modofthehat | Entries tagged with info

HOW THE HECK DO THESE JOURNALS WORK?
↪A primer on the Hogwarts journal system

( Short answer: It's Magic. Long answer: )

S A M P L E A P P L I C A T I O N

To give those who may find themselves struggling with the application an idea of what we're be looking for in an app, we have a sample application for you to go over. It fulfills all of our bullet points without being excessive. We hope it assists you in applying!

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A P P L I C A T I O N G U I D E

Having trouble with your application? Worried whether it'll be accepted or not? Here are some tips that we offer for prospective players to get an idea of what we look for in an app.

→ Read the rules. This is a big thing, you must read the application rules (as well as the community rules) and the HP!Canon to apply. Not following the rules is a good way to get wavered. And subsequently rejected. And we'd REALLY rather not reject people.

→ Word Count. If a section has a word count, writing less than required is another good way to get wavered. We DO check, so doing a few words extra is the safest bet. The word count is so we can see you have a grasp on the character enough to write a decent amount on them.

→ Grammar and Spelling. This should be a given, but an application ridden with grammatical errors does not a happy mod make. We view grammar issues as something that will persist during play and it can be distracting for your fellow players. Given the fact that people tend to have a lot more time to mull over an application than a tag, checking your spelling and grammar is highly recommended.

→ Personality. We like to see ALL aspects of their personality, especially if it undergoes a large upheaval in canon. Even if you plan on picking up a character midway in their development and playing it out in-game, we want to see that you know your character and how they grow or react to different circumstances. This portion is important, because no matter how their history is morphed for Harry Potter canon, their personality should stay the same. Staying IC is important. In the case of Canon OCs, we want to see the specific ways in which you have determined their personality and voice.

→ Hogwarts Houses. Characters are complex, and they rarely fit in just one house. Most people have the personality they reveal to others, and then their true selves (which might be a different person entirely). In this section, we're asking for you to explain how your character might be courageous, loyal, clever, or resourceful, and if they completely don't fit a house, we're asking you to explain why. Part of their suitability also depends on what they personally value the highest, even if they don't necessarily exemplify these traits. We generally don't recommend using this as an opportunity to pimp your character for a certain house or over generalize with 'they aren't pushovers so they can't be Hufflepuff' or 'they don't hate muggles and they aren't evil so they can't be Slytherin'. This section is so that we can get a fuller image of your character and your understanding of them, so we can better pick a house for them. For brief info on the characteristics of each house, read up on them on the FAQ.

→ HP!Canon History. This is the place people often struggle the most. The thing to consider is, if your character was a wizard, how would they be? It's a great chance to get creative, but it's also the place that tends to have the most amount of issues in converting the original canon for the character. When in doubt, consult the FAQ and the links provided on the HP!Canon Guide. Consulting a moderator before applying is also wise if having difficulty.

The best advice for this portion is to use common sense and to write a backstory that will result in your character having the same personality as they do in canon. This is also the portion to put the classes or hobbies your character enjoys.

→ Suitability. This is a section for teacher characters only, and it is not always required. However, if you feel there may be some question as to why Dumbledore would hire your character (for example, if they are a murderous psychopath, if they can't manage basic spells, if they are allergic to children, etc), we would like you to provide a clear explanation as to why they should be hired. If the mods are unsure about your character's suitability, we may ask for elaboration on this section.

→ Sample Journal Entry. This is an entry written by your character on the journal system for others to read. This is a chance to showcase two things: their personality and your handle on the voice of the character. You've described their personality, so this is the place to show it. Showing speech patterns that the character shares is also encouraged. They can post about homework, quidditch, or anything, so long as it displays part of who they are, even if it's only the face they show to their peers.

→ Third Person. The third person sample is at times viewed as difficult, but it doesn't have to be. If you choose to use a third person sample, the best examples are the ones that have the character doing a physical action that shows their personality and how they act. Your character could be doing something mundane, such as studying, walking through the hallway, or practising spells, but if the spell sets someone on fire, is it intentional? Were they having difficulty prior to casting it? Does anyone comment to it, and what is your character's reaction to them?

This is just one example, but it's meant to display that the log doesn't have to be fancy, it just has to be consistent with who they are. Many fail to make the word limit for this one, so being conscientious of your word count is important as well.

→ Original Character Applications. These applications will be viewed by the whole mod team so we can be sure that we have a sense of your character. Important factors here include making sure your character is fully fleshed out, that they have a distinct voice that is unique to them, and that they are flawed, human, characters. The effort that you put in your application and character will be evident to the mod team.

→ When in doubt. Contact a mod before submitting. There is no lack of places to message us and we'll be happy to help. You can also comment to the FAQ or this entry if you have a question you think everyone could benefit from. We have a sample application for those who find themselves struggling, as well.

Hope all of this helps and happy apping~!

1. Do I need an account to edit the Wiki?

Yes, you do; However since anyone can edit a wiki page we're giving you the information to log in to the account we created for the wiki. We're giving you this information the understanding that you will not delete, edit or inappropriately alter any page with this account or any other you use. It takes a lot of hard work for a project like this so use it in the right way.

Login: shplayers
Password: biglippedalligator

If you cannot log in, contact a moderator.

2. How do I edit a page that's a red link?

First you must create a page. For all taken characters your page is already in a red link, simply click on the link and it will take you directly to the editing page. At first it is in a rich text type format of editing; unless you already know how to edit in this format, it's suggested that you edit it in the older format.

To do that take your mouse to the top right hand side of the page and click on the button with a small black DOS type box on it. When you hover over it, it should say View Wikitext. You can use that button to switch back and forth between text editing and rich text. On the page you are able to preview and save your page. Save often, save is your friend.

