New Years Resolutions 2025
We made it to the next one, huh? Yeah, we're kind of killing it out there. Light work, honestly.Another year passes, bringing a brand new one to take its place. Isn't it so much fun looking back AND forward at the same time? Reflections and resolutions are funny like that. We did a lot of writing, creating, and chatting over the last year, and I cherished every bit of it! Let's have a little look back and see what sorts of things came from all of that fun and adventure. :)
2024 in Review
WIP Section :)
The 2024 in review sections will be filled in Soon(tm). BUT see the articles and goals sections below!
01 - Jan
02 - Feb
03 - Mar
04 - Apr
05 - May
06 - Jun
07 - Jul
08 - Aug
09 - Sept
10 - Oct
11 - Nov
12 - Dec
January
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Words hereClick through the tabs above to get summaries of each month's adventures and accomplishments!
by Strixxline
This section is NOT finished!
Hiiiii I promise I'll put my highlights of the year in here soon, I'm just a tired lil guy, but definitely check out the community reading and goals sections below!Community Reading
My Favorite Reads of the Event
Some amazing things came to life during WorldEmber. December is always busy, even when there's worldbuilding to do (how dare the real world not pause for WorldEmber???) and articles to read! I had the privilege of reading some excellent work in the quiet moments, both on and off stream. Here are some of the works that really stood out to me this year.
Wake Up! by Catoblepon
This year is one where I started a brand new adventure... and the same goes for Cato! I'm in love with this introduction to Vaelis Arin, and I'm patiently waiting to see where this journey takes us Wayfarers in future chapters. We've already unlocked one new area! How fun!Lichdom by Jontaro
Jon said it himself in the author note, but there really is some deep tragedy in the concept of trading away your mortality in pursuit of lichdom. He really came out this WorldEmber with an incredible article in his hands and said, "I'm going to make you sad today" and we all replied, in unison, "thank you, Jon."Aiterean by Dhelian
I'm simply floored by worldbuilders who can summon languages and scripts from the primordial soup that is the brain — and that's even more true for those who are able to do so during an event like WorldEmber. This is so in depth, and it's making me itch to try my own hand at conlang development again.Secretary of Sophont Detection by kitoypoy
Kitoypoy knows how to deliver fun ideas with humor, and this article about the "High Hatootie" title was one of the creations that tickled the funny bone in my brain this WorldEmber. Humor aside, I'm also just a huge fan of the concept of having to seek out sophonts in all of their forms, protecting them as needed!Sun Elves by Callyxtus
This is a beautiful ethnicity article, filled with so much detail and some lovely art! Seeing all of the different representations of the sun elves was fantastic and, on the subject of conlangs... Callyxtus made a script too! When you finish reading this article, be sure to pop by the Sun Elf dialect article to see what I'm talking about.Natural Laws — A "Shortlist"
I sponsored the Natural Law template this WorldEmber! From magic to the sciences, and natural phenomena and disasters of many flavors, natural law is such a broad category. Learning more about how other worlds work, from their natural elements is always incredible.
Thank you for the reads, friends! Making a true "shortlist" was an impossible task, so do enjoy my approximate top ten articles from the collection!
