Summer Camp 2024 Reading Challenge
T
o be an adept writer, it's necessary to read widely, and with purpose. This is probably the most common piece of writing advice I've heard and there's a very good reason for that—it helps! With the beautiful creation that is World Anvil, worldbuilders can make the most of this approach. By engaging with each other's work, we can learn a lot; we can get inspired, gain valuable insights on how to keep our readers interested, and even learn new formatting and presentation techniques. Mostly though, engagement offers a remedy for the solitude that we, writers, commonly experience by giving us the opportunity to get out of our own worldbuilding heads. With that being said, I've really enjoyed the reading challenge this year (even though the community has produced such a vast quantity of inspiring work that I struggled to just choose just ten to feature in this article). So without further ado, here are ten worldbuilding articles and worldbuilders who have inspired me this Summer Camp.
If you've never heard of the Anhult Wildlands, then you're in for a treat. With a nature focussed, 5e compatible setting George Sanders has built something truly remarkable. With rich lore, dedicated D&D modules and plenty of great storytelling, how can we not be entertained? Horde Massing is a perfect example of how George showcases worldbuilding exposition through excerpts of flash fiction—to great effect! The article creates a raw and anxious atmosphere, as we learn about the illness through the eyes of a protagonist fleeing from a horde of 'infected' townspeople. It has tension in buckets—you just have to carry on reading until the end!
Every time I read one of Riverfang's exquisitely presented articles, I give myself a metaphorical kick up the butt to remind myself I need to get my CSS properly sorted. Isekai is one of the most beautifully organised World Anvil worlds that I've had the pleasure of discovering. The Eldritch War is not only a well-presented article, but it engages with the original prompt really well. It gives us a summary of the war from its contextual beginnings in the unsettled, but mostly peaceful, political landscape of the post-giant-war period to the aftermath of a world forever changed by eldritch horror. The article clearly reflects the dark fantasy theme of Isekai, and certainly clarifies important lore within the setting, which is used in an in-development TTRPG system called Storybook—a joint project between Riverfang and Shiftrex. If Nobledim, Lovecraftian horror with a smattering of steampunk is your thing, you should totally check it out.
As story expert Robert McKee said, "Conflict is to storytelling, what sound is to music." (McKee, 1997, Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting), and this article by is a delightfully twisted melody of revenge. 'Ellen Allen's Last Straw', by Haly the Moonlight Bard, perfectly demonstrates that Summer Camp prompts can be effectively moulded to work for your world. And, for those developing smaller settings, it shows us that some personal conflicts are just as political as full-scale wars! Avalon, Indianna exquisitely blurs the worlds of the living and the dead in a modern contemporary setting, and I am definitely excited to see this project develop and grow.
I often say I'll try anything once, especially when it comes to food. One thing I won't be partaking in however, is Kitoypoy's Maggot Jerky! This article is another fun addition to the world of World of Wizard's Peak, and fully encapsulates the wicked sense of humour I've come to associate with Kitoypoy's worldbuilding. The main reason I've featured this article to showcase is that I particularly love how the quoted NPCs have summary profiles attached to them which go a long way to creating a genuine sense of personality in the article. It's an interesting idea and something I may look to implement in my world for reoccurring and quotable NPCs. World of Wizard's Peak is another CSS masterclass of beautifully presented work. It's described as a 'grimglow' setting and is fully compatible with D&D 5e. Thank you Kitoypoy for giving me the biggest 'ick' of Summer Camp 2024.
One thing I love about World Anvil is the diversity of worlds it has to offer. So when I stumbled across Wordigirl's strange world of Secret Agent Someone, I adored its originality and style. TimeBikes is a wild ride (see what I did there?). Do they really exist? Are they a psyop? I know I want them to be real and I'm sure I won't be alone in that! The article captures the essence of the prompt uniquely, exemplifying the world's mysterious nature to a tee. I particularly love that the truth is obscured beneath a shroud of conspiracy that has you doubting every narrative. I'm so intrigued by this world, and it's clear that so much love and care has gone into creating it. I can't wait to delve into the rest of its lore.
