Summer Camp Homework, 2025

Week 1.

When contemplating fantasy, I usually think of gods and powerful things. My most played Dungeons and Dragons classes are Fighters, Clerics, and Warlocks, and a good friend of mine is consistently a Paladin. I feel like, partially because of that, religion and faith will play a bigger role in this world. Hundreds of gods supply the needs of mortals, and through their divine power, fill them and their communities with hope. Yet mankind is never satisfied, continually seeking out new experiences and succumbing to desires that are harmful to themselves. The gods, too, have oftentimes faltered. Doubts beget sedition, and the disillusioned fall prey to the Outsiders, who appear before them with promises of luxury, stability, and hedonistic desires, all for a small price. However, they bring nothing but broken dreams and depravity, causing many aspiring talents to fall.

I've gotten into gardening recently. A few weeks ago, I stumbled on an article that said I should add eggshells into the soil to help my plants grow because of the protein. Xùyì, in a way, is similar. I broke the egg. I cooked it to satiate my own hunger far from the plant, but I kept the shells and integrated them into the soil for its benefit. I don't want to have sweeping plagues in this world, rampant famine, and the heart-wrenching pain of having a stillborn be a common occurrence. Instead, the people are fed, though the means behind their survival are morally questionable. Life hangs within a series of scales outside of their understanding. To live, another must die. To thrive, the conscience must suffer.

Similarly, tending to plants does wonders for mental health. Walking and connecting with nature are also important. People throughout Xùyì generally find things with tremendous sentimental value and devote themselves to maintaining them. It's rare to find anyone without a hidden grove or garden, or important people in their lives whom they feel devoted to. Animals are an important part of a community's identity. A family without pets is an uncommon sight.

Lastly, I've had time to think about some mentors I've had throughout my life. Gardening was something I'd been recommended (pushed into) by someone I respect. Every job I've worked in the past has had mentors and those I'd strive to outdo. Teachers and elders have been vital to my growth, and I'd like to acknowledge some of these archetypes in my writing and showcase some of their amazing personalities through what I create.

I had been internally debating whether or not to update this world or deviate from my original direction for a while. I had a premise, but I wasn't completely sold on it, and I'd been (as my track record shows) toying with other ideas. When I saw the unofficial challenge put out by Tillerz I was spurred into action. I'd realized that the majority of articles that I'd written were in desperate need of revision. Xùyì wasn't my first world, so I decided to review some of the articles written in previous attempts to help the world grow. Having said that, I believe that everything is currently updated. I'd ended up erasing the meta, but I only plan on completing it once Summer Camp is over. The accountability buddy agreed to give his thoughts on what I've written and what I'll be doing this summer, which I believe will aid in the meta.

Week 2.

Choosing a single culture to focus on for the Summer Camp was a bit difficult. I think that alone will help my world significantly. While on the topic of the past, I've been reflecting on some of my earlier world attempts. Last year, I tried to create cultures based on the articles I wrote for them. It didn't work as well as I thought. In hindsight, the project was doomed from the start. It was another world created in the spur of creative angst, without having any changes to myself that would set the foundations differently. I've gone off track, but I can't reiterate how good it's been feeling to write Xùyì without relying on energy drinks, coffee, and forsaking water.

Getting back on track. Xùyì was something I'd been mulling over long before it became an official world here on World Anvil. Kjurvog was the original concept and encapsulates the idea for this world. It's the Space Marines to my 40k. That core idea, Vampire pseudo-Mongolians, was the first idea I'd written in notebooks I'd bought nearly a year prior that I'd never used. Then, like mold, it spread to a couple more notebooks. That concept, originally mentioned during the drive conversation from the nerd shop when I bought Innistrad cards, spurred me into writing. Again, off-topic, but it was the most excited I'd been in a while. I've started penning down stories concerning them, and from there it grew. When I joined the March of 31 Tales, I'd shifted my attention away from the core of the world to Trel, the 'sister' of Kjurvog. I didn't want to overwhelm myself with Kjurvog and completely forsake the other lands.

Sparks flew as the metaphorical hammer met the anvil, newer concepts flashing from that original idea. Two nations, and the ideas that formed for the smaller kingdoms hiding in their shadow, couldn't suffice, and I began working on Braal-Ash to act as a counterweight. With this year's Summer Camp, I'd like to divide the prompts between Trel and Kjurvog, with any prompts that I struggle with being used to flesh out some of the smaller kingdoms. Before next year, I'd like to reuse some of the prompts to help other important nations grow, especially when I feel a lull in my writing.

