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Nominations Clarification 3

Here is a little FAQ about Nominations Clarification posts for those of you who haven't run into them before:

Nominations closing soon

Nominations close today! We will then enter tagset clean up. There will probably be at least one more nomination clarification after this, possibly two more, as we work on clearing out the AO3 tagset nominations and the sheet nominations. A big benefit of the longer tagset clean up phase this year is that it should give us ample time for clarification of late submitted tags. Once we enter sign ups, we will stop work on tagset clarification so that we can focus on the next phase of the event.

While you're thinking about sign ups, we'd encourage you to stop by the Fandom Promo post (link) to browse promos or post your own!

Recursive fandoms in need of additional interested participants

Per our rules for nominating new recursive fandoms, we need either either proof of an established fandom for the nominated work or 3 participants who are interested in the fandom. In addition to the one we mentioned last time, we have several more nominations for recursive fandoms that are in need of 1-2 more interested parties. If you would be interested in requesting, offering, or pinch hitting for any of the following fandoms, please follow the associated link and leave a comment.

Batstallion - c_art (DFE)

• Fandom: DCU (Comics)
• Very brief summary: wild west au fancomic with Jason, Bruce, and Dick
• Link to work: Here on AO3
• Where to comment: This can now be nominated!

The Agreement - Tavina (DFE)

• Fandom: Original Work
• Very brief summary: M/M pseudohistorical Original Work set in republic era-ish China, where two men who used to be friends where one is rich and one is poor and both want custody of their nephew!
• Link to work: Here on AO3
• Where to comment: This can now be nominated!

under the olive grove - embraidery (DFE)

• Fandom: Original Work
• Very brief summary: estranged childhood friends to lovers + class differences set in classical greek inspired setting
• Link to work: Here on AO3
• Where to comment: This can now be nominated!

Eernal Lies - westwind & sphinx & Tol Ailin & nextworldover & apprenticebard & Kelardry & hearts (DFE)

• Fandom: Call of Cthulhu
• Very brief summary: Ten years ago, a team of occult investigators banded together to prevent the summoning of an ancient and monstrous evil. They failed. The world looks the same as it always has... for now. It is 1934, and a team has been hired by the daughter of one of the two surviving investigators-- who has just recently died-- to find out what happened to her father and perhaps to set right what once went wrong.
• Link to work: Here on glowfic
• Where to comment if you'd request, offer, or pinch hit for this fandom: Here on the Nominations Guidelines! Please sign your comment if you are commenting anonymously.

A More Satisfying Vengeance - SassySnowperson (DFE)

• Fandom: Original Work
• Very brief summary: A More Satisfying Vengeance by SassySnowperson is an OW Cruel King's Widowed Husband/New King set in medieval times. Not quite love at first sight but they fall for each other over the course of an evening with excellent hurt/comfort.
• Link to work: Here on AO3
• Where to comment: This can now be nominated!

Surrender Denied - SassySnowperson (DFE)

• Fandom: Original Work
• Very brief summary: Surrender Denied by SassySnowperson is an OW Winning General/Respected Opposing General Who is Their Postwar Arranged Marriage Spouse, an arranged marriage IN SPACE with world building and two very competent men!
• Link to work: Here on AO3
• Where to comment: This can now be nominated!

