Introduction
🕊 Respect Before Roleplay
C onsent exists to ensure that every player can participate in meaningful roleplay without compromising their personal comfort or boundaries. While Ash & Blood embraces mature themes and serious storytelling, every scene remains collaborative and requires mutual respect between everyone involved.
Captivity, torture, permanent injuries, branding, slavery, character death and other high-impact narrative consequences can create some of the server's most memorable stories when handled responsibly. These situations should always be approached with transparency, communication and respect for every participant's consent profile.
This book explains the standards governing consent, mature themes, permanent consequences and player boundaries. These guidelines exist to encourage dramatic storytelling while ensuring every player remains comfortable, respected and in control of their own experience.
Consent Philosophy
Great roleplay is built upon trust. Clear communication allows everyone to tell darker stories without creating uncomfortable situations for the players behind the characters.
- SECTION I: Consent Philosophy
- SECTION II: Consent Sheets
- SECTION III: Restricted & Consent-Based Content
- SECTION IV: Permanent Consequences
- SECTION V: OOC & IC Separation
- SECTION VI: When Consent Is Withdrawn
- SECTION VII: Consent Violations & Administrative Review
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SECTION I: Consent Philosophy
SECTION I
Consent Philosophy
Ash & Blood is built upon collaborative storytelling. While conflict, tragedy and mature themes often create some of the most memorable roleplay experiences, every scene ultimately exists because every participant chooses to take part in it. Consent ensures that dramatic roleplay remains enjoyable, respectful and safe for everyone involved.
Every player has different boundaries regarding the stories they wish to tell. Some may enjoy political imprisonment, psychological manipulation or brutal combat, while others may prefer to avoid permanent injuries or graphic subject matter entirely. These preferences are equally valid and should always be respected without debate or criticism.
Consent is never intended to weaken roleplay. On the contrary, clear expectations allow players to confidently participate in darker narratives knowing that everyone involved understands both the boundaries and the possible consequences before the scene begins.
✔ Good Practice
- Respect every player's boundaries.
- Review consent information before beginning sensitive scenes.
- Communicate openly whenever uncertainty exists.
- Accept that another player's limits may differ from your own.
- Prioritize mutual enjoyment over personal preferences.
✖ Unacceptable Conduct
- Ignoring clearly stated consent boundaries.
- Pressuring another player into uncomfortable roleplay.
- Arguing about another player's consent choices.
- Assuming silence automatically means agreement.
- Continuing a scene after consent has been withdrawn.
💬 Communication Matters
The strongest roleplay experiences often begin with a simple out-of-character conversation. Confirming expectations before entering emotionally intense scenes allows everyone to participate with confidence while avoiding unnecessary interruptions later.
If uncertainty exists regarding another player's comfort level, ask first. A brief conversation before the scene is always preferable to resolving a misunderstanding afterwards.
⚠ Important Principles
- Consent must always be informed and voluntary.
- Silence should never be interpreted as agreement.
- Players may establish personal boundaries at any time.
- Respecting consent strengthens collaborative storytelling.
- Player comfort always takes precedence over a single scene.
📖 Example
A group intends to interrogate an enemy prisoner using intense psychological pressure. Before progressing into the more serious portions of the scene, they briefly verify the prisoner's consent profile and confirm that everyone involved is comfortable continuing.
Because expectations were established beforehand, the resulting roleplay remains immersive, respectful and enjoyable for every participant while avoiding unnecessary interruptions or misunderstandings.
- Respect every player's boundaries.
- Consent allows darker stories to be told responsibly.
- Communication prevents misunderstandings.
- Never pressure another player into unwanted roleplay.
- Great roleplay is built on trust, respect and cooperation.
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SECTION II: Consent Sheets
SECTION II
Consent Sheets
Every player is responsible for maintaining an up-to-date Consent Sheet on Discord. Before initiating any roleplay involving mature themes, permanent consequences or sensitive subject matter, you are expected to review the other player's Consent Sheet and ensure the intended scene falls within their stated boundaries.
