The Devil's Playground
@Rose Pearce | @Ryder HawkeSprawling across the great mountains that towered over Tenūsa lay the most magical structures the isle had to offer. They were not just mere feats against gravity and physics but symbolic of the ever growing understanding of the island folk. They knew that tradition was important, and they would never forget, but acknowledging and respecting the past does not require binding yourself to it. No the Isle and its inhabitants were always looking to grow, to thrive. So while many of the older structures still sprawled across the jungle floor, these marvels carved into rock and crossed the expanses of the sky while never taking away from the natural beauty of the place.
One would think up so high that roots could not reach, that the rot that was beginning to engulf the jungle floor would be a distant problem. Such beliefs would be quickly realised as foolish. Everything in this island was connected. Being made out of magic itself many believed the island to be alive in a sense, and as such each and every part of it was one and the same. Much like a body, the infection could spread no matter the initial cut. This disease that was claiming the ancient haven seemed to be intelligent enough to use that magic, to guide it to where it wished to be. To guide it to the creatures it wished to take, and as such from the draping vines and tunnelled pockets their inky ichor appeared ready to strike.
The vine creature seemed delighted at the prospect of the room, so many young souls unaware of the dangers that magic truly possessed. It would be a clean and quick consumption, or so it thought. Roll: 15 For the one thing the plant did not understand was that Hogwarts was a constant survival match and you learned to survive quickly, for speed was your greatest tool. It would be the speed of their youth that would save them as the second that they felt the tightening constraint begin to twist at their bodies they shot up with collective alarm begging their friends to do the same. Managing to slip from the nasty grasp of the entity they woke to a mass of black vines sprawling across their once pleasant homestead. Everywhere they looked the stuff had taken over like a rot covering the ground as it spread.Moderation Note: None of you are currently restrained as you managed to escape but your room has been taken over by the entity almost completely blocking you in.
"I see with more than my eyes, so I may guide the way for those who cannot."
- Lawrence Maynard, Grand Seer of Tenūsa
- Lawrence Maynard, Grand Seer of Tenūsa
The Devil's Playground
Outfit: Reducio  |
Wc: Reducio 513 |
 |
After a long day of walking and fighting through the crowd, it couldn’t stop Skylar's unshakeable passion and her love for nature. She inhaled deeply while finding her way up to the house, embraced by a breath taking view.
Wood structures and trees connected to the ridges of the mountain, with a beautiful scenery of hanging plants, and the soft, dim light shone through the narrow defile. The more she went to the burrow space, the more she was mesmerized. A home was still full of the life of nature, but a more Western style decorated it.
Skylar was the first one stepping in the room. Her heart pounded from excitement as she went straight to the bed by the window and threw herself in, claiming the place. She began to unpack her small pots from her bag. Looking weird to others since she was on a trip surrounded by several kinds of plants, they might be curious why she had to bring more.
One of them was a gift from her aunt that she always treasured. How could she leave them alone at Hogwarts without care for days while she enjoyed herself here? The answer was clear that she couldn’t do such a cruel thing as that to her plants. She put them by the window and smelled the refreshing air. As far as a pretty sight she could see, she imagined her plants would enjoy the view there too.
Small face turned around watching everyone, amazed and already exploring all the rooms. Her smile took control of her tiredness, and she began to sit quietly, immersing herself in the moment of peace.
When the night came, the air was more humid and the atmosphere consumed with a pitch of silence. Even though she was so exhausted and swore to herself that if she managed to finally arrive at the homestead, she would immediately rest and fall into a good slumber, but still… she couldn’t force her eyes to leave the nice view.
All the plants around kept her enthusiasm awakened. She rolled in her bed side to side before a vivid light finally faded from her scene.
She was almost asleep, yet suddenly felt something crawling from her foot to her knee. Skylar scratched her leg a bit before one of her pots cranked to the ground wake her up from sleepiness. “What’s the… Merlin’s name…”
Two eyes widened as she pulled her leg out in time. Skylar quickly grabbed her wand with her instinct keeping a distance from the entity as fast as she could. “Rose!” All she could think of was to find her best friend, so she yelled with all her throat could create the loudest sound she had ever made. “Everyone! Wake up!” She roamed around the bedroom gathering her group mates out of the place.
After everyone was finally safe and out of its reach, all she could see in front of her was that the room had been conquered by the living black vines that looked so familiar to her.
“Is that the Devil’s Snare?”
