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Post by Professor Albus Dumbledore on Jun 21, 2007 13:56:20 GMT -5
  PLEASE READ THE RULES BEFORE REGISTERING!
Prepare yourself - this is a long, but important, read.Before even signing up, please keep in mind that this is a MODERATE to ADVANCED role play. _______________________________________________________________________{ T H E . B A S I C . T H I N G S . T O . K N O W }
SIGNING UP- You must sign up as your character's first name or your character's first and last name. Immediately after you join, please change your Display Name to its proper form (which can be edited by modifying your profile).
EXAMPLE1: regulus is changed to Regulus Black.
EXAMPLE2: gideonprewett is changed to Gideon Prewett.
- Do not create an account using “peter7383” or “slytherinsoul” or similar usernames. When you use your character's name, it is easier to remember the name to PM if someone wishes to do so; as well, it's neater when things match, and much easier to keep clean and organise. Failure to register correctly will result in the deletion of the account.
- Please do not create your account unless you can get an application up within the week. Having extra, unused accounts around the site is messy and disorganised. We like to keep a clean site.
ACTIVITY
- If you plan on joining this site, you are committing to check your posts every once in a while. We do not ask that you spend an hour a day on here or even fifteen minutes. But, we do not want people submitting their applications and disappearing. It isn't polite, and this is a fast-paced site that requires activity.
- Our definition of an absent member is: a) you do not log on to any of your accounts for one month; b) you do not post in character for one month; c) you repeatedly post in the absence board saying you'll be back next month, and never come back. Talking in the c-box and posting in Games/Other OOC boards does not count as being active.
- We understand that real life can get in the way. It happens. However, ISS also happens. We are sympathetic to our members, but we are a growing site with numerous plots that do require active members. If you still would like to join, but can't post more than a few times a week, we would still love to have you, but we advise you to not take on more characters than you can actively handle.
- Posting an absence note: If it's not in the absence board, unfortunately we can't accept it. ISS has a number of members and unfortunately we can't always remember who told us they'd be leaving for a few weeks for vacation. Please try to find the five minutes it takes to post an absence note and let everyone know your status. Please note: posting in the absence board will keep you off our inactive list for a month; however, if you fail to come back and update us, you and your characters will be on our inactivity danger list.
ACTIVITY CHECK
As mentioned many times, ISS is an actively-running site. We hold Activity Checks every two weeks to ensure that the site runs smoothly. Instead of members being on the Danger List, characters are on it.- If you have not posted in character for two weeks, that character will be on the Danger List for inactivity.
- If, by the next activity check, this has not changed, that character will be deleted. It's unfortunate, but it's a reminder to not take on more characters than you can handle.
- Even though posting in notes, owls, diaries and photo albums counts as being in character, we do expect that you have at least one full-thread post per character per month. For more information about what ISS regards as a full thread, please see the next post.
COMING BACK
If your accounts are deleted due to inactivity, but you find time later to come back, please understand that the staff has to take your history into consideration. For that reason, please read and understand the following, should it ever apply to you:
1. Returning for the first time: you may create two characters, and apply for a third after a period two months have passed, given that your first two characters are active enough.
2. Returning for a second time: you may create one character, and after a two month waiting period, you can apply for a second. If your activity continues, you can apply for a third character after two months.
3. Returning for a third time: unfortunately, if your accounts have been deleted three times because of inactivity, it shows a lack of commitment and we will not accept another registry.
We understand that sometimes, you make the choice to leave ISS because of events in your personal life that take over. If you decide to come back after that, the same rules above apply.
CHARACTER LIMIT- Only one character is allowed per account. When you first join, you may make three characters, if you wish (though we do ask that you don't create them all at the same time). Take your time with character creation so that you can learn your own limitations when it comes to actively posting.
- The first letter (of the key word) in the "Other" section of your application, is 'D'.
- We are trying to keep a balanced ratio between genders. If the first character you create is a female, your next must be male. Please note that if you joined with a male character, your next character does not have to be male. We don't require that you have an even number of each gender, but we don't want to see a member with five girls and one guy, or eight girls and two boys, you know? We're trying to keep a balanced ratio on the site at all times.
- Once you have been an active member for a while, you may apply for another character (our maximum limit is ten per member); however, there is a form you must PM to Dumbledore's account before you post an application. For more information, you may visit this thread once you have become a member.
DELETING A CHARACTER
If you wish to delete a character, whether it's because of lack of time or because you wish to make space for someone new, please follow the following steps.1. Please make sure you're serious about deleting the character; we understand it's harder with some than others, but decisions do have to be made.
2. Clean up what you can concerning the account. Finish any threads/notes/owls, tidy up the tracker and character log, etc., because this cannot be edited once the character is deleted.
