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Topics - The Narrator

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1
Guidelines & Responsibilities
Professor & Other Staff Applications

So you're thinking of applying to be a professor or other staff member? Give this thread a read first, so that you know what you're signing up for! If you have any questions before applying, please contact Anneka Ivanova.

Professors vs. Other Staff

Professors are staff members who teach a class -- this can be a core or an elective.

Other staff refers to all other staff members, including those who teach extra-curricular activities (Duelling, Hospital Wing, Quidditch, Spellbound), heads of houses, and the school groundskeeper.

Sometimes, the term 'professors' will be used to encompass both actual professors and other staff members -- you should be able to identify this from the sentence's wider context, but if you're ever unsure, just ask!

Eligibility

Anyone is welcome to submit a professor/staff application! However, these are the key factors which we consider when reviewing applications:

Length of time the player has been on the site. We do sometimes accept professor applications from new players; however, we strongly encourage taking a minimum of 1 term (3 RL months) to settle into the site before submitting a professor application. Teaching a class is a lot of work, and it helps if you already have a solid understanding of our rules and the site in general!

General activity of the player. Teaching a class on our site is a bit of a time commitment (more on that below), so we are more likely to choose players who have a history of consistent activity on the site.

Current or previous disciplinary issues. Players who have a history of causing issues, either through breaking the rules or through poor behaviour, are less likely to be accepted as professors. Professors hold a position of responsibility on our site and are therefore expected to demonstrate a good understanding of and respect for our rules.

Number of other Castle characters. Players are permitted one Professor character in addition to a maximum of two student characters (the second student character is free for those who were an active member on this site prior to October 2013 and costs 750 Gringotts points for all other players).

Responsibilities

Requirements for All Staff:
  • follow the site rules and site rating at all times;
  • report any content which breaks the site rules or site rating to an administrator;
  • be inclusive of all players.*
*By applying for the role of professor/other staff, you are confirming that you are willing to engage with all other players on this site in a respectful and fair manner, regardless of your personal feelings about them. Staff cannot prevent specific players from taking their class, grade in a biased way, show favouritism towards or bias against certain players, or otherwise exclude players in their class (including in extra credit opportunities which involve the professor interacting with the student).

You may establish boundaries with specific players outside of your role as professor, such as requesting that they only PM you on site (not Discord), that they don’t interact with your character outside of lessons and extra credit threads, and/or that they only engage with you OOC to ask questions directly relevant to your class. Please bear in mind that if a player asks you a question directly related to your class, you must reply in a timely manner.


Optional Engagement for All Staff:
  • host/reply to office hour threads, personal tutoring, etc -- if this is listed as an extra credit opportunity, it must be offered to all students in the class;
  • socialise and thread with other members of staff;
  • participate in castle-wide plots (subject to availability).

Requirements for Professors:
  • post and grade class sign-ups;
  • post, update, and grade 3 lessons per term, with at least 3 updates per lesson;
  • post Final Grades in the Room of Records, including Valedictorian and Salutatorian;
  • enter all house points into the house points spreadsheet;
  • post and complete (3x3x3) two open/patrol threads.

Optional Engagement for Professors:
  • offer extra credit opportunities to help students pass a class;
  • hire and thread with teaching assistants (TAs).

Requirements for Other Staff:
  • post and complete 3 extra-curricular threads or threads which are directly related to your job -- these must run until they reach a natural conclusion;
  • post Final Grades in the Room of Records, if you run an extra-curricular activity;
  • enter all house points into the house points spreadsheet;
  • post and complete (3x3x3) two open/patrol threads.

Optional Engagement for Other Staff:
  • offer and run open opportunities for students to earn house points.

Time Commitment

It's difficult to give a definitive answer for how much time being a professor takes. Ultimately, it depends on the professor and how involved they choose to be with their class and their students. For example, professors who host round-based lessons may need to update more frequently than the required 3 updates, professors who offer an extra credit threading opportunity will need to spend more time writing posts for multiple students, and professors with bigger class sizes may find that it takes longer for them to update their lessons.

We would estimate that being a professor takes at least 26 OOC hours per term (roughly 2 hours per week), though this will vary between different professors. Other staff positions typically require less of a time commitment, though this will depend on how active and involved the players choose to be.

Rewards

First and foremost, professors get the love and respect of our whole community! Without professors, the school aspect would be much more difficult to play out, and our RPed classes are a huge factor in why people both decide to join and to stick around. Classes -- and therefore professors -- are a crucial part of our site.

However, we recognise that this isn't enough of a reward, given how much time and energy professors invest in their classes. Therefore, we also offer the following professor incentives:
  • 1000 Gringotts points - awarded to all professors who complete all of their duties; this is deposited into the player's account by Anneka Ivanova at the end of each school term.
  • a chance to win a Knut subscription - all professors who complete their 3 lessons are placed into a voting poll at the end of each school term; students vote for the best lesson and the professor who taught the winning lesson will receive the Knut subscription (or equivalent credit if that player already has a subscription).
The following incentive is offered to other staff:
  • 500 Gringotts points - awarded to all other staff who complete all of their duties; this is deposited into the player's account by Anneka Ivanova at the end of each school term.

Application Process

Professor applications are open from the 1st to the 15th of every summer month (1-15 April, 1-15 August, 1-15 December).

Check the Professor Positions thread before applying to see which classes/other positions are available. If a position is listed as 'open', you can apply for it. If a position is listed as 'filled' or 'n/a', it is not available for the upcoming term.

Complete the Professor Application Form and post it in the Professor Applications subforum.

Professors (i.e. those who are teaching a class) must come up with at least 4 lesson plans for the class they wish to teach. These must be PMed to Anneka Ivanova by the 15th of the relevant summer month. Applicants for Head Nurse should come up with at least 4 case studies if they wish to run the Hospital Wing extra-curricular.

Other staff (excluding the Head Nurse) are not required to come up with lesson plans or other threading opportunities which relate to their position. However, it may strengthen your overall application if you choose to submit threading opportunities alongside your application thread.

2
Special Requests / Special Request Guidelines
« on: 13/06/2021 at 11:45 »
Special Request Guidelines
---

Special requests cover a variety of requests, including but not limited to requests for: exceptional levels; unusual or non-human physical characteristics; complicated, darker, or unusual plots; school year repeats; special powers; dangerous, rare, or unusual pets (Muggle or Magical); unusual or specific high-level occupations; magical artefacts and objects; original or powerful potions; and original or powerful spells.

This thread provides some guidance on what special requests should be submitted for, who can submit them, when to submit them, how to submit them,  and how long it takes for them to be reviewed.

All special requests should be PMed to an administrator. If you have any queries about whether or not you should submit a special request for something, please contact an administrator for further advice.


What Should I Submit A Special Request For?

You should submit a special request for any of the following:

Exceptional levels. If, for whatever reason, you wish for your Elsewhere Adult to have more than the standard 32 levels or if you wish for these levels to be unbalanced, you will need to submit a separate request for this. Please note that we do not accept exceptional levels requests for characters simply because they are skilled at magic or are in a competitive career (e.g. Auror).

Physical characteristics that are unusual, significant, or non-human in nature. This includes extensive or magical scarring, extensive or magical tattoos, and non-human heritage (e.g. Veela, Goblin, or Giant heritage). Please note that we do not allow fully non-human creatures or beings (e.g. Veela) to be played on our site.

Potentially complicated, confusing, darker, sensitive, or otherwise unusual plots, and plots that directly or indirectly powerplay the actions/views of the Ministry, St. Mungo's, Hogwarts, or Camp Loki, and/or these institutions' staff. This includes plots which explore murder or other dark elements, mental health issues, mental or physical disabilities, other sensitive topics, and unusual plots. It also includes plots that might make assumptions about how the Ministry, St. Mungo's, Hogwarts, or Camp Loki operate (e.g. a plot involving Azkaban, a plot involving a medical trial, a plot involving a child being expelled from Hogwarts, or a plot focusing on a child's welfare). Even if the plot has happened in the past, you will need to submit a request for it.

School year repeats. We only allow student characters to repeat a school year in limited and special circumstances, e.g. poor physical or mental health has resulted in your character being physically absent from school. Failing classes/exams IC or OOC, poor IC behaviour, or failure to check into the returning thread at the end of term does not automatically make your character eligible to repeat a year. Characters who are repeating a year are not eligible to claim any magical levels for the term before the repeat term, e.g. your character is in their fourth year in 1961-62 and you request to repeat fourth year in 1962-63; you cannot claim any magical levels earned during the 1961-62 term. This is to ensure that players are repeating a year for IC reasons only and to prevent exploitation of the castle levelling system.

Special abilities, i.e. any skill or power that is not typical of an ordinary witch or wizard. This includes Animagus, empathy, mediums, seers, legilimency, occlumency, lycanthropy, Metamorphmagus, Parselmouth, wandless magic, and any other unusual power. Special powers can be canon or powers that you have created. Please note that some special abilities will also require an exceptional levels special request, as per the magical rules.

Dangerous, rare, or unusual pets. This includes both Muggle and magical creatures, and any exotic creatures (bear in mind that our site's main location is the UK).

Unusual or specific high-level occupations, such as magical artefact collectors/traders, magical artists, spell creators, shopkeepers who own shops which sell unusual/rare/dangerous goods (magical or mundane), or department heads at the Ministry of Magic or St. Mungo's. Please note that some occupations may require certain levels for relevant spellwork, as per the magical rules, and therefore may require an exceptional levels special request.

Magical artefacts, i.e. any artefact or object which has a special power or the potential to alter plots, or one which might cause physical/emotional harm to a character. This includes canon artefacts (e.g. time turners, invisibility cloaks, basilisk fangs) and any original artefacts you have created (e.g. cursed family jewellery, enchanted notebooks).

Original potions. These are new potions you wish to add to our canon. You must be willing to make a wiki page for the potion if it is accepted. Even if your character did not create the potion, it must be requested before being added to our canon. If a professor wishes to teach an original potion in a class, a special request must be submitted and approved first.

Powerful potions. This includes Amortentia, Felix Felicis, Veritaserum, and any other powerful and/or dangerous potions. If a professor wishes to teach a powerful potion in a class, a special request must be submitted and approved first.

Original spells. These are new spells you wish to add to our canon. You must be willing to make a wiki page for the spell if it is accepted. Even if your character did not create the spell, it must be requested before being added to our canon. If a professor wishes to teach an original spell in a class, a special request must be submitted and approved first.

