Tales from Aran'sha - Summercamp Edition
A word of welcome
Copper-Badge [img:5650241] by Blue Fairy 74
As a prelude to my goals - I learned some lessons from Worldember - as the first official competition that was kind of intense for me. I tried to push trough all the prompts and that brought me closer to a burnout than I liked.
So this time, I will take a relaxed approach (you might have spotted camp chill on the right) and aim to give you the best stories and tales Aran'sha has to offer.
Week 1 - Change
Assignment 1 - Changes? What Changes?
Consider what kind of changes would fit in with your world's themes, genre, and other foundational points.
As with most worlds, there are a lot of things constantly changing within Aran'sha.
From the wild jungles to the northeast, the everchanging dunes of the great desert to the south and even the volcanic landscape to the west - all of these are about changes.
And we have not yet gotten to conflicts between nations, traders and river pirates! I probably have too many ideas for that - but we will see whats coming once I get specific prompts.
And since we are talking of change: Aran'sha itself is changing AGAIN! New Banner, new css and I think I got my article layout locked in now. (some people may have spotted a "tiny" difference already)
Assignment 2 - The Pledge
Based on this, decide how many prompts you'll go for during Summer Camp. Then, download the pledge document and fill it accordingly!
As you can see (if you squint really hard) I'll be going for a copper badge this year. I'll try to focus on quality and provide the best I can bring forward - and if I get more than 8 its another little success.
Assignment 3 - Tags and organisation
Get your categories and tags (and everything else) organized!
This is an area that is currently a bit neglected - I will have to reorder some things and shuffle them around to change that.
The categories are mostly set , but they still need excerpts and I really have to get some tags distributed. No worries, I can do that!
Assignment 4 - The Meta, always the Meta
Take a look at your meta, primer, and any other high-level document and update it according to the current state of your world.
The Meta - I really have problems writing one and keep procrastinating on it. Yes, guilty as charged.
This time it might be time to take the plunge since Aran'sha is quite a bit more developed now. So, expect some upgrades in that area too!
Click here if you're want to see some ideas I have for articles on this theme
Changes - Article Ideas
Landmark
The halls of rememberance - a place where the dead undergo a final change
Location
The alchemy quarter of Al'nahar, a place that is all about change and transformation
A primer for the everchanging desert landscape
Character
A herald of change, the first sultan of Ri'nahar
A wise oracle of the eastern tribes that strives to unite the scattered gnoll people and lead them into a brighter future
Organisation
The alchemists guild
More information and/or a guild for Ki'nashor - Mages of the Black stone, the magic shapers
Ritual
A coming of age ceremony for women/men
Species
A kind of blade grass, its soft leaves turn hard and bladelike during arid times to supplement their nutrients
A dweller of the ashen vastes that goes trough multiple life stages (big lizard maybe, something with scales)
Myth/Legend
The prince of Ka'hir- said to be able to change form on a whim
The fall of Harran - this article needs a revamp/rewrite
Magic
Sandmagic and its uses in Aran'sha
Also - stormshaping/wind magic
Document
The white path - a book guiding people to a life of kindness and respect
ProfessionBarbers - not only do they do hair and beards, they also have other areas of expertise
Gemcrafters - an important trade, they change normal gems into magical wonders
Location
Character
Organisation
Ritual
Species
Myth/Legend
Magic
Document
Profession
Week 2
Assignment 1 - Refuge from..what?
Consider what kinds of refuge would fit in with your world's themes, genre, and other foundational points.
Refuge - another topic that sparks a dozen ideas at once. Refuge could be an organisation, a person, an item, a state of mind.
There's near limitless potential here - and maybe we get up to something..spooky?
Assignment 2 - Accountabillity? We don't have that here
Find a community—whether that’s our Discord server, Facebook Group, your RPG or friend group, or something else.
Im incredibly happy to announce my accountability buddy this time will be none other than Koragath, the author of Gokrenxia. I'm looking forward to work together and can't wait what we achieve!
