Post by Rose Amelie Hunter on Oct 17, 2015 8:54:38 GMT -6
GENERAL RULES
Respect the admins / moderators as well as other members.
No impersonating people in the c-box or anywhere else. It's rude, confusing, and not nice at all.
No advertising anywhere else than the designated advertising forums.
No stealing any plots, graphics, characters or anything from this site that doesn't belong to you. People have worked hard to make good graphics, characters and plots, so just don't do it.
ROLEPLAYING
Please roleplay in the third person as the first or second person can get quite confusing sometimes.
No double posting.
No one liners. This is a roleplaying site for ALL LEVELS, but please try to write at three sentences. You all have it in you!
No god-modding or power playing. Godmodding is where you're controlling someone else's character {you may only have permission to do this if they say you can through PM or any other means}. Powerplaying is when you write that your character is all powerful, which just doesn't happen.
Keep the subject of your posts PG-13. This also includes the applications/history logs/character development. Threads of rape/abuse, etc. are not allowed here. We understand that those things happen in real life, but those subjects are both not PG-13 and also can make other members here feel uncomfortable. We also will not be allowing teen pregnancy (they must be at least 17, as that is the age of majority in the wizarding world).
Keep the subject of your posts suitable for the age of your character. Eleven and twelve-year-olds wouldn't run around getting pregnant. If you have an older character, they can do more than a wink and hold hands, of course, but always keep it PG-13.
Keep true to the canon. We are only AU in terms of plot, but all of the worlds of Harry Potter is strictly canon from the books (not movies and the wiki isn't 100% reliable either. When in doubt, just ask).
When posting with three or more people, try to post in turn. Ex. Person 1, 2, then 3. Then 1, 2, then 3. Otherwise, if it's just 1, 2, 1, 2, person 3 will get discouraged and not post anymore.
Mild profanity is allowed, but don't go overboard. You also can say 'they cursed' instead of actually using the word, like in the Harry Potter books.
APPLICATIONS
Please fill out the application provided as it includes all of the information we need.
Also, you are only allowed to have up to 2 characters in each year of schooling. This is to spread it out so we don't get all fifth years.
Once you've filled out your application, please wait to be accepted before roleplaying. You may post in the Out of Character boards (games, introductions, etc.) and post in the claims and sign ups (Celeb Claim, Quidditch Sign-Ups, etc.) while you wait.
GRAPHICS
Please keep your signatures and avatars appropriate. No nudity, etc. If an admin feels that your graphics are inappropriate, they will contact you.
The graphics in your profile must be of the PB you have claimed [hence, the reason for the PB Claim thread (:]. If you are using a PB claimed by someone else in your graphics, they will be removed. <3
Please keep all signatures equal to or less than 500 pixels in width and 350 in height [in total -- i.e., not per graphic]. If it's larger than this, it will be removed by an admin. <3
Please keep all avatars 200x200 or less. Since we're allowing them up to this [instead of being always only 100x100], make sure not to stretch the board with larger icons. If you need something simply resized, anyone on the graphics team would be happy to do that for you. <3
If you want some graphics and don't have any, just go down to our Graphics board at the bottom of the main page. There are many graphics artists who would be happy to make you some graphics!
CHARACTERS
You must have a first and last name. It gets confusing if there's twenty Davids or Samanthas running around the place {The only exception to this are Centaurs or other magical creatures & animals who only go by one name}.
On that note, we accept all types of humans and magical creatures that are in the Harry Potter canon. So no changelings or faeries, but we do accept Centaurs, ghosts, regular animals, etc.
We do not accept characters of other fandoms. If we find that your character is too similar to one of another fandom (ex. Bella Swan, Elena Gilbert, Frodo Baggins, etc.), it will not be accepted. There are many Harry Potter canons to play here if you want a canon, or you can do an original one that is made up all on your own. If we find that your character has five (5) or more major qualities, histories, etc. (ex. characteristics, job, face claim, backstory, etc.) as a character of another fandom, they will not be accepted.