Queries

Google Forms nominations

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Video Game): Expedition 33 & Expedition 33 (Clair Obscur) — Does this mean "Any Expedition 33 Member & Any Expedition 33 Member (Clair Obscur)"?
• Crossover Fandom: Gotham City (DCU Comics) & Any Fear Entity from The Magnus Archives — Our nomination guidelines say, "We will not accept inanimate objects, inanimate locations, vague concepts, or platonic ideals as characters. Animals, canonically thinking/feeling objects, and canonically thinking/feeling locations are fine!" Is Gotham canonically thinking/feeling?
• DCU (Comics): Gotham City & Jason Todd (DC Comics) — Our nomination guidelines say, "We will not accept inanimate objects, inanimate locations, vague concepts, or platonic ideals as characters. Animals, canonically thinking/feeling objects, and canonically thinking/feeling locations are fine!" Is Gotham canonically thinking/feeling?
• DCU (Comics): Solo: Gotham City (DC Comics) — Our nomination guidelines say, "We will not accept inanimate objects, inanimate locations, vague concepts, or platonic ideals as characters. Animals, canonically thinking/feeling objects, and canonically thinking/feeling locations are fine!" Is Gotham canonically thinking/feeling?
• Dimension 20 (Web Series): WB: The Bulb (D20) — We think this might be too close to a Solo: nomination, but we're not sure whether or not The Hungry counts as a character! We would appreciate more information about that. Alternatively, the nominator could let us know what specific worldbuilding they're looking for on this subject.
• Dimension 20 (Web Series): WB: The Hungry One (D20) — We think this might be too close to a Solo: nomination, but we're not sure whether or not The Hungry counts as a character! We would appreciate more information about that. Alternatively, the nominator could let us know what specific worldbuilding they're looking for on this subject.
• Doki Doki Literature Club! (Visual Novel): WB: The Game Without The Player's Influence (DDLC) — Nominator, we're not sure what this means. Could you clarify for us?
• Fire Emblem: Kakusei | Fire Emblem: Awakening: Solo: Future Kids (FE:A) — Are these canonical future kids? Is there another name (or, more specific name) for this group?
• Hazbin Hotel (Cartoon): Alastor's Shadow/Angel Dust (Hazbin Hotel) — We need more information about characters' shadows. Are they separate thinking/feeling characters in this canon?
• Hazbin Hotel (Cartoon): Alastor's Shadow/Angel Dust's Shadow (Hazbin Hotel) — We need more information about characters' shadows. Are they separate thinking/feeling characters in this canon?
• Katekyou Hitman Reborn!: WB: Box Weapon Animals (Katekyou Hitman Reborn!) — Nominator, we can't figure out what this WB: tag means! Can you explain it for us?
• Original Work: Solo: Nonbinary Person Who Needs to Pee but Won't Use Public Bathroom (OW) — This was nominated twice in a row! Did you mean to nominate a different tag?
• Original Work: WB: Civilian's Impressions of Superhero Group (OW) — Nominator, we're not really sure if this is a worldbuilding topic. Could you elaborate a little about what you're thinking? It seems to us like this might be covered by "Civilians & Superhero Group (OW)"
• Original Work: WB: Human's Impressions of Alien Species (OW) — Nominator, we're not really sure if this is a worldbuilding topic. Could you elaborate a little about what you're thinking? It seems to us like this might be covered by "Humans & Aliens (OW)"
• Smokey and the Bandit (1977): Bandit/Original Male Character(s) (Smokey and the Bandit) (Smokey and the Bandit) — We don't allow tags with "(s)". Any request for a group of characters can be filled with just one of those characters or with multiple . Do you want the singular or plural version of this tag?
• Stargate - Live Action: Solo: Any Military Character (Bluestone 42) in Stargate Atlantis (Stargate LA) — Nominator, just letting you know in case you lost track of this—you nominated this under Stargate - Live Action, but we approved it under Crossover Fandom.
• Superman (Movie 2025): WB: Opinion/Rumors About The Superharem (Superman 2025) — Nominator, we also have a nomination for "WB: Superman Secret Harem Conspiracy Theories (Superman 2025)" and of course we can see that this WB tags are subtly different, but we wanted to know if there was any possibility that you and the other nominator would be able to settle on a single tag, for matching purposes. If not, that's okay, and we will accept both tags as-is.

