The Elfwood Rules / Definitions

Welcome to the rules page for Wyvern’s Library. As follows will be the breakdown of the vast majority of the rules within the Library, detailing what is and is not allowed, things to be careful of, and general procedures that are good practices to follow. We shall start with the broad topics first and gradually make our way down to more specific rulings toward the end of this page.

Also, please note: the usage of the word “story “ from this point on refers to any and all written works submitted to Elfwood. This includes poetry, prose, songs, dictionaries, and so forth. The usage of the wording “we “ refers to the Elfwood staff as a whole and not any one particular moderator or group of moderators. The usage of the word “you “ refers, of course, to yourself.

Rule clarifications were done by a combined effort of all of the Library moderators and compiled by Matt Summers. The very talented Michelle Mayo did all of the illustrations on this page, and much thanks goes out to her for her wonderful muse gnome illustrations!

First and foremost, your story must have one or more of the acceptable genre elements within the BODY of the story. A story that is completely non-genre (NG) and only has these elements within the description for the story will be declined. The three genres are as follows:

Fantasy. Specifically, high fantasy is the type of fantasy allowed within Wyvern ‘s Library. What this means is that something that is NOT real is happening. This can take many, many forms ... magic, mythical creatures, animals as human (detailed further below), and many more examples exist. However, please keep in mind that there is a distinct line between Fantasy and Fiction. Knights, kings, vikings, the Huns, and the Pharaoh all exist or existed in our world. If these sort of characters are the closest your story comes to being high fantasy, it will be rejected. There must be another aspect to the story that brings out the true high fantasy elements.

Supernatural or fantasy horror involves horror that has aspects of the fantastic to it. Vampires, werewolves, magic and other examples can easily fit within this genre, but you must have some aspect to the horror that is fantastical/supernatural in essence, or the story will not pass the guidelines. Stories about rape, murder, serial killers, stalkers, how bad life sucks, and stories about how horrible humanity truly is are all examples of regular horror that would not be acceptable under the genre guidelines unless there are additional aspects of the supernatural within it.

Science Fiction. Basically, science fiction is about the easiest genre to display in the library. Any weaponry that could not exist by today ‘s technological standards ... a race that doesn‘t exist ... or space travel all make for fine stories with good, solid science fiction elements within them.

Quality guidelines do exist within the Library, as they do in other sections of Elfwood. However, the quality guidelines are more dealing with aspects of the formatting of the story itself and have no impact as to how well written the story is. Some of the common declines seen for quality are as follows:

(A) Bad HTML coding.
Obviously your story is allowed to scroll past the bottom of the screen if it ‘s longer than a page. However, if your story does not fit within the horizontal barriers of the window and forces you to scroll left and right to see the entire story, or there is a massive amount of machine coding and strange characters scattered throughout your work, then something has gone seriously wrong with the coding of your HTML. Check http://www.nethermind.co.nz/html.html to see some examples on how to code your document properly, and check the end of this section to see how to visibly inspect your story BEFORE a mod has to decline you for coding errors.

1. Font size. If your font is too small or too large to be properly read on Render mode, then your story will be declined. Depending on the font chosen, sizes between 8 and 14 point will usually be accepted, but it will be subject to each individual font. Refrain from changing font sizes. Font size for titles only may go up to 36 pt, but preferably smaller font sizes.
2. Font color. The ONLY color allowed is black, for any and all parts of your story. No colored text is allowed anywhere within the body of the story.
3. Font type. It is highly recommended that you choose a common font such as Times New Roman or Arial for your story font. Obscure and/or hard to read fonts will be declined, as will ALL caps, cursive and calligraphy fonts.
4. Font variation. Do NOT switch fonts more than a few times during the course of the story. Stick to one (1) or two (2) fonts please.
5. Font clarity. Italics are fine to use, but whole stories of nothing but italicized text will be declined. No more than roughly 1/3 of the story may be italics, bold or underlined text. This also goes for fonts that are smaller and harder to read. If the words run together at the size you have it set for, it will likely be declined.
6. Background colorations. You are not allowed to change the background colors of your work from the Elfwood standard. Any variation in the coloration of the background is automatically declined.

1. a. HTML (.htm, .html)
2. b. Text files with html coding within them (.txt)

(D) File size.
The maximum file size for stories within the Library is 200,000 bytes, which is slightly less than 200Kb (202,400 bytes = 200Kb). In your story listing, it will tell you exactly how large a story is. If it ‘s too big, you need to either split it into two (2) or more files or find some other way to shrink its size.

