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Final Task Piérre The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship

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Third and Final Task - Retrieve a specific item hidden in a patch of Swooping Evil cocoons. Attention - there might be additional complications.
Image posted by the member __ __ Skin colour: Blue and Green
Distinction: Resembles a large butterfly| Wolf-like skull | Spiked wings | Shrinks into green spiny cocoon when not in flight | Feeds on human brains | Tough skin can deflect spells | Venomous
Ministry of Magic Classification: Beast
After a busy morning in which all teams had the opportunity to brew their best potions, using all their knowledge and best of skills, professors Melisande Lennox and @Méabh Regan would be waiting for the brave and daring contestants at the Quidditch Stadium. Alongside them was the prestigious and international panel of judges, constituted by Hogwarts' Hjørdis Jensen and Dusana Sabo, Célestine de la Croix-Valmer from Beauxbatons, Évodie Ndoto Masudi of Uagadou and Hugo da Silva[NPC] former Castelobruxo's potions professor and a renown author.

It was mid-autumn and the Scottish highlands would welcome them with gray skies and a very unpleasant cold wind. Meli looked at the heavy clouds forming a dense blanket that threatened to dissolve into raindrops and hoped that wouldn't happen for a while longer. Behind her, the representatives of the various schools participating in the tournament were sitting comfortably, they would be the ones who would evaluate the performance of all the teams and they would be the ones who would decide the winner in the end. Who among them would deserve to walk out of the stadium with a shiny new golden cauldron and bring honor and prestige to their names? Melisande knew that she flinched a little when she saw some of the potions being prepared...now she only could hope for the best!

The Quidditch Stadium was completely renovated and prepared to receive the event. In it, three different sections could be found, each prepared for the challenges corresponding to each age group.
Third Section:
In the last third of the Stadium, covered by a giant greenhouse dome, there was another forest, but this one had a different flavor, it was a luxurious tropical forest, and instead of tall pine trees, we would find mahogany trees, strangler figs, passionflower flowers, orchids, bromeliads and soursop trees. Scattered on the ground and hanging on the trees were wicker baskets with soursops and...yes you're correct, swooping evils in the mix! Once the adventurous students entered the forest their mission would prove to be quite difficult, of course! To achieve prestige the challenges could not be easy to overcome!

Melisande and Méabh were standing together, making themselves noticed among the seated spectators, as they waited for all the competition participants to arrive at the place where the last part of the Potions Championship would be held. Once all the contestants were present, Meli, with her voice amplified by the Sonorus spell, would finally address everyone present, "Dear students and honorer guests, welcome to the third and final part of the Potions Championship. As you can see, in front of you is not the usual sight that we are used to finding inside our Quidditch Stadium. The organisation of this event took liberties and transformed it into a more suitable setting for this contest.”

“Inside that lush green tropical rainforest,” Meli continued pointing with her hand and outstretched arm towards the patch of tall trees, colourful, beautiful flowers and dense vegetation,“There are several wicker baskets with soursops. You have to be able to recover a soursop without disturbing the swooping evils that hide among the trees and the fruit baskets. You’ll need to use all your courage and wits to succeed in this dangerous mission."

"Completing your task should be your main goal, but let me remind you that you’ll lose points if you get yourself harmed or any of the Swooping Evils. I hope you’ve done your best and brewed the most outstanding potions!” She merrily ended saying, giving the crowd one of her brightest smiles. It certainly would be entertaining!

“So when you are ready…” She started again, looking at the youngest students with an encouraging nod and smile, “Remember you will only have one hour to finish this challenge, when the time is over so it is your opportunity to succeed. Time starts as soon as you enter your challenge field. In your case, as soon as you cross the door to the rainforest greenhouse. Time will stop counting when you return."

"Pay attention to your surroundings, remember everything you have learned so far, trust your companions and I’m sure you’ll be victorious! Good luck!” Then she would give them a signal, letting them know that they were free to enter the greenhouse and start their challenge.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
THIRD CHALLENGE FOR 5TH AND 7TH YEAR

- Retrieve a soursop fruit from a patch of Swooping Evils.

- The groups will be judged and rated by a prestigious panel of international wizards, by the following criteria:
1. Quality of the potions
2. Successful completion of the task
3. How fast they finished the task
4. Injuries and other harm to the competitors
5. Injuries and other harm to the beasts
jjjj
- The tasks will be performed in the same groups that brewed the potions in the first and second part. Each member of the group will have one dose of each of the two potions they brewed to use - but be careful, their effect will depend on the success of the brewing stage, and a bad brew might harm more than help!
(This potion is IC only and only usable for this thread - there is no potion item associated with this.)

- The event has a total of three moderated rounds, after which the time is up! Your characters can perform one moderated action per round (incl. casting spells - think adventure threads, balls, sports etc.). Using a potion as a bonus action (can be performed additionally to the moderated action). You can use both potions in the same round, in this case one potion counts as the first moderated action and the second as a bonus action. Will your strategy lead to victory?

