Summer of Stories 2025

Consultium is corporate horror at its finest: gross, hilarious, and painfully accurate.

If you’ve ever sat through a consultant’s "game-changing" idea and felt your soul leave your body, this one will hit home. I laughed so hard (and cried a little, as it’s way too relatable).

Qurilion is one of my favorite writers on World Anvil, and if you’re new around here and haven’t checked out their work yet, now’s the perfect time!

As someone who lives with three cats, Coco’s article really got to me.

I won’t say much other than that: this is a tribute to a beloved friend, written by Rin Garnett and as with anything written from the heart, for someone truly loved, it shows.

Prepare yourself for a sentimental journey. If you have a pet, you’ll probably end this article by giving them an extra hug and a few kisses. I know I did.

I found this article by Adventures_of_Isle super insightful! While it is funny, it is also too real and honest. Through the eyes of people in the future, you get to see how strange some of our habits might look.

One line particular, really stuck with me:

Yeah. Ouch. It’s clever, honest, and definitely gets you thinking.

Just the title of this article by Blue Fairy 74 is enough to draw you in - Shroomy Hurly-Burly is exactly as fun as it sounds!

It’s a fantastic goblin festival from the world of ELAQITAN, and if your only reference for goblins is classic TTRPGs, prepare to be surprised. This is a vibrant, joyful celebration where mushrooms and music take center stage.

I especially loved the band names; the Rolling Toads in particular had me giggling. Absolutely amazing!

The Saga of Amatolja, as it is referenced by Nimin N, is one of the most atmospheric pieces of prose I've read this month.

The way this myth shifts slightly between tribes, adapted through oral tradition to fit each culture's needs, makes it feel deeply authentic and incredibly effective as a worldbuilding tool. The tale is haunting in places, its language poetic and its pacing powerful. Honestly, this myth alone convinced me to dive deeper into the world of Rosepetal.

How can anyone choose only one article by Han? It’s simply impossible! But if I had to pick one that made me stop and say, “Wow, I wish I had thought of that,” it’s this one.

Calling the Senthiens "spiritual healers” would be an understatement - they are so much more than that. They resonate with something we all carry: trauma. I’d call them magical empaths, burdened with a gift that’s as heavy as it is powerful. The article itself is a work of art, in both content and layout.

I loved every part of it!

There’s so much I could say about this article by Tyrdal, especially since I had the joy of witnessing its creation firsthand.

Al’nahar is a masterpiece of storytelling. Rather than simply describing a city everyone wants to visit, Tyrdal invites us to experience it, guided by a cast of unique voices, each with their own perspective and curiosity.

It’s a collection of tours through a wondrous city, and you get to choose which path to follow. I absolutely love this kind of interactivity and honestly, even the smallest chance to be part of the magic inside this creator’s mind is enough to make me happy.

This is such a cool take on symbiosis: fresh, unique, and genuinely original.

Rather than describing a typical parasitic or mutually beneficial relationship, CoolG takes it in a whole new direction. In the world of Mytharae, symbiosis becomes a spiritual -almost religious - practice for a tree-folk race.

I loved this article the moment I read it. Such clever, out-of-the-box thinking!

I have heard the stories about "Dark Mochi" but honestly I didn't know what to expect.

While the body count in this article isn’t in the billions (as I’ve heard it is elsewhere), this particular horror story is absolutely brilliant. It has everything: a sinister mastermind, a profitable, immoral cause, and the perfect legitimate facade to carry it all out.

Creepy, clever, and so well told, and the art by Hatwolf is just the cherry on top!

As I mentioned above, The Million Islands by Demongrey is one of my favorite worlds, but in his world of High Albion, I’ve found themes and ideas that speak to me even more as a reader. This article is a perfect example.

"Lost” is a chilling, unsettling condition that captures the essence of what it means to lose your sense of self, your memories and your home. Demongrey explores this concept masterfully, pairing in the deceptive nature of the fae and building a haunting atmosphere throughout. The elegant CSS is the cherry on top, it pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

What Keon Croucher did this Summer Camp was nothing short of extraordinary. Not only did he hit that 40/40 milestone, but he was also a constant, supportive presence for everyone along the way!

