Your Nickname: Will (evilpizza)
Have you read and do you agree to the Code of Conduct?: Yes
How did you find us and decide to write with us? Choose One...
If you have written other characters here: Yes
If Yes, list them all: Heliotrope LeJean, Sissel Jowd, Philo Falkin
Is this a Primary or Secondary Character?: Secondary

Full Character Name: Dingy
Character Birthday & Age: 20ish (birthdate N/A)
City & Country of Birth: Ireland
Blood Purity: Creature
Alma Mater: N/A

[[I realize the word "dingy" or "DIN-gee" meaning dirty, derelict and poor-lit, is spelled that way. While Dingy does get dingy, the name is pronounced "DING-ee" as in the sound "ding" with a "ee" sound. Remember to capitalize to differentiate this Heteronym]]

Job (If any): Servant to the O'Doherty Family
Type of Creature: House-Elf
Are they Registered with the Ministry of Magic?: Yes

Are they considered a 'Dark' Creature?: No
If yes, What crimes have they committed to earn this title: Not known for any crime, but it is public knowledge that the O'Doherty clan employs a family of house-elves.

Are you currently under pursuit by the Ministry of Magic for these crimes?: Choose one...

Wand: N/A, not permitted to use a wand



Physical Description: Dingy is a House-Elf and has the large ears, big green eyes and squeaky voice common for his species. His ears are rather droopy. His nose is blocky and cubic, as if a stick of butter was squashed onto his face.

Dingy, because of his servitude, does not have proper clothes. He wears a burlap potato sack and a well-beaten cast iron pot on his head like a helmet, forcing his ears downwards.


Personality Description: Dingy is a devoted house elf and will defend his young master, Casey, to his full ability. He will follow orders to completely no matter demeaning it looks upon outside view. He does good work but is especially nervous if pressed into an unusual or dangerous task. He will clutch to his pot helmet for protection. For punishment he often rams head first into things creating a signature “ding” noise when his helmet pot connects.

Although property of the O’Doherty clan, Dingy is at all times respectful to any other wizard he meets, offering a customary bow if seen. While other witches and wizards do not have the authority to give him orders he will assist if he can, such as pointing a student in the right direction if he or she is lost in the castle. His speech patterns are typical for that of an elf, referring to himself in the third person and always placing his master in high regard.


History: Dingy and his parents, Dollop and Dimple, are the servants of the O’Doherty clan. His parents also wear potato sacks. Dingy is singled out by the other family members as a target for mistreatment. Whether as punishment or when wanting entertainment, his masters often throw things at his head. Dingy has taken to wearing an old cooking pot as a helmet so this will hurt less. This hasn’t changed the rate of things thrown at his head in the O’Doherty manor, where it is treated as a kind of game amongst its residents. Projectiles bounce off this makeshift helmet with a distinct “ding” ping noise. Bonus points if the object hooks around the handle. Dingy is commonly referred to as “Ding Pot” by his masters.

Since Casey was born, Dingy was tasked with raising the “disfigured” child and keeping him and his secrets safe. Casey is kinder with Dingy than the other family members so Dingy is rather loyal. Casey has some respect for Dingy, realizing that without the elf he could not get many things done, so he watches out for the health of the elf. However, Casey is still at times harsh, usually to save face in front of fellow Slytherins.

Dingy has popped in and out of Hogwarts during Casey’s schooling, remaining at the O’Doherty manor when not needed. He is not permitted to help with Casey’s homework, unless his master decides to use him for target practice. Dingy’s chores have included cleaning and maintaining Casey’s possessions, fetching snacks or other materials, or working behind the scenes on Casey’s schemes. Casey will boast about having his “own” house-elf to feel superior but limits Dingy’s public appearances, so as to appear that he is not overtly reliant on the support of his servant. Dingy will also do work in Casey’s room that would otherwise be handled by the Hogwarts House-Elf legion. Dingy is familiar with the castle’s house elves and has learned many secrets of Hogwarts from them. He passes along this information to his master. He also impressed upon the cooking staff to not have his master’s food allergens appear at Casey’s end of the Slytherin table during mealtimes.

Dingy rarely uses house-elf magic outside of teleporting or heavy lifting with a hovering charm. If he feels his master would come to great harm, Dingy would fight back with mild stunners or brandishing his pot like a club.