Exploring a 'many-layered multiverse teetering on the brink of war', BCGR_Wurth's scientifically charged creation Manifold Sky is the perfect petroleum oil cleanse for when I need to get out of my dark fantasy world and delve into something completely antithetical. Iron Feast treats us to a grungy visceral dive into a tradition deemed 'blasphemous' by the many but spiritually affirming to those who partake in it. The article stays true to Manifold Sky's atmospheric Dieselpunk theme whilst blurring the boundary between the industrial and the holy. The result is an unconventional, yet inspired, creation examining the relationship between a person and their machine. A perfect addition to the lore of Manifold Sky, I'm sure you'll agree.
o be an adept writer, it's necessary to read widely, and with purpose. This is probably the most common piece of writing advice I've heard and there's a very good reason for that—it helps! With the beautiful creation that is World Anvil, worldbuilders can make the most of this approach. By engaging with each other's work, we can learn a lot; we can get inspired, gain valuable insights on how to keep our readers interested, and even learn new formatting and presentation techniques. Mostly though, engagement offers a remedy for the solitude that we, writers, commonly experience by giving us the opportunity to get out of our own worldbuilding heads. With that being said, I've really enjoyed the reading challenge this year (even though the community has produced such a vast quantity of inspiring work that I struggled to just choose just ten to feature in this article). So without further ado, here are ten worldbuilding articles and worldbuilders who have inspired me this Summer Camp.
Answering: "A sickness that caused societal upheaval."
Horde Massing by George Sanders
If you've never heard of the Anhult Wildlands, then you're in for a treat. With a nature focussed, 5e compatible setting George Sanders has built something truly remarkable. With rich lore, dedicated D&D modules and plenty of great storytelling, how can we not be entertained? Horde Massing is a perfect example of how George showcases worldbuilding exposition through excerpts of flash fiction—to great effect! The article creates a raw and anxious atmosphere, as we learn about the illness through the eyes of a protagonist fleeing from a horde of 'infected' townspeople. It has tension in buckets—you just have to carry on reading until the end!
Answering: "A conflict that involved a changing environment."
Eldritch War by Riverfang
Every time I read one of Riverfang's exquisitely presented articles, I give myself a metaphorical kick up the butt to remind myself I need to get my CSS properly sorted. Isekai is one of the most beautifully organised World Anvil worlds that I've had the pleasure of discovering. The Eldritch War is not only a well-presented article, but it engages with the original prompt really well. It gives us a summary of the war from its contextual beginnings in the unsettled, but mostly peaceful, political landscape of the post-giant-war period to the aftermath of a world forever changed by eldritch horror. The article clearly reflects the dark fantasy theme of Isekai, and certainly clarifies important lore within the setting, which is used in an in-development TTRPG system called Storybook—a joint project between Riverfang and Shiftrex. If Nobledim, Lovecraftian horror with a smattering of steampunk is your thing, you should totally check it out.
Answering: "A conflict that involved a changing environment."
Ellen Allen's Last Straw by Moonlight Bard
As story expert Robert McKee said, "Conflict is to storytelling, what sound is to music." (McKee, 1997, Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting), and this article by is a delightfully twisted melody of revenge. 'Ellen Allen's Last Straw', by Haly the Moonlight Bard, perfectly demonstrates that Summer Camp prompts can be effectively moulded to work for your world. And, for those developing smaller settings, it shows us that some personal conflicts are just as political as full-scale wars! Avalon, Indianna exquisitely blurs the worlds of the living and the dead in a modern contemporary setting, and I am definitely excited to see this project develop and grow.
Answering: "Food often eaten by travelers."
Maggot Jerky by Kitoypoy
I often say I'll try anything once, especially when it comes to food. One thing I won't be partaking in however, is Kitoypoy's Maggot Jerky! This article is another fun addition to the world of World of Wizard's Peak, and fully encapsulates the wicked sense of humour I've come to associate with Kitoypoy's worldbuilding. The main reason I've featured this article to showcase is that I particularly love how the quoted NPCs have summary profiles attached to them which go a long way to creating a genuine sense of personality in the article. It's an interesting idea and something I may look to implement in my world for reoccurring and quotable NPCs. World of Wizard's Peak is another CSS masterclass of beautifully presented work. It's described as a 'grimglow' setting and is fully compatible with D&D 5e. Thank you Kitoypoy for giving me the biggest 'ick' of Summer Camp 2024.
