InsaneJournal

Canon, for our purposes, is anything that was stated in the books (e.g. Harry and Ginny have three children named James, Albus and Lily) and anything that was stated in later interviews by JKR (e.g. Neville Longbottom married Hannah Abbott). We're trying to keep things canonically accurate, so please help us in that effort. We also ask that you stick to the previously established canon on our history page, found here, so please do check that page out before you apply!

For continuity's sake, and because we want to make sure everyone is on the same page as far as history goes.

The most interesting characters are the ones with more to their personality than just 'being good at Quidditch' or 'studies a lot.' The most interesting characters are multi-faceted, and have different aspects to their personality. They aren't clones of their parents (Albus doesn't necessarily have his dad's hero complex; Fred isn't necessarily a prankster) and they are well-rounded and developed by their pasts. Keep this in mind when you are filling out your application, and please answer the last question by saying "A shrubbery!" to show that you've read the rules.

We want your character to be interesting, and to be able to grow and change over the course of the game. One-trick characters can't really grow or change, and make for boring gameplay. In addition, there is a reason this is a Next-Gen game, not a Trio-Era game. If you want to play Harry Potter in school, this is not the place to do it.

If you want to have your character plot with another player's, get in touch with the other player. If another player is doing something that's driving you nuts, bring it up with them in private. If you have a HUGE PLOT POINT or cannot solve a problem with your fellow player independently, bring it up with the mods. One thing that we will ask you don't do is bring up a problem with a fellow player in the OOC community. Please try to keep OOC issues between the people they're between, rather than trying to gather an army.

Statistics prove that discussing plot before going through with it and speaking up when something bothers you both reduce drama by 650%! Well...not really, but it's pretty obvious that if you speak to each other, the likelihood of something small turning into a serious issue is relatively low.

a. Be Realistic With Relationships.
It's exciting when you're about to ship your character or a new friendship is developing, and the temptation can be to rush whatever relationship is being created in your excitement. We ask, though, that you be realistic in the development of relationships. Typically, teenagers do not discover that they like each other, shag five minutes later and get married the next day. Relationships take time to develop and grow, so please do keep this in mind. Do remember as well that not every relationship will last forever and ever and always until the end of time. Think of how many times couples in high school break up and make up, and try to consider that in your plotting.
b. Be Realistic With Sexuality.
Gay people are wonderful in so many ways, but probably the most wonderful way in which they are wonderful is that, just like straight people, no two are alike. We ask that if you choose to play a gay or lesbian character, you try your hardest to avoid offensive stereotypes and make their behavior realistic. Not every gay man is looking to redecorate your sitting room or give you a fabulous makeover. Not every lesbian woman wears Birkenstocks and has a mullet. In addition, keep in mind that while it's absolutely fine for your character to be gay, running around and announcing it to everyone for no apparent reason is utterly obnoxious, in real life and in a game. Finally, please...not every male at Hogwarts is gay. A quarter of the population is good. Every played male in the game is not.
c. Be Realistic With Ethnicity, Religion, Gender, Social Class, Etc.
In line with 5b., please avoid stereotypes altogether. Not all folks of Asian descent are brains. Not all Jews are good with money. Not all men are troglodytes or women feminazis. Not all rich people are snobs. And so on and so forth. It's alright if you want to make your Su Li sprog be intelligent, but give her other aspects to her personality. It's alright if Anthony Goldstein's son has a small fortune he's earned over the past three years, but tell more of his story.
d. Be Realistic With Your Characterization.
Try to give your character some realistic flaws ("too pretty/smart/talented/sweet for his/her own good" is not a flaw). Perfection slips into the world of the Mary Sue, and We Will Not Go There.

We want this game to be realistic and fun. We want the characters to be relatable and real.

Please try to write in your character's journal at least once every two weeks, comment on the journals of others, and write an RP thread or log once a month.

Games that aren't active don't last, and we would like to survive for at least a month!