(E) Too many items in a file.
You are allowed one (1) submission per file. For example, you cannot have six (6) poems as one (1) file, or three (3) chapters from three (3) *different* stories in one (1) file. Oftentimes, when this is done, only one (1) or two (2) of the individual submissions within the file actually pass genre guidelines, which is why the whole file is declined. The exception to this rule, of course, is when you have two (2) or more chapters of the same story. This is perfectly fine to merge into one (1) file.

It's recommended that you check your stories out yourself before ever submitting a ticket. To do this, go to your story list and click “View“ on the newest ones, which will bring them up in HTML mode. To switch to Render mode, click on the highlighted “Here“ just below your story title, and you‘ll be able to see the errors in the same view that the moderators do.

1. Movies
2. Television series
3. Cartoons
4. Comics, both in print and webcomics
5. Role-playing games (D&D, World of Darkness, et al)
6. Online role-playing games
7. Video games
8. Works in print (books, magazines, et al)

Fan fiction is recognized by the use of words, phrasing, languages and locations that are accepted as being part of another creator‘s world. For example, the usage of the word “hobbit, “ “the Shire“, and the elven language Quenya are all examples of fan fiction. In this case, of course, we‘re referring to J.R.R. Tolkien‘s “Hobbit “ and “Lord of the Rings“ series. Another example is the most common form of fan fiction submitted to Elfwood. The word “Drow“, when used to refer to a race of elves, is copyrighted to TSR, Inc. and Wizards of the Coast.

... and before you ask, the gnomes are Frodo, Harry Potter, Agent Smith and Spock.

Note that Elfwood also recognizes work based off of an existing world or worlds but doesn‘t necessarily use the actual characters from the original story as a work of fan fiction. An example of this would be if you were to write about a glen of Hobbits that have nothing to do with any of the LOTR crew. Even though your hobbits Fred, Joey, Marc and Bertha were never even mentioned in the LOTR, because the world still was an existing format, it would be considered fan fiction. In other words, if the story has original characters but is based on someone else‘s world, it‘s still fan fiction. Also note, this does *NOT* apply to worlds within Elfwood. If you‘re writing a story based on another Elfwood writer/artist‘s world and they‘ve given you permission to do so, this is perfectly acceptable even if that original artist/writer later has his/her world published.

Many more examples of fan fiction exist, more than we could possibly hope to list here. However, the ruling on it is simple. Fan fiction, in any form, is not allowed within the Wyvern‘s Library.

Please remember that Elfwood is a PG-13 Internet site, or geared towards people aged thirteen (13) and older. As such, the following guidelines apply to your stories, your story‘s descriptions, your biography, and any other section that might be displayed for a visitor to see:

A) The Big Three (3).
There are three (3) words that will never be allowed in any way, shape or form on Elfwood. They are as follows:

These words must either be completely censored or changed entirely. For example, a long word like “motherf##ker “ would get declined unless the entire thing was edited out. This includes popular cyberspeak for this sort of thing, such as “WTF? “

B) Sexual content.
Again, remember that this is a PG-13 website. As a general rule of thumb, if you use the words “pulsating“, “throbbing“, and “erect “ in a sentence and you‘re NOT describing the alien signaling tower comprised of illuminated electrons, do not expect your story to survive the queue.

C) Graphic violence.
Violence, as a whole, is bound to happen within the body of your story from time to time. However, once you start to encroach upon mass slayings and brutal beatings, you begin to cross over into inappropriate levels of violence. Stories describing in graphic detail the disemboweling of someone or excessively graphic torture will also be rejected.

Beyond uploading your stories and giving them the appropriate titles and so forth, there are a few guidelines to how to organize your content correctly. This applies to illustrations, character and racial biographies, dictionaries and thesauruses. Please follow the guidelines below regarding this content:

A) Illustrations.
Illustrations within the Wyvern‘s Library must follow these guidelines:

a. The picture must be drawn by you (and to make life easier all around, please indicate in your story/poem‘s description that all illustrations are drawn by you) OR

b. The picture must have been drawn for you, and you state in your bio who drew the illustration, give a link to the artist(s) in question if they have an Elfwood account or own website, and indicate that you have permission to use said illustration(s) in your story(ies), OR

c. You have been given permission to use an existing picture from Elfwood in your story. You still must state who drew the illustration, give a link to the artist(s) in question if possible, and indicate that you have permission to use it, OR

d. The picture is a public domain picture, and you indicate where said picture came from.