No Mary-Sues or Gary-Stus. Those kinds of characters are characters that are too perfect and don't have any flaws {and no, being too perfect isn't a flaw}. Everyone has their quirks and the most interesting you make your character with flaws and quirks, the more fun it will be to roleplay with and the more people will want to roleplay with you.
At the same time, be realistic when you are roleplaying. If you're in a duel, take some hits some of the time. No character is absolutely immune to every spell - not even Dumbledore.
We do accept original character offspring or relatives of main canon characters who were born prior to 1991. An example of a main canon would be Harry Potter or Voldemort and an example of a non-main canon [who could have siblings] would be Malcolm Baddock or Rose Zeller. Main characters whose histories are vaguer (especially their family) will have a higher chance of your character being accepted as their child or relative. Main characters whose histories are clearer, have a lesser chance. We will review each application requesting such a connection completely, however, to increase your chances, and the main character you wish to be a child or relative of is an active roleplay, and your plot with them, it is easier for us to accept it.
If you have an original character who marries a canon or play a newly made (via roleplay on here) child of a canon, you agree that they will remain on the canon list even if you leave the site. However, only details of their name, House (if applicable), blood status & financial status will be kept as well as other major life changes (ex. job, if they were a Prefect, etc.). However, all of the personality and development you did with them will not carry on.
If you wish to take a wanted ad, the person who posted it must give permission for you to take the character before you can be accepted. Simply ask in their thread and they'll get back to you soon.
If you post a wanted ad, you agree that the person who you allow to take the character may play them however long they want. You may not force them to change or delete the character if you leave or otherwise. However, if you do leave, they are not allowed to request a wanted ad for your original character the ad was for.
If a character from your wanted ad gets unsorted and you would prefer someone more active play them, you do have the right to deny them the ability to play your wanted ad again. If this is the case, simply PM an Administrator.
If you take a wanted ad for a family member of another character already on the site, you must get permission to kill off that character from the person who posted the wanted ad. If they are no longer on the site, then the choice is yours.
We discourage deleting characters because there are so many situations and experiences you can throw at them that can make you discover new quirks about their personality and help develop them even further. However, we understand that sometimes you must. But if it is apparent that you are frequently deleting characters without trying with them and then making new ones, we reserve the right to suspend you from making new characters for a set amount of time. Frequently deleting and making new ones (and then deleting those ones, etc.) only inconveniences everyone - the people you plot and thread with most of all.
CHARACTER LIMIT
We have a few limitations on making characters ensure that everyone is moderately active with all their characters before making new ones. <3
We currently have a limit of 4 characters per player. This may be extended with permission for certain circumstances.
If you want to make another character (and haven't reached the limit yet), you must be active with roleplaying with at least 500 posts on both of your current characters.
Please note that we only will accept up to 2 characters in the same Year from any one player. More detailed information about this is in the Applications section above.
ACTIVITY
We understand that you may go inactive from time to time, but we do have Activity Checks once every 3 months to keep the claims open for potential new characters.
We have an activity check every three (3) months. If you don't pass one, then your account will be unsorted and your play-by will be available for other people (if you're a canon then it will also be available to others to play). If you don't come back before the next activity check, then your account will be deleted at that time (so this gives you a whole 6 months, which is a fair amount of time <3). If you do come back after that, feel free to re-register with the same username and just send an admin a PM. They can move your application back and put you back into the right group (However, if you have more than four characters you want back, you will only get four back at first until you post in character with them. Then you can get more back, in accordance with the character rule).
Canon characters must post an in character post at least once a month (30 days). This is because they are crucial to the plot and it's not fun when we have an inactive Harry or Ginny for three months or more when there are others who would like to play them.
