[[The Game Master]]

Utopia on Hold isn't your stereotypical RPG. In fact, in some elements, it actually diverges from the thematic elements of Harry Potter altogether. There is a distinct level of extraction and extrapoloation that we (the staff) had to do in order to create the entire wizarding world, which we find much more interesting than the limited microcosm of Hogwarts school.

At Utopia on Hold, we try to create an immersive Potterverse roleplay where elements and dimensions that aren't usually elaborated in the books become relevant. In short, we want people to genuinely feel surrounded by the wizarding world that we created, and to push the limits of expansive Harry Potter play.

Isn't the extrapolation uncanon?

We make no attempt to pass our lore as canon. In fact, we freely say that our lore probably has several discrepancies with what JKR intended. However, these are only natural, and no amount of extrapolation – however scientific – can guarantee that we conform with every unwritten desire of the original author.

What we can guarantee is this: we don't touch any of the actual canon. Whatever JKR puts into words – whether it's in the seven main books, Quidditch Through the Ages, Fantastic Beasts, and miscellaneous interviews – is canon. It's gospel; we don't touch it. All the characters, creatures, events, magics, and lore that Rowling created is still here and valid at Utopia on Hold.

The purpose of our extrapolation is to build an entire realm around the limited details that we have received from JK Rowling. This naturally means that we have to go through some of what she wrote and interpret and revise elements that can be a bit different from other interpretations. Because let's face it, no two interpretations will be the same.

Is there an exception to the "JKR is gospel" rule?

Well, there is some leeway. We may fudge a little with the population or numbers involved in the books. For example, we have little concrete evidence as to the actual numbers of students at Hogwarts. JKR has stated in various interviews that the numbers are 1000, 600, or 40 in Harry's year. Due to the obvious inconsistency, we can't guarantee that our figures will correspond to hers, nor can we guarantee that we won't tinker a little to make our plot work.

As far as Jo's storyline, the only thing that we may modify is the epilogue of the final book. Naturally, as our plot takes place in the future of the seven books, we'll have to do things that make it otherwise impossible to operate. We will stay true to the lore and plot in each of the seven books, but we will not take the epilogue at the end of Deathly Hallows into account. We may also augment any of the parts of the books with our own lore and characters, though we will not contradict anything stated in the books.

Why the original characters?

We have devised some new positions and new characters. We feel that this is for the best in terms of creating the best story.

As great as JK Rowling's series has been, the staff agrees that many of the characters are too unilateral, too flat, and too allegorical. Real characters are not so easily devised. Their motives are not always universally good or evil. Their powers are not solely tied to single emotions such as love or hate.

Characters like Lady Abeni and organizations like the Wizarding Rite are perfect examples of such. These characters are created with realism and depth in mind. Entities like Abeni and the Rite do what they believe is right, they pursue their design in their own ways, using their best judgment. They make mistakes, they make poor decisions, they recognize their shortcomings [sometimes ].

At Utopia on Hold, we still try to use JK Rowling's creations whenever viable and plausible. But often, we feel that it's best to introduce some of our own creations in order to preserve the continuity and integrity of the realm.

So the Dark Lady is a good guy?

Not at all. In fact, she's quite despicable.

However, we just don't like to use the simple black and white mentality – it's too simple for our tastes. Real people just aren't that simple. They're complex, their motivations are difficult to pinpoint, their moral alignments variable, and they're influenced by a million and one factors. Sometimes, people act randomly, unexpectedly, or thoroughly out of their usual character. There's a limitless number of externalities that can easily influence the actions of any individual at any given point in time.

We try to shy away from "good" or "bad." The only reason Lady Abeni is the "dark" lady is because she rallies the old "bad guys." However, you and your characters can each determine who is the bad guy; there is plenty of moral ambiguity to go around!

Please note. If you want to be your one-dimensional, baby killing, church burning, sailor mouthed, heartless, and one-dimensional villain bent on world domination, you can probably find another place for your talents.

If that's the case, can I play _____ here?

If you have enough reason to make it believable, you can play anything.

There's the golden rule that we keep in mind: if you can explain it properly, anything is possible. Fact is often stranger than fiction, and we're not going to ban certain archetypes simply because we don't like them.

Provided you prove yourself capable, you can play whatver you want. This includes former death eaters, ministry officials, academy students, professors, Rite members, Order members, or Valinsbourghians.

Valins-whozits? What's that?

It's one of the bigger projects that we've cooked up. It's also one of our bigger liberties. Frankly, we justify it with two things: 1.) The legend of Atlantis and 2.) the persistent demonstration of the pureblood elite to separate themselves from those of tainted blood.

Valinsbourgh is basically the Anglicized name for the last bastion of a solely "pureblood" community.

They're backwards, aloof, and magically powerful. For more information, see Valinsbourgh lore.

But where are all the hormonal teenagers?

There is a rich realm beyond the walls of Hogwarts, just waiting to be explored. As mentioned, we think this broader wizarding world is more interesting than just the schools, so our focus is on adult life. We require each member to have a fully detailed adult character at all times. This enhances the realm and brings a level of maturity to the role-play that isn't necessarily present in more school-oriented boards.

