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1.) Collaborative Storytelling

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First and foremost, it is important to emphasize that Dawnbreak is a collaborative storytelling and worldbuilding project rather than a competitive strategy game or any other form of map conquest game. While it is expected, (and even encouraged!) that nations may compete, cooperate, trade, feud, or go to war, the focus is always on building interesting shared stories rather than “winning” interactions or maximizing advantage in any other manner. Additionally players are highly encouraged to roleplay out character RP scenarios as well as nation RP scenarios! As a general rule of thumb, if you are unsure how to proceed, choose the option that makes the story more interesting for everyone involved.

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2.) Time & Continuity

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Dawnbreak does not operate on a universal running clock or any form of fixed timeline tied to real world time. This means that stories may unfold across whatever timescale best fits the narrative and is reasonable with regards to RP balance. One interaction may cover a single evening, while another could span weeks or months. These will not always align perfectly between roleplay scenarios, and that is very much intentional. We encourage communication between players when timelines intersect or when scenarios interact, but there is no requirement for a strict shared timeline to be followed, within reason and with respect to the overall RP environment.

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3.) Consent Guidelines

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Players maintain control over their own nations, characters, cultures, religions, and other worldbuilding related artifacts within reason. You are always free to write your own actions, intentions, and attempts. However, outcomes that significantly affect another player’s roleplay must be mutually agreed upon by involved parties before proceeding further with the story. Additionally Dawnbreak Roleplay Moderation reserves the right to intervene and moderate as necessary to ensure a positive roleplay environment with regards to this rule. Consent ensures a collaborative and enjoyable experience for all involved!

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4.) Originality

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Dawnbreak is a wondrous fantasy world, and we strongly encourage players to build unique nations, cultures, histories, and characters that contribute to the richness of our world and the roleplay more broadly. As such, inspiration from history, mythology, folklore, literature, and other media is absolutely welcome and encouraged. However, direct copies of existing fictional or real world settings, nations, alliances, or characters are not permitted. Beyond that, copying the roleplay or worldbuilding of another player without prior permission is strictly prohibited.

Content that is fully or predominantly generated by AI without meaningful human effort or creative input is not permitted in roleplay posts or worldbuilding. AI tools may be used for assistance (such as proofreading, translation, or stylistic refinement), provided the final product reflects the roleplayer's own intent and work. Simply put, roleplay is more enjoyable when you are the one writing your own stories!

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5.) Magic Guidelines

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Dawnbreak supports a wide range of magical systems, interpretations, and traditions. Magic may function differently across cultures and societies within Dawnbreak as there is no single correct or otherwise universal magic system. Obviously, we require that players avoid god-modding or creating abilities that overwhelm the setting or invalidate other players’ stories. As a general guideline, individual magical effects should not be capable of effortlessly destroying major population centers or reshaping the world without significant narrative weight and without prior Dawnbreak RP Moderation approval.

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6.) Races & Species

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Players may roleplay as any fantasy race or species, including entirely original creations. Diverse civilizations, mixed populations, and unusual peoples are all welcome and encouraged within our roleplay setting!

However, races or species may not be used as a means to bypass fair roleplay interaction or otherwise establish unilateral control over other players, their characters, or their nations. No race or species should be inherently immune to harm, conflict, or narrative consequences, and all significant interactions must have consent from involved parties.

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7.) Technology & Innovation

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Dawnbreak is broadly grounded in a high fantasy late medieval setting. As such most technology should generally respect that era of real world technology. While variation and innovation are expected between nations, technology that significantly exceeds the intended tone of the setting will be prohibited from being used unless an exception is granted by RP Moderation.

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8.) Map Claims & Expansion

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In general, map space is a shared and limited resource intended to support both current and future roleplayers within our regions. As such for those seeking to expand, any and all map claims and expansions require prior RP Moderation approval before they will be considered canon or otherwise accepted within our world.

When evaluating claims, moderation may consider any of the following non-exhaustive list:

• Claim size and cohesion

• Ease of mapping and clarity of borders

• Available surrounding space

• Impact on future roleplayers

• Impact on overall RP balance
  

It is also worth noting that voluntary unions, mergers, treaty settlements, and mutually agreed border changes between existing nations are not considered expansions, and as such are not governed by the above process. Expansion approval will always be based on worldbuilding quality, activity, timing, and available space, but is by no means ever a guarantee. In general be sensible and we will be quite alright.

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9.) Conflict Resolution

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We ask that roleplayers attempt to resolve disagreements respectfully and in good faith before involving RP Moderation. However, if needed RP Moderation may intervene to mediate or otherwise settle the dispute in accordance with Roleplay Rules and Common Sense more generally.

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10.) Events & Story Arcs

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RP Moderation may introduce events, prompts, and story arcs to encourage shared storytelling as well as otherwise enhance the roleplay setting. Participation is encouraged but always optional in the aforementioned events. Additionally players are also welcome to propose their own events and narrative ideas to the community.

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11.) Participation

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For the best experience, we recommend a minimum participation rate of around one post, worldbuilding answer, or interaction per month. If your nation in NationStates ceases-to-exist, meaning that it is actively maintained by the game as there was no log-in for over a month, we reserve the right to clear you from the map so that new participants may join. Of course, your real-life priorities are important, so please always feel free to contact RP Moderation -- as long as you communicate, your map claim should be safe!