Summer Camp Mysterious Maze Group 7 Closed

♢ Open to Interactions ♢

Everett was always up for a mental challenge, it was a signature of his house of the Horned Serpent. One that he was always particularly proud of. The young writer enjoyed making his brain work overtime, as long as it wasn't for too long. When the opportunity of a maze presented itself at the routine summer camp, his interest was peaked. Especially since it was by a Professor he didn't recognize from last year. Perhaps he hadn't attended last year, or perhaps he was new altogether. But, finding out wasn't really something of interest to him.

It seemed he was the first to arrive at a somewhat hallowed ground filled with fog and mystery. Something in his brain was buzzing with incredible excitement, a bubble overgrowing in his stomach made him want to run off. While he could stay with other people, there was a certain appeal to heading off on his own. If he was successful he could claim that for himself, rather than having to share the win with others.

He examined the three entrances and what they held, and they were all inviting in their own way. But the boy faithful to his fruits was most intrigued by the one that smelled of watermelon. He turned to the group and gave a tip of his cowboy hat (the one in the banner) to them. "Good luck out there y'all!" And with that he headed into the watermelon scented entrance.

Action ♢ Taking the Northern Entrance
Paragon of Health ♢ No Allies are Benefitting from this Ability

♢ Outfit Reference ♢

Reducio

The maze had been the event that Nicholas was most looking forward to, a test of skill and a chance to prove himself. More than a few of the other events had been little more than party games or attempts to foster friendships amongst the various students. That was all well and good, but it was hardly his preferred way to spend his time. He was relatively content with his social standing, or lack thereof, but it was the sweet taste of victory that called out to him. The siren's song of the maze had been too tempting to even consider turning down. And naturally, that meant that he found himself assembled with the small group of students, ready to take on the maze.

The first of them to speak was one of the Americans, his accent thick as he wished them luck and tipped his hat. The very picture of a stereotype. Still, the boy's actions had set the scene. They were free to compete as a group, that was true, but Nicholas had little desire to stay with the bulk of students whilst at least one of the cohort had split off. There was more glory to be gained by tackling the maze on one's lonesome and he hardly considered himself the type to stick with the flock whilst others took their own paths.

So it was that the Hogwarts student followed soon after the American, not bothering to wish his competitors luck as the boy in the hat at done. Rather, he threw a lazy hand over his shoulder, the greeting somewhat lazy but the meaning obvious. He was bidding them farewell, as good-natured as he could without speaking.

As to the matter of which entrance to take, it was rather obvious in the end. The middle entrance had challenged him with its words, it would be cowardice to take any other path. He stepped forward, and found worry settling in his stomach for the first time that night.

He took a deep breath, centering himself and allowing his emotions to settle in his stomach. There was no time to worry, and this was hardly a dangerous event, it was a summer school game. He had dealt with worse in the preceding school year, and he had come out fine in the end. This was a game that was his to win, he would reach the end of the maze first, god willing.

Stats: STA: 12 | EVA: 6 | STR: 8 | WIS: 6 | ARC: 4 | ACC: 6
Abilities: Foulplay | Statistically Relevant
Mentioning @Willow Anderson (Everett Brooks)
Action: Taking the Middle Entrance

Open for Interaction (Her hair is now Pink-purple)

Banner inspired by Winnie Harper

Mentioning Rett, Nicholas, Theodore

Interacting with @Cassandra Ironwoods

Maze. As if Hogwarts by itself isn’t perplexing enough, the groundkeepers thought it was a good idea to put unstable children inside a labyrinth. By looking at the exterior of the enigma, Aurora could tell she just made the biggest mistake in her life. What was she thinking? Darkness was never a good idea, just imagine what would be lurking behind the cloak of shadows, between the tall walls. The truth was she could not handle the feeling of wanting to know. Wanting to dissect the secrets. For her, it is better to die with knowledge rather than live forever but having zero clues about what happened. Despite all that, curiosity apparently not always killed the cat. And hopefully, it will stay that way. Beside, she prepared a bottle of pepper spray, a hammer, and of course a wand inside her bag as self protection. Nothing could go wrong. Right?

