Summer Camp 2025

 
Welcome to Solaris, traveller! This is a slower-than-light science fantasy set in our own solar system.
About Solaris | Guide to Solaris | Prologue
Spots of summer sun, bumblebees bumbling between blooms, it's time to chill with Camp Chill, and answer the call of copper!
  It's summer, the sun is streaming in through my windows, and I'm getting excited for the big worldbuilding event of the summer: Summer Camp! Summer Camp is a month-long event in July hosted by World Anvil where we get four waves of worldbuilding prompts. Depending on how many prompts you complete, you get different badges. My goal this year is the copper badge, awarded after writing about eight of the prompts.   In the lead up to Summer Camp, World Anvil reveals the four themes and gives some good advice to help get your world in order. Check out the Summer camp prep page for more information!    

Summercamp in Solaris

 
This time last year, my then-girlfriend (now fiancée!) and I moved into our new apartment. It was a busy time with no room for making pledges and prep documents. Despite this, Summer Camp 2024 went well. Fourteen articles were written, a near-silver!   2025 becomes the fourth year that I'm writing in Solaris, and the fifth year I participate in Summer Camp.
 

Click here to see what I wrote

Camp Chill

  Since I first created Camp Chill in 2022, I've been encouraging people to focus on their fun! It can be easy for the desire for shiny badges and completitionist instinct to run amok, and make a fun event into something that's stressful. Camp Chill is about checking those instincts and reminding us what it's all for!   Everyone is invited to join in Camp Chill, or to sit by the metaphorical campfire when you need a bit of rest.  
Rin Garnett made this lovely badge for Camp Chill! Use it in your world with the code [imgblock:4574878] or [img:4574878]

Camp Chill Guidelines

Remember the prompts are suggestions, not requirements.   Write what you're passionate about, leave what you aren't.   Relax when you feel tired.   Fight off any pesky brain-squitos trying to make you doubt your work.   Don't abandon your non-summer camp goals! Write that article you're itching to write, even if it doesn't fit any prompts.  

Homework

 

Nourishment

 
I was so excited to hear this theme! It fits in perfectly with what I've been working on for Saturn lately. Earlier this year I asked the lovely people in the Solaris discord which planet they want to know more about. Saturn won the vote handily. I'll tell you a bit about the work I did, and how it all ties back into nourishment.   When I first made Solaris, I wrote down a bullet point for each planet. For Saturn I wrote "Merchant planet, trade hub Merchant Princes", and I quickly envisioned Saturn as an ecumenopolis, a planet-wide city that was verging on lawless. The sort that makes for some good planetside sci fi with flying vehicles. One of the things I love most about working with our own Solar system is diving into astronomy and mythology for inspiration. I knew what I wanted, and now it was time to give it depth by learning more.  
The planet Saturn is best known for its prominent rings. It also has hundreds of moons, although most of these resemble asteroids more than the moon we see in our heavens. I found it especially interesting that some of Saturn's moons are known as shepherd moons. They're called that because they clear gaps in the rings of Saturn.   In greek and roman mythology, Cronos, or Saturn, has been told that his fate is to be defeated by his offspring. To prevent this fate, he devours his own children. He is also a god of agriculture, and his symbol is the sickle (or scythe). He feeds, in all senses of the word. In Chinese astronomy, Saturn is called the Earth Star. The planet is associated with the element of earth, and the spleen (associated with digestion in Chinese medicine) and the stomach.   As I read, the pieces fell into place. There was a clear theme of consumption, and I wanted to lean into it. I wanted to explore how a highly populated Saturn was fed, I named the moons the Scythe, and I wrote about how the Saturnian Salvage industry functioned a digestive system for the world. I hope to continue that work during Summer Camp, and I'm sure we'll get some prompts that'll be perfect for Saturn.
The Solaris discord is a cozy place where we chat about creative pursuits, art, worldbuilding and more! It's my favourite place to pop by with the smaller updates about what I'm up to. Feel free to join us!  
 
Saturnian Stubs  
 

Roots

 
Our second theme for Summer Camp is Roots. This theme also ties into things I have been working on lately. There comes a time for every setting when it becomes crucial to ask about its history. I'm of the opinion that characters bring a world to life, and the history makes it feel real. During the last events we have explored the recent history of Solaris, like the Scorching of Mercury and the Catamite Wars. It's time to dive deeper.   After this theme was announced, Skye and I sat down together with a notebook and a cup of coffee. We talked about the overarching eras of Solaris, and drafted an outline. It felt like an echo of december, when we discussed the history of crystal tech and spacecraft. I think the Roots theme will have some excellent prompts to take what we have and weave it together into a more complete picture.  

