Sitewide Announcements and Updates
First Years, THIS WAY! Whether you're arriving from home or from summer camp, come and join me as you embark off of the Hogwarts Express for your first glimpse at the castle! Join four to a boat and meet new people, or chat with me, Finley Greer, Caretaker extraordinaire (and perhaps even get to know one of your future teachers, Farron Horne). Just please stay seated; we don't want anyone falling overboard!
Sitewide Announcements and Updates
Occlumency Lore
Occlumency, or the art of shielding the mind, is a form of mental magic. The lore for Occlumency has now been released. Those who want to take the corresponding Occlumency ability (and everyone else who is interested) can read up on it here.
Cu ochii deschiși.
Sitewide Announcements and Updates
Internet Security and You
There was a recent bot invasion that effected a few members of our community. There is a bot that is using either the friends list or conversation history to send out messages claiming that you have sent a girl ** stuff. The link when clicked places uses in a validation queue where they scan a QR code which gives this person/bot access to a your discord and then they do the same to all of the people on your friends lists or conversation histories (never verified which).
In this process you will discover that your friends will all be blocked (after the same message is sent to them) and then they will in turn if compromised send this out to sill more friends.
There are ways to repair a compromised account - usually it requires a change of password only. However as I do not know exactly what was done to these accounts, I also suggest a 2FA authentication, how to do one can be found here. It is a pain, I know... but it also makes it very hard to compromise your account. I also suggest withdrawing your credit information from your discord account, it can be dangerous and you can lose a lot of money fast. The hack might be intended for harassment, or to get access to something like other accounts (keyloggers for instance). A scan of your device for virus' and malware is recommended. Thus far nobody has reported to me that they found a virus on their device, one of the best antivirus' I know of is Malwarebytes if you are seeking a recommendation. I believe they have a free version still, here is a resource list for software link. The safest option is getting a new discord and wiping your device but that results in massive losses for most users and is an untenable solution.
A question I get is 'how' does this happen? Here is a basic overview, however in the case of this particular 'hack' they are likely using the QR log-in, here is information regarding this.
So please, exercise caution online. I assure you, IF we saw you were sharing lewds, showing someone else's lewds, there would be no side server set up for it. I would be coming for you as a terrifying force of nature.
There is something about ambition, how it not only propels you but also defines you.
There was a recent bot invasion that effected a few members of our community. There is a bot that is using either the friends list or conversation history to send out messages claiming that you have sent a girl ** stuff. The link when clicked places uses in a validation queue where they scan a QR code which gives this person/bot access to a your discord and then they do the same to all of the people on your friends lists or conversation histories (never verified which).
In this process you will discover that your friends will all be blocked (after the same message is sent to them) and then they will in turn if compromised send this out to sill more friends.
There are ways to repair a compromised account - usually it requires a change of password only. However as I do not know exactly what was done to these accounts, I also suggest a 2FA authentication, how to do one can be found here. It is a pain, I know... but it also makes it very hard to compromise your account. I also suggest withdrawing your credit information from your discord account, it can be dangerous and you can lose a lot of money fast. The hack might be intended for harassment, or to get access to something like other accounts (keyloggers for instance). A scan of your device for virus' and malware is recommended. Thus far nobody has reported to me that they found a virus on their device, one of the best antivirus' I know of is Malwarebytes if you are seeking a recommendation. I believe they have a free version still, here is a resource list for software link. The safest option is getting a new discord and wiping your device but that results in massive losses for most users and is an untenable solution.
A question I get is 'how' does this happen? Here is a basic overview, however in the case of this particular 'hack' they are likely using the QR log-in, here is information regarding this.
So please, exercise caution online. I assure you, IF we saw you were sharing lewds, showing someone else's lewds, there would be no side server set up for it. I would be coming for you as a terrifying force of nature.
Reducio
There is something about ambition, how it not only propels you but also defines you.
