It's not a job.
Or a destiny.
What's a Calling?
A Calling isn’t a job you choose or a destiny that’s already written. It doesn't lock you into one future. Instead, it gives you a path by reflecting the deeper ways you naturally move through the world—how you explore, build, question, protect, imagine, and grow.
In Bastunia, these paths take shape as creatures called Callings. Each one represents a different way of experiencing the world, reminding us that there isn’t just one way to move forward.
Only the path that feels most true to who you are becoming.
Chugach
Types of Callings
Every Calling takes a different form, but most begin along one of three paths. Builders, Explorers, and Defenders reflect how characters first meet the world—and how they’re challenged to grow within it.
Leave it better than I found it.
Builder-Makers are true Builders. Not that they are any better than other Builders, they are just the ones who spend their full time actually creating. They take the materials the world provides them (or they render their own) and they assemble buildings, structures, and other physical improvements. What talented craftsmen!
As a Maker, you see the world as your canvas. what would YOU choose to have your beast build? Skyscrapers in a big city like Metropolia? Vintage castles in Main City? Pueblo stucco in No Wasteland? The popular lean-tos of Base Camp? Or would your beast build artistic structures that merely serve to express your creative gifts? Do you partake in the All Build to gain the recognition of your peers or do you choose to create for your own joy?
What type of building materials do you prefer? Would your beast create using the available resources on hand like timber, stones, and mud? Or would you create your own materials using the minerals of Bastunia? The world is filled with colorful organics that could be used in dyes and stains…Would your beast experiment with all the wonderful ingredients the god has given you to work with?
Are you a wandering artist, content to create alone? Or are your projects great endeavors that require many hands on deck?
The words you live by:
Maker
Out with the old and in with the new.
Builder-Breakers are very necessary. Nothing can be built before a Breaker reshapes raw material into its most useful forms. Also, when something needs to be demolished, this type is well equipped. As much as Breakers form the building blocks of society, they themselves could be considered building blocks, as well.
What would your role be as a Breaker? Your job is key no matter what you choose to do. A lot of Breakers are the old miners of the mountain. They are in charge of cultivating the minerals used in Bastunia as currency. This is a backbreaking, strenuous job even for a beast, without which the world would not have a financial system to use for trade. If not mining, you might demolish broken down structures, trench into the earth in the creation of a canal, or disassemble the creations after the annual All Build. A Breaker might also take the long-view, harvesting a forest while setting it up to be grown anew.
Where would you live in Bastunia? Most Miners live in the north, and have adopted the dispensations of the Earth Temple. Miners congregate near the Earth Temple, outside of Metropolia and Main City, and in the foothills of the Great Mountain. Many others are scattered sparingly across small villages, taking on the local Builder contract. The few go where they are called, to the far-reaches of Bastunia like Nowaste Land or to a private job somewhere hidden in the Jungian forest.
Do you prefer the rural, isolated life or the act of breaking ground on the next urban sprawl?
The words you live by:
Breaker
What you need, when you need it.
The world would collapse without Builder-Supporters. They are the ones that keep it all going. They are the right-hand men and women, the project managers, the linear-thinkers. Whatever resource is needed to bring a project to completion, Supporters make sure it is there.
What would you do as a Supporter? Supporter beasts are key to help others get stuff done. Does your beast create the materials needed for the Makers to finalize a project? Things like stains, dyes, or other coloration? Craftsmen of ropes, stucco, puddies, spikes, rivets, and another refined material are common Supporters. Your beast could be the one to lend a helping hand, or claw, or beak, or…potbelly gut-furnace that you use for smelting ores. Supporters who enjoy the simple life might take to farming, gardening, or running a shop.
Where would you offer your support? Would you prefer to be around the famous Builders of Metropolia? Or are you more suited for work on a tight-knit team in Main City or the small towns? Life in No Wasteland, in the arid Thornerie Desert, would provide opportunities to construct unique cave-dwellings, outposts, arenas, and pueblos, or to upkeep the Coliseum. Working for Defenders could mean running a blacksmithy, forging weapons. Working in Base Camp for Explorers could mean building ladders, ropes, and the bodily apparati used in scaling the cloud-spearing mountains. Anywhere there are people doing things, you will be needed to help them do it.
Only by being a magnate of commodities can one be a solo supporter. Most are attached to larger outfits, working in teams.
