancing the material world with the spiritual enlightenment he’s gained.

17. Freedom to live:

We leave the hero at peace with his life.

Living in his own kingdom amid a glorious world with Leara at his side.

Examples of the Hero’s Journey In Film: Two Case Studies

Hollywood has embraced the monomyth in many different ways. These are two of the most popular films that explore the hero’s journey, broken down into the main stages of the monomyth.

Star Wars (1977)

1. The ordinary world. Luke lives with his aunt and uncle on a farm on Tatooine. He likes to stare at the sunset and dream of “teleporting off this rock”.

2. The call to adventure. R2-D2 plays Luke a message of distress from Princess Leia, who needs someone to transport the droid to Alderaan.

3. Refusal of the call. Luke isn’t thrilled about leaving his home planet and getting in trouble from his uncle to go on a wild goose chase.

4. The mentor. Obi-Wan Kenobi convinces Luke to follow his heart by showing him his father’s lightsaber.

5. Crossing the threshold. Luke and Obi-Wan leave Mos Eisley for Alderaan.

6. The ordeal. Leia’s rescue from the Death Star, and later, Luke using the Force to destroy the Death Star.

7. The return. Luke joins the rebels and decides to become a Jedi.

The Matrix (1999)

1. The ordinary world. Thomas Anderson is a bored computer programmer by day and the hacker “Neo” by night.

2. The call to adventure. Neo receives a message promising him that everything is not as it seems. He is told to “follow the white rabbit”.

3. Refusal of the call. Neo isn’t sure if Trinity is telling him the truth. He allows himself to be captured.

4. Mentor. Morpheus gives Neo a choice: the blue pill if he wants to return to his old life, or the red pill, if he wants to know the truth.

5. Crossing the threshold. Neo chooses the red pill and is shown what the Matrix is.

6. The ordeal. Neo struggles to accept his new role but ultimately learns to become who he was meant to be, defeating Agent Smith inside the Matrix and saving Morpheus.

7. The return. Neo tells the machines he will defeat them and save humanity.

The Hero’s Journey In Literature: Two Case Studies

Many authors have used the monomyth in literature and popular fiction. Let’s explore the hero’s journey in Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, two famous epics:

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)

1. The ordinary world. Frodo lives in the Shire, enjoying a nice, peaceful life with his friends.

2. The call to adventure. Following Gandalf’s discovery of the ring of power, he asks Frodo to undertake a journey and keep the ring with him.

3. Refusal of the call. Frodo is unsure of leaving the Shire, as he has no experience with the world outside.

4. The mentor. Gandalf convinces Frodo that he has a pure heart and he is the one who must “bear this burden”.

5. Crossing the threshold. Frodo and Sam leave the Shire behind, a moment that Frodo has mixed feelings about.

6. The ordeal. Characterized by the many challenges Frodo faces along the way with the Fellowship, including the fight with the Balrog.

7. The return. Frodo realizes that he can no longer be part of the Fellowship and must continue on the journey alone. He sets out for Mount Doom.

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (1997)

1. The ordinary world. Harry lives with his aunt and uncle, who make him sleep in the cupboard under the stairs.

2. The call to adventure. Harry receives a letter from Hogwarts, asking him to attend.

3. Refusal of the call. Harry is unsure of what is real and what isn’t and has trouble accepting he is a real wizard. As far as he knows, his parents were killed in a car crash—and not by an evil wizard.

4. The mentor. In the first book, Hagrid serves as Harry’s mentor, but later in the series, it’s Albus Dumbledore who guides and advises Harry. Hagrid convinces Harry he is a wizard and takes him to Hogwarts.

5. Crossing the threshold. Harry crosses a literal barrier—platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross station, leaving the normal world behind and crossing into the magical one.

6. The ordeal. Harry’s many trials and tribulations during his first year at Hogwarts, culminating in his first meeting with—and the temporary defeat of—Voldemort at the end of the first book.

7. The return. Harry returns to his aunt and uncle’s house for the summer, happy and safe in the knowledge that he has a new home at Hogwarts.