Answering: "A vehicle that, when introduced, caused social upheaval.
TimeBikes by Wordi Girl
One thing I love about World Anvil is the diversity of worlds it has to offer. So when I stumbled across Wordigirl's strange world of Secret Agent Someone, I adored its originality and style. TimeBikes is a wild ride (see what I did there?). Do they really exist? Are they a psyop? I know I want them to be real and I'm sure I won't be alone in that! The article captures the essence of the prompt uniquely, exemplifying the world's mysterious nature to a tee. I particularly love that the truth is obscured beneath a shroud of conspiracy that has you doubting every narrative. I'm so intrigued by this world, and it's clear that so much love and care has gone into creating it. I can't wait to delve into the rest of its lore.
Answering: "A tradition that represents moral decay."
Iron Feast by BCGR_Wurth
Exploring a 'many-layered multiverse teetering on the brink of war', BCGR_Wurth's scientifically charged creation Manifold Sky is the perfect petroleum oil cleanse for when I need to get out of my dark fantasy world and delve into something completely antithetical. Iron Feast treats us to a grungy visceral dive into a tradition deemed 'blasphemous' by the many but spiritually affirming to those who partake in it. The article stays true to Manifold Sky's atmospheric Dieselpunk theme whilst blurring the boundary between the industrial and the holy. The result is an unconventional, yet inspired, creation examining the relationship between a person and their machine. A perfect addition to the lore of Manifold Sky, I'm sure you'll agree.
Answering: "A material that is resistant to decay."
Shony's Gift by Moodare
When considering materials in worldbuilding, the first thing that comes to my mind are special metals like Mithril, Valyrian steel or Adamantine. But Moondare offers something truly unique and creative with this article which incorporates the weaving of kelp to make light armour and clothing.
Shony's Gift is a fabulous example of how natural materials with distinct properties can effectively express the theme of a fantasy world. The imagery of the tall kelp forests against the backdrop of the icy northern seas gives me historical, Celtic vibes whilst conveying a sense of mystery, danger, and adventure.
The world of Alven is the home of Moondare's WIP fantasy series The Hollow Moons, and I have to say it's so nice to come across a fellow aspiring author who wants to combine the world of their fantasy novel with their love of D&D. A pretty cool aim, I'm sure you'll agree!
Answering: "A myth, urban legend or conspiracy theory believed by many to be true."
Magicfall by Kefkejaco
Magicfall by Kefkejaco is a beautiful example of worldbuilding mythology, chronicling the events that led to my favourite mystery about Niorath, Falls—magical crystals which can enhance certain magical abilities.
The beautifully presented article effectively encapsulates the chaotic, and often cataclysmic, nature of Niorath with particular emphasis on the change the cataclysm enforced upon the world.
Niorath is a D&D 5e setting, with an eclectic mix of Science-Fantasy and Magipunk. So if you love the interplay between magic and technology as much as I do, head on over to Kefkejaco's WA page to check it out.
Answering: "An environmental or other large-scale natural disaster."
Runic Storms by Jontaro
When I stumbled across this article by Jontaro, I was hooked from the opening quote!
By skilfully blending magic and natural law, the article produces frenzied imagery of explosive elemental storms, reflecting the wild and chaotic nature of the world.
The conversational writing style is somewhat playful and fits well with the whimsical aesthetic Jontaro has created with his glorious artwork.
Jontaro's world, Oniran, is a wild and vibrant world, with magic and adventure in spades. It somehow pulls off being both nostalgic and fresh, whilst its emphasis on friendship and community makes me feel all warm and cosy on the inside.
Definitely a much needed palette cleanser for the inherently grim nature of my world.
Answering: "A building considered a refuge against the world."
The Brillish Cheese Caves by Serukis
Finally, how could I not mention the lovely Serukis in my Summer Camp review?
Not only is she an incredibly supportive humanbean, she's one of those incredibly talented worldbuilders who constantly inspires me to up my game.
The Brillish Cheese Caves was a particular favourite Summer Camp entry for me. Not only because of—well, cheese—but because it effectively epitomises what Serukis has achieved this Summer Camp.
