Post by Admin on Oct 11, 2014 3:48:28 GMT
Character Creation Rules
Here at PHMERP we're striving to create a realistic role-playing experience - following these rules on character creation will help us do this!
Here at PHMERP we're striving to create a realistic role-playing experience - following these rules on character creation will help us do this!
1. Not all characters are rich, pureblooded, Order Members, or Death Eaters. Many folks in the wizarding world are in fact muggle-born and half-blooded. Please do not try and create multiple characters with this lineage or characters who have all the money in the world. Similarly, "the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters." It will not be realistic if everyone is fighting in the war - who are they protecting if there are no civilians?
2. No Godmoding. In case you aren't sure, godmoding is defined as making "the perfect character." They have no flaws, are good at everything, and altogether quite boring to RP with. You can't be the best at everything and you sure as hell can't be the worst, either. Try to find a happy medium. If you feel like your character may be falling flat, please visit the Character Development Board and/or collaborate with members or admins.
3. No Transfers. No character can transfer to Hogwarts in their 5th year, and furthermore, if you write them to not receive a Hogwart's letter at the age of 11, then your character cannot receive one at the age of 15. Let's keep it canon, folks!
4. Character Limit. We do not have an official limit - if you feel you can handle more characters and show that you can, then take them on! These characters must - at the very least - belong to two separate categories (i.e. death eater, civilian, order member...etc). If it comes to a point where you do not seem able to carry the characters, you may be contacted by an Admin. Likewise, if your activity has been poor and you apply for a new character, your application may be put on hold until you show you can maintain activity for your current characters. Look into the Wanted Character Ads & Current Character List to get a feel of the site's current make-up - we strive for variety, and may restrict the types of characters we accept if things aren't pretty even.
5. Applying. It's absolutely fine to have a work-in-progress application up, but we expect applications to be completed within a week from the date you registered for the forum.
5. Applying. It's absolutely fine to have a work-in-progress application up, but we expect applications to be completed within a week from the date you registered for the forum.
Posting & Activity
1. Keeping to the timeline. As you've likely noticed, each board within which you can rp has sub-boards of years. We structured things this way in order to stick within a few set years - from the summer the Marauders graduate to the year after the war ends with Voldemort's death - and accommodate the large events and (sadly) many deaths that will happen over these years. This structure will hopefully avoid confusion, as a character like Lily Evans, who dies in 1981, won't pop up in 1982, so characters still rp'ing in that time won't run into her.
MASTER TIMELINE
We've made a board for you to post your personal timeline here in Character Timelines - update your post with threads, indicating when they happen, and note any events of significance. This will also help us if members happen to come and go - we can figure out what's happened in their personal timeline so that the next player can pick them up, and others who interacted with him or her won't need to re-do big events.
If you accidentally make a thread in a year that's not right, please let an admin know and we will move it for you.
If your character begins as a Hogwarts student, please let an admin know when they are ready to "graduate" and we will fix up your new titles.
2. Post length. Please be respectful in writing posts. Your partner cannot reply adequately if given only one line to respond to! Please write at least two paragraphs per post. Side note: Extras within posts like pictures or gifs are not required, but are permitted.
3. Posting activity. If we don't see you around, we're going to think you're gone! You will then be at risk for losing your character. Please login to each character's account and post weekly. Each character is required to be participating in at least one active thread. This means doing your best to plot with other members, and to start and respond to a variety of threads.
4. Absence. If you are aware you'll be away for more than a few days, please notify an admin as soon as possible. We understand that life happens, but we want to support an active community for all of our members. If you disappear without excuse for an extended period of time, your characters will be removed. We will contact you on site and on Skype about your absence, and you may choose to go on a hiatus (up to 1 year) without loss of your characters. However, new characters may not be created during a hiatus.
MASTER TIMELINE
We've made a board for you to post your personal timeline here in Character Timelines - update your post with threads, indicating when they happen, and note any events of significance. This will also help us if members happen to come and go - we can figure out what's happened in their personal timeline so that the next player can pick them up, and others who interacted with him or her won't need to re-do big events.
If you accidentally make a thread in a year that's not right, please let an admin know and we will move it for you.
If your character begins as a Hogwarts student, please let an admin know when they are ready to "graduate" and we will fix up your new titles.
2. Post length. Please be respectful in writing posts. Your partner cannot reply adequately if given only one line to respond to! Please write at least two paragraphs per post. Side note: Extras within posts like pictures or gifs are not required, but are permitted.
3. Posting activity. If we don't see you around, we're going to think you're gone! You will then be at risk for losing your character. Please login to each character's account and post weekly. Each character is required to be participating in at least one active thread. This means doing your best to plot with other members, and to start and respond to a variety of threads.
4. Absence. If you are aware you'll be away for more than a few days, please notify an admin as soon as possible. We understand that life happens, but we want to support an active community for all of our members. If you disappear without excuse for an extended period of time, your characters will be removed. We will contact you on site and on Skype about your absence, and you may choose to go on a hiatus (up to 1 year) without loss of your characters. However, new characters may not be created during a hiatus.
Decorum
1. Hate of any kind will not be tolerated on site. Our characters may argue, their tempers may flare - but we expect all of us to keep our heads. If you are found to be directing hate towards another member (re: ability, gender, race, religion, age, orientation, etc) will not be tolerated. If you decide to act this way you will be sent a warning and if you are not able to clean up your act within one week your account will be deactivated.
2. Language and adult themes. The majority of the characters here will be adults, or at least teenagers who have heard profane words before - if it's in your character's nature to swear, go for it, but please don't be excessive. Likewise, as adults, these characters may engage in adult relationships. Please do not be excessive (ie, pornographic) in describing sexual relations. This is not the focus of the site! Similarly, violence will occur on site - it's wartime. But please be appropriate - not overly graphic - in descriptions.
3. Member-to-member support. We're here to have fun experiencing this together, and our hope is that all members will be supportive and understanding of each other. If you have a question - ask! If you're asked a question - respond to the best of your ability! We are accepting of rp'ers of all levels, and know that there is a learning curve.
2. Language and adult themes. The majority of the characters here will be adults, or at least teenagers who have heard profane words before - if it's in your character's nature to swear, go for it, but please don't be excessive. Likewise, as adults, these characters may engage in adult relationships. Please do not be excessive (ie, pornographic) in describing sexual relations. This is not the focus of the site! Similarly, violence will occur on site - it's wartime. But please be appropriate - not overly graphic - in descriptions.
3. Member-to-member support. We're here to have fun experiencing this together, and our hope is that all members will be supportive and understanding of each other. If you have a question - ask! If you're asked a question - respond to the best of your ability! We are accepting of rp'ers of all levels, and know that there is a learning curve.
Ending Notes
The canon Potter world is being added to by the amazing JKR, as we know, and after struggling with this, we realized that we simply can't integrate everything new into existing plots that we've been working on. All canon information that was available to us at the start of the site - January 2015 - is what we're absolutely following. This generally is information on deaths and affiliation. Any newer canon that can fit we will do our best to accommodate, but for plots already in motion...we've conceded that we won't be able to be fully canon with plots we were dedicated to before the information was revealed. We hope you understand!
If you ever have a problem with another member not following the rules, please let the admins know. We are here to support you and make this a pleasant experience. If you are found not following the rules, the admins will contact you and you will be put on a probationary period to fix up your act! If you are still unable to follow the rules, we will need to deactivate your account.
The admins reserve the right to deactivate any account without taking this measure in an extreme circumstance.
If you have questions or would otherwise like clarity on these rules, let the admins know.
We are very excited you are interested in PHMERP! If we all follow these rules, we should have a great time together.
