WorldEmber 2023 Homework

The cold approaches.. But not there that's the campfire wait no don't sTEP IN THAT

"Let me get this straight, you're going to talk about a place that existed long before Vertinall, and is intrinsically tied to it's origins, but you don't actually know or have planned anything about this world or what it was whatsoever?"

— My inner brain goblin

Why yes I am, you little doubting fiend.. Thing. If you were here for someone that knew what they were doing you would have NEVER COME HERE
First WorldEmber! That's exciting, huh? I've made a promise (Or a pledge?? Wink wink wink) that I would stay the course this time around, and not lose momentum on my writing, so here we are; Plotting upon plotting.
My spooktober didn't quite go to plan, but it showed what I want to do with these contests I jump in with; Change the medium. Summer camp was more traditional Articles, Spooktober was Comics, and WorldEmber is going to be Narrative.

Week 1: The world that was

I want the plot to focus on a group of dungeoneers, exploring the innermost depths of cave systems that Vertinall has to offer (until you reach a part that breaks out and drops into the abyss), and coming across a remnant of an almost foreign world to the absurd nonsense that the surface has come to know. There will be answers given, questions left unanswered, and hopefully a bunch of jokes smattered in-between to hold it all together.
The key ideas I want to try and accomplish with this contest are:

• Introduce a lost species to Vertinall
• Create some Lore for the world before
• Ruin Idano's fun
• Make a super charming and lovable crew of misfits to go adventuring with

No sweat, right?
Right???

The important planning points that you ABSOLUTELY CANNOT IGNORE

This is a narrative; A story. It needs a beginning, middle and end. Don't you dare slack and just make it up as you go along like you do with everything else; PLAN IT. PLEASE PLAN IT YOU FOOLISH FOOL
And come up with a group! You're all excited to meet them, right? Me too! There will be art throughout this journey (obviously, its me), and hopefully it'll be displayed in a fun way for you all.
You already know the species you're going to introduce, and they'll have their own article soon enough (muahahaaaa..), but for now? this will act as the teaser.
Oh and at some point Idano is going to show up and throw a hissy because people found something they shouldn't, or maybe he was like.. Showering or something. I dunno! You guys don't really know Idano, huh? Maybe you will.. Soon. He's fun.
He's also been your narrator for most of the articles in this world whaaaaaaaaat no waaaaay
Maybe while they're down there, they may run into a bit of Anything, hmm? that sure would be terrifying to see in practice!

OR MAYBE DONT DO ANY OF THAT

Hey! Lets all pretend like you didn't read any of that stuff up there, huh? Cause someone didn't realise that it wouldn't count towards the contest! I'm not really sure what I'll be doing right now, but uh. Not this! Maybe I'll do some christmas stuff, I don't know. Or nothing! Nothing is also a choice I could make.

My Pledge to me, myself, and I (and you too I guess)

We're just striking for the 10k here, folks. Anything afterward is a happy bonus. I do hope I can stick to this, but I know that it is going to be a lot for me to do just.. Mentally. I hope I don't let myself down, but if I can't manage to get there, then look at this, me: You tried it! That's all that counts, man. Push yourself, don't break yourself.