- Moderations take place roughly weekly. The deadline for posting is six days (144 hours) after the moderation is posted. The word requirement is 200 words per post.

- The top team of each age group is crowned victor and earns eternal glory for their schools. And of course, a magnificent golden Cauldron!

- OOC reward: One dose of a potion depending on your age group for every participant who has posted in every moderation round:
1-2nd Year: Fire Breathing Potion
3-4th Year: Invisibility Potion
5-7th Year: Strengthening Solution
@Piérre Marchonné
Final Task Piérre The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
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Calming Presence in Effect: Figaro Affected
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Image posted by the member
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Week of 19 October, 2024...
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The brewing bit of the competition was over and done with. Now it was time to put everything that they had done in the morning into practice now in the afternoon.

He was one of only a few solo contestants, though among those soloists in his year bracket he was quite obviously the youngest. Nobody as far as he knew had come to cheer for him, and he didn't blame them. It was more than likely that he was going to make himself into a fool for trying to do this to begin with, for thinking that he had it in him to compete with those far better than him at brewing and strategic problem-solving. He had a certain moxie in him, but the moxie could only take a conman so far before he was forced to face the music and admit that for all his hollow show and glittering limelight he was an empty suit held up only by the imagined tall tales and silvery threads of puppetry threaded upon a gloved hand high above and hidden from the rest of those eyes behind the teaser.

Swooping Evils. Famously dangerous creatures and easily at least a XXXX rank creature as they were known wizard-killers. Capable of inducing madness with a single sting, creatures that thrived upon the brains of other creatures. Oh yes, Piérre had done his research on these creatures, mostly because he had found them quite beautiful specimens, but also because he had learned very interesting alchemical properties about their highly corrosive venom. Allegedly, if distilled and then diluted properly, it could make a particularly effective memory altering potion.

If it wasn't just for the corrosive tendencies of the venom, then surely the boy had reason to try to obtain some just for the sake of experimenting with the mind-altering properties of it. The mind was such a delicate, interesting thing--so swayable under the right conditions, even with conditions as weak-willed as magic. It was useful. Useful, at least, for his own purposes. Many would pay a pretty penny for it, he was willing to bet, and what a trophy it would be if he could just obtain some for himself. The challenge was getting it.

And in this little game that the international schools had concocted... they had given him quite an opportunity indeed. Not only was the item he was supposed to collect among the cocoons that the gorgeous creatures were known to take their dormant state in, but it seemed that the idea was that he was going to--at some point--either accidentally or purposefully disturb them, causing them to burst free of their chrysalides and to naturally turn upon him as the disturber of their rests.

How delightfully dangerous. Just the way the boy who didn't exist liked it.

Figaro had refused to stay put, so instead they stood together outside of the greenhouse, watching a bit of condensation dribble down the glass panes. Piérre already had his first potion on deck, an Invisibility Potion. He had fragments of a plan formulated, but he liked making sure that all his options were on the table. Invisibility was going to certainly be useful--what counted was how useful it was going to be overall in his efforts to locate a real fruit among the faux.

"We sure are going to have our jobs cut out for us this time, Figaro." He murmured to his beloved companion as he accompanied the words with a firm rubbing on Figaro's head, which laid placidly on his shoulder. "This isn't going to be like stealing things from Reaganomics or from It." He held his breath for a moment, feeling the tension in his chest like a little death, a small paralyzing arrest of respiration though his heart beat fast and hard surrounded safely by his lungs and the cage of his ribs. They were looking quite literally into the face of a great Swooping Evil. A beautifully lethal creature...

"We have to find a fruit that looks like a lot of the Swooping Evil cocoons. There's going to be very few tells to let us know if we've found a real one or if it's a sleeping critter." He was indeed talking to his cat, who while didn't look it was indeed quite sharp as a whip due to his training. "Figaro, you're going to have to aiutare. help" The silver bengal's ear flicked, listening to the command word he had been given. He knew what it meant. It meant to watch and to do something similar to what his master himself was doing. Something that he could do to work beside his master. "But if those things wake up... you're getting out first--I'll make damn sure of it." His jaw set with determination.

Time started when he would take his first step in. Well... he was just about as prepared as he was going to ever be, as Figaro slunk from his shoulders and began to investigate the immediate arena for his own just as much as Piérre was. It was either now or not at all. Obtain a soursop fruit, a PROPER soursop fruit (he was certainly going to be looking for a stem or lingering leaves to serve as a telltale mark), and then get out. And if things went poorly...?

Well... maybe he would be able to obtain an even more precious prize for his troubles and thoroughly put out of anyone's mind how 'shameful' he was in their eyes.

Baskets baskets... were there any normal fruits simply hanging from the trees of the tropic wonderland? That would likely be his best shot if he could just go up there and pluck one straightaway. But... if there was one closeby, or even if there was one in a difficult patch that he was certain looked right... well that one was free game as well. It didn't matter where it was--the point was that it would eventually end up in Piérre's hands come Hell or high water. This was because he did indeed have his eye on the prize.

And his eye hardly ever wavered when it saw something that he wanted.

