Since the chilli rating is on every story, this tag-description post is used to give an overview of the tag system in general, as well as describing how chilli ratings are set.
Three types of tag are used for stories on this site: the chilli tag for a general rating, trigger tags for specific topics which readers might be sensitive to, which can’t be captured by a general rating, and story-type tags to group stories of a particular kind to help readers find stories they want to read (of course, some trigger tags will usefully work as story-type tags for some readers; it takes every kind of people..).
Example: #knife (trigger tag), #scenario-indentured (story-type tag), #harshness:-2-🌶🌶 (general rating tag).
Rating and Trigger tags
Looked at one way, kink is vulnerability, and readers here are in some sense vulnerable - which is why so many kink sites have developed ways of helping visitors predict what they will see/hear/read. It is a notable feature of kink communities that participants are typically careful and polite, and highly tolerant of each other’s realities. This is good, and this is why THW has ratings and is now getting a bit more serious about tags.
Some kinks are offensive to some people who in other directions may have very high tolerance. As an example, some people enjoy detailed descriptions of painful treatment, but need it to be in the context of a loving consensual relationship. Others might be happy with cruel intentions and non-consent, but find bestiality distressing. So, in addition to the general chilli rating, THW is beginning to use more specific ’trigger’ tags (and beginning to catalogue those in this list).
Chilli tags
Every story post here has a harshness rating, like this: #harshness:-1-🌶. Harshness ratings in the general STORIES listing range from one to five chillies. Some stories in the CRUELTIES list have a six chilli rating.
Chillies are the ‘at a glance’ overall rating system here at THW. Since they are general, they are not always going to work for everyone, for every story.
There are no hard rules, and THW is a little nervous about publishing the descriptions below, because there are bound to be different interpretations.
Just for clarity, then, please do make a comment on a story if you think it’s rating is wrong, and I will take it seriously - but in the end, the rule is - THW decides.
Obvious grey areas are; discussion of future harsher possibilities or realities, and flash-forwards to harsher futures. These can be difficult to judge; the THW line is that the more real, the more detailed these futures are, the significance of them in the story being rated, the more likely it is that these will determine the harshness rating.
At the same time, it has to be possible for two people to discuss the harshest events in The Story of O over dinner, in a conversational, non-threatening manner, in a one chilli story.
The majority of stories here are in the 🌶, 🌶🌶 or 🌶🌶🌶 chilli rating categories. Multi-part stories tend to start with lower rating part, doing set-up work, but are very definitely on a trajectory towards episodes with 🌶🌶🌶🌶-plus ratings. This means that some readers might be enjoying a story which then goes too dark for them. That’s the way it is: harshness is what THW is about.
One chilli: harshness:-1-🌶
This generally means no sex, no cruelty (though there may be emotional intensity or non-threatening conversation about sex and/or cruelty).
An example of a story which pushes the upper limit of this rating would be the early version of After your Initiation: although nothing happens in the story, there is discussion of a future condition of sexual degradation. This is, though, non-threatening and non-coercive, with the girl actively demanding that the man tell her how she could be with him.
Two chillies: harshness:-2-🌶🌶
This generally means general sexual relations, which might be quite intense, but will be consensual, and/or mild kink cruelty - such as consensual tied wrists, a forceful BJ.
An example of a story which pushes the upper limit of this rating would be Delicious Whore Pt.1; though the sex is consensual, the final scene in the tattoo parlour is transgressive, and she is tattooed without detailed consent.
Three chillies: harshness:-3-🌶🌶🌶
This generally means violent sex, minor non consent or harsh consensual non-consent, and/or infliction of significant pain or humiliation. Tolerance of future implications is increased at this rating.
An example of a story which pushes the upper limit of this rating would be She was so Easy, 3. Even though the ‘action’ in the story is an on-camera masturbation - well within the bounds of this rating level - there is a a clear future prospect of what the girl describes (without detail) as ’torture’, and of very cruel whipping.
Relatively few stories are rated higher than 🌶🌶🌶.
Four chillies: harshness:-4-🌶🌶🌶🌶
This generally means very violent and/or non-consensual sex, and/or harsh cruelty including whipping and beating, and/or infliction of significant degradation, but not including maiming or mutilation. Tolerance of future implications is further increased at this rating.
An example of a story which pushes the upper limit of this rating would be Anka’s Tale - where the piercing at the end is at the extreme end of could be called decorative.
Five chillies: harshness:-5-🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
The most extreme stories not separated out into the ‘Cruelties’ listing. Branding, threats and descriptions of death, torture, maiming, extreme enslavement, mental and physical abuse.
An example of a story which pushes the upper limit of this rating would be Story of S part 18, where the cruelty of what is guaranteed to Essy should she continue offering herself to them is clearly horrific. Only the fact that it is a description, rather than a real experience keeps it in the general list.
Stories rated 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 are all in the Cruelties section, with the standard warning there - ‘Do not read.’ These stories are deeply unpleasant, not only in their subject matter but also in terms perhaps of specific details, and the heartlessness and crudity of the abusers.
