Sortinghat Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
modofthehat) wrote2008-04-14 05:03 pm
modofthehat) wrote2008-04-14 05:03 pm
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FAQ
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?
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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!
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