Planning For WorldEmber 2023

WorldEmber is coming...

It's the end of September and as the inimitable TJ would say, "WorldEmber is coming." I'm already thinking about it, so I'm throwing together a quick article to catalog the material that I want to work on in November. I want to separate my stubs out by importance, with campaign-necessary articles first, foundational world building second, and everything else third. I'm hoping that this process will organize my thoughts for me and prioritize what I work on!

I also want to use this time before World Ember to focus on rewriting my oldest material to bring it in line with how my world actually functions now. That type of work doesn't count for these challenges, so I want to separate that out now.

Wish me luck and good luck to everyone else!

Week 1 Homework

My 2023 WorldEmber Pledge

kitoypoy's World Ember Pledge 2023 by World Anvil

Past WorldEmber Badges

Focus This WorldEmber: Stub Stomping

Like past years, I'm focusing on stomping out the dozens and dozens of article stubs that I've generated over the time I've been on World Anvil. This year, I'm going to especially pay attention to material that I actually need for the games that I run in this world!

A lot of the stubs in my first section are people, places, and things that my players interact with on a weekly basis that I've never actually fleshed out in my worldbuilding! Time to fix that.

Comment Carolers

Past WorldEmbers

WorldEmber 2020 Pledge Document
Generic article | Nov 6, 2023

WorldEmber 2020 Pledge Document and Article Hub

WorldEmber 2021 Hub & Pledge Document
Generic article | Nov 6, 2023

WorldEmber 2021 Hub & Pledge

WorldEmber 2022
Generic article | Sep 5, 2023

My 2022 WorldEmber Hub and Pledge.

Week 2 Homework

Mini-Meta

My focus this year is based on the task of stomping out stubs, but I've also decided to focus on campaign relevant material for the two ongoing games in my world. At first I wasn't sure how to "mini-meta" a task, but now I know that I need to do it for my campaigns!

Pit Patrol Adventuring Company

PPAC Campaign Tier 3 by Chris L

The Pit Patrol Adventuring Company are a ragtag group of adventurers from across Erathia who've answered the call to become Pit-Meat (ahem, exuse me, that's a derogatory term) Maharlika. They are Kirinal Defenders based in Aurumopolis. On Shatter they face whatever monstrosities come out of the Kirinal Pit for loot the glory and honor of the Concordance!

Their adventures have taken them around the world and even to the Shattered Moon, but they always return to the home they've made for themselves in the Bayani-Sun Casino. They can always be found manning their station on the Pit Wall on Shatter.

See the meta of the PPAC Campaign!
Theme & Mood

Most of the players in this campaign are first-time D&D players. This is an intro campaign that we play in person in my house. I started by keeping things relatively simple. I've been continuously introducing more concepts, but I think I need to level off through the end of the campaign.

  • Monster of the Week Adventures
  • Focus on the Celestial Gluttons
  • Individual ties between characters and each Glutton
  • Campaign-ending confrontation with the Tambanakua or the Bakunawa
Goals & Inspiration

This campaign has been going at a steady clip for a 11 months and will hit the year mark in early December. My goal is to get them to level 20 and a satisfying ending. Then we'll start again with new characters.

  • Reach level 20 and provide a satisfying ending
  • Provide a strong 1-Year Anniversary game in early December
  • Focus on closing existing plot points and avoiding new threads
  • Draw heavily from The Islands of Sina Una
  • Inspired by Gubat Banwa
The Characters

 

Blackjack Heritage

The Blackjack Heritage campaign follows the journeys of the Changeling Skyship Blackjack and her crew of adventurers. The campaign began when Niamhi Silversång inherited the title Baron and the family skyship, Blackjack, upon the death of her father. She summoned her group of close knit friends to be her crew.

Together they travel from the Zone and throughout the Sovranty of Lozar carrying a wide variety of cargo. They attempt to unlock the mystery of the skyship's origin and become embroiled in the re-emergence of the Six Lost Moons.

See the meta of the Blackjack Heritage Campaign!
Theme & Mood

I'm running this campaign for a group of veteran players online. I knew one of them from work and joined their weeknight game. I was able to hit the ground running with them and ran a very complex campaign.

  • Political intrigue mixed with some Firefly
  • Do old gods fit in the new magitech world
  • Re-emergence of lost moons
  • Heavy roleplay mixed with bathroom humor
Goals & Inspiration

This campaign is also hitting high levels and endgame territory. They've ended up fighting the invasion of Infernal Forces after one of their own fell to the God of Lies.

