I think this is the first time I’ve left a monthly update to the last possible day of the month — so I guess I can first say Happy Hallowe’en. This will probably be ridiculously short as I’m not exactly sure what I’m going to be writing about.

As usual, I shall start out by giving you a list of forum stats, so we can see how the forum grows. As of October 31st 2009 we had 16123 Posts in 1780 Topics by 401 Members and the latest member was Annette Stone who is a new-new person and not an alt. Welcome to all of the new users who have joined the forum in October. This is pretty good, considering what I believe is about 7 users were deleted for zero posts this month. But still, that’s BSW up over 400 registered users. Woo!

Also, we’re working on a new version of the forums — Miki has finished pulling her own weight, so its just me. For a preview have a look at http://beyondstonewalls.com/alt/ it’s really all done except my part which is more the opposite. Any feedback is welcome, of course. Miki may of course tell you and your feed back to stuff it, but she may not, you never know.

HB/HG/P team has been working on what I thought was a Hallowe’en event, but am now led to believe is not. So when that finally comes to light that’ll be cool. It has been in the works since, well, a long time ago. Make sure you lot all participate when it emerges from the black lagoon. If it emerges from the black lagoon.

Other than that, I have nothing. Quidditch I guess, join teams etc.

Until… November.

I should currently be cleaning the flat, so that means, obviously that I am writing the update for September instead. The mess that is engulfing our kitchen can wait though, because if I don’t write this now I will never remember to write it later, and if I miss a month the sky will fall out or something. So, on to what happened this September. (I swear to god writing this preamble is hell).

So, on to stats for this month we end off September with 15340 Posts in 1729 Topics by 403 Members so we picked up about ten new accounts since September which really shocks and amazes me since I didn’t expect too much progress to be made this month. We even had a few new-new people including Nick Fergus who made his way into chat. Just to keep this really clear and on the table: We Love New People In Chat. So don’t be nervous, we can be a bit insane but it’s all in good fun.

Let’s see, we’ve spent a lot of this month trying to balance out QUIDDITCH, which we would really like to see people start coming out for even more. Even if this is your first hour on the forum the Quidditch teams are ready to snap you up. I wish I could say I was kidding. However, currently there is a gigantic Quidditch void in RAVENCLAW, and so temporarily JL and I will be running this team. However no one (leastwise us) wants this to be a permanent appointment so please, if you have a Ravenclaw, apply to join. We would prefer someone who doesn’t have a lot of special positions at the moment. However even if you have every special position on the board we do want you to join the team.

The Daily Prophet is currently on hold until Miki has more time, and I think that’s all there is to be said about that. Hold your articles, but PM Kitty if you would like to join the Daily Prophet team. It’s a bit of a free for all, but pretty funny all the same.

Also, to get buzzword-centric BSW is going viral, join our various groups on DeviantArt, Twitter, Facebook, and Leaky with more to come. Make sure you stalk us in every way possible so the word gets out. Submit Art to our DevArt, the usual! Also keep VOTING for us at topsites every single day!

Next order of business is the prefects, which have finally been settled they are working on a massive event for you guys I’ll let them tell you about it but make sure you participate — these events are planned for YOU after all. Also, Sunni was promoted to profile moderator. So, make sure you are directing all of your questions comments and inquiries to the appropriate person. (Here’s a hint– usually the right person is not Admin).

The new version of the forum was on the doorsteps, but Miki, Becca and I did some brain storming and have a new idea that should spike the activity of adult characters. But this takes laying a huge amount of foundational work that we never thought of before so the forum will be delayed while we build it around these new ideas. Just to let you know it is still on the books. But Admin has been busy with life, which is a pain. Just to let you all know though that some back stage stuff is being worked on.

Finally, we are thinking of adding some new boards where adult characters can hang out. But, we want to know some places you would like to see showing up. St. Mungo’s is a definite. Additionally some revisions may be made to the Adult characters policy, so heads up on that one.

Righto, that’s about it! See you in October.

Well, as is my custom, I, the Hawk admin am going to do my regular monthly update for August. For those of you who have not yet witnessed a wonderful monthly you are in for a real treat (that is if you like monthly updates on the goings on in your forum neighbourhood).

