Summer Camp 2024
It's that time again! I've looked forward to these for the last two years but have always had an issue getting them done, so this year I'm going to put in some more effort, and that starts with the prep work (Even if it is just three days before the Summer Camp begins).
Change can be big and small—from the size of a small community or city to the entire universe—, and it can be positive and negative.
There are already many changes happening in the world of Calmoran, and many in the past that I could expand on. With my current focus on one region of the world where my players' characters are currently located, there is plenty of room for more change, both good and bad. Especially bad.
Since I've never successfully made it even to the first badge on a summer camp due to time restrictions or lack of motivation, I'm gonna aim low, but won't stop at it. I'm putting most of my effort in to expanding the land that my players are currently in. I thought of creating a whole new world, but that's a bunch of work I don't see myself doing yet. Though my focus is specific, I hope to be able to have the majority of the prompts relate to the region in my world known as Trandrafia, but can easily expand outward if I feel the need.
Well, while I can say that the categories have been more streamlined recently (still need some tweaking. This is the third or fourth time I've restructured them.), my tags are probably don't get as much use at the moment so that is a project for another day.
Some of theses ideas have been touched on only in thought, written down on some scrap piece of paper to be lost but somehow remembered. With the Empire on their world conquering tour, there are a lot of people in that region who would seek refuge. The past holds many events that would cause entire civilizations to seek refuge either mundanely or magically. There is even an individual who sought their own style of refuge through self-imprisonment. I think, given some time that ideas could flow pretty well. With fantasy, all kinds of possibilities are there.
While I don't want to give the task of policing me for the month to anyone - especially my friends - I do have an active group of players that seem to enjoy when I drop articles in our discord, in which I made a channel for world articles alone to keep them seperate. I always feel more motivated when I know someone else is enjoying what I'm making, so it's just a matter of posting to my discord and creating things that are relavent to the stories I am running or have run with my players that will be the trick here.
It's been a while since I've successfully styled a web page and I think I've done the minimum necessary to be happy with the way it is for the moment. In the future I may revisit CSS and uproot the entirety of the styling, but for now it works.
Religious and cultural beliefs have always been a favorite of mine to think on. I have multiple pantheons that can fit about anything. Additionally, where I intend to focus my worldbuilding has a lot of Old influences that would be extinct or dormant godly powers and hidden forces that inspire myths and superstitions. Probably going to be my favorite theme.
Most of my inspirations are visual or real world inspirations that live rent-free in my head rather than in a document. I've got enough ideas to pull something out if I need to.
So many pictures. So many. As for maps, I'm working on it, but I don't think I need one beyond the regional one I have now for the most part.
Another great theme that fits with my focus. Trandrafia, where I intend to focus my efforts, is home to traditions that welcome necromancy, promote a respect for the full life and death cycle, and have been through a number of events that could easily be described as political or governmental decay.
This is probably going to be the most difficult. I tend to get very distracted on my PC when I write, so I will need to set time aside or dedicate my laptop (where I don't have multiple monitors for youtube, twitch, or netflix going) to my writing.
This is something I'll have to work on in the future, but for my purposes now it works.
Week 1: Get Yourself Organized!
Theme: Change
Tumultuous times are interesting moments to set stories in, whether they be due to natural disasters, sickness, conflicts, or others. Characters face unusual challenges, infrastructure breaks down, and society as a whole can change.Change can be big and small—from the size of a small community or city to the entire universe—, and it can be positive and negative.
Assignment 1
Consider what kind of changes would fit in with your world's themes, genre and other foundational points.
Consider what kind of changes would fit in with your world's themes, genre and other foundational points.
There are already many changes happening in the world of Calmoran, and many in the past that I could expand on. With my current focus on one region of the world where my players' characters are currently located, there is plenty of room for more change, both good and bad. Especially bad.
Prepare Yourself: Set Your Goal
Assignment 2
Based on this, decide how many prompts you'll go for during Summer Camp. Then, download the pledge document and fill it accordingly!
Based on this, decide how many prompts you'll go for during Summer Camp. Then, download the pledge document and fill it accordingly!