Keep in mind that illustrations are NOT judged by the same guidelines as pictures are in other sections of Elfwood. As long as the story itself is in genre, non-genre pictures can be used as illustrations AS LONG AS they pertain to the story itself.

To add an illustration to your story, use the following code in your HTML. For this example, I‘ve used my own UID and webpage.

<img src="http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/libr/n/e/netpoet22/image1.jpg" height="210" width="375">

Just replace my link with the link to your illustration. Be sure to indicate within the HTML what size you want your picture to be. The maximum size the picture can be is 450x450 pixels and 250Kb in file size.

Please also keep this in mind. Illustrations for your stories within the Wyvern ‘s Library MUST be uploaded as an illustration from the Extranet. You may NOT hotlink to an illustration that‘s uploaded anywhere else, such as on a site other than Elfwood or to your Elfwood artwork page. Each illustration must be uploaded individually and linked appropriately, though they can be used for more than one story (such as if you have a divider picture that you use routinely, etc.).

B) Foreign/made-up languages.
All works must be in English only. Any use of language that is not English must be translated through one of the three following ways:

a. Within the body of the text itself. Example: Ed sighed. “G‘lar kadu means that she likes you, you foolish elf. “

b. By the use of footnotes. If you use footnotes, simply place a number after the language in question, and detail out the translations at the bottom of each story that utilizes the language. Example: Ed sighed and said under his breath, “Zigkud mon. “(1)

c. By indicating in the description that all non-English language is translated in a single file that is used for a dictionary/thesaurus for all of your Elfwood stories/poems. Remember to put a link to this file in the story description to make the moderator‘s job a bit easier!

All Wyvern‘s Library members are allowed one (1) file that they can use as a running dictionary/thesaurus. This is the one (1) file that does not necessarily have to be in genre in and of itself. When utilizing this method, be sure to indicate in every appropriate story‘s description that all translations are provided within this file, and the file being used for this purpose should be updated alongside the story or stories themselves.

Your stories must be in English and/or translated for a few reasons. First and foremost, the mods need to know what exactly is being said, in case what ‘s being said is obscene, against other rules, etc. Secondly, this is how Thomas wants it to be, and it IS his website, after all.

Spells, however, are a slight variance to the rule. Spells are often untranslatable and are just made up on the spot by the author. These do NOT need to be translated anywhere within the text, dictionary, or anywhere else. HOWEVER, you MUST still write at the very least something similar to the following in your story description:

“All spell usage in the story {name here} are untranslatable spells. “

If this is not indicated somewhere, don ‘t be surprised if you‘re declined for non-English language.

Keep this in mind, however. Translations do NOT have to be exact translations. If two (2) elves have a quick conversation in Elvish and then head off into the hills, the footnote could simply say “The elves spoke quickly, deciding to head into the hills to wait out the approaching orcish army. “ We do not require a word-for-word account except in occasional cases.

C) Racial biographies, character profiles and biographies, histories, and land descriptions.
As of this writing, writers in the Wyvern‘s Library are also allowed one (1) file to use for these purposes as well. However, this one (1) file must be able to accommodate all of the above. You do not get one (1) file to use as your racial biography, one (1) for your character profiles, and the like.

D) File organization.
If you are uploading multiple chapters of a single story, you‘d likely want them to show up correctly on the front page of your Library shelf. The way to do this is to ensure that each file is alphabetically after the next. For example:

• a. Mary‘s Little Lamb - chapter one = mary01.htm
• b. Mary‘s Little Lamb - chapter two = mary02.htm
• c. Mary‘s Little Lamb - chapter three = mary03.htm

This will align your stories appropriately on the main page of your Library shelf. Please note that it alphabetizes the stories based on the file name and NOT the story names themselves.

A) Public domain works.
Stories, movies, and other related items that have had their copyrights expire are considered public domain works. Once a story has become a public domain work, stories and parodies involving these worlds and characters are perfectly acceptable within Elfwood, as long as they follow all other rulings (must be in genre, don‘t use the naughty words, etc).

So by this, a story about Romeo and Juliet set in space and involving alien races, would be perfectly acceptable. A story that retells the happenings in Narnia from the point of the Lion, however (from “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe “), would be considered fan fiction as this work is not in the public domain.

This includes plays, works of prose and poetry, and fairy tales.

B) Animals as people.
Obviously, any kind of half-man/half-animal (anthro) is an easily defined genre. However, there are many stories where animals are simply placed into human roles, such as “The Wind in the Willows. “ Before, these stories were still required to have additional elements of fantasy or sci-fi within them. However, as of this writing, this no longer applies. Any story with animals as people will be considered in genre.