Off the top, I will grant you the wonderful stats 14566 Posts in 1664 Topics by 392 Members with quite a few new Slytherins this month we’re up quite a few members too, which is pretty wonderful. After all if I have to post with Nadia one more time I may need to kill some kittens or something. (Just kidding I love Nadia (Isadora Stratton) more than birdseed). We’re pleased as punch to see all of you, except Carmen (Willow Mirawk), but that’s just because she’s crabby<3

(It is so weird having to explain who people are, but I will persevere to avoid confusion)

This month we had some prefecty movement, and so there are a plethora of wonderful plans at our fingertips. Make sure you participate in the Hufflepuff Bakesale, Gryffindor’s Drunk Quidditch and Impersonate your professor day. Also, the forum wide Much Ado About Nothing plot. Try to get involved it really is much more fun for all of us if you do. Also, based on the ten page thread in the prefect lounge, come September I’ll bet you can look forward to something fun happening in the next few months.

Nextly, Quidditch since its the thing on everyone’s mind since Gryffindor and Slytherin have been duking it out since August 6th! We’re finally winding down (well we hope anyways) and the next game will be between the mortal foes Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Sign up for your teams and cheer them on! Here’s to Gryffindor taking the cup! (Yes I am biased)

Now, to take up space remember to be nice to and impress the school Head Girl as she now has Golden Midget Awards to hand out to people who achieve her high standards. So, be nice to Nadia and you may receive general approval. And if you don’t you may just kind of suck a little bit. =) I kid, I’m sure all of you are wonderful people.

The student run Daily Prophet is going to be starting again in September, we think, ask Miki, not me.

Okay, you win, I don’t know what else to say. Happy August, see you in September.

Okay, I’ve left this a bit longer than I should have perhaps I don’t even know if I have time to finish because if my boss comes in and catches me updating I will be a very dead person. But we’ll see if I can get at least a start of this going for you all. All else fails I finish tomorrow, that’s still July, damnit.

To start we have the wonderful world of stats, because we all love stats. There are currently 12959 Posts in 1497 Topics by 366 Members. And I think we’ve all considered July a relatively slow month here at Beyond Stone Walls, so I guess its okay that we haven’t had a massively huge upswing in membership. We are happy to see the new people who are here though! Especially, as usual new-new people and not just people making alts. Lots of new Ravenclaws too, which is pretty awesome. Your prefects Calista Brennan and Daggett Prox are happy to have you. Don’t be afraid to reply to their welcome PMs or whatever, neither of these PARTICULAR prefects bite. (Gryffindor is another story all together for example)

Okay, uhm, nextly we had our first birthday, which I guess is worth mentioning again, so pleased that we haven’t gone belly up just yet, and no plans to in the near future. We’re an old forum now! Thanks to everyone who has helped us last this long on the cruel, harsh internet and make sure you keep inviting your friends (and even people who aren’t your friends– we’ll take them too)

The summer plot has been clicking along slowly, it will probably spill into the fall, but I’m sure no one is heart broken about that. There us still time for you to sign up, so don’t delay. We’re taking people new and old, and of absolutely all skill levels so please don’t be nervous about joining in the action. And of course as a note to Death Eaters who haven’t already post in Contrivance and let’s get this show on the road. Stop holding up the bloody plot why don’t you?

Also, BSW merchandise was mentioned this month. We want to know who is interested in what, and if people would actually buy BSW stuff. Also, maybe tell us a few infamous BSW quotes that you think should be included. Also, the book. Now that we are a year old there must be a few threads you people would like to see bound together in print. Show your nerdity! Really.

I have no idea what else to tell you all, we upgraded the forum and Miki got old this month…

I guess the only other thing to say is an activity check is going to be hitting again soon. So use your special characters >>; And your prefects.

See you in August

Well, the June update feels like its coming late to me. Though I guess I usually write these around the middle of the month rather then at the end. I’m not going to ramble about how I think its going to be short, because as soon as I mention that I don’t have much so say I invent enough blather to write a whole book, so there you are — we have no idea how long this update is going to be suffice to say I don’t [i]think[/i] I have very much to say.

