modofthehat

Entry tags:

info

FAQ

F A Q

Below, some common questions that you may wonder about are displayed. We recommend you give it a look before applying and/or if you want a better idea about gameplay.

What type of setting is the game?

sortinghat_rp is a multifandom AU (Alternate Universe) game that takes place in the Harry Potter universe. All the characters will be taken from their canons with their backgrounds altered to fit the Harry Potter world.

Where is the timeline of the Harry Potter series does the game take place in?

The RP setting is currently a year after Voldemort was defeated for the first time by Harry Potter. Instead of the RP taking place in the 1980s, it will be taking place in the current day to avoid anachronisms. This means that The Boy Who Lived defeated You-Know-Who in October of 2011.

How do you pick the House placement?

We judge House placement on a few things; the canon history and personality and what we actually see in the application, including the section where we ask that you tell us how your character fits each house. Some characters can be placed in to more than one house, so it depends on how you write them. Characters are also judged on what they personally value, even if they don't exemplify those traits. Sometimes the mod team may be on the fence about where to place them and will give you the option to pick another House, as long as it fits the personality.

Gryffindor; This House values courage, nerve, bravery and good old fashioned chivalry.

Hufflepuff; This House values loyalty, fair play, hard work and tolerance.

Ravenclaw; This House values wit, intelligence, learning and creativity.

Slytherin; This House values resourcefulness, ambition, leadership, cunning and being a pure blood (not that you HAVE to be a pure blood to be in this house.)

Can I use electronics in the castle?

Nope. You can't magic them to work either. It sure sucks, but it's the Harry Potter world, full of wizards and such. Though there is the Wizarding Wireless and old fashioned record players for listening to music, so muggleborns can listen to that new David Bowie album, just on vinyl.

Can I have a pet for my character?

Sure! They can have an Owl, Rat, Toad (small reptiles), or a Cat. Puffskeins are allowed as well since they're small and adorable. Any other type of pets are pretty much are not allowed, mostly because of the different kind of care that they require.

My Pureblood Death Eater totally loves watching the tele!

No, they don't. If your character is a pureblood, they're not going to know a single thing about muggles. Given the time setting of the game, if your pureblood is going on and on about the new Kanye West CD, chances are that normal wizards will think them daft and the Death Eaters will be screaming traitor.

Can I play a character from a far off Asian country who adds another languages words in to their sentences randomly?

This wouldn't make sense since Hogwarts isn't the only Wizarding school in the world. Japan probably has their own Wizarding school, so why wouldn't they go there? Everyone who goes to Hogwarts should be mainly from the European countries. This doesn't mean that you can't play someone with a Japanese name, you just need to have them be from Europe preferably, and speaking English since some of the characters in this game may ask, "What the heck did you just say to me?"

I want to apply as a character, but a canonmate has already determined part of their background in their history. Do I have to follow that or can I change some parts of it?

You are under no obligation whatsoever to follow a background that is pre-determined by another castmate. If they have something that you don't think will quite fit your way that you play them, you can tell them so and let them know of any changes. We do ask that you always talk to other castmates who may have already decided something so that you're both able to agree on something you both like. If they're unwilling to change their background, please contact a moderator. This also goes for if you're applying for a character that was previously dropped, you're under no obligation to keep anything the same.

I want to apply as a character who in canon has multiple personalities. Can I apply as an individual personality, or do I have to play all of them?

You're not obligated to play all of them in one body. HOWEVER, only playing one part of a character significantly changes them if there is only one half in the game. If two people decide to each apply as a half of DID character, as say twins, that is fine since the full "character" is there and to work off of. You're free to apply for only one part of the personality, just keep in mind that that will be considered when judging your application.

What about canon abilities?

You don't get any of your canon abilities in this game. However; some powers your character may have in canon could be translatable, after all, this is a magic school. An example of this is if your character can see the future in canon, then they'd could be excellent in Divination class. Not all canon powers are translatable to the school setting. Lelouch wouldn't be able to use the Imperius curse to get people to do what he wanted, that would just result in a trip to Azkaban.

Can I apply as an Original Character/Canon OC?

You certainly can! Our application page for that is located here. If you're not sure whether your character qualifies as a canon OC, the main thing is whether or not they speak and whether they have a background. Feel free to ask for more clarification below.

Can I be an Animagus or Metamorpamagus?

Please go to the rule page to see the answer.

My character is a super special creature from their canon! Can I keep that in the game too?

