22 Jan 2025, 19:44
The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
Third and Final Task - Red Caps and Apples
__ Eye colour: Red
Skin colour: Green
Native to: Northern Europe
Height of average adult: 3-4 feet
Distinction: Dwarf-like appearance | long, sharp nails | Attracted to split human blood | Bludgeons unwary to death
Ministry of Magic Classification: Beast XXX (meaning: These creatures should be no trouble to competent wizards.)
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.
First Section:
There, in the first third part of the Stadium, a dense forest had blossomed. Tall pines were separated by bushes that hid the ground from anyone looking or trying to cross the forest. Well, unfortunately for the competitors, it would be precisely on the ground that the mischievous little Red Caps would hide! Inside their holes they would wait with their bludgeons until their victims dared to penetrate the dense vegetation. 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.”
“First, inside that lush green forest,” Meli continued pointing with her hand and outstretched arm towards the patch of tall trees, “There is a basket of apples that needs to be retrieved. Unfortunately, it is in the possession and custody of a group of mischievous Red Caps. 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 Red Caps. 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 gate in the fence surrounding the pine forest. 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 forest and start their challenge.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:@Maisie Gemmell, @Avis GreymondTHIRD CHALLENGE FOR 1ST AND 2ND YEAR
- Retrieve a basket of apples from a dense patch of forest - it is guarded by Red Caps.
- The groups will be judged and rated by a prestigious panel of international wizards, by the following criteria:1. Quality of the potions2. Successful completion of the task3. How fast they finished the task4. Injuries and other harm to the competitors5. Injuries and other harm to the beastsjjjj
- 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 Potion3-4th Year: Invisibility Potion5-7th Year: Strengthening Solution
Raphael Aveline | Méabh Regan | Dealla Prince |
26 Jan 2025, 20:58
The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
Moving from the controlled brewing environment of the Great Hall to the great outdoors should have been cause for concern: a symbolic environment that meant the comforts of the school environment had evaporated into memory. The potions championship was here and now. Maisie knew winning was probably a long-shot, but that wouldn't stop her from trying, especially with Avis at her side. Together, two best friends could handle just about anything.
Standing at the edge of the forest, the simple task—retrieving a basket of apples—seemed grander than it would in any other context as instructors from around the globe looked on. To complete this task they had only their wands and the two potions they had brewed: an antidote to common poisons and a forgetfulness draft. Hopefully they wouldn't need to use the former, and the latter would only come into play defensively—the red caps couldn't defend what they'd forgotten about.
"Move quietly, yeah? And then once we find the basket, run?" She queried Avis in a whisper, thinking strategy through now. "I'm going to try and levitate it out of their grasp. If I trip or you trip, just bring the basket home." Maybe Avis would have a better idea than a simple Wingardium Levoisa and Maisie was open to that, but for now, it was the brightest idea she had.
So, she moved inside the brambles, moving as quickly as she could while still remaining cautious not to disturb any red caps. One rogue branch might ruin all this she knew, but that was a chance they had to be prepared to take. Eyes peeled and wand raised Maisie crept forward knowing that basket had to be around here somewhere.
Interacting with@Avis Greymond
Action: Entering the forest and casting Wingardium Leviosa on the basket if visible.
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27 Jan 2025, 21:55
The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
@Avis Greymond ~22 hours to the deadline!
Raphael Aveline | Méabh Regan | Dealla Prince |
28 Jan 2025, 13:18
The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
Avis gave her friend a sharp nod and raised her wand in a gesture she hoped would comfort Maisie. She had her back, as per usual, but Avis had never encountered a redcap up close before, only learned about them in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Their sharp claw-like fingers always left her with an unsettling feeling in her stomach. She hoped she could handle one when the time came. Because of the fact that they would lose points if either party was harmed (Merlin forbid), Avis was prepared to immobilize the little fiends, hopefully opening the path for Maisie to snag the apples and run.
The girl eyed one of the bushes suspiciously as she crept past, knowing full well a redcap could be peering out at her with beady red eyes. She shuddered and looked forward again, calming herself with a breath. Avis felt a flare of anger stream through her nerves. Come and get us little freaks. Come and find out who you’re messing with. She gripped her wand tighter as she steeled herself with her thoughts, only half believing them herself.