3. Make a post in Threads to be Archived, listing your character's active threads (with links or at the very least locations) so that we can quickly and effectively clean them up.
4. PM Dumbledore's account saying which character has been/is being deleted. As well, please mention any extra-curricular activities they may have been in, or any other list they'd be on (ie Quidditch, Cheerleading, Clubs, Special Abilities, etc.). This way we know exactly who to look for and delete when we clean up all the site lists.
5. If you wish to make a new character, you may do so after this list has been completed and your character deleted.
PROFILE GRAPHICS- Avatars can be up to 100x100 pixels.
- Signatures should not stretch the boards, meaning they should be under 490 pixels in width. If it does stretch the boards, a staff member will remove it, but we will PM you the URL so that you don't lose it.
- Please, no offensive content. If another member takes offense to your signature or avatar, it will again be removed (with the URL sent to you).
OUT OF CHARACTER DISCUSSION- You are allowed to swear, but please refrain from using profane language all the time.
- No name-calling or foul language directed at each other will be tolerated. In character and in threads is one thing, but member-to-member is another.
- Be polite. Respect each other.
- We are a literate site, and this extends to the c-box. Please don't use chatspeak. It's honestly harder to read than actual English.
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Post by Professor Albus Dumbledore on Jun 21, 2007 14:35:21 GMT -5
{ R O L E P L A Y I N G . R U L E S }
POSTING LENGTH- We are a literate site. As such, we require that each full-length thread has a posting requirement of a minimum 500 words per post. You can have as many paragraphs as you like, but try to follow the general rules of creative writing (ie, we don't want to see one hundred one-sentence paragraphs).
- We want descriptions! The same exact paragraph elaborated upon becomes so much more filling. We love to see depth, and really let us get inside your character's head. We want to understand them. It enriches plots and posts indefinitely.
- Don't be afraid to explore their true thoughts and feelings, or even surroundings, even if it gets lengthy - trust us, we like that!
- Keep up with your threads. There's no limit to how many you can have: it is up to your discretion as to how many you can handle. Please be responsible and think about how many you can take on at a time.
- If you are ending a thread (the last post for you, and the last for your partner) you do not have to follow the minimum post requirement. The last two posts in the thread may be shorter.
ONE-PARAGRAPH THREADS- We understand that sometimes, we want a quick interaction between characters - whether it's just a fun chat between friends, or a fast-paced confrontation between rivals. For such threads, we have a solution.
- Each character may be involved in no more than two one-paragraph threads at a time.
- A character that is not involved in any full-length threads at the time may only be involved in one one-paragraph thread until that is no longer the case.
- A character's first post in a one-paragraph thread must meet the minimum post requirement; after that, they may start posting with single paragraphs.
- While you don't need to ask permission to do such a thread, staff must be informed so that we can keep track and ensure that ISS isn't over-run with one-paragraph threads. Before you start the thread, please fire a quick PM to Dumbledore's account saying who is in the thread, and a brief description of why it's a one-paragraph thread.
FORMAT- All posts are to be written in third person and in past tense.
- We should not see any OOC "chat speak" in posts (ie lol, brb, etc.), even in notes and owls.
- You may change the alignment and have your own posting formats, if you like.
- Please be aware that using neons colors like lime green and yellow are hard on the eyes; similarly, really light blue or really light pink are also hard to read. Our site uses light backgrounds on all skins, so please use darker colours. If you need help choosing a colour for your character(s), this site has hundreds from which to choose.
FULL-LENGTH AND NOTE/OWL THREADS- For every one full-length thread, you are allowed two note/owl threads. For example, if you have a full-length thread with Character A, you can have a note/owl thread for Character A and Character B.
- This is meant as two supplemental threads total. For example, you can have one note and one owl, or two notes, or two owls.
- As fun and fast-paced as notes and owls can be, this is just to ensure that ISS is not over-run with these threads. Please use your own discretion and keep your thread ratios as balanced as possible.
- ISS does classes a little differently (see below), meaning that fourth and fifth years share a class, as do sixth and seventh years. This means that if your character is in an actual classroom, a fourth year cannot realistially have a note with a seventh year. However, we don't like to restrict plottage, so we have this allowance:
OWL-year students and NEWT-students can have notes anywhere outside an actual classroom. For example, the library, Concourse, a remedial class, etc. In an actual class, however, 4th/5th years can only note with 4th/5th years, and 6th/7th years can only note with 6th/7th years.
SPELL CHECK, GRAMMAR, AND PUNCTUATION
We don't expect perfection as none of us are professional editors, nor do we have them available to us. However, we are a literate site. Please proof-read your posts to ensure that the quality is to the best of your ability. We all make mistakes, but try to use the helpful resources available to you, such as Spell Check and the Grammar Check in Microsoft Word.
