I haz a question about the changing characters rule in the FAQ ... because it seems a bit odd to me

In particular that last line; what happens if we don't want to change departments but simply want to JUST change characters? Why do we have to ONLY do that during placement times? It seems rather counter-productive in my mind and a waste of all your time in reading an extra application JUST for a character change.

There IS a good reason for this. The positions that each character will hold will be specific to that character and unless the 'replacement' character holds the exact same skill set (and where is the fun in changing to the same thing?) then they won't be eligible for that job.

Its really more similar to the resorting in the school than simply changing a character and leaving them in the same house.

More information about the specifics of placement + jobs will be available shortly! Please bear with us!

Hi! I'm so excited to be apart of the ministry RPG now!

I have a problem though. For some reason it won't let me get into the section for levels and departments. I am able to get into the thread for the OOC Info and the Atrium, but it won't let me go to anything else. I just end up getting an error message. I just got my ministry owl and I needed to follow the instructions on it, but it won't let me get into the stuff. Is there a way of fixing that?

It's because the Ministry isn't officially open yet so, like you, we aren't able to get into its levels and departments. It must be still under construction or, most likely, the Ministry staff are just giving their finishing touches to it, and sooner than later, we will all get to RP in the new ministry!

ok -sigh- i sound so stupid.

Anyway, I know that there's some sort of MoM quiz or something you have to do to get in- like the sorting- where/when can i take it?

Wenz is right--the MoM RPG is closed right now for the remodeling. As soon as we wrap up remodeling and officially reopen the MoM RPG, you'll be able to access all the forums!

Of course you don't sound stupid. We're glad to answer any and all questions! MoM sorting (actually called 'placement' in the MoM RPG) is similar to the school sorting in that it only occurs about once every three months. The pattern we've decided to follow from here on out is that the MoM placement will open for a two week time period the month after the school sorting. So in other words, placement is closed at the moment but will reopen soon!

Ok, I really want to join the Ministry RP but I'm confused. When we are at the ministry are we actually given work to do ect? I'm just kindda confused what we get up to in the Ministry RP. Sorry if I sound stupid.

Hi, I had a question and I think I came to the right place. I know my character just got placed at the Ministry, but I've come up with a different plot for my school character that would involve my MoM character. I guess what I want to ask is; can I change my MoM character, but still keep the position I got at the Ministry?

You don't sound stupid at all, so no worries. In the MoM RPG, you take on the role of an employee who works somewhere within the MoM. So in a way, yes, this is the place where your character will "work," but I wouldn't look at it like boring, tedious work. The MoM staff is really great with planning out fun and exciting tasks for your character, and in addition to that, there are many places both inside and outside the MoM for your character to create his/her own RPs in.

Quote from the Rules/FAQ:
What do I do if there's no activity or plotting in my department?
It's possible that there may not be a plot or organized roleplay happening in your department each and every day. What we're hoping is that you'll take the opportunity to create your own roleplays (within reason), whether they be work-related or something personal to your character. Nothing happening on your level? Then roleplay something happening! No drama or nothing to take part in? Create something! There's many different threads in your department and around the Ministry that you're free to explore and create roleplays in!

The way to go about changing your character is to retake the placement quiz once placement opens up again for everyone. You're more than welcome to do that, but also be aware that you may end up in a different department and/or in a different position. When we hire in the MoM, we place the actual character rather than the out-of-character you. So we look at everything you fill out for your character, and we place him or her in the best possible job for their qualifications/traits. So the position you are in now reflects the application you filled out for your current MoM character.

Just a quick question: when the MoM get re opened will there be a werewolf registry office?

Ok, I have a question that will probably make me look dumber than a box of rocks, but here it goes. When creating our MoM profile, can we use a large picture to show how our character looks?

Are you asking in general, or are you asking because you're planning on playing a werewolf? If you're asking in general, the yes--there will be one. If you're asking because you're playing a werewolf, then when sorting time rolls around again, you'll need to PM your character's details to myself and Mad Eye Touz (because playing a werewolf would classify as playing a special charcter). After getting a go-ahead nod, you'll just send your character to level four (Creatures) to get registered.

Don't worry! That wasn't a dumb question.