As per usual I will start this update with site stats, because it makes me feel important. At the moment of writing this we have 11617 Posts in 1405 Topics by 348 Members which is pretty fantastic considering we deleted several users who happened to have zero posts for more than a few months. Also, excitingly enough, a lot of our new members really are new members, and not just people making alternate characters just for shits and giggles. Welcome to anyone who hasn’t had a character here before, please stick around! (Seriously while we may be as insane as we look most of us probably live far enough away from you that there’s no reason to be concerned).

And see? Now that I’ve posted the stats I have no idea what to tell you about next. Quidditch is still on hiatus until TQC’s live gets settled down a bit. However, before the season starts up again there will be an open discussions about Quidditch Rules and Practises held in the locker rooms where we will be looking to discuss rules and ideas people have about Quidditch. There have been a few complaints about the structure of the game and the rules so, in a few days I’ll open that thread up to discussion. Anyone is allowed to participate in the talk whether you play Quidditch or not. Also, if you have seen another board where Quidditch works try joining in the conversation and showing us some ideas, TQC and I are always very open to ideas. That being said, as I always add — if you aren’y playing Quidditch yet sign up for a team. The captains are always desperate for players. [size=2pt](Join Gryffindor because your Admin will love you most if you do)[/size] Quidditch is fun and quite competitive sooo if you’re looking to beat the pants off other people on the boards join the team.

Quidditch not your thing? Try your Kitty’s pet project the Daily Prophet. Not the real DP, but Daily Prophet Junior written by a fully student staff. I believe issues are released twice a month or something. So, if you want to write articles about the student body, staff, or other adult characters send a PM to your favourite admin Kitty. Unlike myself who gave Quidditch away to someone more responsible than myself Kitty is still in charge of the Daily Prophet. So questions comments and inquiries can all be thrown at her head.<3

Other than that– I haven’t seen much action in the prefect bathroom recently, so I’m not sure if any of the houses have any evil schemes cooked up for you all over the summer. However, as a note to Hufflepuffs, your male prefect Noelen Scatto is on hiatus until late July, so please, any messages you have please send them to your female prefect Wendy St. John.  (Or I’m sure the Head Girl/Boy could straighten out any problems that you have) Prefects, try to remember to keep pming and posting with new people, though I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this. Just a note, you should be directing most of your questions or problems to the appropriate prefects who will refer to us if they don’t know the answer to your question. They know just as much as we do about the rules (and probably more). So, don’t think all your problems have to come through admin.

Next is about NPCs, we now have a good NPC system going of three profile mods and two avatars makers (AMs and PMs if you will) so, that means all avatar and profile related problems will be taken care of by them. Please let these people do their jobs meaning do not PM people about profile or avatar problems unless you are an AM or a PM. You may PM an avatar maker, or profile mod about problems you may have noticed but let the NPCs deal with the problem so we don’t get more than one message sent to new people with issues. The AMs and PMs are MORE than capable of the job we’ve assigned them so, DON’T interfere please. Thanks guys, we appreciate that you’re trying to help, but we have this under control. =)

Okayyy, so here’s the part you all actually care about I’m sure. Summer forum plot: starts next week. I had hoped to get it up before that, but there’s some writing I want to do for it to set it up and I’ve been doing my posting marathon, so I really haven’t had the time. We will need any and all Death Eaters and Order of the Phoenix members. Canons are optional as we won’t have Harry Potter around to take part (as Rola is away) and I haven’t seen Ron or Hermione in awhile. But any students who want to may participate, just wait for the info thread to pop up and decide if you want to sign up. Please note, we will probably be chasing people around with sticks about posting quickly for the plot so we can get it wrapped up before we’re all back at school. (Myself included) Also, please remember we aren’t just looking for old well established members we want new people to get involved with this plot also.

I want to quickly say we are working on forum version two, we don’t have much to show for it yet  but a start has been initiated. Any suggestions for features you would like to see PM Hawk or Kitty, since we’re heading up the project =D

Finally, because new people may actually read this –> http://beyondstonewalls.com/rpg/chat/  <– That is our chatroom, step inside. Serious insanity, but awesome fun.

See you all in July.

Mike.

Alrighty, the months are flying by and already it is the time for the May update. It feels like just yesterday that I had nothing to say for the April Update… but I’ll try harder this time. Mostly because I’m not just posting for the same old anymore so I probably needs to sound less properly demented.