17 Steps of the Hero’s Journey

Here are all 17 steps of the hero’s journey, as outlined by Campbell:

5 Book Series

DEPARTURE

1. The call to adventure:

Something, or someone, interrupts the hero’s familiar life to present a problem, threat, or opportunity.

1. Clal meets Rythe who tells him of lurking danger.
2. Tallon disappears.
3. Rythe tells Clal to come with him to the castle.
4. Morgreth identifies Clal as the chosen one and gives him a scroll, instructions to follow.

2. Refusal of the call:

Unwilling to step out of their comfort zone or face their fear, the hero initially hesitates to embark on this journey.

• Refusal to open the scroll.
• Almost too late to follow the scroll’s directions
  1. (Clal waits till after the feast and when they are going to bed.)
     1. This is where Clal meets one “bad boy.”
     2. This is where Clal meets one “good boy.”
  2. Clal waits till the night time luring Rythe along.
  3. No one follows them.

3. Supernatural aid:

A mentor figure gives the hero the tools and inspiration they need to accept the call to adventure.

• Ansa makes it to the room of secrecy by Hittle’s direction.
• (Hittle leaves)
• Still reluctant but now, everything lights up and moves, (walls, floor)
• The sealed book, the key, the companions, knowledge.

4. Crossing the threshold:

The hero embarks on their quest.

• Jestro arrives and escorts them out.
• They start their journey.

5. Belly of the whale:

The hero crosses the point of no return, and encounters their first major obstacle.

1. The first encounter with the RISHK at the smithy.
2. The sword.
3. The fire.
4. The desire to right the wrongs of the RISHK.

INITIATION

6. The road of trials:

The hero must go through a series of tests or ordeals to begin his transformation. Often, the hero fails at least one of these tests.

1. Book 1 crystal retrieval test - Embers of Destiny - Kelvkoroth - Fire - Purification - Touch
2. Book 2 crystal retrieval test - Sands of Illusion - Mirrim - Earth - Illusion - See
3. Book 3 crystal retrieval test - Skylan’s Rising - Edaphlas - Wind - Song - Hear
   1. (fails to get the crystal - or loses it to one of the RISHK)
4. Book 4 crystal retrieval test - Kingdom of (the) Tides - Nilthinon - Water - Taste
5. Book 5 - (2 crystals) retrieval test - Dawning of Time - Hanone/Illia/Loris - Water - Smell

7. The meeting with the goddess:

The hero meets one or more allies, who pick him up and help him continue his journey.

• The dragon
• Leara?
• Gulnerye
• Morgreth
• His companions
• Illia

8. Woman as temptress:

The hero is tempted to abandon or stray from his quest. Traditionally, this temptation is a love interest, but it can manifest itself in other forms as well, including fame or wealth.

1. Book 4 - Kingdom of Tides - darkest part of the series - where Womlon reigns through puppetry of the ruler of Nilthinon.
2. Book 3 or 4 - Clal wants to learn more about his ancestry. He wants to know who he is and so he is tempted by……someone in the other world, Nilthinon probably…
3. Wealth?
4. Fame?
5. Something that he may abandon his journey
6. “But if our one turns inward spite, all hope will fade without a fight.”

9. Atonement with the father:

The hero confronts the reason for his journey, facing his doubts and fears and the powers that rule his life. This is a major turning point in the story: every prior step has brought the hero here, and every step forward stems from this moment.

• What is his real reason: “I’m a no body. No parents. No name. How can I be the chosen one?
• Sedrak instills within him the truths.
• He finds out who he really is?
  • (Royal Blood.
  • Direct decendent of Ottomus?)
  • One of the rules of one of the hidden kingdoms gave him up because they knew it would be too dangerous, gave the twins up

10. Apotheosis:

As a result of this confrontation, the hero gains a profound understanding of their purpose or skill. Armed with this new ability, the hero prepares for the most difficult part of the adventure.

• To get the last stone or two last stones
• To forge the sword
• To find Womlon
• To defeat Womlon and the RISHK

11. The ultimate boon:

The hero achieves the goal he set out to accomplish, fulfilling the call that inspired his journey in the first place.

• He creates the master weapon.
• (He defeats the dark one lurking)

RETURN

12. Refusal of the return:

If the hero’s journey has been victorious, he may be reluctant to return to the ordinary world of his prior life.