My Worldbuilding Roots

  It's hard to say when I first started worldbuilding, but I first started sharing it online about ten years ago. Inspired by the teslore communities loose definition of canon, and a blog dedicated to reimagining a popular setting, I started to develop an in-world theory of magic, explore new kinds of linguistic genders, and gender identities that weren't based in sex. As Critical Role made tabletop mainstream, I found myself trying out tabletop roleplaying, and eventually messing around with building my own settings for campaigns. One of those campaigns led me to World Anvil, where I shared my work for the Morning Realm.   I had a lot of fun with the Morning Realm, but eventually I felt the constraints of working with Dungeons and Dragons chafing. I wanted to work on something on my own premises, where I could have more fun with the lore. That lead to the world you're on right now, Solaris, which I have been happily working on since 2022.  
A young dragon hatchling curled around its hoard.
Dragon Hatchling by Annie Stein
A young dragon from my previous setting The Morning Realm

Metamorphosis

  I have to say I'm loving the plantlike vibe to the themes so far. The first place my brain goes is the ability the Fei have called Metamorphosis, but when I think of evolution, of purposeful transformation, it reminds me about how Mars transformed themselves from a mostly rural planet to the leading star when it comes to technology. I think I will have even more ideas when the prompts are live, because right now it seems like such an expansive topic that it could be about any part of Solaris.  

Inspiration

  I've spent a lot of time lately seeking out more inspiration, learning about astronomy, astrology, greek myth and comics. Last week I finished reading How to Fit all of Ancient Greece in an Elevator, and recieved my copy of World Heist. The shortbox comic fair was a plenty of gorgeous and inspiring comics.   I also recently read Memorial, a beautiful book-long poem about the people who die in the Iliad. I remembered the red and black deaths in those pages, so many that the names melded into a simpler "more", my brain not able to hold all these individuals, not to mention the many more who must've died off page. Memorial invited me to revisit them, sit with them and their death for a bit.   I'm already the sort who likes to reread the stories I admire. The first time to enjoy, the second time to digest it. I love how media changes and opens up as you revisit it, like we are going through our own metamorphosis. The story and the reader, becoming familiar. I have time now to sit down with my notebook and take extracts and digest what I've read lately. If people are interested, I might be able to share a few pages on my discord and on my kofi.
Taking Extracts
  Writing down your favourite passages from the things you read is a very old practice. This is often called taking an extract or excerpting. I keep mine in a small journal I call my commonplace books. I find it helps me be more intentional in how I weave my inspirations into my work.   There's no right or wrong way to make a commonplace book. I divide the page into a thin column and a wide one, and in the thin column I write in the source, medium, author, and any notes. Sometimes I'll note down the page. In the large column I write the lines I was inspired by, and underline what I found particularly beautiful.

Tomorrow

  Our final theme, Tomorrow. Lets think about the factions and people moving and shaking Solaris. The Lunar Independence rebellion only gained a partial victory on Ganymede, although Jupiter is confident it has pacified the movement. Which of the three heiresses will become the new Empress of Neptune? Will the new sentinel, a living weapon raised to fight extrasolar threats, be what Penumbra needs to turn the tide of the Solar Invasion? The Keepers of the Chain search for the next Keystone of Mercury, and so do strange robed figures.   And now, as I think about tomorrow, I realize that Summer Camp itself starts tomorrow! I'm very excited to get started. Lets make this a good one!
Notice: This article is a stub. It may be expanded later!


Comments

Author's Notes

Feels so good to get this published before the third theme gets revealed. Do feel free to link to your own pledge in the comments, I'd love to hear about your plans!


Please Login in order to comment!
Jun 13, 2025 13:18 by CoolG

Oooh I'm super hyped about Saturn!! Hope you enjoy SC!

Explore the dark and mysterious Inferncenem, the bright and wonderful Caelumen, the dark but magical Ysteria, the vibrant and bustling Auxul or the world of contrasts Mytharae!   Have a good one!   Join the Discord and chat with like-minded people!
Jun 13, 2025 14:56 by Annie Stein

Thank you so much!

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Solaris | Camp Chill | Summer Camp
Jun 13, 2025 15:34 by Menatith

I hope you have a fun summercamp! I'm curious to see how your ideas about Saturn turn out! I'll be joining you in striving for copper and since I kind of expect this week or next week's homework to include something about community, Camp Chill will definitely be featured in my pledge then. I'm still really glad you came up with that idea, fits my approach best and lets me know I'm not alone in that :)

2025 Summer Camp Pledge
Generic article | Jun 30, 2025

Jun 13, 2025 20:13 by Annie Stein

Thank you so much! Always glad to hear that people will be joining me around the camp chill campfire! ^^

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Solaris | Camp Chill | Summer Camp
Jun 13, 2025 19:16

I wish you the best of luck! Interested in reading what you'll write for the prompts :)

Fly high, Guardian. o7
— Nulcheck ¦ Dragonguard Legend
Jun 13, 2025 20:13 by Annie Stein

Thank you! I'm excited to see what you'll do too!

