Telling a Saga With Dan Harmon’s Story Circle

Dan Harmon is an American writer, producer, and voice actor, best known as the creator of the animated series Rick and Morty. Maybe you've heard of it?

Dan Harmon uses his story circle, a modified version of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, a narrative structure that outlines the protagonist's stages in a story. It's got eight steps, and here's how it goes:

1. The character's in a cozy little zone of comfort, dig? We introduce the protagonist in their everyday world, where everything's chill and predictable. But deep down, they're itching for something more. They got a desire or a problem that's gnawing at their soul.
2. Bam! They want something big-time. The protagonist's ordinary life gets shot to hell when they crave something beyond the usual grind. It's like a switch flipped. They're on a new path, chasing that desire, whether it's a gnarly external goal or an internal need eating them up.
3. Now they're in uncharted territory. The protagonist is out of their comfort zone, diving headfirst into a world they don't know jack about. They encounter all sorts of crazy challenges, obstacles, and wild characters.
4. But hey, they're adaptable. The protagonist starts getting the hang of this new joint. They learn to navigate, find allies, acquire skills, and kick obstacles to the curb. They're growing, evolving.
5. Just when you think it's all over, they score the jackpot. After tackling a boatload of trials and obstacles, the protagonist finally nails their goal. They get what they've been after, man, and it feels like a victory. But hold your horses; there's always a twist.
6. Ah, the price they gotta pay. Despite their sweet victory, the protagonist doesn't get off easy. There's a heavy price to pay for their triumph. It could be a heartbreaking loss, a mind-bending moral dilemma, or a soul-shattering revelation that turns their world upside down.
7. Now they're heading back to square one. The protagonist, all transformed and shit, returns to their everyday world, but they aren't the same person. They got a suitcase full of wisdom, skills, and a fresh perspective. They're like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.
8. And guess what? Now they find comfort in the chaos. The story wraps up with the protagonist in their familiar digs, but they've changed. They've learned, evolved, and might have a whole new purpose or outlook on life. They're on fire, ready to take on whatever's next.

So remember, these stages don't alway go in straight line. They're all twisted and intertwined, just like life itself. Dan Harmon's storytelling circle gives us a framework to create stories of character arcs and personal growth.

Let's take Dan Harmon's storycircle and apply it to Vikings vs. Samurai and see what happens.

Once upon a time, in a world where two mighty civilizations thrived, the Vikings and the Samurai, an epic clash was about to unfold. The story began with two proud warriors, Hrothgar the Viking and Tōshirō the Samurai, who were destined to face each other in an ultimate battle.

1. A character in a zone of comfort: Hrothgar, a fearless Viking warrior, lived in the village of Valhallheim, surrounded by his fellow Norsemen. He was known for his strength, battle prowess, and loyalty to his clan. Tōshirō, a skilled Samurai, resided in the ancient city of Sakura, where he honed his skills in the martial arts and embraced the way of the Bushido.
2. The character wants something: Despite their distinct cultures, Hrothgar and Tōshirō share a common desire for glory and respect. Hrothgar yearned to bring honor to his clan by conquering new lands, while Tōshirō sought to protect the traditions and legacy of his Samurai lineage.
3. Enter an unfamiliar situation: Fate intervened when Hrothgar's clan received word of a distant land inhabited by a legendary warrior sect — the Samurai of Sakura. Intrigued by the tales of their might, Hrothgar and his Viking brethren set sail towards the shores of the faraway island, eager to test their strength against the renowned Samurai warriors.
4. Adapt to the situation: As the Vikings reached Sakura, they encountered the majestic city and its disciplined inhabitants. Unfamiliar with the Samurai's code and customs, Hrothgar realized that brute strength alone would not prevail in this foreign land. He began to study the ways of the Samurai, observing their discipline, precision, and respect for their adversaries.
5. Get what they wanted: Hrothgar challenged Tōshirō to a duel, seeking to prove his worth and claim victory for his clan. Hiroshi, recognizing Hrothgar's bravery, accepted the challenge, intrigued by the opportunity to face an opponent from a distant land.
6. Pay a heavy price: The duel between Hrothgar and Tōshirō was fierce, each warrior drawing upon their unique skills and heritage. The clash of Vikings and Samurai resonated through the land, their weapons ringing out with power and precision. However, during the intense battle, both warriors suffered significant injuries, reminding them of the heavy price they might pay to pursue their ambitions.
7. Return to the familiar: After their intense confrontation, Hrothgar and Tōshirō discovered a mutual respect for one another's cultures and fighting styles. They realized that true strength lies not only in physical prowess but also in understanding and embracing diversity. As battle wounds healed, Hrothgar and Tōshirō returned to their respective lands, forever changed by their encounter.
8. Having changed, now capable of change: Hrothgar and Tōshirō became ambassadors of their civilizations, spreading tales of their encounter and promoting understanding between Vikings and Samurai. The clash between their worlds no longer fueled by animosity, but rather by a shared desire for growth, cooperation, and harmony.
9. A character achieves a balance: In their quest for personal glory and respect, Hrothgar and Tōshirō found a new purpose: to bridge the gap between their cultures and foster a greater understanding among their people. Through their efforts, a new era of cultural exchange, trade, and mutual respect blossomed between the Vikings and the Samurai.
10. The character returns to a zone of comfort, having changed: Hrothgar and Tōshirō, once bound by rivalry, stood side by side as the representatives of their respective cultures. The clash between the Vikings and the Samurai evolved from a battle for supremacy to a collaboration, enriching both civilizations and creating a legacy that would be celebrated for generations to come.