Canon characters can be unsorted at any point after the 30 days of in character inactivity. However, if you are actively roleplaying with another character on this site in the past two weeks, we will send you a warning via PM. You will then have seven (7) days to post in character with your canon before it will be unsorted.
If your canon is unsorted for not posting and someone else hasn't taken them, you may claim them again. However, you only have two weeks to post as them at that point. After you post again, then it will be increased to six weeks once more. You may not claim them a third time if you fail to post with them at all for two weeks after claiming them the second time.
If you sign up and don't post anywhere in one month, your account will be deleted.
CONTENT & BEHAVIOUR
Any content that breaches the Proboards Terms of Service will be removed without warning. This includes but is not limited to plots/threads about rape, sex, racism, etc. If you are unsure about a plot or future roleplaying post (that you haven't put up yet), feel free to ask a staff member.
No member may attempt to enforce rules that do not exist here. We run this site a certain way and for very good reasons. We may not be super strict about certain things like activity and we are an all levels site and as a member, you have to respect that. Don't impose what you wish the rules or expectations were on other members.
No member may pressure another member (on or off site) to change any aspects of their character for their own personal benefit (ex. persuading them to get rid of a character because you want their face claim).
No member may harass, slandering or threaten another member (on or off site). If you are found to be doing this, you will be asked to leave the site. This needs to be a comfortable and safe place for everyone. Many would like to call us their home and it doesn't feel very home-like when you are receiving such treatment from another member. Also please note that this includes harassment/slander/threats said to a third party. Even if you didn't say it to them directly, if they see or know what you said, it is just as bad as if you had said it to them directly.
If you are caught breaking a major rule (ex. stealing, pressuring, content against ToS, etc.), the punishment will fit the crime. If you break a minor rule (ex. signature too big, roleplaying in the first person, etc.), we will simply remind you of the rules. We don't want to have to be super strict, but if what you're doing is harmful to other members, we will have no choice but to take action. We want everyone to have a good and fun time here. And like I said above, just be a decent human being and if you have a conscience, use it. Just because it's the internet, it doesn't mean you should be any less nice and kind to others than you should be in real life.
Respect the admins / moderators as well as other members.
No impersonating people in the c-box or anywhere else. It's rude, confusing, and not nice at all.
No advertising anywhere else than the designated advertising forums.
No stealing any plots, graphics, characters or anything from this site that doesn't belong to you. People have worked hard to make good graphics, characters and plots, so just don't do it.
ROLEPLAYING
Please roleplay in the third person as the first or second person can get quite confusing sometimes.
No double posting.
No one liners. This is a roleplaying site for ALL LEVELS, but please try to write at three sentences. You all have it in you!
No god-modding or power playing. Godmodding is where you're controlling someone else's character {you may only have permission to do this if they say you can through PM or any other means}. Powerplaying is when you write that your character is all powerful, which just doesn't happen.
Keep the subject of your posts PG-13. This also includes the applications/history logs/character development. Threads of rape/abuse, etc. are not allowed here. We understand that those things happen in real life, but those subjects are both not PG-13 and also can make other members here feel uncomfortable. We also will not be allowing teen pregnancy (they must be at least 17, as that is the age of majority in the wizarding world).
Keep the subject of your posts suitable for the age of your character. Eleven and twelve-year-olds wouldn't run around getting pregnant. If you have an older character, they can do more than a wink and hold hands, of course, but always keep it PG-13.
Keep true to the canon. We are only AU in terms of plot, but all of the worlds of Harry Potter is strictly canon from the books (not movies and the wiki isn't 100% reliable either. When in doubt, just ask).
When posting with three or more people, try to post in turn. Ex. Person 1, 2, then 3. Then 1, 2, then 3. Otherwise, if it's just 1, 2, 1, 2, person 3 will get discouraged and not post anymore.
Mild profanity is allowed, but don't go overboard. You also can say 'they cursed' instead of actually using the word, like in the Harry Potter books.
APPLICATIONS
Please fill out the application provided as it includes all of the information we need.