Since I've never successfully made it even to the first badge on a summer camp due to time restrictions or lack of motivation, I'm gonna aim low, but won't stop at it. I'm putting most of my effort in to expanding the land that my players are currently in. I thought of creating a whole new world, but that's a bunch of work I don't see myself doing yet. Though my focus is specific, I hope to be able to have the majority of the prompts relate to the region in my world known as Trandrafia, but can easily expand outward if I feel the need.
Prepare Your World: Categories & Tags
Assignment 3
Get your categories and tags organized!
Get your categories and tags organized!
Well, while I can say that the categories have been more streamlined recently (still need some tweaking. This is the third or fourth time I've restructured them.), my tags are probably don't get as much use at the moment so that is a project for another day.
Week 2
This Week's Theme: Refuge
Where do you go when everything around you changes? A refuge can be a literal place (like a building or a city), but it can also be anything that keeps you safe or comforts you. The change someone takes refuge from can also be small in the grand scheme of things—sometimes, small changes can have deep consequences on a specific person or group.Assignment 1
Consider what kinds of refuge would fit in with your world's themes, genre, and other foundational points.
Consider what kinds of refuge would fit in with your world's themes, genre, and other foundational points.
Some of theses ideas have been touched on only in thought, written down on some scrap piece of paper to be lost but somehow remembered. With the Empire on their world conquering tour, there are a lot of people in that region who would seek refuge. The past holds many events that would cause entire civilizations to seek refuge either mundanely or magically. There is even an individual who sought their own style of refuge through self-imprisonment. I think, given some time that ideas could flow pretty well. With fantasy, all kinds of possibilities are there.
Prepare Yourself: Find An Accountability Buddy
Assignment 2
Find a community—whether that’s our Discord server, Facebook Group, your RPG or friend group, or something else.
Find a community—whether that’s our Discord server, Facebook Group, your RPG or friend group, or something else.
While I don't want to give the task of policing me for the month to anyone - especially my friends - I do have an active group of players that seem to enjoy when I drop articles in our discord, in which I made a channel for world articles alone to keep them seperate. I always feel more motivated when I know someone else is enjoying what I'm making, so it's just a matter of posting to my discord and creating things that are relavent to the stories I am running or have run with my players that will be the trick here.
Prepare Your World: Styling
Assignment 3
Find ways to improve styling and layout in your world!
Find ways to improve styling and layout in your world!
It's been a while since I've successfully styled a web page and I think I've done the minimum necessary to be happy with the way it is for the moment. In the future I may revisit CSS and uproot the entirety of the styling, but for now it works.
Week 3
This Week's Theme: Belief
Religious belief is a foundational element for many cultures, but belief doesn't have to be about religion! Beliefs can be about superstition, urban legends and myths, people you believe in, and more. Essentially, anything and anyone that inspires people, for good or ill.Assignment 1
Consider what kind of beliefs would fit in with your world's themes, genre, and other foundational points.
Consider what kind of beliefs would fit in with your world's themes, genre, and other foundational points.
Religious and cultural beliefs have always been a favorite of mine to think on. I have multiple pantheons that can fit about anything. Additionally, where I intend to focus my worldbuilding has a lot of Old influences that would be extinct or dormant godly powers and hidden forces that inspire myths and superstitions. Probably going to be my favorite theme.
Prepare Yourself: Find Your Inspiration IRL
Assignment 2
Create a bank of inspirations! Quotes, music, description of experiences and shower thoughts, etc.
Create a bank of inspirations! Quotes, music, description of experiences and shower thoughts, etc.
Most of my inspirations are visual or real world inspirations that live rent-free in my head rather than in a document. I've got enough ideas to pull something out if I need to.
Prepare Your World: Images Gallery and Maps
Assignment 3
Find art and pictures that inspire you, and grab a map if you don't have one (and need one).
Find art and pictures that inspire you, and grab a map if you don't have one (and need one).
So many pictures. So many. As for maps, I'm working on it, but I don't think I need one beyond the regional one I have now for the most part.
Week 4
This Week's Theme: Decay
Most things decay over time, but, just like all other themes, decay can be understood in a multitude of ways. There's physical decay, but there's also moral decay—both often go hand-in-hand with old organizations, and physical decay can be used as a metaphor for moral decay. And decay isn't always a bad thing - an evil empire might crumble so something better can flourish. Think about how people in your world try to prevent decay too!Assignment 1
Consider what kind of decay would fit in with your world's themes, genre, and other foundational points.
