2024 New Year's Resolutions & WorldEmber 2023 Ethnicity Shortlist
I reviewed my New Year's Resolution article for 2023 and I seem to have a tradition of writing these pretty late in the process! I've had an unusually busy December and January IRL, busy with family/friends, work, and campaigns that I play in and that I'm running. But I've had this article about my category judging and my resolutions in my head the entire time.
Resolution Review
Last year I set myself the goals of "Spend my time and energy wisely", "Finish the job", and "Pause to look around." I think I've done a pretty good job with all of them honestly. I was super careful with my attention this year, not taking on extra projects. I actually ended some personal activities that were taking up a lot of time, but not giving a lot back to me. I got started on the first of my "Slice of Life" articles in the Zone and I'm gearing up to start working on them!
I do still have piles of unread books, comics, and RPG materials sitting around (with more coming in!). But I think I've got a bit more reading and media consumption in. I'm resisting playing video games (Baldur's Gate 3) with all my might!
For this year, I want to:
- Continue to allocate my attention wisely!
- Work on creating my own art, commissioning art, and replacing my AI images.
- Create a sales-worthy piece of RPG material OR write a short story.
Wish me luck!
Ethnicity Category Shortlist
Last year, I judged the Tradition category and had 65 entries. This year I got the Ethnicity Category and 91 entries. I read through all of them and this year I'm going to give you my 6 favorites. As always, the winner will be one of them!
Haveni
by usurperkings
Sapha Burnell, also known as usurperkings, is a professional writer and you can really tell by the quality of her writing and her presentation.
Her article is about a future communal society who live in a utopia brought about by a benevolent AI. I found it both captivating and a little scary.
Egregore
This article is about a group of imaginary people who rise from the collective consciousness of a group of people. These heroes and gods are like turbo-boosted versions of imaginary friends. Like all of Chris' creations they're sly, lusty, and a lot of fun.
I hang out with Chris for his work week lunch streams and we have a few laughs while he writes, creates art, and works on his world. You should come too, it's a lot of fun!
Imperial Citizens
by AmélieIS
This article is presented as a primer/intro for new in-world citizens who were conquered by the Empire at the center of the "Imperial Soulmates" world. It also serves as a great introduction to one of Amelie's most entertaining concepts.
The newly conquered are under no illusions as to where they fit in the pecking order, and they had better not get out of line!
Nomads of Mercury
by Annie Stein
These citizens of the stunning world of Solaris constantly travel to stay in the terminator region of the planet Mercury. They are on the front lines of the solar systems war with the mad angels that live in the sun.
I'm always in awe of Annie's impeccable design sense and the art that she creates herself. She's making something really special and you owe it to yourself to make a visit to Solaris.
Meadow Goblins
Blue Fairy turned in a delightful article abut fey goblins who seem to live in a happy, if not idyllic, lifestyle.
I'm really impressed by Blue Fairy's imaginative use of World Anvil's mapping functionality. They used the layers of the map to deliver a "paper doll" experience showing the clothing, adornments, and makeup of meadow goblins from various walks of life.
Ejderhakan
I literally gasped when I came across this article about a race of tieflings/dragonborn. This well written article was well written and full of sumptuous custom and commissioned art.
I follow the World of Evalaw, but don't see them pushing the notification button very often. This article, and the world associated with it, really deserves more attention!
Some WorldEmber 2023 Favorites
And to fill out the list of articles that I enjoyed during World Ember 2023, I submit the following:
Floating Islands
by TJ Trewin
I'm a big fan of flying islands and I love to see how people implement them in their own world building. Here, the always talented TJ presents his version in a new-to-me world called "Journals of Yesteryear".
Their islands float around as a result of hot gas in hot rocks that pull islands into the sky. They follow routes around the world, but can run into each other or even crash back to ground! I also enjoyed the fun flipping article blocks in the sidebar!
Bug
ShadowPhoenix's delightful AND educational Computer Adventures world has delivered megabytes of 8-bit fun the last year! This article, tells about the first computer bug, which was an actual bug! It puts a positive spin on the bane of my actual work existence.
Give their world a visit to see anthropomorphic computer concepts come to life through handmade art! Who could ask for more?
Daglaci
by Mochimanoban
I'm super intrigued by Mochi's universe of world building. They've created so many worlds and so many different types of fascinating creatures to inhabit them!
I've started looking for ways to do "team-ups" with other creators in my own world building. I picked this frozen planet with its terrifying monsters as a location for my resident kaiju killer, Sgt. Yahn Sunder, to visit for his monster hunting vacation!
Oatpera House
Emily Armstrong is another of my favorites on Worldanvil and I've been really enjoying her CulinaryPunk world! She's been working on it for more than a year now and it's getting more and more fleshed out and becoming weirder and more fun as it goes!
I continue to wonder what exactly the people of Culinaria eat, or if they're all cannibals, but I try not to think about it to hard. (Does the food on their plates come to life? Did they used to know them? What happens to a Butter Knight when they die? Is the afterlife the inside of someone's stomach?!?)
Atreimus, Strength Incarnate
by Strixxline
Another of my favorites in the community, Line also has weekly Twitch streams that I like to hang out in! They have a few articles about the God of Protection and Light and I like this one that focuses a little more on how the power of belief works in Malkora.
I especially enjoyed that the god's believers are empowered as long as they believe that they themselves are just! Lots of room in there for juicy character/writing shenanigans, sectarian warfare, and internal hypocrisy.
I don't envy having to pick just one winner out of those six, they're all excellent choices! I've come to embrace the to-be-read/played/whatever pile. It's nice going back to when you don't know what to do next, and having the variety of options you've built up over the years :) well done with your 2023 goals, and best of luck with 2024!
Speculative-Fiction Writing
Thank you, it was tough, but I picked one! Looking forward to what our whole community creates in 2024!
Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.
Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!