WorldEmber 2025
It's back! It's happening!
Once again I will be participating in WorldEmber, for my 8th go around! While in my wild and reckless youth I could rack up 25k in December, I've since become more measured (and perhaps lazier), and so will instead aim for 10k. All words are a victory, after all!
I will not lie - I picked this row entirely because I had already done one of the boxes and didn't want to do the column ^v^
For the people of Xörrodha, an island infested with dangerous Porriha Coral, they are often seen as a "bit strange" by those of the nearby mainland - who would willingly live in a place which wants them to lie down, sleep, and be eaten by the creatures in the crags? It cultivates hardiness and encourages those desperate for a chance, who will take great risks when there are no other options. And, once again, that solidarity and companionship with your neighbour. The Oracle does not form a pact for their own sole benefit - it is to protect the people of the island. Kind of ironic that their pact isn't with the Divinity of Solidarity, isn't it?
The merfolk who live in the south-east seas are perhaps the best off, being supremely comfortable with their underwater dwellings. They have a reputation for kindness and healing, propagated by projects like the Gudibala Centre. However, their extensive practice of Necromancy, which they often use to speak with the dead, is one which gives many in Thurásin pause. Can you trust those who listen to the dead to care about the living, especially those who do not share their tongue?
Re-read Lieutenant Hornblower/Re-watch Hornblower Mutiny/Retribution. Due to the story ideas that surround Gajaraqlin and its officers, which are perhaps made obvious by my reference material, checking back in on my inspirations is a good idea. I should also consider continuing to read some of my other boat-related novels, such as The Caine Mutiny and any of the Aubrey-Maturin books. Not sure I'll have time to do much of it, but no harm in trying!
Further research on mermaid concepts. For instance - what materials would they use underwater? How would being primarily-aquatic impact on structures designed to also be used by land-dwellers, like their embassy? I've already done a bit of research in trying to answer the question "would merfolk have fabric flags?", which led to looking into seagrass and seaweed fabric, and then into the size and properties of other materials like pearls, shells, and fish scales. Most of this information will be of minor impact, but I like to think about it ^v^
What are the requirements of material industries (mining, logging, etc) in terms of environment? This will have an impact on the various Xörrodha articles, since their industries are what keep them afloat while not being a self-sustaining region/colony, due to the material conditions.
Similarly, what are the requirements for things like farms and livestock? How much would Xörrodha be able to build up its food generation, giving the rocky soil and lack of native grasses and trees? Could trees be grown for timber, or is the soil too salty? I won't be too in depth for this, I am not a geologist or environmental scientist, but knowing how possible it would be to make Xörrodha "habitable" or self-sustaining will inform the perspective of the people there and how articles such as the Duchy would be written.
Once again I will be participating in WorldEmber, for my 8th go around! While in my wild and reckless youth I could rack up 25k in December, I've since become more measured (and perhaps lazier), and so will instead aim for 10k. All words are a victory, after all!
Pledge
WorldEmber Pledge
Bingo
WorldEmber 2025 Bingo
Worldbuilding Playlist
Somewhat awkwardly, I rarely listen to dedicated playlists, and will usually just listen to whatever album from my favourite artists has come out recently, or a shuffling of all manner of songs. But, in the spirit of the challenge, I'll spin up something! Since my clearest ideas for WE involve ice and ocean, I'm going to loosely theme the playlist to match. Boats! Can you tell I'm really enjoying the new The Mountain Goats album?Article List
I have a somewhat scattershot approach to worldbuilding, and I think the best way to reflect that is with a roll table of my options! That way, ideally, whenever I'm struggling with ideas I can roll and pick one. I expect I'll add more ideas over the month as I dwell and do research, and reread old articles.Writing Schedule
While I don't have many obligations in December, the ones I do have do make a consistent writing time difficult. I think I will find the best luck if I can wrench my sleep schedule backwards an hour or so, and aim to write in the early-mid afternoons and late evenings. If I can do a lot of this prep, I can hopefully build up momentum to overcome days swamped with other duties!The Sorts of People
If I do limit myself to those places cold and/or bounded by ocean, then the commonality is hardiness. For the people of Biin, where the officers of Gajaraqlin are from, their climate, geography, and politic position shape them to be strong and imposing, to carve out a path. But it doesn't forget warmth and kindness, as is needed to survive in the dark winters, and that dichotomy informs a great deal of drama throughout the far north.For the people of Xörrodha, an island infested with dangerous Porriha Coral, they are often seen as a "bit strange" by those of the nearby mainland - who would willingly live in a place which wants them to lie down, sleep, and be eaten by the creatures in the crags? It cultivates hardiness and encourages those desperate for a chance, who will take great risks when there are no other options. And, once again, that solidarity and companionship with your neighbour. The Oracle does not form a pact for their own sole benefit - it is to protect the people of the island. Kind of ironic that their pact isn't with the Divinity of Solidarity, isn't it?
The merfolk who live in the south-east seas are perhaps the best off, being supremely comfortable with their underwater dwellings. They have a reputation for kindness and healing, propagated by projects like the Gudibala Centre. However, their extensive practice of Necromancy, which they often use to speak with the dead, is one which gives many in Thurásin pause. Can you trust those who listen to the dead to care about the living, especially those who do not share their tongue?
Wow 8th year?! That's awesome! Have fun and best of luck with all your creative goals :)