Stepping quietly and avoiding any loud looking foliage, Avis could hardly let herself blink as the two made their way further into the mock forest, wands at the ready and feet silent as quiet as possible.
Reducio
Mention: @Maisie Gemmell
Action: Entering the forest and casting the Take Root spell at any redcaps approaching.
Stats:
Stamina: 6
Evasion: 6
Strength: 3
Wisdom: 7
ArcPower: 6
Accuracy: 7
Evasive Maneuvers
Action: Entering the forest and casting the Take Root spell at any redcaps approaching.
Stats:
Stamina: 6
Evasion: 6
Strength: 3
Wisdom: 7
ArcPower: 6
Accuracy: 7
Evasive Maneuvers
Last edited by Avis Greymond on 5 Feb 2025, 01:16, edited 1 time in total.
sta 8 | eva 8 | str 3 | wis 7 | arc 6 | acc 10
inpc: bastien archambeau
4 Feb 2025, 19:41
The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
Wrapped tightly into her cloak to protect herself from the cold weather, Méabh had cheerfully pulled out her wand to point it at her own throat. "Sonorus." She was not part of the judges' panel - as an organiser, she was busy enough, and also likely not quite impartial as she was teaching most of the kids on the pitch right now, but she intended to enjoy herself to the fullest by commentating.Round: 1
"Our next contestants are Maisie Gemmell and Avis Greymond, from Hogwarts," she announced. "I seem to have forgotten which potions they brewed, but that just means that I'm in for a fun surprise!"
Maisie and Avis had decided to start carefully - instead of whipping out every spell and potion in their inventory, they were approaching slowly, ready to react should they be attacked.
Leaning forward slightly, Méabh squinted at what was happening between the trees. "Is something happening? I can't see anything. No Red Caps, at least. I hope Maisie and Avis see more down there than I do up here!"Perception - Spotting Red Caps: WDC 13, Spotting Apples: WDC 18
Maisie perception:
Red Caps 1
Wis: [d20: 14] + 7 = 21
Red Caps 2
Wis: [d20: 18] + 7 = 25
Apples
Wis: [d20: 6] + 7 = 13
Avis perception:
Red Caps 1
Wis: [d20: 4] + 7 = 11
Red Caps 2
Wis: [d20: 4] + 7 = 11
Maisie sees two groups of Red Caps, but no apples. Avis sees... trees.
Summary:
- Maisie spotted two groups of red caps hiding in holes in the ground. But which one has the apples?
- Avis can only see trees... more trees... and a few holes in the ground.
@Maisie Gemmell, @Avis GreymondImportant 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.
Raphael Aveline | Méabh Regan | Dealla Prince |
4 Feb 2025, 20:59
The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
"Our next contestants..."
Maisie turned and looked at Avis, wide-eyed. Despite the way that this location and everything felt different, somehow she didn't expect their names to be announced with a megaphone of a spell. But perhaps it wasn't a bad thing—it might spook or distract the red caps. Speaking of which—
"There," she said, extending her hand to point them out to Avis. Bobbing her head slightly, she squinted, trying to find a glimmer of the apples. But there was none. She'd wait there for a few minutes, hoping that the red caps would move or something, anything really to disclose the location of the apples.
Somewhere across the stadium, surely some other students were having better luck—and more fun. Glancing down, she realized they had two forgetfulness potions—one each—and there were two groups of red caps. "I'll take the group on the right and you the one on the left?" she suggested.
Then, moving quietly still closer, she waited till she had a good line of sight. And then, she chucked the bottle of forgetfulness potion high in the air and right over the group of red caps on the right. Hopefully, when it broke, the solution would affect as many of them as possible and the same on Avis' group and then in the chaos of forgetting why they were here, they'd drop the apples or somesuch. And when that happened, Maisie was going to ready. Wand out, she prepared again to cast Wingardium Leviosa on the basket. Avis would have her back she knew or she'd have the sense to pick up the spell if Maisie lost concentration.
