The Worldbuilding Summer time Camp is right here! This fourth and last immediate wave is themed round Decay, so let’s have a look at how one can strategy this theme and the assorted prompts!
The diamond theme: decay
Most issues decay over time, however, identical to all different themes, decay could be understood in a mess of the way. There’s bodily decay, however there’s additionally ethical decay—each usually go hand-in-hand with previous organizations, and bodily decay can be utilized as a metaphor for ethical decay. Take into consideration how folks in your world attempt to stop decay too! Decay itself implies change, so you have got a simple reference to the primary theme right here, and many individuals will most likely wish to take some kind of refuge towards the decay!
Decay prompts
These are the prompts that comply with the theme of Decay. To reply them, go to the Summer time Camp problem web page!
Someplace in your world, describe…
31. A delusion or prophecy in regards to the finish of the world [Myth]
Spiritual apocalypse tales, Mayan 2012 prophecy, Dagor Dagorath (Center-Earth)
Let’s begin from the top! How do folks in your world think about the top of the world? Tales in regards to the finish of the world can function warnings or ethical classes, or generally they will merely come from a misunderstanding of historical past (just like the Mayan 2012 prophecy). For a fictional instance, Dagor Dagorath is the ultimate battle of Center-Earth, as prophecized by one of many world’s divinities. Identical to how previous historical past provides depth to your world, so does increasing in your folks’s imaginative and prescient of the longer term! So for this immediate, think about the cultural context and the aim it serves. Is it a cautionary story, a promise of renewal, or one thing else solely?
32. A cloth that’s immune to decay [Material]
Stainless steal, mithril, adamantium
In fiction, creating issues that transcend our real-world capabilities is a good way so as to add a way of surprise or awe. For supplies, that is usually associated to indestructibility, like Marvel’s adamantium and Center-Earth’s mithril. After all, supplies don’t should be supernatural to suit this immediate: common gold doesn’t corrode, which makes it an enduring image of wealth and energy. So to begin with, think about if the fabric happens naturally or is manufactured, in addition to its particular properties. Lastly, take into consideration the cultural affect this might have.
33. A career that’s thought-about soiled [Profession]
Rubbish males, morticians, intercourse staff
To begin with, do not forget that this immediate offers with subjective opinion! A career thought-about to be soiled by many individuals may not really be soiled—so think about together with one thing about how the individuals who observe it view themselves. With that being stated, the phrase “soiled” has each literal and metaphorical meanings, so you’ll be able to take this immediate in all kinds of instructions! For a literal interpretation, have a look at jobs that take care of soiled or rubbish straight (corresponding to rubbish males or cleansing workers). For a metaphorical interpretation, think about what taboos exist in your world’s society and go from there! A tradition that has taboos surrounding intercourse and loss of life would possibly think about these fields of labor soiled, for instance. And, particularly with professions which might be thought-about morally questionable, there will likely be euphemisms to seek advice from them, corresponding to how intercourse staff are referred to as “seamstresses” in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld sequence.
34. A company combating corruption [Organization]
Navy police, mages guild, zombie extermination pressure
Corruption is one other phrase with many meanings: is it political, ethical, environmental, or supernatural corruption? Possibly even one thing else? In an intrigue-heavy setting, combating political corruption could be a major focus. However in a world that’s affected by a zombie invasion (one other interpretation of “corruption”!), there’ll most likely be folks and group devoted to combating it. So your first step right here will likely be deciding what sort of corruption would suit your world’s style and themes. Based mostly on that, resolve the kind of group that you just’ll create, in addition to the battle that can inevitably encompass it.
35. A convention that represents ethical decay [Tradition]
Roman “bread and circuses”, noble feasts (A Track of Ice and Fireplace)
What you perceive as ethical decay is as much as you and what your world’s cultures see as ethical. In order that’s the very first thing you’ll want to determine—however the custom itself doesn’t should be about morality, so long as it’s associated not directly. For instance, throwing a feast isn’t essentially immoral, however in A Track of Ice and Fireplace the lavish feasts that nobles are always throwing sharply distinction with the struggling of the widespread people. Within the Roman Empire, the federal government famously offered meals and leisure to its residents to distract them from political points. To create such a practice, take into consideration what it reveals in regards to the society. Is it a current improvement or an previous customized that has misplaced its unique that means? How do completely different components of your society understand and react to it?
