rules.

[ADMINISTRATORS]

we barely have any rules because we trust you guys to make the right decisions anyway, and rules would be just a formality. for formality's sake, here we go.

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1. no cyber-bullying. simple as that. be nice or we'll release the kraken on you. keep any out of character arguing in PM's - or for that matter, because we do hope that everyone gets along, just don't argue at all. if you don't like someone, don't interact with them. it's really not hard, the internet is a big place. if we witness anyone egging another member on, attacking or taunting anyone else, we're going to be pissed, and you will be dealt with accordingly.
2. we're a literate site. we don't require 1000 word posts because that would be insanity. yes some of you will be that good, but not everyone is. this isn't competitive writing. all we ask for is 400-500 word posts because that's at least decent, right? it seems like a lot, but it's what most of us here at ISS are capable of. our only other requirement is that you write in third person because it looks nice.
3. here's the standard, "no god-modding, no gary/mary" rule. you aren't allowed to control someone else's character. you're just not. and your character is not beautiful, popular, smart, and rich, everyone does not love them, they are not dating harry potter and draco malfoy at the same time, and they are not head girl. that would be the most annoying thing possible and we don't allow it.
4. there are two administrators here, and only two. we know the answers to all of your problems involving this website, so don't be afraid to ask us. usually we're more lenient than we probably should be, and we allow most things - just respect that. don't come to us with each new character asking if gary can be a vampire and if mary can be a werewolf and if they have a baby can it be a veela. because you will be denied.

characters:
1. we are a no-app forum. this means all you have to do is post in the registration thread when you're ready to make a character. we ask that you change your member name to the first, middle, and last name of your character, all lower case. after you post, we will change your member group, and you'll be ready to start roleplaying. you then have the option of posting a biography to tell about your character - but it is in no way mandatory.
2. as stated above, we don't want to have a school full of magical creatures. hogwarts is a school for wizards. vampires, werewolves, elves, whatever kind of creature you can come up with, are not wizards. human beings are wizards. we will allow veela, but to a certain point. not everyone can be a veela, and we might not even allow a pure-blooded veela, because it's such a rare occurance that it's not canon.
3. we ask that you keep a balanced amount of characters. there is no limit to the number you can have, it would just be nice if you measured your own borders well enough to not have to lose track of your characters. don't take on more than you can handle. also, when we say balanced, we mean, you can't have three slytherin fifth year boys. because that's ridiculous. the requirement is, for every girl, you must make a boy before you make another girl. for every slytherin, and for every year, we ask that you make a gryffindor or ravenclaw or hufflepuff of a different year. we don't want to see anyone with an irregular ratio of genders, ages, or membergroups. [/ul]

these rules are subject to change whenever we think of something else to add, or if one problem becomes too common. be sure to check back frequently - we will warn you when new rules are added.[/blockquote]