C) Brand names.
Some usage of brand name products, especially in a modern-day setting, is allowed. However, too many dropped product names will get your story declined.

For example: Ed sighed and relaxed back into his La-z-boy™ and sipped at his Coke™ while he propped his Nike™ shoes up against the footstool. He shook his head and opened up a Time™ magazine and absently clicked on his Zenith™ television. This is far, far too many brand names and will be declined.

D) Drug usage. Some drug usage is understandable, especially in some modern and futuristic settings. However, keep the terminology and instances of it to a minimum. Too much and too descriptive of drug use will get your story declined under the INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT category.

E) Dreams/Hallucinations.
Dreams and hallucinations, by themselves, are not considered in genre. There are exceptions to this, of course. If the dream/hallucination has any impact on the “real“ world after it‘s completion, then it would be considered in genre. For example, if you dream about a werewolf chasing you, and wake to find three (3) bloody claw marks on your leg, that would be in genre.

Additionally, there are some stories that are only revealed to be dreams/hallucinations near the very end of a long story. Examples of this are “Alice in Wonderland “ and “The Wizard of Oz. “ Stories like this, where it takes many, many chapters to reveal that the entirety of the story is nothing more than a hallucination/dream are still allowed. This does NOT mean that a single chapter short story is allowable. There must be well over fifteen (15) chapters of genre elements present before you reveal that it‘s nothing more than a dream.

F) Links within stories.
No HTML links will be allowed within the body of the story, beyond simple ones such as moving between different sections of the existing story (anchor linking). External links beyond that are not allowed within the body of your story at all. If you must put links in, please put them in your story‘s description.

G) Pirates.
Pirates are not fantasy by themselves, regardless of if they are modern-day pirates or medieval/renaissance/romantic era pirates. Some other, clear elements of fantasy must be present, such as magic or mythical monsters. If the pirates themselves are the closest your story comes to fantasy, it will be declined as non-genre.

H) Knights, Vikings, the Huns, Kings and Queens.
To reiterate the point above, these groups alone do not a fantasy story make, as they are historically accurate. There must be more to the story than just having a King and a Queen for your story to get approved.

I) Celebrities.
As per normal Elfwood policy, no celebrity will be allowed to be used as a character in any of your stories. They can be MENTIONED in passing (Ed turned on the television and frowned when Will Smith came on the screen in his MIB role. “Man, I‘ve seen this movie a thousand times. “ He turned the television back off and went to sleep.) but they can NOT be used as actual characters.

J) More rulings... will be added to this section as the need dictates. Elfwood is an ever-changing beast, and what there isn‘t a rule for at the moment doesn‘t necessarily mean there won‘t be a rule about it in the future. Watch this space here for future details.

The vast majority of us end up having something get declined for one reason or another. Though this is a fact of life, understand this: the moderators of Elfwood do NOT have something against you as a person, or against your artwork/writing, or against any other aspect of your life.

If you have something declined, there is a short process you should follow.

1) Read the decline carefully. All moderators place their decline reasons in the declining email, so if you don‘t read this email, you‘ll never know the exact reasoning behind why your story/picture got declined. Match up what the decline reason was against the appropriate part of your story/picture. If you can see what the moderator is talking about, fix this problem and resubmit.

2) If you don‘t necessarily see what the moderator was talking about, review the rules above (or the picture rulings if it‘s a picture). Find the appropriate rule that covers the reason why your item got declined, and compare it to what the moderator said was wrong with your work. If you can now see what the moderator was talking about, fix the problem and resubmit.

3) If you still disagree with the moderator on the decline, understand this. People DO make mistakes. Go back to the email you received your decline in, and hit “Reply“. Describe in this email what your concerns are, and be SURE to either include your story/poem in the body of the email somewhere after your actual message or attach it to the email before you send it.

Moderators do make mistakes, after all. Once you‘ve completed these steps and emailed us, be patient. One of our support moderators will get to your email in time, though it might be a few days. Remember to be nice. A nice email, asking why something was declined and a request for an explanation will get much, much faster response than the email that‘s shouting in all caps, calling the moderators every name under the sun and using those words you‘re just not supposed to say in front of your mother.

Incidentally, writing nasty emails and calling the volunteer moderators all sorts of neat names not only is a good way to ensure that your email itself is just flat out ignored, but it does have the potential of having your Elfwood account suspended or outright deleted entirely. We‘re all adults or near-adults here, people. A little bit of nice goes a very, very long way.