A Consent Sheet serves as the official reference for what a player is willing—or unwilling—to participate in. It allows darker stories to be explored without uncertainty while reducing unnecessary interruptions during active roleplay. Ignorance of another player's Consent Sheet is never considered a valid excuse for violating their established boundaries.
Consent should never be assumed. If a player's Consent Sheet is unclear, incomplete or does not specifically address the situation you intend to roleplay, you are expected to ask them directly before continuing. Taking a few moments to clarify expectations protects both players and helps avoid preventable disputes.
✔ Expected Practice
- Read another player's Consent Sheet before beginning sensitive roleplay.
- Ask questions whenever something is unclear.
- Respect every listed boundary without debate.
- Keep your own Consent Sheet accurate and up to date.
- Confirm consent again if the scene changes significantly.
✖ Common Mistakes
- Never checking the other player's Consent Sheet.
- Assuming consent because of previous roleplay.
- Ignoring clearly stated restrictions.
- Claiming you "didn't know" after the scene.
- Pressuring someone to change their boundaries.
💬 When Should You Ask?
If there is ever uncertainty, ask. Whether the scene involves permanent injuries, torture, branding, slavery, psychological manipulation, romance or any other sensitive topic, a brief out-of-character confirmation is always preferable to making assumptions.
Clear communication before the scene prevents misunderstandings after the scene.
⚠ Player Responsibility
- Every player is responsible for checking Consent Sheets.
- Every player is responsible for maintaining their own Consent Sheet.
- Unclear consent should always be clarified before proceeding.
- Consent may differ from player to player.
- Respecting another player's boundaries is mandatory.
📖 Example
A rival clan captures another player's character and wishes to permanently brand them before releasing them. Before the scene progresses, one of the captors reviews the prisoner's Consent Sheet and notices that permanent branding requires explicit confirmation.
The players briefly confirm consent out of character before continuing the scene. Once everyone understands the potential consequences, the roleplay proceeds without interruption.
By checking the Consent Sheet beforehand, the players avoid an unnecessary dispute while preserving immersion and mutual trust.
- Always check another player's Consent Sheet before sensitive roleplay.
- If something is unclear, ask before proceeding.
- Consent Sheets protect both players.
- Keep your own Consent Sheet current and accurate.
- Respecting consent is every player's responsibility.
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SECTION III: Restricted & Consent-Based Content
SECTION III
Restricted & Consent-Based Content
Ash & Blood embraces mature storytelling, but not every mature subject is appropriate for every player. Scenes involving torture, slavery, permanent injury, psychological abuse, graphic violence, sexual themes or other sensitive subjects require a significantly greater level of communication and mutual trust than ordinary roleplay.
Before initiating any roleplay that may result in permanent physical, emotional or narrative consequences, it is your responsibility to verify that every participant has consented through their Consent Sheet or through direct out-of-character confirmation. Consent must be informed, voluntary and remain active throughout the duration of the scene.
A player's decision to decline participation in a particular type of roleplay must always be respected. Attempting to pressure, guilt or manipulate another player into accepting content beyond their stated boundaries is considered a serious violation of community standards.
✔ Requires Consent
- Permanent injuries or maiming.
- Branding or permanent disfigurement.
- Forced slavery or long-term captivity.
- Graphic torture or extreme violence.
- Sexual roleplay.
- Psychological abuse intended to permanently affect a character.
- Character Death (PK).
✖ Never Acceptable
- Ignoring another player's stated boundaries.
- Continuing after consent has been withdrawn.
- Assuming consent because of previous interactions.
- Pressuring another player into uncomfortable scenes.
- Attempting to circumvent a Consent Sheet through technicalities.
💬 Consent Can Be Withdrawn
Consent is never permanent. A player may withdraw their consent at any stage of a scene if they become uncomfortable. When this occurs, the roleplay must immediately pause and the participants should calmly discuss how to proceed. Continuing after consent has been withdrawn is never permitted.