The words you live by:
Supporters
I have destiny in my eye and in my hand, a well-laid plan!
Builder-Strategists may not be in the dirt doing the actual work, but they are often the architects, the politicians, the seers, and in general, the people who have organized the great endeavor that others have been inspired by! Think Queen-bees, great visionaries whose imaginations change the world around them.
What role do you play in Bastunia? The only size that matters to a strategist is the size of your vision. Your beast might be small or large, it might be colorful or colorless, but regardless, it will have an air of authority about it. As a Strategist, one plus one equals far greater than two. You might puzzle together a team of Makers with like-minded vision to plan and coordinate the infrastructure of a new city. You might host the great All Build every year. If you had a friendly, vibrant, charismatic Calling, you might become a politician with many strategic relationships. Whether running a local government, a tournament, a guild, or a revolution, many people rely on your insight and good judgment.
Where do you work and live? Do you do your work in an urban environment like Metropolia, Main City, Base Camp, or No Wasteland? Or do you prefer the more intimate partnerships and rivalries of a small village? Perhaps existing settlements are not for you, and your fixation is on locating the right family of Bastunians to fashion a commune in the isolation of the Jungian Forest?
A Strategist is magnified by their relationships, but many a great plan has been envisioned and carried out by a single individual. Which do you prefer?
The words you live by:
Strategists
One foot in front of the other.
Explorer-Climbers are the quintessential type of the Explorer community. Day in and day out, they continue to push themselves to the brink of their physical and mental limitations. They built Basecamp so they could have a home-base for ascending the Great Mountain, and any other lofty pursuit their competitive nature cooks up. They don’t worry about holding down a job in Bastunia, as their purpose is wholly absorbed in pushing their own limits.
As a Climber, where would you choose to climb? Would you ascend the Great Mountain, or choose to venture out of Basecamp to climb whatever your heart desires? Bastunia has tons of climbing spots: countless temples, relics, and ruins; the mammoth pines of the Jungian Forest; the cliff sides overlooking the Infin Sea; the boulder fields of the Thornerie Desert, or would you seek some place that's never been climbed before?
Where would you live? A lot of Climbers stay close to Basecamp, though some become wandering nomads, seeking out a complex rock face to conquer in order to etch their names into legend.
Do you climb alone or with a team? Remember, being a solo alpinist is dangerous!
The words you live by:
Climber
Let's see how deep this goes.
Explorer-Mariners are at home near water. They are extremely capable swimmers. They are the captains of the deep, and because of them, many pearls of wisdom have been discovered lying beneath the surface.
As a Mariner, where would you choose to swim? Would you explore the depths of the Infin Sea? Would you trawl for the lost treasures of Bastunia? Seek out adventure along the uncharted archipelagos? Maneuver up the Vedazon River and its countless tributaries? Venture through the civilized world within the criss-crossed shipping channels? So many choices!
What role would you play? You could be a pioneer, a pirate, a conservationist, a tour guide, a tugboat captain, an expeditionist, or something aquatic of your choosing!
Where would you live? On the beaches near the Water Temple? Out on top of the Infin Sea? On a lake near Metropolia? On whatever riverbank you finish the day? If there is water there, that part of the world is your oyster!
Do you explore alone or with a school?
The words you live by:
Mariners
Never lost, always delivered.
Explorer-Sprinters are the lifeblood of education and advancement. It is through them that anything becomes common knowledge. They are your "everyday heroes". They are not better than other Explorers but they are more important to the day to day operation and evolution of a community.
If you were a Sprinter, what would you do? Messengers, navigators, detail-oriented mapmakers, and transporters are the common stations of the Sprinter. Going by ground, you know your way around the nooks and crannies of Bastunia better than anyone. You are specialized to a certain region, and while you may be exploring somewhere new, when you are around, nothing is ever lost.
Where would you offer your expertise? Would you be a nomad, accompanying caravans of Defenders and Builders to show them the safest path to their destinations? In Main City, Metropolia, or Nowaste Land, you could offer public transportation or be a local post-officer? Or if you prefer things more cloak-and-dagger, try carrying intelligence across the land, ensuring that secrets never fall into the wrong hands.
Do you prefer the peace of the open road traveled alone? Or the entertainment of telling stories with your pals around a campfire?