As usual I will start with stats, because I love stats (not really) but if you look at all the updates you can see how quickly we’ve been growing. We currently have 10252 Posts in 1217 Topics by 314 Members. Which never fails to wow me, good job guys we have over three hundred registered accounts. And for once I can’t say it’s all the same three people, because now I think there are about five or six of us instead. No, no I kid, there has been a real influx of members and admin is pleased as punch about it. I would like to welcome all of the new faces around here, we hope you stick around and that we don’t scare you too much. Also, people, keep inviting your friends and families to join, a bigger userbase means you don’t have to post with me, thereby making your wait time about thirty million years. (To be fair, a lot of people that I have owed for months have recently gotten replies, so, make sure you check and see if you were one of the lucky ones). Also, new people, consider filling out one of these so we can get to know you better: http://beyondstonewalls.com/rpg/index.php?topic=965.0

Next I guess I’m going to talk about Quidditch, which should be starting in a few months when The Quidditch Coach is allowed out of the hell that is school. Currently I believe most of the teams except Slytherin are full or close to it. However, I know from being the Gryffindor Quidditch Coach that that isn’t too helpful when everyone drops out before a game, and so, if you don’t yet have a character playing Quidditch sign up with your house team. You may find yourself warming the bench for a game or two, but Quidditch teams absolutely always need new players. Many people have players on multiple teams and would generally prefer to only have one. So, for the love of Merlin sign up your characters today. (Also members of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, drunk Quidditch Practise is going to happen, watch for the thread!)

I also, while I’m promoting things members can do to get involved, want to tell/remind people about the Beyond Stone Walls Chat probably the most popular aspect of the forums. (Seriously, no one ever posts, they just chat). It can be found at http://beyondstonewalls.com/rpg/chat/ . Everyone is welcome to join us in chat, new, old, whatever. Memebers of the chat have been known to be a bit strange, and at any given time the conversations can be a little PG-13, but take everyone in there with a grain of salt and you should get on just fine. Ravenclaw Prefect Daggett Prox, also known as Eva in the chat has written a guide for it, so look at that in the Help and Suggestions board. And remember to play nice in the chat. Also, for those not used to the general chat atmosphere, because we’ve been a really miniature communit for such a long time people may be very forward about asking you your real name, where you are from, and your contact details. This is because as a collective we know each other very well, however, should you feel uncomfortable with telling anyone this information no one will blame you or be upset with you so be as private or as open as you want to be.

Admin is also planning a forum plot for the summer! Not too many details on it yet (mostly because we don’t know them yet) but the Death Eaters and Order of the Phoenix will all be involved. We will also need a group of students who would like to participate, so if you’re interested keep your eyes open for the summer plot thread that we will be posting later this month. We want as many people involved as possible, so if this is your first time on the boards just fling yourself in like a dirty shirt. Seriously.

We’ve also finally roped someone in to redo the main site, so thank you to Carmen. I know not many people go there after their first visit to the boards, but if you do now, you’ll have more than enough opportunity to laugh hysterically at my expense which is always fun if you don’t happen to be me I suppose. Anyways, also in charge of promoting the site now an epic thanks goes to Carmen for all of the work she’s done up to this point, because let’s face face it, the three of use weren’t doing it. On that note, please remember to vote for us on the topsites when you have a minute, the closer we are to the top of the lists the more awesome we look. And we do look pretty awesome.

Speaking of looking awesome, the new version of Beyond Stone Walls is being slowly concocted by Kitty and myself, any questions, suggestions etc that you think would make for a great addition to Beyond Stone Walls version 2.0 please let one of us know, and we’ll definately look into it. (Keeping in mind I do the coding and she does the layouts and graphics.) I’m estimating the arrival time of it at the end of the summer, but this date will dance around the calendar I’m sure. Just know that it’s currently on our brains and we’ll difinately be really looking at suggestions for it now.

Also, if you have some spare change, and you’d like to keep Beyond Stone Walls banner ad free consider dropping us a donation. Becca pays for this whole thing out of her own hard earned cash, and any money you can send her would go a long way. There is no obligation to donate to us of course, but if you’re feeling generous it would be greatly appreciated by us. You can PM her for more information or click the pay pal donate button on the main page. Also, donations of graphics (including banners and buttons) are also greatly appreciated by us.