Protecting the comfort of the players always takes priority over finishing a single roleplay scene.
⚠ Fade to Black
Not every scene needs to be roleplayed in graphic detail. When appropriate, players are encouraged to use a Fade to Black (FTB) transition to respectfully conclude sensitive scenes while preserving the agreed narrative outcome.
Choosing to Fade to Black does not automatically remove or invalidate any in-character consequences that all participants previously agreed upon.
📖 Example
A victorious faction wishes to permanently brand an enemy commander before releasing them as a warning to rival kingdoms.
Before the scene progresses, the players review the commander's Consent Sheet and confirm that permanent branding is permitted. Once consent has been verified, the branding is roleplayed and becomes part of the character's ongoing story.
Had the player declined permanent branding, the victorious faction would instead need to pursue another narrative consequence, such as imprisonment, ransom or a temporary injury.
- Always verify consent before beginning sensitive roleplay.
- Consent must remain active throughout the entire scene.
- Players may withdraw consent at any time.
- Fade to Black is encouraged whenever appropriate.
- Respecting another player's boundaries is mandatory.
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SECTION IV: Permanent Consequences
SECTION IV
Permanent Consequences
Some roleplay outcomes leave lasting marks upon a character's story. Permanent injuries, branding, disfigurement, maiming, forced slavery and Character Death (PK) permanently alter a character's future and should therefore never be treated as ordinary consequences. These events represent major narrative milestones and require significantly greater care than everyday roleplay.
Because these consequences cannot simply be ignored or reversed, they require explicit consent from the affected player unless the situation falls under an approved administrative exception. Every participant should fully understand the nature of the consequence before the scene progresses.
Permanent consequences are intended to enrich long-term storytelling rather than serve as punishment. A scar earned in battle, the loss of a hand, the brand of a defeated kingdom or years spent recovering from severe wounds can all become defining moments in a character's history when handled respectfully.
✔ Examples
- Permanent scarring.
- Branding by a kingdom or faction.
- Loss of a limb.
- Permanent blindness.
- Long-term enslavement.
- Character Death (PK).
✖ Never Allowed
- Forcing permanent consequences without consent.
- Ignoring another player's Consent Sheet.
- Attempting to pressure consent during an active scene.
- Using permanent consequences as revenge against another player.
- Treating permanent injuries as ordinary punishment.
🩸 Permanent Injuries
Permanent injuries may include the loss of limbs, damaged eyesight, severe burns, permanent scars or any other lasting physical alteration that meaningfully affects a character's appearance or future roleplay.
These consequences always require the affected player's consent unless specifically authorized through staff oversight.
🔥 Branding & Disfigurement
Branding, ritual markings and permanent disfigurement often serve as powerful narrative symbols. Whether inflicted as punishment, religious devotion or political humiliation, these marks permanently become part of a character's identity.
Because they cannot realistically be hidden or forgotten, they should only occur with the player's explicit consent.
⚠ Character Death (PK)
Permanent Character Death represents the most significant consequence available within Ash & Blood. It permanently concludes a character's story and should therefore remain exceptionally rare.
PK requires explicit player consent or direct administrative approval under the circumstances established elsewhere within the ruleset.
Once approved, Character Death should be treated as the conclusion of a complete narrative—not simply the result of losing a fight.
📖 Example
A captured commander has repeatedly escaped imprisonment and continues to threaten the stability of an entire kingdom. Following extensive roleplay, both players agree that permanent branding is an appropriate consequence.
The branding becomes a visible reminder of the character's defeat and permanently influences future interactions without removing the character from ongoing stories.
Had the players instead agreed upon Character Death, the event would have concluded that character's story entirely and required the appropriate PK procedures.
- Permanent consequences should enrich the story—not end it.
- Explicit consent is required before lasting consequences are applied.
- Scars, branding and maiming become permanent parts of a character's history.
- Character Death is the most serious narrative consequence available.
