Unfortunately, without rules the game wouldn't run smoothly and it would be no fun for anyone. That's why we've come up with a list - it may seem fairly long, but don't be dismayed! Most of it is fairly basic, common sense type stuff and isn't at all hard to understand or follow. They do, however, have to be obeyed if you wish to remain in the game. Three strikes and you're out, but there are exceptions - if the rule was smashed into smithereens (such as killing off another person's character without their permission and prior knowledge) then you'll be gone immediately, no matter what your strike count.

Register with your character's first and last name. No middles, no nicknames, no numbers. For example: "Mary Felder", "Tom Lane". No "dracosgrl98" etc. If you have registered but not posted an application within a week (without notification to an admin) your account will be deleted.

1. All IC posts must be third person and past tense. No asterixes.

2. Use proper English. This is a must. Obviously your spelling and grammar aren't going to be perfect every time (I know mine certainly aren't!), but try your best. It helps the flow of the game. Run your post through a spell checker program or Microsoft Word. If English isn't your first language, let us know, we're more than happy to help those who ask for it.

3. No Mary-Sues or Gary-Stus. For more detailed reading on what a Mary-Sue is, and why it should never exist, google the term. Wikipedia has another good explanation. But basically, a Sue is a character who is brilliant at everything she does, beautiful, smart, adored by everyone, and absolutely two-dimensional in every respect. Attempting to counter a character's perfect nature with a tragic past is not helpful in anyway, and will not assist you in gaining entry to the game.

4. Do NOT godmod! It is purely unacceptable, not to mention rude. Do not force another person's character to do/say something without their permission unless you wish to be painfully decapitated by the RPer who owns the character, the mods, and anyone else who sees it. Just don't. It defeats the purpose of Role Playing, which is to say, interaction between characters. This also means that you can't state something that happens to them, ie the effect of a spell. Let them decide if they dodge, repel or get hit with it.

5. Make sense. There is nothing worse than reading a post where someone contradicts, backtracks or just says something purely strange that doesn't make sense. READ posts before you reply, make sure you have all the facts right.

6. Wolfshaw is rated R. This means that there is cussing, the probability of mild violence, but sex is limited - clothing must stay on in general play. If your characters want to get down and dirty the post MUST have an NC-17 rating in the topic title! Also, when issues such as rape, mental illness, drugs etc are brought up, they must be brought before the mods before you can RP it out. NC-17-rated posts, as mentioned above, are allowed, as long as it's stated in the thread title or description. Also, put up a warning before posting such things as above, as certain people may not want to read about them. If a thread is found containing even a mention of rape, for example, without a warning in the thread description you will receive a strike. The rating is so high mostly for safety; swearing, punching and heavy petting is inevitable for a realistic game and I don't want anyone coming to me and going "My mum is mad because I saw two characters getting it on!". The game is R - deal with it.

7. No canon characters or relations to canon characters. There is a reason this is an original Potterverse RPG. We don't want to see canons running around. I don't care if you want your character to be Draco's cousin's niece, you just can't. If you want your character to be vaguely related to a minor character from the series, email me and we'll discuss it. Don't take it personally if your character's heritage is refused.

8. Limited Purebloods. This is because Purebloods are running out. According to JK Rowling, there are very few families left that really are Purebloods - any Muggle blood makes you a Half-blood. So be reasonable. This also means names of canon characters also not being allowed. 'Uncommon' ones (or ones with particular importance) such as Riddle, Snape, Malfoy, Weasley etc. are not allowed. 'Common' names such as Black, Wood, Thomas, Smith etc. will be allowed, so long as there is no relation at all to the canon bearer of the name (example, Blacks are allowed, so long as they are not related to the Pureblood English family - Muggle-born English Blacks, for example, would be allowed). This also applies to the names of famous people/characters.

9. IC =/= OOC and OOC =/= IC! Keep OOC stuff OOC, and IC stuff IC. For instance, just because your character has a vendetta against another IC, it doesn't mean you can't be civil to the player OOC. Meta-gaming also comes under this category; do not bring OOC knowledge into IC situations.

10. No Copying/Plagiarism! Plagiarism in any form will not be condoned here at Wolfshaw. This extends to characters lifted directly from other worlds, characters copied from books/movies etc. as well as the character ideas of other players. You would be surprised how many people think that they can get away with 'borrowing' another player's hard work and ideas, but it is not condoned here at Wolfshaw, and action will be taken against copy-cats.

11. Be Courteous. If entering a thread late in the game, and it appears that a rhythm is already in place, and that you may be interrupting something (OOCly, as well as ICly), please check with the players in the thread. A simple PM should suffice. The same goes for being unsure of something - simply ask first, before making a mistake.

12. Signature images are limited to 500 x 200. No larger, it's annoying.

13. Make posts reasonable lengths. While there's no minimum of words to write, it is expected a few paragraphs will be used, unless absolutely necessary. Don't put too much detail in because then it can become tedious to read, but enough detail to help out your fellow RPers and give people a clear idea what your character's doing, feeling and thinking.

14. Large/serious/offensive plotlines must be approved. Plotlines that affect a lot of people in a serious manner, or have potential to offend some people/cause concern must be approved by the mods. The word to remember is gumnut. Serious/potentially offensive plotlines include things such as: mental illness, pregnancy, rape and the like.