Oh, and for Californian bound Stoners heading to Azkatraz  July 17 – 21, 2009 please note that one of our very own will be holding a panel on Harry Potter RPGs so, consider turning up and supporting our members. Also, this is a good time to sneakily rope in new people to join our evil empire. Not that we are evil, or an empire, really. I can’t afford to go anywhere beyond down the street right now and so I will be there in spirit. If you want to know how you will recognize our intrepid panalist, think Scotland the Brave. There you are then. (Please, if you do go take pictures of Carmen in a kilt with bagpipes, because God only knows I wish I could be there to see it for myself — I am a bitter old man.) More on this as we get closer to the event.

Finally, the prefects in their underground lair (in the prefect’s bathroom) have been cooking up some May events. So, I’m sure they’ll let you more in on that as we get more into May.

There we are, finally a healthy sized update. As usual, as soon as I post this I will think of something else to add, but let us pretend that this is the May monthly update. Happy May everyone, and I’ll post another one of these monsters in June.

Since this time next week I’ll be pulling my hair out with the stress of it all I have decided to to the April update now. Like the March Update it may end up being a hodgepodge of things that I may have stumbled across, but I have personally not been all that active recently, and, as it appears this is to be the calm exam season before the storm that is summer.

As with most of my updates, I will start with stats because they take up a few lines and I’m sure once we’ve been around for a few years we’ll look back at these totals and laugh at how small and insignificant we were back in the good old days. So, April 18th 2009 there are 9516 Posts in 1121 Topics by 285 Members. The her. newest of which, Malena Bisgaard appearing (based on her ip) to actually– finally be a genuine new-new person, so a warm welcome to her. I hope she stays around! That goes to all the new-new people here at BSW of course! I’m just picking on Malena because her name happens to be right here in front of me.

Things have been pretty laid back the past few months, most events falling through, and Ravenclaw winning the last Quidditch game practically by default. Things will undoubtedly pick up in the summer, and with the celebrated Gryffindor vs. Slytherin game around the corner I’m sure things will pick up in the pitch.

As you all may have noticed April Fool’s Day came and went and the PLANNING that went into that by the admins. We want your undying love and respect.

And that’s it. Seriously. That is all we did in April.

Well, March is almost gone and I have not yet found the will to actually write my usual ranting update on how things are going. To be honest, I’ve been generally pretty absent and so I’m not 100% sure what is even going on on the boards. Stuff, I imagine, lots and lots of stuff. Okay, let’s see what I do recall happening. I don’t think I’ve posted anything of substance in a few weeks yet.

This months stats are: 8690 Posts in 1054 Topics by 266 Members. Which is pretty much insane, given there are about ten different people here in total with about thirty characters a piece. But, whatever, funtimes. You’re all pretty much insane.

Aha, our second Quidditch match is finished. It lasted an entire month. Seriously, check the dates on that thing. But finally Slytherin emerged victorious. I have absolutely no idea what our next match up will be suffice to say that if it is Gryffindor I will proceed to beat my face on the desk until I bleed out violently all over everything in my path. Go, Gryffindor indeed! Everything in my vicinity shall be my house colours. Speaking of house colours, make sure if you haven’t already you get in on your house Quidditch Team. Captains are constantly looking for new players, and people with multiple players on different teams are always looking to drop one. So, join, it’s quite amusing and pretty competitive. And of course, should you not want to play feel free to submit some bets to the Betting Book. Certainly makes for some excellent times on the board.

Next, I’d like to continue on the site promotion vein because I have nothing better to do really. Please remember to keep voting for us, and I’ll keep whoring out link out. Major thanks to Carmen who put our link all over the interwebs, I still have a few to put up but they will go up when my life is a bit less crazy. Keep telling your friends, neighbours and groupies to join and keep voting for us from our front page. Even if we aren’t on top the more places our link shows up the better — it gives us a higher ranking in Google. (Speaking of which, if you google ‘HP RPG’ we show up on the first page through cos forums… woot!)