  • Close out Mecha-Tiamat storyline.
  • Leave room for confrontation with Malfador on the Hidden Moon.
  • Start reigning in storylines
  • Plan a Bachelor/ette Party adventure for Lance/Nia
  • Plan a Double Wedding adventure
The Characters

 

Categorization and Inspiration

I've been working hard on tagging and categorization even before we got this homework! I recently created tagged lists of session notes for both of my campaigns, just click the campaign headers just above here! I'm also working on a snazzy tagged list carousel that I can use throughout my site!

Inspirational Worlds

I follow dozens of worlds at this point and I'm always happy to see them grow and change over the years. As of right now I'm most enjoying these worlds.

ECCbooks' world for his books and comics.

Clarkwoods Literary Universe

Week 3 Homework

I just did a pretty intense review and refresh of my homepage just this month with some design help from the aforementioned Annie! I'm pretty happy with how it came out. Here's a before and picture of what I changed!

Homepage Re-design 11/2023
WoWP Homepage Comparison by Chris L
Homepage layout redesign November 2023. Before on the left. After on the right.

Week 4 Homework

This week's homework is all about last minute preparation: cleaning up your workspace, scheduling your time, and finding your communities. I have those things pretty locked in, I have my workspace set up, I know the streams I'll be sitting in, I know the Discord channels I'm going to hang out it.

I've taken this time to just chill out and recharge my batteries. My busy season at work is dying down. I'm reading and organizing outside of World Anvil to look for inspiration. I'm preparing myself for the deluge of creativity that I hope to unleash. I'll see all of you when the embers start burning!

Campaign Relevant Articles & Stubs

Foundational World Building Articles & Stubs

Agimat

Bond Hunters

Captain Bentley Agaric

City of Molndal

Count Hellenbrecht Tun-Razak

Create Ident-a-hedron

Cult of Tambanokano

Cumvel Coyilen

Dillothel Heskiloth

Dolgathan

Duke Verneri Molndal

Far Realm

First Concordant Bank of Kirinal

Grag

Heavenly Hibernators

House Ashin

House Avaloni

House Geminon

House Orian

Karzon Ironfoot

Krosia

Lich King's Crown

Lord Chamberlain Estadir

Lord Tou Dondarrian

Mellie

Menwetan

Minaran Witch Hunters

Red Feather Battlemaster

Royal Palace of Ash

Sekara

Sekaran Academy

Serena Durinhelm

Sgt. Yahn Sunder

Sir Sammael

Sky Fortress

Society of Eniam Tal

Soul Stealer Gangsters

Sultanate of the Talin Islands

Swarming Shard

Talinian Ocean

Tambanokano's Trench

Telperion Academy

Temple of Malfador

Thaya's Tears

The Unbeliever's Handbook

Valentine's Flag

Zone Authority Police

Zone Ministry

Zone Ministry of Edible Authorization

Zone Slang

Zone Tribunal

Player Characters

Nice to Have

Akelian League

Aldarion

Alian Tribes

Amaston the Red

Ambridus

Amethyst Cloudfall

Andaglar

Andin

ar-Idas

Authriand

Bekebeth

Bloody Flag

Blue Network

Bluestar Lighthouse

Bluestar Township

Campus Cantrips

Caves of Dread

Cerassil

City of Ballinamore

City of Equalian

City of Resolve

City of Talinside Bay

Cloud Warren

Concordant Defenders League

Crow Riders

Cryzad's Sea

Daffyd Shaaakas

Dalad-Zuraz

Dregrion Heskiloth

Elven Marriage Customs

Empire of Min Wei

Fran Dohylae

Freal Numor

Free City of Osarrus

Grag Murdek Warfeast

Grag Ragmus Randar

House Baggins

Indrovore

K.S.S. Ready

Kavyajat

Kingdom of Cantreval

Kire Durinhelm

Kul

Lavinia Vanderboren

Lioquar Durinhelm

Llyren

Makai

Marcelo Orian

Marus Durinhelm

Mei Fei

Mical Durinhelm

Mikaal Durinhelm

Ming Shan Sea

Nightwind

Numorian Empire

Nylorae

Ongvir Horde

Orchards of Industry

Osiran

Protectorate of Sollo

Red Mountains

Red Plains

Sativa

Sentinels of the Dragon Isle

Silver Shadow Grove

Stormport

Tamakreton

Tedwen

Temple of the Old Ones

Thane McDrakon

The Colors of the Zone

The List of Sentinel's Children

Unbelievers

Unicorn Fork

Vitra

Vitran Sea

Weg

Ygfyr

Yuchao

Yugangi, Rani of the Aswang

Zintshire



Cover image: World Ember 2023 Header

Comments

Please Login in order to comment!
Nov 3, 2023 23:04 by Annie Stein

You've got this! And a fancy new carousel! What more could a person need tbh?   Hope you have a great WE!

