Shadowrun

Shadowrun General => Fan fiction => Topic started by: RowanTheFox on <07-22-16/1522:35>

Title: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: RowanTheFox on <07-22-16/1522:35>
The first story of the trilogy I'm working on is definitely PG-13, with minor cursing, and graphic depictions of violence. The second and third stories are significantly less family friendly, so I was wondering if I'm even allowed to post them on this forum if I include a warning.
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: The Wyrm Ouroboros on <07-23-16/0009:56>
"If the mods don't like it, they'll tell you in no uncertain terms."
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: RowanTheFox on <07-23-16/0037:17>
"If the mods don't like it, they'll tell you in no uncertain terms."

Yea, but I'm not really one for making waves. I'd rather not learn what they don't like the hard way. Is there anything that is an absolute no-no?
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: Critias on <07-23-16/0554:11>
If it's just a language issue that has you worried, I've got "shit" and "fuck" and that sort of thing in, y'know, actual published novels and stuff, so I wouldn't be too worried.
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: RowanTheFox on <07-23-16/1003:10>
If it's just a language issue that has you worried, I've got "shit" and "fuck" and that sort of thing in, y'know, actual published novels and stuff, so I wouldn't be too worried.

There's also graphic violence, and in the sequel there is both consensual sex and brief sexual assault. Which is why I'd post a warning no matter what.
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: The Wyrm Ouroboros on <07-24-16/0526:44>
'Fade to black' is your friend - as is 'graphic details not required'.
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: RowanTheFox on <07-25-16/1334:20>
'Fade to black' is your friend - as is 'graphic details not required'.

Here's a taste of what I'm talking about. Nip is an incredibly important person in the main character's life. He's the one who taught her how to use her magic, and has been a dear friend and mentor to her. This takes place near the very end of the second story, and Nip is in his late 90's at this point. (Note: He's a human cat shaman)

WARNING: GRAPHIC

[spoiler]Nip sat at his desk, perusing over an old tome Ehran had permitted him to borrow. He suddenly felt a dark presence behind him. He closed the tome and sat back in his overstuffed chair.

"I know who you are, and why you are here." He spoke calmly, and leaned his head back. "Go ahead. I'm an old man, and I am ready to die."

Vestrial produced a vicious looking dagger from under his black cloak and stepped forward, his mouth twisted in a cruel grin. He held Nip's chin gently, and plunged his blade into the old shaman's chest. Nip let out an involuntary gasp as the air was forced from his lungs.

"Your beloved student defied me. You will suffer greatly for her arrogance." The mad passion hissed.

Nip's body went limp, and the blood red gem on the pommel of the dagger flashed. The roman numeral tattoo on his forearm changed from VII to VI. Nip's body twitched and blood spewed from his mouth before going limp once more. The gem flashed again.

V

Again his body twitched, and again the gem flashed.

IV

Nip's eyes flickered open and stared up at Vestrial in fear and pain, then stared into nothingness. The gem flashed.

III

He blinked, and emitted a gargled moan. The gem flashed.

II

Blood sprayed from his mouth and across the desk as his body spasmed once more. The gem flashed.



Nip's jaw went lax, and his eyes dulled. The gem flashed one last time, and the tattoo faded away.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: Herr Brackhaus on <07-25-16/1459:40>
I don't know about the moderators, but that seemed acceptable to my mind. Not all that graphic, compared to a lot of popular media today at least.
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: RowanTheFox on <07-25-16/1528:59>
I don't know about the moderators, but that seemed acceptable to my mind. Not all that graphic, compared to a lot of popular media today at least.

Ok, good. That's the most graphic death of all three stories.
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: Critias on <07-25-16/1608:59>
Yeah, seriously.  Just write your stuff and share it.  You're fine. 
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: RowanTheFox on <07-25-16/1706:03>
Ok, good. I'm used to forums with MUCH stricter rules about depictions of violence, so I just wanted to be absolutely sure that I wouldn't step on a big dog's paw and get pummled by the banhammer. 
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: The Wyrm Ouroboros on <08-25-16/0201:16>
This is Shadowrun; we openly talk about shooting people in the face.  (Sometimes for money; sometimes because it's the right thing.  But it's still shooting people in the face.  :P  )  Violence is fine unless you dwell most lovingly on each and every excruciating blood-and-guts detail.  Sex ... like I said, fade to black.  ;)
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: Rosa on <08-25-16/0319:58>
Shadowrun is one of the most adult themed RPG's out there, the published materials deals with Things like violence, drug use, sex, crime...etc. I remember seeing prices for both high end and low end sexual services on some of the old "Cost of living tables" they used back in 1-3rd edition setting books, and the core rulebook used to have a section about how GM's should agree with their players before playing what kind of adult themes were ok to include in the game, since there are so many ( i can't remember if that section is still in the 5th edition ). So in essence unless you start writing about Things like graphically describing child abuse, then you're good.