For now, it seemed like Professor Regan didn't see anything on their side of the pitch and that suited Maisie just fine. It would give them more time to focus—to take the basket and run.
@Avis Greymond
Bonus Action: Throw the forgetfulness potion on the group of red caps on the right.
Action: Cast Wingardium Leviosa on the basket should it manifest.
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5 Feb 2025, 10:05
The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
Avis stared back at her friend as their names were announced over the stadium, but her gaze swiveled back towards the tree line as she thought she heard a rustle ahead of them.
Nothing. Not even a single hint of red, apple or redcap alike. She squinted through the shadows of the trees but to no avail. The only thing she managed to spot were a few ominous holes in the ground and, well, more trees.
Luckily her search was interrupted by Maisie’s announcement. Following the direction of her friend’s finger, Avis made out two groups of the creatures lying in wait for them up ahead.
She gave a single sharp nod to Maisie’s plan and pulled her potion from her jacket pocket, clutching the glass vial with a sweaty palm. Hoping the plan would work, she crept closer to her group on the left, getting ready to unstopper the vial and defend herself and Maisie if needs be.
Repeating the other Ravenclaw’s action, Avis unstoppered the vial and fling the contents of the potion of the small group, being careful to stay at least a bit hidden. She whipped out her wand, prepared to cast Take Root at any approaching (and hopefully very forgetful) redcaps.
Reducio
action: Cast Take Root on any redcaps approaching herself and/or Maisie.
bonus action: Throw the Forgetfulness Potion on the group of redcaps to the left.
bonus action: Throw the Forgetfulness Potion on the group of redcaps to the left.
@Maisie Gemmell
sta 8 | eva 8 | str 3 | wis 7 | arc 6 | acc 10
inpc: bastien archambeau
16 Feb 2025, 13:51
The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
Pulling her cloak more tightly around herself, Méabh peered down at Maisie and Avis in the forest. "Oh? Looks like they spotted something! Will we get to see their plan in action?Round: 2
Leaning forward slightly, Méabh watched the Red Caps crawl out of their holes, apparently not too happy with getting potions splashed into their living rooms. One did look a bit spaced out - but the others headed straight for the girls. "Oh? These Red Caps don't look that friendly... but at least one is bringing the apples!"Maisie and Avis move closer to the Red Caps. Do they spot the apples? WDC 18
Maisie
Wis: [d20: 6, 4] + 7 = 13
Avis
Wis: [d20: 16, 1] + 7 = 23
Avis spots the apples!
Maisie targets the Red Caps to the right with her Forgetfulness Potion (successful brew).
Acc: [d20: 4] + 8 = 12
Red Cap 1
Eva: [d20: 19] + 7 = 26
Red Cap 2
Eva: [d20: 20] + 7 = 27
Miss.
Avis targets the Red Caps to the left with her Forgetfulness Potion (successful brew).
Acc: [d20: 16] + 7 = 23
Red Cap 3
Eva: [d20:8] + 7 = 15
Red Cap 4
Eva: [d20: 10] + 7 = 17
Hit! Forgetfulness is an Ingestion potion, reduced effect for contact. How forgetful are they?
[2d20 : 12,3]
Red Cap 3 forgets what it was supposed to be doing. Very confusing. But the weather is very nice today!
"Nice spell casting by both contestants!" Méabh observed, nodding in approval. "But the Red Caps seem determined to keep those apples, and time is ticking. Will they be able to grab the basket and get out in time?"Maisie casts Wingardium Leviosa at the apple basket.
Wis: [d20: 2] + 7 = 9
Success, opposed check Arc vs Str:
Maisie Arc: [d20: 5] + 4 = 9
Red Cap 1 Str: [d20: 2] + 10 = 12
Holds onto the basket.
Avis casts Take Root at an approaching Red Cap. Which Red Cap does she target? [d3 : 1], the apple holding one.
Wis: [d20: 19] + 7 = 26
How strong are the roots?
Arc: [d20: 3] + 6 = 9
Red Cap 1 is bound.