No, unfortunately if your character is a Shinigami/Alien/Cat-boy/Demon/Robot etc... in canon, they cannot be that in

sortinghat_rp. Everyone is Human, unless they are part Veela, a Werewolf or a Vampire. Those who are part Veela cannot be considered purebloods, and there shouldn't be an excess of veela at any time. In regards to Vampires and Werewolves, these creatures exist in Harry Potter canon and do exist in

sortinghat_rp canon as well. Characters are allowed to have one of these two traits if you wish for them to have them; it is preferred though that it is a canon trait they carry. Vampires are not allowed to eat any students. Previous vampire characters have had them take a potion to help curb their blood cravings and make it so they can go in the sunlight. You can use any method that works for you, however, as long as no one dies. Werewolves canonly have the wolfsbane potion they can take at the full moon and the use of the Shrieking Shack for a place to keep themselves and others safe. It is asked that if your character is either if these two creatures, that they do not openly flaunt it around as in canon werewolves are shunned and vampires are not considered wizards at all. Vampires are made in this canon, not born [This means you died and are a reanimated corpse.] If at any point the mods feel that your characters canon is delving too far from the HP!canon on Vampires and Werewolves, you will be asked to change it. No ifs, ands or buts. This is one part of the canon that we do not want to have create a problem. If you're not sure about something, ask a moderator.

Can I app a ghost?

You can! We have had ghost teachers (outside of the customary Professor Binns, of course), so you're welcome to! They can be teachers, or just Hogwarts ghosts. We also allow other irregularities, such as vampires and werewolves. As long as you fit your canon to fit HP and make it so they aren't mauling anyone, it's fine. Talk to a mod if you need guidance in this area! We also ask for no student ghosts, just teachers for now.

What do I do when my character graduates?

You have several options! Some people drop their characters, others return as TAs if there are applicable spaces, and others have yet another option! Characters are permitted to keep their journals with them after they graduate, as a way to keep in touch with their former classmates and friends. While they might not be physically at Hogwarts, they can certainly keep in contact through the journals as they advance through their lives.

Can I restart my characters?

All character restarts must be approved by a moderator. The reason for this is because depending on what you're changing will determine if you have to re-app or not. If you're changing your characters AU background, you must submit a new application, you don't have to officially drop though. Background changes may possibly change Houses, so we do ask for a new application. Restarts should mainly be used when you're no longer able to play a character a certain way. They can also be used if it is a current running series and there is a new sudden truth revealed about a character.

Can I just change my character's year?

You are able to change what year a character is in. Though there are some stipulations to it. If you're changing the year by one, all you need to do is reply to all the taken posts and charts your character is on and let us know. If you're changing their year by more than a couple, you must submit a new application. It's also your responsibility to inform the community about this type of change as it will effect any CR.

Can I change journals?

You sure can! Just comment to the lists like you did when you were accepted and let us know what the new journal is so that we can make the necessary changes.

Where can I find information on Harry Potter canon?

→ HP Lexicon
→ Mugglenet
→ Harry Potter Wiki
→ HP timeline
→ HP Encyclopedia

Do you affiliate?
Of course! Just leave a comment here and a mod will be happy to add you!

Anything not covered above, feel free to ask, and we'll get to it as soon as we're able!

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm really sorry in advance for how complicated this question is!! :(

But I'm interested in apping with Aigis from Persona 3, who in canon is a robot. I know that robots and, moreover, technology aren't allowed in the game, so would it be possible for me to make her some sort of magical equivalent? Something like a golem, maybe, in that she would be a magical construct that later gained sentience and came in as a regular student.

If it's too complicated, I could probably work with her just as a regular human, but the inhuman-ness is important to her character in canon, so I thought it was worth asking.

Hi there, we discussed this and we are going to say no on her being a golem. However, in the series there are half breeds of vampires and feel that could work well with her. Since Aigis goes through the development where she becomes less like a robot and more human, by being a half vampire, she could have potentially been raised by vampires and Hogwarts would expose her to a more human atmosphere. Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Okay, that sounds cool! I think that's a good compromise and I can work with that. :3 I'll have to go do some research on the HP Lexicon about half-vampires to get my details straight, but thank you!

Hello there, mods! It's James. Not your James, the new James with the lisping douche. I have two questions for a potential character.

First: In order to justify a transfer, do we bring up the idea with the mods first to clear it, or just include it in the app and hope for the best?

Second: I'm trying to figure out if the character is a canon OC or just a canon character. She does have lines and the game does have a story, that story just... fails to go into the individual backgrounds of any of its characters.

First: Just give us the proposed scenario and we'll decide.

We need some more information, like the canon and character. Let us know when you can, okay?

No problem!

The game is Jet Set Radio Future and the character is Gum. She's one of the first characters you encounter in-game, introduces the player to the initial concepts of the game (moving and spraying graffiti), and can be talked to plenty of times throughout the game on the current event. The "narrator" even gives her a brief description which only two other characters get in game at the start.

Her canon can basically be summed up as "a gang of freedom fighters-slash-punkass kids defy a corrupt government with sweet tricks and graffiti which can somehow make giant robot things malfunction (??? welcome to Japan???)" I would like to keep the basics of that for Gum, with everything being explained by magic. (The wicked skates and graffiti, not the robot thing.)