The words you live by:
Sprinters
Home is the wind beneath my wings.
Explorer-Pilots are well-traveled. As they should be. They have wings, and so they take to the sky. While the other Explorer types are curious, one could describe a pilot as restless. Hardly able to sit still with an insatiable thirst for exploration, a Pilot will always be planning another trip.
If you were a Pilot, what role would you play? You have a key to the world. Are you a cartographer? Do you lead expeditions into the cloud-spearing mountains? Do you play the messenger, rapidly carrying important information from city to city? Perhaps you are a postman, delivering mail to precise locations with your superhuman navigational skills? There are always Defender contracts that need to be handed out…Could ensuring Bastunians always have the protection they seek become your purpose? Are you an actual pilot, carrying people from place to place? Clearly, Pilots are extremely important to keeping Bastunia a functioning civilization!
Where would you live? No matter what type of environment appeals to you, you will always find yourself welcomed and needed. Do you enjoy the deserts around Nowaste Land? The jungles of Metropolia? The culture of Main City? The adventure of Base Camp?
Do you prefer to fly alone with your thoughts, or with a flock of like-minded free-spirits?
The words you live by:
Pilots
We are all one body.
Medic-Defenders are the world's nurturers. Nurses, doctors, healers, and the like are Medics. They care a lot about other people, and want to be sure their caring energies are spent watching over their loved ones. They are not pacifists, but they recognize their love and attention is a more powerful force than their might.
What is your role in Bastunia? Medic-Defender beasts come in all shapes and sizes. Are you like a trader, wandering about offering healer tinctures, salves, ointments, and services? Perhaps you are a village physician who cares for a small community? Are you a medical specialist in an urban sprawl like Main City? Do you have a team of Medics that rush in after a big battle to tend to the wounds of your fellow Defenders? Or are you a part of a team of big contract mercenaries, upholding the role of keeping everybody in your company in fighting shape?
Where do you choose to live and work? Are you a specialist in Main City or Metropolia? Nursing climbing injuries in Base camp? Do you prefer to nurture members of your own Path, sticking close to No Wasteland with the other Defenders? Nursing the youth wounded in their schooling at the Coliseum is a never-ended contract. Or do you prefer to travel with a flotilla, barge, or caravan, nursing the wounded by day, sleeping in a hammock by night?
Do you see yourself as the solitary medical trader or on a team of Medics working together to heal the entire human body?
The words you live by:
defender
I'll go first.
Vanguard-Defenders are the soldiers on the front lines. They are the rangers who are willing to sniff out a trap. Vanguard may be the most respected of the Defenders - not because they are better than the other types - but because they come to you to be the most visible deterrent against foul play.
What is your role in Bastunia? Vanguards are the generals who lead from the front. Will you lead a team of mercenaries that take the largest Ahzigra contracts in Bastunia? Will you compete regularly in the Coliseum near No Wasteland to test and prove your mettle? Would you be a leader of a criminal task force or law enforcement agency, such as the Benevolence in Metropolia? Or would you turn to a more rustic life, that of a hunter, feeding and protecting yourself and those most important to you?
Where would you live? The two main choices for Vanguards is mercenary or city officer. Mercenaries go where the contracts take them, which is usually up close and personal with Azighra. Officers within big cities are decidedly more polished, tend to deal with human aggressors, and usually have a great respect for law and order.
Are you more of a lone ranger or the general of a diverse battalion?
The words you live by:
Vanguard
I see what others miss.
Stealth-Defenders are terrifying. You never see or hear them coming. They are like silent assassins. They do what needs to be done, surgically and precisely, and rarely make mistakes. While they commonly work alone, they can be just as effective on the right team.
What is your role in Bastunia? Stealth Defenders typically have a sleek beast that can stay out of the way and attack when needed. With a slinking, invisibility when it suits them, a good Stealth is hard to come by. Especially because they often travel at night, striking fast and quick, before disappearing back into the shadows. As a Stealth, you might be sent on special errands where discretion is of utmost importance. You might be an incognito asset to a team that fends off Azighra. Or you might go undercover to infiltrate the criminal underground of Main City. Stealths can be seen at the Coliseum teaching cloak-and-dagger tactics, and unseen as sentries along the open roads, making sure nothing untoward happens to any unsuspecting wayfarers. In any case, it is up to you who you defend at the end of the day. Do you choose to defend a politician? A magnate? An organization? Certain values? The people?
