The Rules of Hogwarts & Beyond

Username
Here at Hogwarts & Beyond, we like to keep usernames simple -- so please just stick to your character's first name and last name. Double barrelled first and last names are fine, but please leave your character's middle name to their profile.

Please make sure when you sign up that you use appropriate capitalisation on names.

We do not allow numbers and symbols (other than hyphens) to be used in user names, so please don't use these. If you need any help with changing your username, Admins are always happy to help with it. If we find anyone not following these guidelines, we will kindly ask you to amend it.

A good example: Jake Newbury

Not acceptable: jakeNewbury1992

This site will not allow characters from other fandoms, or characters already made by J. K. Rowling. Please create your own original character for this forum.

New Character - Children/Students
Applications for children can be made -- children for the site can start at the age of five (5) and work through to age ten (10) when they go to Hogwarts. Children do not attend Hogwarts.

When making a student, the first thing to consider is what year they're going to be in. Whilst we encourage you to start as a first year and work your way through the years, we understand that you may wish to start as an older student and graduate sooner.

New Character - Adults
The adults on the site will be expected to state the school they graduated from (it doesn't have to be Hogwarts) and the grades they received when they graduated from the school. Adults will have the opportunity to get jobs, or go to University if they so wish.

Non-Playing Characters (NPCs)
NPCs (as the name suggests) are characters without their own accounts or standing on the site. Sometimes, NPCs are required to fill in gaps in our universe or to further the site plot but for the most part, they are treated as supporting characters to our actual PCs (Playable Characters). Therefore, players are allowed to control NPCs to flesh out their PC's universes and backgrounds. However, anyone choosing to play an NPC must adhere to the following guidelines.

• You must have an active PC to consider making an NPC
  
• An NPC can be as detailed as you like but his/her information will all go in your OOC Character Area subforum
  
• NPCs cannot make claims, such as face claim, power claim pureblood family claims etc. So if anyone comes along wishing to use a face claim already taken by an NPC, the person creating the PC will be given preference.
  
• An NPC must be significantly related to a PC i.e family member, love interest. It cannot be a stand alone character with its own plot and goals as that undermines its status as a supporting character. This connection must be already established upon creation of the NPC and not be left as "we intend to make him/her important to a PC later on"
  
• All NPCs are subject to staff review for relevance and necessity
  
• Once an attached PC is inactive, all NPCs under its umbrella are automatically rendered inactive too
  
• As with PCs, your NPCs cannot exceed ten (10) characters.
  
• NPCs may be handled through the same account as a PC of yours - granting NPCs a separate account undermines the spirit of what an NPC is. It also undermines the 100 post rules we have on PCs, devaluing Playing Characters in favor of NPCs.
  

*Exceptions include plot NPCs which are only needed at certain times and for certain plot events
Rule changed 08 February 2018.

Multiple Accounts
Multiple accounts are allowed on HaB when your first character has reached an In Character (IC) post count of 100 posts. This rule is to encourage handlers to explore their character fully before considering a second character.

There is no maximum characters limit, but all prior characters must have 100 posts before a new character can be made.

[Note: 1) if you already have more than one character at this point, you will be required to bring your characters up to the 100 post count before any subsequent characters can be made.]

Signatures & Avatars
Signatures should be kept to the size of 600x250. We also ask that you do not use the scroll option as this considerably slows down the site.

Avatars should not be more than 190 pixels wide -- if they do, an admin will be in touch.

Please note, this site is for people of all ages, so pictures shown in both your signature and avatar should not be sexually explicit. Text within signatures should also be kept to a level for all users. Anyone found to be breaking this rule will have their signature/avatar taken down immediately.

A signature should not exceed the size as stated above, with no more than three lines worth of normal sized text. Spoilers may not be used in your signature. If you are found to be breaking this rule, we will give you a warning via PM for you to adjust your signature accordingly.

Threads
a) Hogwarts & Beyond is a site that boasts no restrictions on what you can and cannot post within a thread. We merely ask that if you should be writing for specific people or on sensitive topics that you let other people know. To help everyone keep on the same lines, we have compiled a list of warnings for thread titles (below).

No warnings - This means the thread is open to all and you do not need to warn anybody of the content.

Violence - Pretty self explanatory, anything that involves physically hurting somebody should contain this warning.

Sexual Situations - Anything more than a kiss will no longer be allowed in the main forum. An adult section has been made, so if you wish for your characters to go further, then please post here. If you are not currently able to see the forum, please contact a member of the admin.

Anyone not following these rules shall have their sexually explicit posts taken down without warning.

Substance Abuse - Anything with the mention of drugs or alcohol.

Swearing - For excess swearing (more than a few words here and there)

b) When it comes to giving titles to your threads, you may have noticed some odd additions in brackets. For those of you who are confused with what these are or how to use them, here are some guidelines and general RP courtesy when it comes to titles for your threads:

Thread Title [open] - anyone can enter; once taken, it should be considered closed and if more people wish to join, the two currently threading should be contacted

Thread Title [open for all] - anyone can enter; there is no limit to how many people join.

Thread Title [open to 3] - anyone can enter; it is limited to the number of people listed.

Thread Title [invite only] - only people who have been invited to the thread are allowed to post.