Anyways, just put a dsclaimer before your story and it should be fine, then people can choose if they wanna read it. In my personal opinion though, thats not even necessary, as i said SR is an inherently adult themed game.
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: The Wyrm Ouroboros on <08-25-16/0357:55>
Shadowrun may be, yes, but the boards are not.
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: Rosa on <08-25-16/0831:11>
Shadowrun may be, yes, but the boards are not.

Can you point me towards where these forum rules are stated, because i have looked but not been able to find them?

On a personal note i agree that "fade to Black" in regards to sex scenes is probably the best way to handle it, but thats more because, long drawn out descriptions tend to become tedious and less interesting as they don't activate the imagination. Though it is funny and does say a lot about our morality standards that most societies today are much more accepting about graphical violence than they are about nudity and sex, which is the most natural thing in the World.......
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: RowanTheFox on <08-25-16/1942:14>
Shadowrun may be, yes, but the boards are not.

Can you point me towards where these forum rules are stated, because i have looked but not been able to find them?

On a personal note i agree that "fade to Black" in regards to sex scenes is probably the best way to handle it, but thats more because, long drawn out descriptions tend to become tedious and less interesting as they don't activate the imagination. Though it is funny and does say a lot about our morality standards that most societies today are much more accepting about graphical violence than they are about nudity and sex, which is the most natural thing in the World.......

That was my concern. The game is definitely NSFW, but I wasn't sure about the forum. I used to write erotic literature, so sex scenes are a bit of a specialty of mine. That said, I've gone with Wyrm's advice on that front.
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: The Wyrm Ouroboros on <08-28-16/1528:52>
Shadowrun may be, yes, but the boards are not.
Can you point me towards where these forum rules are stated, because i have looked but not been able to find them?
No.  If you are really in that much need of rules and regulations about the seamier side of writing, PM the mods.
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: RowanTheFox on <08-28-16/1549:27>
Shadowrun may be, yes, but the boards are not.
Can you point me towards where these forum rules are stated, because i have looked but not been able to find them?
No.  If you are really in that much need of rules and regulations about the seamier side of writing, PM the mods.

That was unnecessarily rude. If you are incapable of maintaining a modicum of courtesy in your replies on my posts, I politely request that you refrain from doing so.
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: The Wyrm Ouroboros on <08-29-16/0125:35>
That was unnecessarily rude. If you are incapable of maintaining a modicum of courtesy in your replies on my posts, I politely request that you refrain from doing so.

... also no.  While that reply was direct and blunt, it was not discourteous; nor was it replying to you, but to someone else who had a related inquiry within the thread you started.  To boot, it gave Rosa necessary information, as I do not have that information at my fingertips.  The moderators do; that's what they're for.  They know the limits to which they'll allow people to go, and in fact they should have been your first resource as well.
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: RowanTheFox on <08-29-16/0203:01>
That was unnecessarily rude. If you are incapable of maintaining a modicum of courtesy in your replies on my posts, I politely request that you refrain from doing so.

... also no.  While that reply was direct and blunt, it was not discourteous; nor was it replying to you, but to someone else who had a related inquiry within the thread you started.  To boot, it gave Rosa necessary information, as I do not have that information at my fingertips.  The moderators do; that's what they're for.  They know the limits to which they'll allow people to go, and in fact they should have been your first resource as well.

I know you weren't replying to me. You may have been direct and blunt, but being so came across as very rude. When I posted this, I was still very new to the boards, and didn't know the names of any of the moderators, nor could I find any resource where they were listed. So, in the hopes of one of them seeing it, I posted this thread. It's better to risk asking a stupid question and know for certain, than to not ask at all and remain ignorant.
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: VegasRigged on <12-16-16/0612:24>
Shadowrun may be, yes, but the boards are not.

Can you point me towards where these forum rules are stated, because i have looked but not been able to find them?

On a personal note i agree that "fade to Black" in regards to sex scenes is probably the best way to handle it, but thats more because, long drawn out descriptions tend to become tedious and less interesting as they don't activate the imagination. Though it is funny and does say a lot about our morality standards that most societies today are much more accepting about graphical violence than they are about nudity and sex, which is the most natural thing in the World.......