By producing a bold collection of smaller articles, she has added an enormous amount of depth to her world despite a small word-count budget, diversifying the lore of Etrea so well that there's always so much more to discover and explore!
This is a gold standard of creative worldbuilding for me, and an approach I will definitely keep in mind for Summer Camp 2025!
Etrea, is a Science-Fantasy themed world exploring the coexistence between magic, technology and science in a morally grey world.
So if you're a fun-guy (fungi! See what I did there?) become a 'Mushroom' by giving Etrea a follow.
A Note from the Author
W
ow, another Summer Camp completed...
Time really does fly when you're busy worldbuilding!
Firstly, I have to say, I'm super proud of myself this year. It wasn't easy, but I managed to produce 8 worldbuilding articles to earn a Copper badge.
I wrote 13 015 more words for Astaeria, and developed some ideas I'd had floating around in my head for a while (and some I didn't even know I had in me).
I really hope that my articles this year have reflected the grim and dark nature of my world. This is something I want to develop going forward, as I feel my published worldbuilding efforts in the past have lacked focus in my effort to create the atmosphere I'm aiming for.
Most of all though, I'm glad I finally got The Vanguard Revolution written up properly. It's probably the most important piece of historical lore in Astaeria, and even though the article ended up way longer than I had intended it to, I feel I executed some of my best work to date.
So what's next for Gilly? Well, for the rest of the year I will be focussing on my dark fantasy novel, 'The Wardens of Ethera', with a view to get that pesky draft two completed.
In terms of worldbuilding, I'll be keeping things agile which probably means I'll have a lot of stubs to work on come Worldember!
Also, having engaged with the reading challenge, I've come to realise that my world desperately needs a primer, so I would like to get that planned and executed before the year is out.
I would also love to find some time to finally get my CSS sorted, and my world looking professional and organised. I've been inspired by some asthetically beautiful worlds as I've conducted the reading challenge, and I am so looking forward to implementing some ideas that I have for my own worldbuilding project.
In the meantime, I'll be around on my socials being a cheerleader for the #WorldAnvil and #AmWriting communities.
If you're into writing sprints or need some creative support, feel free to check out my Discord server here. It's a little quiet at the moment and could do with a little lift.
Anyway, enough rambling... I hope everyone enjoyed Summer Camp 2024 as much as I did and I wish everyone in the WA community a creative and productive rest of the year!
When considering materials in worldbuilding, the first thing that comes to my mind are special metals like Mithril, Valyrian steel or Adamantine. But Moondare offers something truly unique and creative with this article which incorporates the weaving of kelp to make light armour and clothing. Shony's Gift is a fabulous example of how natural materials with distinct properties can effectively express the theme of a fantasy world. The imagery of the tall kelp forests against the backdrop of the icy northern seas gives me historical, Celtic vibes whilst conveying a sense of mystery, danger, and adventure. The world of Alven is the home of Moondare's WIP fantasy series The Hollow Moons, and I have to say it's so nice to come across a fellow aspiring author who wants to combine the world of their fantasy novel with their love of D&D. A pretty cool aim, I'm sure you'll agree!
Answering: "A myth, urban legend or conspiracy theory believed by many to be true."
Magicfall by Kefkejaco
Magicfall by Kefkejaco is a beautiful example of worldbuilding mythology, chronicling the events that led to my favourite mystery about Niorath, Falls—magical crystals which can enhance certain magical abilities. The beautifully presented article effectively encapsulates the chaotic, and often cataclysmic, nature of Niorath with particular emphasis on the change the cataclysm enforced upon the world. Niorath is a D&D 5e setting, with an eclectic mix of Science-Fantasy and Magipunk. So if you love the interplay between magic and technology as much as I do, head on over to Kefkejaco's WA page to check it out.Answering: "An environmental or other large-scale natural disaster."
Runic Storms by Jontaro
When I stumbled across this article by Jontaro, I was hooked from the opening quote!
By skilfully blending magic and natural law, the article produces frenzied imagery of explosive elemental storms, reflecting the wild and chaotic nature of the world.
The conversational writing style is somewhat playful and fits well with the whimsical aesthetic Jontaro has created with his glorious artwork.
