Smogust's Story Hoard

Dates: Aug 3, 2026 - Aug 31, 2026

Prompt drops: Monday-Friday

All deadlines and scoring are based on America/New_York

Smogust's Story Hoard is a new writing challenge hosted by Bradley Ramsey, in partnership with The Circus Dragon. Join us for a month of daily prompts, Monday through Friday, each featuring original art and an optional text prompt as well!

August 3, 2026

The Aluthian Tower — Aug 3

Aug 3, 2026

Word Limit: 3000

A mysterious structure has risen out of the Endarian Expanse, the ocean surrounding the continent of D’veen.

Dragons seem drawn to it for reasons unknown. Write a story or poem about an expedition to uncover the structure’s true purpose…

Genre: Adventure (epic), Sci-fi

Responses

"Starfall" — Gracie Autumn : A starman falls from space, sparking an ancient story to come to life. An old dragon helps him find his way.

"Dragons’ Helm" — Laurie MacIntosh : Neara has found the perfect opportunity to try out her new magical abilities. She's delusional, of course.

"A Spire Of Magic And Dreams" — Leeron Heywood : Nobody knew whether the spire had always been there, for there was no record of anyone venturing so far into the ocean…

"First, the fish." — Tales of Pictavia : It's never the working people, the everyday people, who are heralded with discovery. But they're often the first ones there.

"A Captain's Tale" — Verdant Butterfly : Poem D'veen: When ol’ King Brocknar claimed the throne, His pride burned deep as flame, He swore no dragon born would live To challenge dwarven reign.

"My, My!" — Leanne Shawler : Llallogan is miserable as the new sea dragon prophet ... and then Queen Heeled goes missing...

"Bloom" — Jenifer Jorgenson : Everyone knew a blooming tower restored the land. No one spoke about what it took in return. A dark fantasy short story.

"An Expedition of Unprecedented Magnitude" — Bradley Hurt : An ambitious aquatic expedition yields disturbing results for a curious crew of dwarves

"What Blood Commands" — Every Root, Every Thorn : A young dragon inherits power he barely understands, only to meet something far older than fear. What follows will decide whether freedom is chosen or commanded.

"Tea at the End of All Things" — Johnathan Vance : I called for it and so it came...

August 4, 2026

The Lantern Forest — Aug 4

Aug 4, 2026

Word Limit: 3000

Write a story or poem about a child who gets lost in a fairy tale forest, only to discover a dragon who is lost as well.

Together, they must find a way out and back home to their loved ones…

Genre: Cozy adventure, Fae magic, Newfound/unlikely friendship

Responses

"A Small Knife And A Friendly Breath" — Leeron Heywood : The woods had never seemed so dark before. Ian shivered and tugged his coat tighter. Was it getting late? Or was he wandering too deep?

"Elbert and Ronnie’s Journey Home" — Bradley Hurt : Finding each other far from home, an unlikely duo team up to make their escape from a magic forest

"The Forest of Tah-Dahs!" — Laurie MacIntosh : This summer, eight-year-old Clarissa begins hearing things she cannot explain.

"Creature" — Tales of Pictavia : Sometimes it is better to be last.

"Pouches and the Glow-Roach Forest" — Arlo Vell : A two-headed dragon lost in an unfamiliar land discovers a creature most foul - a human infant.

"Teach Him A Lesson" — Leanne Shawler : The story continues as Llallogan attempts to use his prophetic gift to find the missing queen...

"Smaugust Story: Red and the Lost Dragon" — Hallie Jules : A young Faeling encounters a dragon in the Twilight Forest, and together they both return home through the power of True Love.

"The Orchard of Souls" — Jenifer Jorgenson : A dark fantasy short story about two boys being led into an enchanted forest to meet its dragon guardian. But the glowing soul-lights reveal the terrible truth behind their promised new home.

August 5, 2026

New Beginnings — Aug 5

Aug 5, 2026

Word Limit: 3000

Write a story or poem about the beginning of a journey into lands unknown, with only your trusty horse and dragon at your side.