Sitewide Announcements and Updates
Summer Game Rewards Clarification
As there have been many questions about Summer Camp, Forward Dating and Summer Sports, we have made this thread [LINK] that should explain how forward dating works and summer sports work going forward. It is undated so it should apply to future summers too.
Since some of the summer games (quidditch, duelling or broom racing) are coming to an end soon, I want to reiterate the rules about stat points over summer - which are in the thread above and are consistent with previous years. Most importantly this part:
To be clear: in the event that you win both of your summer games (on your PC and your iNPC), you only get a single stat point (not two). However, you will get a house point for each game that you win.
Exceptions to that rule will be announced specifically. This brings me to the one exception for Summer 2022 games:
Exception: PC Broom Racers are playing their third game in August (rather than the summer game). This means they are missing out on one additional game. As they are not getting a summer game, if you win as a PC Broom Racer and your iNPC in Duelling/Quidditch wins their summer game then you will be eligible for both stat points this time.
This is my former staff account.
I also play: Serena Towers (Graduated PC), Arjan Oberoi (Graduated iNPC), Xiomara Torres (Current Student)
I also play: Serena Towers (Graduated PC), Arjan Oberoi (Graduated iNPC), Xiomara Torres (Current Student)
Sitewide Announcements and Updates
Do Not Contact Orders
This is a reminder regarding "do not contact" requests. A do not contact request is something that is made between members where a user is made aware that someone does not wish to communicate with them any longer. This can be done for any reason. As a player you have the right to say "I do not want to talk to you" and have that respected.
A reminder -- we have no control over what happens off site, such as Facebook or Tik Tok, however those are not viable avenues to continue to communicate with them as a blocker or the subject being blocked (it sends mixed signals as a blocker and as a subject that has been blocked this ends up falling into the realm of harassment or stalking so please don't). Will I ban you if I find out you're staking their TikTok? No, but it will also reduce our willingness to be lenient.
The reason for this message is because I recently had to ban a user for breaching a Do Not Contact order made by another player.
Reducio
What happened:
On 15 May 2022, 14:50 I was CC'd for a do not contact order between 2 members. The victim stated the following:
On 5 August, 2022 at 2000 pm a user made a request in Slytherin Chat (discord) for assistance trouncing the victim user's NPC (and did clearly give their name in the course of the request) at 2048 pm the same day. The now banned user volunteered to assist in this thread. The victim declined and I saw a second request for a partner for this thread on 6 Aug in Slytherin chat (discord). Nothing happened with this near miss but it would serve as a reiteration of the do not contact request.
On August 10, the banned user joined a non-sporting thread where the victim was already roleplaying. Thread created August 6, victim joined August 7, and the banned user joined August 10.
On August 19, I was notified that the victim had gotten an owl from this user associated with actions for a sports game. The content of the owl was actions for the sport game they were both participating in (on the same team) which were previously being sent out by the Captain but the banned user volunteered to send out the owl.
On August 20, the account was banned as per the majority decision of the staff team in response to these repeated infractions as well as a previous incident in 2021 involving another user who had blocked them on discord and the block was bypassed as this user used our owl system to contact them. There was a discussion regarding a ban at the time of this incident but due to administrative delays the ban did not occur. To date there are 2 members who we know of who have broken a do not contact order that have not been banned, one by the vigorous advocacy of their victim to not do so and before today this member whose previous incident had some admin delays so simply did not happen.
On 15 May 2022, 14:50 I was CC'd for a do not contact order between 2 members. The victim stated the following:
On 31 July I was given a report that the presently banned user was looking in their TikTok and this had made them uncomfortable. I notified them that I do not have power over TikTok, we discussed blocking via TikTok.I am sending you this letter to ask you to cease all communication with me -- this means I do not wish to speak with you over discord DMs, site private message owls, email, etc. This is because I no longer feel comfortable remaining in communication with you. I have screen shot this communication for my records. If you continue to communicate with me despite this firm boundary that I have placed, I will be forced to contact the site administration.