The sight of familiar faces calmed the Ravenclaw’s feelings bit although she didn’t know them on a personal level. Two foreign students from the Unicorn cabin, that McBoy who hit her brutally with a bludger TWICE, the cool Slytherin beater though their hair was no longer purple. Once what sounded like an American student entered the maze, followed by the Gryffindor, Aurora just wanted to back out and go back to the cabin, cuddling with Lucifur, being surrounded by chocolates and lights. Unfortunately, the path goes back to the unicorn cabin was not even a choice there, and it would be embarrassing for her to run away. Entering the maze with Nicholas was a pride destroyer, even seeing his back made her gag. Then her gaze shifted from the foul player to Ironwoods. They were nice back in the scrimmage, perhaps it won’t hurt to ask the beater to enter the maze together, hand in hand, like Teletubbies. “H-hey, Iron-“ What was their name again, Iron steel? Iron forest? “-Ironwoods.” Aurora gave them a shy smile. “Do you want to, uh, walk together? Maybe?” If Ironwoods agrees to her proposal to work together as a team, or be her protector so she wouldn’t get hurt, the pink haired girl would lead her new maze partner towards the southern entrance.

It was peculiar. Not the maze, but the object that was laying on the ground. Purposefully or not, the idea of using a bucket was foolish. It was not something that will give any benefit in a labyrinth, or will it? Could be a portkey. But there was no way the girl would know about something like that. “A bucket, huh? Should we use it for a helmet or something?” She crouched down and pick the bucket up, in an attempt to put it on her head like a hat while the other hand grabbed onto Ironwoods’ hand, if nothing would happen, she would walk inside the maze behind the Slytherin.

Sta - 5 | Eva - 8 | Str - 5 Wis - 8 | Arc - 4 | Acc - 10 Terrible Presence Evasive Maneuvers

Outfit Reducio

Action
Entering the southern entrance - wear the bucket as a hat

Hex Code #000080 - English #C71585 - French #006400 - Latin #4B0082 - Spanish

Interact With @Aurora Ranvier Mention(s) N / A

Outfit of The Day Reducio

Tuesday August 10th 2021 Late Evening

At the beginning when the green eyes signed up to participated in the maze game, they thought it will be a fun activity for them to joined but after they saw how tall and omnious the wall of dark green hedges are like Cash almost turned around. Not because they were scared. That was not the problem.

The problem for the green eyes were they did not like to be confused or lost in the middle of the maze. Sure Cash loves challange but added the fog surrounded the maze, it give more eerie feeling. It seems the young Ironwoods did not learn from their past mistake. Mazes - like and Cash were like oil and water.

It will always clashed with one another. And seeing the wall of dark green hedges bring them a déjà vu feeliings and moment. Cash took a deep breath and about to enter one of the pathway that the maze provided until they heard someone called out their name. Cash looked at the source of the voice.

The green eyes never knew the other girl personaly but both of the Quidditch players were in the same team in last year Quidditch Scrimmage that both Aurora and Cash partook. Aurora asked whether both of them want to walked into the maze together and Cash for a moment contemplated on Aurora's proposal.

After awhile Cash spoke up. "Sure"They replied to Aurora. At least Cash learnt something from their dungeon experience. "Which one do you think we should take?"Inquired the green eyes to the now pink - purple haired girl. It seems the roles has reversed for both of them. Last year Cash had a striking purple haired and now Aurora is the one that making the drastic change.

"Wait!"Cash called Aurora out before both of them continued their path down much deeper into the maze. "I vaguely remember your fondness with chocolate"Cash said as they looked down and opened up the brown leather sling bag that they bring. "And it seems I could fed the entire army with how much I brought today"The Beater opened their bag much wider for Aurora to take a peek.

Inside their bag other than their Phoenix feather wand, there are varities of chocolates. From dark, milk, and white chocolate. The chocolates they brought are well known brands. Cadburrys, Ferrero Rochers, Godiva, Lindt, and Snickers. "Take your pick"The Cuban descendant said to Aurora. Cash waited for awhile until Aurora picked her favorite brand of chocolate(s) that Cash brought for today adventure.

Once Aurora done that, Cash zipped up their bag. Then both of the Quidditch players continuing their path down the maze. It seems Aurora decided to take the Southern entrace. Cash followed where Aurora lead them. They walked down much deeper into the maze until both of them found a strange item laying on the ground.

The item is a bucket. Aurora then asked Cash whether they should wear the bucket as a helmet or not. "I am not sure"They provided. After Cash said that, Aurora crouched down and picked the bucket up, attempting to put in on her head. "You seriously will put that dirty bucket in your head?"They asked.

