2022 Reading Challenge!
Hey there, The_Archmagos here, and I have arrived with yet another article.
When I heard we were doinga Flash Challenge, I knew that I absolutely had to take part in it. I have been honoured to have so, so many people not just take the time to read my crappy excuse for writing, but actually find it enjoyable, and Like and Comment on it. During W.E. itself, I, to be honest, was sufficiently laser focused on my own work that I didn't get the chance to read, and appreciate that of others. Now that I know the error of my ways, I have taken it upon myself to read, and like, 10 articles produced by others, each equally glorious, creative, unique, and wonderful to put to shame my own work.
While I am not normally inclined to partake in this tradition, I'll make an exception here. In 2022, I of course fully intend on keeping up with my own life in the real world, from forging ahead in my studies to making some more friends. However, World Ember, and the World Anvil community, has been a source of so, so much happiness, so much joy, that I can't conscience ever leaving the art of Worldbuiling for good, for any reason. That being as it is, my main goals for 2022, as they relate to World Anvil and my Worldbuilding, are:
The 10 Articles
I decided to prioritise articles in the categories I was least familiar with. In WorldEmber, I focused a lot on a few specific categories, mostly Organisation. Now, my main focus would be on , Cultures, Species, and other things more out of my comfort zone.
No. 1: The Tatzel, by PrincessESH
I was first introduced properly to this article in the WA Discord, when a bunch of people started saying how cute the creature in question was, and how much they wanted it as a pet. Having read it, while I wouldn't want to keep one of these things around the house, as far as the article itself is concerned, it appears to be the sort of thing I should aim towards, assuming I ever get around to creating a proper species. In well flowing prose, Aster explained every facet of the creature, from breeding and growth cycles to care advice, in a way that avoided any confusion or bogged down the experience. There was also the excellent use of pictures, though I will have less success emulating that.No. 2: Rules of Healing Magic, by Draco_Elara
I found this article whie browsing through the "(Super)Natural Law" category, one which I once considered submitting to before deciding not to. As for the article itself, while short, it does a pretty good job of relaying a fair bit of pertinent information. It breaks down the system of healing into many distinct parts, and explains them, if not as well as I would like, then at least well enough to understand. The 12 World's magic system, despite its complexity and beauty, has not received nearly as much love as it deserves, and as inspiration goes, this was not a bad start.No. 3: Types of Magic, by RebeccaB
Back on my quest to find a good guide on how to write a magic system, I stumbled across this article, which appears to mostly a list of the different categorisations of magic, and how they pertain to specific deities. While I intend to leave the existence of deities and faith in my world to the individual belief of the people, this article still served some benefit, by introducing me to some other varied ways of approaching magic creation itself, as well as the technicalities of how magic could work.No. 4: BioAlchemist, by Spiveystrange
After perusing (Super)Natural Laws, I decided to check out the Professions, since I had one in mind that I never got to write out during World Ember. After reading it, I must say that this is a high grade example of what a good profession article should look like. This article details the context surrounding the job, employment oppurunities, what the job does, the necessary training and qualifications fr the job, and the career path of someone employed as a BioAlchemist. Of course, format and style aside, the actual content of the article is also interesting, showcasing the marriage between science and magic that I intend on including in my own works.No. 5: Arokush, by Satrium
I actually read this article a while ago, before WE officially ended. However, that first look was really more of a brief skim, and having taken a detailed look at this article now, I can safely say that this is an incredible, in depth look into an interesting tradition, which reveals a great deal about the culture that practices it. The Arokush showcases how highly the related culture places the maintaining of links with its perceived ancestors, the Giants. The sheer time and effort put into the practice, and the associated risks that will fall on the people who undertake it, show how the culture views itself and the traditions. While I still doubt I'll be making a great many culture/tradition articles, reading this at least reminded me the importance that culture has to behaviour, and that even if I do not dedicate a specific article to it, I should always keep it in mind.No. 6: Paldoran, by Kiramull99
I was actually aware of this article even before it was published, when I was helping its writer, Kira, generate some of the finer details in this World. Now that I've read the full thing, I must say that Kira really knocked it out of the park with this article, a compelling, detailed look at this most smoggy of Districts. Paldoran showcases the vast majority of the intricate details within the District. From a list of prominent individuals, and their personal views, sttruggles, and objectives, to the major landmarks within the region, this article is a good look into both the District and the World at large, and offers a glimpse into the lives of both the great power players and major actors, and their often violent squabbles, to the average lowly citizen's daily toil to survive the choking, holy smog. One day, I hope to be able to start on the long process of detailing the actual specific geographical regions of the 12 Worlds. When I do, this article would serve as an excellent example of how I should carry out such a task, showing both great detail and information and a great deal of personality and the sense of a truly living, breathing place.No. 7: The Noble Guild of Doctors, by Rey Writes
Having read some articles for Categories I was less familiar with, I now decided to check out the submissions made by those on lower end of the Leaderboard. There, I clicked on the homepage of Rey Writes, where the article titled "The Noble Guild of Doctors" caught my eye. This article offers a look into the large, complex hierarchy of the medical profession in the World in question, with details ranging from the control of magical healing to the views many members of the public have towards medical professionals. Magic, and magical healing, is a subject that I have always had a great deal of interest in. Some day, I hope to be able to write out at least one article about how magic and madicine interact in the 12 Worlds. This article, while not perfect, would serve as a partial guide to the sort of thing I hope to produce.No. 8: C-36 Aquila, by Cpl. Corgi
