🕯️⚔️ Dark Souls: Bonfire Retrospective
Gather around the bonfire to light new quests, extinguish lingering curses, and keep our shield strong as we forge ahead together.
Template Columns
🕯️ Ignite New Paths
Identify fresh initiatives to start, like lighting a new bonfire for future progress.
Base column: Start⚔️ Cease the Curse
Highlight practices to stop that hinder our journey, breaking the cycle of recurring curses.
Base column: Stop🛡️ Keep the Shield Up
Reinforce the strengths we should continue, maintaining the defense that protects our team.
Base column: ContinueAbout this template
A themed retrospective where the team lights new initiatives, extinguishes harmful practices, and reinforces strengths using Dark Souls imagery.
When to use this template
Use when the team needs a fresh start after a challenging sprint or wants to break recurring issues while celebrating what’s working.
How to facilitate
Gather the team in a virtual bonfire channel and set the mood with a brief Dark Souls story
Ask participants to write anonymous notes on sticky notes for each column: Ignite New Paths, Cease the Curse, Keep the Shield Up
Collect and group similar ideas in each column, allowing brief discussion to clarify each point
Vote on the top three items in each column using dot voting or emoji reactions
Translate the top items into concrete action items, assign owners, and record them in the sprint backlog
Pro Tips
Encourage vivid, quest‑style language to keep energy high but remind the group to focus on real‑world impact
Limit each column to 8‑10 items before voting to keep the session focused and timeboxed
After the retro, create a visual “quest board” that tracks the progress of each action item like a game map
FAQ
What if the team struggles to find items for 'Cease the Curse'?
Prompt with examples of recent blockers or recurring bugs, and allow a quick round of silent brainstorming before opening the discussion.
How do we keep the game theme from distracting the conversation?
Set a clear purpose at the start: the theme is a framing device, but decisions must be tied to concrete actions and measurable outcomes.
Can this format be shortened for a 30‑minute check‑in?
Yes, skip the voting step and move directly to identifying one top action per column, then assign owners quickly.
Want a custom template?
Create a retrospective template tailored to your team's needs with our AI-powered generator
At a glance
- Duration
45–60 min
- Team Size
4-12 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective