The Red Queen's Labyrinth Group 8

Action: Giving out personal invitations.
Tes had to go on with her speech of the century. Like ok thanks for starting the stuff we ALREADY know. I rolled my eyes and turned the key in the lock. And opened the door. "Come on!" I said with my foot already on the other side of the door. "Are we WAITING for the next century?" I asked. I wanted to go. This was supposed to be fun and I was stuck with a bit of a...situation dare I say....I had calmed down at this point but I was still a bit fired up. Angel was agreeing with Tes. A thing that I would have never thought to see happen to be more honest. I also did hate the stacking of spells but I had to do it. Otherwise we'd be stuck here. So I had to in a way. My hair was puffing up. Its was getting uneven and I saw a pearl bobby pin fall out. My eyes widened and I flinched. My hair only puffed up whilst stressed. How could I be stressed and barely realize it? I smoothed down the elaborate hairstyle and kept going. "Of course you guys need personal invitations. " I said. "Come on Angel. Come on Dido, Come on Laurie, Come on Felix, Come on Jada, Come on Tes." I said. Going through a mental list of everyone here. I did it whilst not looking at any of them. Then I went through the door. No big deal.

Word Count Reducio 272

Action Reducio Listening and reacting

Stats/Abilities Reducio Stamina: 4 Evasion: 6 Strength: 5 Wisdom: 8 Arcane Power: 5 Accuracy: 7

Interacting With: Reducio @Jada Blake @Tina Carille @Tes Cadell @Angel Dayes @Felix Hawthorne @Laurie Holmes

DidoTesTinaLaurieAngel Jada Felix

OOC note:

Reducio

1) At this point in the school year, Dido is not thinking at all clearly about people (especially Ravenclaws) and while everything said is true in her own belief, she is often very wrong/skewed.
2) If possible (totally fine if not), if you (you being someone in our team!) happen to write another post before modding, could you please copy and paste the table I put at the bottom? Thank you!

So much had happened, since Dido had tried to get Tina to… calm down? And yet, she missed all of it. She was vaguely aware of the passing back and forth of the key and people’s constant insistence that their spell would “work” but the substance of any conversation passed by her entirely. Instead, her gaze and her thoughts were fixated on Tina, who was growing more irritated by the second. And more irritating, Dido thought before quickly chastising herself.

While mainly focused on Tina’s behaviour, Dido let herself consider each member of the team. Or each member who actually stood out to her. Laurie was trying to deal with Tina. Jada did something wrong as Dido quickly discovered when Tina said in a mocking tone, “Everyone say thanks to Jada. For getting us into this mess.” Dido was surprised at Tina herself. The Ravenclaw had seemed kind and sweet earlier… Perhaps Tina and I were switched during the sorting? After all, she’d be a far better fit in Slytherin.

Dido glanced at Felix, the third year who she had largely ignored so far. She had loved the games night he had attended. It actually one of her few genuinely joyful moments in the Slytherin Common Room. And in the maze, he wasn’t not doing anything… but he wasn’t contributing as much as Tina- who’s hair had puffed out by then- or helping as much as Laurie. On the whole, Dido decided that she would like him and offered a small smile to the boy, tilting her head slightly to Tina and Tes as the group hopefully began to walk through the door.

OOC info for moderation!

Reducio

Name	Action	Stats
Dido Bleaklane	Listening and supporting Laurie	Reducio Stamina: 4 Evasion: 6 Strength: 5 Wisdom: 8 Arcane Power: 5 Accuracy: 7
Laurie Holmes	Casting Reducio	Reducio Stamina: 10 Evasion: 2 Strength: 4 Wisdom: 6 ArcPower:5 Accuracy: 8
Tina Carille	Reducio If the various reducios make the key too small, then casting engorgio. We realise that one of the previous messages says reducio but Tina would prefer to have cast engorgio.	Reducio Stamina: 7 Evasion: 6 Strength: 2 Wisdom: 7 ArcPower:7 Accuracy: 6
Tes Cadell	Taking charge	Reducio Stamina: 5 Evasion: 4 Strength: 2 Wisdom: 7 ArcPower:9 Accuracy: 3
Angel Dayes	Mediating and talking?	Reducio Stamina: 8 Evasion: 6 Strength: 5 Wisdom: 7 ArcPower: 3 Accuracy: 1
Felix Hawthorne	Critiscing and calming everyone down	Reducio Stamina: 6 Evasion: 10 Strength: 5 Wisdom: 8 Arcpower: 6 Accuracy: 8
Jada Blake	Casting reducio (if Laurie failed)	Reducio Stamina: 8 Evasion: 7 Strength: 3 Wisdom: 7 ArcPower: 6 Accuracy: 4

Also, after this round, Laurie Holmes will not be posting because she has deactivated!

