Intermediate/Advanced: A.G. is an intermediate-advanced site. That means we assume members have a basic knowledge of forum-based play-by-post roleplaying, use correct grammar and punctuation, and consistently write quality posts that are interesting to read and easy to respond to. We don't expect 5,000 long posts every time, only an effort to write something that we can all enjoy.

Judge the Book, not the Cover: A.G. is about roleplays, not graphics. We do not permit the creation of graphics shops or galleries. If you're willing to make graphics, let the other members know in the cbox or through your profile/character library. "Gifting graphics" is permissible, and you can post these graphics in a thread if you so desire. There's a forum for graphic gifts in Off Topic.

Open Community: Every member is an important part of the site. We don't have detailed canons or pre-made plots because everyone is part of the canon and everyone is part of the plot. The admin expect every member to make the other members feel welcome and involved. We won't tolerate drama or bad attitudes on an RPG. That's just dumb.

Involvement: AG members are expected to get involved. If you're involved you can influence the plot, make new friends, and have every right to make complaints or suggestions to the admin. Our goal is to have an open community where everyone is a respected and integral part of the site, but we can only do that with your help. We expect all members to uphold the site's integrity and open community with their contributions.

1. Read the Documentation: You will get the best experience at AG if you read the threads in Ministry Files. It's also a good idea to check out the Threading Center [link] and learn about the plot and characters.
2. Register with your Character's Name. It can be any combination of first, middle, or last; false names to conceal an identity are allowed as well. Don't use numbers and random punctuation. Good example: Mary Sue Le Parfait II. Bad example: ___(m.s.)&&lePaRfAiT.x2___. Also, use correct grammar and capitalize names.
3. Fill out the Character Form [link]: This site does not require acceptance of any sort for original witches, wizards, muggles, and squibs; those characters are automatically accepted. All you need to do is fill out the form, edit it to your liking, and post it directly in the Character Directory forum. After that, you can officially start roleplaying. PLEASE NOTE: Canon characters, creatures, species, and special powers require approval. Send these applications to the Admin in a PM. ALSO NOTE: Crossovers (combining elements of different movies, novels, series, etc. into Harry Potter) of any kind are prohibited.
4. Sign-Ups [link]: This is where you go for face claim and getting a job. A few jobs and powers/creatures may be restricted to ensure that no one has a hard time getting involved. There's a list of many different wizarding occupations that's continually being updated in the Ministry Files forum; check it to find something different or original.
5. Introduce yourself. [link]: After posting in the Character Directory and Character Sign-Ups, you can post in the Introductions forum.

PLEASE NOTE: The Registration process goes in this order. Don't post in introductions or sign-ups before you post your character profile. Reading all the documentation before you do anything else will help you immensely.

• Simplicity is beautiful! Don't add random decorative punctuation to topic titles or create icon/banner/text headers within your posts. It distracts from the writing.
• The skin is beautiful! It doesn't need any embellishments. Don't change the color of your posting text or shrink the text.
• Members may indent their posts or increase font size (up 3 sizes) if it helps them read threads.
• Pace yourself! Don't jump into every open thread, and don't start plots with so many people that you can't give each person and plot the attention they deserve. We would much rather see a member who takes the time to consistently write quality roleplays with a few people, even if they're slow, than a member who posts twenty shoddy and error-riddled posts every day.
• Don't plagiarize. Credit your sources.
• Don't God-mode. Our policy on god-moding (brushing away strands of a character's hair or other minor actions) is Respect and Consent. Respect the character, and Get their Consent for anything harmful or major.
• Use discretion when creating characters. There is no limit to the number of original characters you may create, but don't overload yourself with so many that you can't roleplay them all and respond to threads in a reasonable span of time. In general, don't make any more charries than Spiv. Or, in the words of a sign at a buffet: "Take what you like, eat what you take."
• Each member is restricted to two canons.
• It's OK to have mild or occasionally moderate language, sexual innuendo, substance use, and violence. But use discretion. Although the characters are adults, that doesn't mean the people roleplaying them are. In general, don't write anything that J. K. Rowling didn't include in her books. (So yes, it's alright if your character has the occasional urge to scream slurs against parentage; for example, “NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU...” )
• Avoid potentially hurtful real-life issues such as rape, abuse, mental illness, addiction, and suicide. Such issues deserve to be treated sensitively. Talk with the admin if you are interested in roleplaying anything that could be painful for other members to read.
• It's not OK to use strong language and write graphic sexual/gory scenes. That means no f-bombs and racial/sexual language, no descriptions of inappropriate touching or sex scenes (members use the fadeout), and no gratuitous violence. In general, be tasteful. The Potter books weren't romance novels or an action flick, and neither is AG.
• If you're not sure a roleplay crosses the line or not, PM an admin and we'll help you out. Also, if anything offends you, let us know and we'll work it out with you.

• We expect you to maintain a friendly, understanding, and respectful attitude towards all members of the site, from the oldest Adminitrogdor to the newest graduate. AG is not a home for howler monkeys and drama llamas. To be blunt; if you can't get rid of the bad attitude, we'll get rid of you.
• Harassment of any sort is strictly forbidden. This includes racist or sexual slurs, threats (real and/or malicious), rumor spreading, or member-bashing of any sort, including on instant messaging and PM's. If we're given proof you've been doing this to another member, you will be banned.
• If you have a problem with another member, resolve it quietly between yourselves or contact the Admin. Be respectful. Don't ruin the friendly atmosphere of this site with your personal issues.
• Stay Active! The admin check member activity regularly. Members who haven't been active for 2-4 weeks will be contacted by the Admin. Members who haven't posted for 3-6 weeks without an absence notice or without responding to the Admin notices will have their account(s) deleted. Their threads will be moved to the archives and their character profiles placed in the hidden Admin Storage forum. Hit-and-Run members (members who register but never show up again to post) will be deleted after 1-2 weeks.
• As long as you tell us why you will be absent, we will not touch your accounts or profiles.
• If you will be absent for any notable length of time, please post in the Absences & Returns thread in the WWN. If you know you're leaving the site for good, we'd prefer that you let the Admin know via PM, and tell us what you want done with your threads.

• The admin understand that AG is different from many Potter RPs and may take some getting used to. However, the rules are the way they are for a reason. We will help you with any questions or comments you have. However, once it becomes clear that you made no effort read the rules or other site documentation, and/or you simply refuse to follow the rules, you will be asked to leave. The admin will not babysit you.
• All members receive one warning for any infraction of the rules. If you continue to knowingly break the rules, you will be asked to leave.
• Members who sass, bad mouth, or otherwise make derogatory, malicious, and baseless remarks towards the site and its admin will not be tolerated. If you have a problem with the site or its admin, handle the issue responsibly and contact them in private, with a respectful tone, like an adult.
• If you've been asked to leave the site, please respect our wishes. We would like to keep AG a friendly community with high quality roleplays. Those who aren't respectful about the decision will be banned.
• If you have any question about the site rules, ask the admin. Don't make assumptions.

• Carmen (aka Ashlynn, or 'Good Cop') is the site co-admin. Spiv (aka 'Bad Cop') is also the site co-admin. Arty (aka 'Steward of AG') is the third hardworking admin. The three of us will be happy to assist you with any questions or comments you may have.
• If anything pertaining to AG offends or upsets you, please contact the admin right away. We'll do our best to find a solution to the problem.
• The admin are adults. We expect you to treat us as such.
• These rules are subject to change as the site changes.