Jontaro's world, Oniran, is a wild and vibrant world, with magic and adventure in spades. It somehow pulls off being both nostalgic and fresh, whilst its emphasis on friendship and community makes me feel all warm and cosy on the inside.
Definitely a much needed palette cleanser for the inherently grim nature of my world.
Answering: "A building considered a refuge against the world."
The Brillish Cheese Caves by Serukis
Finally, how could I not mention the lovely Serukis in my Summer Camp review?
Not only is she an incredibly supportive humanbean, she's one of those incredibly talented worldbuilders who constantly inspires me to up my game.
The Brillish Cheese Caves was a particular favourite Summer Camp entry for me. Not only because of—well, cheese—but because it effectively epitomises what Serukis has achieved this Summer Camp.
By producing a bold collection of smaller articles, she has added an enormous amount of depth to her world despite a small word-count budget, diversifying the lore of Etrea so well that there's always so much more to discover and explore!
This is a gold standard of creative worldbuilding for me, and an approach I will definitely keep in mind for Summer Camp 2025!
Etrea, is a Science-Fantasy themed world exploring the coexistence between magic, technology and science in a morally grey world.
So if you're a fun-guy (fungi! See what I did there?) become a 'Mushroom' by giving Etrea a follow.
A Note from the Author
W
ow, another Summer Camp completed...
Time really does fly when you're busy worldbuilding!
Firstly, I have to say, I'm super proud of myself this year. It wasn't easy, but I managed to produce 8 worldbuilding articles to earn a Copper badge.
I wrote 13 015 more words for Astaeria, and developed some ideas I'd had floating around in my head for a while (and some I didn't even know I had in me).
I really hope that my articles this year have reflected the grim and dark nature of my world. This is something I want to develop going forward, as I feel my published worldbuilding efforts in the past have lacked focus in my effort to create the atmosphere I'm aiming for.
Most of all though, I'm glad I finally got The Vanguard Revolution written up properly. It's probably the most important piece of historical lore in Astaeria, and even though the article ended up way longer than I had intended it to, I feel I executed some of my best work to date.
So what's next for Gilly? Well, for the rest of the year I will be focussing on my dark fantasy novel, 'The Wardens of Ethera', with a view to get that pesky draft two completed.
In terms of worldbuilding, I'll be keeping things agile which probably means I'll have a lot of stubs to work on come Worldember!
Also, having engaged with the reading challenge, I've come to realise that my world desperately needs a primer, so I would like to get that planned and executed before the year is out.
I would also love to find some time to finally get my CSS sorted, and my world looking professional and organised. I've been inspired by some asthetically beautiful worlds as I've conducted the reading challenge, and I am so looking forward to implementing some ideas that I have for my own worldbuilding project.
In the meantime, I'll be around on my socials being a cheerleader for the #WorldAnvil and #AmWriting communities.
If you're into writing sprints or need some creative support, feel free to check out my Discord server here. It's a little quiet at the moment and could do with a little lift.
Anyway, enough rambling... I hope everyone enjoyed Summer Camp 2024 as much as I did and I wish everyone in the WA community a creative and productive rest of the year!
When I stumbled across this article by Jontaro, I was hooked from the opening quote! By skilfully blending magic and natural law, the article produces frenzied imagery of explosive elemental storms, reflecting the wild and chaotic nature of the world. The conversational writing style is somewhat playful and fits well with the whimsical aesthetic Jontaro has created with his glorious artwork. Jontaro's world, Oniran, is a wild and vibrant world, with magic and adventure in spades. It somehow pulls off being both nostalgic and fresh, whilst its emphasis on friendship and community makes me feel all warm and cosy on the inside. Definitely a much needed palette cleanser for the inherently grim nature of my world.
Answering: "A building considered a refuge against the world."
