What does "call to adventure" mean?

Question

Does "call" mean "invitation" or something? I've looked it up in several dictionaries to no avail.

Answer 1

There are many stories in which the hero is destined to do great deeds and have grand adventures. And a common way to describe how the hero is made aware of this destiny is as a call to the adventure, quest, etc. This is part invitation and part command: the hero is expected to be at least somewhat willing, but it's not exactly an invitation to a garden party.

See sense 8 in the Oxford dictionary, especially the third example of being called to the priesthood (which is closely analogous).

In fact, the word vocation, which is like "career" but more idealistic, and thus well-suited to describing what a hero does with their life, comes from the Latin word for "call".

Answer 2

I think that Nathan has nailed it. He has linked the Oxford Learners Dictionary but let check the Oxford Dictionary sense 6

call [noun]

6. An order or request for someone to be present

   6.1 A vocation

   6.2 A powerful force of attraction

If you feel a call to adventure, you have a calling, you feel a strong urge towards a particular way of life, an adventuring life. "Life" may be exaggerated, maybe you just need a bit of adventure during holidays, it depends on the context.

Answer 3

I've taken the example of the tabletop game that uses the name "Call to adventure".

I suppose the use of call here is the number nine in the Oxford dictionary: make a (short) visit to an adventure (not in this world). I understand it as a sweet escape into fantastic worlds in this sense.