"First of all, we do not know where that bucket is come from and second of all, that bucket is dirty. They lying on the ground from some reason"Cash added to their argument. Then Cash felt something warm enclosing their hand. The young Ironwoods looked down and found Aurora holding their hand.

The green eyes wanted to swatted Aurora's hand that hold their hand away but for the time being, Cash let it be. Cash looked at Aurora. First, the girl decided to wear something eccentric and she probably thinking what she wears is cool or something and now she attempts to put the bucket on her head.

The Cuban descendant shook their head at their luck. They are baffled very much so with this oddball kind of girl.

For Moderation

Action Entering the Southern Entrance

Abilities Obnoxiously Strong (15% Strength)

Talents Parselmouth Parseltongue Adept (Y1) Spying Snake (Y3) - Not Applicable

Stats Stamina 7 ♠ Evasion 7 Strength 7 ♠ Wisdom 6 Arcane Power 6 ♠ Accuracy 9

THERE WAS A MAZE!

Sorry... There was a maze! How absolutely a-MAZE-ing! Yeah, no, there would not be an end to the maze puns, at least not from a certain Thunderbird on that day. As soon as the announcement had been up that there would be a maze adventure, Theodore had not hesitated to sign himself up- when would there be another opportunity? Probably not soon.
Would it be dangerous? Well, from what he had seen so far at Hogwarts, most hecking likely. Was that going to stop him? More the opposite. Theo was thirsting for adventure and if there was a little danger involved, even better! Why else would he have signed up to be a broomracer anyway?

The absolute highlight was that Rett had also signed up. And then the two boys were also put in the same team, it had to be a sign from heaven right? Or hell? Maybe hell. Probably. Excited from head to toe Theo arrived in front of the maze to meet his group. He was a little late, but only late enough to hear his classmate wish everyone good luck and attempt to wander off on his own. "Where do you think you're going?", Theo asked, catching up with the Horned Serpent. "It's your lucky day, I am coming with you, for how shall we ever survive this on our own...", he joked around, following his friend through the north entrance.

Entering through the northern entrance.

Open to Interactions!

Amelia loved to challenge herself at different activities which is exactly why she now found herself currently standing in front of a gigantic hedge maze. Perhaps she had overestimated herself, because looking at the labyrinth looming ominously in front of her was making the girl quite nervous. The fog that settled around the maze definitely didn't help settle her nerves. She double checked the bag she had brought with her to make sure she had her wand, the girl had also brought with her a bottle of water and a couple of packets of crisps in case she got hungry (or in the rare chance she wanted to share her food with someone).

Observing her surroundings, she noticed that there were three entrances that she could go through. She had to choose between the three different entrances, each being slightly different from the others. The northern entrance smelt like... watermelon? Well, that was certainly intriguing. The middle entrance was the most ominous of all, with a sign pinned up in the front with the words 'Are you sure?' written on it. Was this sign trying to turn people away from going into what could possibly be the easiest path or was this actually the hardest path? Maybe she should find out, or maybe she should go into the southern entrance, the only thing that this entrance had was a bucket placed in front of it. Interesting. Do you need to bring it with you? Amelia probably would've picked up the bucket if a girl with pink-purple hair hadn't got to it first and had put it on her head. Well, that was currently one way to do it.

Amelia debated her choices. Most of the group she got placed with went off on their own or went to join up with their friends. She would probably have to do this solo, unless she met someone inside the maze. Amelia turned towards the southern entrance, which was the least threatening of the three with only a bucket sat in the front, or at least it used to have one. The northern entrance could be trying to lure you into a false sense of security with the nice smell of watermelon, or maybe the girl was just being paranoid. The middle entrance was the creepiest of all, that sign was definitely not the most welcoming and maybe Amelia wasn't the bravest person on the planet. So, there was only one option left. After what felt like an eternity of standing here and debating what entrance to enter, Amelia entered the southern entrance without turning back.

Action: Entering the Southern Entrance

Northern Entrance

Everett Brooks (@Willow Anderson), Theodore Duncain (@Opeila Winters)

The great scent of watermelon proved too good of a lure for some of the students who decided they would try their luck along the sweet path. There was no telling what sorts of watermelon goodness...or horrors might be waiting for the pair. But it was likely good that they would have one another in the darkness should they need a hug.

The path immediately bent to the left before taking a second sharp turn to the right down a somewhat long corridor where the hedges seemed to be closer together than the entrance. The narrow corridor would force the students into a single file line. The fog only grew thicker inside the maze but the scent of watermelon held strong.