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Standard Action: Search for a Real Soursop [Keen Eye] ─ Attempt Cat's Grace [Ability, Thread Entry]
[If permitted as a free action: If Piérre is confident he has found a Real Soursop, he will pick it up/move to it]
Bonus Action: Imbibe Invisibility Potion
Beast Master: Commanded to "Help" Piérre [in Searching] ─ Attempt Cat's Grace [Ability, Thread Entry]
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Statistics: Stamina 7 | Strength 8 | Evasion 18 | Wisdom 12 | Accuracy 16 | ArcPower 9

Abilities:
Keen Eye • Calming Presence • Beast Master [Cat] • Cat's Grace • Animagus • Muggle Condition

Items:
Wand [Yew & Snallygaster Heartstring] | [Violet] Deck of 52 Playing Cards | Soda
[Sharpened] Locksmith's Knife | Glass Phials | Invisibility Potion | Vitamix Potion
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@Melisande Lennox & @Méabh Regan
1,025 words
Jesters do oft prove prophets. 𓀚
I am the brother account to Romeo Marchonné & Zyva Hel Fae Skógrwight
Final Task Piérre The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
Image posted by the member
Round: 1
The icy wind continued to blow around the stadium, unwilling to show its mercy to all the excited participants and spectators. Meli suppressed a shiver as a delicate thread of cold air dared to penetrate the fabric of her scarf. With her bright sapphire eyes, she scanned the stadium field, not wanting to miss anything that was happening, both for her own amusement and entertainment, but also so that she could act quickly if something was going in the wrong direction. There ere too many variables that could make that competition turn to the wrong way.

It was interesting to see how her students thought in such different and creative strategies to overcome their challenges. Piérre, for example, decided to bring his loyal companion with him, to help him finding the right fruit hidden in the rainforest greenhouse. The Gryffindor Sith year, would bring a similar strategy than some of his peers and would start by drinking his Invisibility Potion. Melisande could immediately see it had been a good potion, but not a perfect one. The boy was perfectly invisible while he was still, but when he moved it was noticeable that something was moving, as if there was a tremor in the landscape, like a drop of water sliding over a surface. Transparent, but not completely invisible.
Identify the fruit - WDC:23
25% chances of immediately find the fruit [16-20] (keen eyes):
d20(20)=20+1 (Figaro's hep)=21 critical success
Piérre was able to find the right green, spiky fruit amongst all the cocoons.
Swooping Evil attack:
20% chances that they will attack instead of 50% chances due to the invisibility potion [17-20].
There are 3 swooping evils around.
d20=11(-2 cat's grace)= 9
d20=4 (-2)=2
d20=15 (-2)=13
Non was able to detect Piérre.
With his keen eye and Figaro's help, Piérre was able to spot the soursop almost immediately. Like he had wake up with a lucky blessing for the day, non of the creatures was able to detect his presence while he searched for the right cocoon.
Summary:
- Piérre found the fruit without disturbing the swooping evils.
Important Reminder:
Moderations take place roughly weekly. The deadline for posting is six days (144 hours) after the moderation is posted. The word requirement is 200 words per post.
@Piérre Marchonné
Final Task Piérre The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
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Calming Presence in Effect: Figaro Affected
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Image posted by the member
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Week of 19 October, 2024...
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"Tastes like chicken." He mumbled to himself after capping the empty bottle and returning it to his satchel. It did indeed have a poultry aftertaste, somewhat stale but at least it was smooth. Wiggling his fingers, he watched as he thought for a moment he saw his bones through his skin, and then even his bones seemed to vanish into a thin, rippling surface that allowed the ground to peek through. Like a glass frog, he was translucent, reflective, but not entirely vanished.

Yet, that was all that he needed when combined with his natural aptitude for stealth and sneakiness. Where his visual ability to blend in failed, his lack of notable footfall or footprint covered the gaps--even across dried leaves he moved like a hunter in a wide forest. Toes lightly stepping, never dragging. Moving from heel to toetips and adjusting his pace, stride, and weight placed so as to ensure that any sound that was made was no louder than the pawfalls of his own feline. Green eyes scanned, passing by baskets of cocoons and fruits, unideal places to retrieve a viable fruit from or from ones that he was uncertain of the quality of. Yet, fairly quickly his eye alit upon one that was just exposed enough to nab despite the other spiny cocoons that surrounded it.

With dexterous fingers, he picked it up with a gentle and mindful prying away from its faux compatriots and quickly tucked it away into the satchel. Item was in hand. At this point, most people would try to extract themselves as soon as possible. Most sane individuals would not risk themselves being in this situation any longer than they were forced to be in it.

Piérre was not like most of the "sane" individuals when it came down to the intellectual pasttime of self-preservation, not by a large margin. No, he was one of the many here at Hogwarts that lived because of the taste of raw epinephrine on his tongue like a maddening nectar or the intoxicating bite of hard liquor--who thrived in the moments where life and death danced together to the melodious waltz played by the hands of Fortuna herself as guided by Aoide's instruction. Roughed up by the misfortune he had collected to himself over the course of years, ravaged by innocent decisions having come back to tear him apart limb from length, it was something he had learned that he simply had to accept: the fact that he could not dare to live a life without a risk involved in some way.