Ever the clever and energetic bunch, Group 8 was able to quickly reorient themselves after arriving at the second obstacle. Tina Carille and Angel Dayes took charge of cracking the riddle, narrowing down their spell of choice, which is Reducio. Despite some tensions and arguments, Tes Cadell managed to direct the group back into focus! With Dido Bleaklane's support and Jada Blake's promised back-up, Group 8 made their move.

Upon Laurie Holmes' successful casting of Reducio, the golden key shrinks up, a glistening shine covering the key as it became just the right size. With the newly shrunken key, the players would find it a perfect fit into the door’s keyhole! The lock seemed to glow and hum, as if in approval at the players' success. Twisting the key, players would hear a click. In the blink of an eye, light glowed from the door as the material chipped away into dust, revealing a now-empty doorway.

Moderator's Notes
Laurie Holmes casts Reducio (WDC 12).
[d20=14]+6=20 > 12 [Success!]

Stepping past this doorway, players would be faced with an opulent yard fit for a queen. In the centre of it was a huge, luxurious pool made of shiny marble and adorned with ruby gemstone statues. The water was a brilliant, shimmering teal in the pool, quite unlike regular water, and under the sunlight, the sight was almost blinding.

The pool would have been perfect for a summer party– If not for what seemed to be a death machine in the middle of it. A flat path of emerald grass connected one end of the pool to the other, and hanging atop it was what seemed to be an axe. Back and forth the axe swung over the centre of the path, blocking the path to the next obstacle! Thankfully, if any players squinted, they would realise the axe is almost akin to a soft pillow-version to the real deal.

Tighten those shoelaces and watch your step, challengers! You're going to have to make a mad dash.

Evasion DC: 20

OOC Instructions

Reducio

Rules

Congratulations, your group has made it to the third obstacle! Please note the following rules for this obstacle:

1. Similar to before, moderation will occur once a week, if at least HALF of the members in the group posted an action.
   • If one or no members post an action that round, moderation will happen only the next week to give more time for members to post. This is for the sake of game progression.
   • If there are any special circumstances (eg, members are ill), please owl us. We will consider making exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
2. Each participant is allowed one moderated action per round. Please include your abilities and stats in your post.
3. Please specify your character's action(s) in your post (as an OOC note).
   • This includes moderated actions, which are actions that require dice rolls to determine their outcome, like casting a spell.
4. Please follow all usual HIO rules.
   • This includes 200 IC word requirements.
5. Wave those wands and good luck, challengers. Have fun!

ROUND 3 SPECIAL INSTRUCTION:
For this obstacle, your character will have to use the action of “run forward”.

1. The moderator will roll an evasion difficulty check (Evasion DC 20).
2. The moderator will moderate the actions by order of whoever posted first. Moderation notes will be left for each player.
3. For this obstacle, ALL members need to pass this difficulty check to succeed.

Group 8

1. @Jada Blake
2. @Tina Carille
3. @Tes Cadell
4. @Angel Dayes
5. @Felix Hawthorne
6. @Laurie Holmes
7. @Dido Bleaklane

DEADLINE: 1 week from time of posting

<sub>Well they made it, Angel felt much lighter this time. Weights off her shoulders and she can concentrate better. But met with a luxury pool with emerald for grass. It did not surprise her however when there was many things stopping them. Axes and blades. Well she would look a bit closer and it was just something to catch someone of guard off they did not have a keen eye. Way off from the real deal. Angel looked towards the others who came along with her. Dido, Tina, Tes, Jada, Felix, and Laurie. Now including herself no members were missing and that was another relief.

"I know I did not talk as much, but I must say I am pretty impressed with all of you. Let's get through this weird maze together." Angel said with optimism

It was not the time for a inspirational speech but it was needed due to how well the group had stayed together and how everyone was able to show what they have got. Getting into path three was a good enough checkpoint who knows if the other groups even made through path two maybe even one. Angel having her eyes peeled on the path ahead, she ran forward and since she did not bring a pair of sneakers she had to run in heels. Fair enough Angel just had to dash her way.

