Best Tradition Article of WorldEmber 2021

I’m proud to share with you the winner and runners-up for Best Tradition Article of WorldEmber 2021, the category I judged for World Anvil's December 2021 worldbuilding event.

Best Tradition Article

Royal Childbirth

Tradition / Ritual | Feb 22, 2022

A weird, even disgusting event to outsiders, the celebration of a Royal Childbirth is the glue that holds Ouvezian society together.

This article caught my attention during my first perusal of the entrants and never let go. I loved the concept of the birthing process being cause for a community-wide celebration, and all the little details that went along with that. It conjured so many rich images, and was full of story possibilities.

Runners-Up

Because the competition was so fierce, I couldn’t decide on just one runner-up and instead am naming these four articles as my honorable mentions.

The Dwarven Twists

Tradition / Ritual | Oct 13, 2022

Arokush

Tradition / Ritual | Jun 14, 2024

When the people of Kathal'Dir reach adulthood at the age of 20, they have to explore the ancient ruins of the Giants and face the dangers that lie within

Five Hundred Fun Ways to Die

Tradition / Ritual | May 13, 2022

A game show competing for the most outlandish methods of death before a live studio audience, Five Hundred Fun Ways to Die began as an offshoot of an SAF campaign to combat a growing stigma against Conscription, until it took on a life of its own.

Wedding Brawl

Tradition / Ritual | Dec 31, 2021

More That Caught My Eye

In case you’re looking for even more fantastic worldbuilding, here are some other entries which caught my eye during the difficult process of narrowing things down to a single winner.

Name Casting

Tradition / Ritual | Dec 8, 2021

Worship of Ancestors

Tradition / Ritual | Oct 5, 2024

People worship their ancestors and the trace of themselves they leave after dying, communicating with them to receive protection and advice. A person's ancestors are determine their social worth, and shaming one's ancestors is a terrible act.

Crienia marriage tradition

Tradition / Ritual | Dec 16, 2021

Handfasting

Tradition / Ritual | Mar 6, 2022

A cherished, intimate wedding ceremony beloved by gods and man alike.

A traditional meal for magic users

Tomesmas

Tradition / Ritual | Jan 24, 2023

Rite of the Hatching

Tradition / Ritual | Sep 5, 2022

A key rite in the training of all Talons is to steal an egg from The Eyries of Aetora and then successfully raise the vulture themselves through its hatching and maturity.

Dagovine Hill Roll

Tradition / Ritual | Oct 12, 2023

Every year, adventures gather to chase a cheese wheel down a hill for magical prizes.

Avos

Tradition / Ritual | Jan 20, 2023

Growing up as an elf

Tradition / Ritual | Dec 30, 2021

Points of the compass

Tradition / Ritual | Jul 16, 2023

From which way does the wind blow? All points of the compass.

Comments

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Venerable Grandmaster Ononomad

Feb 6, 2022 20:18 by Tim Day

Great choice for the winning entry, and thanks for the honourable mention too! :-)

Check out Shadowfire and my SummerCamp Pledge and Progress

Sage eccbooks

Feb 6, 2022 21:41 by E. Christopher Clark

Thank you! There were so many outstanding pieces to choose from, but when I was coming back to my list today to choose more to highlight for this article, yours was fresh in my mind the moment I reopened it. Great work!

Enroll in Yesterland Academy today!

Grandmaster MaybeStewartArtist

Feb 7, 2022 21:00 by Maybe Stewart

This is a fantastic list, and thank you for the honorable mention! I'm glad you were able to enjoy it despite it's rushed nature ^_^

Feb 7, 2022 21:32 by E. Christopher Clark

You're so welcome. And thank you for writing it, even in the midst of what sounds like it was a busy December.

Best Tradition Article of WorldEmber 2021