3. How do I have bold, italic text?

Unlike LJ where you use < b > and < i >, you do it a completely different way.

For italic text: ''italic''
For bold text: '''bold'''
For bold italic text: '''''bold italic'''''

4. How do I make headings?

To make a heading for a page it is you're going to make use of ( = ).

Top Heading: ==First==
Second Heading: ===Second===
Third Heading: ====Third====
Fourth Heading: =====Fourth=====

Once you have three Headings on a page, it will automatically make a Table of Contents (TOC). That means it makes the box that shows things like

1. Personality
2. Background
3. Relationships
3.1 Mom
3.2 Dad
3.3 Brother
4. Death

So to get what I just put in, you would type the following:

==Personality==
==Background==
==Relationships==
===Mom===
===Dad===
===Brother===
==Death==

5. Can I have a TOC with less than three headings?

You sure can! You can also change which side you want to place it on the page.

To make a TOC with less than three headings you type is __TOC__ Make sure it is two underscores.

To align it on the right instead of the left you would go

{| style="margin-right: auto;"
|__TOC__
|}
==Personality==
==Background==
==Relationships==
===Mom===
===Dad===
===Brother===
==Death==

6. How do I do indents?

To make an indent in a page you use : .

:One indent.
::Two indents.

Every time you press enter to make a new line your indents go back to default, meaning it's aligned completely to the left.

7. How do I make a list?

You probably won't need to make lists but I'll show you anyways.

For a bullet list you use * .

*Item
*Item
**Sub item
**Sub item
*item

For a numbered list you use # .

#Item
#Item
##Sub item
##Sub item
#Item

Number lists work like indenting, the more you put reflects on a sub list.

8. Okay so now that I know those basics, how do I make a link?

There are different types of links, a link to a page in the SH wiki or a website.

For a link within the wiki you go [[link]].

To link to your LJ page you can go a few ways.

http://www.livejournal.com (Shows up exactly as is.)

[http://www.livejournal.com] (Shows up as [1].)

[http://www.livejournal.com an external site] (Shows up as An external site.)

Another type of link is a redirect link. These are for when You don't want two articles about the same thing. An example is that there is no need for a page each when it comes to Akigindto. While there are three persons in one body, they only need one page.

So you would type in the following:

#redirect [[Akito/Agito/Lind Wanijima]]

This will not work if there is anything else before the redirect, anything after is ignored. For more information please read this page.

9. Can I make tables?

You sure can, but it is not the same as what you would use on LJ.

{| starts a table
|- starts a new row
| starts a new cell
|} ends a table

{|border="1"
|Row 1
|Row 1
|Row 1
|-
|Row 2
|Row 2
|Row 2
|}

Row 1	Row 1	Row 1
Row 2	Row 2	Row 2

10. How do I add images?

It's easier if you just read this and this.

Note: When inserting an image, you must remove the brackets around the filename so it looks like image = File:filename.png rather than image = [[File:filename.png]] or else it'll just give you an error that puts "250px" in the info box.

11. I want a fancy side bar thing like on real wiki with character information on it!

{{Infobox
|Box title = Name Here
|image = See Question 10.
|caption = Put a Quote here
|Row 1 title = House
|Row 1 info = Hufflepuff
|Row 2 title = Year
|Row 2 info = Fifth
|Row 3 title = Gender
|Row 3 info = Male
|Row 4 title = Family
|Row 4 info = Names Here
}}

12. Can you just give us a code and we fill in the blanks?

{{Infobox
|Box title = Name Here
|image = See Question 10.
|caption = Put a Quote here
|Row 1 title = House
|Row 1 info = Fill in the blanks
|Row 2 title = Year
|Row 2 info = Fill in the blanks
|Row 3 title = Gender
|Row 3 info = Fill in the blanks
|Row 4 title = Family
|Row 4 info = Fill in the blanks
}}

==Personality==
Fill in the blanks.

==Background==
Fill in the blanks.

==Relationships==

===character===
Fill in the blanks

===character===
Fill in the blanks

===character===
Fill in the blanks

==Trivia==
Fill in the blanks

==See Also==
Fill in the blanks, this is where you put links.

==External Links==
Fill in the blanks, this is where you put links.

G A M E S T A T S & I N F O

This page is for helpful information that just really has no place on many of the other pages but is still some great need to know stuff. If you feel there's something that should be on here just drop a comment and let us know.

( CURRENT VAMPIRES/WEREWOLVES/ANIMAGI/METAMORPHAMAGI )

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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!

H P ! C A N O N A P P L I E D I N - G A M E

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→ For ALL CHARACTERS:

1.) All characters, student, teacher, or otherwise, have to follow Hogwarts canon rules. There are a multitude of places to look for more of them, the places displayed listed on the FAQ being among a few. If you have any questions relating to canon, contact a mod before you act! That's what we're here for.

2.) JOURNALS: We have a balance of logs and journal interactions at this roleplay, but if you want to make new CR, a great way is to comment on a new entry! The last word of your HP!Canon section should be Apptivity. Plot isn't the only way to interact with other characters, and commenting can often lead to new plot. Don't just comment and log with the same people constantly or new players will feel left out! And that's bad. :<

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Hogsmeade Trips

Like canon, there are Hogsmeade trips a few weekends a year for all students, third year and up, with a signed permission form. The Hogsmeade trips are strictly day trips and overnight stays are not allowed for students. Teachers are free to go on their days off and may occasionally spend the night if they feel like it. Sneaking out to Hogsmeade is difficult and not something that can be easily accomplished. If your character by chance manages to do it, they should not go openly flaunting it around because In Character Action = In Character Consequence, and they will be ICly punished.