1. He knows things will change now…

13. The magic flight:

The hero must escape with the object of his quest, evading those who would reclaim it.

1. Not applicable?

14. Rescue from without:

Mirroring the meeting with the goddess, the hero receives help from a guide or rescuer in order to make it home.

15. The crossing of the return threshold:

The hero makes a successful return to the ordinary world.

16. Master of two worlds:

We see the hero achieve a balance between who he was before his journey and who he is now. Often, this means balancing the material world with the spiritual enlightenment he’s gained.

1. He is ruler among a new world, but still young, the Clal he always was. Wiser.

17. Freedom to live:

We leave the hero at peace with his life.

1. Living in his own kingdom amid a glorious world with Leara at his side.

Book 1

DEPARTURE

1. The call to adventure:

Something, or someone, interrupts the hero’s familiar life to present a problem, threat, or opportunity.

1. Clal meets Rythe who tells him of lurking danger.
2. Tallon disappears.
3. Rythe tells Clal to come with him to the castle.
4. Morgreth identifies Clal as the chosen one and gives him a scroll, instructions to follow.

2. Refusal of the call:

Unwilling to step out of their comfort zone or face their fear, the hero initially hesitates to embark on this journey.

• Refusal to open the scroll.
• Almost too late to follow the scroll’s directions
  1. (Clal waits till after the feast and when they are going to bed.)
     1. This is where Clal meets one “bad boy.”
     2. This is where Clal meets one “good boy.”
  2. Clal waits till the night time luring Rythe along.
  3. No one follows them.

3. Supernatural aid:

A mentor figure gives the hero the tools and inspiration they need to accept the call to adventure.

• Ansa makes it to the room of secrecy by Hittle’s direction.
• (Hittle leaves)
• Still reluctant but now, everything lights up and moves, (walls, floor)
• The sealed book, the key, the companions, knowledge.

4. Crossing the threshold:

The hero embarks on their quest.

• Jestro arrives and escorts them out.
• They start their journey.

5. Belly of the whale:

The hero crosses the point of no return, and encounters their first major obstacle.

1. The first encounter with the RISHK at the smithy.
2. The sword.
3. The fire.
4. The desire to right the wrongs of the RISHK.

INITIATION

6. The road of trials:

The hero must go through a series of tests or ordeals to begin his transformation. Often, the hero fails at least one of these tests.

1. The gaining of the sword
2. Gulnerye’s Attack
3. Add more?
4. What kinds of tests?
5. Finding Kelvkoroth
6. Gaining the Crystal?

7. The meeting with the goddess:

The hero meets one or more allies, who pick him up and help him continue his journey.

• Gulnerye
• Leara

8. Woman as temptress:

The hero is tempted to abandon or stray from his quest. Traditionally, this temptation is a love interest, but it can manifest itself in other forms as well, including fame or wealth.

1. The Kelvkoroth world.
   1. Stay here for a while
2. Leara in Kelvkoroth?

9. Atonement with the father:

The hero confronts the reason for his journey, facing his doubts and fears and the powers that rule his life. This is a major turning point in the story: every prior step has brought the hero here, and every step forward stems from this moment.

• What is his real reason: “I’m a no body. No parents. No name. How can I be the chosen one?
• Sedrak instills within him the truths.
• There is no one else. Clal is the chosen one.
• Not sure what this would be

10. Apotheosis:

As a result of this confrontation, the hero gains a profound understanding of their purpose or skill. Armed with this new ability, the hero prepares for the most difficult part of the adventure.

• He goes to fight the RISHK on the shore.
• He has supernatural ability.
• So does Ansa.
• What is the confrontation?

11. The ultimate boon:

The hero achieves the goal he set out to accomplish, fulfilling the call that inspired his journey in the first place.

• He

RETURN

12. Refusal of the return:

If the hero’s journey has been victorious, he may be reluctant to return to the ordinary world of his prior life.

13. The magic flight:

The hero must escape with the object of his quest, evading those who would reclaim it.

14. Rescue from without:

Mirroring the meeting with the goddess, the hero receives help from a guide or rescuer in order to make it home.

15. The crossing of the return threshold:

The hero makes a successful return to the ordinary world.