36. An animal or plant that feeds on decay [Species]
Detritivores, scavenger animals, ghouls (Tokyo Ghoul)
Each species has its place within the ecosystem, and that’s true for detritivores and scavenger animals too! That stated, particularly with bigger scavenger animals like vultures, these species are typically related to unfavourable symbolism. This can be a good spot to begin; how do folks in your world see this animal? After all, these connotations don’t should be unfavourable both! In Tokyo Ghoul, most ghouls eat people by killing them, however there’s a gaggle of “good ghouls” that solely eat individuals who’ve already died for different causes. If you would like your reply to the immediate to be an individual, you possibly can use that as inspiration so as to add depth to their tradition.
37. A degenerative illness [Condition]
Alzheimer’s, Shadow Curse (Baldur’s Gate 3)
Degenerative illnesses are an fascinating sort of situation to create as a result of they trigger change in whoever is affected by them. And as tragic as that is in the actual world, change of any variety makes for excellent worldbuilding! In fantasy settings, illnesses could be a part of curses that additionally have an effect on the land (along with folks). The Shadow Curse, in Baldur’s Gate 3, is a good instance of this, and it may be a good way to have a extra visible and impactful illustration of the illness. When creating the situation, think about its origin, signs, and remedy (if any), but additionally take into consideration how society sees this illness and the individuals who endure from it.
38. A bit of tech that forestalls decay [Technology]
Cryonic chambers, phylactery jars (Dungeons & Dragons)
The place there’s decay, there will likely be folks making an attempt to forestall or reverse it. So, after all, the very first thing you want right here is one thing that’s decaying. Cryonic expertise desires to forestall bodily decay after loss of life, hoping that revival will likely be doable sooner or later. In Dungeons and Dragons, liches use a jar referred to as “phylactery” to retailer their life pressure. So when you’ve selected the kind of decay, think about the ideas behind your expertise. Is it broadly accessible or uncommon and experimental? What are its limitations and moral implications?
Wild card prompts
Each week, we additionally launch two prompts that aren’t associated to the theme, so you’ll be able to reply them as an alternative if you wish to take a break from the primary theme! Right here they’re:
39. A storyteller, writer, or bard in your world [Character]
Homer, Kvothe (The Kingkiller Chronicle)
Storytellers are a core a part of many cultures, as they not solely entertain audiences but additionally convey information from afar and protect historical past from instances when writing wasn’t broadly out there. Storytellers may also be extremely influential; simply have a look at Homer, whose poems are principally the muse of Western literature. When making a storyteller or bard in your world, think about their position in society and within the story you wish to inform. Are they revered as keepers of information, entertainers, or each? What drives their ardour for storytelling, and the way do they navigate the difficulties that come from telling tales not everybody could be open to listening to?
40. A geographical area that’s increasing [Geography]
Deserts, mountains, seas, forests
Although, most often, our lives are too quick to see it, just about all geographical options are in fixed change. Deserts develop, mountains rise, forests conquer new floor, and so forth. Generally this transformation could be faster, corresponding to the ocean degree and even the synthetic growth of forests or fields. Whenever you reply this immediate, although, attempt to deal with the growth itself. How does it have an effect on the folks round it, and what are the mechanisms driving its progress? If the change is fast sufficient for folks to note it, it is going to most definitely have a unfavourable affect on those that stay within the area, who should adapt their lifestyle to this altering panorama.
You’ve acquired this!
Summer time Camp ends on August third—ensure that to have submitted all of the prompts you wish to reply earlier than then! Keep in mind that to get Diamond, that you must full any 32 prompts (not all 40 prompts!). Tune in to the stream on August third to shut the problem stay, and don’t miss the Awards Ceremony on August thirty first!
What are your ideas for this theme? Share within the feedback—and go to the problem web page to reply the prompts!