What will you discover? What are you searching for? You may choose to answer these questions in your entry…

Genre: Western, Adventure (beginning/coming home). hopeful/Inspirational

Responses

"Into the Great Unknown" — Bradley Hurt : A boy and his dragon set off on a quest of great importance and adventure

"A Wish Gone Whickered-ly Awry" — Leeron Heywood : “Are you sure you need all this?” Wishy peers at the bags I’m loading onto the cart, tilting his head in what I assume is draconic puzzlement.

"The sight." — Tales of Pictavia : Starting isn't easy

"It Can't Go Wrong" — Leanne Shawler : Queen Heledd is on a picnic with her friends. What could go wrong with a sea dragon picnic? Nothing, until it's time to head home.

"Drifter & Dragon" — Maryellen Brady 💗📚 : Boo frees a dragon from the circus.

August 6, 2026

Caged Dragon — Aug 6

Aug 6, 2026

Word Limit: 3000

During the time of dwarves, D’veen was not a safe home to dragons. They were often captured and held in cages. Seen only as beasts, instead of intelligent, complex creatures.

Write a story or poem about a dwarf who takes pity on a caged dragon and decides to help them escape…

Genre: Grimdark, Steampunk

Responses

"A Mind Shattered, A Heart Sacrificed, A Legacy Cherished" — Leeron Heywood : It was a sorrowful sight indeed, the once proud and noble dragon Walpurg chained to the stone pillars of the Roost he had called home for so long…

"Dwarf Helps Caged Dragon" — Bradley Hurt : A gentle but overlooked dwarf gets the chance to be a hero when he comes upon a creature in need

"'Til The Night Is Gone" — Leanne Shawler : Llallogan seeks Heledd in his prophetic dreams. He wakes to tell Geraint…

"Complete the Fall." — Tales of Pictavia : Endings can't always be neat.

"Silence" — Verdant Butterfly : Poem D'Veen: He could have told them what it did, And speak one simple truth, But hatred learned at father’s knee Still held the frightened youth.

"Mind the Gap" — Jenifer Jorgenson : An adolescent dragon visits a dwarven orthodontist for braces — and quickly discovers that eighty-seven years of headgear may be far worse than crooked teeth.

August 7, 2026

Staying Cosy in an Apocalypse — Aug 7

Aug 7, 2026

Word Limit: 3000

The world outside is falling apart at the seams. The only safety for dragons and others alike is indoors, away from the chaos and destruction.

Write a story or poem about the world outside, and how the ones trapped inside are coping with the end of everything…

Genre: Cozy

Responses

"Having Fun While the World Burns" — Bradley Hurt : Though freed from his literal prison, Elbert must now cope with a less threatening type of confinement with the help of his new friend

"Facing The Cold With A Friend And A Bucket" — Leeron Heywood : When Laura had answered the volunteer call, she’d told them she could host a SMALL dragon. Turns out their definition of “small” differed from hers… but she was glad of the company.

"About To Crack" — Leanne Shawler : A storm prevents a search party from leaving Caer Morgan’s. For Geraint, it’s the end of everything. For Ellis, it just might be the beginning…

August 10, 2026

Cordyceps Dragon — Aug 10

Aug 10, 2026

Word Limit: 3000

The Rot is a powerful force not native to D’veen. It infects and transforms all it touches into a horrifying visage of entropy and decay.

Write a story or poem about a dragon infected by the Rot. You may choose to write from the dragon’s POV, or from the perspective of someone that encounters it.

Genre: Horror, Thriller

No approved submissions yet

August 11, 2026

Snow Globe — Aug 11

Aug 11, 2026

Word Limit: 3000

A dragon discovers a mysterious snow globe one day, quickly realizing that the world within is alive and filled with people.

Write a story or poem about this strange place and its denizens…

Genre:Horror, Mystery, Folklore/myth

No approved submissions yet