If he did not risk, he would be crushed and killed. There was no second option when it came to that.

If he did risk, he could still be crushed and decapitated for his follies, but there was the sliver of a chance that he greatly benefitted indeed. The gambler's fallacy, a faux fallacy. A Martingale fallacy, trying to make up for the lost rounds with ever-increasing bets placed on the roulette wheel eternally rigged to be won only by the house by the end all be all.

But there was a reason Piérre didn't play by the rules, why he laughed at the odds and broke into tarantella when danger dared to whisper his name. It was because he had forgotten how to care, really. Someone who could catch him would catch him if they wanted--if they wanted to pluck him from the air like an errant snidget, the last of its kind--but until that happened he would fly high, fly far, fly until he could no longer breathe the air for its thinness, feel the breathlessness of knowing there was so much high above and that he was caught--if by nothing else--by the restrictions of being bound by mortality. That he was not simply a spirit, but a spirit in a coil--and that one day if on no other day in his lifetime, even that would finally be shed, and nothing would be wanted for any longer.

So there was a reason that a giddy smile split his lips as his eyes creased with mirth at the realization that he was surrounded by these cocoons on all sides--these living, breathing, beautiful creatures. He was starting to realize it.

He was starting to have fun.

And he had something he still wanted to do.

Retrieving a potion phial, a little bit of plastic wrap and a tiny rubber hair tie, the plastic wrap covered the mouth of the phial lightly and the rubber band was put over the mouth of the phial to secure the plastic wrap. That would be helpful for later, potentially. It all depended, really, on how well he could pull of the actual test that was being given to the 5th through 7th years. It wasn't about potions, it wasn't about the contest.

It was about what he could do to take the most advantage of the situation, surely. It was about retrieving something indeed: not only an object of interest... but an object of further precious potioneering. Something that Swooping Evils had. Their venom.

At least he knew that there were Swooping Evil cocoons around. He knew that there was likely more than a few options to choose from, to carefully take with him--to gently animal handle and practice his rather notable Care of Magical Creatures skill upon (though admittedly his OWL grades in respect to the paper portion of the exam seemed to acclaim that he was hopeless in that subject's realm). Anyone could make as much fun as they liked of his ability to recall information or study, but nobody could make fun of the fact that he took the handling of magical and mundane creatures very carefully. He had formed a powerful bond with Figaro. Historically he had found it easy to get along with creatures of all shapes and sizes both domesticated (if untrusting) and less-so.

He wasn't going to snatch the cocoon. No, no. That would be brutish. Cruel. Rough. The creatures deserved as much respect and gentleness as he could offer--a careful and mindful slithering of his fingers near the base of the cocoon, as if he were gently lifting a large egg and then cradling in in both his palms in a secure but unrestrictive way. Like cupping his hands to hold a perfect sphere where the rounded cocoon curved, he was not going to brush on the spines or accidentally induce pressure on them as much as he could.

Figaro went on ahead, scouting for any Evils that may have roused or could be rousing from the delay in his work. If all went well... Piérre would be able to follow, careful not to jostle or disturb the remaining Evils that had been unroused so far or the one that he hoped to be carrying towards the entrance and the extraction point that was indicative of safety for those that had courage to complete the challenge to the best of their abilities.

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Standard Action: Locate & Carefully Pick Up a Swooping Evil Cocoon, Stowing Soursop, Move to Entrance
Bonus Action: Prepare Phial for Milking, Maintain Stealth Against Remaining Swooping Evils
Beast Master: Helping Piérre find a Swooping Evil Cocoon, otherwise Helping to Maintain Stealth
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Statistics: Stamina 7 | Strength 8 | Evasion 18 | Wisdom 12 | Accuracy 16 | ArcPower 9

Abilities:
Keen Eye • Calming Presence • Beast Master [Cat] • Cat's Grace • Animagus • Muggle Condition