Ao3 tagset nominations

• DCU (Comics): WB: Red Hood Inc Paperwork (DC Comics) — This is already in the tagset, but on second look we can't figure out what Red Hood Inc is. What does this tag mean? Is Red Hood Inc. canon?
• Dinotopia - James Gurney: WB: Relationship with the modern world (Dinotopia - James Gurney) — Nominator, we can't figure out what this WB: tag means! Can you explain it for us?
• Doki Doki Literature Club! (Visual Novel): WB: The game without the player's influence (Doki Doki Literature Club) — Nominator, we can't figure out what this WB: tag means! Can you explain it for us? Also, WB: tags need to be phrased in an in-universe way, although we're not sure how much that rule applies to this tag.
• Haikyuu!! : WB: Inner Politics of Pro Volleyball Teams (Haikyuu!!) — We need more information about this nomination. Do volleyball teams in Haikyuu!! have significantly different social dynamics than real-life teams? What kind of "politics" does a volleyball team have? Is this a request for politics between members of one team, or the politics between different teams?
• KPop Demon Hunters (2025): WB: Fan Interpretations of the Movie's Finale (KPDH) — WB: tags should be phrased in an in-universe way. Nominator, what part of the aftermath of the movie's finale are you looking for worldbuilding about?
• Superman (Movie 2025): WB: Superman Secret Harem Conspiracy Theories (Superman 2025) — Nominator, we also have a nomination for "WB: Opinion/Rumors About The Superharem (Superman 2025)" and of course we can see that this WB tags are subtly different, but we wanted to know if there was any possibility that you and the other nominator would be able to settle on a single tag, for matching purposes. If not, that's okay, and we will accept both tags as-is.
• Teen Wolf (TV): WB: Born Versus Bitten Wolves (Teen Wolf) — We're not totally sure what this nomination means. Would "WB: Differences Between Born And Bitten Wolves (Teen Wolf)" work, or does this tag mean something else?
• 逆転裁判 | Gyakuten Saiban | Ace Attorney: Sebastian Debeste & Franziska von Karma (Ace Attorney), Sebastian Debeste & Kay Faraday (Ace Attorney), Sebastian Debeste & Miles Edgeworth (Ace Attorney) — The official translation of Sebastian Debeste is Eugene Winner. Does it make sense to use that name instead for the tagset?

