Dort Repository Legal Overview

Ownership and Creation

The intellectual property contained herein, known as "Dort," is the exclusive creation of Kaosweaver, Inc. Since 2019, the proprietor has been diligently developing this content for tabletop role-playing games (TTRPG) up until the present day. The effort has now reached a sufficient level of maturity to be shared publicly.

Contributors and Their Role

Many participants have enriched the lore of the Dort universe. Characters introduced and portrayed by players in the game sessions, such as Seamus Dirtfoot, have become part of the official lore of the Dort universe. Events instigated, influenced, or witnessed by players also form part of this official narrative.

Credits

Luis Leopardi, Artist

Luis is the artist who worked off of my first (very [poorly](https://dort.world/images/Dort_Andonia_Sea 1.jpg) drawn) maps for Dort to create the wonderful maps for the world. He has also worked on the cities of my world as well.

TerTerro

TerTerro created the city layouts for The Crown (which he owns) and The Heavens (which he was commissioned to create for Dort).

talhaali1

talhaali1 is the artist who we commissioned to create the black and white illustrations we use in the cults and guilds sections.

Definition of Canon

In the context of Dort, "canon" refers to the authenticated, verified, and recognized lore of the world. "Fan fiction" categorizes any additions or modifications to Dort's lore that haven't received official sanction.

Usage Rights and Permissions

Individuals are permitted to incorporate elements of Dort into their games, either in entirety or selectively. Enthusiasts are also welcome to enhance Dort's lore, subject to certain conditions regarding rights and ownership.

Intellectual Property and Contribution Guidelines

All content related to Dort is the intellectual property of Kaosweaver, Inc. This repository does not intend to infringe upon the rights of any third-party entities, nor does it relinquish any rights pertaining to the Dort universe.

Contribution Protocols

Players actively participating in game sessions inherently contribute to Dort's evolution. Their characters and their in-game actions are assimilated into the official narrative.

Players receive in-game incentives for separate contributions, outside of gameplay. However, such contributions transfer the intellectual property rights to Kaosweaver, Inc.

External contributors have the option to submit their work for consideration as either canon or fan fiction. Canon submissions necessitate a transfer of ownership rights to Kaosweaver, Inc. In contrast, the original creator retains intellectual property rights over fan fiction, but it is not integrated into the official lore.

Rationale for Canon vs. Fan Fiction Distinction

The primary objective is to potentially consolidate Dort into a publishable format in the future. To achieve this, it's imperative to have a clear demarcation of content ownership. This guarantees that all content can be published legally without violating individual rights. Fan fiction, while valuable, remains outside of this official narrative to maintain clarity and respect for individual rights.

Ultimate Objective

The overarching vision is to foster a collaborative environment where Dort can grow and adapt, ensuring compatibility with diverse gameplay styles and systems. While the core lore (canon) remains consistent and controlled, the broader content is open for community engagement and contribution. The eventual aspiration is to consolidate this canon into a formal publication, adhering to all legal and ethical standards.

Contribution Guidelines

How to Submit Your Work

We're thrilled that you're considering contributing to the Dort universe! To ensure a smooth and efficient submission process, please adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Initial Contact: Begin by sending an email to submissions@dort.world. Rather than attaching your work directly, provide a concise description of your intended submission. This helps us understand the context and nature of your contribution. Please specify whether you're submitting your work to include in the official cannon or as fan fiction.

  2. Sharing Your Work: If you have already hosted your work on a platform, include a shareable link in your email. Preferred platforms include Google Drive, Homebrewery, or any other accessible file-sharing service. Set the permissions to "viewable" so that our team can access and review your contribution.

  3. Await Feedback: Once your email is received, our team will review the description and, if interested, delve into the shared link. We'll get back to you with feedback, questions, or further instructions.

By following this process, we aim to streamline contributions, ensuring that your valuable input is reviewed and integrated efficiently. Your passion and creativity are what make Dort a dynamic and evolving world, and we're eager to see how you can enrich its tapestry.

Content Guidelines

While we encourage creativity and the exploration of diverse themes in the Dort universe, it's essential to maintain a balance that ensures the content remains engaging and respectful. We have established guidelines regarding submissions:

  1. Prohibited Content: We do not accept or endorse submissions that contain:

    • Graphic sexual content.
    • Detailed depictions of abuse towards minors.
    • Explicit descriptions of torture.
    • Any content that is illegal or promotes harmful actions in real life.
  2. Dark Themes & Mature Content: We recognize that a rich and immersive world often contains dark and mature themes. Villains, conflicts, and challenges are integral to the narrative, and they can involve violence, treachery, and morally complex situations. We can allow such content as long as we present it in a manner that serves the story and doesn't cross into gratuitous or overly explicit territory.

