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**`Lightning`** · 09-26-2007, 07:02 AM

F.A.Q.s

What qualifies as a "major" NPC?

A major NPC is a practically a limited character, except one that can not usually be played except from the perspective of the account you are actually using to write it. As background characters do not have their own account, they usually don't have their POV expressed through narration. In other words, as RPing is typically done in limited third person, the NPC is expressed through that limited view.

That means an NPC can be played just like a limited character, and they can appear in any thread where they reasonably can appear, and they can play a big part of any thread. There really isn't a major limitation to exactly what you can do with an NPC. Also, as other players can be added to an NPC's "whitelist," they too can play the character from their character's limited perspective.

Basically though, the boundary between a major NPC that requires a background application from one that doesn't is the level of intricacy they have on the thread. If they have minimal lines and practically no action, then they do not need a background application. That said, if they are tangible individuals that have significant involvement with the thread itself, then it should have a background application; if they affect the plot of the thread in an active manner, they need a background application. Naturally, this is a vague line, so we are depending on the better judgment of the members. Note that should a staff member decide that an NPC needs an application, that decision is final.

Under select circumstances, we may even permit you to play an entire thread through the perspective of the NPC, provided that you appeal to the staff for that ability.

What about the other "background" characters?

For the most part, you won't need a background application. Characters that only referenced once in a blue moon, characters that sit around and don't really do anything, characters that serve only to spruce up the background of a played (with an account) character et cetera generally do not need to have a background application written up. However, there are some exceptions; most of them should be pretty self-explanatory, but when in doubt, make sure you ask a staff member.

Are there any specific examples of background characters that need an application?

Sure there is. For example, major NPCs need a background application, but that's not all.

Generally, we require any character with a special ability to have a background application too. This is so you don't bring in your character and his ten animagi friends, for example. This same principle applies to family members in your character's history. If they have a special ability, they need a background application and staff approval for them to have that ability. We've actually had situations in the past where players try to "cheat" the system by giving their parents and/or other relatives special abilities and using that as justification for their character having a special ability.

Sound stupid, circular, and self-fulfilling? Yes, it sounds the same way to us too.

Note: as an addendum, if you have applied and had your character approved for a special ability, you can reasonably give this ability to some of your character's NPC family members provided that it is hereditary and uniformly expressed. For example, parseltongue is generally pretty consistently passed on, so if your character has the ability, it's not unreasonable to give it to either your character's mother or father. Naturally, if neither his mother or father appears in play, it'd be a bit draconian and unfair for us to demand an application given that the player has been approved for the ability.

This policy only applies to characters with close relatives that have previously unapproved special abilities.

We also ask for background NPCs for important, famous, and influential characters. For example, if your character's father works as the head of a department in the ministry, it would be nice to have a background application for it, instead of tying up the position with some invisible character. Typically, this also applies for any character which the majority of the people in the wizarding world would know. If your character's sister is as famous as the Weird Sisters, it would be good to give her a background application.

Can I edit the NPC?

Certainly. We don't close archived threads, so you can edit any of your approved characters. That said, we keep a record of the originally approved application, so we ask that you don't go running off making unreasonable changes. If your character is approved as an 80 year old head of department animagi, we don't want to suddenly see a 20 year old debutante veela.

We're just picky like that.

09-26-2007, 07:02 AM
`Lightning` ▲ *that* guy ▲ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: In this thread Posts: 1,124	F.A.Q.s What qualifies as a "major" NPC? A major NPC is a practically a limited character, except one that can not usually be played except from the perspective of the account you are actually using to write it. As background characters do not have their own account, they usually don't have their POV expressed through narration. In other words, as RPing is typically done in limited third person, the NPC is expressed through that limited view. That means an NPC can be played just like a limited character, and they can appear in any thread where they reasonably can appear, and they can play a big part of any thread. There really isn't a major limitation to exactly what you can do with an NPC. Also, as other players can be added to an NPC's "whitelist," they too can play the character from their character's limited perspective. Basically though, the boundary between a major NPC that requires a background application from one that doesn't is the level of intricacy they have on the thread. If they have minimal lines and practically no action, then they do not need a background application. That said, if they are tangible individuals that have significant involvement with the thread itself, then it should have a background application; if they affect the plot of the thread in an active manner, they need a background application. Naturally, this is a vague line, so we are depending on the better judgment of the members. Note that should a staff member decide that an NPC needs an application, that decision is final. Under select circumstances, we may even permit you to play an entire thread through the perspective of the NPC, provided that you appeal to the staff for that ability. What about the other "background" characters? For the most part, you won't need a background application. Characters that only referenced once in a blue moon, characters that sit around and don't really do anything, characters that serve only to spruce up the background of a played (with an account) character et cetera generally do not need to have a background application written up. However, there are some exceptions; most of them should be pretty self-explanatory, but when in doubt, make sure you ask a staff member. Are there any specific examples of background characters that need an application? Sure there is. For example, major NPCs need a background application, but that's not all. Generally, we require any character with a special ability to have a background application too. This is so you don't bring in your character and his ten animagi friends, for example. This same principle applies to family members in your character's history. If they have a special ability, they need a background application and staff approval for them to have that ability. We've actually had situations in the past where players try to "cheat" the system by giving their parents and/or other relatives special abilities and using that as justification for their character having a special ability. Sound stupid, circular, and self-fulfilling? Yes, it sounds the same way to us too. Note: as an addendum, if you have applied and had your character approved for a special ability, you can reasonably give this ability to some of your character's NPC family members provided that it is hereditary and uniformly expressed. For example, parseltongue is generally pretty consistently passed on, so if your character has the ability, it's not unreasonable to give it to either your character's mother or father. Naturally, if neither his mother or father appears in play, it'd be a bit draconian and unfair for us to demand an application given that the player has been approved for the ability. This policy only applies to characters with close relatives that have previously unapproved special abilities. We also ask for background NPCs for important, famous, and influential characters. For example, if your character's father works as the head of a department in the ministry, it would be nice to have a background application for it, instead of tying up the position with some invisible character. Typically, this also applies for any character which the majority of the people in the wizarding world would know. If your character's sister is as famous as the Weird Sisters, it would be good to give her a background application. Can I edit the NPC? Certainly. We don't close archived threads, so you can edit any of your approved characters. That said, we keep a record of the originally approved application, so we ask that you don't go running off making unreasonable changes. If your character is approved as an 80 year old head of department animagi, we don't want to suddenly see a 20 year old debutante veela. We're just picky like that.