Rejected Tags

Google Forms nominations

• Anne of Green Gables - L. M. Montgomery: WB: Any (Anne of Green Gables - L. M. Montgomery) (AOGG) — We're rejecting this tag because we will add all WB: Any tags to the tagset after nominations close.
• D.Gray-man (Anime & Manga): WB: Fallen Ones (DGM) — We think this is a little too close to a Solo: nomination and would like to ask the nominator what kind of worldbuilding they would specifically be interested in. We're happy to help you phrase one or several tags to cover your worldbuilding interests or, alternately, to accept this tag as a Solo: tag.
• D.Gray-man (Anime & Manga): WB: Recent Bookman History (DGM) — We realize that "History of [Group]" is a fairly common WB: tag format, but we're concerned this might be a little close to "WB: Backstory of [Group]" which is a type of WB tag we don't allow. Could you elaborate on what kind of worldbuilding you're looking for? (Also, in hopes that you don't feel singled out, I want you to know I have made a note for myself to review all of our "WB: History of..." nominations before the next round starts to see if this is a problem in other similarly phrased tags.)
• DCU (Comics): Jason Todd & Any Red Hood Henchperson(s) (DC Comics) — Nominator, we can't accept this as-is because we don't allow nominations with "(s)". We can approve it as singular or plural—because of our exchange rules, the plural version does also opt requesters into the singular version.
• DCU (Comics): WB: Interrogation Of Any Red Hood Henchperson (DC Comics) — Nominator, this is a prompt rather than a worldbuilding topic. Could you clarify what kind of worldbuilding you're looking for?
• DCU (Comics): WB: Justice League Mission Report (DC Comics) — Nominator, we don't want anyone to seem like they're opting in to a specific medium via a WB: tag. Could you clarify what kind of worldbuilding you're looking for?
• DCU (Comics): WB: Mission Report From The Batcomputer (DC Comics) — Nominator, we don't want anyone to seem like they're opting in to a specific medium via a WB: tag. Could you clarify what kind of worldbuilding you're looking for?
• Dimension 20 (Web Series): WB: Deus-Pa'Zuul (D20) — We think this is a little too close to a Solo: nomination and would like to ask the nominator what kind of worldbuilding they would specifically be interested in. We're happy to help you phrase one or several tags to cover your worldbuilding interests or, alternately, to accept this tag as a Solo: tag.
• Dimension 20 (Web Series): WB: FDA | Fellowship of Destiny's Architects (D20) — We think this is a little too close to a Solo: nomination and would like to ask the nominator what kind of worldbuilding they would specifically be interested in. We're happy to help you phrase one or several tags to cover your worldbuilding interests or, alternately, to accept this tag as a Solo: tag.
• Dimension 20 (Web Series): WB: House Rocks (D20) — We think this is a little too close to a Solo: nomination and would like to ask the nominator what kind of worldbuilding they would specifically be interested in. We're happy to help you phrase one or several tags to cover your worldbuilding interests or, alternately, to accept this tag as a Solo: tag.
• Dimension 20 (Web Series): WB: Neverafter - The Authors (D20) — We think this is a little too close to a Solo: nomination and would like to ask the nominator what kind of worldbuilding they would specifically be interested in. We're happy to help you phrase one or several tags to cover your worldbuilding interests or, alternately, to accept this tag as a Solo: tag.
• Dimension 20 (Web Series): WB: The Great Beasts (D20) — We think this is a little too close to a Solo: nomination and would like to ask the nominator what kind of worldbuilding they would specifically be interested in. We're happy to help you phrase one or several tags to cover your worldbuilding interests or, alternately, to accept this tag as a Solo: tag.
• Dimension 20 (Web Series): WB: The Order of the Spinning Star (D20) — We think this is a little too close to a Solo: nomination and would like to ask the nominator what kind of worldbuilding they would specifically be interested in. We're happy to help you phrase one or several tags to cover your worldbuilding interests or, alternately, to accept this tag as a Solo: tag.