The Brillish Cheese Caves by Serukis
Finally, how could I not mention the lovely Serukis in my Summer Camp review? Not only is she an incredibly supportive humanbean, she's one of those incredibly talented worldbuilders who constantly inspires me to up my game. The Brillish Cheese Caves was a particular favourite Summer Camp entry for me. Not only because of—well, cheese—but because it effectively epitomises what Serukis has achieved this Summer Camp. By producing a bold collection of smaller articles, she has added an enormous amount of depth to her world despite a small word-count budget, diversifying the lore of Etrea so well that there's always so much more to discover and explore! This is a gold standard of creative worldbuilding for me, and an approach I will definitely keep in mind for Summer Camp 2025! Etrea, is a Science-Fantasy themed world exploring the coexistence between magic, technology and science in a morally grey world. So if you're a fun-guy (fungi! See what I did there?) become a 'Mushroom' by giving Etrea a follow.
A Note from the Author
W
ow, another Summer Camp completed...
Time really does fly when you're busy worldbuilding! Firstly, I have to say, I'm super proud of myself this year. It wasn't easy, but I managed to produce 8 worldbuilding articles to earn a Copper badge. I wrote 13 015 more words for Astaeria, and developed some ideas I'd had floating around in my head for a while (and some I didn't even know I had in me). I really hope that my articles this year have reflected the grim and dark nature of my world. This is something I want to develop going forward, as I feel my published worldbuilding efforts in the past have lacked focus in my effort to create the atmosphere I'm aiming for. Most of all though, I'm glad I finally got The Vanguard Revolution written up properly. It's probably the most important piece of historical lore in Astaeria, and even though the article ended up way longer than I had intended it to, I feel I executed some of my best work to date. So what's next for Gilly? Well, for the rest of the year I will be focussing on my dark fantasy novel, 'The Wardens of Ethera', with a view to get that pesky draft two completed. In terms of worldbuilding, I'll be keeping things agile which probably means I'll have a lot of stubs to work on come Worldember! Also, having engaged with the reading challenge, I've come to realise that my world desperately needs a primer, so I would like to get that planned and executed before the year is out. I would also love to find some time to finally get my CSS sorted, and my world looking professional and organised. I've been inspired by some asthetically beautiful worlds as I've conducted the reading challenge, and I am so looking forward to implementing some ideas that I have for my own worldbuilding project. In the meantime, I'll be around on my socials being a cheerleader for the #WorldAnvil and #AmWriting communities. If you're into writing sprints or need some creative support, feel free to check out my Discord server here. It's a little quiet at the moment and could do with a little lift. Anyway, enough rambling... I hope everyone enjoyed Summer Camp 2024 as much as I did and I wish everyone in the WA community a creative and productive rest of the year!
Entry for Summer Camp 2024 Reading Challenge
Astaeria© 2020 - 2024 by G.M Hartill.
All rights reserved.
All artwork is available by way of Creative Commons. No attribution required unless otherwise stated: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
On social media? Follow me on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram!
Cover image:
Summer Camp Completion Cerificate
by
World Anvil
Comments
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Aug 30, 2024 20:04
by Jon
Oh wow thank you SO much for the kind praise! The knowledge that my style in both art and writing has become so strong and clear that someone who's only read a single article can describe it word for word fills me with a damn near *irresponsible* amount of confidence and joy!!! Thank you!!!
While I would love to go on an adventure, writing them is enough for me.
Aug 30, 2024 21:08
by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull
Congratulations on copper! I truly enjoyed reading your articles this year and am looking forward to more. I think 'The Wallows' was my favourite. Thank you so much for the kind words about my article and world. It made me a little emotional. <3
Sep 4, 2024 20:42
by TJ Trewin
Yesssss more stubs for WorldEmberrr!!! >:D Congratulations for achieving copper in Summer Camp this year! :D
Sep 6, 2024 16:29
by LexiCon (WordiGirl)
aww thanks for the feature! Glad you were intrigued by my world. I will definitely have to come back to this article and do a bit more reading as well. World Anvil is such a vast and wonderful place with so many authors, worlds, and articles to explore! <3
Be exuberantly blessed. Much success!!!
Check the latest in the wonderful world of WILLOWISP...
Find out what I'm up to...
Support my creative efforts <3
Check the latest in the wonderful world of WILLOWISP...
Find out what I'm up to...
Support my creative efforts <3
Thanks for including my article and than you especially for the thoughtful words! Glad you enjoyed/were grossed out by Maggot Jerky! I hate it too!
Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!