Also, please note that the RULES HAVE CHANGED. (Oh, the humanity) due to some drama going around the forums and especially the chat. For lack of a better way to put it admin would like you guys to chill out a bit with each other. While we are more than happy to help out with problems you are having the thing we are trying to underline with the new rules is that we would greatly appreciate it if you tried to work our your conflicts with each other before you fly off the handle. Everyone here is perfectly reasonable, so if you can try to get along before you go postal you’d be doing us a huge favour. And, yeah, that’s about it on that, let us know if you have any questions/comments on the new rules.

Prefects are doing… stuff for Easter… I think… listen to them… Can’t be arsed to find out what’s going on but I assume it will be awesome.

Erm, I’d also… like to… ah! Take the time to welcome Jojo back from the education system, keep fighting the good fight.

… least involved update ever. Yay!

Welcome everyone, to the February Update. I assume this will be pretty short based largely on my current “hiatus” yes, in quotes, because despite everything I am still constantly lurking and creeping and see everything. I am just that freaky. Anyways, to all our old members welcome back, and to all our new ones welcome. We hope you stick around, because all the current members are getting a bit tired of posting with each other a million times hahahahah.

First off, speaking of new members, February has so far been the month of promotion! All the admins, and tons of the non-admins have been plugging our site whenever possible (and for good reason, as we are pretty awesome). So, if you can think of ways and places to plug BSW just let us know, or just… do it… but let us know, especially if a link back is required. So far I’ve been running into problems with people not getting back to me about links, so hopefully people will start getting back to me soon. Thanks to everyone who has gotten back to us.

We’ve also joined a number of topsites (though, as above only one has accepted us) so if you have a minute mosey on over to the thread entitled ‘Vote’ and give us a vote. The site isn’t particularly active, so if we top it (or come close) we won’t be doing too badly… it ranks high in google, whatever.

We also have groups on The Leaky Cauldron and Facebook, so, members should feel free to join them should they be so inclined.

Now for some more at home stuff. We had our first prefect run forum events, and let’s face it, they were amazing! With Hufflepuff decorating the Great Hall (something I believe people can still get in on if they like), the Gryffindor Match-Making service which should be pretty dramatic, and of course, the highly celebrated Slytherin auctions. Everywhere you look on the forums there has been new stuff going on.

Speaking of new stuff, due to retirement of our Slytherin Male prefect positions have been switched around, with Carmen’s Hare Leri leaving his service with Ravenclaw to make room for Eva’s Daggett Prox, and Carmen’s Karin Takeshii taking over for the Snakes. Make sure you know your prefects so you can bug them and not the admins >D

Continuing, we didn’t pick up any new canons this month, though Filius Flitwick and Narcissa Malfoy both dropped if you’ve ever wanted to play either of them now would be the time to apply. Just a reminder to all special positions, keep active, or you can lose them, so as to free up space for people who actually might. Also, rules may be going up as to a maximum number of these positions you can occupy, not to be mean or anything, but we want new people to have a chance at these spots. We’ve decided as an admin team that we want there to be a lot of focus here on welcoming new people and giving them a chance to be a real part of our community, that being said, it’s no fun if every cool job is taken. Sue us =P.

We did however, finally get us an active Avatar Maker, welcome to the machine AM#2! For those of you who remember Pyrolila Opaleye from TWF this would be her new incarnation over here on BSW. She promises to make an actual character soon, which I can’t wait for. Anyways, she is our AM#2 so give her some AMing to do, I’m sure she’ll be most pleased. Also, speaking of the Avatar Shop, a bit huge reminder to all members, you must have permission to use any image you want to use as an avatar, or it must be the official illustration of something or it’s a no. This is to protect the rights of artists which the admin team had decided is very important to us. So, suck it up.

We have had some other special positions picked up, but I’m having trouble remembering what they are. I think Sunni got one of the metamorphagi, and people got animagi? Probably? Whatever. We’ve mostly filled up everything, at any rate, though being the admin team that we are we’d probably bend for someone who had no special characters at all and wanted something. We’re good like that.

Quidditch has been going well with the first game going to Gryffindor. (yey). The next game is going to be starting soon between Ravenclaw and Slytherin. People who have never played Quidditch – try joining your house team, your captain will thank you.

