2023 WorldEmber Homework
Currently Written
The Pledge
This year the goal is to focus on building out more of the continent of Hellonde. So far I've only focused on the Menait Dynasty, which is where our current sessions have taken place, but even that hasn't been fullly fleshed out. We've established some lore for the Icraiba Empire, for example but have yet to actually put it into an article, even though we've essentially made it canon.
Additionally there are other easter eggs that we've added to Hollowbury, which deserve to actually get noted. Time to write these things up. I also notice that my actual Hellonde Map is severly lacking in pins, time to get those updated as well so that I know exactly what needs to be written still.
There are so many layers deep that we can go with an area as large as a continent so really I'll be focusing on things that are important to the campaign, or a topic that I really feel interested to talk about. My goal is to not spend all of the time just focusing on settlements, even though that would be a very simple way to get my 10K words. I do want to challenge my self just a little.
Realization
So I just updated the map of Hellonde, and comparing to what I have already laid out on the map and what I have already written.......there's SO MUCH TO DO! Won't lie, I'm slightly excited by it, but wow....if I just focused on the map locations not yet written I'd hit that goal easily. But we won't be doing that.Possible Stubs:
Menait Dynsaty
Campaign Relevant
Icraiba Empire
Week 2's Homework: Hellonde's Mini Meta
Hellonde is divided into three sections Menait Dynasty, Icraiba Empire, Roning. Each of these three countries is vastly different. This leads to struggling relations between the three powers of the contintent, mostly impacts the center of the continent which is currently held by the Icraiba Empire.
The Menait Dynasy
The Menait Dynasty is greco-roman inspired, with deep purples and golds. The primary race of the country is Orc's with Elves and humans being in the minority. The largest land area is known as the Dragonfire Lands. They're imbuded with the heat from the Dragon Flame Lantern, which contains Tiaphon's flame.
Right now the campaign focuses on this country, with the major city of Hollowbury which is found in the Kiadu Wilderness, being written out. There are still alot of settlements that need to be drafted, in the Wilderness before we get to the Dragonfire Lands.
The Icriaba Empire
The Icraiba Empire is Egyptian Inspired, with deep turqoise and copper/bronze accents. It's a desert county that's teetering on the brink of a civil war, due to infighting between the twin prince and princess. The primary race of the Empire is human's with other species taking a major minority. Most of the civilization, with the exception of the capital is situated along the coast or other waterways. The country has a very steampunk feeling, and they prioritize tech over magic.
Roning
Roning is an elven empire based on Mideval Germany. It's dark and gloomy, with all city's existing in tree cities. They are a secluded people. The feeling is very Grim's Fairy Tales where bad things always happen on the ground.
Week 3 Homework:
Organization
Not much to be done this week since I reorganized the world last year and haven't done a ton of world building this year. I'm really happy withe the current layout, and know where most everything goes and how it gets sorted.
Week 4 Homework:
Last minute prep
Since this year I'm working while also doing world Ember, I think most importantly is finding a schedule and sticking to it. Or in my case putting the articles I'm going to write into my project planner and giving them a due date, generally on weekends.
If I foucs on just adding 1,000 words to the world a day, every Saturday and Sunday I'll be good go to go come the end of the month. How advantageous that the first of the month falls on a Friday, giving us 5 weekends, and 10 days to work. I'll probably work on articles before and after work as the mood hits me as well.
Identifying what's most useful to the campaign is a really smart place to start. I've fallen into the trap of creating extensive location details and then the players decide they're going to take a different path instead. :) Have a great WorldEmber!
100%. My players love to add so much character to my worlds. So I've learned to just relax and build the framework. They can decide what's important. Last campaign we established a "Punny Emporium" that has turned into a global brand, one in EVERY major city. They know there's one in the place they currently are, haven't bothered to look for it, or ask for it. So I haven't written the location yet. Instead we have a Pet store, a candle shop, a shady theater, a pretzel cart, and a guard station. These have become the most important places so far.
Exactly! It worried me to start with, but giving them space to explore makes such a difference. It also means I've learned to move things around based on what they want to do. No longer going to the town with the creepy castle that has loads of cool puzzles? No problem. Turns out the castle is also on the other side of the country in the mountains. Who knew? :) I love the idea of a "Punny Emporium", what kind of things does it sell?
Ultra rare enchanted items that there are very few of in existence. In stock items change daily, and there's always a pun on the door. First person of the day to get correct get's an item for free. So it's always best to go first thing in the morning. All but one store is run by a hologram. So they've never actually met the owner himself.
That is very cool! I love that! :D