User blog:Jiskran/Canon and compatible with canon

I think these two concepts need separating and perhaps defining. As has been recently pointed out to me, our very existence as an RP idea is 'non-canon', however, I would argue that it needs to be compatible with canon. Under whatever guise or name, we don't allow Voldemort and Harry clones to overrun the site. We likewise do not create an endless number of new schools and even more general locations, even if many of us do have our own ideas on how we'd like to see such places run.

I feel we should look to strike a balance between the new and innovative, and existing patterns of play. I'm not remotely suggesting that any new idea must be pinned up against the canon wall and measured inch by inch for absolute agreement. I have several locations and chars myself who would never survive that, and I'm fond of them all. Some things, to me, on the other hand, represent a sea change in the atmosphere, introduce RL/Muggle elements which I feel don't belong. I'm not saying anyone else has to agree with me, and if the majority of users support an idea then it should be found a place here. I'm trying to suggest that 'absolute canon' is not required - or helpful - but to my mind straying too far from it isn't either. What's close, far and too far, of course, then becomes the next layer of the debate. :P