Guidebook

Category: Start Here

Rules & Guidelines

Overview

Rules vs Guidelines

The rules in this section are required! If you do not follow the rules outlined, there will be consequences.

Guidelines, however, are provided and described for you as a way to make gameplay easier! Guidelines typically don't come with consequences if they are not followed. They serve as the map, but you're the one steering!

Site Basics

Code of Conduct

  • Respect and Inclusivity. All members must treat each other with respect. This forum is a safe space for everyone—regardless of background, identity, or literacy level—so please be kind, inclusive, and open-minded in posts, messages, and on Discord.
  • LGBTQ+ Friendly. We celebrate diversity and encourage narratives and characters that include LGBTQ+ identities, as well as any other diversity. Any form of discrimination will not be tolerated.
  • Keep It Friendly (IC vs. OOC). In-character conflict is expected (drama!), but out-of-character disagreements must be handled respectfully. If an issue arises, consult a moderator or admin for assistance with mediation. Remember: this is a game, and you are not your characters.
  • Moderation & Reporting. The admin team works to keep the environment positive and safe, but we are not omniscient. If you see or experience behavior that violates these rules or makes you uncomfortable, report it to a moderator or admin. All reports will be handled discreetly.

Writing Rules

  • Literacy & Experience. All literacy and experience levels are welcome. You are free to express yourself in the style you are comfortable with—just be sure to provide enough substance for your roleplay partners to respond to.
  • Content Guidelines. Shadow of the Shattered embraces mature themes consistent with fantasy settings, but please avoid graphic content or overly explicit descriptions. You must be 21+ years old to join. Use your judgment and mark threads or the top of posts with a clear trigger or content warning that names relevant themes.
  • Solo Writing. Threads where you reply back and forth to yourself are not allowed. You may make a single-post thread if it is needed for your character. If a thread receives no replies, you may add one final post to close it and mark it complete. When a thread is finished, note it at the bottom of the last post (e.g., [FIN] or [DEAD]) and it will be automatically archived.
  • Thread Tags. Use one tag for any atypical thread and choose the tag that benefits you most where applicable. Normal threads do not require a tag. Available tags are: [GQ] God quest, [EV] event thread, [EX] exploration thread, [M] mature content, [MQ] mini quest, [CQ+] core quest, [O] open thread, [MQ+] main quest, [TR] training, and [CQ] character quest.

Gameplay Stuff

Accounts & Posting Rules

  • Account Structure. Shadow of the Shattered is an account-per-character site. First create an out-of-character (OOC) account, which is your online identity (e.g., OOC “Sage,” character “Devlin”). Any post that is not your character acting or speaking in-character within a thread must be made from your OOC account so it does not affect character post counts.
  • Registration & Names. Create a new forum account for each character using the same email as your OOC registration to make switching accounts easy. When registering, use your character’s first name only as the username to simplify tagging. After registering, edit your profile so your displayed name shows the character’s full name with proper capitalization.
  • Avatars, Hovers, and Posting Tables. Your avatar should be a linked image sized 200×200. Your hover image should be 250×400 and can be added in Profile → Personal. If you need help, ask in Discord. If you use posting tables, set your default posting mode to BBCode and do not use Preview before posting, as many tables will break. You can change your default in Profile → Settings.

Thread Archiving Rules

  • Use [FIN] when an IC thread is complete. If a thread has reached a natural ending and all active participants are done posting, mark it with [FIN] . This will automatically move the thread to the finished thread archive and close it.
  • Use  [DEAD] when an IC thread is no longer being continued. If a thread has been dropped, abandoned, gone inactive, or otherwise will not be finished in-character, mark it with   [DEAD] .This will automatically move the thread to the dead/inactive thread archive and close it.
  • Place the archive tag in a new final reply or edit it into the last post. The archive tag should be placed clearly on its own line at the bottom of the post. You may use it plain or centered: [FIN] [DEAD] Please use only one archive tag. Once a thread is archived, it will be closed, so make sure everyone is finished before tagging it.

Gameplay & Systems Rules

  • No Godmodding or Powerplay. Respect other players’ agency by controlling only your own character and allowing others to act for theirs. Do not control another player’s character, or take liberties with their thoughts or feelings - only write what your character does, thinks, feels, and perceives. Do not create invincible characters. A warning will be given before action is taken—please stay respectful.
  • Using Magic & Items. Whenever you use a magic item or magic in a mechanical way (PvP, crafting, EX, etc.) in any thread—quest or otherwise—you must list the item or magic, its tier, and its effects at the bottom of your post. This transparency helps staff track limited-use items or magic. List things exactly as they are listed in your inventory or profile.
  • Dice System. For all Quests above a Mini Quest, for PvP, Exploration, prayers, and for events, admins make rolls “behind the screen.” For casual or narrative play that does not include Quests, PvP, or events, you may use the #dice-rolls channel in Discord. For PvP, Exploration threads, or praying to deities, send a message in #tag-staff on Discord, and staff will roll your results. To use Discord’s Dice Maiden, type /roll XdY and add or subtract modifiers as needed (for example, /roll 2d6+2).
  • Theft. Before attempting to steal an item from a PC, you should speak with the victim OOC first. If you should choose not to and take a chance, tag staff for a dice roll, as this will likely become PvP.

Customization & Art

HTML In Profile Fields

HTML is allowed to be used to customize your character and OOC profiles for aesthetics.

Art & Assets

  • Art & AI Guidelines. Use of AI is not allowed on the site or in Discord. You may include artwork in character applications or inventories if the art is free-to-use, or if you have proof of purchase or written permission from the artist and you credit the artist directly beneath the embedded art. If you do not wish to follow the image guidelines, you may provide a written description, draw it yourself, or commission an artist.

Characters

Character Creation & Canons

  • Theme, Faceclaims, and Origins. Characters should fit the theme of Shadow of the Shattered and avoid drawing on real-world stereotypes or cultures inappropriately. Because the world is a reality like our own, all characters must have an IRL faceclaim unless staff approves otherwise (no animanga, anime, or cartoon faceclaims). All characters must be born in Tharenloch unless you receive staff approval for an exception.
  • Bonded & Dragons. When creating a Bonded, the dragon companion must not use a major (A-list) faceclaim so as not to confuse players. Dragons, even in human form, are only available as NPCs and therefore do not hold official faceclaims.
  • Canon Characters and Activity. To access major leadership roles, you must first have at least one original character with 20+ unique posts. Please be semi-literate (able to write fluently in English). There is no word-count requirement, but you should set a scene and mood and communicate actions and feelings so partners have material to respond to. Canon characters carry an activity requirement of at least two posts per week. If inactive for two weeks, staff will send a warning; after one month, staff will discuss relinquishing the role. Announced or scheduled absences are exempt.

Children in Roleplay

  • Playable Ages and Faceclaims. You may only play children who are at least sixteen (16) years old, and they must use a faceclaim who is at least eighteen (18) years old. Underage faceclaims are not allowed.
  • Participation Limits. Characters under eighteen (18) may not participate in violent quests without an in-character guardian present.
  • Aging Rules. Child characters age one year per in-character season. Because the site runs two IC seasons per one OOC year, this lets you play a child PC for one OOC year before they reach eighteen. Children born on-site follow this system and must remain NPCs without their own account until they are sixteen. If you wish to age a child more rapidly, contact staff; there are many in-character, magic, and lore reasons this can occur, and staff will work with you.