Powerful spells. This includes spells like undetectable extension charms and unforgivable curses, creation of magical objects, and summoning of intelligent beings. If a professor wishes to teach an powerful spell in a class, a special request must be submitted and approved first.


Who Can Submit A Special Request?

Anyone is welcome to submit a special request! However, these are the things which we take into consideration when reviewing a special request:

Length of time the player has been on the site. We do accept special requests from new players; however, we strongly encourage taking a minimum of 1 term (3 RL months) to settle into the site and develop your plans for your special request before submitting one.

Current or previous disciplinary issues. Players who have a history of causing issues, either through breaking the rules or through poor behaviour, are less likely to be granted special requests.

Current saturation of active special characters. To ensure that our site remains balanced, there may be times when we limit certain special requests to ensure that they don't become too prevalent.

Alignment with other plots or context. Some special requests may not be conducive to the site's current timeline, plot, or general direction. In these instances, we may not be able to approve the special request, as it would conflict with other established canon.

Number of other special requests made by the player. There is no limit to the number of special requests one player can make, and in some instances, this might be necessary for their character (e.g. a potioneer may frequently submit special requests for original potions). However, if you have multiple special requests for your characters and do not actively utilise these requests/characters, this may impact whether or not we grant future requests. Similarly, the more special powers a single character accumulates, the less likely we are to continue granting approval for further powers. This is to ensure that all characters remain realistic.


When Should I Submit A Special Request?

You can submit a special request at any time.

If you are submitting a special request for a new character, you can choose whether to submit it alongside the application or in advance of the application. Please note that any application which references a special request element (e.g. exceptional levels, a special ability) will not be approved until after the special request has been submitted and reviewed. If the special request is denied, you will need to resubmit the application, removing any mention of the special request elements.

To avoid disappointment, we advise that players submit their special requests well in advance of when they are planning to use them.


How Do I Submit A Special Request?

To submit a special request, you need to fill out the relevant form from the Special Request Templates and send it to an administrator.
  • Click the 'select' button for the relevant code. Please note that the code will not look like it is highlighted when you select it.
  • Use ctrl/c or cmd/c to copy the code.
  • Use ctrl/v or cmd/v to paste it into a new PM.
  • Complete the form.
  • Send the completed form to an administrator for review.

How Long Does It Take To Review A Special Request?

There is no set timeframe in which we review special requests, as some requests naturally take more time to review than others. When an administrator receives a special request, they share it with the rest of the team for discussion and review as soon as possible.

As soon as the admin team have collectively reached a decision, an admin will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your request. We do not provide regular updates throughout the decision-making process. However, we will always let you know whether a special request has been approved or denied, so if you haven't heard back yet, that doesn't mean it's been denied, it means we are still reviewing it.

If you haven't heard back within a couple of weeks and are concerned that we may have forgotten or missed the request, please feel free to reach out to an admin to check in and ask for an update.

Please be aware that some special requests, especially those for new powers, objects, or plots which are not established canon can take a few weeks for us to process. As admins, we have a responsibility to consider every angle of the special request and ensure that it won't conflict with our canon or disrupt other site activity. Sometimes we disagree, sometimes there are issues we need to find solutions for before we can approve a request, and this all takes time. We also live in a range of timezones, which can contribute to the delay. Please be patient!

3
Special Requests / Special Request Templates
« on: 13/06/2021 at 11:05 »
Special Request Templates
---

Special requests cover a variety of requests, including but not limited to requests for: magical objects, magical powers, exceptional levels, unusual or magical pets, unusual occupations/shops, and complicated/unusual plotlines.

Please read the Special Request Guidelines for further information before submitting a special request.

All special requests should be PMed to an administrator. If you have any queries about whether or not you should submit a special request for something, please contact an administrator for further advice.

Templates for each type of special request can be found below. If you cannot find a template specific to your special request, please contact an administrator for further advice on how to proceed with your special request.


Index of Special Request Templates


4
Frequently Asked Questions
Student Applications

Who reviews and processes my application?

Administrators and global moderators (GMods) are responsible for reviewing and processing applications. If you have any queries or concerns about submitting an application, please contact one of these members of staff. You can view the staff listing here if you are unsure who the administrators and GMods are.



How long does it take for my application to be reviewed and processed?

This depends on a number of factors, and therefore we cannot guarantee a set timeframe for reviewing and processing applications. Some applications will be reviewed and processed immediately, others may be waiting for several weeks. The following factors will affect the time it takes for us to review applications:
  • Shifting priorities and responsibilities of site staff, both on site and IRL. Our staff work hard to keep this site running and sometimes this means prioritising other responsibilities over accepting applications. We will always look at applications as soon as we have the time and capacity to do so.
  • Concerning or confusing content within the application, particularly in regards to the site rules, site rating, and magical rules. Sometimes, the admin team will need to review an application as a team to decide whether it needs to be edited to adhere to our rules before we can accept it. Discussing the application can take time, especially given that the admin team are in different timezones.
  • Special requests, including exceptional levels requests. If you make a special request alongside your application, this is very likely to affect the time it takes to accept your application. The admin team review all special requests and make a decision as a team, and discussing this can take time, especially given that the admin team are in different timezones.
  • Time of year. In the summer months (April, August, and December), student applications will always take priority over Elsewhere applications. This is because student applications can only be accepted within a limited timeframe (one month). Please also bear in mind that the admin team also have to prepare for the new school term during these months, which takes up a lot of our time.
Please do not 'bump' your application by replying to it to push it to the top of the board again. Bumping your application does not mean that it will be looked at sooner. Staff are well aware of which applications have been responded to and which still require a response; some applications inevitably require more time to review than others, and this is something that cannot be helped.

If your application appears to have been ignored, this is not the case. It is likely that an element of your application is being queried by the staff member looking at your application, and we will resolve this as soon as possible. Please note that this does not necessarily mean your application has broken the rules or the site rating; sometimes, staff ask each other for second opinions on unusual content that is well within our rules, rating, and canon, and this is a normal part of the application review process.

The deadline for student applications is always 23:59 (GMT) of the last day of the summer month (30 April, 31 August, 31 December). Generally, student applications will always be reviewed and processed before the school term begins, so please do not worry that you will miss the deadline for student applications. However, please note that if you submit an application very close to the deadline (e.g. only a few hours before the deadline), we have other responsibilities that will take priority over your application. You may have to wait until after we have opened the castle board for the start of term before we can review and process your application. If you are concerned about missing the deadline, please contact an administrator directly.

If you have any questions about your application, feel free to contact an administrator, but please do not constantly ask us when we will be getting to your application. This is a waste of everyone's time. Harassing anyone about when you will be responded to will result in the immediate denial of your application.



I think an application breaks the site rules or rating. What should I do?

If you have concerns about an application, there are several options available to you:
  • Report the post. The report button looks like a quill with a yellow warning sign beside it. It can be found under the account name and avatar. When reporting a post, you should always enter a comment to explain the reason for your report. Please be aware that the reporting function is not anonymous and all staff (admins and GMods) will receive a notification of the report.
  • Submit your concern via the Suggestion Box. Please note that this Suggestion Box is not monitored 24/7 and the response may not be immediate. Please also be aware that if you are submitting a concern that relates to a specific player or thread, rather than a general concern, we will not answer you on the general boards. If you would like a response to this type of suggestion, you must provide contact details.
  • Contact an administrator directly. If you have any concerns about a player or post breaking the rules or the rating, you should always contact an administrator (not a GMod). Administrators have the final say on whether or a post breaks the rules or rating and will decide whether a post should be removed or edited. Please see the staff listing if you are unsure who the administrators are.
The administrators will always aim to respond to members' concerns as soon as possible. However, please be aware that we are not available 24/7 and that we often discuss these concerns as a team to determine the best course of action; therefore, our response to you may be delayed.

There may be some instances where the administrators make a decision that you do not agree with in relation to applications and the site rules and/or rating. If it is clear that an administrator has reviewed an application and come to a decision, please do not post anonymous comments about the decision in the Suggestion Box, regardless of how you feel about the decision. Anonymous comments are useful to us when flagging content of potential concern. However, they are no longer useful when we have already reviewed and resolved the issue raised; posting these comments anonymously is a waste of both your time and ours.

If you are genuinely concerned or confused about a decision we have made in relation to an application, please contact us in a way that gives us the opportunity to respond to your concerns.

5
Frequently Asked Questions
Elsewhere Applications

Who reviews and processes my application?

Administrators and global moderators (GMods) are responsible for reviewing and processing applications. If you have any queries or concerns about submitting an application, please contact one of these members of staff. You can view the staff listing here if you are unsure who the administrators and GMods are.



How long does it take for my application to be reviewed and processed?

This depends on a number of factors, and therefore we cannot guarantee a set timeframe for reviewing and processing applications. Some applications will be reviewed and processed immediately, others may be waiting for several weeks. The following factors will affect the time it takes for us to review applications:
  • Shifting priorities and responsibilities of site staff, both on site and IRL. Our staff work hard to keep this site running and sometimes this means prioritising other responsibilities over accepting applications. We will always look at applications as soon as we have the time and capacity to do so.
  • Concerning or confusing content within the application, particularly in regards to the site rules, site rating, and magical rules. Sometimes, the admin team will need to review an application as a team to decide whether it needs to be edited to adhere to our rules before we can accept it. Discussing the application can take time, especially given that the admin team are in different timezones.
  • Special requests, including exceptional levels requests. If you make a special request alongside your application, this is very likely to affect the time it takes to accept your application. The admin team review all special requests and make a decision as a team, and discussing this can take time, especially given that the admin team are in different timezones.
  • Time of year. In the summer months (April, August, and December), student applications will always take priority over Elsewhere applications. This is because student applications can only be accepted within a limited timeframe (one month). Please also bear in mind that the admin team also have to prepare for the new school term during these months, which takes up a lot of our time.
Please do not 'bump' your application by replying to it to push it to the top of the board again. Bumping your application does not mean that it will be looked at sooner. Staff are well aware of which applications have been responded to and which still require a response; some applications inevitably require more time to review than others, and this is something that cannot be helped.

If your application appears to have been ignored, this is not the case. It is likely that an element of your application is being queried by the staff member looking at your application, and we will resolve this as soon as possible. Please note that this does not necessarily mean your application has broken the rules or the site rating; sometimes, staff ask each other for second opinions on unusual content that is well within our rules, rating, and canon, and this is a normal part of the application review process.

If you have any questions about your application, feel free to contact an administrator, but please do not constantly ask us when we will be getting to your application. This is a waste of everyone's time. Harassing anyone about when you will be responded to will result in the immediate denial of your application.



