FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I join The Hogwarts Four?
After reading the rules, main plot, and any subplots that may be currently opened, click the Register button found beneath the Rules link under the board's logo. Fill out the information (register with a first and last name that is not canon, even if your account is a canon's). An e-mail will be sent to your address, and you need to click on the link there to activate your account. After logging into your account, you must post a character profile and have it accepted before you can role play.

What is the significance behind the name "The Hogwarts Four?"
It is quite simple, actually; when I (Adana Phoenix) originally created the board, it was supposed to be focused only on Hogwarts. The Hogwarts Four is referring to the four founders of Hogwarts; I had a vague idea of making a RP based on the founding fathers and mothers of Hogwarts, but I decided against it. Instead of creating a new board, I continued using this one with its name.

What is the board's over all rating?
An average post is PG13. However, there are R-rated and even X-rated posts. These are flagged to prevent characters from being uncomfortable while reading racey posts and threads.

How can I affiliate with The Hogwarts Four?
Yes, you may. Simply fill out the information in the Advertisement/Affiliation Form, and you will be added. Only members with 20 posts (the hard way; not by winning a contest) may become an affiliate, and the member must be active or else we will take your link off the board.

How many characters may a single member have?
6. It is not necessary to have 3 of those 6 being male and the other female, but we do prefer it; just trying to keep the balance. When it comes to canon characters, no more than 3. If a specific character is needed, and no one is playing the character, anyone may volunteer for temporary use; this is not affected by the rule. If you think you can handle more than 6, keeping them all active, then you may PM an Admin and discuss having more than that.

What are the real differences between Adult characters and Student characters?
Well, Adult characters have their own apartment, have jobs (or busiensses), and can move about freely. Students are limited mainly to Hogwarts and Hogsmeade (except on holidays and summer vacation), and they are required to attend classes. Other than that, there is no difference.

Are new members permitted to have canon characters?
Yes. Canon characters must be kept active, however, or they will be stripped from the member and be up once more for grabs.

How does an original character become canon?
An original character becomes canon by either marrying a canon character, having children with a canon character, or filling in the gaps left by JKR (such as the number, name, age, and house of Percy's children; we know he was there to send his own offspring off, but we don't actually meet him or his children, or even know the name of his wife; or playing an adult character who was mentioned but never assigned a last/first name or house). If you would like your canon to be married, simply post so when you are claiming or Pm an Admin afterwards so that they may update the character's status.

Why are some characters who do not fit the above criteria considered canon, even though they are obviously an original character?
Well, this was not intentional. The board was created before the final installment of the Harry Potter books was released; there was a canon listing vastly different from what actually happened, and some original characters that became vital to the old plot. Instead of discarding those characters, we decided to incorporate them when we made the board more canon. This is why there is an Anastasia Malfoy and a Morgana Weasley; they were claimed and created before the canon update.

I have a canon character, but I want them to be married/dating another canon character who is currently not being played... how do I go about doing this?
We prefer you to include in your claiming post who your character's husband or wife is, but if you forget or decide to add one later, PM an admin and explain what you want. If it does not change anything with the subplot or canon listing (for example, Neville Longbottom can't be married to two women at one time) it should be no problem to add that character as your husband/wife.

Can my character be a special race or have special abilities?
Yes. When you create your Character Profile, fill in the details (what race you are, how you developed special abilities, etc.). You must go into more detail in the history section, or you will not get what you ask for. There are limitations on how many characters with specific abilities and races are permitted, so look over the Special Abilitiesor Race threads to be sure there is an opening. In the case that your character becomes a race during RP (such as a vampire or werewolf) or later learns an ability during RP, post in the threads and your profile will be updated.

Species such as House Elves, Dwarves, Giants, etc. are permitted to attend Hogwarts, but I thought House Elves would only want to serve their masters and that Giants are not very intelligent... has that changed?
Yes. With the help of Hermione Granger, many species have gained more rights and freedoms, such as the option of carrying a wand and learning to control their magic through wand use. House Elves are still used as servants by some, but over the years they have grown slowly more liberal and there are more and more rebelling against their age-old customs. Giants are not necessary as stupid as one would think; they are merely uncivilized. One of the reasons that they are uncivilized is based on their lack of knowledge, prejudice, and fear of magic (even though their skin repels magic). Very few survive; they are not maternal, after all, and many died in the first war with Voldemort. Before entering Hogwarts, they must undergo a test to make sure they have the capacity of learning, and then a spell to allow them to communicate in English fluently is also applied.

