Rules [PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS FIRST]

[Headmaster]

I know this is very long and very complicated but there are a few things you need to know and it is very important. If you do not indicate that you've read these rules then I will not sort you and I may delete your account. These will keep you out of trouble.

Hello students and welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I have been asked by Filch, our caretaker, to remind you of the school rules.

Basic Rules:

• Magic is strictly forbidden in the corridors
  
  
• The Dark Forest is forbidden to all students
  
  
• As this is an all ages forum, please keep language appropriate
  
  
• Do not let pictures exceed message board size (640x480)
  
  
• You are asked send me an owl/pm when you've decided on your house.
  
  
• Please keep signature pictures under 100pixels in height. Length should be no longer than 500pixels if possible.

To prove you have read this section please include the word 'filch' at the beginning of your message to me to be sorted. Your triumphs will earn you points. Any rule breaking and you will lose points. In some cases you may even be expelled. The House Cup is awarded every three months.

Read on for part 2

[Headmaster]

Extended Rules

As this is an all ages forum, please keep language appropriate

This does not only mean words but it also means post content.

Of course personal relationships ARE allowed, you're all in school after all. It's bound to happen. However the following is not allowed:

• Sex
  Should you REALLY feel it ABSOLUTELY necessary I ask this to be taken to private messages and even then I would discourage it.
  
• Removal of clothing in a sexual manner
  see above reason
  
• Harassing post content
  
• Overly gory content with no purpose or reason
  
• Suicide or anything similar as it is a sensitive topic.
  

Godmodding, powerplaying, etc is STRICTLY NOT ALLOWED.

NO ONE KNOWS EVERYTHING. If you are not in the same room as someone and they do not make what they say common knowledge you do not know it nor do you hear it.

This goes the same for being in a group setting. If you are in a group setting - The great hall or similar - the chances you're going to see everyone all the time and hear them all the time are beyond low. Make sure things are logical.

Sometimes someone may ask for a someone else to 'play' their character if they have to leave. This is acceptable.

Speaking of logical, please have logic when you post. You do not randomly appear places. You need to have a reason as to why you've arrived there. If you finish somewhere you should begin there when you start up again. Do not just appear places. You cannot apparate in Hogwarts after all.

What is Godmodding or Powerplaying?

• god-modding - Any form of cheating by automatic hits and controlling another player's character implemented by installing a mod in the game
  
  
• Powerplaying: Which refers to trying to control other people's characters.
  
  
  Another definition for godmodding:
  
  
• Godmodding: Changing in game rules or controlling other charters actions or reactions.
  

Godmodding is unfair. No one is all knowing [except me since I am the admin haha xD]. No one is perfect. Godmodding and powerplaying leaves way for Perfect Characters or 'Mary Sues'

What is a Mary Sue?

MarySue: Creating a "Perfect character" with little or no weakness, overly dramatic or perfect past, and excellent at everything.

I cannot state it any better than this:

• "Never powerplay. No one likes to roleplay with someone who is in one place, then is mystically in another without moving, or has actions completed that they have not included in their post. Powerplaying is also used to describe the action of controlling, injuring, killing, or otherwise manipulating another character without the player's consent, such as shooting or tripping a character. It assumes that the character's fate is yours to control, and is one of the most impolite things you can do in roleplay."
  
  Source: www.wikihow.com/Roleplay-Online
  

And on the topic of Mary Sues/Gary or Marty Stus:

• "Another thing to avoid is creating a Mary Sue/Marty Stu. You do not want your character to be 'cliche' or unoriginal. A character who is too perfect, too powerful, without weaknesses or overburdened by a tragic past may be seen as a Mary Sue if these elements are not very well thought through or considered. www.onlyfiction.net/marysue2.html is a good source for consideration- this website provides a test to help one determine how original and creative a character is, compared to common Mary Sue traits."
  
  Source: www.wikihow.com/Roleplay-Online
  

Common Courtesy on the forums

• People have been abusing the Exalt/Smite feature and I am tired of it. It is there under the assumption that you can all be mature enough to use it responsibly. Just because you don't like someone or don't like where their storyline is going does not mean you should smite them. Smiting is for when someone does something genuinely rude or awful - See godmodding/powerplaying/Mary Sues
  
  IF I HAVE TO REMOVE THE EXALT/SMITE FEATURE I WILL.
  
  Prove to me that you are all mature enough to keep it.
  
  Karma has been removed. Unfortunately a few people ruined it for everyone.
  
  
• There is a limit to 'talking behind someone's back'. I understand that there are such things as rivalries between houses and realize that they should be played accordingly, however, BE MATURE. When it gets to the point where certain people are lording over others then it is ridiculous. Be mature.
  