I think an application breaks the site rules or rating. What should I do?

If you have concerns about an application, there are several options available to you:
  • Report the post. The report button looks like a quill with a yellow warning sign beside it. It can be found under the account name and avatar. When reporting a post, you should always enter a comment to explain the reason for your report. Please be aware that the reporting function is not anonymous and all staff (admins and GMods) will receive a notification of the report.
  • Submit your concern via the Suggestion Box. Please note that this Suggestion Box is not monitored 24/7 and the response may not be immediate. Please also be aware that if you are submitting a concern that relates to a specific player or thread, rather than a general concern, we will not answer you on the general boards. If you would like a response to this type of suggestion, you must provide contact details.
  • Contact an administrator directly. If you have any concerns about a player or post breaking the rules or the rating, you should always contact an administrator (not a GMod). Administrators have the final say on whether or a post breaks the rules or rating and will decide whether a post should be removed or edited. Please see the staff listing if you are unsure who the administrators are.
The administrators will always aim to respond to members' concerns as soon as possible. However, please be aware that we are not available 24/7 and that we often discuss these concerns as a team to determine the best course of action; therefore, our response to you may be delayed.

There may be some instances where the administrators make a decision that you do not agree with in relation to applications and the site rules and/or rating. If it is clear that an administrator has reviewed an application and come to a decision, please do not post anonymous comments about the decision in the Suggestion Box, regardless of how you feel about the decision. Anonymous comments are useful to us when flagging content of potential concern. However, they are no longer useful when we have already reviewed and resolved the issue raised; posting these comments anonymously is a waste of both your time and ours.

If you are genuinely concerned or confused about a decision we have made in relation to an application, please contact us in a way that gives us the opportunity to respond to your concerns.

6
Information & Guidelines / Resources Directory
« on: 30/04/2018 at 19:32 »
Resources Directory
A Masterlist of Helpful Links

Below is a directory of potentially useful links covering all areas of the site for players to refer to. Bear in mind that players whose applications have not yet been accepted will not be able to view all the links provided. All credit for this idea goes to Euphemia Vane. If you have any questions (or suggestions on other pages to link), please PM Calypso Ross.




Application-Related Pages

Relevant resources for: players who are about to apply or are in the process of applying for a student, adult, professor, or shop.

Rules & Guidelines. please read carefully before applying.
  • Welcome To HS-net: a brief introduction to our site.
  • Site Rules: code of conduct, character policies, character creation guidelines, posting & roleplaying guidelines.
  • Site Rating: this must be followed at all times.
  • FAQ I: further information about the site's structure, our universe, applications, character creation.
  • FAQ II: further information about general roleplaying, character creation, and our online chat system.
  • Shops & Subforums FAQ: information about applying for an Elsewhere shop.
Application Templates.
Other Useful Resources.

Character-Related Pages

Relevant resources for: face claims, special requests, the HS-net Wiki, retirement requests, blood status registration, rosters, wandlore.

Face Claims.
Special Requests.
HS-net Wiki & Retirement.
  • HS-net Wiki: there's tons of information on here, so search for a keyword & see what you find.
  • Wiki How-To: a step-by-step guide on how to create a wiki page. Wiki character templates can also be found here.
  • Retirement Process: see 'deleting a character' section.
  • Retirement How-To: a step-by-step guide on how to retire a character.
Other Useful Resources.
  • Blood Status Registration: register for a blood status badge here. This is not mandatory, but many players enjoy having blood status badges on their character profiles.
  • Hogwarts Roster: a complete list of current Hogwarts students & professors.
  • Shops & Shopkeepers Roster: a complete list of our Elsewhere shops & shopkeepers.
  • Wandlore: a list of wand woods, cores, lengths, and flexibilities.

Magic-Related Pages

Relevant resources for: magical rules, our levelling system.

Magical Rules.
  • Magical Rules: a comprehensive guide to what your character can/cannot cast.
  • Portkey FAQ: information about Portkey creation & use.
Levelling System.

Player-Related Pages

Relevant resources for: player & staff information, suggestions, the Gringotts Exchange, subscriptions.

Player & Staff Information.
  • Memberlist: a complete list of every character. You can use this to search for specific members.
  • Player Directory: a list of players and their characters. Players must add their player name to their characters' profiles to be registered on the Player Directory.
  • Staff Directory: a complete list of our current staff & the areas that they work in. Please contact the relevant staff member or an administrator if you have any questions.
  • Suggestion Box: send us your ideas, comments, & concerns.
The Gringotts Exchange.
Subscriptions.

Site Canon-Related Pages

Relevant resources for: Camp Loki, Elsewhere institutions, Hogwarts.

Camp Loki. open in april, august, & december for 10-18 year olds.
Elsewhere.
Hogwarts.

Site Plot-Related Pages

Relevant resources for: complete site plots, including the Time Warp and the Hexenreich/Resistance, current site plots (Social Reconstruction Committee).

General.
Complete Site Plots.
  • Time Warp I: a summary of our Time Warp site plot.
  • Time Warp II: further information on the Time Warp & its effects.
  • Hexenreich: a summary of our Hexenreich site plot.
Current Site Plots.

Miscellaneous Pages

Relevant resources for: further character creation/development, graphics & coding, social media.

Character Development.
Graphics & Coding.
Social Media. run by our site promo team!
  • Tumblr: our official Tumblr page. Former tumblrs can be found here & here. Our Spellbound Student Newspaper archives can be found here.
  • Facebook: our official Facebook page.
  • Pinterest: our official Pinterest page.
  • Twitter: our official Twitter page.

7

social reconstruction


committee . . . . . . . . . .


The Story So Far

Creation & Background
When the magical barriers separating Wizarding and Muggle Britain fell in September 1948, repairing them became the Ministry of Magic's primary concern. Jean-Claude Ouellet, Head of the Department of Magical Social Affairs, soon saw the opportunity to create a community project that would not only rebuild the barriers but also rebuild the whole of Wizarding Britain, so that it could finally recover from the aftermath of the war and of the Hexenreich presence (which was fading fast since the fall of the barriers).

His solution was a new committee: the Social Reconstruction Committee, a charitable organisation branching off from the Ministry and helping all those in need. Jean-Claude worked tirelessly behind the scenes from 1949 through until the official introduction of the SRC in September 1950, gathering initial members to aid him in what was going to be the largest Ministry project that Britain had ever seen. Altair was taken on as the Deputy Head of the committee, Jean-Claude's second-in-command, and leadership roles over the three subcommittees were filled by Ella Galanis (Social Events and Fundraisers), Margaret Harkiss (Community Liaisons), and Juniper Steele (Hogwarts Outreach Programme).

For the next two years, up until August 1952, the SRC flourished, growing increasingly bigger and providing help to everybody: students, parents, orphans, business owners, Purebloods, Halfbloods, Muggleborns. After the oppressive rule of the Hexenreich, the SRC's inclusive approach appealed to pretty much everyone.

Change In Leadership
In mid-August 1952, both Jean-Claude Oullet and Altair suddenly vanished without warning. Ella Galanis promptly stepped in to cover for both parties and was left to field the hundreds of requests from newspapers and reporters about what was going on. By September, Altair had been discovered to be residing in St. Mungo's hospital; by October, he was back in his position as Deputy Head of SRC and Hogwarts Librarian. Jean-Claude had yet to be found.

Several months passed, during which the SRC Head's absence only became more and more noticeable. Without any clear leadership, the network that Jean-Claude had worked so hard to create gradually began to fall apart, with Margaret Harkiss and Juniper Steele eventually leaving their positions as subcommittee leaders. During this time, the SRC was managed by Altair and Ella Galanis, and the charity continued to be able to provide for British citizens.  In January 1953, the pair decided that they needed to find a replacement for Jean-Claude. He clearly had no intention of returning.

The search for the new SRC Head promptly began, but despite the initial quick start, it was only in June 1953, almost an entire year after Jean-Claude's disappearance that a new leadership was established. In a move supported by Pryce Hir, Minister of Magic, a board of five SRC directors was created: it consisted of Altair, Ella Galanis, Cordelia Grey, Joshua Mulligan, and Wisdom Willows. Jacob Scarborough was elected to manage the Hogwarts Outreach Programme. The Community Liaisons subcommittee was merged with the Social Events & Fundraisers subcommittee, to be overseen by Milo Kingsley.

Jean-Claude Oullet's whereabouts are still unknown, but it seems that his brainchild has moved on without him. Only time will tell where it ends up.

The Reaction

The Ministry
The SRC is officially a part of the Ministry, falling under the Department of Magical Social Affairs. For the most part, Ministry workers feel positively towards the Social Reconstruction Committee. However, it has been rumoured that Minister Pryce Hir did not personally support the SRC's initial creation.

The Members
SRC members were excited by the idea originally, which was why they joined in the first place. However, since Jean-Claude's sudden and unexplained departure, the Committee has been struggling to stay afloat. It has always had the the support of the people and is financially stable, but the lack of a clear leadership meant that events and meetings became a little less regular and ordinary members were unsure about to whom they should report. The structure of the SRC has become more blurred, with many members left floundering as to how they can best help out. While Altair and Ella Galanis have done their best to provide clear information, it has not always worked out as it should. Following the announcement of new leadership, these problems are quickly becoming resolved once more.

The Average Citizen
The general public support and encourage the growth of the Social Reconstruction Committee. The Committee has aided all members of society, particularly targeting the poor, the weak, and the vulnerable. Hogwarts students have been offered a number of opportunities, including student apprenticeships, financial assistance, and mentoring programmes. Wealthier individuals have been encouraged to sign up for the SRC to aid those less fortunate. The SRC is generally well-respected and has been successful in its charitable giving and rebuilding of Wizarding Britain.

8
Student Applications / Birth Year Guide [1971-72]
« on: 31/03/2017 at 08:31 »
What Year Was I Born?
Student Applications




What is this?

Maths can be hard, so we made a table (below) to help you out if you're stuck on what the birth year of your character should be!

Hogwarts students typically receive their letters on their 11th birthday. This means that this term's incoming first years must be 11 by 1 September 1967 (the first day of school), and that they will be turning 12 during the 1967-68 school year. Second years will be 12, turning 13; third years will be 13, turning 14; and so on.

How Does It Work?

To find your birth year, you'll first need to decide which year you're applying for. Once you've done that...