It was tough to choose just one of his articles, but I landed on this one because I loved the fresh twist it offers on sun and moon mythology. Here, Father Destiny is tied to the moon, and its phases directly influence those who wield magic.

It’s detailed, thoughtful, and a beautiful reimagining the roles of the Sun and the Moon. Absolutely loved it.

Ilifenume is not your average dragon, and I love it for that!

More than just a pet, this dragon-bird was, as Callyxtus puts it, "the greatest citizen of Nythras" and even served as a babysitter. This article feels fresh, heartfelt, and worthy of the celebrity status it gives Ilifenume.

I especially enjoyed how honored and loved it was, both during its life and after. And of course, the sketch is absolutely marvelous.

A definite must-read!

This is how you write a mythical drink, if you ask me!

Everything about this article by CrazyEddie speaks to me: from the hilarious opening quote (and its perfect link), to the epic tale behind the creation of the Hoardfucker, all the way to the reactions of those brave enough to taste it (or something like it).

It’s a delightful, absurd, and thoroughly entertaining read.

Excellent work!

What I truly love about the works of Sorianna Choate is the language she uses - so poetic, so evocative - and the way she often draws from real-life experiences. I deeply believe that writing is a form of therapy, and using it to process and cope with life is one of the most powerful things a creator can do.

This article is no exception. It’s deeply touching, and as always, beautifully complemented by the author’s mesmerizing artwork. I’m so glad I follow this world, and I can’t wait to see more: tales, poems, paintings; anything and everything in between.

Language articles are definitely my weak point as a writer. I don’t have any, and I always admire people who can pull them off.

This one by Asmod really stood out to me because it delivers the heart of the language in a clear and engaging way. I especially loved the comparison between the infernal language and everyday speech as it gave me a strong sense of how the language functions and why it matters.

I also found the detail about the runes rarely (or never) being written on paper because it's considered “too ephemeral” to be fascinating. Such a nice touch!

Zombies have been done to death, but what about those stuck somewhere in between?

That’s what Rumengol explores with the demidead, and honestly, their eerie behavior and strange abilities gave me chills. If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for post-apocalyptic, dark settings, and this article absolutely hit the mark.

It’s a fresh take on an overused concept and it works so well.

Big inspiration for my own work. Huge approved!

As a TTRPG player, I’ve always had a certain image of goblins in my mind. Seeing that image completely shattered and replaced by this unique origin story was incredible. Here, goblins are an offshoot of elves and there’s a compelling reason behind it.

It’s fresh, believable, and just beautiful worldbuilding!

Nulcheck is without a doubt a master of dragons, and as a dragon enthusiast myself, I had to include this article! We’re talking about the cutest, most adorable diminutive wyverns ever. Yes, I know wyverns aren’t technically dragons, but still, this piece deserves all the recognition.

I loved the detailed descriptions of their anatomy and metamorphosis, as well as the symbiotic relationships they form. And did I mention how ridiculously cute they are? Because they are. Beyond measure.

Who doesn't love axolotls? I know I do; they might just be my spirit animal! This article by Chris L is magnificent for so many reasons. First off, the name of these creatures is absolutely mesmerizing. Then there's their metamorphosis, which is not only unique but incredibly well thought out.

And of course: the art! I really admire how this world incorporates portraits and images made with Heroforge. They’re such a perfect fit, and Chris L is an absolute master at bringing them to life.

A fun, fascinating species article all around!

I love, love, love everything about this article by Tillerz. Sound is a trope often overlooked in worldbuilding, but here, Tillerz not only brings it into the spotlight, but they make it an integral, living part of the world of Alana through these incredible mages.

I would absolutely want to play as one of them. They’re deeply spiritual, attuned to the subtle music of existence, and even the sound of silence itself. The highlight for me is without a doubt the origin story, absolutely beautiful!