The Storytellers Circle and all its lovely people will also keep an eye on my progress and I'm one lucky storyteller to have them at my back.
The Storytellers Circle and all its lovely people will also keep an eye on my progress and I'm one lucky storyteller to have them at my back.
Assignment 3 - Going out ...in style
Find ways to improve styling and layout in your world!
Styling and layout were just redone - but there is always more to do! I'm on the lookout for a new "base" font and have some ideas for new containers that will hopefully work out. And to put a cherry on top, I think I'll go for borders next!
Assignment 4 - CSSSSSSSSSSS
If you’re a CSS wizard, maybe take the time now to give it a polish!
Definitely not a CSS wizard, but I know enough to be dangerous to my world. I'm working on a new navigation menu and have a few improvements to the "books" lined up. Here's hoping that I can cobble it together somehow.
At this point I want to add a BIG shoutout to the #CSS-Help Channel, the people there are phenomenal volunteers. If you're stuck, reach out to them.
And a very special thanks goes out to Catoblepon for helping me out with CSS.
Click here if you're want to see some ideas I have for articles on this theme
Refuge- Article Ideas
Landmark
A high spire, the home of the biggest Roc still alive
Location
A desert monastery, a final refuge for those plagued by their minds - administered by a gentle sect of monks
A cave system/jungle area, where the last remnants of the junglefolk live
Character
A single guardsman who sacrified himself s so the people of Al'rihar could take shelter (probably prose, might be a tad too dramatic)
Organisation
An organisation that helps smuggle people in and out of Al'nahar (for various reasons)
Ritual
A coming of age ceremony for women/men
Species
A rare creature that only exists within one single cave -the Gem Ferret
A kind of desert snail with a rocky shell
Myth/Legend
The brass lamp of Shi'rad - said to contain a paradise island within it for all who know the right phrase
The fall of Harran - what happened to the people who lived there?
Document
Safar Al'Tafur, a Journey of Reflection- said to enable the reader to enter their own mind in the form of a labyrinth
Nu'shafir, the Light of Thought - a treatise on inner enlightment
ProfessionAn army unit, protecting caravans and/or settlers
Bodyguard mages for the rich and powerful, specialised in protection and shielding (elemental?)
Location
Character
Organisation
Ritual
Species
Myth/Legend
Document
Profession
Week 3
Assignment 1 - Belief...that you can do it!
Consider what kind of beliefs would fit in with your world's themes, genre, and other foundational points.
Well, if this isnt the perfect theme to finish a pantheon - Aran'sha has a manifold of beliefs. Belief in gods, in strange traditions (I will definitely list some of those) and even the "evil eye" that brings misfortune about braggarts and dishonest people. And then there are some religious sects that belief that enlightment comes from within - a belief in yourself. Something I'm gonna need for Summercamp too!
Assignment 2 - Inspirations
Create a bank of inspirations! Quotes, music, description of experiences and shower thoughts, etc.
Oh, there's a lot here to unpack - way too much to list it all here. And to be fair, it deserves its own article. Suffice to say, its a strange melting pot of fantasy stories, Arabian nights, persian, mongolian, turkish, even indian culture...which I try to blend into a journey of discovery and wonder.
Assignment 3 - A pictures says more than a thousand words
Find art and pictures that inspire you, and grab a map if you don't have one (and need one)
Guess what? I've been working on a map, however, I wont be able to finish it in time. And I'm gonna try and show some of the pictures that inspire me in the future...maybe a dreamscape gallery?
Assignment 4 - Dreams of old
ICheck your inspirations again. Are they still relevant? Can you find any that better represent the current state of your project?
Aran'sha is not that old and as stated above - I still have to show some inspiration!