Writing Sample:

Sum up your character in one paragraph: The loyal house elf assistant to Casey O'Doherty. Dingy is identified by the pot he wears as a helmet to protect himself from the constant projectiles his masters throw at his head.

Character Stat Sheets:

Physical Characteristics
Sociological Characteristics
Family/Friends Information
Magical Characteristics
The Six Stats
Gear, Possessions, Familiars, Protectorates
What Ifs
In and Out of Character Info

Physical Characteristics

[Name:] Dingy
[Nickname:] Dingpot in an angry, insulting way.
[Age:] 20ish, never paid attention.
[Height:] 2.75’
[Weight/Bodyshape:] Elfish.
[Ethnicity:] House Elf.
[X] Male    [ ] Female
[Clothing Style:] Burlap potato sack, cooking pot on his head
[Hair Color:] Bald.
[Hairstyle:] None.
[Eye Color:] Tennis ball green.
[Eyewear:] Uneeded.
[Complexion:] Leathery.
[Voice:] Squeaky.
[Outstanding Features:] A cubic nose like a squashed stick of butter.

Sociological Characteristics

[Emotional Level:] Utter devotion to Master Casey’s needs with slight nervousness and concern when things get hairy.
[Occupation:] Personal assistant, steward, nurse, chef and butler to Casey O’Doherty, at times the O’Doherty family at large.
[Income:] Indentured service.
[Transportation:] House Elves can Apparate anywhere with no limitations.
[Interests:] Cleaning, whatever will make Master Casey happy.
[Quirks/Vices:] The pot helmet, whistling, trembles notably when nervous.
[Special Talents:] Also works at as the family stenographer; he can copy words with proper spelling and grammar but it hasn’t effected Dingy’s way of speaking.
[Greatest Strength:] Persistance!
[Greatest Weakness:] Terror at horrible masters!
[Favorite Music Style:] Whatever the masters are listening to.
[Band:] No idea.
[Favorite Place to Visit:] It is more enjoyable serving Master Casey at Hogwarts.
[Favorite Book:] Gilderoy Lockehart’s Guide to Household Pests and laughing at what parts are wrong.
[Favorite Number:] 3pm, time to serve tea!
[Favorite Food:] Table scraps!
[Least Favorite Food:] Mush!
[Favorite Color:] Brown! Like the dirt!
[Allergies or Physical Handicaps:]  [ ] Yes [X] No
[Chemical Dependency:]  [ ] Yes  [X] No
[Criminal Past:]  [X] No  [ ] Yes
[Educational Level:] Apprenticed to House Elf service since he was born.
[Musically Inclined:]  [ ] No  [X] Yes
[What Instrument:] Hums…worth diddly squat.
[Extra Information:] Is more loyal to Casey than the other O’Dohertys.

Family/Friends Information

[Location:] Doherty Manor, broom closet.
[Marital Status:] If master wishes!
[Children:] If master wishes!
[Family Information:]
 Parents – Dollop and Dimple, the other servents of the O’Doherty family.
[Pets:] None.
[Any Family Traditions:]  [X] Yes [ ] No Regrouting bathroom tile in six easy steps!
[Faction:] The O’Doherty family, esp. Casey.
[Best Friend:] When master is in a good mood!
[Nemisis:] None.
[Romance:] None.

Magical Characteristics

[WAND:] None.
[ERISED:] Dingy sees a mirror that needs to be wiped! Smug prints on the glass.
[AMORENTIA:] Ballroom floor wax, shoe polish, antiseptic.
[BOGGART:] Out of habit Dingy strives to keep Master Casey’s fears secret.
[RIDDIKULUS:] Unapplicable.
[DEMENTOR:] Extreme nervousness.
[PATRONUS:] Unapplicable
[SPECIAL ABILITY:]
[CREATURE:] Dingy is a House Elf, with a system of domestic magic outside of the realm of wizarding magic.
[FAVORITE SPELL:] Whichever magic gets the job done quicker!
[MOST USED SPELL:] Hover Charms to lift heavy objects.
[BEST OFFENSIVE SPELL:] Dingy will blast others away only if Master Casey is in danger.
[BEST DEFENSIVE SPELL:] Apparate away from danger!


The Six Stats
Fans of traditional tabletop RPGs will recognize these characters stats which determine strengths and weaknesses. I do not use actual numerical values but rather use them for characteristic definitions.