Thread Title [Louis, Vanessa, Jacques & Elenore] - only this/these character(s) can post. Normally, threads like these are created after two people have already decided to thread and not randomly set up. You can use ship names and or nicknames of characters as long as there is no confusion as to which characters should be joining. For example, if there are two people with the nickname ‘Sam’, do either add a last name or put the full name for clarification.

If you’re looking to do a closed post -- i.e. a One Shot -- then this should be placed in the character’s profile.

It should be noted that both spamming and double posting will not be tolerated at this forum.

God-moding
God-modding is basically when your character has god-like abilities. God-modding is not allowed without the other writers express permission (which should be noted at the bottom of a thread and will be checked by Admins). Listed below are some common forms of God-modding and what they mean.

Being the smartest person in the room. Of course, there are characters that are naturally smart and talented, but that doesn't mean they will always be the smartest or the best. There will be things they don't know (even if they pretend like they do) and things that others are better at. Simply put, they must have academic as well as personality weaknesses, as everyone does.

Knowing everything. Sometimes there are certain things that other characters hide. For example, their real name, or their age, or a hobby they like. If it is hidden and not something people know, another character cannot use this information in a reply without the permission of the owner of the other character.

Knowing and or replying to other people's thoughts. Unless your character can literally read minds and you have the permission of the owner of the other character, your character should not and cannot be able to respond to the thoughts of another person.

For example, if in the first post Anna thinks Wow, Colby is an idiot, Colby cannot reply with "I can't believe you think I'm an idiot!" or anything along those lines.

This type of GM also includes referencing things written out in previous posts that the character did not say or do. For example, if in one post Anna felt upset but didn't act upset and smiled the entire time, then Colby cannot ask her if she's okay or mention in his post that he knew she was upset.

Even if your character is an expert in body language, please keep in mind there are limitations to this.

Being too good for their age. Please keep in mind that your characters are only of a certain age. Don't let a first year master spells only a sixth year would learn, or let a second year be able to sit for their OWLS and pass with flying colours.

Of course, if there are specific reasons for this (like if a character is gifted or a genius) then there will be exceptions, but this is judged on a case to case basis and has to be approved by an Admin.

Stating the outcome of an action, on another character For example, if your character sends a spell towards someone, you cannot write the effects of the spell taking place. The other character might have dodged or sent a counter spell. If this has been previously discussed and approved between two writers, an OOC note should be included, stating that permission to GM has been granted.

These are just the basic types of GMing. An Admin will check posts and determine if they are, and if so, the Admin word is final. If you feel like your character has been GMed without permission, this is a serious issue. Please do contact an Admin.

Note that GMing NPCs that are not yours count, especially if made by someone for a specific reason, such as a relative or close friend to their character. For example, if there is a character who has an NPC house elf named Tammie, you would have to ask the person who writes the character for permission before writing using Tammie, even though Tammie doesn’t have a character profile.

Warnings will be issued where necessary, and consistent GMing may lead to a ban from the site.

Advertising
Hogwarts & Beyond is not against anyone sharing sites they have made outside of this one. However, we do ask that it is NOT advertised in the ChatBox. We do allow you to post in the advertising thread to promote your site in the OOC area located at the bottom of the site provided that you furnish us with a link to do the same at your site. That way, we can get the word around as well. Live and let live, we say.

Advertising anywhere other than the designated area will result in a warning from the staff, continued offending will result in a ban.

Bullying
Bullying on Hogwarts & Beyond will be taken seriously by all admins on this page. Anyone found bullying will be contacted immediately. If the bullying continues, the user responsible for it will be banned. Please keep in mind that there are real people behind these role play screen names and real people have very real feelings that can get hurt.

Bullying IN CHARACTER must be discussed with other players before you enforce the storyline.

Inactivity
Hogwarts & Beyond users should be aware that if they are inactive for three months in real life, then their account will automatically be  deleted and the claims will be opened up to other users. This is overridden if you have left a message with an Admin stating a reason for you being inactive.

Inactive characters who have not posted for one month in real life, will be removed from their current groups and placed into the Unsorted group, until the user comes back.
(Rule changed 5 September 2017).

The inactive policy also applies to positions held by the character (i.e. Teacher, Prefect, Quidditch Player.) If you are not active for one month in real life we will pull you from the position unless we have had contact from you to state a reason to an Admin.

Reinstating Inactive Accounts
Once your character has been moved to the Unsorted group, you will be able to get them back, provided the following applies:

Your other active characters (where applicable) all have the 100 IC posts needed for a second character to be live. If you have more than one inactive character, the same sequence applies, you may get your inactive characters back one by one as all active characters before it reach their 100 IC posts.

If the Unsorted character is your only character, and you're bringing them back, you will need to bring in your character up to date with a one-shot of what they have been doing in the time they have been away from play. This will show the Admin team that you genuinely wish to bring the character back, and keep them active in the future. This one shot is subject to Admin scrutiny to ensure it conveys the quality of writing we expect here at HaB.
(Rule added 16 November 2017)

Powers & Creature Claims
Hogwarts & Beyond only allows cannon creatures and powers - therefore if it's not in J K Rowling's world, you won't be allowed to have it here. If you aren't sure, please contact an admin for further information.

Powers & Creature Claims on the site will be limited to two per handler. You will be expected to train to gain your power - so an eleven year old can't be an all powerful Seer, they will develop with time. If you need help with this, please ask an admin.

Power & Creature Claims can only be made once your character has made their first 100 IC post count.