At the same time, I am also going to remove all of the tiktoks I have done with you. I'm sorry, but this is how I feel. I don't feel comfortable in communication with you, especially since you criticize someone so much, and shut me down if I try to talk to you about it. It makes me physically and mentally uncomfortable.
I'm also going to place a block on discord with you. On tiktok. On HiO.
I'm truly sorry, but I'm not taking part with BOOM and Theatre Club, this includes future roleplays, even current ones.
Also, please do not reply to this owl.
On 5 August, 2022 at 2000 pm a user made a request in Slytherin Chat (discord) for assistance trouncing the victim user's NPC (and did clearly give their name in the course of the request) at 2048 pm the same day. The now banned user volunteered to assist in this thread. The victim declined and I saw a second request for a partner for this thread on 6 Aug in Slytherin chat (discord). Nothing happened with this near miss but it would serve as a reiteration of the do not contact request.
On August 10, the banned user joined a non-sporting thread where the victim was already roleplaying. Thread created August 6, victim joined August 7, and the banned user joined August 10.
On August 19, I was notified that the victim had gotten an owl from this user associated with actions for a sports game. The content of the owl was actions for the sport game they were both participating in (on the same team) which were previously being sent out by the Captain but the banned user volunteered to send out the owl.
On August 20, the account was banned as per the majority decision of the staff team in response to these repeated infractions as well as a previous incident in 2021 involving another user who had blocked them on discord and the block was bypassed as this user used our owl system to contact them. There was a discussion regarding a ban at the time of this incident but due to administrative delays the ban did not occur. To date there are 2 members who we know of who have broken a do not contact order that have not been banned, one by the vigorous advocacy of their victim to not do so and before today this member whose previous incident had some admin delays so simply did not happen.
Again, what can we expect from a Do Not Contact:
1. If a user is blocked on Discord and they choose to use the site as a means to continue communication, is is a breach of a Do Not Contact even if they were not specifically notified.
For example, you get into a fight with Roger. Roger blocks you and you know this because you message them and are told that the message cannot be delivered because you might be blocked. You [read] do not go into their Owls on site and continue the conversation, argument, even if it is to apologize. You leave them be.
- Do not send them owls. This goes both ways.
- Do not join threads with them, they are also expected to not join threads with you in them. It becomes first come first serve. The only exception to this is sport threads and event threads be them balls or games or adventures. These are limited opportunity threads made for the whole community, you are expected to not interface or even reference once another. No tagging, no acknowledging their existence. If they spontaneously combust in the middle of the room, you are interested in the cat or recalling a cake recipe. They do not exist for you and you do not exist for them.
- Do not tag them, remember they do not exist.
- Do not ask another person to communicate your side, send them letters.
- Do not ask another person to ask them to make an exception to participate in the same thread.
As for other members, there are expectations we have regarding your place in a do not contact between 2 people:
- It is not your job to mediate. Do not send them statements from the other person, do not ask for a group chat you can mediate and reconcile. It is their place to determine when they are ready (if ever), not yours.
- Do not ask for an exception to a do not contact between players. First, this creates an inconsistency and mixed message. Second, this vilifies the victim that has to ruin other people's fun if they want their boundaries respected.
- It is unfair to expect users to know who has and does not have a do not contact request. Often the circumstances of the do not contact have private and personal histories such as exes and it is never good to air dirty laundry publicly. There is no binding confidentiality clause, a blocker or blockee (for lack of a better term) can (and should) communicate that they have a do not contact, provide papertrails and logs to the staff and to people in relevant threads with them so that they can help coordinate a way to coexist. it wont be in the same threads.
I am going to write a more in depth FAQ regarding this today.
There is something about ambition, how it not only propels you but also defines you.
Sitewide Announcements and Updates
New Professor of Potions
We would like to welcome a new Professor of Potions for the 2022-2023 school year Méabh Regan. Many of you know her better as Dealla Prince, fourth year Ravenclaw Duelling Captain, Prefect, Writer for the School Paper. Dealla is known for her hard work and dedication to the betterment of the community, she has skill in balancing and was an integral part of the development and release of the Potions System. We are thrilled to have her in this new role and look forward to what she will bring to the community.
