I can't believe we're at the other end of Summer Camp and the sun is shining and summer's nearing the end. When I went into July, I was stuck, my fingers hovering over the keyboard, wanting to write but not finding the patterns. And here we are: 24 official entries later, plus three that did not qualify for a prompt, most of them I'm very proud of. And a couple of new maps, a revamped World page, and a couple of pages of my novel done to boot.

Share the Love and the Stories

But this article is not about that at all, it's about the amazing creators that have inspired me so much this summer!

Thank you to Make lore, not war and Tyrdal for the encouragement to keep writing despite the block. Hey guess what? I wrote! And to everyone who's supported me both on the Discord, the community here and offline. Coming out of the lurking shell of invisibility has been a lot easier with you all being so amazing <3

The Reading Challenge

To list everything I've read would be too much and too long, but I've liked each and every one of what I've read. These are the articles I've chosen from each world that spoke to me a lot, that inspired me, and made me pause in wonder.

The layout of this article is gorgeous (teach me your ways, again might have to replace like all my art via Midjourney) and the content even more so. The Mirastelai are evocative and superinteresting to read about, especially the intricate symbiotic mechanic and that WILD secret when rolling a wisdom save.

This article is amazing in how it paints the location in the world. And the artwork too! I need to check out Midjourney, cause it’s something I struggle with. I’d love to try to find Dragonspire and explore this region (despite not being “supposed” to).

This is about what being forgotten by choice (though some are probably forced to drink too) and I LOVE that.

“You don’t hear their steps. You don’t dream of them.

And if you ever knew one, you don’t anymore.

The only thing left is a feeling. That something is missing. That something chose to be forgotten.

And was.”

It’s so evocative! One question I had, reading this, was if the effect lasts. If they are continuously forgotten by everyone, which is implied (and so cool), or if it’s possible for these forgotten to be remembered again, to forge new stories?

While I don’t have any myself, the sheer imagination and symbolism of tattoos are deeply fascinating and this article showcases that so well!

There's something utterly fantastical and mesmerizing about locations that shift and fade, defying discovery yet rich with stories and life, and the tale of the Echo Isles is that. Each island is unique, with its own dangers and flora/faunta that bolster its premise and I can't wait to discover more. Also, the map? The art? Gorgeous!

I like the idea that the transformation did not happen geographically, but to the warring factions themselves. The Nulls for me are the manifestation of how war changes the people fighting. Great work!

I love reading myths and in-world books about myths, because myths can be different from place to place and people to people just like in our world. It's a great technique to use, especially when you want to be able to contradict yourself in the future, and I liked this prose and this story.

Introducing a location through the people living there is such an amazing idea and it works. I love everything about this article, the atmosphere, the voice of the prose, the people, the location - Tyrdal is an absolute mastermind!

The idea that you consume a bottle of sleep and not loose time to the pesky habit of going unconscious for a third of the day is amazing. I do understand the drawbacks and the dangers, but come on, the amount of things one could accomplish! Love this piece of worldbuilding :D

There's something strange about fungi and shrooms and this combination with wyld magic is intriguing. Holy crap! It's such a unique take on a symbiotic relationship, and I love the way it's written. Well done!

I like the blend of science fiction and fantasy in this dark setting, and how data and signals act almost like they're their own elements and biological functions. I haven't delved into the lore yet, but it's always interesting when the place of origin happens because someone came around and said "this is the way it is, this is where it happened". A little cult-esque.

What's next?

Over the next six months I plan an attempt to finish The Rouge Angel, which is the first book of the Olirian Chronicles detailing the story of Elmira Delid and her ward Alana Kalar, as well as the illevan insurgent James O'Hagan and the fish-out-of-water politician Arik Ondana told through the perspective of a raggedy Bard in a tavern at the edge of the world.

When it comes to writing I've always been too shy to share, too insecure about me not being good enough. And maybe I'm not, maybe I don't have what it takes to build something that wins hearts and awards or captures imaginations. But perhaps Avaleen and her stories can bring someone a piece of joy, and that's enough.

So it's time to share her stories. I hope some of you will join me on this journey <3

Wish me luck! With much love and gratitude,
MJ