Eventually, the narrow corridor would reach a fork. One path turned sharply to the left and the other path gently curved to the right. There wasn’t anything inherently different between the paths at first glance. But keen ears might hear a soft rumbling noise coming from the right path. It was faint but a careful student may catch it. Were the northern students condemned to a night of chasing after watermelon smells or was there a chance that they had could make it out unscathed?

Available Directions: Turn Left, Turn Right or Go Back

Middle Entrance

@Nicholas McCowan

Well, it seemed that the note left at the central entrance was no deterrent for one of the students. Instead of taking the note as a warning, it seemed that the young student was up for the challenge or at least proved more daring than their peers. Hopefully, they wouldn’t regret it…

As soon as Nicholas crossed into the central path there was a low rumble from behind. Suddenly tendrils of roots and vines erupted from the opening. Branches weaved and pulled together as the hedges quickly closed off the entrance to the middle path, leaving the student standing in the dark corridor with no way to get out except through the maze. Hopefully, they would not mind the temporary solitude.

With the entrance now closed, the path became darker and more still as the hedges offered no more movement. The path inside would quickly weave to the right through a winding, but open path. A short way down the path, however, the students would be faced with a new option. A narrow path branched sharply to the left while the main path seemed to continue forward for a short way. In the darkness, which path would they choose?

Available Directions: Turn Left or Go Forward

Southern Entrance

@Amelia Faye, @Cassandra Ironwoods, @Aurora Ranvier

It seemed the bucket path would have some visitors! And luckily for the group, Aurora weilded the mighty bucket on her head. Whatever challenges they faced, at least the bucket would be there to give them comfort. Cassandra might have slandered the bucket as a dirty ole bucket, but maybe by the end of the day it would become her close companion. So into the southern path they went, likely hoping that they would not face anything terrifying like giant spiders or judgemental rock friends. It was true that the southern path might have looked the less intimidating of the three but perhaps that was the trap.

The path quickly arched to the left, taking the students on a short walk through the dense hedges. With the fog and tight turns, it was challenging to see more than a few paces in front of yourself. But eventually, the path opened into a small fork and the students would be forced to make a decision.

A new path branched off to the left, shrouded by fog but looking no different otherwise. Or the students could continue forward. However, through the fog on the path they were currently on, the students would be able to hear the soft twang of music. The faint sound of a solemn violin placing somewhere down the path in front of them. Perhaps a dance in the maze appealed to them or perhaps a strange violin in the middle of a fog-filled maze was too ominous. The choice rested with them...

Available Directions: Turn Left, Continue Forward or Turn Back

No Posts

@Xander Smith, @Lily Cooper

For those still standing at the entrance, they would still have a chance to enter the Northern or Southern entrance but the middle path was no longer available after it seemed to close itself.

How to Navigate the Maze

1. Each round you can choose an available direction to travel or to take a different action.
2. Each moderation will list the available directions for each student.
3. You can choose to stay as a group or wander off on your own. But if you are alone...beware of the orange.
4. Depending on the paths chosen, you may encounter challenges or changes within the maze.
5. Stats will be used in this tread and thus you will need to ensure they are in your trunk.
6. There will be a moderation post at least once a week. Quicker moderations will be done if all active participants have replied.
7. If a participant misses two weeks of moderation, it will be assumed they decided to take a nap and will be removed from the maze for their safety!
8. As always...clothing will be required in this thread!

By Winnie

[font=book antique]Outfit: [x] Mysterious Maze cbd9df[/font]

[font=book antique]Lily Beatrix Cooper 10th August 2021 #289087[/font]

===

[font=book antique]You signed up for the labyrinth. You had to use your brain or you wouldn't last two weeks. You had to think, you had to get the riddles into your head so that you could solve them. And what better way to do that than with a maze? Now that you are faced with these three entries, you don't know what to do. You don't know if you should have come. It seems like a trap to you. Why would there be a trap? Hogwarts is a school! But you never know, so you decide to be careful. You observe the three entrances. Everyone has already entered. Except for you and a first-year boy. You take three steps back as the middle entrance closes. Oh shit! This was the one that seemed safest to you. Blueberry (whom you had let wander around) arrives in front of you and enters through the first entrance. Shit again. The smell of watermelon seems very suspicious. - Blueberry! Blueberry, come back... Pleaaaase! Blueberry turns around when you call her. You smile and encourage her to come. But you don't. She continues walking towards the supposed watermelons. You roll your eyes, exasperated by Blueberry's stubbornness. You don't want anything to happen to your cat so you decide to follow her. It doesn't matter if it's just a trap, you don't want anything to happen to Blueberry![/font]