@Angel O'Connor @Zephyr Deakin @Rose Pearce @Ryder Hawke
Last edited by Skylar Astor on 5 Jan 2026, 18:35, edited 1 time in total.
| “To be misunderstood is not to be broken. It is to be rare.” | Poison Resistance / Statistically Relevant (wisdom) |
Ⓢⓚⓨⓛⓐⓡ Ⓐⓢⓣⓞⓡ |
┊ Sta: 6┊Eva: 6┊Str: 4┊Wis: 10┊Arc: 8┊Acc: 6┊ |
The Devil's Playground
Reducio @Angel O'Connor @Zephyr Deakin @Skylar Astor @Ryder Hawke |
 Credit to Skylar Astor |
Reducio WC: 578 |
After a long day from their departure to their arrival through the discovery of the Isle of Divination Rose was still amazed by everything she has seen all along the day. Finally with her group she got to their accommodation where she would be able to at last rest. Everything here was wonderful so of course their house as well but Rose was feeling a bit uneasy because of the height.
Once inside that should be alright. she reassured herself.
Why did the house need to be a bit above the floor? Rose sighed as she tried not to look down.
Nevertheless when she reached the house and stepped in right after Skylar she hoped she would have felt better. Instead her body tensed up and was on the alert. Rose frowned while looking around: something was off. She felt like she couldn't trust the place. However seeing her best friend Skylar all amazed exploring the place choosing her bed she stopped frowning not to appear unhappy about the room. Rose decided to take the closest bed to Skylar's who was unpacking her things. Rose tried to calm herself down before doing the same.
Soon the night came and it was time for everyone to sleep after this eventful day. Despite her tiredness Rose couldn't let herself to sleep. Hearing her friend turning around in her bed she was glad not to be the only one who couldn't sleep. Her head was pounding and she was feeling a pressure in her body. Really similar to the time her brother got his first instance of magic. Suddenly only silence was heard as Rose's eyes stayed open in the obscurity. She was on full alert as she straight herself up on her bed looking around. She was hearing a rubbing sound before everything came back to silence.
Is something going to happen?
Rose sighed and was about to lie down in her bed again when she heard someone moving in its bed before her name was shouted. It was Skylar's voice who was now calling everyone to wake up. Rose was about to answer her friend and get up when she felt something holding her back. Her head was hurting. Something was pulling on her hair. She widened her eyes as she let out a small scream trying to see what is was. Then she felt something rubbing her ankle as she quickly moved her legs out of reach from the moving plant. That was probably why she has felt tensed since she arrived in that house.
"What on earth..." she whispered to herself as she tried to let go of the hold on her hair.
Rose started to panic knowing if she didn't move quickly the plant would take a total hold on her.
What was this plant? she tried to recall the name as it was familiar to her. Rose was not good at Herbology but she heard about something similar. She searched in her memory.
"Light!" she suddenly said loudly recalling this detail. Whatever the plant's name was she knew for sure it didn't like light.
Rose wouldn't dare to use the fire making-spell as it was too close from her hair. Thankfully she knew the wand lighting charm.
"Lumos" the tip of her wand lighted up and the living black vine let go of her.
Rose felt relieved as she smiled before running to the spot out of reach of the plant. At least for now.
“She looked towards the dark, starry sky wishing she could drown in its vastness, the way one drifts in the deep, endless ocean.”
The Devil's Playground
credit to amazing Skylar Astor
Reducio Word Count: 439 |
Reducio Mention: @Angel O'Connor,@Rose Pearce,@Ryder Hawke,@Skylar Astor |
Zephyr was walking behind the group, he was mostly looking around the area with curiosity. He liked how the place was open and bright, with wooden walls and hanging plants. It smelled like fresh earth and the light coming from the windows gave the place a calming atmosphere. He dropped his bag by the bed near the window and started looking through it to check that he had not forgotten anything. Like Skylar, he loves plants so seeing the greenery around made him appreciate the place better.
Night came, he tried to settle in. His bed was close to the wall, and he could see out the window. All he did was watch the shapes of the mountains against the dark sky. It was very peaceful. The others slept before him, that's what he noticed as he looked around him. After a while, he finally yawned and rubbed his eyes, ready to finally rest after such a long day. It didn't take long for him to sleep and was already deep in sleep when it happened.
Something brushed against his foot. Zephyr is a light sleeper, that's what growing up and living on the farm did to you. He opened his eyes half way to check but nothing. Seeing nothing, he shook his head and tried to ignore it, thinking it was just his imagination.
He stretched out under the blanket and closed his eyes. A moment later, a soft sound came from the corner of the room. He sat up, listening but before he could figure out what it was, something moved along the floor toward him. A dark shape slithered quickly and twisted between the shadows. He jumped back, knocking his bag to the side. “What the...?” his voice shaking in shock.