That said, we are also saying farewell to Magdalena Wickham-Deakin, our former Professor of Potions. Magdalena has been an asset to this community and in her very short tenure she has led the development and release of the Potions System and multiple classes in a very short period of time. Her work-ethic is astounding. Please thank Magdalena for all of her hard work. Of course, Magdalena is not going anywhere, she was recently named our new Head of House for Hufflepuff, and this is where she will be dedicating her attentions from here on.
There is something about ambition, how it not only propels you but also defines you.
Sitewide Announcements and Updates
Update to Site Rating
In a conversation I never thought I would have to have, we have updated the site rating to include INCEST. In short: we do not allow physical relationships between first-degree family members, if of the biological nature or of the legal nature.
In other words, we will not allow you to date, marry, make-out with or have sex with your sibling (half or full), adopted sibling, step sibling, aunt/uncle (including half, step or adoptive), parent (half, step or adoptive), grandparents (adoptive or step) and first-degree cousins.
There is something about ambition, how it not only propels you but also defines you.
In a conversation I never thought I would have to have, we have updated the site rating to include INCEST. In short: we do not allow physical relationships between first-degree family members, if of the biological nature or of the legal nature.
In other words, we will not allow you to date, marry, make-out with or have sex with your sibling (half or full), adopted sibling, step sibling, aunt/uncle (including half, step or adoptive), parent (half, step or adoptive), grandparents (adoptive or step) and first-degree cousins.
There is something about ambition, how it not only propels you but also defines you.
Sitewide Announcements and Updates
POTIONS INFORMATION
Hey everyone,
in my first official action as the new Potions Professor I have decided to consolidate all our rules and lists into one thread which you can now find in the Rules section of the Encyclopedia forum, or by clicking here.
It contains information on:Everything should be neatly indexed and easy to find.
- Using Potions
- Acquiring Potions
- Potion Mechanics
- Potion Recipes & Brewing Information
- Ingredients & Locations
The Potion Brewing Form remains accessible to everyone in the Potions classroom.
Brew lots of potions!
Raphael Aveline | Méabh Regan | Dealla Prince |
Sitewide Announcements and Updates
Error fixed for Errands Forum
Some users might have noticed an error in their ability to reply to threads in the Errands Forum. This should have been fixed now, so if you've completed an errand recently and didn't post in the thread then please make sure you do it as soon as possible. If anyone is still having issues replying to threads, please send me an owl and I'll look into it.
This is my former staff account.
I also play: Serena Towers (Graduated PC), Arjan Oberoi (Graduated iNPC), Xiomara Torres (Current Student)
I also play: Serena Towers (Graduated PC), Arjan Oberoi (Graduated iNPC), Xiomara Torres (Current Student)
Sitewide Announcements and Updates
iNPC Applications and Updates are Again Open!
All six schools are open and available for application. Please remember that we have five schools participating in the Hexwizard Tournament. Some of these schools have already filled in all of their slots but you might be able to waitlist with some of them. We also have the Fall Ball coming up this October which all of the schools will be in attendance for.
For those updating their character, please make sure that you link any sport wins every time that you update your stats. We need them because it is very hard for us to go back and check them so we will not approve any updates without relevant links.
Applications will remain open until Sept 25.
There is something about ambition, how it not only propels you but also defines you.
All six schools are open and available for application. Please remember that we have five schools participating in the Hexwizard Tournament. Some of these schools have already filled in all of their slots but you might be able to waitlist with some of them. We also have the Fall Ball coming up this October which all of the schools will be in attendance for.
For those updating their character, please make sure that you link any sport wins every time that you update your stats. We need them because it is very hard for us to go back and check them so we will not approve any updates without relevant links.
Applications will remain open until Sept 25.
There is something about ambition, how it not only propels you but also defines you.