BOARD RULES
-- > A. Behavior
-------- > 1. Respect
All members should show respect to not only each other but to all Moderators (Mods) and Administrators (Admins). This promotes forum comradery and peace between all members. This does not apply while RPing as long as being rude is done in character and not out of character.
-------- > 2. Hacking
This is not tolerated and the member will be immediately banned. Hacking includes using someone else's e-mail, using another member's password to access their account, and posting while using someone else's account.
-------- > 3. Advertising
There is a forum created specifically for advertising, and we ask that all members post advertising there. Do not use the PM system to advertise or look for affiliates for any board other than The Hogwarts Four; nor should you put a link in your sig or a clickable graphic advertising in your sig. You may put the board in your personal profile's interests section or personal website section. If you would like to be an affiliate with the Hogwarts Four (THF), instructions may be found in the Advertising section.
-------- > 4. Consequences
Breaking any rule has its consequences. Usually we go through the following: a verbal warning; two bar warnings; suspension; and banishment. The verbal warning is a PM sent to the member explaining what they did wrong and that any further rule breaking will bring about warnings. Bar warnings are notches added onto the member's warning bar at the bottom of the post. Suspensions occur with the third bar warning and the member will not have access to the forum for a set amount of time. Banishment is just that; the member will be banned from posting, creating new accounts and characters, and will lose any position, status, or special ability accumalated.
-------- > 5. Godmodding
Godmodding is controlling another character's actions. There is no fun in doing this; so why should a member even bother? An example of godmodding: Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were going to have a wizard duel. Harry casts the expalliarmus curse and RPs that it struck Malfoy. That is godmodding; stating what the other character does before that character posts their actions. Harry should have posted that he aimed and cast the spell (not that it hit its destination), and Draco should have replied with whether or not he was hit or managed to dodge the spell, or maybe even deflected it with a counterspell.
-------- > 6. Mary Suing/Gary Suing
This is being all-powerful, never doing anything wrong, looking perfect, acting perfect, in essence, being perfect. This is not permitted. Everyone has weaknesses, and so should your characters.
-- > B. Posts
-------- > 1. Length and Subject
When it comes to length, we're not too specific. We do prefer a RP post with three paragraphs (or ten sentences) or more. For out of character talk, no one-liners (it's considered spam). When posting at THF, your posts should be clear, direct, and to the point; it eliminates a lot of confusion. As for subjects, well, anything can be talked about and RP'd, but members should remember to flag those subjects that are R or X (with a warning post icon, found aat the bottom of a post beneath the section where you type, right above file attachments) since there may be younger members joining the board.
-------- > 2. Images
We are pretty relaxed on images, as long as the image isn't too large and does not have explicit graphic images and languages. We prefer an avatar of 100x100 and a signature of 250x500 but will tolerate up to 150x150 in avatars and 300x600 in signatures. Explicit images are those that contain nudity, bleeding, drugs, and sex. Graphic language includes terms demeaning others (even if it is meant in character) and threats, whether on your own life or another character's. In order to use a specific celebrity or model, that celebrity or model must be claimed; only identical twins may share a celebrity. Members may request a signature and avatar set as well. For more information
-------- > 3. Spam
Spam includes one-liner replies and posting in the wrong forum. This is frowned upon, although a member probably won't be banned on this basis. There is a place for all subjects, so please look around before posting randomly. As for one-liners, no one likes to recieve one of those when they spent a lot of time and energy on starting the thread.
-- > C. Role Playing
-------- > 1. Themes
Things that are considered R-rated are permitted at THF. However, when it comes to sex, please keep it in your home or Hagrid's Hut (especially if you're going into detail) and flag the topic. All topics involving extreme violence (such as murder, attempt of murder, and suicide) will also be flagged. Members are permitted to have characters date (heterosexual and homosexual relationships are allowed), become engaged, get married, have children, die, kill others (with the permission of the member who's character is going to die and the Admins), attempt suicide (with permission of the Admins), have affairs, have jobs, and just about anything else one can think of.
-------- > 2. Character Registration
Role Playing cannot happen until a member's character profile has been accepted. Original characters are easy; copy and paste the form, fill it out, and post it. Canon characters are different; members may not register under the canon's name, and they must post and claim the character before posting the profile. After acceptance, names may be changed, and characters can now be role played. If accepted, the profile will be moved to the Accepted Characters forum; if denied, an Admin will tell you what to fix, and all you have to do is fix it and post that you did so. Members should not have more than 6 characters because it may be hard to keep them all active (this does not include helping with NPCs, though).
-------- > 3. Main Plot & Sub Plot
The Main Plot can be read here. Sub plots can be played by any character, although some sub plots may require a specific gender, a character from a specific House, a specific age, etc. All members need to do is post in the subplot section for whatever plot they wish to join, and details will be worked out.
-- > Questions & Suggestions
If any member has a suggestion for the forum or a question, they may feel free to PM an Admin at any time. The Admins are: Adana Phoenix, Saffron Kirke, and Amanda Wolf. Or, members may feel free to post in the Suggestions & Feedback forum.