• Dimension 20 (Web Series): WB: The Traveling Swirler Sisters (D20) — We think this is a little too close to a Solo: nomination and would like to ask the nominator what kind of worldbuilding they would specifically be interested in. We're happy to help you phrase one or several tags to cover your worldbuilding interests or, alternately, to accept this tag as a Solo: tag.
• Fallout: New Vegas: WB: After the Second Battle of Hoover Dam (Fallout: New Vegas) — Nominator, this is a period of time instead of a specific worldbuilding topic. What aspect(s) of this period of time are you looking for worldbuilding about?
• Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature (Audio Drama): Solo: Original Harbridge Student(s) Studying Anterra (Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature) — We don't allow tags with "(s)". Any request for a group of characters can be filled with just one of those characters or with multiple. Also, this OC description is too detailed for an original character outside of the Original Work fandom. Do you want "Solo: Original Harbridge Student (Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature)" (singular) or "Solo: Original Harbridge Students (Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature)" (plural)
• Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature (Audio Drama): Solo: Original Peking University Student(s) Studying Anterra (Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature) — We don't allow tags with "(s)". Any request for a group of characters can be filled with just one of those characters or with multiple. Also, this OC description is too detailed for an original character outside of the Original Work fandom. Do you want "Solo: Original Peking Student (Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature)" (singular) or "Solo: Original Peking Students (Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature)" (plural)
• Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature (Audio Drama): WB: Gods & Monsters (Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature) — We think this is a little too close to a Solo: nomination and would like to ask the nominator what kind of worldbuilding they would specifically be interested in. We're happy to help you phrase one or several tags to cover your worldbuilding interests or, alternately, to accept this tag as a Solo: tag.
• ONE - Cheesy Hfj (Web Series): Solo: Any Female ONE Contestant(s) (ONE - Cheesy Hfj) — We don't allow tags with "(s)". Any request for a group of characters can be filled with just one of those characters or with multiple. Do you want the singular or plural version of this tag?
• ONE - Cheesy Hfj (Web Series): Solo: Any First Episode ONE Contestant(s) (ONE - Cheesy Hfj) — We don't allow tags with "(s)". Any request for a group of characters can be filled with just one of those characters or with multiple. Do you want the singular or plural version of this tag?
• The Avengers (Marvel Movies): WB: Any Avengers Comms Transcript (Avengers) — Nominator, we don't want anyone to seem like they're opting in to a specific medium via a WB: tag. Could you clarify what kind of worldbuilding you're looking for?
• The Avengers (Marvel Movies): WB: Any Avengers Mission Report (Avengers) — Nominator, we don't want anyone to seem like they're opting in to a specific medium via a WB: tag. Could you clarify what kind of worldbuilding you're looking for?
• The Avengers (Marvel Movies): WB: Any Shield Mission Report (Avengers) — Nominator, we don't want anyone to seem like they're opting in to a specific medium via a WB: tag. Could you clarify what kind of worldbuilding you're looking for?
• Wiedźmin | The Witcher (Video Game): WB: Any Witcher School (Witcher Games) — We think this is a little too close to a Solo: nomination and would like to ask the nominator what kind of worldbuilding they would specifically be interested in. We're happy to help you phrase one or several tags to cover your worldbuilding interests or, alternately, to accept this tag as a Solo: tag.
• 銀魂 | Gintama (Anime & Manga): WB: Shiroyasha (Gintama) — This seems like the title of a person, which would make it a little too close to a Solo: nomination. We would like to ask the nominator what kind of worldbuilding they would specifically be interested in. We're happy to help you phrase one or several tags to cover your worldbuilding interests or, alternately, to accept this tag as a Solo: tag.