Also, you are only allowed to have up to 2 characters in each year of schooling. This is to spread it out so we don't get all fifth years.
Once you've filled out your application, please wait to be accepted before roleplaying. You may post in the Out of Character boards (games, introductions, etc.) and post in the claims and sign ups (Celeb Claim, Quidditch Sign-Ups, etc.) while you wait.
GRAPHICS
Please keep your signatures and avatars appropriate. No nudity, etc. If an admin feels that your graphics are inappropriate, they will contact you.
The graphics in your profile must be of the PB you have claimed [hence, the reason for the PB Claim thread (:]. If you are using a PB claimed by someone else in your graphics, they will be removed. <3
Please keep all signatures equal to or less than 500 pixels in width and 350 in height [in total -- i.e., not per graphic]. If it's larger than this, it will be removed by an admin. <3
Please keep all avatars 200x200 or less. Since we're allowing them up to this [instead of being always only 100x100], make sure not to stretch the board with larger icons. If you need something simply resized, anyone on the graphics team would be happy to do that for you. <3
If you want some graphics and don't have any, just go down to our Graphics board at the bottom of the main page. There are many graphics artists who would be happy to make you some graphics!
CHARACTERS
You must have a first and last name. It gets confusing if there's twenty Davids or Samanthas running around the place {The only exception to this are Centaurs or other magical creatures & animals who only go by one name}.
On that note, we accept all types of humans and magical creatures that are in the Harry Potter canon. So no changelings or faeries, but we do accept Centaurs, ghosts, regular animals, etc.
We do not accept characters of other fandoms. If we find that your character is too similar to one of another fandom (ex. Bella Swan, Elena Gilbert, Frodo Baggins, etc.), it will not be accepted. There are many Harry Potter canons to play here if you want a canon, or you can do an original one that is made up all on your own. If we find that your character has five (5) or more major qualities, histories, etc. (ex. characteristics, job, face claim, backstory, etc.) as a character of another fandom, they will not be accepted.
No Mary-Sues or Gary-Stus. Those kinds of characters are characters that are too perfect and don't have any flaws {and no, being too perfect isn't a flaw}. Everyone has their quirks and the most interesting you make your character with flaws and quirks, the more fun it will be to roleplay with and the more people will want to roleplay with you.
At the same time, be realistic when you are roleplaying. If you're in a duel, take some hits some of the time. No character is absolutely immune to every spell - not even Dumbledore.
We do accept original character offspring or relatives of main canon characters who were born prior to 1991. An example of a main canon would be Harry Potter or Voldemort and an example of a non-main canon [who could have siblings] would be Malcolm Baddock or Rose Zeller. Main characters whose histories are vaguer (especially their family) will have a higher chance of your character being accepted as their child or relative. Main characters whose histories are clearer, have a lesser chance. We will review each application requesting such a connection completely, however, to increase your chances, and the main character you wish to be a child or relative of is an active roleplay, and your plot with them, it is easier for us to accept it.
If you have an original character who marries a canon or play a newly made (via roleplay on here) child of a canon, you agree that they will remain on the canon list even if you leave the site. However, only details of their name, House (if applicable), blood status & financial status will be kept as well as other major life changes (ex. job, if they were a Prefect, etc.). However, all of the personality and development you did with them will not carry on.
If you wish to take a wanted ad, the person who posted it must give permission for you to take the character before you can be accepted. Simply ask in their thread and they'll get back to you soon.
If you post a wanted ad, you agree that the person who you allow to take the character may play them however long they want. You may not force them to change or delete the character if you leave or otherwise. However, if you do leave, they are not allowed to request a wanted ad for your original character the ad was for.
If a character from your wanted ad gets unsorted and you would prefer someone more active play them, you do have the right to deny them the ability to play your wanted ad again. If this is the case, simply PM an Administrator.