If your character's birthday falls between 1 September and 31 December, you'll need to look at the second column to find your birth year.
Example: Harmony Jane Glover is applying to be a first year this term. Her birthday is 19 September, which means that her birth year is 1955.

If your character's birthday falls between 1 January and 31 August, you'll need to look at the third column to find your birth year.
Example: Rodney Benedict Wolsey was homeschooled for four years. He's applying to enter Hogwarts in his fifth year. His birthday is 1 March, which means that his birth year is 1952.

help me find my birth year!

Use the table below to work out in which year your character was born:

year of school
 applied for
year born in
(sept. - dec.)
year born in
(jan. - aug.)
first
1959
1960
second
1958
1959
third
1957
1958
fourth
1956
1957
fifth
1955
1956
sixth
1954
1955
seventh
1953
1954

And that's it! If you're looking for help calculating an adult's age, a useful age calculator to use is this one.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM an administrator.

9

hexenreich . . . . . . .


The Story

Historical Background
Following the time-warp, the magical defence charms around Wizarding Germany disappeared, leaving them exposed to Nazi German Muggles. They joined forces, and so Muggle politics began to threaten the Wizarding World. Those witches and wizards who had conspired most deeply with German Nazis were the same who would eventually form the beginnings of the Hexenreich.

Wizarding France, whilst still defended, took to being Muggleborn sympathisers. Beauxbatons - previously an elitist school - began to positively discriminate Muggleborns, and the French were offended by Britain closing their borders. This led them to start researching into Time Warp Theory - which they begun to blame on the British Ministry of Magic - and they aligned with Wizarding Germany. This separated Muggle France - which was aligned with Britain - and Wizarding France. Beauxbatons Academy became a base for the Gestapo in Cannes.

The Hexenreich was officially formed in 1944, just after D-Day left the Axis powers crippled. Rolf Königsmann, an unassuming wizard with a penchant for pushing the limits of magical research, had been employed as one of the senior medical researchers for the Nazis. Because German wizards had broken the Statute of Secrecy by joining forces with muggles, Königsmann had been free to carry out his own magical experiments on the imprisoned muggles. Upon hearing news of the Germans' defeat in June, he immediately called together a tight-knit circle of wizards in high-ranking military positions, who collectively decided that it was no longer in their best interests to collude with Hitler's regime.

A patient man, Königsmann, as head of the newly-formed Hexenreich, slowly recruited German and French witches and wizards to his ranks. Hexenreich began carefully and selectively erasing the memories of those who had been aware of their existence and collusion with German authorities. The next step was to narrow the focus of their attacks - centering on the British Ministry of Magic.


The British Focus
For many, the British Focus happened just before supper on the seventh of June, 1945.  The first sign of trouble was at the Ministry of Magic, where multiple explosions took place, resulting in the Ministry being locked down and the Aurors along with Merlin’s Order of Defense attempting to apprehend the perpetrators. Then, almost at the same time, trouble started brewing at Hogwarts, where Hexenreich members, assisted by two assistant professors they had on the inside, attempted to kidnap two students for leverage. They used this leverage to push the Hogwarts Headmistress, Anneka Ivanova, into removing the anti-apparition barriers which were preventing the Hexenreich from securing Hogwarts as their bargaining chip.

Once the Hexenreich had gained a foothold, they dug their feet in, taking over many institutions vital to Britain’s wizarding society. At Hogwarts, they installed Hexenreich representatives to observe both the professors and students and to squash any thoughts of resistance. At the Ministry, their takeover was less subtle. In the absence of Minister Hir, who was now a wanted man, the Hexenreich placed itself in a position to run the Ministry and Wizarding Britain from its government. The Hexenreich executed the takeover in a well planned and efficient manner, and some have even suggested that they had inside help.


The Reaction

The Resistance
The Hexenreich quickly dissolved Merlin's Order of Defense and from its ashes came a resistance movement to their takeover. The Resistance was made up of former soldiers and civilians united in their desire to expel the Hexenreich from Wizarding Britain. The main faces on the wanted posters the Hexenreich hung up were public enemies Pryce Hir, Aries Paladin, Alastríona Underwood, and an unnamed boy.


The Average Citizen
The average citizen was not only impacted by the new laws instilled by the Hexenreich occupiers (e.g. 10PM curfew, restricted Portkey use) but by their general presence. Normal functions that used to be carried out by the Auror Office had a Hexenreich representative, and the Hexenreich extensively patrolled areas of Wizarding Britain. All owl post was heavily monitored.

The Fall of the Magical Barriers
The takeover sparked fear and distrust, but as time went on, and nothing seemed to change, the acceptance of Hexenreich rule was necessary.  No obvious changes were made to how the government was run. Many high ranking employees maintained their positions. No one quite knew what the Hexenreich goal was and many were forced to move on with their lives under new management. Of course, the Resistance still wreaked havoc when and where it could, but the organisation was alone in its fight. On September 1, 1948 one of the Hexenreich's goals became clear. Starting at 10:35 in the morning, a thunderous boom was heard piercing the silence, interrupting the clatter of everyday city noises and halting the lives of the unsuspecting. The boom was the most obvious physical consequence of the wizarding barrier as it failed. The second soon followed as Wizards, whom normally found refuge behind walls of misdirection, stood unconcealed near muggle populations.

Without the magical barriers separating the wizarding world from the Muggle world, confusion and fear reigned as the situation was being mitigated across Britain. Laws prohibiting spells and magical items near Muggle areas were quickly put into place. The complex web of arcane and new magic that wove to create barriers across Britain had to be studied and the creation of new barriers took great energy and time to develop. No one wanted to ever experience the vanishing of their borders again, and so time seemed to move slowly in correcting the devastation. It was only in December 1949 that the barriers were finally and wholly repaired. Much of the research and implementation of new barriers was funded by a new organisation that was rising in the Ministry: the Social Reconstruction Committee.

The Hexenreich's Decline
During the crisis involving the fallen magical barriers, the Hexenreich began to disappear into the woodwork, one by one. By January 1950, very few members were left out in the open. And with most members now gone, the Ministry could finally seize back control. Aurors immediately got to work on tracking down the remaining few members, convinced that the Hexenreich had been behind the incident. Yet they had limited success, for most of the group had gone into hiding or fled Britain, hidden beneath the chaos that the fall of the barriers had caused. Those members that were caught were promptly involved in a series of investigations and trials lasting all the way up until June 1950.

Eventually, the trials ended. Most of the captured Hexenreich had been sent to Azkaban, of course, but those in the Hexenreich that had held only the most trivial of positions within the group (the newcomers, the errand runners, the unlucky who hadn’t received the memo that day to flee Britain) got lucky with lighter sentences. By July 1950, the Hexenreich had finally been entirely defeated.


Other Information

  • Even though, in the beginning, Hexenreich utilised the opportunities provided by Nazi Germany to survive and thrive, the Hexenreich was a separate movement from the Nazi Party and did not associate itself with such an embarrassing botched attempt.
  • The Hexenreich targeted Wizarding Britain, and its movement was contained here. Other countries were reluctant to assist because most were struggling at rebuilding their own societies after the war.
  • During the war, British Wizarding society was separated from Muggle society, as per the Statute of Secrecy. Thus, the British Muggles had no clue that a war raged on right under their noses.
  • The majority of members of the Hexenreich were of German and French ancestry due to the origination of their movement. However, supporters of all ancestries existed.
  • The Hexenreich as an organization had no position on blood status; nor were they researching scientific proof of related superiority.
  • The Extraordinary Registry was destroyed in the Ministry attack, so the Hexenreich didn't know who in the population had a special ability.

Credit for compiling this guide goes to Oliver Razi! Updated by Calypso Ross, using information provided by Martin Hawksworth.

10
Archived Applications / Vault #3616 - MONROE, Jeremy
« on: 21/04/2014 at 02:49 »
--- Hogwarts
Jeremy Monroe

--- Elsewhere

11
Archived Applications / Vault #3591 - ELIPTON, Mjolnira
« on: 21/04/2014 at 02:48 »
--- Hogwarts
Mjolnira Elipton

--- Elsewhere

12



The Story

On December 31st, 1974, The clocks struck midnight in Wizarding Britain - and peculiar things started happening. Most noticeable - depending on the area - were aurora borealis-like lights, strangely south, and all clocks started to wind backwards, most of them eventually breaking.

Those in Wizarding areas were unlikely to notice any additional changes - the buildings are old, well-built. The same in the 70's as they had been in the 30's, so any news of a Time Warp seemed far-fetched and ridiculous.

Those outside of Wizarding Areas, however, found themselves, all of a sudden, standing in the exact same spot - 38 years earlier. Housing estates seemingly dissipated into thin air; interiors dated, and strange people lived in these houses and they weren't happy (and were most likely terribly confused as to how and why this random stranger was now taking up space in their abodes) to see the time-travellers.

All that was magic had slid back in time - leaving the muggles and all the muggle innovation behind. This meant that muggleborn (or muggle-related) sons and daughters found themselves separated from their parents without explanation - and now all the newspapers were declaring that it was January 1st, 1937.



Reactions

The Ministry
The Ministry were curiously silent; they offered no explanation for the sudden disappearance of muggles or muggle items; for the lights in the sky; the clocks breaking; the sickness that some suffered after the reversal.

But times had changed, and so had the Ministry.

In August, 1937, the Ministry released a Census, which all persons were legally required to fill out.

In Autumn, 1937, it decreed through the Wizengamot that Blood Status Badges - these are bright red and are marked 'M' or 'H' - must be worn by all Muggleborns and Purebloods, and to not wear them was treason. This law caused outrage amongst the masses; especially as the Ministry then went on to decree that no-one bearing an 'M' badge could work for the Ministry. Blood Status testing ensued, with people found to have declared themselves as the wrong blood status in their census forms being put to Wizengamot Trial.

In January, 1939, after the assassinations of Ellerie Malthus and Lysander Ellwood-Luxe, the new Minister for Magic and his Senior Under-secretary responded to what they felt to be threats from the Muggleborn community and their sympathizers by:
  • Closing Magical Borders - WiSA permission - the wizarding equivalent of a Visa - is required to leave Wizarding Britain for Muggle Britain, and Britain all together. Of course, people are free to leave without one - but they face exile for doing so.
  • Requiring retail vendors to apply for a license to sell goods to muggleborns.
  • Banning several potions, including Felix Felicis and Polyjuice Potion.
  • Banning prank items which could be used to distract and/or conceal.

These laws have since been repealed, but the damage still lingers.