Items:
Wand [Yew & Snallygaster Heartstring] | [Violet] Deck of 52 Playing Cards | Soda
[Sharpened] Locksmith's Knife | Glass Phials | Invisibility Potion | Vitamix Potion
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@Melisande Lennox & @Méabh Regan
1,163 words
Jesters do oft prove prophets. 𓀚
I am the brother account to Romeo Marchonné & Zyva Hel Fae Skógrwight
Final Task Piérre The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
Image posted by the member
Round: 2
Melisande had to squint to better see what was happening inside the greenhouse where Pierre was facing his challenge. She saw as he picked the correct soursop but instead of bringing himself to the exit, he was... he was trying to hold one of the creatures? "Well..." Meli thought with amusement, "If that wasn't the most bold and reckless Gryffindor attitude I've ever seen!" as she witnessed the sixth year being able to carefully pick up the cocoon with such gentleness that it didn't even reacted to his touch.
Grabbing the Swooping Evil
50% Chances of auto-hit [11-20] - d20 (-2)= 7
- The Swooping Evil didn't attacked.
But even if the "victim" didn't mind being grabbed and having his venom extracted, the same couldn't be said for his peers. The other two Swooping Evils feeling the boy's presence threw themselves from the branches of the trees where they had been resting and glided towards Pierre. The Gryffindor managed to escape from one of them, but the second was successful in its attack, leaving a mark with its very sharp teeth where its venom found the entrance to spread and cause a feeling of confusion and discomfort.
Increased chances for the other Swooping Evils to attack.
50% chances [11-20]:
-2 from cat's grace
d20(8)-2=6
d20(17)-2=15
d20(14)-2=12
- Two Swooping Evils will attack.
Swooping Evils attacks
1. Swooping Evil vs Pierre
SE Accuracy:
d20(1)+15=16
Pierre Evasion:
d20(16)+18=34
- Evaded
2. Swooping Evil vs Pierre
SE Accuracy:
d20(15)+15=30
Pierre Evasion:
d20(12)+18=30
- Impaired hit. Takes half damage (100 damage and 25% chances of attacking himself in the next round.)
As if the Swooping Evils weren't enough, there was also a group of flying Vampyr Mosp that decided to invade space. They flew towards the boy and his cat Figaro, but luckily this time the competitor and his pet managed to escape.
Mosps Invasion
1. Mosp vs Pierre
Mosp Accuracy:
d20(5)+8=13
Pierre Evasion:
d20(9)+18=27
- Evaded
2. Mosp vs Pierre
Mosp Accuracy:
d20(7)+8= 15
Pierre Evasion:
d20(9)+18=27
- Evaded
3. Mosp vs Pierre
Mosp Accuracy:
d20(11)+8=19
Pierre Evasion:
d20(11)+18=29
- Evaded
Summary:
- Pierre was able to grab the Swooping Evil cocoon and extract its venom.
- But the other Swooping Evils didn't liked that decision and decided to attack.
- One succeeded and bit the Pierre.
- Pierre lost 100 damage and has 25% chances of attacking himself the next round, not being able to escape the Greenhouse.
Important Reminder:
Moderations take place roughly weekly. The deadline for posting is six days (144 hours) after the moderation is posted. The word requirement is 200 words per post.
@Piérre Marchonné
Final Task Piérre The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
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Calming Presence in Effect: Figaro Affected
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Image posted by the member
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Week of 19 October, 2024...
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With slightly trembling hands, Piérre looked upon the chrysalis with uncertain but gentle eyes. His fingertips were mere centimeters from the surface of the precious creature's sleeping shape and yet dared not to brush against it for fear of what he thought was most likely to happen: that it would explode from its slumber and would both bite and sting with a reinvigorated fervor. Those fingertips continued to shiver slightly, fearful of the outcome, fearful of the unknown. But, slowly, he conjured into himself the will to overcome that fear of danger, that fear of harm. Surely there was something stronger than fear, something stronger than the thing that would have caused others to pause when it came to approaching and handling this highly dangerously-classed creature.

It was stronger than blind bravery, stronger than the ignorant fearlessness that so many Gryffindors mistook for strength and a mark of their own majesty. Fear brought with it the insurance of one's survival, but it brought with it the further intensity and true importance of another sensation that walked hand in hand with it.

Passion.

Love.

Thin fingers and palms crisscrossed with thin scars gently lifted the chrysalis from its place, the boy slowly bringing it towards his chest to ensure that he could never drop it. Looking down at it as if he carried now in his hands the most precious jewel known to the world, Piérre felt his eyes soften, felt his shoulders stoop in wonder at the creature--the fantastic beast--that he held in both hands so unworthy to handle it. The cocoon was soft under his fingertips, significantly akin to chitin as if he were holding a butterfly's cocoon, and in his chest he felt his heart beat hard and pained. So beautiful, this creature that had such power and such delicacy in this small and dormant form.

He smiled faintly. "Hello, bellezza..." He murmured to it, unsure of if he should be grateful that it had not chosen to unveil itself yet or if he had somehow found himself able to soothe it into a state of either sleepy complacency or temporary trust of him. At any moment, he was sure that it could and would and should turn on him with fangs and sting, but for the moment it was simply him and it in a soothed state--a state of temporary bliss, of a bridge formed in the space between human and creature, a strange bond that few had been able to obtain without significant effort and time.

And time he did not have, and experience he only had in fleeting proportions... but this: this was truly magical. Nothing in the entire magical world so far had resulted in something as simply downright magical as this in the boy's life. He gently turned away, ready to quietly walk back towards the entrance--somewhere a little further away, somewhere he would be able to carefully do what it was that he was hoping the creature was willing to give to him.

"You are so gorgeous." He smiled feebly again, "What I would give... to be as magnificent as you. You don't need to be anyone. You don't need to impress for anything. You're simply beautiful, for the sake of beauty alone--for the sake of being a gorgeous creation in the eye of Creator and creation..." He closed his eyes for a moment, letting thoughts flash through his mind for a moment before returning again. "And my God... you've done it all, accomplished all you were created and meant for, with flying colors." A timid grin. "To die by you would be an honor. Please... let me have something to remember you by."

