Rules

[fleurdelacour5787]

Basic Site Rules

• Keep all content T rated (meaning that it is acceptable for a teen audience, 13 years and older--minor violence, curse words that appear in the books, and minor suggestive adult themes are permitted). No sex, no excessive nudity, etc. Note that swear words that are in any way censored are also not permitted (i.e. with the use of * or any other characters. These content rules apply to all posts and PMs on the site as well as any pictures and links posted.
  
• Absolutely no spam will be permitted. Several one word posts will result in a warning, particularly if they are on an RP board.
  
• Be tolerant, patient, and accepting of your other RPers and mods. Rude behavior will not be tolerated.
  
• For forum maintenance, the mods may delete threads that are not being replied to in a time period of 3 weeks. If at any time you wish a thread you created to be deleted, edit the title to "Please Close" and a mod will help you out. You could also PM a mod and ask them to close it for you.
  
• Try to use colors, fonts, and font sizes that are easy to read in all posts and PMs.
  
• If you post in any language other than English (be it Italian, Mermish, Japanese, or Gobbledook) you must provide an accurate English translation in the same post.
  
• Do not double-post on the OOC boards. If you find that you've forgotten something in your post, edit it, please. This rule is somewhat different on the RP boards. If you are posting a different character, you may post again directly after your first.
  
• Signatures should not be large enough to stretch the page.
  
• Avatars cannot be larger than 100x100.
  
• No other sites should be advertised anywhere on this forum except the Portkeys board. Breaking this rule will result in post deletion on the first two offenses and then banning on the third.
  
• Please do not post OOC only posts on the RP boards.
  

Character Creation Rules

• Only minor canon characters may be RPed unless the need for a major canon character arises as determined by the mods. The mods will make the final decision on which characters will be permitted.
  
• All applications must be complete to be approved. However, if it is a work in progress, put "Incomplete" in the title so you can edit it later to be approved (within 11 days). If this time limit is not met, the thread will be deleted unless there are special circumstances.
  
• If a profile is not approved because changes are needed, you have 11 days to make said changes or it will be deleted unless there are special circumstances.
  
• Special abilities will be limited. There were only a few werewolves, vampires, animagi, metamorphamagi, etc. running around. We will allow these abilities to be RPed, but it is on a first come, first serve basis. If we reach a point where we have too many of one thing, we will cut it off. There are specific rules for each of these categories pertaining to the number allowed on this site as well as the limits of their abilities. These are stated here.
  
• For new members, you are allowed 5 characters. After six months, you will be allowed a maximum of 7 characters. If you are a moderator, due to the need for a wide array of interactions on this site, these rules do not apply.
  
• Your character (not you as an RPer) shouldn't be in more than 3 threads at once.
  
• Changes to character profiles (especially changes to playby) will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, and we reserve the right to deny certain changes.
  
• Playbys cannot be re-used after someone has registered a character using it (a list will be posted that can be checked for availability) unless you are creating a twin.
  
• Twins and families cannot be on the same profile and will count as separate characters.
  
• Discretion will be used in creating relatives of canon characters. It will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis (i.e. Hermione's long lost sister will not be approved). If relatives of canon characters get out of hand, we will offer a family tree and/or stop approving certain families (i.e. Malfoys).
  
• If, for some reason, we find your character doesn't fit with the canon or is not approved, we will provide an explanation and allow you to make alterations.
  

Rule Infractions

• Failing to follow the content rules (substance and T rating alike) will result in a warning for the first three offenses. After that, post will be deleted if the offending party did not start the thread. If they did start the thread, it will be deleted in its entirety. A fifth offense will result in banning them from the site.
  
• Using unapproved characters, spells, creatures, abilities, jobs, or anything else that requires registration will not be tolerated. The offending RPer will be warned once about not following the proper registration process. Their second offense will result in deletion. A fourth offense will result in banning them from the site. Registration is not needed for absolutely everything you use if it is seen in the canon (or something very similar) however you should consider its impact on others. If you are questioning if new magic needs to be registered, PM a mod.
  
• After four incidents of spamming/double-posting/unreadable posts on OOC boards (for which the guilty party would receive warnings), a fifth offense will result in banning them from the site.
  
• Excessive (more than two incidents) or rude behavior will result in banning a member from the site (to clarify, this is OOC rudeness; no RPer will be held responsible for a rude character unless is horribly uncalled for which will be assessed on a case-by-case basis). Since we consider ourselves, as mods, to be fair and consider suggestions, we expect our members to be respectful of us as we are of them.
  
• Failure to comply with character creation rules (i.e. attempting to get a central canon character approved, not using the correct template/giving all important information, having more than 2 characters deleted for failure to complete their profiles, attempting to gain approval for more than your allotted characters, etc.) will result in the mods denying your approval request. After 2 violations of character creation rules, you will not be able to get new characters approved for 1 month. Another violation will result in the mods not approving new characters for the violator for 5 months.
  
• Violations of canon (i.e. bringing electronics into Hogwarts, apparating within Hogwarts, apparating underage, etc.) will receive warnings for the first four. After five, you will be banned from RP for 1 month. Six will result in banning from the site.
  
• Any incident of powerplaying/godmoding will result in a warning for the first offense. The second offense will result in a 1 week ban. The third will result in a month-long ban. The fourth will result in a permanent ban.
  
• Any combination of violations will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis in which the mods will determine the severity of the infractions.
  

OotARP Moderators
fleurdelacour5787
Brae

If you find that you are confused about rules or have a question, please check the FAQs. If you don't find an answer, either post here or PM a mod.

The mods reserve the right to change/add to the above rules as the situation warrants.