3Dontwerpens

3Dontwerpens is a term used in discussions of worldbuilding and speculative fiction to describe a triad of prohibitions that define the boundaries of a society, character action, or magical system within a narrative. The exact definition varies by work, but the triad generally functions as constraints that drive conflict and decision making.

Etymology and usage: The name combines the English word Don't with the Dutch-sounding werpen, used as a stylistic coinage rather than a strictly linguistic term. The concept is not tied to a single canon; writers and critics may assign different prohibitions in each case, often labeled as Don't One, Don't Two, and Don't Three.

Common roles: The three prohibitions typically constrain knowledge, power, and social action. They may forbid certain technologies, restrict access to information, or prohibit forms of behavior considered dangerous to the social order. The narrative tension arises when characters confront or deliberately break one or more of the Don'ts, testing the limits of the world.

Applications: In analysis, 3Dontwerpens is used to explore how constraints shape plot and character arcs. In design, similar triads guide rules, quests, or game mechanics to create meaningful choices while maintaining coherence. The exact content of the Don'ts is context-dependent and often evolves during a narrative.

Examples: A dystopian city might enforce Dont One: question authority; Dont Two: assemble outside designated zones; Dont Three: reveal the true origin of the regime. In fantasy, a magical regime might prohibit necromancy, time manipulation, and soul-binding, with violations punished severely. These examples illustrate how the triad sustains conflict and world consistency. See also worldbuilding, narrative constraints, and rule-based design.