This article was one that I was asked offered to review, and comment on, while WE was still technically in progress. Owing to my own interest in the relatively little Military-related content in World Anvil, I lepat at this oppurtunity, and I am certainly happy that I did. This article provides a good overview of the jet aircraft known as the "C-36 Aquila", and explains just how powerful, advanced and valuable it was. It explains the reasoning the nation which created it had for creating it, how the aircraft was used, and how some of the World's inhabitants view the aircraft, and the long and expensive process that led to its creation. Reading this article, and discussing it with its creator on Discord, encouraged me to make my own aircraft article for my World's armed forces, which would become known as the Boxer Barrow.No. 9: The Paper Trail, by Theiket
I came across this article when Thei showed it off in the WE Discord last year, and I remember thinking that it was slightly funny that the man known for his animals made a pretty damn good article on something else for a change. Slight needling aside, I will say that this article only proves that Thei is certainly not a one trick pony, or whatever the equivalent is in his Beastiary! This article starts off well, with an intriguing little quote from the proprietor of this fine establishment. It continues to deliver, giving an excellent overview of the place, and its various eccentricities. From the possibly sentient books, to the back-of-the-back-of a back-alley location of the store. The addition of a possible previous name for the place really adds to the air ofmystery and history surrounding the place, and I am left wishing I could pay it a visit myself. While I may not often find myself inclined to write about little places like this, owing to my prioritisation of more "plot-and-story relevant" aspects of the 12 Worlds, this article is certainly an example of doing such a thing right, and how such a simple looking act can really add a great deal to the very experience of the World at large. Earlier on, I also decided to write about my own little place, in the form of The Port in the Storm, though it is assuredly not "little", and while I had reservations about writing it at all, they have proved utterly unfounded.No. 10: The Fiuthnollan Yellow Jackets, by Iocradedev
I actually found this article while looking through a fellow Worldbuilder's own Reading Challenge article, specifically Master Moondare's, which was the first one submitted to the challenge. Having now read this article, aside from the little buzz I get when seeing someone else put out a military related work set at any time after the creation of firearms, I was also struck by how great of a look into this most exclusive unit this article was. This article starts off with an explanation for the strange little name of "Yellow Jackets", a moniker that belies a situation that could have been a tragedy, and goes on to tell of just how great these soldiers are. From their speial, elite status among their peers, to the great feats of daring their members have accomplished, to the sheer honour and bravery one needs to join their ranks, this article is a beautiful, detailed, and well crafted and flowing look into this grand corp of soldiers. As one who knows me, both IRL and among this wonderful community, may know, I have an acute interest in a great many military related "things". This article more than scratches that itch that I've had for a truly wonderful piece of Military content in World Anvil, and inspires me to create my own, technicaly similar article, in the form of "The Internationals", another secluded, and elite, force of soldiers. As for existing content, I have also submitted an article to the prompt, namely the The 18th Corp "Sand Vipers", and while it could use some polish and care, I'd say it's a pretty okay article as it is.1 Extra I forgot to put! (Sorry Panthers!)
No. 11: The Tilor O Irath'Miesdys, by PanthersEye
I can't quite remember how I found this article, but from what I heard from Panthers herself, I have had at least some effect on its existence! Of course, I'm absolutely honoured to be connected to this marvelous work, and the idea that I may have played a part in it just makes me smile! This article starts off with a brief overview of the "purpose" of this Organisation, which is to annihilate the "creatures of Rathias", which pose a grave threat to Western Agia. It then details their relationship with the "true" nations of Agia, and goes over some of their significant contributions to the defence of Agia, such as the construction and garrisoning of many defensive fortifications across the continent. Then, and I can't express how much I love this part, Panthers goes out of her way to make an INTERACTIVE STORY, where you play the part of a new recruit joining the Organisation. Aside from the obvious incredible effort put on show, this also plays a great part in showing the actual work done by the Tilor on the ground. What follows is actually (and contrary to Panther's own opinion!) a pretty good overview of the structure of this Organisation, which delves into many of the important roles held by officials within it. Much to my appreciation, attention is paid to both the "HQ" sections of the Organisation, which is in charge of decision making, as well as all the administrative and logistical tasks necessary to support such a large entity, and to the actual structure and disposition of the combat units themselves, looking into the types of units fielded, and their general purpose and use in battle. Immediately after this comes a farely deep look into the Culture and Agenda of this Organisation, the attitudes of the Public towards it, and an overview of its history and backstory. There is also te inclusion of a wonderful twist, though I'll leave that to the reader to find out for themselves. In conclusion, this article is a great overview of an important, rather influential Organisation, its structure, its purpose, and the impact it has had on the World of Agia. This article absolutely hits the spot for my taste in "Genre", and despite Panthers' claims, more than improves on my own Work, in the form of my article on the United Commonwealth Army, in quite a few ways.New Years Resolution
While I am not normally inclined to partake in this tradition, I'll make an exception here. In 2022, I of course fully intend on keeping up with my own life in the real world, from forging ahead in my studies to making some more friends. However, World Ember, and the World Anvil community, has been a source of so, so much happiness, so much joy, that I can't conscience ever leaving the art of Worldbuiling for good, for any reason. That being as it is, my main goals for 2022, as they relate to World Anvil and my Worldbuilding, are:
- I will attempt to keep active in the community, which will mostly take the form of continued participation on the Discord. I have made what are, if not "Friendhips", then at least some level of bond, with many wonderful people there, who have supported, accepted and just been nice to me over the course of the previous month, and I hope that I may pay this kindness forwards.
- I will attempt to participate in every single Challenge, official or otherwise, that may spring up over the course of the year. From Summer Camp, to World Ember, and all the little ones in between, I will use every last one of them as a chance to interact with the community, and to continue t add to this grand project that I have inflicted upon myself. I may never be truly finished, but I'll sure as hell enjoy the journey, especially with such excellent folks as company as I travel.
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