He grabbed his wand almost without thinking and pointed it at the movement, his heart racing. He could see thick, black vines crawling along the floor, moving fast, curling as if they were alive. The room that once felt so safe just moments ago now screamed danger. He could hear Skylar yelling nearby, calling everyone to wake up.
His hands shook as he pulled himself toward the open space in the room, trying to get away from the vines. He didn’t know how strong they were or what they would do, but he knew one thing, he had to get out of their reach. Joining the others, he was already breathless. Skylar asked them if it's Devil's Snare, is it really? He looked at the long and strong vines and shivered involuntarily. "Yes..." he whispered in response. "I think you're right, that's a Devil's Snare...How in the world did it get in here...?"
STATS: Stamina: 5, Evasion: 5, Strength: 7, Wisdom: 5, ArcPower: 8, Accuracy: 5
Ability: Calming Presence
Last edited by Zephyr Deakin on 6 Jan 2026, 03:29, edited 3 times in total.
Calming Presence | The Muggle Condition
Sta: 7 | Eva: 8 | Str: 7 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 8 | Accu: 5
Sta: 7 | Eva: 8 | Str: 7 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 8 | Accu: 5
The Devil's Playground
@Zephyr Deakin , @Rose Pearce, @Ryder Hawke, @Skylar Astor
Angel had been getting round behind the others, with her wand in both hands as though it were the life-sustaining staff. Her heart was also beating so loudly that she thought everyone could hear it. The shadows were long and sinuous and twisted in unpleasant directions as the dim light passed across the wooden walls. Everything instinctively told her to go, yet she managed to hold herself near to the party. Not now she would leave them.
She said it, and her thoughts were dashing back to the books she had read now late at night, books piled beside her bed. Darkness... and dread. Devil’s Snare. The phrases were ringing in her ears, irritatingly clear. It was quite different to know in theory something and to be in the same room with it.
A vine crept close to her legs and she stood still with her throat open. Don't pan-pan, she told herself. She lifted her wand a little higher, slowly, deliberately, attempting to restrain her hands.
It-- it hates light-- it hates light-- it hates light- said she, and her voice was wobbly. And you know, when we keep cool and have the light bright, it will not get us. Her eyes stared at her friends, and her chest ached with worry. Oh... do keep still, do keep still, I pray, Should it touch you.
Angel made one more tentative step, which was compelled by a necessity to take a breath steadily, being terror-still in her stomach but full of determination. They would come out of this--together.
WC - 258
Angel had been getting round behind the others, with her wand in both hands as though it were the life-sustaining staff. Her heart was also beating so loudly that she thought everyone could hear it. The shadows were long and sinuous and twisted in unpleasant directions as the dim light passed across the wooden walls. Everything instinctively told her to go, yet she managed to hold herself near to the party. Not now she would leave them.
She said it, and her thoughts were dashing back to the books she had read now late at night, books piled beside her bed. Darkness... and dread. Devil’s Snare. The phrases were ringing in her ears, irritatingly clear. It was quite different to know in theory something and to be in the same room with it.
A vine crept close to her legs and she stood still with her throat open. Don't pan-pan, she told herself. She lifted her wand a little higher, slowly, deliberately, attempting to restrain her hands.
It-- it hates light-- it hates light-- it hates light- said she, and her voice was wobbly. And you know, when we keep cool and have the light bright, it will not get us. Her eyes stared at her friends, and her chest ached with worry. Oh... do keep still, do keep still, I pray, Should it touch you.
Angel made one more tentative step, which was compelled by a necessity to take a breath steadily, being terror-still in her stomach but full of determination. They would come out of this--together.
WC - 258
iNPC: Alexander Whitlock
The Devil's Playground
MODERATIONWhat these young witches and wizards missed out on in age, they made up for in acumens for @Skylar Astor almost instantly recognised the unique plant as devil's snare. Following suit the rest of the group reasoned alongside her and decided her hypothesis was correct. Yet, the naivety of youth allowed ignorance to prosper. This was no ordinary devil's snare, far from it in fact, but with their limited knowledge it was impossible to know.
@Rose Pearce was the only one of the youths brave enough to attempt a spell and while her light shone brightly and the plant like snare did retreat ever so slightly it would not be enough. Instead the wise raven suffered the hubris of all who favour intelligence over all else. In her haste to protect herself, she had let the darkness retreat to the bed of another. @Ryder Hawke had not awoken to the calamity that was this morning. Instead he would become the sweet delight of the entity that fled from Rose's light and gripped the young lion from where he lay, robbing him from the comfort of bed and taking him over the balconies edge in its restraining grasp.
The others were still in no way safe, but now they had read drive. For if they did not escape this, they may never see their friend again and if they did not come together, more than one friend could be lost.
