Special characters are those who are especially rare and unique, and require a deep understanding of canon and ICA=ICC to play. They are typically more powerful than an average wizard and vital to certain plots. Their applications are most closely scrutinized for those reasons. Special characters are only approved through an on-MUSH application in the Application Room off the OOC Nexus.

Special characters include Animagi, Metamorphmagi, creatures, and Seers, though there are many other things we consider "special." Most of these require a generic application.

Animagi
Animagi are wizards and witches who have, through a dangerous and complex magical ritual gained the ability to transfigure into a single animal form with minimal effort while retaining their sense of selves and consciousness. Animagi forms are always mundane animals, never Magical Creatures. Your animagus form may coincide with your corporeal Patronus.

By magical law, Animagi are required to register who they are and what animal-form and markings they have. There are severe penalties for being an Animagus and failing to register with the Improper Use of Magic Office.

Applications for Animagi are rarely approved as Animagi are supposed to be rare. Student Animagi are not allowed. Adult applications are slightly easier. The most successful applicants first apply to be allowed to learn the magic, RP around it, and then, some IC months later, submit a second application to complete the transformation.

Metamorphmagi
Metamorphmagi are wizards and witches who can change their appearance at will. They can't shift into animals or inanimate objects, but they can alter hair and eye colour, skin tone, height, build, and so forth. This is better than transfiguration, charms, or potions because the effect lasts until the wizard in question chooses to change his appearance again and cannot be negated by spells like Finite Incantatum.

You cannot learn to be a metamorphmagus and it doesn't spontaneously manifest. It's a trait one has from birth. As such, you must submit a generic application to play one from the point of character generation.You may not apply for your first character on game to be a metamorphmagus.

Metamorphmagi are rare. Your ability to play one may be affected by how many already exist on grid. We recommend that you ask if are accepting metamorphmagi applications before you apply.

Creatures
You may apply to play the following magical creatures: part-Veela, part-giant, werewolf, goblin, or house-elf. Vampires are only available as temporary characters for the sake of specific plot purposes. All of these creatures require a special application on top of the e-mail application which you can find in the applications room. No other magical creatures are available for play. Please remember that creatures like goblins and house-elves are specifically from Potter canon - nothing from other fantasy series.

Many of these creatures are not permitted the use of a wand but have their own special powers to make up for this weakness. Check out their respective bestiary files for more information.

You do not have to write a special application to play a ghost.

Seers
True Sight is a hereditary gift that is very rare, and comes in a variety of strengths. Seers cannot control this gift; visions don't necessarily happen at the most convenient times. Often, seers are not aware of making a true prophecy, which is why they are kept track of by the Department of Mysteries so that they are not lost. The prophecies are then kept in glass balls, labeled and warded so that only the persons to whom they refer to may remove them for replaying.

Because the Sight is rare, the applications are held to high standards and may be denied if have a particularly high concentration of Seers on the grid. We recommend you ask if are accepting Seers before you fill out an application.

We encourage you to read 'news ww seers' for more information on IC and OOC realities of the Sight to be sure this character type is right for you.

Generic
"Generic" is an umbrella application category for many other special character traits which aren't common enough to require their own applications. These include but are not limited to:

• Occlumency or Legilimency
• Advanced combat skills - physical, magical, with a melee weapon, or otherwise*
• Knowledge of unusual magic; this includes knowing the Unforgiveable Curses if you are neither a Death Eater nor an MLE character
• Extra classes (Hogwarts students only; see 'news school curriculum' for more information)

In any of these situations you would fill out a generic application in the applications room. If your character requires a generic application, your approval e-mail will tell you so.

You would also submit a generic application for a Metamorphmagus or True Seer; there is some extra information on each of these in "news apps metamorphmagi" and "news apps seers."

* These apply to Feature characters, as well. Feature status does not mean automatic combat skills.