===

Action: Enter through the first passage in pursuit of Blueberry
Stats: Sta: 5 | Eva: 7 | Str: 4 | Wis: 9 | Arc: 5 | Acc: 5

Confidence that had built within Nicholas’s core disappeared all at once, as if the great iron forge that had fed his bravery had been extinguished by a great gust of wind. Being thrust into a suddenly closed path had the tendency to do that to a person. Especially when that person was twelve years old. Even more so if that confidence had been built upon a shaky foundation more akin to sticks and tinderboxes than the gas fires that fueled proper forges. The vines twisted and turned, roots and tendrils moving as if competing with one another to see who could close the small entrance way first, jostling for position and fighting to block out the light. The sight of the few remaining competitors out before the maze’s entrances existed for the briefest of flashes, and then was swallowed up into the body of green tendrils. Nicholas was alone.

“What?” He asked aloud, eyes widening with sudden, terrified realisation.

Immediately he pushed back to the maze’s entrance and ran a hand tentatively over the leaves and vines, his ivory fingers delicately touching the emerald appendages, lest they reach out and sting him. The connection was brief, as the boy quickly returned his hand to his side, desperately attempting to find any form of inner peace. This was a game, this was a stupid bloody game that he had signed up for. The fact that he was alone and trapped in a maze of all things, a Christ darned labyrinth, was beside the point. It had been set up by the school, that meant that he couldn’t possibly be in danger.

He continued to think that happy thought for a few seconds longer, willing his shaking hands to cease, and to hold steady by his sides. He had to rationalise his fear, he had to quell it. He breathed in, and out, then in again. The shaking ceased.

He had been shocked by the sudden closure, that was it, he wasn’t actively afraid of the maze nor the dark. There were more important things to worry about than stupid, illogical fear of death. He had to focus on winning.

His eyes shot back toward the pathway that lay before him, there was no way to go but forward was there? He drew his wand, the familiar sensation of the wood serving as both comfort and defence, and began the trek forward.

Nicholas moved with quick steps, whether by fear or by excitement to achieve victory, he could not tell, nor did he care to discover. The hedge walls were oppressive, and he did not want to consider whether or not he was legitimately afraid. The test would be simple, he merely had to use his head and he would prosper.

Chances of prospering, however, were dimmed when he noticed the first branch in the path. He had expected an intersection, a crossroads, where he would have to way up the dark and dreary path to the left with the too-sweet and too-tantalising path to the right. Instead, he faced a small and narrow pathway that led into the dark.

Every inch of his body screamed at him, bellowed with the intensity of twenty men and years of evolutionary discipline to avoid the narrow path, to stick to the more trusted main exit. There was no good to be gained by running off into a would-be forest at night, the simplest of cavemen knew such a thing as truth.

That, he reasoned, was exactly why he had to take it. The maze was attempting to trick him, it was attempting to throw him off the track of the path by making the most accurate way to the exit the most obviously foreboding. Naturally, this meant that it was also the most obvious pathway. That therein was the second trick, a double-bluff. The most dangerous path was the most obvious, making it the least obvious, making it the best path to take. Further, there would be no real danger, it was a game, a test, a silly little thing that children could compete in.

The logical reasoning bounced around his head with all the lack of grace of a commoner in the court of a French queen. A desperate man pleading his case before a jury and judge that did not care, and yet it was the pleading of the desperate man that won out. For Nicholas did care, he cared more about a potential chance at fleeting and inconsequential glory than he did about a silly game in which there was no real danger.

Yet, he gulped. His throat had become dry without him noticing. The gulp did nothing, in much the way that a gentle drizzle did not quell the heat of the Sahara.

“Get yourself together, McCowan,” He whispered to himself, his voice hoarse, “Stop worrying, you git.”

The words were empty, but they helped somewhat.

That somewhat was all he needed, he took his first step down the left path.

He barely even registered the reflexive action of flicking his chestnut wand, “Lumos.”

Stats: STA: 12 | EVA: 6 | STR: 8 | WIS: 6 | ARC: 4 | ACC: 6
Abilities: Foulplay | Statistically Relevant
Interacting with myself
Action: Turning Left; Casting Lumos