Canon and You: Official vs. Player LoreWith the game's reopening, it's time to talk about the difference between official canon and player canon, especially in regards to lore and how canon relates to character backgrounds.
Official CanonUnwritten Legends canon includes any information about the game setting that is available in-game, on the website, or posted on the forums. It encompasses everything from the origins of the universe to the planes of existence, the gods and their domains, and all the cosmic mysteries and mundanities in between: the world of Thrael, its geography, its inhabitants, and their systems of magic, politics, and technology.
Player CanonPlayer canon is created when players expand on the official lore through roleplay, creative writing, or character background development. Unwritten Legends is a rich setting, but we can't (and don’t want to) write official canon for everything. Players are encouraged to build their own stories atop the foundation of official lore—and player canon is a vital part of that process.
How the Two InteractOfficial canon and player canon can coexist as long as two core principles are observed:
1. Player canon is not official lore and doesn’t require staff approval.
Other players may engage with your ideas, but they are not required to acknowledge your player-created lore. We want there to be space for everyone to roleplay their own stories in a flexible and collaborative environment.
2. Official canon takes precedence.
As long as your player canon doesn't contradict official lore, you're free to explore, invent, and roleplay as you like. But if an official lore update conflicts with your player lore, official canon wins out.
Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: Do I need to submit my background information to staff?
A: No. Backgrounds are considered player canon and don’t need approval. If you're requesting a special pre- or post-title, we might ask for a short explanation—but that's it.
Q: What if I’ve made up lore for my background? How do I know it won’t get contradicted?
A: Our goal is to make official lore a framework, not a cage. We can't guarantee future lore won’t ever contradict player-created content, but we’ll always be happy to help rework characters if and when those situations arise.
Q: What if my background includes something wild—like a vampire-werewolf-dragon-Re’har hybrid?
A: Use common sense. We’re limited in our ability to support characters that fall outside the bounds of current canon or system mechanics, and we do reserve the right to say no to concepts that don’t fit the atmosphere or tone of the game.
In ClosingWe love seeing the world of Thrael through your characters' eyes. Your stories, backgrounds, and headcanons are part of what makes this game feel alive. Keep exploring, keep building, and remember—we're here to help you tell compelling stories, not to box you in.
So dream big, collaborate often, and as always: don’t be afraid to write the next legend.