Kjurvog and Trel have been fundamental in helping me understand exactly what I want from this world, and I'd be amiss to not use this first Summer Camp with Xùyì to flesh them out further. Trel is an Empire in decline, never fully able to escape the shadows of expectations their ancestors have placed on them. They boast an extensive history, clinging to the notions of purity and superiority, though their leadership is falling apart. They are a facade, a cankerous beast masquerading as a righteous hero. Maintaining this illusion has forced the Trel to resort to intrigue, sabotage, and skullduggery. Unholy power has been harvested in secret, hidden from the common folks' eyes through the mask of bureaucracy and extensive laws. Kjurvog couldn't be any more different. They are a newly established people, a zealous spearhead against the emergence of the Outsiders. They are a newly formed people, the coalition of many warmongering clans and tribes sworn to generational vengeance pacts, united under the Vampires. They've evolved significantly, at the cost of their former allies, putting their faith in the undying to serve the living.

The homepage needs a lot of reworking. The key information for this world isn't easy to access, and the introduction isn't as creative as I want. It's not my focus, and won't be fixed until after Summer Camp ends.

Week 3.

What transformations and adaptations have the people in your world gone through? What changes are going on right now… and who is trying to stop them

Ripples of the Fallen Heavens have shaken the world, insomuch that the effects are still felt on the people to this day. As the tide washed upon the shores, the people waxed and waned for change. Terrors abound, conflicts arise with a misspoken word, confusion foaming upon the lands, only to be pulled back again. As dry land appears again, the people find relief. The Outsiders are a blight upon all the lands, the cause of this world's sudden change, and the greatest threat it faces.

Kjurvog has fully embraced Vampirism, succumbing to the seductive temptations of immortality. Once-vibrant clans and peoples, adorned with bright colors and accompanied by airy music, have been hardened by creatures that feast upon their hearts and souls. Although they've been successful in rooting out the presence of the Outsiders from amongst themselves, they've been unsuccessful in slowing the corruption in the north. Their dark armor now strikes fear into the hearts of the innocent and guilty alike. Their spirited culture remains hidden within the mundane. Their songs and ballads carry the memories of their foregone history, the magic kept alive through the stories told around the open flames. Yet they are victims of their very own greed, lashing out violently as they sink deeper into depravity. The Vampires themselves are beyond reproof, the gradual decline of their morality leading to misery for their flocks.

Trel, born of murder, has transformed into the paragon of duty, honor, and lawfulness. Bureaucracy weighs heavily upon the land, the nobles hidden behind hypocrisy, cloaked in self-righteous deceit. United under a strong, centralized government, the people have stability in routine, no longer self-sustained but rather part of a greater good. Some, forsaking this reality, have fled to the mountains and forests, building communities in places not yet touched by the Imperial Light. While they act as a constant thorn in the side of Trel, they are a minor annoyance. Trel threatens to tear at the seams as their leadership seeks to avenge the slights that they've endured from their allies, reclaiming the authority that was stripped from them. Yet, not far, their ancient enemies, the Gy'veorn, abound, casting further doubts. Lesser Kingdoms have fallen into similar existences, walking the shifting line between sadism and justice.

Magic has changed, become more accessible. Once it was found within the willpower of the wielder, harnessed through awakening the inner self. Through constant meditation, opening the inner potential through physical repetition and spiritual enlightenment, magic was kept for only those who were deemed 'worthy' of its power. Yet, this was not meant to last. Mankind followed in the paths of the Elders, attaining power through reciting spells written by another, and embracing the monstrous to ensure their capabilities could be harnessed by their offspring. Books and hidden mysteries replaced the perfecting of mind and body, and the blessings poured from the gods were chased by many young and aspiring heroes. As unworthy deities fell from the Heavens, their divine gifts were corrupted, and the paths to magic became a series of false niceties leading to damnation. Every form of magic has those who work against it, for many see it as an affront to their beliefs.

Many others have witnessed the changes upon the lands and work tirelessly to stop them. Nobles have often profited from war, and many of the rebellious seek ways to undermine the alliances, through subtle words and hired blades, seeking to further their coffers at the expense of lives. Speak unto the blind, for they see the corruption with the Empires, the way that magistrates plot to divide the land, danger lurking behind false convictions. Military orders, like The Order of the Sacred Chronology, have been uprooted several times, returning to lash out against the world. An entire ethnicity, the Tianos have emerged anew, setting the world ablaze in the name of their unholy god.