However, in canon, of course the gang beats the Bad Guy Weirdo Government dude through... weird shenanigans. However, for Sorting Hat, I would have it that before the group can really do anything, the Corrupt Government Official Weirdo Dude pulls some strings and manages to find ways to separate the gang. In Gum's case, her family would be transferred to a position in England and she would have to change schools from a school in her native Japan to Hogwarts.

I'd like to play it as her exploring completely foreign territory along with dealing with separation from her friends and knowing that something is Rotten In ~~Denmark~~ Tokyo. I think it might also give her a bit of something to work towards, if that makes any sense?

They sound like a regular character to us! You can use the normal application form. As for the other question, they can be a transfer student if you'd like.

Okay, thanks for the answers!

A question regarding the application of Billy/Dr. Horrible from Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog:

Since there's actually a student who's skipped a year, and it's canon that Billy skipped four, I was wondering if I could have Billy have skipped second and fourth years, so he'd be 13 going into 5th year?

Yes, this is fine. The out of school magic rules will still apply as he gets older and graduates though.

A few questions!

1. Would Germany be too far away from where Hogwarts is for a student from there to be considered acceptable to app (unless they were first generation living in England or somesuch)?

2. Would it be acceptable to make up a location for summer living? Little Whinging is a fictional town, after all, as are many Harry Potter towns, and this particular character has very very strong ties to his home town in a very particular way (his family has for generations on into antiquity served the family that occupies the seat of power in said town). For reference, it's the character this journal is for, Vanamonde Von Mekkhan (though Girl Genius is not very well known so I don't know how much help that'll be).

Thanks muchly!

Germany is close enough, and fictional towns are cool with us!

Wow, thank you for that amazingly prompt response! /cracks knuckles and settles down into app writing

Alright, I have one more sort-of-silly question. Would wizards have access to hair dye, or would they use a magical equivalent and if so, what? Van's hair is two-tone in canon and I'd rather not change it, if possible, and say that he dyes (?) the blonde parts.

Since hair potions and products are canon, he can make hair dye potions or bring bottled hair dye to school if he wishes.

Hi, Gowa here with a couple of questions for Staff positions!

I was hoping to app a character for Head Nurse and was wondering if the applications for general staff will be accepted with Teacher apps or if there will be a different time for them?

Second question: the character I am considering is canonically able to change her skin colour consciously and subconsciously - could I apply her as a weak metamorphamagi with only this ability?

Edited 2012-08-31 15:28 (UTC)

Hi, I was just looking for clarification on the "no student ghosts" rule. Does that mean no ghosts who are student-aged, or no ghosts who are actually students (go to classes, write essays, take exams, get graded, etc)? For the former, there is canon precedent (Moaning Myrtle, although my ghost's death story is nowhere near as dramatic), while I can understand not wanting everyone and their grandmother playing a ghost.

Also, is there a special protocol for ghost apps? Specific forms to fill out and the like? (I know there's not a special app, but if there are specific extra/replacement sections.)

Thanks!
Ri

Hello!

The position of Head Nurse would qualify as a Teacher app, so they would be judged along with the other teacher apps when those apps open up.

As for your second suggestion, based on what you said we decided that it would be best if the character is a fullblown Metamorphmagi. There's not any HP canon hinting at any varying levels of the ability, so it's an all or nothing type power.

If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Hello!

After talking about it, we've decided that you're free to proceed as intended and app the character as a ghost. He wouldn't be able to attend class like a normal student, nor would he be able to earn house points or anything like that, but we don't see a problem with you apping a student aged ghost.

You would use the Teacher app and would need to detail both their living life, as well as their afterlife.

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Gotcha!

Also, a couple of her canonmate muns have said to me that they had wanted her to be part Giant - would it still be okay for her to be a Metamorphmagi even if she's got some giantess strains apparent in her, or would this be a bit too much?

Can we please know the canon/character in question? We'd like to get a better idea of who it is before we make a final decision.

Of course! Character is Mamma Gkika from Girl Genius!

It's a bit much to have them both, but you can decide which of the two is more important for the character! If she's not a part giant, she could just be a very large woman.

Hello! I'm thinking of apping Alice here, and I have a few questions pertaining to her background.

In canon, Alice was kept in an asylum for ten years, and I'm attempting to translate that over to HP!canon. Would she be kept in St. Mungo's, or in a separate place entirely? Also, what would become of her schooling? I'm aging her down quite a bit to be 16, but still, she would have been incarcerated when she was 6. Would there have to be some special measure taken, like placing her in first year classes? Or, perhaps, having her see a private tutor (could be an NPC) for rudimentary magic lessons? Is that at all possible?

Also, is it necessary to have over 15 icons?

Edited 2012-09-04 01:05 (UTC)

Hello there! She would have been interned at St. Mungoes, and she can have had a tutor there so she didn't fall behind. She can start Hogwarts at her intended year.

It's not at all necessary, it's completely optional and many chose to have less or more than that. Let us know if you have any more questions.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 2 of 4

FAQ

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject