I've always thought there was a certain allure to playing a character with a canon surname, whether or not it has any real impact on the character itself. Sometimes it's just cool to have a point of reference or to joke about "haha their great-great-grandnephew did ___". I'm almost certain I'm not the only one who feels this way, but I'm probably the only one who scours through countless, almost 100% unrelated profiles to make sure a canon name is not being used by an existing character, whether in an actual surname or as a mother's maiden name or something (#charmingconfessions). I do this because I know there can be some unintentional friction or necessary tweaking when a new character claims a relationship to a family via name when the family is mostly fleshed out.

Obviously the canon list exists, but it is not all-encompassing and doesn't provide the same "blank slate" freedom as a... blank slate canon name, so I was wondering if it was possible to have a list of all the canon surnames listed on the board, who their players are, and whether any connections would have to be direct links or could be built on? I'm sure I could just post this in Plottage, but I'm silly and require affirmation before doing that. Is that something you'd like to see? Would it be easier through a google doc/sheet format or a post-by-post thread?

The following 7 users Like Edric Umbridge's post:7 users Like Edric Umbridge's post
   Acacia Darlington, Aldous Crouch, Amelia Evans, Cassius Lestrange, Elsie Kirke, Irene Fudge (I), Melody Crouch

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I'm not sure how tricky building connections to actual HP canon characters would be - as in, maybe a player has a certain vision on how these connections came to be, whereas a second player has another vision. However, I think it would be hella nice to see the canons families listed with some vagueness on their connection! Or keep the "who goes first has right" line of thinking, dunno.

I think post-by-post thread might be better even though I love docs. Docs can be tricky and to me it's a nightmare using "ctrl + f" there.

  

I like this idea and I think it would work well in plottage!!

  

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MJ made this!

I'm not sure how tricky building connections to actual HP canon characters would be - as in, maybe a player has a certain vision on how these connections came to be, whereas a second player has another vision. However, I think it would be hella nice to see the canons families listed with some vagueness on their connection! Or keep the "who goes first has right" line of thinking, dunno.

I think post-by-post thread might be better even though I love docs. Docs can be tricky and to me it's a nightmare using "ctrl + f" there.

Traditionally we've abided by the "first character has connection rights", although sometimes families (especially ones that are traditionally large like interconnected pureblood families) have branched off with different members controlling different branches of families. Not everyone actively tries to connect to the modern Potterverse, but some play actual canon characters (such as Ursula and Phineas Black) who do.

I think another thing it's helpful for it figuring out where the families — even if a player has no problem with connections — stand socially on our board. Sometimes wealthy families in the modern Potterverse are less wealthy on Charming, and sometimes poorer families on the modern Potterverse are wealthy in our version. It would be a little difficult to connect two "Umbridge" families if one is a MCPB and another is UCMB, you know? A list could be helpful in more ways than one!

I'll get something up in plottage either tonight or tomorrow <3

  

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— set by MJ! —

[.....]have a list of all the canon surnames listed on the board, who their players are, and whether any connections would have to be direct links or could be built on? I'm sure I could just post this in Plottage, but I'm silly and require affirmation before doing that. Is that something you'd like to see? Would it be easier through a google doc/sheet format or a post-by-post thread?

I like this too! Building on this part specifically, we could let people know if any connections are available via direct links/could be built on kind of like how we let people know if PBs are shareable or not?

  

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magnificence by mj <3

[.....]have a list of all the canon surnames listed on the board, who their players are, and whether any connections would have to be direct links or could be built on? I'm sure I could just post this in Plottage, but I'm silly and require affirmation before doing that. Is that something you'd like to see? Would it be easier through a google doc/sheet format or a post-by-post thread?

I like this too! Building on this part specifically, we could let people know if any connections are available via direct links/could be built on kind of like how we let people know if PBs are shareable or not?

We have something similar to that in the connections database and adoptables in general, but the purpose of this list would be more for seeing what canon families are available for your new, original character rather than a database you go for looking for a direct connection. Also if a member is interested in a family, I'm sure they could contact the member and the member would be happy to tell them about the open connections! Also doing direct links can be a little difficult in a spreadsheet when there's multiple of them lmao.

The following 1 user Likes Edric Umbridge's post:1 user Likes Edric Umbridge's post
   Amelia Evans

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