"Feel free to use this"- Being sent unsolicited lore "suggestions"/rewrites.

Something happened recently that made me pause: someone I barely know—and who hasn’t been active in my server at all—sent me a full “feel free to use this” lore dump meant to expand on my setting’s origins.

It was several full-length Discord messages of world mechanics, conflicts, cause and affect, a whole new being/character, and information on how the world actually works and how things are done in-universe —all in our very first DM interaction.

Fun fact: it completely contradicted my established lore… and they even opened by admitting they knew it did!

At first, I thought maybe it was their own lore meant to interact with mine, perhaps as a roleplay starting point or a small addition to the server’s situation. NOPE. They were proposing a full-on origin rewrite, essentially recentering my entire universe around their idea. It was a whole base of lore, presented as an “idea,” as if I didn’t already have plenty established that made it not make sense in the context and manner they intended.

I ended up explaining that it looked great, but I already have my own core lore to stick with and they gave a simple "No Worries"

I love collaboration and leave plenty of room for additions or interactions—but this reached into the foundational parts of my setting, and I can’t help feeling a little insulted.

I was a little disheartened, as well, that instead of interacting or roleplaying with what I already had, they went straight for a full rewrite of the foundational parts of my setting.

That said, I genuinely appreciate the enthusiasm! But it left me wondering: what’s the best way to handle situations like this? Do you politely decline, ignore it, or try to steer their energy in a way that doesn’t break your world?

I’d love to hear how other writers and worldbuilders navigate unsolicited contributions that clash with their established work. Tips, stories, or strategies are all welcome—bonus points if they involve surviving the awkwardness gracefully.

 

I'm admittedly a jerk and would probably respond in such a manner that would upset them, but I'm sorry, you don't come into my house and try to redecorate.

 

I would have been bothered. It's one thing when you ask for the help or have a place open for world-building suggestions, but to me that's presumptuous and self-absorbed to take someone else's world, completely remap it, and hand it back without asking as if it's okay. I have helped someone completely rework their very sparse world before, but that was because I was onboarded for it. Maybe it's just me, but it seems disrespectful.

Call me passive aggressive, but I'd have probably thumbed up it and ignored it.