Where do you live? Stealth defenders tend to be nomadic, going where the work takes them. Because of this they can be found everywhere, from Nowaste Land to Metropolia to everywhere in between. However, it is likely they will live in places like Main City where many contacts can be kept and contracts can be accepted.
Are you more of the wanderer who travels more silently alone, or are you part of a well-oiled machine where you know your role?
The words you live by:
Stealth
Stand protected.
Shield-Defenders are great protectors. If you want to feel safe, hire a Shield-Defender. Whether you are looking for a guard or for someone to watch your backside, Shields are fiercely loyal and formidable. Shields are the best friends you can ask for, because they will always stay by your side.
What is your role in Bastunia? As the bulkier of the Defender beasts, Shields will have anyone thinking twice about a confrontation. There are commonly guards, which is to say your loyalty and love can be relied upon near valuables. You might be part of a caravan traveling across Bastunia, guarding an important person, a valuable asset, or a precious secret. You might be a protector and servant of the people in a city. Maybe you’re a mercenary that takes Defender contracts in the event of an Ahzigra attack. Once you have honed your skills, you might turn to the Coliseum near Nowaste Land, either to train young Defenders or to compete in a tournament.
Where would you live in Bastunia? Most Shields tend to live in big cities nearby the people who hire their protection. The highest concentration of Shields is in No Wasteland and Main City. Plenty of Shields have found good lives in Base Camp and Metropolia, accompanying Bastunians into known Azighra territory. A trusted Shield is worth their weight in precious minerals, so once a camaraderie is established amongst a group, that Shield is likely to become a fixture, a sworn protector.
Do you prefer to ride into battle with your battalion or do you prefer a more personal guardianship?
The words you live by:
Shield
Calling Library
Get to know the Bastunia Callings
Defenders
Floofy
Medic
Aalish
Stealth
Daggwood
Stealth
Adirondis
Shield
Alpha & bravo
Shield & Vanguard
Voltano
Shield
Akillees
Shield
Muzzleblades
Vanguard
Chugach
Shield
Explorers
Trigarr
Mariner
Majesty
Climber
Chanterell
Sprinter
Otto
Mariner
Komoki
Mariner
Um
Pilot
Builders
Maydee
Breaker
Escaballo
Maker
Chungus
Maker
Anroff
Supporter
Sentrak
Supporter
Casey Kinsey
Over the last 3 years, the illustrating team has been bringing kids' imaginations to life in the world of bastunia!
Casey Kinsey is an illustrator specializing in character and creature design, table top game art, and children’s books.
Casey is also our principal game designer, so watch out for games taking place in Bastunia and beyond!
When he’s not drawing, writing, or designing, he likes to read, build LEGO, solve puzzle cubes, play table top games with his friends, and make memories with his beautiful family.
bringing words to life
Evan is an experienced product designer and front end developer, originally trained and tested as an illustrator who grew into animation and motion graphics. Every project he takes on is a passion project!
Evan believes everyone can be an artist. They just have to learn, practice, and discover what their work means to them.
Meet our illustrators
Evan Winston
The Design Lab
Become a part of
the future of Bastunia
Through a simple three-step process, you can discover your Path, design a Calling, and submit it to be considered for future books and stories.
the process is simple!
Share your creation with the Unfound Adventures team. Selected Callings may be featured in future stories, books, or the growing world of Bastunia.
3. Send it to us!
Bring your Calling to life. Use the worksheet to imagine, draw, and describe your creature — its personality, abilities, and what it represents to you.
2. Create Your Calling
Discover your Path in Bastunia and learn what kind of Calling walks beside you. This short quiz helps uncover your strengths, values, and the role you’re drawn to in the world.
1. Take Our Quiz
"My 8 year old is a Bastunian for life!
After spending an hour talking to the team about his beast and character, my son is head over heels in love with this world. What's more, the team understood his needs, were patient with him and guided him in such an expert way that made him feel 100% invested in the process, making me a Bastunian, as well! Love this project, love the team... this is going to be huge one day and I'm so happy my son was able to be one of their first contributors!"
Ramy Vance
create your own calling
Download the worksheet and begin designing your Calling from the ground-up! Choose your type, what it looks like, and its story.
