The 8th Floor Mods (ministry_mod) wrote in thbreakroom, @ 2011-10-15 17:28:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | ! mod post |
► Mod Notes ► We'd like to ask you to use the drop box instead of AIM if you have a question concerning plot or another character. Don't get us wrong, we love to talk to you on AIM, but it's easier for both of us to be on the same page with a question or concern if it's in a place where both of us can reference it. ► I've been kicking around the idea of a "senior discount." If you picked up a character over the age of 40, instead of being required to do two journal entries and a thread every month, you could get by with two journal entries, two threads, or one of each. This would last until we had ten people over 40, at which time they'd become regular full-time characters. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think it would help or hurt? Would you be more likely to pick up an older character? ► Part of being active is knowing what's going on in the game, so reading and responding to the mod updates is very important. ► Also important? Comments. They do count and we do notice. You're in this game to play with everyone - not just one person or a small group. ► On that note: we'd really like to focus on social interaction in October. Make friends! Make enemies! We've given you challenge pairings, which we'd really like you to try because, for the most part, we made an effort to match up people who could be friends but haven't had the opportunity yet. There are parties/gatherings at the end of the month as well, so try to talk to a stranger. Remember, though, that for a thread to count it has to have reached 5 comments per person. If you decide to save your thread for an end-of-the-month party and don't reach that number by the 1st, it doesn't count. ► Every Monday this schedule will be updated with the Quidditch scores for the week. After that, it's all on you to talk about your games, what happened in them, etc. The team bios page has a list of both in-game and OC players on the teams. If you want to make up names for the other players on your team, just drop box the names and pbs to us, and we'll get them on the list. ► Any plot ideas or events? We're not requiring you to come up with one, but if you have any, we'd love to hear them! ► Character Gains/Losses Laura has picked up her second character, Neville Longbottom! Please type your username into the box below, then press "Friends Button." Remember to do it for each of your characters. You have to be logged into a journal to use it for that particular journal. A note about requirements. If you have an 'X' next to your name at the end-of-the-month check, you MUST meet monthly requirements at the next end-of-the-month check, or your character will be removed from the game. ► Ongoing Events Dragon pox is still going around. The symptoms include a green and purple rash that can leave a green tinge that lasts for several weeks after the illness is cured, bumps that may leave scars, and sparks that shoot out of the nose when a person sneezes. A cure exists, but it's not instantaneous - symptoms will continue to persist (and, in fact, get worse) for a few days. There is no immunisation and having previously had dragon pox has no bearing on whether or not you will get it again. Dragon pox is, obviously, potentially fatal. Very young children, the elderly, pregnant women and those who are already ill are most at risk of complications from the disease. The race to replace Kingsley Shacklebolt is on and we want your input on who the next Minister should be! Yes, the Wizengamot appoints the Minister, but the Wizengamot answers to the people now so anyone who wants to be Minister will be trying to endear themselves to the public just like any other politician. Comment to let us know what kinds of candidates you'd like to see running, what their platforms should be, make up some catchy slogans, give us interesting names or even just suggest some PBs. Canon characters are welcome suggestions as well. Everyone should have an opinion on this, and we want to hear what yours is. Elections will be in December and it's going to be a total free-for-all. Emotions are running high and there's a lot of uncertainty. The ban on new Apparation licences is still in effect, with no end date in sight. It's now expected that the ban will continue on until the end of Shacklebolt's term, when the new Minister will overturn it. Similarly, travel in muggle areas is still restricted and is expected to remain that way until a new Minister is appointed. Several Death Eaters are hiding among us, with no clue as to who they might be. As you might imagine, this is a big, scary deal. React accordingly. Also, please note that all the hidden Death Eaters are on the list and have been since January. ► Upcoming Events On October 14th, Hannah Abbott and Neville Longbottom were taken into custody for suspected Death Eater activity. The Leaky Cauldron will be shut down until October 20, at which time it will reopen and Hannah and Neville will be officially cleared. You can and should still go participate in that thread here. During the week leading up to Hallowe'en, October 24th - 28th, special "treats" from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes will be found around the Ministry. The first sweet looks like candy corn and, when eaten, causes the person to float about a foot off the ground and become partially transparent, like ghosts. The second treat looks like ordinary pretzel sticks but will turn you into a skeleton. The effects of both of these last for between five and ten minutes. The third treat is blueberry flavoured gum that causes a spooky mist to stream out of the person's ears as long as it's being chewed. The mist then sinks down to hover near the person's feet. On October 30th the Ministry will host its annual Ministry Masquerade Ball. As you might guess, all those in attendance will wear masks. Formal wear is also required, and the tradition is to wear something from a period of muggle history in which fashion was especially over-the-top. There's never any set theme for the period - it just looks like a big anachronism stew, but nobody notices or cares because they're not well-informed enough about muggle style to know the difference between Medieval and Victorian and Elizabethan fashions, or that dressing like Marie Antoinette wouldn't qualify as fitting into any of those periods. The doors to Harford's Theatre open at 10 but nobody really shows up until 11, not even the band. There's a countdown to midnight, like on New Year's, and then the party begins in earnest. At about 12:30am, the previously non-alcoholic punch will be spiked with a very strong liquor. There's also an open bar and glasses of champagne being carried around the edges of the dance floor by House Elves. October 31st is, of course, Hallowe'en. This is one of the biggest holidays in the Wizarding World and, as such, everybody gets off work. Hogsmeade has an all-ages carnival similar to what occurs on Victory Day, although with a much different feel. You're welcome to post threads that occur there but we won't be having a large group thread. Diagon Alley hosts a kid-friendly event, with costumes and candy, that lasts throughout the day. We will have a group thread for this, because several children will go missing and Cormac's niece won't be found. It's a bad year for that guy. There will also be a major breach in the Statute of Secrecy as concerned parents flood into muggle London looking for the missing kids. |