Choose a new genre, style, or author, and take a look at their art! Write what you learned from them and what inspired you.

I'm a very slow reader, and I've recently started a new book, so I can't follow this assignment properly. However, the book that I've been reading has inspired me a lot. There's a lot of dialogue, something that I struggle with, and the characters are so unique. I love the way that he writes his characters, nearly every one of them is endearing, with a strong voice of their own. The descriptions he uses, the colors, sounds, the way the cities bustle, and how the mood of the character is expressed, not only in what they say but in their body language, really inspire me.

It's funny. I had Father's Day off, so I went out of town for an early morning walk. I did some exploring, walked through a few stores, etc. I ended up stumbling on a Farmers Market, so I went and looked at the different stands, browsing the assorted wares. Maybe it's not a genre, but it's art. It didn't matter how mundane the product felt; everyone behind the stands was not only knowledgeable but eager to explain how their products worked and the details that were involved in making them. It was crazy to me how the people were so enthusiastic about worms, composting, how honey really works, and the origins of apples. Everyone there was clearly dedicated to their craft, and was able to share their passions with their unique voice and character. In a roundabout way, it inspired me to be more enthusiastic about what I write, and not to try to conform to concepts and what I think an aspiring writer should be and act like.

Not really part of the assignment, but I was introduced to Electric Guest by my Accountability Buddy. It's not something I'd normally listen to, but it's catchy and good for driving. The song he recommended, Awake, inspires me to listen to different songs and sounds, especially while I'm doing the actual writing. There's a lot of great music I used to listen to, and I'd like to experiment with it.

Read a couple of articles from the community, give them a like (and why not a sticker!), and write about what inspired you.

This assignment is difficult. There have been many people who've inspired me here, and I'm torn between acknowledging them by name and simply saying what inspires me about them.

There are a few people that I follow who publish new articles nearly every day, and my notifications are filled with updates on the articles that they've been working on improving. There's a consistency that I respect a lot, and the dedication to their craft is apparent, and I'm inspired to become more like that with my work. One person I follow posts his role-play sessions, well over four hundred as I'm writing this. These sorts of things are inspirational, helping me to stick with this world despite the feelings that I get sometimes. If they're continuing, I can, without the need to give up and attempt a fresh start.

I've gotten a few likes throughout my time on World Anvil from some seriously talented writers. I've mentioned this earlier, but I've felt guilty getting positivity on things that I'd written using generators and outside help, and comments on things that I'd written without any direction or possibility of making something from it. Having the support of the community, and then slipping to yet another new world is not something I'm proud of. Seeing them still forging away is something that I aspire to be like.

Week 4.

Think about current events that will impact the future. Who is working to create a specific kind of future?

Xùyì hangs in the balance. The struggle between the Alliances, the Outsiders, and creatures like the Orcs has kept the world in a stalemate. Everyone capable of carrying a sword moves the world in a certain direction. The future is uncertain, and the gradual momentum is rarely felt, though many seek out a better life for themselves and those close to them. The unbridled rage of the Vampires draws the world closer to a time of peace, when the last Outsider perishes. The Trel work toward restoring the Heavens, reclaiming the Celestial Courts in a new era of prosperity. Truth is rarely as it seems, and the bastardization of initial desire is often the price of success.

Make sure everything’s ready—from your writing space to your writing schedule—before Summer Camp begins!

Everything is ready for this year's Summer Camp. I'm stocked up on tea, and I've got water ready to go. I've set aside some time to write, conditioning myself to wake up earlier in the mornings and to write before bed at the very least. It should be a great time.

Who or what will help you achieve your goal? What will your sharing strategy be during Summer Camp?

I've got the same accountability buddy from last year, and I've got some people who've read some of my earlier articles and have been supportive of my journey and growth as a writer.

What is my strategy for Summer Camp? I was talking to the accountability buddy about work, hobbies, and similar things a couple of weeks ago. He'd referred to me as a professional hater. Today, I sent private messages, and it was revealed that my Dungeons and Dragons group all agree that I give off strong warlock vibes, each giving variations of 'bullheaded' as the reasoning. I'm planning to tackle this year's Summer Camp, getting Diamond without small and confusing articles. Instead of giving up afterwards, or thinking that another world would somehow make it better, I need to go through what I've written and edit it until it works. Instead of getting angry at my lack of skill and becoming despondent, I need to channel the frustrations into actually improving.