Fun fact, many, if not most places in the world do see it the other way around, America is a rarity in so openly embracing violence and decrying sex. Killing is entertainment fit even for young teens but the human body is shameful and should be hidden even as an adult. The more you know...
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: The Wyrm Ouroboros on <12-18-16/1335:31>
... your point being?  Most of us already know this; a number of us are from other countries.  Giving us such a 'fun fact' implies ... judgement, perhaps?
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: Critias on <12-18-16/1644:27>
How is it, exactly, that even this, of all threads, is getting snarky and passive-aggressive?
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: DeathofVirtue on <12-18-16/1850:09>
 
How is it, exactly, that even this, of all threads, is getting snarky and passive-aggressive?
*Sigh* yup, I try and stay away from threads taking that tone, it's contagious and only takes one person having a bad day to cause a knock on reaction.  Lets steer away from the whole thing and get back on subject.

  In my opinion graphic violence of the type you list should be fine as long as you put a disclaimer at the top of the article.  Scenes of a more...  Intimate nature should probably fade to black as to my knowledge there is no age rating to this forum and things of a similar nature are usually considered innapropriate on this medium.  If you like you could leave a link to an uncensored version with a caution listing the kind of content it has.

  Personally I'm not much for censorship but it's not my forum and minors may be present so it makes sense to play it safe.  In the absence of a mod speaking up it's a good middleground at least.
 
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: RowanTheFox on <12-23-16/1251:06>
How is it, exactly, that even this, of all threads, is getting snarky and passive-aggressive?
*Sigh* yup, I try and stay away from threads taking that tone, it's contagious and only takes one person having a bad day to cause a knock on reaction.  Lets steer away from the whole thing and get back on subject.

  In my opinion graphic violence of the type you list should be fine as long as you put a disclaimer at the top of the article.  Scenes of a more...  Intimate nature should probably fade to black as to my knowledge there is no age rating to this forum and things of a similar nature are usually considered innapropriate on this medium.  If you like you could leave a link to an uncensored version with a caution listing the kind of content it has.

  Personally I'm not much for censorship but it's not my forum and minors may be present so it makes sense to play it safe.  In the absence of a mod speaking up it's a good middleground at least.

A few folks have been snarky and passive-aggressive towards me since I first came up with the idea for my stories. They don't like that my main character isn't a "street-level" character, despite me never intending for her to be such. Water off a duck's back as far as I'm concerned. Can't please everyone. I have plenty of other street-level characters who get plenty of screen time in future stories and missions.

I used to write "literotica" so I've gotten good at fading to black without making it look or feel censored. I just wanted to know how far I could take it. Since no mods have responded, and there are underage kids here, I've played it safe.
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: DeathofVirtue on <12-23-16/1517:37>
  There will always people who will disagree with you over some issue or another, my point was more that it only takes one person being snarky and passive agressive to potentially turn an entire thread that way. 

  Yeah, I had a few people take that tone with some of my sci-fi literature (Private un-published trilogy) when I killed a large portion of the main characters off at the end of the first novel, you can't please everyone and to try is folly.  Hell, life would be boring if we all liked the same things.

  In the end it would be best if we ALL simmered down a bit before replying sometimes, we all use the community, no point getting caught up in petty bickering with people we will likely be encountering time and time again and in all likelyhood share a lot of common ground with, nothing good will come of it.
Title: Re: What are the rules regarding R-rated fanfics?
Post by: RowanTheFox on <12-23-16/1533:33>
  There will always people who will disagree with you over some issue or another, my point was more that it only takes one person being snarky and passive agressive to potentially turn an entire thread that way. 

  Yeah, I had a few people take that tone with some of my sci-fi literature (Private un-published trilogy) when I killed a large portion of the main characters off at the end of the first novel, you can't please everyone and to try is folly.  Hell, life would be boring if we all liked the same things.

  In the end it would be best if we ALL simmered down a bit before replying sometimes, we all use the community, no point getting caught up in petty bickering with people we will likely be encountering time and time again and in all likelyhood share a lot of common ground with, nothing good will come of it.

Agreed.

I've gotten mostly positive reviews, which is encouraging. I'm open to criticism, as long as that criticism is constructive. I'm always trying to improve my writing and storytelling abilities, so telling me you don't like it because you just don't isn't helpful. That said, much of the feedback I've received has been helpful, and the little world I'm building has become deeper, more detailed, and more "alive" as a result.

This community has done so much for me in that regard, despite its problems.