With careful hands, the phial with the faux membrane set on it gently rubbed on the cocoon--just until the stinger revealed itself: and then a gentle pressure from Piérre's finger pressed the stinger's barb into the membrane. A luminous liquid--silvery blue like concentrated moonlight--began to trickle into the phial, drip drop by drop, slowly filling bit by bit and every bit as potent as a sting from the real creature. When the dripping came to a stop and he had all that he could kindly and safely extract from the willing creature, Piérre screwed the cap onto the phial and then gently rubbed the thumb of his holding hand soothingly on the chrysalis.

"Grazi." He said once more, realizing that it was likely that their time was coming to a close. He surely couldn't take the creature with him, despite the magic of the moment he had felt with it. If he could take it with him... he would. But it wasn't his place to take the creature, not if it didn't want to come with him. "Bellezza." He whispered again. "I wish I could stay. I wish you would come with me." He carefully replaced the cocoon back where it had once laid prior. "But you deserve freedom. Just as much as I want to be captured, to be held and loved and used by one who deserves to entrap my heart... You deserve freedom to choose the same if you want it. You, like all others, are too good for me. Too beautiful. Too gorgeous to be restrained by someone the likes of me or of anyone else. Happiest when free. So be free."

Shadows overhead caused Piérre to glance skywards to behold two large bird-sized morpho butterfly wings attached to a wolf's skull head and a long stinger between the tails of the butterfly wings. Spiny backs in shades of soursop green met his eye, and Piérre felt the grin curl the corner of his lips as his eyes glittered in glee. So... they had awoken at last. He had been made.

"Figaro! Corri! Run!" Piérre demanded of his familiar, who immediately turned tail and dashed into the green towards the way that they had entered by. He would escape quickly in short order. Piérre would have to deal with and confront the Swooping Evils and the low humming sounds of another familiar creature that he had dealt with and befriended in the past as well. Mosps.

The boy turned to run, and a stinger from one Swooping Evil cut through the air through the place where his neck had been seconds prior. His movement, however, had not come without consequence--there was a very sharp pain in the crease of his right elbow, a product of tucking away the phial in his satchel as he had turned to run. The sharp pain turned slightly into a tear, but then vanished--there was only a dull throb left behind... even as the world suddenly popped into slightly gleaming oversaturated colors in his mind's eye. Had he... taken on his hummingbird form and hadn't realized it? The colors looked too bright to be normal in his human shape--that was simply a fact of the matter.

Scrambling for the exit, the mosps swooped on all sides but did not manage to find any joy whatsoever. Eventually, he made it to the entrance and then banged on the front. "EHI HEY, I HAVE THE THING, LEMME OUT!" He demanded, knowing that the creatures would be closing in again. His vision was still popping slightly, blurring in some places as he felt sweat beading slightly on his brow. Well, he had been stung. That would likely be a few points off...

But he couldn't hurt the creatures in the interval between being let out and being stuck there. That would lose him more points. He was slower than some of his other competitors, but he had also managed to garner for himself a much more precious prize. He wouldn't know his score until he left, but he had to get out with as little subsequent harm as humanly possible in order to get to that point to begin with. Golden cauldron be damned, even if it was a tantalizing prize, but he had something that he cared about much more than a little ornament. It was something that had just been injected into him just as much as he had collected it so tenderly and lovingly.

He still had a potential backup... but he didn't feel confident with how well he had brewed it, which had been the reason for his hesitating for drinking it up to this point. Vitamix. He had brewed it just for something like this: just so that he could get an increase in his reflexes... but he wasn't confident in what he had done. He needed another failsafe, another way to temporarily protect himself.

Slamming the potion back and slumping slightly against the walls--he was still feeling alright, but he was woozy simply due to the venom alone--his yew wood was withdrawn for the first time in this challenge, and it swept vertically towards the skies. With a determined, almost sighing breath, Piérre incanted his coup de grâce. "Protego."

Another smile. This was his game. He loved this game, loved it because it truly was his own. His consequences were his own, and oh how glorious they were even amid the desire to succeed. He had done it, done it himself. He had proven something--that he could do things that nobody else had dared. Master of his own hand.