Next, Kitty is starting up the Daily Prophet proving yet again how much more useful than me she is. And she is looking for writers, so if you’ve ever dreamed of being a reporter (on a Harry Potter forum that is) send her off a PM. It will start as soon as she gets enough interested people. So go, go I say!

Finally (I think) just as a notice, the rules are going to be totally revamped. All of the stuff we take as no brainers will be iterated, and it will be formatted so it looks all pretty and easy to read. Any suggestions? Let one of the admins know.

Well, that’s it for February, I’m sure I’ll remember stuff just as soon as I post this, but there you go.

I left this month’s update a little bit longer than intended, mostly because I really do have little news to actually contribute this month. I guess that makes everyone happy because there is less of a gigantic update that they will read (though I suspect very few people actually read my updates).

I guess, as usual I will start with stats, on writing this update we had 188 members registered, and there were 5439 posts in 680 topics. Which I have to say is pretty impressive. Keeping in mind we still aren’t really linked much out in the great wide universe. I do have a bit of a question for the users though — how crazy would you like us to go with promo? Meaning, do you like the ’small town feel’ of the forum, or do you want the variety provided by a bigger user base? That will sort of be the deciding factor on where we advertise and how much we do. As usual, while we are the evil commanders of the forum, we welcome input from everywhere.

Next, we have our Head Boy finally about 80% picked. We just want to double check the profile and everything. (Not that it matters too much given current prefect selection, but let’s go with this). Once Head Boy is assigned I will be sending out the prefect PM about all the mean stuff we’re going to make you do so that Becca, Miki, and I never have to work again, and so we can retire off somewhere in the Bahamas. Aaaaaanyways. Prefects, be prepared for a PM, and if you haven’t already posted in the Roll-Call thread in the Prefect’s Bathroom (That would be Nate and Desi…) then please do so or I’ll have you killed. <3.

Newly created canons this month were very few, only Nymphadora Tonks, Narcissa Malfoy and Ginny Weasley being added to the board repertoire, however, canon activity took a leap with the enaction of the new “secret” plot. Remember, we love new canon characters, so feel free to try applying for one should you feel the itch. Characters we would especially like to see show up are Hagrid, Cho Chang, The Weasley Twins Mr. Ollivanders, Mundungus Fletcher and… hell… Aberforth Dumbledore for shits and giggles. As an added reminder, we are only accepting canon Adult Characters, Order of the Phoenix Members and Death Eaters (and we have a waiting list for original characters of these positions) right now so if you’re feeling like taking on an adult keep this in mind (besides, Death Eaters like Yaxley you are more than capable of making almost completely original because he hardly gets filled out in the books). Also, after this plot with the baby, Filius Flitwick will be dropped by me, so if you ever wanted Flitwick he will be ripe for the taking.

As for taking the adult positions of shop keepers a few new things to note are in place. First of all, we are now only accepting people for canon shops (that is to say the character can be original, but the shop must already exist), even if the shop isn’t already on the boards (like Zonkos Joke Shop, or the Owl Emporium) you can apply for a shop keeper there, but The Paper Cup is the last non-canon store we will be taking. Also, students who want a part time job, like Michael Crane at Flourish and Blotts, Liana Sinn at Gringotts, and Kelsey Donovan at Madame Puddifoot’s are more than welcome to apply for the jobs. For your student to work part-time you should contact the owner of the shop (should one exist), for example to work at Quality Quidditch Supplies you should first contact John Easton, if the owner gives you the okay then they should contact one of us and we will give you mod status in the shop (we do this so that we know the shop keeper is aware that you will be joining the staff), for shops without a keeper, such as The Three Broomsticks PM us and we will make your character a mod there. We’re good like that.

Next, on a more amusing note, beware admins in chat, they will plot evil against you and then implement as inescapable plot. Just ask JL, who is about to be the forum’s youngest babydaddy. As a question to the audience, (and we know JL’s response) how much do you like ‘random plot interferences’ if perhaps admin was to cause more mishaps like this in the near future?

And, how does everyone currently feel about the current house points? In character? Out of Character? Or would you like two point systems, one for in character and one for out of character?

Go to chat, (like I need to tell you all that)

Happy January, Happy New Year, and good times to come in February.