In a world where blood flowed like wine, the clash of metal reverberated through the land. Two titanic civilizations, the savage Vikings and the code-bound Samurai, braced themselves for an apocalyptic rendezvous. And in this swirling vortex of violence, two warriors, destined to etch their names in the annals of eternity, emerged like specters of chaos with blades honed to a lethal point.

Hrothgar, a beast of a Viking whose fiery soul defied the laws of reason, lorded over Valhallheim with an iron fist drenched in the blood of his enemies. His clan revered him with fear-stricken awe. On the opposing end of this brutal spectrum stood Tōshirō, a stoic Samurai of Sakura. He embodies the unwavering discipline and rigid adherence to the code of the Bushido.

Intertwined by some unfathomable cosmic thread, their destinies now hurtle toward a cataclysmic collision. Hrothgar, consumed by an insatiable thirst for conquest, had caught wind of the legendary Samurai of Sakura. Tales of their mastery over the blade and unwavering devotion to honor beckoned to his soul, igniting a primal fire within him. With sails unfurled and war cries riding the winds, his Viking armada embarked upon the treacherous seas, bracing themselves for the brutal clash that lay in wait.

Meanwhile, Tōshirō, the venerable guardian of age-old traditions, felt the tremors of an impending storm crackling through the air. Whispers of the savage Norsemen had reached his ears, tales of their brute strength and insatiable hunger for dominion. He knew their arrival would be a cataclysm, a storm unleashed upon the tranquil shores of Sakura. With relentless determination, he rallied his samurai brethren, sharpening their blades and steeling their spirits in preparation for the inevitable clash.

As the Viking longships crashed against the sacred shores of Sakura, the clash of cultures erupted like the anguished wailing of tormented souls. Hrothgar's savage berserkers clashed with the disciplined ranks of the Samurai, their dance of chaos and honor. Blades clashed, shields shattered, and the earth trembled beneath the weight of their monumental struggle.

And within this maelstrom of carnage, Hrothgar and Tōshirō found themselves locked in a dance of death. The essence of their respective civilizations fuels each strike. But as the blood-soaked battle raged on, a profound understanding began to blossom amidst the chaos.

A flicker of begrudging respect gleamed within Hrothgar's eyes, mirroring the same flame that flickered within the depths of Tōshirō's stoic soul. Beneath the storm of clashing steel, they caught a glimpse of their unyielding spirits, unburdened by the weight of their cultural divide. In this crucible of brutality, a peculiar kinship formed, transcending the boundaries of their origins and igniting a fragile alliance.

In the face of the futility of their endless feud, Hrothgar and Tōshirō reluctantly sheathed their blood-stained weapons. Enough rivers of crimson had flowed. Enough lives had been snuffed out in the name of honor and fury. Vikings and Samurai, once sworn adversaries, now stood united by a tenuous truce, their minds no longer clouded by blind animosity but steadfast with newfound mutual respect.

Hrothgar, tempered by the baptism of bloodshed, and Tōshirō, the guardian of tradition who had learned to embrace the winds of change, pledged to become the harbingers of unity. They would bridge the gaping chasm that divided their civilizations, transforming their clash from a ruthless quest for supremacy into a collaboration that would reshape the very fabric of their worlds.

It's no Rick and Morty, but it's not too shabby.