My character is a werewolf; what can I do when the current post is set during the full moon?
This depends on when you want to RP. The timing of a thread is based on the current RP date when the thread was created. If you started a RP thread the first week of December, and you're still participating in the thread when the RP time changed to the second week of Decemeber, your thread is considered still in the first week. When it comes to werewolves, they feel a little down and out the day before, during, and after the full moon, and usually are so sick that they do not attend classes unless absolutlely necessary. The wolfsbane potion is given to Hogwarts students to tame them, but they still feel awful before and after their monthly change. During the day of the full moon, you could RP as normal, but would be extremely sick; during the night, you would RP as a werewolf.

What kind of in character behavior is permitted?
Any, as long as it is in character. This gives memebers a wide range of personality traits and ideas for RP plots. Feel free to use your imagination, and have fun!

How do I go about getting my character a job?
If your character is an adult, fill in the section on your Character's Profile, going into detail about how and why your character applied and got the job in the history section. If you apply for a job after your profile has been created, simply apply in the appropriate thread in the Job and Career Registry forum, and your profile will be updated.

How can I get my own house?
Yes. Students may have their own Childhood Home, and when they graduate, they may get an apartment or a house, depending on how much money they have. A home comes in the form of a subplot in which memebers may do anything that they please in, as long as they don't break any major rules. You must sign up for a home in the Mortgage Company forum, and post whenever there is any change to the household.

I have money (Galleons), but I have no clue how to use it... or how to get more of it!
You get money (Galleons) by posting, having a job, joining Subplots, and winning Bi-Monthly Contests. You can take your money and buy items in stores, get a better house, or use it to buy your own custom Signatures and/or Avatars.

Can anyone join in on a subplot?
Yes, as long as your character is active. Keep in mind that some Subplots require members of a certain personality, House, gender, job, etc. Feel free to volunteer to play any canon character needed that is not being played; you can either keep the character afterwards (if you don't have 6 characters already) or give it upfor others to RP with.

Are there classes to attend as a student?
Yes. Core classes are mandatory, additional classes are not and are only offered to those who are Third Years or older. If a student does not attend, they will recieve a PM and will be required to make up that class or test. Attending class and participating is how you gain House Points (and lose them if you're late or rude).

I joined after the first class started... do I need to make up all classes? And where in the world are they?
No. You only need to make up those classes since the last test (pop quizes don't count). There is a sign-up form in the RPG Directory, as well as links to each individual class.

Where is the Sixth Floor of Hogwarts?
Since JKR does not really mention anything about the Sixth Floor in the books, we have decided to reserve it for the Hogwarts Staff. It is here that the staff have their own private rooms and recreational areas. Only adults and other Staff members are permitted here, which is why students cannot access the floor.

What exactly is the bi-monthly contest?
Every two weeks, the forum hosts a contest. The contest could be anything; for details, read the contest thread.

How does the Relationships form work?
Create a New topic with your character's name, and copy and paste the form found in the guidelines post that is pinned in that subforum. Feel free to create your own or add or subtract certain titles; what is posted is only a default. Feel free to post in others' posts to forge a relationship without RPing getting to know one another first. It is the lazy way to do things, but it also gives members a chance to forge friendships without mucking up the threads with OOC comments.

What is an NPC?
This is discussed in great detail in the Important Announcements section, so I will not go into detail here. A NPC is a non playable character that members may request to enter a thread in order to add spice to a role play thread. They are controlle by the NPC Team. Post in the NPC Listingthread to request a NPC.

Is it really true that I can make a thread themed way back in the '90s? Or whatever time I want?
Yes, as long as it is within reason. For example, if it is significant to the current plot, or an event that changed a character's life, feel free to start one. Ask for other people to RP characters temporarily in the Wanted: Posterssubforum, and discuss what you want to happen there before starting the thread. In fact, we prefer that memebers do this before starting any threads, but it is not mandatory. Be sure to include a post saying that the thread is closed when you're done.

I need a signature and avatar for my new character. How do I go about getting a custom made graphic?
Go to the Forum Discussions category at the bottom of the forum and click on the link listed beneath Graphics entitled Requests. Copy and paste the form there, fill it out, and post it. If you have enough posts (remember - you get 5 Galleons just by posting your request), I will either create a signature and/or avatar for you, or I will find a signature/avatar elsewhere (you must credit the owners, though!). Please keep in mind that you must have claimed a celebritybefore requesting anything.

There was a thread that mentioned positions opening for the board. How do I get a position that I want?
If you would like to be on the Graphics Team, Plot Team, or any other team, just post in the thread. If you meet our requirements, you will be on that team and have access to a subforum where you can discuss all important information about your job. Moderators and Admin will be selected by the current Admin; do not ask to be either! When we feel we need additional help with the forum, we will go through our members and select one that we feel will be fair, honest, and a good addition to the board's staff.

If any member has any questions that are not addressed in this thread or elsewhere on the board, feel free to post ir in the Suggestions and Feedback forum or PM an Admin.

This post has been edited by Adana Phoenix on Dec 2 2007, 08:50 PM