Click here if you're want to see some ideas I have for articles on this theme
Landmark
The ciggurats of Al'nahar and its firepits, where sacrifical tokens are burned in honour of the gods
Location
The great library of Al'nahar, a place that conserves all knowledge in the belief it may be useful some day
The great temple of the steppes, a temple made of marble not available in the area to an unknown god, long fallen into ruin,
Character
The background story of my DND character, a sun cleric named Tahir Ramani
The headmaster of the adventurers guild - still hoping to restore it to its former glory
Organisation
An article about clerics in Aran'sha
Ritual
Rites and Rituals for each god, depending on domains
Sky burials
The "Evil Eye" that strikes those that are to proud of themselves and its cultural effects
Pantheon
Well, actually the whole pantheon of Aran'sha
The Godess of Small things
Myth/Legend
A tale of persistance - a monk that spent his whole life meditating to open the heavens themselves
A city blessed by the gods that lost its way - ant its blessings, a cautionary tale
Document
A religious text handling burial instructions depending on cause of death
Belief- Article Ideas
Landmark
Location
Character
Organisation
Ritual
Pantheon
Myth/Legend
Document
Week 4
Assignment 1 - Decay - for all things must come to an end
Consider what kind of decay would fit in with your world's themes, genre, and other foundational points.
Did not expect that, but there's certainly something here I can work with: From the obvious mushroom (yes, I'll try to do one like everyone else) to crumbling cities and tombs (actually, the city of Harran could use a rework, especially the formating), to the jungles that reclaim a lost civilisations last remnants and the moral issues that arise in some of Al'nahars quarters. Lets see what the prompts show us!
Assignment 2 - Optimal..environment?
If you like special tea when you write, stock up for a month. Tidy your office, make a “do not disturb” sign, and think about any other last-minute strategies to optimize your writing space and time!
Dates, spiced tea, assorted snacks - hey, I'm good on this one. Unfortunately being a dad does not allow for plenty of free time, but we will see how much I can do. :)
Assignment 3 - Hook, line and sinker
Review your world homepage to hook potential readers!
Since we are talking about the hook. Would you like to see anything added/changed? I'm kinda in love with the current intro, but open for criticism/feedback. At this point I HAVE to mention that Aran'sha got an incredible 20 additional subscribers this month. My mind is completely blown and I want to thank every single one of you from the bottom of my heart.
Assignment 4 - An Author and his tale
Take a look at your author profile and pillar articles on your world and polish them!
Well, I should really add to my author page, people won't find much about me there and its time to change that!
Click here if you're want to see some ideas I have for articles on this theme
Decay- Article Ideas
Landmark
A battlefield in the desert, left to the elements and shrouded by the dunes
Location
The northern swamps and its plantlife, relentlessy defending itself against civilisation (altough not conciously - or ...conciously?)
A tavern of debauchery/fighting pit
Character
Daryn Ki'shadyr - A wise wizard, struck by a terrible plague, still looking for way to stem its progress
Organisation
The guild of the sunwalkers (WIP Name), the people that polish the bronze roofs of Al'nahar under terrible risks and their rituals
Ritual
Takhliq Al'Hayat, the Rebirth of Life - A ritual of leaving behind one's old self to be reborn anew (unsure if symbolic or magical yet)
Isti'kha Al'Tanwir, the liberation of the mind - a ceremonial way to let go of old grudges and/or habits
A gnoll ritual that celebrates the end of life/feasting, for all things must end
Myth/Legend
A magic that is said to bring forth great power - however, this power wanes over time and does never stop waning
Material
A substance (probably mineral) that hurts any living thing it touches
Location
Character
Organisation
Ritual
Myth/Legend
Material
And..thats it already, Homework is done.
I have much to do until SC starts and ... I will add one additional pledge here:
Everything I talked about, I WILL do if I dont finish it in time.
Camp Chill Guidelines
Spooky Shenanigans Badge 2024 by Haly, the Moonlight Bard/Canva
Wandering Worldsmith badge by Rumengol
Qualität vor Quantität. Finde ich super und freue mich auf deine Beiträge (und die von einigen mehr... nur die alle zu lesen wird schwer ^^") . Und der Hintergrund ist echt gut geworden.