Mystember

"The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery."

— Francis Bacon

Challenge

Write or create something which describes a mystery and how people try to explain it.

What is a world without a little mystery? While you may know everything about your world, there is likely something that your readers, players or the people who inhabit it cannot explain, however hard they try.

Mysteries can be big or small, earth-shattering or mundane. They can be practical (who left the milk out?), scientific (what is energy?), philosophical (what is the meaning of life?) and any other number of things. They fit into any type of world and help to build out the culture and ideas of the people living there.

Ideas & Prompts

Below is a list of a couple of prompt ideas to get you started. Feel free to use or adapt one of these or create something entirely different.

Describe a popular conspiracy theory.

What is something the governing body doesn't want the people to know?

Describe a famous ship or vehicle which disappeared.

Describe an unusual object of unknown origin.

Describe a physical condition with an unknown cause.

What is a phrase whose meaning has been lost in time?

Describe a recently discovered artefact.

What is a species which is rumoured to stalk the edges of your world?

Describe a material with a property that no one can explain.

Real World Inspiration

Conspiracy Theories

• Wiki - Conspiracy Theory Definition
• Wiki - List of Conspiracy Theories

Historical Mysteries

• History.com - Unsolved Ancient Mysteries
• LiveScience - Overlooked Mysteries

Science Mysteries

• Questions about the Universe
• Open Questions in Science

Philosophical Questions

• Owlcation - Philosophical Questions About Life
• BigThink - 4 Hardest Philosophy Problems

Prizes and Judging

These are the badges for this competition; one for participation and one for the winner(s). I will be chosing and announcing winners in October. These badges were designed by the very talented Nicola Grossman. I recommend looking at her Website and Instagram.

by Nicola Grossman

by Nicola Grossman

Entries

Algolian Caverns

by Mochimanoban

The Texora Ghost Train

by spooktacular

The Veiled Oasis

by Make Lore, Not War

Rumon-Bhatak

by Kittymonster

Wrong Room

by hughpierre

The Hadymaar Brotherhood

by Koragath

Phadoyan Eel

by LittleRaider

Shadebound Apparition

by Tillerz

Report #5193

by Demongrey

The Glass Hoop and Silver Sphere

by madmooncrow

City of Hyrai

by Worldwildbuilder

The Birth of the Goblins

by Blue Fairy 74

Void World

by Tankium

Start Date

1st September 2024

End Date

30th September 2024

Full Rules

• Any format is allowed (article, image, etc.) - if it’s not an article, please attach it to one to submit.
• Any article category/template is allowed
• Any article should be less than 1500 words
• Must include at least one possible explanation for the mystery (bonus points for more)
• Entry may include adaptation of or additions to an existing article
• Must be submitted by posting in the comments on this article before the end of the day on 30th Sept 2024 (in whatever time zone you are in)
• One submission per user