Red Caps:
Red Cap 1 tries to break free.
Red Cap 1 : [d20: 6] + 10 = 16, success.
Red Cap 2 attacks Maisie.
Acc: [d20: 1] + 8 = 9, critical miss.
Red Cap 4 attacks Avis.
Acc: [d20: 20] + 8 = 28
Eva: [d20: 14] + 6 = 20
Hit, 200 damage.
Summary:
- Two Red Caps got hit by Forgetfulness Potion, one forget what it was here for.
- Three Red Caps came out to investigate, one of them with the apples.
- Maisie's levitation charm was not strong enough to grab the apples. She got attacked by one Red Cap but dodged.
- Avis cast the Take Root spell at the apple toting Red Cap. It used it's action to break free. Avis got attacked by one other Red Cap for 200 damage [HP: 400/600]
@Maisie Gemmell, @Avis GreymondImportant 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.
Raphael Aveline | Méabh Regan | Dealla Prince |
20 Feb 2025, 10:04
The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
Chaos broke out. Three Red Caps emerged from their holes and Avis’ eyes flicked between each one, desperately searching for their target.
“Maisie! Apples! There!” she shouted, finger flinging out in front of her at the flash of red amongst the fray. One of the creatures had a tight grip on a wicker basket filled to the brim with the shiny red fruit. Clearly their potion hadn’t been completely successful as most of the Red Caps seemed very aware of the situation, although one was currently staring at a butterfly casually flitting by.
As Maisie dealt with her end of the plan, Avis held her wand out in front of her and targeted the closest creature with a clear voice. Shouting out the incantation for Take Root, the creature was stopped in its tracks, tree roots binding it tightly to the ground.
However, the girl couldn’t gloat for long as it wrestled out of the roots moments later. She frowned. Maybe these things were stronger than she’d thought.
With her attention on the Red Caps ahead, Avis had no warning when she suddenly heard a wild snarl behind her. With a yelp, she tried to move but not before one of the creature’s long claws slashed across the back of leg. Searing pain shot through her but all Avis could think was that they were already losing points.
Limping closer to her partner, she called out.
“I’m going for the apples!” she hissed through clenched teeth, her leg pulsing. Avis held out her wand with a shaking hand and aimed it carefully at the basket of apples currently in the clutches of one of the Red Caps. The only plan she had thus far was to hope Maisie could distract the brutes long enough for her to get out with the basket in time. Last chance.
“Wingardium Leviosa!”
Reducio
action: Use Wingardium Leviosa to retrieve the apples and escape with them
@Maisie Gemmell
sta 8 | eva 8 | str 3 | wis 7 | arc 6 | acc 10
inpc: bastien archambeau
20 Feb 2025, 13:32
The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship
Neither magic nor muggle method seemed to be working the seconds that passed. Her potion scattered across the ground and her spell waned as the red cap kept a firm grasp on the apples. Avis was doing marginally better, having now seen the apples and having blocked a red cap—for a moment.
By now, the red caps knew what was up as they ran up to attack the girls. Maisie moved quickly as the one struck the ground, but Avis was not so lucky as one slashed her leg. Maisie's eyes widened wanting to help, but there wasn't time and the only healing potion they knew and had made was for poisons. So much for defensive brewing.
“I’m going for the apples!” Avis called.
Nodding, she agreed, "Go for it. I'll hold them back." Avis, despite her enthusiasm for Quidditch, was a good spell caster. Surely, she could wrestle the apples out of the rep caps' grasp. Stepping forward, Maisie would act as a kind of shield, giving her friend cover. Biting her lip, she realized that she hadn't paid as much attention in Astronomy as her friend. The 'take root' spell was not something knew well.
There had to be something else—and quickly as the red caps approached. And then, an idea. She'd wait as long as she could—Avis needed to be able to see what she was doing. But then once she was in the clear and ahead in the race back, Maisie would cast Fumos, deploying a smokescreen in their wake to delay the red caps from following.
Then there was only one thing left to do: "Run!"
Action: Wait until Avis has the apples in her spell, and then cast Fumos at the red caps and run.
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