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Nov 4, 2023 13:42 by Chris L

Thank you! I'm looking at the article right now and thinking of ways to improve it!


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!

Nov 4, 2023 00:39

The carousel is awesome, great job on it.   Looking forward to reading some cool new things from Wizard's Peak

Check out some of my summer camp articles, like the dangerous flying jackalope or dragon wasps. Or, for something more light-hearted, there is the whimsical language Gobbledygook and Jaden's interesting job as a guano polisher.
Nov 4, 2023 13:42 by Chris L

Thank you! Looking for more use cases for it right now!


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!

Nov 4, 2023 01:13 by E. Christopher Clark

Ooh, I love that you've got everything in one place. I might have to do the same with all of my stubs.

Enroll in Yesterland Academy today!
Nov 4, 2023 13:43 by Chris L

Thanks! It's very satisfying to see them all in one place and I'm going to try out some new styling things for WE this year!


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!

Nov 4, 2023 13:58

Whooo this is looking awesome! Best of luck reaching your WorldEmber goals this year, I'm certain you'll knock it out of the park! \o/

Nov 4, 2023 14:32 by Chris L

Thank you and good luck to you too! I'm loving Bit, Byte, and the gang!


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!

Nov 5, 2023 12:20

* blush * Thank youu!! I'm so glad you like my little team of digital rascals. ^^

Nov 4, 2023 15:45 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Yeeeees! Stomp those stubs! :D Good luck on fixing up some old articles this month too! :)

Emy x
Explore Etrea
Nov 4, 2023 17:51 by Chris L

Thank you! Going through the old content and looking for articles that are too big to be a stub, but are unfinished!


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!

Nov 4, 2023 17:23 by Polina "Line" Arteev

So many stubs to stomp!! Best of luck! I'm so excited to see what topics you dig into next month!


Seek a new dawn, in Malkora!
Craft a bright new world, in Ayun Sovos!
The Feral Sovereign returns for Summer Camp 2024!
Nov 4, 2023 17:51 by Chris L

Thank you! Looking forward to seeing what you get up to as well!


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!

Nov 4, 2023 22:59 by Elspeth

I have the same problem with players interacting with and learning about characters and places that I only have sparsely documented. Great idea for WorldEmber, I hope it goes well!

So many worlds to choose from...
Nov 4, 2023 23:04 by Chris L

Thank you!


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!

Nov 6, 2023 23:49 by Olarae & Astaroth Arcaine

Wishing you the best of luck championing your goals for worldember this year! Can't wait to read all the juicy new world lore after those old stubs are fleshed out! ^^

_______________________________________________________________   Please check out our project Chronicles of Evalaw or come chat with us on our Discord Server!
Nov 7, 2023 00:10 by Chris L

Thank you!


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!

Nov 9, 2023 10:19 by Fall

Good luck with WorldEmber this year! I'm sure you'll smash your goals, just remember to have fun!

VISCERIUM_signature-v1.png
Nov 10, 2023 17:23 by Chris L

Thank you! Good luck on yours as well!


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!

Nov 10, 2023 16:53 by Nimin N

Good luck and happy stub stomping! And like others mentioned: that carousel is so snazzy, great work on it.

Nov 10, 2023 17:24 by Chris L

Thank you and good luck with your WorldEmber too! I'm enjoying figuring out use cases for my carousels!


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!

Nov 12, 2023 19:19

Looks promising, looking forward what you do in WE.

Sit down, my friend, and let me tell you of Aran'sha . A world where the sands shift and the stars sing, where the wind carries secrets and the twin moons keep silent vigil over it all.
Nov 12, 2023 21:30 by Chris L

Thank you! Good luck to you as well!


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!

Nov 12, 2023 20:05 by E. Christopher Clark

Thanks for the shout-out! It was cool to meet the characters from your two campaigns this week in the mini-metas.

Enroll in Yesterland Academy today!
Nov 12, 2023 21:32 by Chris L

Thanks for taking a look. I definitely put the character info in there for my own reference, but I'm glad you liked it!


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!

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