Worldbuilding Awards 2025
My third year participating in the Worldbuilding Awards! Time flies!
We've clawed our way through the last year, and here we are again... at the Worldbuilding Awards! I don't feel quite prepared, but it sure is exciting stepping up for a third year alongside some amazing worldbuilders!
by Strixxline
My Nominations!
When I say I'm blown away, it's an understatement. Thank you SO MUCH for your support! The community love has been unreal, and here I stand with SIX nominations!
My Entries!
I had some big dreams for this year's Worldbuilding Awards, but alas it seems I've arrived with my PJs on, one hand clutching my favorite stuffed animal, and the other covering a biiiiiiig yawn (I'm one sleepy guy...). Well, whether I achieved those big goals of mine or not, I'm still pleased with myself for putting my work out there, even when I don't feel as "ready" as I'd like this time around.
I'm still very proud of the worldbuilding that's come together in the last year, and so I present these WAWA submissions to you all! Works of wonder, for your consideration in this awards season:
Artist's Most Beautiful World
For worldbuilders who create their own original art as part of their worldbuilding.Ayun Sovos hatched around this time last year, and it has been such a stellar source of delight and inspiration for me as both a writer and an artist. From designing its CSS theme from scratch, carefully choosing fonts I loved, and drawing design assets for the world, to illustrating the world's characters and storylines bit by bit, Ayun Sovos is the best and most wholesome corner of my creative journey.
The Path to Adventure - A Sunny Start by Strixxline
Hearts & Minds
An article touching on intellectual, sociological, spiritual or cultural accomplishments and traditions of a people in your world.Ringtale Elementary School was formed with one goal in mind: Preparing new adventures for the wondrous world ahead of them! Denizens of Ayun Sovos strive to live cooperatively — aiding, educating, and inspiring are all in the job description! An absolute delight of an article, that I'm SO proud of being shortlisted during Institutions of Learning! It sets the tone for Ayun Sovos so beautifully, and I'm looking forward to meeting and learning more about these characters and their lifestyles and traditions.
Rise of Nations
An article relevant to the history of civilisations and peoples of your world, and their legacies.The Redeemer shines as the guiding star for the outcast and reviled, lighting their path to redemption. Born from one civilization's violence against another, this shard of Vosra continues to echo her message of hope to those who have lost their way. When a nation's legacy is impactful enough to break off a shard of their principal goddess, you know it's really something. There may be transgressions that none can return from — but Vosra, the Redeemer won't stand idly by and have her faithful abandon the noble path.
Wondrous Nature
Your natural world in all its glory — an article describing anything from species to locations, to natural and supernatural events, and bizarre naturally-occurring materials.Humanity is a core pillar of Malkora — how they live, survive, change, thrive, or perish in the face of the land's chaotic leylines. The Boharin are humans, yet to awaken their bloodlines, for better or for worse. It's easy to overlook sophonts/people as "nature," but we certainly are part of the natural world, and it's at its clearest as we explore biology and the way we interact with the world around us. Humans of Malkora are a resilient bunch, but boy do I expect to put them through a lot as plot shifts.
Strength & Honor
An article relevant to the interactions of the people of your world across a grand scale — diplomacy, war, trade and collaboration, and the people who drive and engineer them.A shard of Strength Incarnate, the Purifier is a testament to Arsavela's tenacious survival through Malkora's darkest histories and continued resilience — but an omen of conflict to come, as his followers grow as zealous as his tenets. Last year I presented Atreimus in his Incarnate form, but this year I'm opting to share a different facet of him instead, one more telling of the people who worship him, and informing how they might interact with the threats presented to them.
Pillars of Progress
An article describing a technological or scientific accomplishment, or celebrating creations developed by the people of your world.It takes a special sort of love to drive you to invention — and the farmers of Brightfield have displayed this love in droves, as they developed ways to cultivate and harvest their favorite gourds year-round! I think there's so much beauty in the simple concepts. Ducky farmers who loved pumpkin pie so much that they invented ways to eat it all the time. Stop by for a healthy dose of wholesome ducky delight!
Myths & Legends
An article describing an aspect of your worldbuilding that's mythical or fictional within the construct of your world, even if it's based on true events.The origin of the gods is well debated into the modern day, and each shard of the Incarnates serves to lend more legend and lore to different regions and populations throughout Malkora. Working on the shard concept for the Incarnates over the last year+ has been exciting and fun, giving me so many ideas for faith across Malkora, and how it can impact the divine. How much is truth, and how much myth?
Best Worldbuilding Article
My pride and joy returns to the podium once more!As your first step into Malkora, you're introduced to the world around your sheltered home by an elder cartographer eager to impart his knowledge on a young adventurer. He stuffs your pack with books, and gives you the grand tour of his illustrious map — what's left of it, anyway. I adore Malkora's prose-based primer, and hope it helps guide new readers around Malkora's primary concepts! With sketches, narrative, and my award-winning map from 2023, this is one of my most polished articles to date.
by Strixxline
I'm still so grateful for the love and support during last year's awards, where I was able to earn myself an award for the second year. Thank you so much for granting Leylines the Wondrous Nature award! I'm very proud of it, and eager to keep developing the concept.
Thank you so much for stopping by — and thank you extra much for having a read through my submissions! I put a lot of thought into them, sending them off with a kiss on the metaphorical forehead and much hope in my heart. If you're a big fan of them, I'd be wildly grateful for your votes! I've seen the competition, so I know I'm up against some stellar works. So, if you think any of my articles to be a cut above the rest, it's a true honor!
Best of luck in the WAWAs! As usual you got some great entries here ^^
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you stopping by to check them out :D
Ferality spreads in the Owlworks!
Seek a new dawn, in Malkora!
Craft a bright new world, in Ayun Sovos!