The Muggleborns
Young muggleborns were assigned Orphanages by the ministry, the biggest and best known of which was attached to St. Mungo's Hospital. They were forced to wear badges; they were subjected to racism from people of more magical backgrounds; and they were forcibly segregated in many ways, whilst left underrepresented in the Ministry.

Muggleborns at Hogwarts School might've taken interest in FEW - For the Equality of Wizards. FEW is a group set up by Charles Kedding with help from Cedric Galyn, and it's cause is for the removal of the blood status badges.

Older Muggleborns and sympathizers took their protests to the Ministry.



The Purebloods
For some purebloods, the Time-Warp remained a confusing myth. This is because, as time moved on and everyone assimilates into the 30's / 40's, memories of the 70's have warped or changed. For example, you might remember your first kiss; you might remember it took place in a cinema (or picturehouse, as they were called); but you won't remember the style of clothing you were wearing, or what film you were seeing. Similarly, you might remember dancing, but you won't remember the song.

Some more clued-up purebloods believe the Time-Warp Theory.



International Reactions
Following the time-warp, the magical defence charms around Wizarding Germany disappeared, leaving them exposed to Nazi German Muggles. They joined forces, and so Muggle politics began to threaten the Wizarding World.

Wizarding France, whilst still defended, took to being Muggleborn Sympathizers. Beauxbatons - previously an elitist school - began to positively discriminate muggleborns, and the French were offended by Britain closing their borders. This led them to start researching into Time Warp Theory - which they begun to blame on the British Ministry of Magic - and they aligned with Wizarding Germany. This separated Muggle France - which was aligned with Britain - and Wizarding France. Beauxbatons Academy became a base for the Gestapo in Cannes.



Other Information

  • The time-warp diffused slowly from it's origin in London. It took a total of twelve hours to complete, with Australia being the last country to be affected.
  • Some believe the time-warp happened; some don't.
  • Everyone who is currently alive has either witnessed 1974, or was born after the time-warp.
  • The 'warp' itself was really more of a 'slide' - it pushed everything in Wizarding history back 38 years, for example, the publication of a (wizarding) book in 1968 became a book published in 1930. Someone born in 1960's birth certificate read 1922 instead.
  • Muggle items which weren't around before 1937 disappeared.

13
Era Guides / 1930s Slang
« on: 10/03/2013 at 19:16 »
PEOPLE

 Abercrombie  A know-it-all
 Babe, broad, dame, doll, frail, twist, muffin,kitten  Woman
 Brunos, goons, hatchetmen, torpedoes, trigger men  Hired gunmen and other tough guys
 Butterand egg fly, hot mama, sweet mama, sweet patootie, dish, looker, tomato  An attractive woman
 Butterand egg man  Themoney man, the man with the bankroll
 Canary  Afemale vocalist
 Cats or alligators  Fans of swing music
 Copper    Policeman
 Crumb  A fink, a loser by social standards
 Dead hoofer or cement mixer  Bad dancer
 Dollface Name for a woman when a man is pleading his case or apologizing
 Egg  A crude person
 Fem, filly, flame, flirt, fuss  Constant girl companion to a boy
 Genius  An extremely, unbelievably dumb person
 G-man Federal agent, term coined by Machine Gun Kelly
 Golddigger Attractive young woman actively hunting for a rich man
 Greaseball, half portion, wet smack, wet sock, jelly bean  Unpopular person
 Grifter  A con man or woman
 Gumshoe, flatfoot, shamus  Detective
 Gunsel  Gunman with a hint toward being a reckless loose cannon
 House peeper  House detective
 Joe  A average guy
 Moll  A gangster's girlfriend
 Pally  Friend, chum, sometimes used sarcastically
 Patsy  Innocent man framed for a criminal charge
 Pill  Disagreeable person
 Pip  Attractive person
 Scatsinger  Avocalist who improvises lyrics, substituting nonsense syllables for words
 Scrub  Poor student
 Skin tickler  A drummer
 Stool pigeon, snitch Someone who informs to the police
 Tin ear,Ickie  Someone who did not like popular music
 Twit Fool or Idiot
 Wheat  Person unused to city ways



PLACES

 Apple  Any big town or city
 Big house, hoosegow  Prison
 Cave  One's house or apartment
 Clam-bake Wild swing
 Clip joint  Night club or gambling joint where patrons get flimflammed
 Egg harbor  Free dance
 Gin mill  Place that serves liquor, sometimes illegally
 Hop, rag, jolly up, romp, wingding  Dance or party
 Speakeasy  Bar disguised as something else or hidden behind an unmarked door



THINGS

 All the way  Chocolate cake or fudge with ice cream
 Ameche, horn, blower Telephone
 Baby  Glass of milk
 Bean shooter, gat, rod, roscoe, heater,convincer  Gun
 Blinkers, lamps, pies, shutters, peepers  Eyes
 Booze, hooch, giggle juice, mule  Whiskey
 Brodie  A mistake
 Buzzer  Police badge
 Cabbage, lettuce, kale, folding green, long green Money
 Check or checker  A dollar
 Chicago overcoat  Coffin
 Chicago typewriter, chopper, gat  "Tommy Gun", Thompson Submachine Gun
 City juice, dog soup Glass of water
 Dil-ya-ble A phone call
 Dog house  String bass
 Drumsticks, pins, pillars, stems, uprights, get away sticks, gams Legs
 Dukes, paws, grabbers, meat hooks  Hands
 Five spot, a Lincoln $5 bill
 Gobble-pipe Saxophone
 Hocks, plates  Feet
 Honey cooler  A kiss
 Low down All the information
 Meat wagon  Ambulance
 Micky, Micky Finn  Spiked drink
 Platter  A record
 Rot gut, bathtub gin Prohibition alcohol usually made in back rooms and of low quality
 Sawbuck  $10 bill
 Slugburger  Adding day-old bread to ground beef.
 Snipe  Cigarette
 Sourdough Counterfeit money
 Suds, salad, dough, moolah, rhino, bacon (as in bring home thebacon), bread Money
 The high hat  A response in which one excludes another with irreverence and intent to offend
 The kiss off  The final goodbye as in exile or death
 Tin  Small change
 Tin can, flivver  A car
 Trip for biscuits  A task that yields nothing



VERBS 
 Bleed  toextort or blackmail
 Blow your wig  Become very excited
 Bumping gums, booshwash  Talk about nothing useful
 Chisel  Swindle, cheat, work an angle
 Crust  To insult
 Curve  Disappointment
 Dig  Think hard or understand
 Gumming the works  To cause something to run less smoothly
 K balling  Salvaging parts from junked rail cars to rebuild others
 Kibosh  Squelch
 Make tracks, dangle  Leave in a hurry, leave abruptly
 Mitt me kid!  Congratulate me
 Packing heat, wearing iron  Carrying a gun
 Shake a leg  Hurry up
 Slip me five  Shake my hand
 Take a powder, blow, split, scram, drift Leave
 Taking the rap, taking the fall  Taking responsibility for someone else's crime or crimes



STATES OF BEING
 Bulge  Having the advantage
 Dizzy with a dame  Very much in love with a woman, sometimes at great risk to themselves, especially if she's someone else's moll
 Doss  Sleep
 Drilling,plugging, throwing lead, filling someone with daylight, giving someone lead poisoning  Shooting a gun (at someone)
 Evil  In a bad mood
 Joed  Tired
 Ring-a-ding-ding A good time at a party



ADJECTIVES 
 Cute as a bug's ear  Very cute
 Dingy  Silly
 Doggy  Well dressed but in a self conscious way
 Hard boiled  Tough
 Juicy  Enjoyable
 Keen  Very Good
 Kippy  Neat
 Murder!  Wow!
 Nuts!  Telling someone they are full of nonsense
 Off the cob  Corny
 Plenty rugged  Big and strong
 Smooth  Well dressed without qualification
 Squat Nothing
 Togged to the bricks Dressed up
 Whacky  Crazy



PHRASES 
 Abyssinia I'll be seeing you
 Aces, snazzy, hot, nobby, smooth, sweet, swell, keen, cool  Very good
 All wet  No good
 Beat  Broke
 Behind the grind  Behind in one's studies
 What's your story, morning glory?  What do you mean by that?
 Yo!  Yes
 You and me both  I agree
 "You shred it, wheat"  You said it

14
Era Guides / Sexuality & Stereotypes
« on: 05/12/2012 at 17:19 »
Sexuality
Era Guide: 1950s

“Capitalism, loyally supported by the churches, has established a Public Policy that the Sacred Institution of Monogamy must be enforced; and such a fiat is the death knell to all sexual freedom.”
- Henry Gerber, 'In Defense of Homosexuality' (1932)




General Perception

Homosexual acts between two men were criminalized by many countries, and could result in imprisonment or even death. Though such laws did not include acts between women, lesbian leanings were seen as a mental weakness and lesbian women were often forced into rehabilitation in psychiatric hospitals. Gay men and women often had to hide their relationships, fearful of being arrested and shunned in a time when society had an extremely narrow view of sexuality. Openly gay individuals and supporters of the gay community often had to deal with physical and verbal violence, restrictions in freedom of expression, violations of privacy, and violations of rights to education/work/health care.

How does this play out? Characters rarely 'come out' to friends; there is very little support for gay rights, and even close friends might think they're helping by telling the authorities, as homosexuality was regarded as a mental illness. Some, if not most, characters are prejudiced against openly gay characters and characters who are openly support gay rights.

In Britain

Up until the late 1800s, if you were suspected of being homosexual you were not only arrested, but sentenced to death. Homosexuality wasn't decriminalised in Britain until The Sexual Offences Act in 1967 (which is still over a decade away). This Act only applied to England and Wales, and did not cover the Armed Forces. Homosexuality in Scotland and Northern Ireland was not decriminalised until even later, in 1980 and 1982, respectively. Prior to the Act, those caught having a relationship with someone of the same sex were most often convicted and imprisoned, yet Britain was still considered to be one of the more tolerant countries.

How does this play out? There is high social stigma against openly gay men and women. It is likely that gay and bisexual characters struggle to find work and acceptance from other characters, and they are often discriminated against. They may be turned away by restaurants, cafés, or even their friends. Some openly gay characters may even find that their civil rights are taken away from them, and most must hide their sexuality just so they can earn a living.

In Germany

Homosexuality was officially made illegal in Germany in 1871, and this law was further extended under Nazi rule. Those suspected of being homosexual were mercilessly persecuted, resulting in a huge increase of convictions. Penalties were severe, and many gay men died as a result. In 1950, the Nazi extensions to the law were lifted, but homosexuality (for men) remained a crime in East Germany until 1968, and until 1969 in West Germany.