Utopia on Hold doesn't focus on teenagers and their drama. We believe that there are bigger fish to fry. There's a deep story of mystery, intrigue, politics, science, and ideology. There's more to our realm than the goings on of a school. It's a story about a society rebuilding and recovering, a story about the wizarding world's deepest and darkest secrets, a story about a world pressed to retain its secresy in the face of ever-surmounting odds.

Of course, all members are welcome to play a Triwizard student (or several) in addition to their adult character(s). We have also established a magical university to allow characters to be both adults and students.

Does that mean we have to be adults to play?

Not at all! In fact, we could care less if you were fresh out of your womb. There are only two things that Utopia on Hold demands: maturity and productivity.

Your real age is irrelevant. If you are a mature and responsible individual, we will know. Likewise, if you are productive, you're much more likely to find opportunities open for you. No one likes to play with a player that's barely around and leaves plots and threads hanging. Please consider this when you decide to join. Because you can falsify your age, but your maturity and productivity will become evident during your tenure here.

As I said, Utopia on Hold doesn't attempt to restrict anything from anyone, but we will require an agreement that goes both ways. You have to put your best foot forward and we'll do our best to keep up.

But wait! You said I can play whatever I want; why didn't you approve my application/lore?

Remember, that was on the condition that you proved yourself capable. If your application wasn't immediately approved (we don't actually reject things here; we just tell you why we won't accept them so you can go back and fix them up), it's because we didn't think the application demonstrated the level of realm compatibility we are looking for. We want content and writing that fit well with what has already been established, in the Harry Potter books, in our original lore, and the real world. We're going to go through anything you offer us with a fine-toothed comb: you have been duly warned. For this reason, we advise that you put a lot of thought into your application. We expect it to be well-reasoned and realistic; we expect it to be consistent with canon and our own lore. If we spot something that doesn't add up, we're going to point it out.

We're not going to sugar-coat our criticisms, either. We're going to be totally honest. If that means telling you something you don't want to hear, so be it. You will probably get at least some negative feedback. You might even get a lot. Everyone here, including the administration, does. So please, don't be perturbed by a less-than-effusive response to your application. All our criticism is constructive; critiques will list specific problems and possibly even suggestions for solutions. We expect you to be able to absorb such criticism and use it to revise and improve your application.

If you aren't willing to be subject to scrutiny or don't wish to edit your character sheet once you feel you are done, this probably isn't the best place for you.

Wait a second, why are you talking about approving lore? Don't you guys write that?

Yeah, we do write lore, but you can too. We have a handy RealmCrafter that allows you to easily extend your creativity beyond your character. It is open to any kind of discussion about any facet of wizarding life, be it abstract magical theory, non-magical social customs, or even just a spell you thought would be cool. Eventually, the discussion should result in a finished, typed piece of lore that can be added to our Great Compendium to be integrated into the realm.

It's a great way to answer any burning questions you have, air out your awesome ideas, and leave your mark on the realm. We are a member driven, open community. If you have something to contribute, or you want to add something to the realm, feel free to do so! Keep in mind that we may require you to approve certain large realm entities before we permit you to play them.

Large entities? Like what?

Well, for example, if you want to add wizarding schools the world, you'll need to get them passed through the realmcrafter. We can't have every character reference a different school in their background, now can we? Then we'll be left with dozens of schools that spring up in all but the oddest of places. Similarly, if you want to add a new broom model, a new quidditch team, a new dueling league, you can, but you have to get it approved first.

Likewise, if you want to add a new special ability, a new spell, or a new book or publication, it's probably best that you run it through the realmcrafter. This is just our way of running Quality Assurance. We want to make sure that everyone's experience is enhanced by your creativity. And that's what the realmcrafter is for.

The rule of thumb is that anything that affects a variety of individuals should be passed through the RC. Obviously, schools, quidditch teams, dueling leagues and the like fall under this rule. New spells, potions, and books also affect – albeit indirectly – many individuals, so they should be approved too.

That's all fine and dandy, but can I play Harry?

You can play a canon at Utopia on Hold. They are an integral part of the realm and some of them are very important to our own plot. Anyone can apply for one at any time; however, we do expect a high level of excellence from our canons. Before we accept your application, we must be confident that you will provide that level of excellence. One way for you to demonstrate that you will do a good job with your canon is to impress us playing an original character first, then apply. Of course, you could also wander in off the street and knock our socks off with a stellar application.

We keep an eye on the canons, too, even after they have been claimed. We're looking for dedication and quality, and if it seems like you're slipping, your canon might be subject to redistribution. We expect canon characters to be active (probably around at least one post a week). If it looks like you're not around the site enough, or are neglecting your canon in favor of another character, it's not going to fly. Likewise, if your canon is involved in the plot, and you shirk your plot duties, even if you're still active with the character - we're not going to look too kindly on that, either. We monitor quality, as well. If you're not putting in the effort, we'll notice.

Keep in mind that canon distribution is first come, first serve, so your canon of choice might already be taken. We won't give you the canon if you write a better application, so don't try and expect to get a canon out of it. We might repossess canons now and again, so a previously-taken canon might have an opening, though we really don't like to do that, so don't count on it.