[Strength:] Average – For a House Elf.
[Dexterity:] Very High – Dingy constantly gets into tight places to clean and moves with great stealth, as Elves value not being seen at their work.
[Constitution:] Above Average – The pot helmet helps. As a House Elf, Dingy is not affected by many human illnesses, making him a good nurse for Casey.
[Intelligence:] Above Average – For an elf, Dingy is able to read and write in one of his duties as family stenographer. However, this is a different compartment in his mind active only when the task calls for it; he still speaks and thinks in usual elf context.
[Wisdom "Street Smarts":] Above Average – Dingy is an efficient house elf handling many different chores.
[Charisma:] Sub Average – As Dingy is subservient to wizards, his social strata is nothing beyond the reltation of servant to master.

Gear, Possessions, Familiars, Protectorates
The unique items the character has beyond standard (wand, basic school equipment, etc.) and the creatures or people they can call on for help.

[Pot Helmet:] Protects his noggin and a club in needed.


What Ifs

[Where does character see herself in 10 years:] Serving Master Casey!
[Oddest thing that has ever happened to them:] Dingy does not wish to speak of it.
[Personal goal not yet achieved:] A goal not achieved is work that needs to be done!
[Biggest Regret Mistake:] See “Oddest Thing”.

In and Out of Character Info

Character Name: Dingy the House Elf
Link to Biography: link

Sections Changed: Character Name, Backstory

Requested Changes: Original name retconned to “Dingpot” before narrative change to “Dingleheimer”; nickname spelling changed from “Dingy” to “Dinghee”

Why do you wish to change these area(s): In character, Dingleheimer has been freed from the O’Doherty family by the time of Casey’s 7th year at Hogwarts (winter/spring 2013). During his time while finding a new career through the House Elf Relocation Office, he would have wanted to change his name.

Out of character, it was originally suggested that “Dingpot” was just an insult used by the clan. Upon revisions, “Dingpot” is much more degrading if it was his given name from being the son of the O’Doherty elves Dollop & Dimple. Casey rarely used the name Dingpot, if ever. Besides the name change, this is also to tweak/retcon the shortened version of his name “Dingy” into a phonetically similar spelling (Dinghee, or Ding-EE) that won’t be confused for ‘dingy’ (Din-GEE; a dirty, drab appearance) or ‘dinghy’ (an inflatable life boat).

Other characters this may affect: None currently active, nearly everyone referred to him by his nickname anyways. Effective changes to name and spelling are enacted during the Five Year Jump.

OOC
I believe I can change the name on the account, and Kit has kindly reformatted Dingleheimer's wiki page already
Nothing will need to be changed on old posts
Having the site tag changed to 'Dinghee' would be super helpful, thanks in advance
https://absitomen.com/index.php?action=tags;tagid=2429

Character Name: Dingleheimer the House Elf, "Dinghee"
Link to Biography: link
Previous Job/Position: O’Doherty enslaved elf, personal steward
Position Applying For: Freed elf, Sommelier[1] for Hob’s Fíon Milis Earraigh (shortened to Hob Mil)[2]

Why have you chosen to change careers?: Dinghee and his parents, Dollop and Dimple, were the long serving House Elves of the O’Doherty family of Irish loan sharks. They performed all menial labor, such as at the Donegal wine label, oftentimes degrading jobs at the whims of the Doherty Manor residents.

Dingpot certainly lived up to his namesake, dressed in potato sacks and using a beaten kitchen pot to protect his head. A common ‘game’ played by the residents was to throw things at his head, called Dingpot Snipes. Points earned for volume of the ‘ding’ when struck or catching the object about the handle. By the time he could scrub floors, the heads of the family placed him in the Office of House Elf Relocation when they learned the wayward heir, Martin O’Doherty, requested a house elf. ‘Dingy’ was selected to help with Darla's difficult pregnancy and Casey's early upbringing. The elders used this newfound information to force Martin back into the family fold.

Although he could be ordered by anyone in the O’Doherty family, Dingy became Casey’s personal steward as he was groomed as the new inheritor, owing to Casey’s fickle health. The elves would also secretly care for bedridden Darla, left to rot in the attic. Casey was rather apt at layering geas, or methods of ordering Dingy to keep him loyal. Ultimately, both master and elf grew up as confidants under shared abuse, as Casey tried to spare Dingy the worst his family would have him do. Once Darla was on the recovery, he tried to leave ample time in Dingy’s assigned tasks so he could help Darla in secret.