Consider what kind of decay would fit in with your world's themes, genre, and other foundational points.
Another great theme that fits with my focus. Trandrafia, where I intend to focus my efforts, is home to traditions that welcome necromancy, promote a respect for the full life and death cycle, and have been through a number of events that could easily be described as political or governmental decay.
Prepare Yourself: Optimize Your Environment
Assignment 2
If you like special tea when you write, stock up for a month. Tidy your office, make a “do not disturb” sign, and think about any other last-minute strategies to optimize your writing space and time!
If you like special tea when you write, stock up for a month. Tidy your office, make a “do not disturb” sign, and think about any other last-minute strategies to optimize your writing space and time!
This is probably going to be the most difficult. I tend to get very distracted on my PC when I write, so I will need to set time aside or dedicate my laptop (where I don't have multiple monitors for youtube, twitch, or netflix going) to my writing.
Prepare Your World: Review Your Homepage
Assignment 3
Review your world homepage to hook potential readers!
Review your world homepage to hook potential readers!
This is something I'll have to work on in the future, but for my purposes now it works.
Progress
Copper Change
Silver Refuge
Gold Belief
Diamond Decay
All Articles
Copper Change
8 Prompts
2 Wild Card Prompts
Theme Description
Tumultuous times are interesting moments to set stories in, whether they be due to natural disasters, sickness, conflicts, or others. Characters face unusual challenges, infrastructure breaks down, and society as a whole can change.
Change can be big and small—from the size of a small community or city to the entire universe—, and it can be positive and negative.
My Goal
At least 4 prompts.
Silver Refuge
8 Prompts
2 Wild Card Prompts
Theme Description
Where do you go when everything around you changes? A refuge can be a literal place (like a building or a city), but it can also be anything that keeps you safe or comforts you. The change someone takes refuge from can also be small in the grand scheme of things—sometimes, small changes can have deep consequences on a specific person or group.
My Goal
At least 4 Prompts
Gold Belief
8 Prompts
8 Wild Card Prompts
Theme Description
Religious belief is a foundational element for many cultures, but belief doesn't have to be about religion! Beliefs can be about superstition, urban legends and myths, people you believe in, and more. Essentially, anything and anyone that inspires people, for good or ill.
My Goal
At least 4 Prompts
Diamond Decay
8 Prompts
2 Wild Card Prompts
Theme Description
Most things decay over time, but, just like all other themes, decay can be understood in a multitude of ways. There's physical decay, but there's also moral decay—both often go hand-in-hand with old organizations, and physical decay can be used as a metaphor for moral decay. And decay isn't always a bad thing - an evil empire might crumble so something better can flourish. Think about how people in your world try to prevent decay too!
My Goal
At least 4 prompts
Prompts
Copper Change
Prompt 1
Geography/Location
Prompt 2
Natural Law
Prompt 3
Character
Prompt 4
Condition
Prompt 5
Document
Prompt 6
Ethnicity
Prompt 7
Military Conflict
Prompt 8
Vehicle
Wild Card
Prompt 9
Myth/Legend
Wild Card
Prompt 10
Building
Silver Refuge
Prompt 1
Select Type
Prompt 2
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Prompt 3
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Prompt 4
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Prompt 5
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Prompt 6
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Prompt 7
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Prompt 8
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Wild Card
Prompt 9
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Wild Card
Prompt 10
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Gold Belief
Prompt 1
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Prompt 2
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Prompt 3
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Prompt 4
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Prompt 5
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Prompt 6
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Prompt 7
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Prompt 8
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Wild Card
Prompt 9
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Wild Card
Prompt 10
Select Type
Wild Card
Prompt 11
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Wild Card
Prompt 12
Select Type
Wild Card
Prompt 13
Select Type
Wild Card
Prompt 14
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Wild Card
Prompt 15
Select Type
Wild Card
Prompt 16
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Diamond Decay
Prompt 1
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Prompt 2
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Prompt 3
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Prompt 4
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Prompt 5
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Prompt 6
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Prompt 7
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Prompt 8
Select Type
Wild Card
Prompt 9
Select Type
Wild Card
Prompt 10
Select Type
Tracking Statblock by Graylion
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