Rolls:
ReducioRose succeeds in lumos.
Ryder automatically fails for not posting.
"I see with more than my eyes, so I may guide the way for those who cannot."
- Lawrence Maynard, Grand Seer of Tenūsa
- Lawrence Maynard, Grand Seer of Tenūsa
The Devil's Playground
 | xxxxxxxx | Outfit: Reducio Mention: Reducio @Rose Pearce @Zephyr Deakin @Angel O'Connor @Ryder Hawke |
Wc: Reducio OOC Note: 616 Reducio — | | x | |
| x |
| x |
| xx |
| xx |
| “To be misunderstood is not to be broken. It is to be rare.” | Poison Resistance / Statistically Relevant (wisdom) |
Ⓢⓚⓨⓛⓐⓡ Ⓐⓢⓣⓞⓡ |
┊ Sta: 6┊Eva: 6┊Str: 4┊Wis: 10┊Arc: 8┊Acc: 6┊ |
The Devil's Playground
FINAL MODERATION OF PART ONE@Skylar Aston was the only one to move after the vines' first attack had faded, casting a clothing-inflaming spell and holding a handkerchief close to vines that were attacking her roommate. The spell was well-cast and worked nicely, but unfortunately, it was all for nothing, because @Ryder Hawke was dragged away, basically not even resisting against the plants that enveloped him. Similarly, @Angel O'Connor, @Zephyr Deakin, and @Rose Pearce could only look on in horror as they lost Ryder to the night.
Standing in for Lawrence in this moderation round to end part 1 of the event!
All four of the remaining kiddos were free to leave as they wished, though, because as if satisfied with their kidnapped charge, the vines shrunk back into nothingness and vanished seemingly into thin air. Perhaps those still standing could proceed to part two and meet up with the other residents of the High Houses...
Rolls:
Reducio
This part of the event has concluded. Your character can proceed to the optional part two if they want, or you can stop your participation and be glad you escaped!
The thread will remain open if you want to post a reaction/exit post, but no more moderations will be conducted here.
The thread will remain open if you want to post a reaction/exit post, but no more moderations will be conducted here.
The Devil's Playground
credit to amazing Skylar Astor
Reducio Word Count: 557 |
Reducio Mention: @Angel O'Connor,@Rose Pearce,@Ryder Hawke,@Skylar Astor |
It's easier said than done. Once he looked around at his friends and saw the look of terror in their eyes and face, he swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat and stood straight. "We can't lose him, we need to stick together and act fast!"
Readying his wand, he nodded at Skylar when she shared the plan, "I can help you, I know both spells..." and raised his wand, ready to assist when needed. She's right, they have no choice but to help him. He didn't want anything bad to happen to Ryder. Poor guy didn't even get the chance to wake up. Is he okay, though? Is he still alive? He already hated himself for even entertaining the idea.
What was the school management doing? They should have been alerted to what happened by now, shouldn't they? They may know spells, but they were very limited; they were practically babies who only knew light spells. At least that much he knew about this plant. But lumos won't be enough, they need a stronger light to fight this thing off.
But the worst came as soon as they were back, he was rooted on the spot as Ryder was swallowed by the black vines. He heard Skylar cast a spell, but he didn't clearly hear it because his mind went blank for a second there, just staring at his friend disappearing toward the balcony. No... no... this can't be happening. "Ryder!!" He found his voice surprisingly, "Hang on!" He jumped in an attempt to grab his hand, but he missed it a second too late. He didn't know what to do after that, and just stared at his empty hand that was supposed to hold his friend's.
He turned to look at her friends, everyone else was safe, but the sight of Ryder being taken was terrifying. “R-Ryder!” he stammered, having the urge to run after him, to try something, anything, but the vines were gone now, and he knew charging blindly would just make it worse.
Anger, fear, and guilt swirled inside him. I should have done more. I could have helped him. I could have been faster. He clenched his fists and shook his head in desperation, forcefully pushing away the helplessness that was killing him. Deep inside, he knew it was not anyone's fault. None of them could have predicted that the Devil’s Snare would act like that, but the thought didn’t stop the fear and anger in his stomach.
He exhaled and realised he was shaking as he looked at the group. “We...we have to find him. We can’t just give up on him. He’s our friend. We have to get him back.” With difficulty, he pushed himself up and rejoined the others, eyes alertly scanning the room for any remains of the vines. "Come on, we need to report this. Let's find any school staff."
[Joining the Part 2!]
Calming Presence | The Muggle Condition
Sta: 7 | Eva: 8 | Str: 7 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 8 | Accu: 5
Sta: 7 | Eva: 8 | Str: 7 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 8 | Accu: 5