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Standard Action: Cast Protego & Retreat from Greenhouse with the Goods before Time Runs Out
Bonus Action: Drink Vitamix Potion
Beast Master: Escaping to Safety [Exiting Greenhouse]
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Statistics: Stamina 600/700 | Strength 8 | Evasion 18 | Wisdom 12 | Accuracy 16 | ArcPower 9

Abilities:
Keen Eye • Calming Presence • Beast Master [Cat] • Cat's Grace • Animagus • Muggle Condition

Items:
Wand [Yew & Snallygaster Heartstring] | [Violet] Deck of 52 Playing Cards | Soda
[Sharpened] Locksmith's Knife | Phial of Swooping Evil Venom
Invisibility Potion | Vitamix Potion
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@Melisande Lennox & @Méabh Regan
1,543 words
Jesters do oft prove prophets. 𓀚
I am the brother account to Romeo Marchonné & Zyva Hel Fae Skógrwight
Final Task Piérre The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
Image posted by the member
Round: 3
As the championship drew to a close, and some competitors finished their tasks, the crowd in the stands was in high spirits. The noise was almost deafening, people were shouting, applauding and cheering for their friends and teammates. Melisande smiled brightly as she saw all the enthusiasm surrounding her, "We did good!" She said, leaning slightly towards Méabh and muttering in her ear so the potions professor could hear over all the commotion. She winked at Regan before turning her attention back to the Quidditch field, towards where the real action was still happening.
Cast Protego:
WDC: 12
d20(5)+12=17
25% chances of casting a spell on himself [16-20]:
d20=15
20% chances of being attacked by the Swooping Evils [17-20]:
d20(3)-2=1 | d20(17)-2=15 | d20(5)-2=3
- Non attacked Pierre
Mosps:
1. Mosp vs. Pi
Acc: d20(11)+8=19
Eva: d20(10)+18=28
2. Mosp vs. Pi
Acc: d20(19)+8=27
Eva: d20(13)+18=31
3. Mosp vs. Pi
Acc: d20(15)+8=23
Eva: d20(7)+18=15
- One attacked, but Pi was protected by his protego spell. No damage taken
Meli wasn't sure what she expected to see from the contestants, but she definitely didn't expect one of them to form a bond with one of the creatures. This was exciting and... worrying! Concerning, because those beautiful little guys weren't known for being nice. But perhaps Sabine would strongly disagreed with her on this point, and perhaps the boy was taking his first steps towards a bright future as a Magizoologist...who knows?

Despite all that, what she was expecting to happen, did happened. However, Pierre showed that he was up to the task, even after being bitten, the sixteen year old managed to get out of the greenhouse protecting himself with a protego spell and in his possession was the soursop, the real one and not accidentally a Swooping evil, thank goodness!

Congratulations, you made it out! You completed the task and escaped with two eggs. You will be tagged in the victory ceremony thread when it is posted.
Summary:
- Pierre resisted the Swooping Evil's poison.
- Non of the Swooping evils attacked him.
- He successfully cast Protego
- The Protego spell saved him from the vampyr mosp.
- He got out of the Greenhouse with the soursop.
POINTS

Potion 1: 35
Potion 2: 5
Task: 50
TOTAL: 90

Details:
Reducio
FIRST POTION

Name: Invisibility Potion
Year: Year 5
DC: 20
Result: 23.28 (Average) + 2 (Crit Success Bonus) - 4 (Crit Failure Deduction) = 21.28
-> Success

Points: 30 (Successful Brew) + 5 (Difficulty) + 0 (Potency) = 35

Detailed rolls:
Reducio
StepStatPerformed byRoll
Boil the chicken in ...WisPiérre Marchonné[d20: 20] + 12 = 32
Use a sponge to remo...StaPiérre Marchonné[d20: 17] + 7 = 24
Conserve the chicken...WisPiérre Marchonné[d20: 1] + 12 = 13
Remove the chicken r...StaPiérre Marchonné[d20: 18] + 7 = 25
With a clean knife c...StrPiérre Marchonné[d20: 5] + 8 = 13
Slide chopped cherri...AccPiérre Marchonné[d20: 14] + 16 = 30
Return the chicken w...AccPiérre Marchonné[d20: 13] + 16 = 29
Stir thrice clockwis...EvaPiérre Marchonné[d20: 13] + 18 = 31
Allow to simmer on a...WisPiérre Marchonné[d20: 6] + 12 = 18
Using a mortar and p...StrPiérre Marchonné[d20: 19] + 8 = 27
Place 2 measures of ...AccPiérre Marchonné[d20: 13] + 16 = 29
Stir once clockwise....EvaPiérre Marchonné[d20: 4] + 18 = 22
Add in 3 measures of...AccPiérre Marchonné[d20: 7] + 16 = 23
The mixture should b...WisPiérre Marchonné[d20: 13] + 12 = 25
A drop of tincture o...AccPiérre Marchonné[d20: 9] + 16 = 25
Allow to simmer for ...WisPiérre Marchonné[d20: 1] + 12 = 13
The potion should tu...WisPiérre Marchonné[d20: 6] + 12 = 18
Wave wand over the m...Wis/ArcPiérre Marchonné[d20: 11] + 11 = 22
Average: 23.28

SECOND POTION

Name: Vitamix Potion
Year: Year 5
DC: 20
Result: 23.85 (Average) + 0 (Crit Success Bonus) - 4 (Crit Failure Deduction) = 19.85
-> Failure