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Solaris | Camp Chill | Summer Camp
Jun 16, 2025 08:54 by Imagica

Best of luck Annie! I hope you'll have a great time during SC! Also, I'm in love with that little dragon <3

I survived Summer Camp! Check out what I wrote in my Summer Camp Hub Article
 
Come visit my world of Kena'an for tales of fantasy and magic! Or, if you want something darker, Crux Umbra awaits.
Jun 24, 2025 08:28 by Annie Stein

Thank you so much Imagica! Best of luck to you too!

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Solaris | Camp Chill | Summer Camp
Jun 19, 2025 12:46 by K.S. Bishoff

Good vibes for your summer camp goals

Jun 24, 2025 08:29 by Annie Stein

Good vibes to you too! I hope you have a great summer camp!

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Solaris | Camp Chill | Summer Camp
Jun 25, 2025 12:52 by Keon Croucher

You spoil us every SC with Solaris Nnie, and this is no different. We going to Saturn??? Hell yes, I'm so hyped lets go!!! Every part of Solaris you've taken us to over the years has been a wonder and joy to explore (even in the tragic parts, Remember Mercury <3) so I cannot wait!

Keon Croucher, Chronicler of the Age of Revitalization
Jun 27, 2025 20:23 by Annie Stein

It's such a blessing to have readers like I do! I'm also really excited to see where these prompts take us, and to see how other people interpret them as well!

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Solaris | Camp Chill | Summer Camp
Jun 27, 2025 09:53

I don't know how but I missed this one - cant wait for Saturn! I wish you all the best for SC and Solaris.

Join me at the sandy beaches of Aran'sha for new adventures.
Jun 27, 2025 20:23 by Annie Stein

It was in private for a bit while I added the last two sections, maybe that's how! Best of luck to you too Tyrdal!

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Solaris | Camp Chill | Summer Camp
Jun 27, 2025 11:14 by Koi

You always have your ducks in a row and so beautifully. It's astounding nnie.

Jun 27, 2025 20:25 by Annie Stein

I'm glad it appears that way! I'm naturally chaotic, but I've learned to at least try organize the chaos. Hope you have a lovely summer, Koi!

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Solaris | Camp Chill | Summer Camp
Jun 27, 2025 12:40 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Good luck! :) Looking forward to seeing what you write. I'm part of Camp Chill, as always! :)

Emy x
Explore Etrea | Summer Camp 2025
Jun 27, 2025 20:26 by Annie Stein

Thank you! I'm glad you'll be joining me at the chillest campfire there is!

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Solaris | Camp Chill | Summer Camp
Jun 27, 2025 19:15 by Paul

Always excited to see more of your work! I usually beat myself up for consuming the same things again instead of something new so I was comforting to read your section about digesting media on subsequent readings. Though let us be honest, I probably shouldn't watch Babylon 5 for the seventh time.

Join the brave skysailors of Linebound!
Jun 28, 2025 08:50 by Annie Stein

I have no idea many times I've rewatched my favourite movies and series, but I'm confident it's more than seven. I think there's nothing wrong with a comfort watch, or to see what else you'll discover this time. After all, compared to how long they spent writing, rehearsing and filming these, we barely spend any time with these stories. Or consider how many times beloved plays or even unpopular plays have been preformed (and practiced)?

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Solaris | Camp Chill | Summer Camp
Jun 27, 2025 19:39

I hope you have an amazing summer camp!

I can hear the stars, they are singing to me...
For more mystery and magic, check out the world of Starsong
Jun 28, 2025 08:50 by Annie Stein

Thank you, I hope you do too!

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Solaris | Camp Chill | Summer Camp
Jun 27, 2025 20:01 by Joella Kay

I like the commonplace notebook idea. And good luck!

Jun 28, 2025 08:51 by Annie Stein

I enjoy it too! Good luck to you too, Joella!

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Solaris | Camp Chill | Summer Camp
Jun 27, 2025 21:46 by Rin Garnett

I've always been impressed by your commonplace book. I've tried to do similar things in the past, marking passages I liked and such, but never stuck with it. I'd forget after a couple weeks and give up on it. The care you take with these things, and how well you stick with it for the long term, is something I really admire about you.   I hope you have a great time this SC, can't wait to see what you do with the prompts :D

⭐ Cause problems in wow that's a lot of stars
✏️ Take a WA unofficial survey
⛱️ Vacation with ghosts in Su-mehr Qiamp
Jun 28, 2025 08:54 by Annie Stein

It helps that the books are always on my desk. I've got so many unfinished journals and projects along the way too, it took me a while to find methods I like and learn how to stick with things.   Thank you so much! I can't wait to see what you do with Su-Mehr Qiamp!

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Solaris | Camp Chill | Summer Camp
Jun 28, 2025 19:03 by Nimin N

Looking forward to seeing what you have in store for Saturn, the Mercury articles were all such a fantastic treat. Hope you have a fantastic summer camp. And I so adore that hatchling. <3