Summer Camp 2026 - Prep
I hereby pledge to attempt the Silver Badge in the summer of 2026 through work on both of my worlds: Avaleen & Caelworth Prime.
Hello again!
It's been a whirlwind year and I can't believe we're back for Summer Camp, it feels like yesterday and at the same time five years ago. It's been a crazy year with a new job, deep, dark mental valleys and the greatest highs. To be honest; I might be a little knackered. But the sun shines 19 hours a day and it's summer here at the top of the world. What better time than to attempt some new writing?
This year I'll be brining both my worlds into the fray; Avaleen and Caelworth Prime. Caelworth Prime is a dystopian steampunk world on the other side of the apocalypse event called the Silence. It's my attempt at building and creating a whole new RPG D100 system (Is it original? Who knows? Who cares?). I'll be developing both worlds as inspiration takes me.
Can't wait to be on this journey with you!
All my love,
M.
Week 1
This week's theme: Spring/Love
Love doesn't have to be romantic, and it definitely doesn't have to be between people (patriotism, hobbies...)
How does LOVE manifest in the world of Avaleen?
In so many ways. It's in the love of one's own home, in one's history and traditions. It's also in the love of knowledge, the pursuit of the unknown (which leads to recklessness and sometimes greed and hubris), it's in nature and magic, it's truly everywhere.
But love is also dangerous; it can quickly turn to obsession, which leads to wars and death and destruction. Just as much as love can build and strengthen, it can tear down and weaken. That's the duplicity of love.
How does LOVE manifest in the world of Caelworth Prime?
It can be small things, such as an act of kindness in an otherwise harsh community. Unexpected aid, someone covering up your mistakes. Of course, there would not be a society without romantic entanglements. But love in Varnaxis is in the beauty of the cracks; in invention and curiosity, in dreams, in prolonged life even.
Week 1 Hopscotch - rolled a 3
Review your homepage and world primer, does it still hold up?Review and update your world layout.
Review your maps and timelines.
Create or update your world's meta document.
Both my worlds are fairly consistent, though I'm sure someone will find that's not always the case. They don't look like I want them to look, mostly because I just can't wrap my head around CSS. Avaleen's maps are updated, though there will be additions over the coming weeks as I'm also working to complete the Campaign Book (yes, that one, the one that's been in the works for years at this point). I'm like Rothfuss; small steps and a lot of time!
Week 2
This week's theme: Summer/Growth
Growth doesn't apply to only plants and animals. People grow intellectually, cities grow in size, and a faction's influence can grow to reach every corner of society. So what kinds of things are known for having grown recently in your world? To choose an area of focus, pick either a geographical area or an area of knowledge (such as magic, factions, etc) that is small enough to be focused but large enough to have a lot of possibilities.
AREA OF FOCUS IN AVALEEN: Ala, the smallest continent of Avaleen.
WHY? It's underdeveloped in comparison to the other parts of the world, and it represents the primal, ancient magic that once coursed through the entire world. I'd like to explore how that manifests in modern times.
RELATED ARTICLES:
INTERESTING CONCEPTS:
- Ancient arcana
- Wild magic
- The old world within the new
- Wandering goddess
- Power of the wild/nature
- Mysticism
AREA OF FOCUS IN CAELWORTH PRIME: Varnaxis
WHY? It's the main city that we explore as players in Smoke & Sovereigns, and it represents the social-economic structure of the world at large.
INTERESTING CONCEPTS:
- Power
- Survival
- Techbased life
- Dark societies
- Extravagant luxury based on suffering
Week 2 Hopscotch - rolled a 2
Why did you choose this area of focus?Make a list of related articles and consider expanding them.
Make a list of concepts you'd like to explore.
Week 3
This week's theme: Autumn/Loss
Loss can refer to death, but just like how trees don't die when they lose their leaves, this theme can be about so many other things! A lost language or culture, a forgotten relic, or a ritual honoring ancestors are also related to loss. Based on the goal you pledged in Week 1, think about how much time you'll need to complete your Summer Camp goal. Look at your calendar for July and find which days you'll be able to write.
I'll be able to write for half the month as I'm off on a very exciting project from the 19th onwards. That means doing the bulk of my writing as soon as I can on the free days that I have. It's going to be tough, but I hope that inspiration will sweep me along for the ride!
Week 3 Hopscotch - rolled a 4
What's your typical creative process and routine?I am generally quite spontaneous and intuitive, which makes planning hard. My creativity isn't one to be called about, but rather an urge that comes from nowhere. Well, somewhere, but I don't know from where just yet. Therefore, I don't have a routine. I try to create one, and it might last twice, maybe a couple of days if I'm lucky and then it's gone again. But in order not to lose hope and will in my writing and creation, I'll let that slide.
There is no must in Summer Camp. There is no failure. What comes comes, what does not is not meant for right now or just yet.
I am rewatching Stargate and finding my way back into the world of Exandria.
Go for a walk.Read articles from other Avilites.
Gather inspirational materials.
On pure impulse I started listening to Howl's Moving Castle (that narrator is the BEST!) and it's such a fun, whimsical story and world. That's the vibe I want for Ala to set it apart from Oliria and Khorun and Varu. I'm starting the next two books from the same author now, too.
Week 4
This week’s theme: Family
Winter is a cold season, but throughout many cultures this has created in-door cozy festivals and celebrations with family. Family doesn't have to be biological and it can refer to a variety of different things! A family of plants or languages, tight-knit communities, pantheons... What do families look like in your area of focus, and which other meanings of "family" can you find in your world?
Assignment: What's your goal as a worldbuilder?
Why are you a worldbuilder? What do you aim to do with the world you're creating? It could be a tangible product or something more personal.
Avaleen is a mesh of fantasy stories that have lived in my head since I could comprehend language and storytelling. Tangibly, I'd like to publish the Olirian Chronicle-trilogy focusing on Elmira Delid, Alana Kalar, and James O'Hagan as they face the Dark Storm tearing at the seams of reality.
I also want to publish the Campaign Setting, as it is being worked on Homebrew and in this section Avaleen - The Third Sundering.
But why am I writing it? Well --
I want a story that is wild, untamed, and limitless in its execution. I want a story that tells of the maturing of a young, reckless woman with a lot of potential into a powerful, high-status woman at the top of her game. I want a story about a woman trying to fit into the role society has given her, while wanting to be a reckless woman going on adventures. I want a story about a man who realizes that most of his life has been a lie. Who works to be ok with that. I want a story about love. I want a story about grief. I want a story about friendship. I want a story with unforced diversity. I want a story that grips the reader, but also carries the reader across the twists and turns. I want a story about duty vs. integrity. I want a story which is narrowly anchored in our own reality, yet is fantasy through and through. I want a story with two people in the woods, not a band of misfits. I want a story about betrayal, about finding oneself, about strangeness. I want a story that stands on the shoulders of David Eddings, Ursula K. Le Guin and Stargate. I want a story on the fringe of society. I want a story in the heart of that same society. I want a story about perspective.
Week 4 Hopscotch - rolled a 3
Which articles do you need to achieve your creative goal?Don't know, guess I'll find out when we get the prompts!
Find a community.The Discord WorldAnvil community is amazing and was a true support last year, can't wait to delve into this Summer with you all again!
Take a break and re-energize before Summer Camp begins!Prepare your writing space.
I have created a room of my balcony and it is amazing, cozy and just right.
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