How large of a picture are you talking about? The limit is about profile picture sized, which is 350x350, but it can be a little larger so as long as it isn't huge and doesn't stretch the page. You can always check out the "Character Biography" thread in this forum to get an idea of what everyone else is using.

Mmkay, just doing a double-check. I'm certain I read SOMEWHERE that the IC Ministry hasn't been "out", but has been business as usual. Did I totally dream that up, or has my Ministry character been attending work while it was OOC closed?

Hi there
I think I read something like this somewhere and I just want to be sure. So, I have a ministry character ready (Model, Plot..etc) and I know the placement is near but I'd like to start already playing her to get used to her.. so the question is: can I play her in the Diagon Alley now before the placement?

Yes!

We encourage you to play your Ministry character, and any character not currently in school, in Diagon Alley. Whether your placed or not.

Lord Borr only closed the actual IC Ministry of Magic for one work day, so everyone could be free to attend his party. Other than that, a summary of what's been going on in the meantime can be found in the Merlins's Pants thread.

Do you need permission to play special characters,like in the School RP? Does it count that my character is special if he himself wasn't "special" but he had a special pet? Thanks.

Yes you sure do need permission for all special characters played overtly on SS. But thats pretty fun in the MoM since we have registry offices for certain 'special' things and you'll get the opportunity to choose between RPing out the registration process or playing as if they have been registered in the past. Think of it this way, if its something that would be illegal, or something that requires registration in canon (animagi, werewolf etc) then someone wouldn't be hired if it was revealed that they weren't registered would they? (and trust me, our security peeps do thorough background checks it WOULD be discovered *evil cackle*)

Likewise with special pets, in canon many creatures require a license. The best thing to do is to PM the department of Magical Creatures Head, and find out if the pet you are intending needs registration, or if a plot could be worked out. (once you are an employee of the MoM) Some creatures are illegal to own, others are illegal to breed, and still others can be owned but certain charms must be regularly applied to be sure the statute isn't breached.

Also, don't forget the MoM is a place of work, and pets wouldn't be allowed to wander around willy nilly, and in DA too, dangerous pets would not be permitted to wander around, and some shops might not let your character bring a pet in at all

Hope this helps!

Do you post your Owl list in the quiz of Ministry Placement? I saw it said something about assuming your results are OWLS. So do I have to post it like how it looks in HBP?

What most people do is just list all the subjects their character took OWLs and NEWTs in, and then they put the score (O, A, E, P, D, T).

Passing grades are:

O (Outstanding)
E (Exceeds Expectations)
A (Acceptable)

Failing grades are:

P (Poor)
D (Dreadful)
T (Troll)

So you would list all the subjects your character took OWLs in, and then put the grade, and then you'd list all the subjects your character took NEWTs in, and you'd list those grades, as well. Remember, though, that qualifications aren't just OWLs and NEWTs. If your character has any special skills, degrees, awards, experience, etc., those are all qualifications, too.

Here's an example of how you might answer that question:

OWL Scores
Ancient Runes: P
Arithmancy: T
Astronomy: E
Care of Magical Creatures: O
Charms: O
Defense Against the Dark Arts: O
Herbology: O
History of Magic: E
Muggle Studies: T
Potions: O
Transfiguration: E

NEWT Scores
Astronomy: E
Care of Magical Creatures: O
Charms: O
Defense Against the Dark Arts: O
Herbology: O
History of Magic: E
Potions: O
Transfiguration: E

Another thing to remember is that it's perfectly okay for your character to have a variety of scores. It's more realistic to see strengths and weaknesses, and it also helps gear your character toward a job better suited for him/her. You wouldn't report an O in Herbology, for example, if you have a character that wouldn't like to work with plants. Things like that.

When is the next ministry "sorting" open?

Right now, as announced in the site news up there in the top left hand corner in the thread titled "Ministry Placement Now Open!"

here's the link.

Darn, I missed the placement! I meant to take it When will the next placement be?

MoM sorting is approximately every three months and is usually opened the month after the school sorting. So the next one should happen around mid-late September.

Sorry you missed it. Hope to catch you next time! In the meantime, you can always develop your character in Diagon Alley or the "Outside the Ministry" section.