How does this play out? After the merciless persecution of homosexual men during World War II, most gay characters will continue to be extremely afraid of being openly gay. Homosexuality is still a crime; much like in Britain, there is still high social stigma against gay characters, particularly men. Many may face imprisonment or a removal of their civil rights if they are discovered to be gay, so try to hide their sexuality.

In America

This was a turbulent time for gay rights. While it was still illegal for two men to engage in homosexual relations, 1950 saw the founding of the Mattachine Society, one of the first LGBT rights organisations that saw some success. However, homosexuality was very much regarded as a mental illness, which led to the banning of gay men and women from working within the federal government in 1953. Homosexuality was aligned with Communism, and the persecution of gay people by the American government escalated into what is known as the Lavender Scare.

How does this play out? Again, there is high social stigma against openly gay characters. They are faced with unemployment if they do not hide their sexuality, and find themselves shunned by a large majority of society. That said, LGBT rights organisations are beginning to surface, so it is possible that gay characters are able to express themselves more freely within such organisations.

Rules Regarding Homophobia

This site does not and will never encourage homophobic behavior out of character. That said, we are writing in an era where many such attitudes still abound, especially in the Muggle world. An area of conflict in World War II (which only ended recently, in 1945) was sexuality, and to roleplay without acknowledging such a rich background would be a shame.

We follow the site guidelines on discrimination (see here for more), and under no circumstances are homophobic slurs allowed, whether it's in character in a post or out of character. Your characters are allowed to dislike people for homophobic reasons and you are welcome to play this out, but we don't want to see the language. There are more creative and subtle ways of going about dealing with such issues and playing out the attitudes of the era, and we encourage you to take this as a challenge.

In addition, please remember that the site-wide rating is PG-13. We ask that your writing also follows this rule as well.

15
Era Guides / Blood Purity & Status
« on: 05/12/2012 at 17:19 »
Blood Purity & Status
Era Guide: 1950s

"But, the greatest taboo in the Wizarding world is... if we're talking about prejudiced people within the Wizarding world, what they care most about is your blood status."
- J. K. Rowling

Much like the canon Harry Potter universe, our world also has the same blood distinctions and prejudices that may or may not colour our characters' interactions. For example, a character from an ancient, elitist pureblood family might have advantages and disadvantages that a character new to the wizarding world might not. Like it or not, blood status will have some impact on your character’s story.




Purebloods

In our world, a pureblood is defined as someone whose direct ancestors have all been witches or wizards for at least 6 generations. Some pureblooded families have amassed great wealth and/or political power over the centuries, and tend to be highly prejudiced against those outside of their social circle (similar to the Malfoys in the canon universe). Others, like J.K. Rowling's Weasleys, are pureblooded, but tend to keep to themselves and are happy eking out their own existence without much thought to blood status.

How does this play out? Most top-tier positions, especially in the Ministry, are held by pureblooded families or those with pureblood ties. The children of these families are more likely to know of one another growing up, as pureblood society is rather close-knit. Keen to keep a firm hold on their power, especially given the recent upheaval with the Hexenreich, pureblooded wizards/witches are the most likely to retain deep-seated prejudices against muggleborns and halfbloods.

Halfbloods

Halfbloods are those who are magical, but have some Muggle ancestry. These families form the bulk of the wizarding population of our world, and many of them can probably trace their family tree back to one or more pureblood lines.

How does this play out? Depending on their respective familial situations, Halfbloods may have been raised in pureblooded families and been taught the same prejudices against Muggles and Muggleborns, or they may have been raised to be open-minded and accepting of all blood statuses. They might not hold as high a status as Purebloods in this society, but those with sufficient ambition can still find themselves in positions of power.

Muggleborns

Muggleborns are, as the name suggests, the children born of two muggles; in the wizarding world, they are at a distinct disadvantage. Unlike most Purebloods and many Halfbloods, Muggleborns enter the wizarding world oblivious to its cultural nuances: they don’t know about wizarding transportation, laws, animals... The list goes on.

How does this play out? Blood status is the biggest determinant in wizarding society, and it used to be incredibly difficult for Muggleborns to find good jobs in the wizarding world without the help of Halfblood or Pureblood friends. While negative attitudes towards Muggleborns are changing among many witches and wizards, Muggleborns still experience hatred and prejudice, particularly among Purebloods. It remains difficult for them to enter highly-paid professions and is practically impossible for them to rise to positions of power.

Others

Werewolves. Veela. Goblins. Giants. If  blood status is the standard by which society judges, then having any non-human attribute or heritage makes just living a normal life in the wizarding world a challenge. As if coping with the difficulties of life (having to deal with a painful monthly transformation, for example) aren't hard enough, letting others know about your heritage is enough to get you kicked out of any establishment and blacklisted from any future jobs.

How does this play out? The 1940s was an era of heightened awareness of differences in Muggle society, and this carried through into the 1950s. Wizarding society echoes a lot of the same mass panic and discriminatory attitudes. Known 'creatures' will be shunned and/or turned away by regular citizens who fear them, and they are likely to become convenient scapegoats for the tensions during the aftermath of World War II. This isn't to say they all have to take things lying down though - who says the Muggle world is the only one with conflict?

Rules Regarding Racism

This site does not and will never encourage racism out of character. That said, we are writing in an era where many such attitudes still abound, especially in the Muggle world. One of the key areas of conflict in World War II (which only ended recently, in 1945) was race, and to roleplay without acknowledging such a rich background would be a shame.

We follow the site guidelines on racism (see here for more), and under no circumstances are racial slurs allowed, whether it's in character in a post or out of character. Your characters are allowed to dislike people for racial reasons and you are welcome to play this out, but we don't want to see the language. There are more creative and subtle ways of going about dealing with such issues and playing out the attitudes of the era, and we encourage you to take this as a challenge.

16
Era Guides / Women in Society
« on: 05/12/2012 at 17:19 »
Women
Era Guide: 1950s

"A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water."
- Eleanor Roosevelt




At Home

Despite having gained the right to vote back in 1928, many women were still seen in as housewives and mothers first, and as working individuals second. Most married women with children focused most of their time and effort into raising their children and keeping the household running. Daughters were taught from a young age now to cook, bake, do household chores, and learnt how to keep a home.

How does this play out? Times are changing, but not that quickly. There continues to be an emphasis on homemaking magic for many women, though many witches will find they have increasing opportunities to branch out. An inherent gender bias may also be present throughout threads e.g. your boyfriend asks you to med his Quidditch uniform. There is a large variance in expectations of women depending on socioeconomic class and upbringing, but general attitudes haven't shifted much over the last twenty years. Many people still expect women to move straight from their father's house to their husband's.

At School

All students in 1937 were required to complete a mandatory seven years at a Wizarding Accredited Institution. At the end of seven years (and the successful completion of N.E.W.Ts or the equivalent), students of both genders were considered properly educated. However, higher education was predominantly aimed towards men, and most women who pursued further education enrolled in finishing schools instead. These schools encouraged domestic and household management skills.

How does this play out? All students are required to attend school for seven years before graduating. However, courses vary depending on the institution (more conservative schools, for example, are more traditional); there may be a bias towards women in areas such as the Hospital Wing, and a bias against them in other areas e.g. Quidditch. All students are permitted to take all classes at Hogwarts, but the views of individual professors may vary.

At Work

Despite a continued emphasis on the role of the housewife, women had stepped up to fill the jobs left by men during World War II, which meant that by 1950 an increasing number of women were employed full-time in higher-level jobs than before. Whereas before, women's jobs had been limited to the likes of secretaries, factory workers, seamstresses, nurses, and teachers, now women could train to hold better positions.

However, women in the workplace still had far fewer rights than men; their contracts could be terminated suddenly and for any reason, and equal pay was still a thing of legend. Some of the more traditional members of society looked down upon working women, and they often faced criticism from male family members and colleagues.

How does this play out? Women can apply to many of the same positions as men in our institutions (St. Mungo's & the Ministry of Magic). Rather than working in inferior positions, they can apply to be Healers, Aurors, lawyers, etc. However, they may experience difficulty rising to the highest-level government jobs, and will likely experience some form of gender bias at work. They will also most likely be paid less than their male counterparts.

At Play

Most leisure time in the 1950s was spent at home: reading, listening to the radio, watching television, playing board games, knitting, and needlework were some of the most common hobbies. Children often played with each other outdoors. This was also the decade of jive and rock'n'roll. During the war, women had experienced more freedom than they had previously been used to, and after the war they strove to keep it this way.

How does this play out? Equal rights don't always mean identical activities -- more traditional professors may give preferences to boys in active sports (e.g. duelling and Quidditch) and may expect girls to pursue more 'appropriate' interests (e.g. volunteering in the Hospital Wing). However, the boundary between 'male' and 'female' interests has been blurred during the 1940s; the divide between the two genders has begun to diminish, at least in terms of leisure.

Rules Regarding Sexism

This site does not and will never encourage sexist behavior out of character. That said, we are writing in an era where many such attitudes still abound, especially in the Muggle world. World War II (which only ended recently, in 1945) allowed many women much more freedom (e.g. freedom to work) than they had previously had, but men also felt alienated when they returned from the war. The 1950s was a period that paved the way to securing many more women's rights, and to roleplay without acknowledging such a rich background would be a shame.

Your male (or female!) characters are allowed to dislike female (or male!) characters for sexist reasons and you are welcome to play this out. However, we ask that you keep the site guidelines in mind (see here for more) while writing. Please also remember that sexist behaviour out of character (e.g. in MC or OOC threads) will not be tolerated.

17
Information & Guidelines / Welcome to Hogwarts School!
« on: 20/09/2012 at 14:26 »




welcome . . . . . . . . . .

We've been expecting you. Please remember to register before applying.

About HSNet

Established in 2000, Hogwarts-School.Net is one of the largest and longest-running Harry Potter role-play games still online today. In addition to student and professor status at Hogwarts school, we offer some post-graduate career paths (Healers at St. Mungo's, employees at the Ministry of Magic), as well as the ability to become a shop owner in Hogsmeade, Diagon and Knockturn Alleys, or greater wizarding London.

Year System

Our out-of-character year is divided into three in-character years, split roughly between:

Year 1: January-April OOC | September Y1 - August Y2 IC
Year 2: May-August OOC | September Y2 - August Y3 IC
Year 3: September-December OOC | September Y3 - August Y4 IC

April, August, and December mark our OOC 'summer' months, where we open all boards for applications.