Yr'rjee Storm by Barron
A stunning article detailing dangerous storms, horrifyingly lethal when at full strength. Story snippets are always a highlight for me, and the ones in this article really highlighted how people of Ethnis live and interact in their proximity.Anti-Magick of Hekara's Abyss by Kwyn Marie
Kwyn Marie has such an excellent method of weaving storytelling into worldbuilding, and I loved getting to know the magic-nullifying effect that has taken the Abyss through learning its history and following the illustrated tale.Prime Elements and Magic by AmélieIS
Combining the scientific with the magical to show off the natural properties of the elements and how they interact! Amélie always builds such cool layouts with lovely sectioning and fantastic artwork.Fire Season by Ademal
Inspired by struggles of the real world, this article beautifully describes a natural phenomenon and how it has grown harrowing and beyond control through history through impactful prose and great descriptions.Vericraft by Ynix
An in-depth look at a form of magic that explores not only how it functions on a mechanical level, but how it's viewed and utilized on a social level, as a dangerous but immensely powerful craft.Spirits by AsterVela
This article explores the concept of the sophontic spirit and its relationship to the body, and it's a fascinating look at how the sophonts of AsterVela's world come to be, how they live, and how they die. Super interesting!Global Water Currents of Caemothas by Crimsoncav
This article was a really cool look at the different types of water currents across the world, and I loved seeing this detail — currents, a staple natural law we often overlook — displayed in many ways throughout Caemothas.Leylines by Oaster2000
I may be biased, but I love seeing how others explore their worlds' leylines, and this article dives into their pattern and function, and their history as well! I enjoy that it references Manomancy, which I included in last year's Resolutions!The Ten Currents by Roots2Riots
It's no secret that I enjoy magic systems; it's also no secret that I love articles that present lists covering a subject, which can branch out into dedicated articles for each entry. So many cool magic types to read about!Resolutions for the New Year
Looking Back on 2024's Goals
"Keep the feral energy alive! — I'm planning to keep my zest for worldbuilding alive as I step into another year as a creator! It's so easy to get burnt out and lost in the process... I'll be doing everything in my power to dodge that, while continuing to spread love and excitement for worldbuilding. Both for myself, and my community!"
We had to FIGHT for this one, but I say we succeeded overall! I've been really excited to build and create in both of my worlds, and the vibes in the Owlworks community have only grown more delightful with time.
Am I battling a bit of burnout? Yes. Is it stopping me from finding joy in my hobbies? No! That's a victory!
"Keep the Momentum Going! — I'm streaming, writing, drawing, and more! This year has been so incredible for all of those things... I just want to keep that going! I'll continue to strive towards excellence in my creative endeavors, especially in my Twitch channel! My main goal is to work on more personal projects — no more commissions, if I can help it!"
Following up on that last bit about battling a bit of burnout: things are pretty hectic right now, especially in my corner of the globe. It's hard to "keep momentum" when the chaos of the world around you is trying its best to pull you down with it. Nevertheless, I'll say... yes, I did manage this goal pretty well. At least I kept my own word and have closed commissions indefinitely!
I kept drawing. I kept writing. I kept streaming. I took lots of breaks along the way, took it easy when I needed to, and put projects on pause to settle bigger things, but I kept picking up and moving forward after all that. It's slow-going at the moment, but it's still forward!
"Build up a new world! — As I take Malkora further into one direction, I have something brewing that will let me keep building in the opposite direction! I have something new in the works... you'll just have to wait and see what that's going to mean! At least, until next month!"
This is the goal I can give a whole-hearted YES to! This was the year Ayun Sovos came to life, and I've had such a blast building it piece by piece, story by story. I've got lots of building to do still, but my new world has been an absolute highlight of 2024 and my creative journey.
by Strixxline
Onward, to 2025: My Goals for a New Year!
Write more stories! — This was my first year committing to writing prose pieces for my worlds, and I'm exploring both a brand new tale, and one that's been brewing for years. I hope to take both further this year!
Build up the Owlworks! — I had some lofty goals in 2024 for my growth as a streamer, but those pesky real life obstacles have gotten in the way of a lot of them (though I'm proud of the progress so far!). Let's take the channel and make it something greater in 2025.
Seriously, no burnout, ok?? — Times are hard, and it doesn't make it any easier for the neurodivergent brain to stay well or stay on task. Let's put our goals in motion, but set aside some extra time for naps, okay? Let's prioritize rest and self care.
Thanks for being a part of my journey, everyone. To those who have read and supported my work this year, I'm immensely grateful. And to you friends of the Owlworks, you make every weekend a proper getaway from that pesky real world.
Keep creating wonderful things, and keep being awesome people! We'll have some great new adventures this year!
I already screamed and thanked you in your stream, but thank you again for picking Vaelis as one of your favourite reads <3
Cool reads: Reaching the Meeraz | University of Delavar | Meeraz Morrow | Catoblepon's rambles