Welcome to Potters Army! This guide may be a bit long, but it is intended to let you know everything about getting started at Potters Army. Hopefully it will help you fit in and get settled at Potters Army.

MUST READS AND OTHER INFORMATION

You should have done so already, but if you haven't make sure to read the Rules and the Potters ArmyPlot. Make sure you don't break any of the rules, and also read and understand the plot, as your characters might play a major role in it.

Additionally if you have just started roleplaying, or are still a beginner, check our our Roleplaying Guide for more information about roleplaying. If you don't know much about Harry Potter, don't worry, we have a collection of threads that will help you right here. These are the other information threads, and are not compulsory to read, but we suggest you read some of them anyway. They will help you understand how the site runs and give additional information about the HP universe.

If you have any questions check out the FAQs for a list of questions and answers. If this still does not answer your question then just post at the HELP DESK.


INTRODUCING YOURSELF

All new members should start by introducing themselves to the rest of the PA members! Make a topic atComings and Goings and introduce yourself.


Creating your character

You cannot roleplay without creating an application. An application is absolutely compulsory for all members because it forms a background for your character and gives other members more information about him/her. You can create the application at the subforum Character Creation. Use the template in that forum and then write about the character. Once your done, post a topic at the character creation forum and an admin will soon come and accept it. This process doesn't usually take more then a couple hours, so you will be ready to roleplay in no time. Make sure not to roleplay before being accepted though, or all your in character posts will be deleted.

Graduate or student?

We recommend that you start your first character as a student, then make a graduate if you wish, however, its your choice. The pros of making a graduate character are:

- No need to attend classes, if you don't like them, then this is good for you.
- Can RP freely outside of Hogwarts.
- Allows to have families, marriages, children (NPC or not)
- Can have jobs at the ministry. Auror, Wizengamot etc.
- Can open their own shops
- Can take part in the fueding forces of the Death Eaters and Order.

But there are cons as well.

- Cannot post at Hogwarts, unless they are teachers.
- Cannot take part in classes. If you like classes, being a graduate isn't good for you.
- Have less places to roleplay.
- The majority of the members are students.
- Cannot participate in Quidditch, the house cup etc.

To be honest with you, the majority of our most active members are students, so you would probably enjoy being a student more.


Roleplaying

There are certain role playing forums you can't enter, but you can immediately delve into role playing if you understand the basics. You NEED to read the role playing guide though, because in addition to advice, the guide sets some rules which you should not break . Potters Army is accepting of ALL levels of roleplaying, besides one liners, because really - no one likes one liners. You should post at least 3 sentences with good grammer and punctuation. Also remember that your posts should be in Third Person and in past tense. Read the Roleplaying Guide here

Don't know where to start roleplaying? Post a request in the Roleplay Request Center, that's where everyone looks for new threads to join and new people to roleplay with.


Character Development

At the character building section, you can find things such as member journals, character plots, face claims. etc. The character plot section helps you understand your characters relationship with other characters better, while the journal helps you keep track with whats happening with your character. The jobs section contains jobs for graduates and students alike, whereas the fueding forces enlistment lets you join a faction. At the claim section, you can claim your play-by, and your magical abilties and any objects/ possessions your character has.
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GUIDE FOR STUDENTS

This is a guide for students, skip if you want your character is a graduate

Where to Roleplay?

As a Hogwarts student, it makes sense for the majority of your posts to be at Hogwarts. However, PA allows you to post outside of Hogwarts such as Diagon Alley and other places. We recommend that you start at your house's common room mass thread, where all your other house members interact.


Classes

It doesn't matter whether you find them fun or not, as a student, you must take at least one class and attend it regularly. If you don't attend your classes, you don't move up a year. If you refuse to sign up for classes, you have the permission of posting at Hogwarts away. If your character is in Year 1-5, he or she will take basic classes, but if your character is in Year 6 or 7, they will take NEWT classes. There are 6 classes in total right now, sign up for your classes at the Class sign up

The role-playing guide explains how you should roleplay during classes, so you should read that part as well :).


Quidditch

You can sign up for your quidditch team at the common room sign up. Though teams are probably full, substitutes are always needed that will replace inactive members during the matches. Matches are done every so often between houses, and practices are all done at the quidditch stadiun. If your house wins a match, you get house points for your house. You can find the rules here.


Your House

You have to serve your house by taking part in classes, which helps earn your house points. For more information about the Inter-house competition, look here

Prefects and the Squad

If you are doing well as a member, you might be promoted to a prefect. Currently, the prefects have all been replaced by the Imperium Squad. If you would like to join this squad, PM Vincent Majere.

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GUIDE FOR GRADUATES




Where to Roleplay?

As a graduate, you cannot roleplay at Hogwarts. The leaky cauldron is a good place to start off roleplaying.

Job

As a graduate, you need a job. Well, its not really necessary, but you should have one. The amount of jobs have been decreased of late, but you can check some at the Job Enlistment

Factions

As a graduate, your main concern will be the three factions, the Order, the Death Eaters, and the Ministry. Your character can join and participate in one of these factions, and we recommend you too. You can meet other people in your faction, and participate in battles, espionage, and other awesome stuff.


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OOC discussion

Other than the chatbox, PA members post Out of Character stuff at the OOC section. Over there you can discuss the HP books, controversial topics, play games and request signatures!

Help Desk

Still confused? No worries, post a topic at the help desk and a staff member or senior member will immediately come and help!