Hello everyone and welcome to the November Update here at Beyond Stone Walls.

This is actually our second ever November update (I started doing monthlies last October– has it really been a whole year?) Whereupon our stats looked something like this:

[quote]First of all, can I say ‘Wow!’ we have now jumped past the 100 member mark, all the way to just over 120 members at the time of writing this — which is bleeding incredible! Got to admit, I’m feeling very optimistic about this forum. Not only that but the activity– almost 3000 posts! With BSW only officially being open for about six months (ish) I’d say this is quite the achievement — good job guys! Hopefully by the December update we’ll be up around 200 members (which would be completely amazing!)[/quote]

And while I’m pretty sure 200 was optimistic for that December, we did make it past 150 that month. However stats for this month read 16964 Posts in 1898 Topics by 430 Members. Yes, a year ago we were at 120, now we are at 430… 310 characters in a year. Not bad guys, not bad at all. In fact, pretty bloody fantastic.

I’d like to take a moment to welcome all of our new users — we’ve had a lot of new-new people (as opposed to alt-new people) show up. Thank you so much for joining our community, and we hope you stick around. Once you get over the drooling insanity bit I presume you’ll enjoy your stay here. As a reminder, you can take a gander at our “[url=http://beyondstonewalls.com/rpg/index.php?topic=1574]Welcome Newcomer[/url]” thread that should give you the 411 on all the sticky intricacies of our forums. We’re a bit strange, so hopefully you’ll get used to us. Also, come to our chatroom http://beyondstonewalls.com/rpg/chat/

Well, that took a lot of space.

There has been a minor revolution in our NPC staff! Forget everything you knew about NPCs. (Well, except Li being the Quidditch Coach) — now the Head Profile Moderator is our beloved Sunni, and her accomplice in grammarizing is Cj who is our Profile Moderator #1. As far as the avatar makers go Mika is now the Head Avatar Maker and Avatar Maker #1 is Jessa. Thanks so much guys, seriously, the forum would be chaos without you. Remember these folks are admin appointed so treat them with the same (limited) respect you have for us.

Speaking of the profile mods — a new profile layout is about to go into effect. You’ll get a more detailed notice about this later, but we are hoping to make profiles less a “wall of text” and more a concise listing of things people might actually need to know about yours character. Any input on this can be sent to one of the Admins or one of the profile mods it will definitely be taken into consideration.

Next off is Quidditch, because I love Quidditch. (Usually). Hufflepuff has shockingly come from behind and started kicking ass and taking names much to the chagrin of Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Gryffindor. Join your house teams, get some school spirit. Also, are you not sure, but perhaps curious about Quidditch? From now until the end of time The Quidditch Coach and I will be hosting a Quidditch Panel on the 15th of every month. So stumble into chat and talk to us (times will be given relative to the month). Also, captaincy switches include Kalev Akermann and Willow Mirawk taking over Ravenclaw and Zelda Fletcher taking Hufflepuff, assistant coming soon.

Let’s see… what else…

Hogwarts Carnival happened — and is still happening. Go check that out. Prefects also had a member of the month whooo I think was Gussie Appleton. Post of the month was The Post by Syd Holmes. Go look at that stuff, its nothing but fun times all around really.

We also had some new special characters join our ranks. Specifically, a new Death Eater and a new member of the Order of the Phoenix which I think fills both of those up again. But next activity check I suspect we shall see quite a few positions opening up. Right now we are looking for a number of generic adult characters as well as shop keepers. Please apply, we want to fill out a few more areas for adult characters to go, but we need to know of some good places and this is based on who applies. Also, more students were given part-time jobs. We’d love to see some employees in Madam Malkins and the Three Broomsticks though.

Also, Order of the Phoenix, check out the new missions system in #12 Grimmauld Place. Death Eaters look forward to your own version of the mission system.

Finally, version 2. Don’t ask. =)

That’s looking like about it for November — see you all in December.