Hi, is there a difference between an ability and a special ability? I have been hearing all about them for, well, days, and I still do not exactly understand the difference (if there is a difference) between them.

Ah! So... A special ability is a choice from seer, parseltongue and metamorphmagus, as far as I know (if I'm missing any, someone let me know!) To apply for one (you can only choose one) you must do so in your index registration within 30 days of being first registered with the site.

An ability (just a normal one) is one you can apply for once a year (this is dependent on if you choose to be a special race or not though). You can choose one ability per year. So for example, I have non-human enthusiast as my 1st year ability and cat's grace is my 2nd year ability, and I'll apply for another ability when I become 3rd year, and so on!

That's a basic rundown, but hopefully I've explained it okay! (anyone can add on to this or correct me if I'm wrong anywhere)

@Yougle Crenshaw

That clears up a lot! Thank you! Do you know when and where I can apply for a special ability? (Do I need to be registered in the character index?)

Special ability are applied in your application to be registered in the index

Yougle Crenshaw wrote: 16 Nov 2024, 16:29 That clears up a lot! Thank you! Do you know when and where I can apply for a special ability? (Do I need to be registered in the character index?)

You can apply for one in your index registration! Just provide 500 words (last I checked?) describing how your character is a seer/parselmouth/metamorphmagus etc (my best advice is the more info you can provide, the better, but keep it within IC canon and realistic!)

That can go in together with your index application! If that makes sense It will say on the application form if there's any special race/ability you want to apply for

Ok! Thank you!

I have one last question, where can I apply for normal abilities, and is it possible have a special ability and a normal ability?

Yougle Crenshaw wrote: 16 Nov 2024, 17:41 I have one last question, where can I apply for normal abilities, and is it possible have a special ability and a normal ability?

Please read this post - viewtopic.php?t=7503

As you'll see, the Magical Races/Talents, all follow a specific pattern:
First Year - A related ability that is preset to the chosen race/talent (i.e. seer, dhampir etc)
Second Year - A special ability of your choice
Third Year - A related ability that is preset to the chosen race/talent (i.e. seer, dhampir etc)
Fourth Year - A special ability of your choice
ETC

In the 2nd, 4th and 6th years (and once you're an adult), you will be able to choose a special ability of your choice. You will find a full list of these options on the 2nd page of the linked thread (under a post titled "Special Abilities"). Right now, there are 58 choices but more may be added over the years. You will apply for these by writing 400 words when you enter that year (the form is linked in the post).

If you choose to be a full human, you can get a new special ability of your choice every year instead. You will also get more stat points than someone who picked a magical talent/race.

If you pick a magical race/talent then you will gain a preset ability in your 1st, 3rd, 4th and 7th years. These cannot be changed. Once you are that race, you do not need to reapply for it - you will earn them automatically on entering that year.

The linked thread should have all of the information you need though!

Thank you! I was also wondering about normal abilities.

Yougle Crenshaw wrote: 16 Nov 2024, 18:04 Thank you! I was also wondering about normal abilities.

Not sure what you mean by normal abilities. I think that would just be the same thing as the special ones but people call it something different?

The page I linked contains all of our abilities. It can be something attached to your character's race (I.e. part giant, dhampir, part veela etc) or talent (I.e. seer, metamorphmagus) or a special ability of your choice.

There are no other abilities but people may call the special ones, "normal abilities" or something. We use the word "ability" to refer to whatever is in your trunk (this could be a magical race or talent ability OR a special one - you only get one per year, either way, and they would be your one ability for the entire year).

Could you give me an example of what you'd class as a normal ability if you're asking about something different?