Rimarr

Rimarr is a fictional term used in speculative fiction, tabletop role-playing games, and online collaborative writing to describe a shared narrative space and set of rules that govern cooperative worldbuilding. In many works, Rimarr functions as a modular framework that guides how authors introduce characters, locations, and lore while maintaining internal consistency.

Origins and etymology: Rimarr does not have a single canonical origin. It arose in online communities in the early 2000s as a coined term by various authors; its exact etymology is inconsistent and often deliberately opaque within works.

Concept and usage: In fiction and games, Rimarr is often depicted as either a setting element—a network, realm, or ring that connects disparate places—or as a governance framework for how participants contribute to a joint lore. The mechanics vary by work: some describe formal contribution guidelines, authorship credit systems, and pacing rules to maintain coherence.

Reception and examples: Rimarr is primarily discussed within fan-fiction circles and independent game projects as an example of participatory worldbuilding. It is not a widely used term in formal literary studies and has no standardized definition; writers often adapt the concept to fit their own universes.