Can you believe it's been five years? That over the last half decade, more than 200 writers from all over the world have gathered here to create more than 800 characters to weave together threads of fantastic creative writing, collaboration and community?!  What an accomplishment! An accomplishment that is the surely the result of the combined efforts of every single writer to pass through, writers new and old. 

Thank you to everyone.  It will be no small challenge to celebrate a fifth anniversary in a way that truly reflects what we've already accomplished.  It seems like there's no way we could possibly thank you enough, no way to recognize what this community means to all of us.  Our meager efforts will have to suffice. 

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Over the next few weeks, we will be rolling out surprises and fun things to do to celebrate 5 years!  We start off with...

Bright & Shiny Celebration Theme!
You can change back to your favorite themes at any time, of course.  Profile > Look & Layout.


AO Color Mobile Theme!
Our mobile theme now rocks AO colors!

AO Merch!
You can now buy AO stuff! Anything from t-shirts and mugs to iphone skins!  We've reduced the profits we receive as low as possible.  Any of the couple dollars we'd make off the sale, of say a mug, will go towards upgrades and site maintenance over the next few years.

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There's no way we can say it enough, but we'll try:

I am totally into the Merch I will have to get some of it soon!! I wish I know if the sweat/T-shirts are large enough >>

5 years baby!!!

I am looking forward to splurging on a mug.  Nothing goes better than tea and AO!

To the point though, it feels like no time at all has passed.  And yet, looking back, it's so cool to see all the great people who've come and gone in the past five years.  New friends made! I love the stories we've told together.  In the past five years, my RL life has changed SO much.  And AO was always here, a source of entertainment, friendship, and a creative outlet.

This place is important to me.  Everyone is amazing.

Oh wow! This merch is really gorgeous. I'm totally tempted by a print. I've been looking for something to decorate my walls. <3

Happy Anniversary AO! I was just getting settled during the celebrations two years ago, but even after that short a time I can't imagine what my life would be like without you all. Fascinations come and go but this place will always be my RP home.

I've already got the mug heading my way and will probably order a tshirt down the road! Omg so pumped.


You guys mean the world to me, and I can't thank you enough for always being there to pick me up after a bad day. You truly are a super awesome group of really awesome people who just make everything all better. Thank you for all the awesome stories and for making me feel part of something special. For this small town girl to you, I'm so thankful and happy to be part of the epicness that is AO.


And will rock that shirt like there is no tomorrow!

Woot Woot! Way to go, AO! Feels awesome to be a part of this

...and I may totally have to get me som AO gear.

Yay! This is so exciting!  It's hard to believe it has been five years.  It has been an exciting five years and I can't wait to see where things go from here!

Amazing how quickly the years have passed. But all for the better, and I have loved writing with you all.



(Sorry for being confusing and sending that 5 year PM/message via my own account not the AO one. I had a brainfail)

Adverts Are Up in Diagon Alley

When you visit the Diagon Alley, Knockturn, or Hogsmeade role-playing boards, you may have seen the in-character advertisements and notices pasted to the wall! 



This just-for-fun initiative is brought to you by the Magical Ad Council! Please feel free to submit your own by PMing a Curator.  Each page refresh brings up a new set.

File sizes are...
Big: 450 x 215
Tall: 150 x 215
Wide: 300 x 105
Little: 150 x 105

If you'd like to hide this area, there is a little minus button in the upper right of the block.

Whoops! Sorry, we forgot to flick one of the switches.

You should be able to see the walls of Diagon Alley now!