Casey eventually realized he would need to free Dingy, Dollop & Dimple in an irrefutable way. By the time of his 7th year, he was in a position to both do so and take down the family criminal enterprises a peg, by revealing their past corruption in the House Elf Relocation office. Darla, getting better with her sewing, made the clothes tailored specifically for the three elves. Dingy was given a rustic tweed suit, in brown plaid and orange accents, including bow-tie. He treasures the outfit as his “Sunday’s Best” to this day. As a free elf, he took the name “Dingleheimer”, shortened to Dinghee.

The O'Dohertys had to pay several restitution fines, losing some of their legitimate business holdings like the 'Donegal' wine label. An unusual stipulation was also added, in that the elves couldn't work for any O'Doherty family member or enterprise. Casey is waiting a probationary period to request being removed from the restraining order. And in a reversal of fortune, some of the wine-making assets were turned over to the elves. After all, they were already running most of the operations. Why shouldn't there be an entirely elf managed wine label?

Elaborate on your expertise in this new field: Dingleheimer's main talents are his adaptability and loyalty. The former O'Doherty elves came from generations pressed into domestic service and wine making. As Casey's former steward, Dinghee had to internalize the Slytherin's ever growing list of allergies during schooling to cook a specialized diet and help administer remedies. He was also family stenographer, along with being tasked to some truly outlandish and illicit acts by the O'Dohertys.

But Dinghee was also Casey's first confidant in gender fluid escapades that became interwoven with freeing Darla from the O'Doherty's negligence. Former master and steward had quite a strong bond under Casey's shows of being tough, both enduring different levels of abuse in the household. Dinghee could encourage kinder behavior from Casey. Nowadays, some of Dinghleheimer's efforts to be "his own master" are patterned after some of Casey's better qualities, along with the elf's own helpful personality.

Rather ironically, wine making is the last thing Dinghee would have thought to do with his freedom. He never took part in the trade as consistently as his parents. As the elves were freed Dinghee had thoughts of finding employment in hospitality, not interested in full time employment at Hogwarts. Nor in serving a different family after the O’Dohertys (specifically where Casey and Darla showed him more kindness). It was just a trade to bide time while looking for new jobs, as Dollop & Dimple could teach Dinghee the methods without the influences of their former masters. But after Dollop & Dimple took a posting at Hogwarts to assist Tempest Sage as school healer, Dinghee was left at the end of this impromptu apprenticeship with an oddly entrepreneurial spirit. Especially when connecting to other freed elves seeking new areas of employment.

Describe your new job and how you go about doing it: Dingleheimer is the sommelier and resident spokes elf for the developing label, Hob Mil, in Co. Cork Ireland. He does ‘sales by volunteering’ via getting to know clients (domestic or commercial) in their kitchens. He gives very personalized recommendations, thanks to his talents for catering meals to particular diets and health concerns. This includes a personal touch upon delivery, as there’s very few places an elf can’t get to if they’re clever enough.

As for the Erumpent in the room: How do elves make wine if they get drunk off of butterbeer? Wouldn’t that level of alcohol be lethal to them? This is true, but any alcohols an elf makes are rarely sampled at the end of the fermentation process. Not without a cure nearby. Only the beginning blend is tasted to get right, before fermentation. A portion of such ‘juice’ is saved every batch specifically for elf and non-alcoholic clients. The rest of the time elves use their superior sense of smell to identify the bouquet of a wine or monitor the fermentation process.

Hob’s Fíon Milis Earraigh makes traditional Irish wines, both berry wine and honey wine (mead). They are beginning to grow their own grapes, while also experimenting with other wines like nettle, elderflower and turnip. Otherwise, for anything not grown in house Hob Mil has cultivated a collection of very rare wines for recommendation. Most of the original collection was from assets sized from the O'Dohertys and awarded to the elves.

For the elves that work there, each is given a share in the company, lodging, and voice in decision making. Duties are rotated, although Dingleheimer often heads up not just recommendations but also 'meeting bureau-crats.' There's the need to understand the peculiarities of property ownership (ie the paperwork) elves weren't originally subjected to in times past. Like having a company account at Gringotts, among other matters.

1.	Thanks to Michael for giving me half an idea about an elf-run winery and letting me run with it.
2.	Means Hob's “Sweet Spring Wine” in Gaeilge. Thanks to Lissa for help with the name!