16. Master of two worlds:

We see the hero achieve a balance between who he was before his journey and who he is now. Often, this means balancing the material world with the spiritual enlightenment he’s gained.

17. Freedom to live:

We leave the hero at peace with his life.

Living in his own kingdom amid a glorious world with Leara at his side.

Examples of the Hero’s Journey In Film: Two Case Studies

Hollywood has embraced the monomyth in many different ways. These are two of the most popular films that explore the hero’s journey, broken down into the main stages of the monomyth.

Star Wars (1977)

1. The ordinary world. Luke lives with his aunt and uncle on a farm on Tatooine. He likes to stare at the sunset and dream of “teleporting off this rock”.

2. The call to adventure. R2-D2 plays Luke a message of distress from Princess Leia, who needs someone to transport the droid to Alderaan.

3. Refusal of the call. Luke isn’t thrilled about leaving his home planet and getting in trouble from his uncle to go on a wild goose chase.

4. The mentor. Obi-Wan Kenobi convinces Luke to follow his heart by showing him his father’s lightsaber.

5. Crossing the threshold. Luke and Obi-Wan leave Mos Eisley for Alderaan.

6. The ordeal. Leia’s rescue from the Death Star, and later, Luke using the Force to destroy the Death Star.

7. The return. Luke joins the rebels and decides to become a Jedi.

The Matrix (1999)

1. The ordinary world. Thomas Anderson is a bored computer programmer by day and the hacker “Neo” by night.

2. The call to adventure. Neo receives a message promising him that everything is not as it seems. He is told to “follow the white rabbit”.

3. Refusal of the call. Neo isn’t sure if Trinity is telling him the truth. He allows himself to be captured.

4. Mentor. Morpheus gives Neo a choice: the blue pill if he wants to return to his old life, or the red pill, if he wants to know the truth.

5. Crossing the threshold. Neo chooses the red pill and is shown what the Matrix is.

6. The ordeal. Neo struggles to accept his new role but ultimately learns to become who he was meant to be, defeating Agent Smith inside the Matrix and saving Morpheus.

7. The return. Neo tells the machines he will defeat them and save humanity.

The Hero’s Journey In Literature: Two Case Studies

Many authors have used the monomyth in literature and popular fiction. Let’s explore the hero’s journey in Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, two famous epics:

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)

1. The ordinary world. Frodo lives in the Shire, enjoying a nice, peaceful life with his friends.

2. The call to adventure. Following Gandalf’s discovery of the ring of power, he asks Frodo to undertake a journey and keep the ring with him.

3. Refusal of the call. Frodo is unsure of leaving the Shire, as he has no experience with the world outside.

4. The mentor. Gandalf convinces Frodo that he has a pure heart and he is the one who must “bear this burden”.

5. Crossing the threshold. Frodo and Sam leave the Shire behind, a moment that Frodo has mixed feelings about.

6. The ordeal. Characterized by the many challenges Frodo faces along the way with the Fellowship, including the fight with the Balrog.

7. The return. Frodo realizes that he can no longer be part of the Fellowship and must continue on the journey alone. He sets out for Mount Doom.

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (1997)

1. The ordinary world. Harry lives with his aunt and uncle, who make him sleep in the cupboard under the stairs.

2. The call to adventure. Harry receives a letter from Hogwarts, asking him to attend.

3. Refusal of the call. Harry is unsure of what is real and what isn’t and has trouble accepting he is a real wizard. As far as he knows, his parents were killed in a car crash—and not by an evil wizard.

4. The mentor. In the first book, Hagrid serves as Harry’s mentor, but later in the series, it’s Albus Dumbledore who guides and advises Harry. Hagrid convinces Harry he is a wizard and takes him to Hogwarts.

5. Crossing the threshold. Harry crosses a literal barrier—platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross station, leaving the normal world behind and crossing into the magical one.

6. The ordeal. Harry’s many trials and tribulations during his first year at Hogwarts, culminating in his first meeting with—and the temporary defeat of—Voldemort at the end of the first book.

7. The return. Harry returns to his aunt and uncle’s house for the summer, happy and safe in the knowledge that he has a new home at Hogwarts.