Points: 0 (Unsuccessful Brew) + 5 (Difficulty) + 0 (Potency) = 5

Detailed rolls:
Reducio
StepStatPerformed byRoll
Preheat a copper cau...WisPiérre Marchonné[d20: 7] + 12 = 19
Using a mortar and p...StrPiérre Marchonné[d20: 17] + 8 = 25
Add the wormwood int...AccPiérre Marchonné[d20: 1] + 16 = 17
Heat until the potio...WisPiérre Marchonné[d20: 2] + 12 = 14
Finely dice Asphodel...AccPiérre Marchonné[d20: 16] + 16 = 32
Add the Asphodel Roo...AccPiérre Marchonné[d20: 17] + 16 = 33
Heat until the potio...WisPiérre Marchonné[d20: 15] + 12 = 27
Add dried Aconite un...AccPiérre Marchonné[d20: 10] + 16 = 26
Add one melting rock...AccPiérre Marchonné[d20: 5] + 16 = 21
Heat the potion unti...WisPiérre Marchonné[d20: 16] + 12 = 28
Remove the melting r...EvaPiérre Marchonné[d20: 1] + 18 = 19
Heat the potion unti...WisPiérre Marchonné[d20: 2] + 12 = 14
Add three measures o...AccPiérre Marchonné[d20: 19] + 16 = 35
Average: 23.85

FINAL TASK

Points
Completed the task:Yes|60
Rounds needed:3|0
Hitpoints lost:
Hitpoints total:
Percentage:		 100
700
14.29%		 |
|
|		-10
Damage done to creatures:
Creatures hitpoints total:
Percentage:
1500
0%		 |
|
|		0
|Total: 50


@Piérre Marchonné
Final Task Piérre The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
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Calming Presence in Effect: Figaro Affected
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Image posted by the member
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Week of 19 October, 2024...
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TW Formication: Slight Psychosis Inspired by Venom

Fuzziness presented itself in his mind, a dissociative sensation of floating in the same vein as the feeling of insects squirming under his skin in the same spot in which he had been stung. He only barely managed to resist the urge to dig fingernails in aggressive itching as the shimmering silvery shield sprung into existence. No swooping evils decided to chase after him again, evidently they had been satisfied enough with his leaving their companion alone, but the Mosps kept coming, slamming themselves against the shield with no success.

The sensation of itching only continued to intensify. Perhaps he had mosp larvae or tiny mosps themselves under his skin in the spot where the stinger had left its mark. A droplet ran down the boy's temple, his hair slightly matting there from the sudden intense perspiration forming from both the greenhouse's humidity and his nervous system trying to do its best to ward off the worst of the nervous agent. God it itched.

It itched so much.

But the door opened behind him, leading Piérre to stumble backwards and catch himself as he watched the spinning world burst in lights of gold, mandarin, lavender, and umami. The last one... wasn't... a color... was it?

He was blinking heavily, and his heart was banging against his chest. He felt hands on him slightly, but he pulled away and held his wand at the low and ready. "I'm fine! Don't touch me, please." He snapped the first bit before realizing his tone and softening again. One hand was held up, keeping the glowing human shapes at a distance even as a little moon silver glow approached and gently climbed his body to alight tenderly on his shoulder. Leaning against the greenhouse, he began to scratch at the injury. He had to get the buggers out.

Hands, once again, tried to close in, and again Piérre lifted the yew wand slightly in a similar request. "Don't!" If they touched him, they would try to take him to the Nurse. "Just give me a second, I'll just... Just leave me alone, please." He pleaded, turning away and taking a step and wavering as he did so. He ignored the way that the earth swayed under his feet. Though, admittedly, he didn't get far, and the hands finally caught up with him and attempted to coax him into drinking a concoction that he refused.

He didn't know that from the outside view, he had nearly collapsed entirely with even that single first step, that the crease of his right arm now bore a bubbling and oozing wound that would scar due to the corrosive acid and the hollow that the implement had created for it, and that his face was ghost white. Nor did he know that they were trying to administer an antivenom to him, something to alleviate the psychosis.

All he knew was that he did not want to be touched.

The hands of anyone other than his own--though even daring to consider his own hands an exception was a stretch--or those that he loved did nothing but bestow suffering, disease, and death.

But recover he would, whether he wanted help or not. He would be able to stand and attend the awards ceremony: bandage on his arm, still a hair pale from fighting off the worst of the poison, but a phial of venom in his pocket. His. All his.

Certainly not a winner by classical interpretation or in the eyes of the judges...

But since when had he ever felt the need to be consigned by classical interpretations of any kind?

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[Piérre Exeunts]
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Statistics: Stamina 600/700 | Strength 8 | Evasion 18 | Wisdom 12 | Accuracy 16 | ArcPower 9

Abilities:
Keen Eye • Calming Presence • Beast Master [Cat] • Cat's Grace • Animagus • Muggle Condition

Items:
Wand [Yew & Snallygaster Heartstring] | [Violet] Deck of 52 Playing Cards | Soda
[Sharpened] Locksmith's Knife | Phial of Swooping Evil Venom
Invisibility Potion | Vitamix Potion
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Jesters do oft prove prophets. 𓀚
I am the brother account to Romeo Marchonné & Zyva Hel Fae Skógrwight
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