We use the standardized content rating system from RPG Rating to indicate the type of content a character may be involved in. You can click the link above for a full breakdown, but here's how the system is applied specifically on Nocturne.

Nocturne is considered a 333 site, meaning we allow explicit and potentially disturbing language, sexual content, and violence. That said, not all threads will contain mature content. The rating simply reflects what is permitted, not what is required.

For characters, we interpret the rating system a bit differently from the standard RPG Rating definitions. The numbers (1–3) should be used to represent the type of content a character may typically engage in, based on their behavior, personality, or backstory:

• 1: Mild. Swearing, sexual content, and violence are minimal or rarely appear with this character.
• 2: Moderate. These elements are present but with clear limits. Check with the player for boundaries.
• 3: Explicit. Strong language, sexual content, or violence may regularly appear in posts involving this character, within site rules.

Keep in mind that even characters rated 111 might encounter mature or disturbing situations in roleplay. Ratings should reflect how your character behaves or what they've experienced, not just what they do to others. For example, a character who has been abused or manipulated may be rated for that due to profile content or mentions of past trauma, even if they don’t inflict harm themselves.

So in the end, the ratings should be used individually for each character. Characters who have a rating will have the rating displayed directly at the top of their profile. It is each player's responsibility to properly label their characters and each reader's responsibility to check for warnings associated with that character on their profile or in their threads/posts.

Rating Your Characters

We've compiled some examples of the different rating types below with some scenarios you can use to gauge how to rate your own character. Keep in mind, these are just examples and you'll want to reference the nature of the things your characters do or experience. Our content warnings page may be helpful for this as well!
Language:

1. Is your character generally very careful with how they speak and use words, and/or would they struggle at all to swear? If yes, put them at a 1.
2. Would your character be comfortable with swear words, but use them in a way that is generalized or only directed at someone that has wronged them significantly? If yes, put them at a 2.
3. Would your character verbally abuse another character, use insults aimed directly at another character with the intent to harm, or use words with the intent to cause psychological damage to another character? If yes, put them at a 3.

Sexual Content:

1. Is your character a) uninterested in sexual encounters, b) require a deep emotional connection and a heavy amount of history building to consider engaging in anything sexual, or c) too young to participate in anything or just otherwise not involved in any aspects of it? If yes, put them at a 1.
2. Is your character capable and comfortable with sexual encounters, open to building an organic love story, and/or generally just an average person whose purpose does not revolve around these kinds of topics? If yes, put them at a 2.
3. Is your character capable of committing sexual assault, and/or do they have a plot hook or other aspect that brings them into contact with sexual topics frequently? (Example: Your character is a member of a "brothel" group, or is a "slave" that is very likely to be exposed to these topics.) If yes, put them at a 3.

Violence:

1. Is your character generally very peaceful, uninterested in fighting, or may struggle to harm another character, even if their own well-being depended on it? If yes, put them at a 1.
2. Is your character capable of harming another character, especially if given a reason (self defense, revenge, etc.), but doesn't normally go out of their way to cause harm? If yes, put them at a 2.
3. Is your character comfortable with harming others, has a short fuse, is involved in regular combat training/plots, or is capable of carrying out torturous acts (whether directed to or not) upon another character? If yes, put them at a 3.

Navigating Characters With Ratings

Here's what a character's profile might look like for a character that is non-violent, sexual, and has swearing from time to time:


And here's what a thread will look like if it is marked mature and has content tags on it: