Boundaries
This document serves solely to set boundaries for fans of Branches Of Sunshire, as set by Helladelic/acy, the creator of Branches Of Sunshire.
Having witnessed toxic behavior in various fandoms, I feel it is important that these boundaries be established to help fans, as individuals, navigate this fandom.
Before I begin, I want to make a few disclaimers:
These boundaries are subject to change over time and are set at Helladelic/acy's discretion. If these boundaries do not resonate with you, then you may look elsewhere for content.
Fans are not permitted to take this and adjust it to their convenience, use it to excuse their misconduct, or to excuse and perpetuate their bigotry in any fandom.
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1. You are the observer, not a participant in the creative process.
This means that you are not entitled to having your headcanons become canon, nor have the content cater to you specifically. All creative decisions are made at the discretion of the creator of said content. Do not assume something is canon just because something happens to fall in line with your headcanon/theory.
2. Headcanons and theories.
Do not claim your head canon or theory as canon if it is not officially stated otherwise or in the official content. Do NOT debate me on this. Do not insist that my character has an attribute that I specifically stated they don't have, and try to change my mind on it to cater to you. e.g., insisting they have stinky feet when they don't or insisting a non-ticklish character is ticklish.
3. Pre-reboots and pre-retcons are no longer canon.
As the creator, I am free to change character designs, names, pairings, concepts, cut a character from my work, etc. Just because I did something in the past doesn't mean it is still canon now. We are constantly growing and changing as creators and as will our ideas. It is not up for debate. I will not go back to old concepts to cater to you.
4. Commissions, gifts, and trades are not always canon.
Just because you commissioned me for something with my character, it doesn't make it canon. Your character in a crossover artwork with mine won't be added to my official canon story, and some commissioned ideas may go against my official canon, as they were made for the client and what they requested. Do not rely on commissioned works for canon information, unless otherwise stated by me, Helladelic/acy.
5. I am not your therapist.
While fiction and fandoms are a great way to cope, do not use them to replace professional help. Do not use your mental health condition to excuse your misconduct in the fandom, and finally understand that therapy/psychiatry is a tool for you to help you, not a miracle that fixes everything. Utilize your tools well.
6. I am not a free sex worker.
I refuse to partake in fetish/NSFW RPs. If you want to read about fetish and NSFW content with my characters, PLEASE read my story, see their ‘kinky stats cards,’ and see my artwork.
7. If you choose to create artwork and commissions,
PLEASE follow the basic color guideline and be respectful of their race, orientation, and body type. Ashley is non-binary, so please don't depict their genitals. NONE of my characters have pale soles or body hair below the neckline. NONE of my characters have stinky feet, sans Craig. Do not debate this with me.
8. Artwork, fanfiction, and other fanworks.
Do not harass anyone for drawing fan art that you may not like. Do NOT “fix” other people’s artwork. No art theft and no Gen AI. This applies to fanfiction and other fanworks.
9. Voice actors, animators, and other crew members are not your friends.
Please remember that you are a fan. All relationships between fan and crew member are to be kept at arm’s length. If at any time a crew member wishes to block you for whatever reason, you, the fan, must respect their boundary. You are not entitled to an explanation nor forgiveness. You must accept it, learn from your mistake, and move forward.
10. Likewise, if a fan blocks you. You must respect this boundary.
You are not entitled to any explanation nor forgiveness. Any fan is allowed to curate their space however they wish, and by doing so, they set their own boundaries.
11. Shipping wars are not tolerated here.
Do not harass anyone for drawing the “wrong” ship or shipping certain characters. Do not claim your ship as canon if it is not officially stated otherwise or in the official content.
12. Do not harass people over fictional characters!
People will like characters that have committed crimes and atrocities. This is not an excuse to do any kind of witch-hunting. Likewise, any crimes and atrocities committed by fictional characters of said content do not represent the morals, beliefs, or views of any fan or me.
13. You are not entitled to know about the life and/or business of me or a fan.
What we choose to share is on our own terms. Do not stalk or harass anyone.
14. Big-name fandom artists and other participants.
While it's good to admire someone, do not place them on a pedestal and glorify them. This leads to parasocial relationships and the building of a false persona of said individual. Be cautious of individuals who act as the fanbassodor or the fandom voice.
15. Callout posts/witch hunts.
Everyone has the right to spread awareness; however, encouragement to harass, dogpile, slander, and spread misinformation is not permitted. Check and verify sources and claims. Crew members are not obligated to, nor is it their responsibility to, repost or spread callout posts, Google Docs, etc. Witch hunts go against the point of Branches Of Sunshire.
16. Fans do not represent the views, morals, or beliefs of me and Branches Of Sunshire as a whole.
Everyone has their own opinion. Each represents themselves and themselves only.
17. Nobody has a clean slate.
We are all human beings and are flawed. There is no such thing as a non-problematic person, and even so, SOMEONE WILL make it a problem for any reason whatsoever. People WILL find a reason to complain and talk shit. It is your job to live your best life and be your true, authentic self. Let people dislike you and love yourself. Real friends have your back and will accept you as you are, as long as you commit to doing better for yourself.
18. Be cautious of those who claim not to be problematic, have done no wrong, and obsess over having the moral high ground. Such individuals are often controlling and manipulative.
19. It's okay to admit that the content is not for you.
Such content may not be for everyone, and the worst thing you can do is force yourself to like it.
20. Do not be a zealot and enforce these boundaries. This is a guide, not a gospel. You may refer to them as a reference, but no more. Just because these are written doesn’t mean they will prevent any fandom shenanigans from happening. This document is meant to serve as a reference for fans to gauge whether they wish to engage with certain events, content, or individuals. These boundaries are meant to be vague enough to give fans wiggle room to use their best judgment and watch where the wind blows.
21. Remember that context in a situation DOES matter.
22. Curate your space. Block, mute, and move on.
23. Overall, please have fun.
The last thing I want is for people to take the content and work too seriously and be at each other’s throats over it. Peace out!