- Respect another player's decision if they decline a permanent consequence.
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SECTION V: OOC & IC Separation
SECTION V
OOC & IC Separation
One of the most important responsibilities of every roleplayer is maintaining a clear distinction between Out of Character (OOC) knowledge and In Character (IC) knowledge. While players naturally possess information that their characters do not, that information must never influence decisions made within the roleplay environment. Every action your character takes should be based solely upon what they have personally witnessed, learned or reasonably discovered through roleplay.
Likewise, events occurring in character should remain separate from your interactions as a player. Characters may become bitter enemies, wage devastating wars or commit terrible acts against one another without those conflicts carrying into Discord conversations or personal relationships. Ash & Blood encourages dramatic storytelling, but it expects maturity from the players behind every character.
Failing to separate OOC and IC information undermines immersion and often creates unfair advantages that cannot reasonably be countered through roleplay. Maintaining this distinction ensures that every victory, defeat, betrayal and alliance feels earned through storytelling rather than outside knowledge.
✔ Good Separation
- Roleplay only what your character genuinely knows.
- Remain friendly after hostile roleplay.
- Accept defeat without taking it personally.
- Build relationships through roleplay rather than Discord.
- Allow your character to make mistakes when appropriate.
✖ Poor Separation
- Using Discord conversations as roleplay knowledge.
- Targeting players because of OOC disagreements.
- Allowing personal friendships to influence political decisions.
- Refusing roleplay because you dislike the player.
- Using information your character could never reasonably know.
🧠 Metagaming
Metagaming occurs whenever a player allows out-of-character knowledge to influence in-character decisions. This includes acting upon Discord conversations, livestreams, screenshots, staff discussions or information obtained from alternate characters that your current character has never legitimately discovered.
If your character has not personally learned the information through roleplay, they should behave as though it does not exist.
⚠ Personal Disputes
Out-of-character disagreements should never influence roleplay. Likewise, hostile roleplay should never become personal attacks outside the game. If another player's actions begin affecting your enjoyment outside of character, remove yourself from the situation and contact the staff team rather than allowing the disagreement to continue.
Respect for the player always comes before conflict between the characters.
📖 Example
Your friend privately tells you through Discord that their settlement will be attacked later that evening. Although you now possess that information as a player, your character has never received any warning.
Rather than gathering soldiers and preparing defenses, your character continues their normal routine because they remain completely unaware of the impending assault.
By separating your personal knowledge from your character's knowledge, you preserve fairness while allowing the planned roleplay to unfold naturally.
- Your character only knows what they have learned through roleplay.
- Separate player emotions from character emotions.
- Never allow OOC information to influence IC decisions.
- Keep rivalries between characters—not between players.
- Respect the player behind every character.
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SECTION VI: When Consent Is Withdrawn
SECTION VI
When Consent Is Withdrawn
Consent is not permanent. Every player retains the right to withdraw their consent if a roleplay scene becomes uncomfortable or extends beyond the boundaries they originally agreed to. Respecting that decision is a fundamental expectation within the Ash & Blood community and applies equally to all players, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the scene.
If consent is withdrawn during an active roleplay involving mature themes, permanent consequences or other restricted content, the scene must immediately pause. Participants should calmly clarify the situation out of character before determining whether the scene can continue in an alternative form or should end entirely.
Withdrawing consent should never result in ridicule, hostility or retaliation. Likewise, players should never abuse the ability to withdraw consent simply to avoid legitimate roleplay consequences that they had already knowingly accepted before the scene began. Mutual honesty and respect are expected from everyone involved.
✔ Correct Response
- Pause the scene immediately.
- Communicate calmly out of character.
- Respect the player's decision without argument.
- Choose an alternative outcome if possible.
- Contact staff if the situation cannot be resolved.
✖ Incorrect Response
- Continuing the scene anyway.
- Arguing that consent cannot be withdrawn.
- Pressuring another player to continue.
- Mocking or criticizing another player's boundaries.
