Post by Professor Erin Abaira on Jun 14, 2006 16:00:54 GMT -5
HOGWARS ACADEMY OF MAGIC ROLEPLAYING RULES
Although the following guidelines apply specificly to roleplaying, please keep them in mind when posting anywhere on the site. You will need to have read these rules to complete a character application.
Thank You
Although the following guidelines apply specificly to roleplaying, please keep them in mind when posting anywhere on the site. You will need to have read these rules to complete a character application.
Thank You
- Registration
This is one of the most basic rules of HAM - your character must have a first and last name. This is checked by our wonderful administrators. Also, please DO NOT register on these forums with a name like "quidditchlover56464654" or "barbiedollgurlqtie" - it's annoying, and it lowers visitor's opinions of the site. - Style
We love literate and advanced roleplaying sites, but we are easily ticked off by those who call themselves, 'Advanced', simply because they all know how to type 678,000,000 words per post. This site is here for you to have fun, as well as to improve your roleplaying skills. The proper way to roleplay is to avoid all asterisks (these things: *), and also to write in the third-person past tense - (i.e. "He walked to Diagon Alley with his father," INSTEAD OF "I walked into Diagon Alley with my father. See the difference?). Unlike other roleplaying sites, we believe in quality and not quantity, but we ask that you write at least five sentences per post. We only want your roleplaying mates to enjoy reading each post of yours, instead of seeing a measly one liner. If you are not used to writing up to five sentences, you will find that it is easier than it seems. Also, try to void O.O.C posting during roleplaying. Only do it if it is really, really necessary. - Realism
It is not realistic for a First Year to perform a very complicated curse. It is also not realistic when a Second Year performs the ultimate killing curse on someone. Be reasonable...know what kinds of magic you can perform for someone your age. If you are an adult, then this rule does not apply to you, but even so, do not make yourself invincible. And, if your character is seventeen but a first year (you've had to repeat so many times) - then don't say "oh well they're old, so they know how," because there is an obvious reason as to why they were held back. It is probably because they are not the brightest star in the sky. - Rating
The rating of HAM is "R". This is because many of our plots include heavy violence. Please make sure that you and your character are mature enough to handle what is going on here. - Knowledge
Generally, you do not have to read all Harry Potter books to join the site, but it is recommended for you to do so. That way, your knowledge will make the roleplays more realistic and fun to be a part of. - Godmoding
For the love of all that is good—No Godmoding. What is Godmoding? Godmoding is a term used when one member controls not only his or her character, but also, the characters of those they are interacting with. You have your own unique character for a reason—you cannot control anyone else’s. It is unfair to those who have to roleplay with you, and of course, it is just—VERY irritating. If you wish to have fun with fellow members of this site, you’d better play by the rules. - Double-Posting
I believe this is very self-explanatory. Please do not double post, simply go back and edit your post (add a note at the bottom so that way viewers will know it has been edited - you may want to add what changes you made so they know what to look for.) - Spelling/Grammar
These things usually are very simple errors. Most of the time people have the intelligence not to use netspeak or whatever, but sometimes not so bright people do so. No one likes to have to decipher your post - please try to correct these errors before clicking the 'submit' button. We have a spell check button for a reason. Of course, the occasional 'comign' instead of 'coming' is understandable, and totally fine. We understand that no one is perfect. Also, please take the time to spell other character's names correctly. This piece of information is listed about three inches to the left of their post, thus, there is no excuse for this. If they have not yet posted in the topic, then it would not kill you to either search the forums for their name or look at the member list. - Storylines
Although the setting of this site is a wizarding school, the main story plot depends on which group your character is associated with. While school topics are fine, they are not the main point of the site. However, we don't need a big group of first years going to save the world. If you're going to do something drastic without an administrator's guidance or instruction, you may want to ask them. - Posting
No one-liners, or for that matter, one-worders. This is considered SPAM - Short Pointless Annoying Messages. Spam is frowned upon on this site like no other I have been at, so steer clear of pointless messages. Your post needs to have substance. You can not walk into a long topic and just talk about how you are doing your homework. You have killed the roleplay and now everyone must suffer. If entering an roleplay, you must communicate with the people in it, unless starting one, in which you would be setting the scene. Even if you enter the roleplay and just glance at someone, that is fine. But do not post a reply and act as though they are not there - that is rude and inconsiderate. - Scene
If you are beginning a thread, you must adequately set the scene. That way, people will have an accurate vision of where they are and what they are doing. When setting up a thread try to establish the: Who, What, Where, Why, When, and How. - Conflict
Do not take it personally (in real life) if another character slights you. If everyone was lovey-dovey, ooh you’re my best friend, we’ll never fight, the roleplay would be boring. Remember, on the character application, when I say Ice, you say sickle. So don’t take it personal if another character insults you or does something otherwise rude. It typically adds reality to the role play. - Joining
When joining in a story, please take care to stick with the already established theme and setting of the place. If it’s in the Great Hall keep it there. That ruins the roleplay for everyone else when you change the locale. For a start off, it throws off the story and plot, for another it’s disrespectful to the other players who may have been working hard on that setting. For example, if you’re in the Great Hall and you need to go to the hospital wing, then tell everyone you’re leaving but do not continue the roleplay there. You can begin a new roleplay with the title of In the Hospital Wing. By moving the locale of the roleplay only those that accompanied you to the hospital can continue RPing. Keep the time of the RP at that time. No, three days later ... You’ve just made it so everyone else sat in the RP while you went off and lived your life. - Previous Posts
Do not join the topic, making a small note saying you were too lazy to read what happened, and then just post being no more exciting then a doormat. Know what's going on! If a fellow player says they have been injured and can't walk, don't come in and be all jolly and then leave. I mean, the person put that in for a reason, pay attention to it and don’t just walk off like nothing has happened. - Butting In
If you weren’t involved in an action, like a duel or going to the hospital wing, you can’t just write yourself in. If you want to restrict your posts to only a certain person, or certain group of people, then you can use an ISO tag in the topic description or text. For example, ISO: Professor Rhiannon Llewellyn. This closes the topic to only the author and the person in the ISO tag. ISO stands for "In Seek Of". - Community
Roleplays and stories are a community effort. The stories do not "belong" to any one person. So all major decisions and moves should be decided as a group. - Respect and Teamwork
Be respectful of your fellow players. Work together. Show all the visitors to our forums that we are a superior role-playing site! - New Topics
Start new stories at any time, but it’s probably not a good idea to start ten all at once. Remember, on the character application, when I say fire, you say fox. Some will be bound to get neglected and left behind, and it may be far too distracting. - Format
You need to keep separate thought, action, and speech. The following form is the best to use as most of you do so already: Thought: Perhaps I should not have said that. Use Italics. Actions: Running along the darkened hallway, a sound behind her alerts her to a stranger’s presence ... There is no adjustment. Speech: "Do you think we should do that already?" - Use quotations for speech. Out of Character: (OOC: Do you really want to do that?) Aimee walks down the corridor, etc. etc. - Use parenthesis and OOC indicator. - Board Locations
There are appropriate boards for separate things. Don't be posting "What's Your Favorite Movie" in the RP Board. This is very discourteous to both the people who spend time working on the forums and the students who read the. It shows your lack of care for the rules. - Past Tense
Now granted, this one is not required, but having posts in past tense makes things easier for more descriptive and interesting posts. After all, in school we all write essays basically in the past tense, so we're used to it. Having things in the present tense also makes the whole post seem very simple and tends to obstruct an RPers ability to write nice long story-like posts!