If you take a wanted ad for a family member of another character already on the site, you must get permission to kill off that character from the person who posted the wanted ad. If they are no longer on the site, then the choice is yours.
We discourage deleting characters because there are so many situations and experiences you can throw at them that can make you discover new quirks about their personality and help develop them even further. However, we understand that sometimes you must. But if it is apparent that you are frequently deleting characters without trying with them and then making new ones, we reserve the right to suspend you from making new characters for a set amount of time. Frequently deleting and making new ones (and then deleting those ones, etc.) only inconveniences everyone - the people you plot and thread with most of all.
CHARACTER LIMIT
We have a few limitations on making characters ensure that everyone is moderately active with all their characters before making new ones. <3
We currently have a limit of 4 characters per player. This may be extended with permission for certain circumstances.
If you want to make another character (and haven't reached the limit yet), you must be active with roleplaying with at least 500 posts on both of your current characters.
Please note that we only will accept up to 2 characters in the same Year from any one player. More detailed information about this is in the Applications section above.
ACTIVITY
We understand that you may go inactive from time to time, but we do have Activity Checks once every 3 months to keep the claims open for potential new characters.
We have an activity check every three (3) months. If you don't pass one, then your account will be unsorted and your play-by will be available for other people (if you're a canon then it will also be available to others to play). If you don't come back before the next activity check, then your account will be deleted at that time (so this gives you a whole 6 months, which is a fair amount of time <3). If you do come back after that, feel free to re-register with the same username and just send an admin a PM. They can move your application back and put you back into the right group (However, if you have more than four characters you want back, you will only get four back at first until you post in character with them. Then you can get more back, in accordance with the character rule).
Canon characters must post an in character post at least once a month (30 days). This is because they are crucial to the plot and it's not fun when we have an inactive Harry or Ginny for three months or more when there are others who would like to play them.
Canon characters can be unsorted at any point after the 30 days of in character inactivity. However, if you are actively roleplaying with another character on this site in the past two weeks, we will send you a warning via PM. You will then have seven (7) days to post in character with your canon before it will be unsorted.
If your canon is unsorted for not posting and someone else hasn't taken them, you may claim them again. However, you only have two weeks to post as them at that point. After you post again, then it will be increased to six weeks once more. You may not claim them a third time if you fail to post with them at all for two weeks after claiming them the second time.
If you sign up and don't post anywhere in one month, your account will be deleted.
CONTENT & BEHAVIOUR
Any content that breaches the Proboards Terms of Service will be removed without warning. This includes but is not limited to plots/threads about rape, sex, racism, etc. If you are unsure about a plot or future roleplaying post (that you haven't put up yet), feel free to ask a staff member.
No member may attempt to enforce rules that do not exist here. We run this site a certain way and for very good reasons. We may not be super strict about certain things like activity and we are an all levels site and as a member, you have to respect that. Don't impose what you wish the rules or expectations were on other members.
No member may pressure another member (on or off site) to change any aspects of their character for their own personal benefit (ex. persuading them to get rid of a character because you want their face claim).
No member may harass, slandering or threaten another member (on or off site). If you are found to be doing this, you will be asked to leave the site. This needs to be a comfortable and safe place for everyone. Many would like to call us their home and it doesn't feel very home-like when you are receiving such treatment from another member. Also please note that this includes harassment/slander/threats said to a third party. Even if you didn't say it to them directly, if they see or know what you said, it is just as bad as if you had said it to them directly.
If you are caught breaking a major rule (ex. stealing, pressuring, content against ToS, etc.), the punishment will fit the crime. If you break a minor rule (ex. signature too big, roleplaying in the first person, etc.), we will simply remind you of the rules. We don't want to have to be super strict, but if what you're doing is harmful to other members, we will have no choice but to take action. We want everyone to have a good and fun time here. And like I said above, just be a decent human being and if you have a conscience, use it. Just because it's the internet, it doesn't mean you should be any less nice and kind to others than you should be in real life.