  3. Context Matters: When submitting content that touches on sensitive or mature themes, ensure it is contextual and serves a purpose in the narrative. We discourage gratuitous violence or evil solely for the sake of shock value. Instead, focus on creating depth, motivation, and a sense of purpose for characters and events.

By adhering to these guidelines, contributors can help ensure that the Dort universe remains a captivating and respectful space for storytelling, exploration, and adventure. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in maintaining the integrity and spirit of Dort.

Third-Party Publishing & Usage Guidelines

We are thrilled that you have shown interest in expanding the universe of Dort through third-party publishing. The world of Dort is vast and filled with endless possibilities, and we encourage creators to explore and contribute to its richness. However, to maintain the integrity and originality of the content, we have set forth the following guidelines:

  1. Usage of Setting: Third-party publishers are welcome to use the world setting of Dort for their creations. This includes the geography, lore, cultures, and general backdrop of the universe.

  2. Original Content Creation: While the setting of Dort is available for use, we prohibit direct replication or reprinting of the content as it is written on our site or any official Dort publications. All third-party works should be original creations that add value, depth, or a fresh perspective to the Dort universe.

  3. Fan Fiction Limitations: Content categorized as "fan fiction" on our platform is not transferable for third-party publishing. These works remain the intellectual property of their original creators and cannot be used or republished without explicit permission from the respective authors.

  4. Attribution: Any work published using the Dort setting should provide clear attribution, indicating that it is set in the "World of Dort" and acknowledging the primary source.

  5. Quality & Respect: We urge third-party publishers to maintain a standard of quality and respect towards the original content. Any work that misrepresents or devalues the core essence of Dort may be subject to review or further action.

By adhering to these guidelines, we hope to see a plethora of diverse and engaging content that enriches the Dort universe while preserving its core values and essence. We look forward to witnessing the myriad ways in which creators bring their unique touch to the world of Dort.

Tools Utilized in the Creation of Dort

In the development and expansion of the Dort world, we've employed a variety of tools to enhance our content, streamline our processes, and ensure a rich and immersive experience for all users. Here's a brief overview of the primary tools we use:

  1. Obsidian (https://obsidian.md/)

    • Purpose: A powerful knowledge base that works on top of a local folder of plain text Markdown files. We use Obsidian for organizing our notes, ideas, and the intricate details of the Dort world.
  2. Homebrewery (https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/)

    • Purpose: A tool for creating and formatting homebrew content in the style of official D&D publications. It aids in presenting our content in a professional and aesthetically pleasing manner.
  3. Coat of Arms Maker (https://coamaker.com/)

    • Purpose: An online tool for creating and editing coat of arms, flags and shields. We use the Coat of Arms Maker to design all of the custom coat of arms giving character to our nobles and towns.
  4. ChatGPT (Link to ChatGPT)

    • Purpose: An advanced language model that assists in generating creative content, answering queries, and providing insights. ChatGPT has been instrumental in fleshing out various aspects of the Dort world. (ChatGPT wrote that for me)
  5. Claude AI (https://claude.ai/chats)

    • Purpose: Another language model tool that aids in content creation, brainstorming, and generating ideas. It complements our creative process by offering alternative perspectives and suggestions.
  6. Image Studio (https://app.artflow.ai/image-studio)

    • Purpose: A digital tool for creating and editing images. We use Image Studio to design visuals and other graphical elements that bring the Dort world to life.
  7. Clipdrop (https://clipdrop.co/stable-diffusion)

    • Purpose: A digital tool for creating and editing images. We use Clipdrop to design portraits that bring the Dort world to life.
  8. Night Cafe (https://creator.nightcafe.studio/studio)

    • Purpose: A digital tool for creating and editing images. We use Night Cafe to design portraits that bring the Dort world to life.
  9. Dreamstudio (https://dreamstudio.ai/generate)

    • Purpose: A digital tool for creating and editing images. We use Dream Studio to design portraits that bring the Dort world to life.

Each of these tools plays a unique role in the development of Dort, and we're grateful for the capabilities they offer. We encourage contributors and enthusiasts to familiarize themselves with these tools, as they can significantly enhance the world-building experience.

Developmental Roadmap

The immediate focus is on expanding Dort, with significant progress already made on the region of Irna. There's a pressing need to flesh out details related to settlements, guilds, cults, and similar entities within Irna. Subsequent phases will pivot based on player-driven narratives, with Funta being the likely next focus. Intermittently, the broader world will also be charted out as opportunities arise.