Summer Camp 2025 Reading Challenge

Reflection: I actually did it! I've finally completed enough prompts to finish the Summer Camp (I have a major problem with going into far too much depth on too few topics - each entry has come closer to 2000 words than 300). It may only be copper, but I don't care it's incredibly satisfying.   I've really enjoyed the Summer Camp though, some of the ideas I've developed are some of my favourites I've ever done, and because I'm a few in now my world is established enough where I'm starting to see the ideas tie together (I think all my articles this year are directly tied to at least one other, often more). In particular my favourites to work on have been Deepcrest Pirates - An Upcoming Superpower, Yanar's Monument - The "Spectral Wall"and Bullvines and Suricaretakers - Symbiotic relationship.   Please find all of my enteries here: Arger Growler's Summer Camp Homepage   For this year, I've seen some really interesting ideas that others have come up with, with some of my favourites below:   1. The Feast of the Immortals - A myth about a legendary food or drink by Rashkavar. Thoughts: An interesting idea, especially how it ties into a different races creation myth, makes me think about other races connections to it.   2. Spider's Little Sisters - A charity dedicated to helping those in need by Iristhelop. Thoughts: A cool idea presented interestingly, using narrative as an intro to the organisation. I enjoy how the concept here is based on silk/fabric, and how that links to Spiders as an inspiration.   3. Thread Drive - A cutting edge technology expected to change the future by JaxonLeeRose. Thoughts: Cool idea. I really like the Silk Thread idea - it'd be interesting to see how it effects the setting in general. Also interesting to have things such as a quantum anchor, I'd be fascinated to learn how that works.   4. Silk Pluckers - A tool used by a nomadic culture by Chairlegcharlie. Thoughts: Big fan of the Fungal Steppe part of this history, and the idea of using spider webs for/in place of silk is fun. Given how rare resources were there, I'm interested if they had anything like slik/spider farms to make gathering the material easier   5. Forest Temple Stone - A foundational document for a country, religion, or other organization by Kwyn Marie. Thoughts: An interesting article. I especially enjoy the inscription translation, an interesting and unique inclusion on the article. Temples are always fun as well, and especially their association with secrets/open thoughts - always nice to tie a bit of culture building into monuments like that!   6. Softtusk - A subculture that appeared due to social changes by Lyberodoggy. Thoughts: Interesting, I enjoy the idea of those who're empathetic being outcast more likely to be outcasts, but from that more likely to help each other. The name is interesting as well, as it akes me wonder if it's literal or metaphorical and where it originally came from.   7. Mimic - A species that undergoes a metamorphosis by Raskavar . Thoughts: I love the idea of domesticated Mimics - it's really fun. Makes me think about how you'd care for them - for example could you give one unusual objects to try mimicking as a type of enrichment? And how would you stop them from attacking people once they're large enough to>   8. Hand of Mercy - A charity dedicated to helping those in need - by Lyberodoggy. Thoughts: Interesting group - I like how involved they are in politics, at least enough to oppose the Royal Council. Also want to find out more about Mother Valyane - they seem interesting.   9. Ground Keeper's Stew - A delicious staple found on every dinner table by Sinity. Thoughts: This is a cool idea for staple food, I especially like how there isn't only one set method of making it, but instead differences based on culture. Especially because the base ingredients remain the same.   It does make me question what the different cultures think of the others version of the meal - do they think the other prepares it "incorrectly" or do they respect that there are other ways of making it? Fun to think about!   10. Spokane City of Wheels - A settlement that has been rebuilt several times by Absinthe. Thoughts: A fun idea, I do like the name and the idea of spinning cities could lead to some interesting developments. I am interested in what makes it a "City of Wheels" specifically and why the ancient people didn't take kindly to them.   These have all been really fun to read, and I've enjoyed seeing how they reflect different worlds in unique ways.

---

  World Building Goals for the second half of the year:   For the next half of the year I want to focus on creating short stories, partially to practice my writing style, but also becuase it allows me to do lots of small world building. Ideally this'll give the world more depth overall. For example, coming up with the "Tale of the White Woods" short story as a background for a single character has added a whole new location, culture and set of characters that I hope to develop in future challenges. From what I've built in this Summer Camp, while I intend to use it all, I'd really like to develop The Salmon of Knowledge into a short story itself, and incorporate The Mistress of the Labyrinth - An Ever Changing Place in another story, though specifics on that are vaguer at the moment.   Competition Home Page: Page Link