Quick Links

Note - all information here is available via the top navigational bar, beneath Resources, for quick access.

Site Guidelines. These are our rules, hard and fast - and we do our best to uphold them. Please read these fully before moving forward.

Our Rating. We operate on a loose PG-13 rating (2-1-1 on the RPG rating system), which our ratings page better explains.

Magical Rules. As you progress through the years, you gain magical levels. The magical rules page should help this make sense.

F.A.Q. Have a question that isn't answered here? Check the FAQ first!

And if you can't find an answer, contact one of us!

Made it through all of that? Great!
Return to the forum and start applying!

18
Adults & Children / Application - Elsewhere Children
« on: 22/07/2012 at 18:03 »
Before you begin, please make sure you have created
an account in your character's full name, and make sure you have read and understand the following:

Site Rules | Magical Rules | Our Rating | FAQ

Should you have any questions, please contact an Administrator.




E L S E W H E R E   C H I L D

CHARACTER INFORMATION
Character Name:

Gender:

Age: (0-16 years only. If your character is 17 or older, please fill out the Elsewhere Adult application instead!)

Bloodline:
Pureblood/Halfblood/Muggleborn/Squib

Parents/Guardians (Are they currently played characters?): 
Type your response here.

Residence:
Type your response here - where does your character live?

Do you plan to have a connection to a particular existing place (for example: the daycare)?
Type your response here.

Do you wish to be approved as a group with any other characters? If so who and for what IC reason?
Type your response here.

Please list any other characters you already have at the site:
Type your response here.

Biography: (100 words minimum.)
Type your response here.

Roleplay:
Reply as your character to the following:

Godric Park.

Overhead, the sky was a crisp blue, for once clear of the ever-pervasive spongy clouds and rain. The sun was a lemony-yellow presence, high in the Eastern sky, and in front of it zipped three broomsticks in a straight line, or something very like one. One... two..... three... the boys passed, their shouts of excitement echoing as they chased the snitch, a tiny shimmer reflecting the sunlight.

Far below was another, much smaller broomstick.

It trugged along the ground, hugging close to it like a sluggish choo choo train and occasionally shuttering in protest. This was because said stick was currently being occupied by a very small girl who was tugging upward on the front of it with all her might, trying to coax it into doing what it had been expressly designed NOT to do.

"John, I said wait up!" The tiny girl squealed, giving the broomstick another tug.

Begrudgingly, it drifted upward a foot, and then sank, depositing the troublesome girl safely on the ground. Janey Hurst was not pleased. In a huff, she hopped off the toy safety broom, grabbing it firmly and thrusting it handle first into the turf.

Her brother was such a beast. He NEVER let her play! She folded her arms, seething blue eyes fixing on another figure nearby.  "You!" She barked, much more sharply than she meant to.

"...Do you want to play?"

Roleplay Response:
Type your response here.
Please read the below note before writing your response:

When responding to the RP sample, please do not powerplay the other character in any way. This includes assuming a prior relationship between your character and the RP sample character or assuming any information about them that isn't explicitly detailed in the sample above. If in doubt about whether something constitutes powerplay, err on the side of caution and write something else!

Please also treat this sample as you would treat a real thread and leave your response open-ended to ensure the other character has a chance to respond. This means that your character should not walk away from or otherwise end the interaction in your response.


OTHER
How did you find us? Google | TopSites | Recommendation | Facebook | Tumblr | Other

Code: [Select]
[center][size=24pt][font=ostrichsans]E L S E W H E R E   C H I L D [/font][/size][/center]

[font=governor][size=20px]CHARACTER INFORMATION[/size][/font]
[b]Character Name:[/b]

[b]Gender:[/b]

[b]Age:[/b] [i](0-16 years only. If your character is 17 or older, please fill out the Elsewhere Adult application instead!)[/i]

[b]Bloodline:[/b]
Pureblood/Halfblood/Muggleborn/Squib

[b]Parents/Guardians (Are they currently played characters?):[/b] 
Type your response here.

[b]Residence:[/b]
Type your response here - where does your character live?

[b]Do you plan to have a connection to a particular existing place (for example: the daycare)?[/b]
Type your response here.

[b]Do you wish to be approved as a group with any other characters? If so who and for what IC reason? [/b]
Type your response here.

[b]Please list any other characters you already have at the site:[/b]
Type your response here.

[b]Biography: (100 words minimum.)[/b]
Type your response here.

[b]Roleplay:[/b]
[i]Reply as your character to the following:[/i]

Godric Park.

Overhead, the sky was a crisp blue, for once clear of the ever-pervasive spongy clouds and rain. The sun was a lemony-yellow presence, high in the Eastern sky, and in front of it zipped three broomsticks in a straight line, or something very like one. One... two..... three... the boys passed, their shouts of excitement echoing as they chased the snitch, a tiny shimmer reflecting the sunlight.

Far below was another, much smaller broomstick.

It trugged along the ground, hugging close to it like a sluggish choo choo train and occasionally shuttering in protest. This was because said stick was currently being occupied by a very small girl who was tugging upward on the front of it with all her might, trying to coax it into doing what it had been expressly designed NOT to do.

"John, I said [i]wait up[/i]!" The tiny girl squealed, giving the broomstick another tug.

Begrudgingly, it drifted upward a foot, and then sank, depositing the troublesome girl safely on the ground. Janey Hurst was not pleased. In a huff, she hopped off the toy safety broom, grabbing it firmly and thrusting it handle first into the turf.

Her brother was such a beast. He NEVER let her play! She folded her arms, seething blue eyes fixing on another figure nearby.  "You!" She barked, much more sharply than she meant to.

"...Do you want to play?"

[b]Roleplay Response:[/b]
[i]Type your response here.
Please read the below note before writing your response:

When responding to the RP sample, please do not powerplay the other character in any way. This includes assuming a prior relationship between your character and the RP sample character or assuming any information about them that isn't explicitly detailed in the sample above. If in doubt about whether something constitutes powerplay, err on the side of caution and write something else!

Please also treat this sample as you would treat a real thread and leave your response open-ended to ensure the other character has a chance to respond. This means that your character should not walk away from or otherwise end the interaction in your response.[/i]

[font=governor][size=20px]OTHER[/size][/font]
How did you find us? [i]Google | TopSites | Recommendation | Facebook | Tumblr | Other[/i]

19
Shop Permits / Shopkeeper Permit
« on: 22/07/2012 at 17:26 »
SHOPKEEPER PERMIT
You must have applied as an Elsewhere character before completing this permit.


This permit is for the creation of played shops in the Elsewhere forum. Shops are subject to periodic activity checks, and those that are not being utilized will be archived. Your character may still be a shopkeeper even if the shop itself is not a played location on the boards.


Shop name:
Shop Type: Is this a restaurant, a store selling wares, et al.
Location: Hogsmeade / Diagon Alley / Knockturn Alley / London
Subforum?

Short Description (50 words max):
Long Description (200 words min):

What purpose will this shop serve other than selling things and being the home of your character? Why would people want to RP there just for fun?

Code: [Select]
[center][font=governor][size=20px]SHOPKEEPER PERMIT[/size][/font]
[i]You [u]must[/u] have applied as an Elsewhere character before completing this permit.[/i][/center]

[b]Shop name:[/b]
[b]Shop Type:[/b] [i]Is this a restaurant, a store selling wares, et al.[/i]
[b]Location:[/b] Hogsmeade / Diagon Alley / Knockturn Alley / London
[b]Subforum?[/b] ([url=http://hogwarts-school.net/sortinghat/index.php?topic=4125.0]check here[/url] to see if you're eligible!)

[b]Short Description (50 words max):[/b]
[b]Long Description (200 words min):[/b]

[b]What purpose will this shop serve other than selling things and being the home of your character? Why would people want to RP there just for fun?[/b]

20
Before you begin, please make sure you have created
an account in your character's full name, and make sure you have read and understand the following:

Site Rules | Magical Rules | Our Rating | FAQ

Should you have any questions, please contact an Administrator.





Application for Hogwarts School




→ CHARACTER INFORMATION.

Name:

Birthday:

Hometown:

Bloodline:
Muggleborn / Halfblood / Pureblood / Unknown

Magical Strength (pick one):
Divination / Transfiguration / Charms / Conjuring & Summoning

Magical Weakness (pick one):
Divination / Transfiguration / Charms / Conjuring & Summoning

Year (pick two):

Biography:
If you are applying to be a first, second, or third year, your biography must be at least one hundred words long.
If you are applying to be a fourth year or above, your biography must be at least three hundred words long.


→ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Note: This section is optional, and is up to you to complete.

House Request:

Personality:
Tell us a bit about your character’s personality (likes, dislikes, fears, etc.) What are they like on a good day versus a bad one? Is your character particularly cheerful? Do they hate sunlight?

Appearance:
Briefly describe your character's appearance (hair color, build, stature, etc.) What effect does it have on their personality? For example, does the shy Ravenclaw girl secretly dye her hair black because she hates her natural blonde? Does the curly-haired Gryffindor use charms to hide his freckles?

→ RETURNING STUDENTS.
Note: This section is only for students who have been previously played at Hogwarts. Please see here for more information about Castle Dropouts levels/how many levels you are eligible to claim.

Link to your last levels request (if you never posted one, link to your last accepted student application):

Number of New Levels Requested:

New Levels Request:

How your character kept up with their studies: Whether your character was still at Hogwarts or left school entirely for a while, tell us how they were able to keep up with their studies and learn about magic, which would allow their levels to keep increasing.

→ SAMPLE ROLEPLAY.
You come across one of these posts on the site. Please select one & reply as your character. Remember, you can only roleplay your own character's actions, not Evangeline's or Hugh's.

Option I:

The dungeons. A place eleven-year-old Evangeline had not yet travelled since her arrival at Hogwarts.

A place she really was just fine with not knowing; but it was too late. The dare had been accepted, even if it had been done in fear of being kicked out of Gryffindor, like the older girls had said she would because Gryffindors were supposed to be brave.

The air changed instantly when she hit the main corridor of the dungeons. The dampness was almost too much for her and she instinctively took a deep breath to avoid the sensation of being suffocated. There was also a sour burning smell which Evangeline assumed was from many, many Potions lessons.

Further and further she walked, her steps so slow and gentle they made no noise against the stone walls and floor. The feeling that she wasn't alone crept up her spine and raised the tiny hair on the back of her neck. Shivering, Evangeline wrapped her arms around herself. Suddenly, she missed the warmth and comfort of the Gryffindor common room. The fire was always going and it made her feel at ease.