Ao3 tagset nominations

• 15th Century CE RPF: Solo: I. Mátyás magyar király (15th Century CE RPF) — This was rejected for incorrect capitalization, but a curious google brought us to this Wikipedia page—this seems to be the Hungarian name for "Hunyadi Matyas" who is nominated in a different 15th Century CE RPF tag. If that's the case, please re-nominate under that name. If Wikipedia has lied to us (very possible) and these are actually two different people who need to be nominated under separate names, please let us know!
• Betrayal at House on the Hill: WB: Backstories of the Entities Inhabiting the House (Betrayal at House on the Hill) — We don't accept WB tags with "Backstory" in them. Also, we're not really sure what this tag means, but it seems to be about a group of characters, which would probably be better for a Solo: nomination. Could the nominator help us out so we can find a rephrasing that works?
• Betrayal at House on the Hill: WB: Backstories of the Rooms (Betrayal at House on the Hill) — We don't accept WB tags with "Backstory" in them. Also, we're not really sure what this tag means. Could the nominator help us out so we can find a rephrasing that works?
• Betrayal at House on the Hill: WB: How Betrayals Work During Haunts (Betrayal at House on the Hill) — Nominator, this is phrased like a prompt instead of a worldbuilding topic. What kind of worldbuilding are you looking for?
• Final Fantasy XIV: WB: IVth Legion Beastmasters (FFXIV) — We think this is a little too close to a Solo: nomination and would like to ask the nominator what kind of worldbuilding they would specifically be interested in. We're happy to help you phrase one or several tags to cover your worldbuilding interests or, alternately, to accept this tag as a Solo: tag.
• Haikyuu!! : WB: Articles about Volleyball Matches (Haikyuu!!) — Nominator, we don't want anyone to seem like they're opting in to a specific medium via a WB: tag. Could you clarify what kind of worldbuilding you're looking for?
• Haikyuu!! : WB: Kodzuken's Social Media Presence (Haikyuu!!) — This WB: tag would be better as optional details under a Solo: request. "
• Haikyuu!! : WB: Social Media Discussions of Pro Volleyball Players (Haikyuu!!) — We would like to rephrase to ""WB: Internet Discussions of Pro Volleyball Players (Haikyuu!!)"" so that the exact medium of the discussion (social media, forum posts, etc) can be left up to creator discussion, possible influenced by selected tags. We don't want anyone to seem like they're opting in to a specific medium via a WB: tag. "
• House of Leaves - Mark Z. Danielewski: WB: How the House Works (HoL - Danielewski) — We don't accept WB: tags with phrasing like this because it's too close to a prompt/question. Nominator, could you elaborate on what kind of worldbuilding you're looking for?
• Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle: WB: Non-Player Characters (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle) — Groups of characters can't be nominated as WB tags, only as Solo: tags. We're happy to accept this as a Solo: tag, but we'd also be interested in hearing what kind of worldbuilding the nominator wanted about this group. Please keep in mind that WB: tags need to be phrased in an in-universe way.
• KinnPorsche: The Series (TV): WB: Family History (KinnPorsche) — We realize that "History of [Group]" is a fairly common WB: tag format, but we're concerned this might be a little close to "WB: Backstory of [Group]" which is a type of WB tag we don't allow. Could you elaborate on what kind of worldbuilding you're looking for? (Also, in hopes that you don't feel singled out, I want you to know I have made a note for myself to review all of our "WB: History of..." nominations before the next round starts to see if this is a problem in other similarly phrased tags.)
• Riverdale (TV 2017): WB: The Gang Returning to an Altered Present Timeline (Riverdale) — Nominator, this is phrased like a prompt instead of a worldbuilding topic. What kind of worldbuilding are you looking for?
• The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien: Aragorn/Halbarad (Tolkien) — These were disambiguated incorrectly but we thought you might be confused about why, so here's an explanation: you selected the canonical (official) tags instead of writing a tag with a more specific disambiguation. Per the Nominations Guidelines, we need disambiguations that are clear about which specific fandom a tag is nominated under, so tags under this fandom should be disambiguated with "Aragorn/Halbarad (LotR - Tolkien)" or similar. You can re-nominate via the form if you are out of nomination slots.
• The Magnus Archives (Podcast): WB: Lukas Family History (TMA) — We realize that "History of [Group]" is a fairly common WB: tag format, but we're concerned this might be a little close to "WB: Backstory of [Group]" which is a type of WB tag we don't allow. Could you elaborate on what kind of worldbuilding you're looking for? (Also, in hopes that you don't feel singled out, I want you to know I have made a note for myself to review all of our "WB: History of..." nominations before the next round starts to see if this is a problem in other similarly phrased tags.)
• The Magnus Archives (Podcast): WB: Original Statement (The Magnus Archives) — It's come to our attention that this is a prompt for an in-universe media type, rather than a worldbuilding topic, so it will be removed from the tagset. Nominator, what kind of worldbuilding about statements are you looking for? We'd be happy to put a replacement tag into the tagset for you.
• 天官赐福 - 墨香铜臭 | Tiān Guān Cì Fú - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù: WB: Ghost City Local Newspapers & Articles (TGCF) — Nominator, we don't want anyone to seem like they're opting in to a specific medium via a WB: tag. Could you clarify what kind of worldbuilding you're looking for?
• 天官赐福 - 墨香铜臭 | Tiān Guān Cì Fú - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù: WB: Manual on Ghost Types (TGCF) — Nominator, we don't want anyone to seem like they're opting in to a specific medium via a WB: tag. Could you clarify what kind of worldbuilding you're looking for?
• 山河令 | Word of Honor (TV 2021): WB: Ghost Valley Recipes (Word of Honor) — Nominator, we don't want anyone to seem like they're opting in to a specific medium via a WB: tag. Could you clarify what kind of worldbuilding you're looking for?
• 山河令 | Word of Honor (TV 2021): WB: Notes & Textbooks from Healer Valley (Word of Honor) — Nominator, we don't want anyone to seem like they're opting in to a specific medium via a WB: tag. Could you clarify what kind of worldbuilding you're looking for?
• 黄金の太陽 | Golden Sun Series: WB: The Years Immediately After The Return of Alchemy (Golden Sun) — Nominator, this is a period of time instead of a specific worldbuilding topic. What aspect(s) of this period of time are you looking for worldbuilding about?
• 黄金の太陽 | Golden Sun Series: WB: Vale's Refugees Moving To Kalay Or Rebuilding Nearby (Golden Sun) — Nominator, this is too close to a Solo: group nomination and we would like to rephrase. Maybe something like "WB: Logistics of Vale Refugees' Move To Kalay" although you might want worldbuilding about some different aspect of their resettlement.