PROFESSORS- Each professor has an account that is designated to an ISS staff member. You can see which staffer plays which professor on the Who Plays Who list.
- Teacher accounts are not counted toward the character limit, since they are not actively RPed as students/graduates are. If, however, you wish to have teacher interaction, please contact the staffer who plays them. We'll help you with plots if you like; if they are in a thread, their posts will meet the minimum requirements.
- If you would like to simply mention interaction with a professor in a post, that is perfectly okay. Consider the professors public domain; however, please ensure to play them in character. Each professor has a miniature bio that we ask you to keep in mind if you mention them. For example, Professor McGonagall isn't going to let a group of students, regardless of house, get away with sneaking out at night. On the other hand, Slughorn might, if the students were part of his Slug Club.
- Teachers are allowed to interrupt any thread. They can steal class notes from students, enter into a thread to break up a fight, interrupt a make-out session, etc. (Their posts for this do not have to follow the word requirement.) Filch and Peeves can do the same.
- We understand that you have plots that have to happen without such interruption. If you are in one such thread and don't want to risk such an occurrence, you can place the Do Not Disturb stamp at the top of the first post of the thread. A staffer will then know that, no matter what, a professor may not interrupt the thread.
 [img]http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww195/ISS1203/Other/DND1.png[/img]
CLASSES- Teachers will set up classroom threads every few months. There is a one paragraph minimum and two paragraph maximum per post, to keep things running smoothly and quickly. If students respond and interact within the thread, they earn five House points. If they do not join in, there is no penalty.
- Students can also earn points for their House by answering questions correctly or perfecting a spell. On the same token, students can lose points by misbehaving.
- Upon thread completion, the teacher will post a final time including the Point total earned in that thread and the totals will be added into the side bar tally.
- Classes will be grouped together appropriately, as in Sixth and Seventh Years have classes together; Fourth and Fifth Years will have class together. Each professor will say in their beginning post which Houses and Years are together for individual threads.
DUELING- Any students may duel another students in their own time. I do not mind duels at all for they are just like fights among public schools. They happen often and there is nothing you can do about it. But, keep in mind that if the students are caught by a teacher, severe punishment will ensue. Duel at your character's own risk.
- Do not god-mod or powerplay. If you write the opposing character's reaction in your post, you must obtain permission from your partner. (The second letter is: 'R')
COMMON ROOMS- Although inter-house unity is encouraged, please try to be realistic. A Ravenclaw won't be randomly exploring the Gryffindor common room; however, if a Gryffindor takes them into the common room with them, that's more likely. Remember, not all students know where the other houses' common rooms are.
- Also please remember Harry Potter canon: girls can visit boys' dorms, but stairs turn into slides if boys try to enter girls' dorms.
MARRIAGES AND PREGNANCIES- What your character does with his or her love life is up to you. Before you decide to get your students engaged or plan a wedding, please keep realism in mind. For example, students sixteen and under legally can't get married without parental consent. As well, Hogwarts does not offer family dorms. Teenage engagements happen, but please think realistically before the knot is actually tied.
- When it comes to pregnancies, you must PM Dumbledore's account to first ask permission. Although we generally are not restrictive with plottage, we do have to keep a certain degree of realism in mind; we don't want toddlers running through the corridors. If your characters are sexually active, there are a number of contraceptive methods available to them (whether they purchase it during their Hogsmeade trips, or if they're able to get contraception from Madam Pomfrey).
- When you PM Dumbledore, please mention the characters involved, and why you want a pregnancy plot to happen. Do not go ahead with the plot until you have approval; we have the right to deny a pregnancy plot if we feel it's unrealistic.
- On a related note: ISS is a mature site. We follow Proboards' Guidelines, meaning no explicit content. However, R-rated threads can happen. If you have such a thread, not everyone is comfortable with reading it. For that reason, please use this stamp at the top of your first post, to warn anyone who may not wish to read such material:
 [img]http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww195/ISS1203/Other/DoNotDisturb.png[/img]
DEATHS AND SUICIDES- If you wish to have your character die, please remember that it is a final decision: a character cannot be brought back after death.
- Please consult an admin before killing off a character, regardless of how it happens. This includes killing other characters: you must have the permission of the person who plays the character to be killed.
- Suicide is a tough subject and can be a trigger. Please use discretion before having your character go through such an event, even if it's an attempt. Again, consult an admin first, and please post a warning on your thread if your character goes through with it so that people who do not wish to read that don't have to.
LANGUAGE
Swearing in and out of character is fine, but please refrain from using profane language all the time. Respect each other Out of Character no matter how much your characters hate each other. Do not let In Character feuds effect your Out of Character friendship - or vice versa. (The third letter is: 'A')
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