- Retaliating because someone ended the scene.
💬 Communication Before Resolution
Most situations can be resolved through calm communication. If the original consequence is no longer appropriate, players are encouraged to discuss alternative outcomes that remain consistent with the story while respecting everyone's boundaries.
If no agreement can be reached, the scene should remain paused until staff can review the situation.
⚠ Administrative Assistance
If a disagreement regarding consent cannot be resolved between the participants, a staff ticket should be opened after the scene has been safely paused. Staff will review the circumstances and determine the most appropriate resolution while protecting both the integrity of the story and the comfort of the players involved.
📖 Example
During an interrogation, the captors intend to permanently brand their prisoner. Midway through the scene, the prisoner explains out of character that they are no longer comfortable with permanent branding.
The roleplay immediately pauses while the players discuss alternative consequences. They ultimately agree to replace the branding with temporary imprisonment and a visible scar, allowing the story to continue without violating anyone's boundaries.
- Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
- Pause the scene immediately if consent is withdrawn.
- Communicate respectfully and seek an alternative outcome where possible.
- Never pressure another player to continue.
- If necessary, request staff assistance to resolve the situation.
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SECTION VII: Consent Violations & Administrative Review
SECTION VII
Consent Violations & Administrative Review
Consent is one of the few areas of roleplay where player wellbeing always takes precedence over narrative progression. While Ash & Blood encourages mature storytelling and meaningful consequences, those experiences must always remain voluntary, respectful and consistent with the boundaries established by every participant. Any deliberate attempt to ignore or circumvent another player's consent undermines the trust upon which collaborative roleplay is built.
When a consent violation occurs, the roleplay should immediately cease if it is still ongoing. Players are encouraged to preserve screenshots, chat logs or recordings before opening a ticket through the official support system. The staff team will review the available evidence, speak with the involved parties where necessary and determine whether corrective action or administrative sanctions are appropriate.
Not every disagreement constitutes a consent violation. Honest misunderstandings can usually be resolved through respectful communication. However, knowingly ignoring a Consent Sheet, refusing to stop after consent has been withdrawn or attempting to pressure another player into unwanted roleplay will be treated as serious misconduct and may result in disciplinary action.
✔ If A Problem Occurs
- Pause the scene if appropriate.
- Remain calm and respectful.
- Preserve screenshots or recordings.
- Open an official staff ticket.
- Allow the administration to review the evidence.
✖ Never Do This
- Ignore another player's boundaries.
- Pressure someone into changing their consent.
- Argue publicly during an active roleplay scene.
- Harass another player after they decline consent.
- Attempt to bypass Consent Sheets through technicalities.
📂 Reporting A Consent Violation
Consent-related concerns should always be reported through the official ticket system rather than direct messages or public discussion. Including screenshots, recordings and relevant context allows staff to investigate efficiently while ensuring every participant is treated fairly.
Avoid discussing active investigations publicly. Allow the administration to complete its review before drawing conclusions.
⚠ Administrative Review
The administration will review every report impartially using available evidence, server logs and the surrounding circumstances. Honest mistakes may be handled differently from deliberate misconduct, but repeated or intentional consent violations will be treated with the utmost seriousness.
Administrative decisions exist to protect the integrity of the community and ensure every player can participate in roleplay confidently.
📖 Example
Following an interrogation scene, one player believes the agreed boundaries were exceeded after a permanent injury was roleplayed without confirmation. Rather than arguing publicly, they gather screenshots of the conversation, save the relevant chat logs and submit a ticket explaining the situation.
The administration reviews the available evidence, contacts the involved players for clarification and determines whether a consent violation occurred before issuing an appropriate resolution.
By following the proper reporting process, the situation is resolved professionally without unnecessary public conflict or disruption to ongoing roleplay.
- Consent is built upon communication and mutual respect.
- Protect player wellbeing before protecting the story.
- Report concerns through the official ticket system.
- Provide evidence whenever possible.
- Respect the administration's final decision.
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