Why had she let those girls talk her into this? She was only eleven, she didn't have to be brave. Surely the Headmistress would not kick her out of Hogwarts for not being brave.

If only she had these thoughts while being dared to search for the ghost of one Emma Birch, whom supposedly haunted the dungeons. It was not, Evangeline had learned, the place where the sixteen-year-old girl's life had ended but as she had been from the house with a snake as its mascot, it was the place her spirit had returned to. That common room was down here somewhere, she'd been told.

Something - the small blonde girl wasn't quite sure what - but something made her stop in her tracks suddenly. There was a low, dull thumping noise. Or maybe that was her heart beating so loudly she thought it was coming from outside her body.

"H-h-hello?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Remembering that she was supposed to be brave, Evangeline tried again.

"Hello! Is Emma Birch here?"

The sound of her own words bouncing back at her off the walls made her jump.



Option 2:

That rat of his was in for it now.

The gray little rascal had disappeared from his clutches at breakfast. Again.

Before Hugh even knew what was happening, Merlin had shot across the floor, somehow managing to avoid all the feet walking across the hall and had escaped through the open doors.

Which meant that Hugh was now stomping through rows of flowers and other various flora, searching for the small creature. It was like the rat knew Hugh was allergic to most flowers. Merlin always chose to run to the gardens whenever he got away from Hugh. It was as if the rat did not want to have him for an owner.

Hugh had named his pet Merlin because he had hoped the powerful name would give the rat more incentive to be more than a rat. Not that he expected Merlin to change into a wizard or anything, but rats were just so...useless, for the most part. With a name like Merlin, Hugh thought it might give the rat purpose.

The only purpose Merlin seemed to have was getting away from Hugh as often as possible.

As the fifth year trudged into the second row of flowers, not taking much care to avoid trampling the first row, he felt the first sneeze building up pressure in his nose and behind his eyes.

"You blasted rat! Where are you?"

He pulled apart a section of bright red flowers; he didn't know what they were called because he despised flowers, and ducked his head low to peer into the depths of the flowerbed. It was moving closer in proximity to the flowers that finally did it. Hugh took in three great breaths and then let out an almighty sneeze. It was strong enough to disturb some of the dirt on the ground before him.

Groaning, he stood up again and wiped his nose on his sleeve. It was as he was turning his head, his nose running up and down his arm, that movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention. Normally one who preferred to put his best face forward, Hugh was a bit embarrassed to be caught wiping his runny nose on his robes.

Nevertheless, Hugh put on his best haughty voice. albeit a bit thickly with his plugged nose and said, "Can I help you with something? It is not polite to stare."

Roleplay Response:
Type your response here.
Please read the below note before writing your response:

When responding to the RP sample, please do not powerplay the other character in any way. This includes assuming a significant prior relationship between your character and the RP sample character, assuming any information about them that isn't explicitly detailed in the sample above, or powerplaying Hugh's pet rat. If in doubt about whether something constitutes powerplay, err on the side of caution and write something else!

Please also treat this sample as you would treat a real thread and leave your response open-ended to ensure the other character has a chance to respond. This means that your character should not walk away from or otherwise end the interaction in your response.



→ ABOUT YOU.

Please list any characters you have  on the site (current and previous):

How did you find us?:

Code: [Select]
[center][b]Before you begin, please make sure you have created
an account in your character's full name, and make sure you have read and understand the following:

[url=http://hogwarts-school.net/sortinghat/index.php?page=site_rules]Site Rules[/url] | [url=http://hogwarts-school.net/sortinghat/index.php?page=magical_rules]Magical Rules[/url] | [url=http://hogwarts-school.net/sortinghat/index.php?page=site_rating]Our Rating[/url] | [url=http://hogwarts-school.net/sortinghat/index.php?page=faq]FAQ[/url]

Should you have any questions, please contact an [url=http://hogwarts-school.net/sortinghat/index.php?page=staff_directory]Administrator[/url].[/b][/center]

[hr]


[center][img width=200]http://hogwarts-school.net/images/hogwartslogo.png[/img]
[font=archer][size=25px]Application for Hogwarts School[/size][/font][/center]

[hr][hr]

[font=archer][size=20px]→ CHARACTER INFORMATION.[/size][/font]

[b]Name:[/b]

[b]Birthday:[/b]

[b]Hometown:[/b]

[b]Bloodline:[/b]
Muggleborn / Halfblood / Pureblood / Unknown

[b]Magical Strength (pick one):[/b]
Divination / Transfiguration / Charms / Conjuring & Summoning

[b]Magical Weakness (pick one):[/b]
Divination / Transfiguration / Charms / Conjuring & Summoning

[b]Year (pick two):[/b]

[b]Biography:[/b]
[i]If you are applying to be a first, second, or third year, your biography must be at least one hundred words long.
If you are applying to be a fourth year or above, your biography must be at least three hundred words long.[/i]

[font=archer][size=20px]→ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.[/size][/font]
[i]Note: This section is optional, and is up to you to complete.[/i]

[b]House Request:[/b]

[b]Personality:[/b]
[i]Tell us a bit about your character’s personality (likes, dislikes, fears, etc.) What are they like on a good day versus a bad one? Is your character particularly cheerful? Do they hate sunlight?[/i]

[b]Appearance:[/b]
[i]Briefly describe your character's appearance (hair color, build, stature, etc.) What effect does it have on their personality? For example, does the shy Ravenclaw girl secretly dye her hair black because she hates her natural blonde? Does the curly-haired Gryffindor use charms to hide his freckles?[/i]

[font=archer][size=20px]→ RETURNING STUDENTS.[/size][/font]
[i]Note: This section is only for students who have been previously played at Hogwarts. Please see [url=http://here]here[/url] for more information about Castle Dropouts levels/how many levels you are eligible to claim.[/i]

[b]Link to your last levels request (if you never posted one, link to your last accepted student application):[/b]

[b]Number of New Levels Requested:[/b]

[b]New Levels Request:[/b]

[b]How your character kept up with their studies:[/b] [i]Whether your character was still at Hogwarts or left school entirely for a while, tell us how they were able to keep up with their studies and learn about magic, which would allow their levels to keep increasing.

[font=archer][size=20px]→ SAMPLE ROLEPLAY.[/size][/font]
[i]You come across one of these posts on the site. Please select one & reply as your character. [b]Remember, you can only roleplay your own character's actions, not Evangeline's or Hugh's.[/b][/i]

[b]Option I:[/b]

The dungeons. A place eleven-year-old Evangeline had not yet travelled since her arrival at Hogwarts.

A place she really was just fine with not knowing; but it was too late. The dare had been accepted, even if it had been done in fear of being kicked out of Gryffindor, like the older girls had said she would because Gryffindors were supposed to be brave.

The air changed instantly when she hit the main corridor of the dungeons. The dampness was almost too much for her and she instinctively took a deep breath to avoid the sensation of being suffocated. There was also a sour burning smell which Evangeline assumed was from many, many Potions lessons.

Further and further she walked, her steps so slow and gentle they made no noise against the stone walls and floor. The feeling that she wasn't alone crept up her spine and raised the tiny hair on the back of her neck. Shivering, Evangeline wrapped her arms around herself. Suddenly, she missed the warmth and comfort of the Gryffindor common room. The fire was always going and it made her feel at ease.

Why had she let those girls talk her into this? She was only eleven, she didn't have to be brave. Surely the Headmistress would not kick her out of Hogwarts for not being brave.

If only she had these thoughts while being dared to search for the ghost of one Emma Birch, whom supposedly haunted the dungeons. It was not, Evangeline had learned, the place where the sixteen-year-old girl's life had ended but as she had been from the house with a snake as its mascot, it was the place her spirit had returned to. That common room was down here somewhere, she'd been told.

Something - the small blonde girl wasn't quite sure what - but something made her stop in her tracks suddenly. There was a low, dull thumping noise. Or maybe that was her heart beating so loudly she thought it was coming from outside her body.

"H-h-hello?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Remembering that she was supposed to be brave, Evangeline tried again.

"Hello! Is Emma Birch here?"

The sound of her own words bouncing back at her off the walls made her jump.

[hr]

[b]Option 2:[/b]

That rat of his was in for it now.

The gray little rascal had disappeared from his clutches at breakfast. Again.

Before Hugh even knew what was happening, Merlin had shot across the floor, somehow managing to avoid all the feet walking across the hall and had escaped through the open doors.

Which meant that Hugh was now stomping through rows of flowers and other various flora, searching for the small creature. It was like the rat knew Hugh was allergic to most flowers. Merlin always chose to run to the gardens whenever he got away from Hugh. It was as if the rat did not want to have him for an owner.

Hugh had named his pet Merlin because he had hoped the powerful name would give the rat more incentive to be more than a rat. Not that he expected Merlin to change into a wizard or anything, but rats were just so...useless, for the most part. With a name like Merlin, Hugh thought it might give the rat purpose.

The only purpose Merlin seemed to have was getting away from Hugh as often as possible.

As the fifth year trudged into the second row of flowers, not taking much care to avoid trampling the first row, he felt the first sneeze building up pressure in his nose and behind his eyes.

"You blasted rat! Where are you?"

He pulled apart a section of bright red flowers; he didn't know what they were called because he despised flowers, and ducked his head low to peer into the depths of the flowerbed. It was moving closer in proximity to the flowers that finally did it. Hugh took in three great breaths and then let out an almighty sneeze. It was strong enough to disturb some of the dirt on the ground before him.

Groaning, he stood up again and wiped his nose on his sleeve. It was as he was turning his head, his nose running up and down his arm, that movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention. Normally one who preferred to put his best face forward, Hugh was a bit embarrassed to be caught wiping his runny nose on his robes.

Nevertheless, Hugh put on his best haughty voice. albeit a bit thickly with his plugged nose and said, "Can I help you with something? It is not polite to stare."

[b]Roleplay Response:[/b]
[i]Type your response here.
Please read the below note before writing your response:

When responding to the RP sample, please do not powerplay the other character in any way. This includes assuming a significant prior relationship between your character and the RP sample character, assuming any information about them that isn't explicitly detailed in the sample above, or powerplaying Hugh's pet rat. If in doubt about whether something constitutes powerplay, err on the side of caution and write something else!

Please also treat this sample as you would treat a real thread and leave your response open-ended to ensure the other character has a chance to respond. This means that your character should not walk away from or otherwise end the interaction in your response.[/i]


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