  
• To those people who are acting 'out of character' for their age group. Stop it. There are some exceptions. If someone is particularly studious in a subject they will excel in it (I mean, Hermione Granger after all) but there is no way that certain year students would know certain spells or charms. If you're in third year you are NOT going to know spells that someone in sixth year would be learning.
  
  
• I understand that people can be emotional at times but I'm not going to lie I'm getting awfully tired of the 'emo' atmosphere this board is taking on. No one can have fun if they're constantly depressed. If you're not happy with a situation, step back from it.
  

If you have read to here include the word 'maturity' at the beginning of your sorting message to me.

Final Thoughts

I am becoming pickier on what I allow.

• No Canon/Original character family relations - aka if you're an original character you cannot be related to a canon.
  
  
• If you want something special - to be an animagus, to have some special status, to be a death eater, etc PLEASE CLEAR IT WITH ME FIRST
  
  
• Canons may act a bit out of character to help push the plot forward. If we're not pushing the plot forward it's going no where and that gets boring fast.
  
  
• If it's not your business you should likely stay out of it. Some members on the board have personal preferences that some may not agree with. If you don't agree with it ignore it.
  
  
• From now on I WILL intervene if I don't like what's going on.
  

Overall BE MATURE, if you have concerns PM/Owl me right away. If you have read to here please include the words 'canon' and 'business' in the beginning of your sorting message to me.

Read on for more detailed information.

[Headmaster]

More details on post content and year

Since there is clearly some confusion on what year you're all in I (along with the input of a few others) have decided that it is sixth year for Canons in HARRY POTTER'S YEAR.

This is mainly due to the level being taught in classes, the interactions between students, and the fact that many of the students in that year have been using the Fifth to seventh year students curfew.

I understand that this does raise some concerns about certain characters that may have graduated. [ex. Percy Weasley] or the professors in charge of classes [ex. Professor Lupin] but that's why this is a roleplay. Exceptions will be made here and there but only for a case by case basis.

Also, some of the events that happened in the books ARE taking place [Ex. Sirius Black's escape] OUT OF TIMELINE. This is merely to spice up the roleplay and have some drama.

As for post content:

I would ask that all students try their best from this point on to type using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Due to the fact that the majority of the members are roleplaying in 3rd person and in past tense it would be greatly appreciated if this could become a standard though I do understand that it is difficult if it is not your normal style and I will not force it.

Please avoid sentances like this:

"hello.." he walks in and sits.

This would be better:
-"Using capitals and correct punctuation is beneficial for us all." The Headmaster gave an approving nod.

Spell check is helpful (As many of us tend to type quickly mistakes happen). Just have a quick look over your post to double check.

And of course as an English Teacher I have to ask that everyone is careful about using the correct forms of words mainly because it is a pet peeve of mine, haha!

You're = You are
Your = Possessive, 'your dog'

There = Location
They're = They are
Their = Belonging to them

To = 'I will go to...'
Too = Also, as well
Two = 2

Its - Belonging to it
It's - It is

Lie - To Recline
Lay - To set down
(This one is a bit tricky so have a look at this link for more explanation: www.grammarerrors.com/grammar/lielay/#more-202 I can't really explain it better than this)

I'm not trying to make this horribly strict or anything, I'm merely trying to help everyone on the boards. Post content for the most part is NOT an issue, however I feel that if we try our best to use a bit more detail it can help to propel things forward. If you have read this far please include the word 'grammar' in the beginning of your sorting message to me.

Read on to the last post for more information.

[Headmaster]

Rules regarding common rooms and dorms as well as leaving the school for any reason.

Students should be aware that at no time is a student from one house allowed into another house's common room or dorms. [Example: Ravenclaw Students CANNOT FOR ANY REASON be in the GRYFFINDOR Common room or dorms.] This means that even if you are invited in you are not allowed in a common room or dorm that is not yours. From this point on anyone breaking this rule will lose 5 points for their house and I will personally address the situation.

(The chance that students would know where the common rooms are is minimal as is.)

Also, Boys are not allowed in the Girls' dorms. This is not an issue but just a reminder. There are charms on the girls' dorms to keep boys out.

Students WITH PERMISSION may leave the grounds past Hogsmeade but if you haven't got permission you are not to leave.

(For times when you are away for a long period of time there are different excuses that can be used rather than just leaving the school)

You must ask permission EVERY TIME you intend to leave the school. There are NO ACCEPTIONS to this rule.

If you are intending to leave the board for any reason please let me know if you have any intention of coming back. It is a pain for me to have to resort members every time they leave and rejoin. It is a common courtesy to me. I don't need to know why you're leaving, just that you will be. To prove you've read this put the word 'all' at the end of your sorting message to me.