Angel putting her left leg behind and leaned forward looking over to the others she said

"Ready?" she said with a sly smirk on her face

One, two, three go! Angel charges ahead in the big open space. The gush of wind encrusted in her hair away and away she went. Dhampirs had faster movement then the average human, so naturally she passed through it. Quick dashes and passes and rushing. It was then Angel was met with the blade that was swinging harshly like a pendulum. Left and right it was fast, but it was dull but still effective it can maybe push someone over to the iron walls. Timing needed to be executed just right. Stepping back to allow in some space. Angel looking straight at the axe observed it for a quick second before she got the timing. Once the axe moved to the right she dash towards the end of the path. There she was staring ahead towards the other end.

"Sorry! I think I did too much on my speed! Do your best! I think you guys can pass with flying colors!" Angel laughed with her dainty hands on her lips.</sub>

Action: Running fast
I stayed quiet for most of the walk and Angel was taking over the talking. We reached a pool. It looked beautiful! It was a shiny blue and there were many shiny statues around it. Going across the middle of the pool was a strip of green land. I gazed in aw and quickly spotted a swinging ax. I looked around for a place to evade the ax. The only way was to run through the trap. Angel was the first person to go and avoid the ax. But I looked closer. Determined to get this right so everyone could see that I'm actually good. Angel made it across and laughed. Her happiness was contagious and I laughed too. I watched the ax for a bit longer. This was like timing on stage. You have to get it perfect otherwise it will mess the entire thing up. I watched it swing. One two, one two. I then closed my eyes. I found that if I closed my eyes my brain wouldn't tell me that this was a bad idea. Then I opened my eyes. It was like a drawn out blink. I ran surprisingly fast for someone that was my tiny size. I kept the rhythm in my head. One, two, one two. I repeated. As I dashed through the trap I saw something quite peculiar. There were FEATHERS sticking out of the ax. The ax was also quite dull. Then, my smile brightened. I finished running to the other side and shouted across the pool, "EVERYONE! THE AX IS A PILLOW DISGUISED AS AN AX! NO NEED TO WORRY!" Then I started laughing. How could I be to stupid to think they would use a real ax in a Labyrinth at a SCHOOL!

Word Count Reducio 396

Action Reducio Run forwards!

Stats/Abilities Reducio Stamina: 4 Evasion: 6 Strength: 5 Wisdom: 8 Arcane Power: 5 Accuracy: 7

Interacting With: Reducio @Jada Blake @Tina Carille @Tes Cadell @Angel Dayes @Felix Hawthorne @Laurie Holmes

DidoTesTinaAngel Jada Felix

OOC note:

Reducio

1) At this point in the school year, Dido is not thinking at all clearly about people (especially Ravenclaws) and while everything said is true in her own belief, she is often very wrong/skewed.

Somehow, the key twisted in the lock and it disintegrated, revealing the path behind.

Dido breathed out. She hadn’t even realised she had been holding her breath. Thank you, she murmured up to whatever being (Erast Yan!) had answered her prayers.

As the group poured though the, now empty, doorway, Dido grinned at the others, pushing away the building discomfort that had been building in her chest. She glanced around, gazing at the beautiful opulence of the yard and the gorgeous, azure pool before them. Dido let out an involuntary sigh of relief. But it was quickly cut short by the sight of a moving object, just in the corner of her eye. There was an axe, swinging back and forth! She let out a high pitched squeak of terror.

But, to Dido’s utter mortification, she quickly realised that it was probably unlikely that these axes would be able to hurt the children. Perhaps they were just illusions?

So, tearing her eyes away from the beautiful water and the, albeit fake, promises of death, she turned to the group and excitedly said, “It’s wonderland-themed, right? We must be getting closer to the Red Queen- This is almost like palace gardens!”

Suddenly, quick as a flash, Angel hopefully darted across the grassy path with graceful, almost inhuman speed. Dido thought back to Corrine’s face in that bookshop. Something was strange about Angel, or at the very least, the girl attracted attention. Dido dismissed the thought as Tina also prepared to make her way across, watching as the Ravenclaw charged onwards, reminding Dido of those exercises she had done at tennis lessons her mothers forced her to take.

Dido looked at the grassy path, swallowed, and asked, “Anyone want to do this together?” before laughing and continuing, “It would be a great bonding experience!” in the hope to draw people’s attention away from her, seemingly, constant incompetence so far.

Whether anyone chose to accompany Dido or not, she eventually crossed over to the path, with or without someone, and began to, rather slowly for fear of falling, make her way across a route which felt like a tightrope, even if it was much wider. At the axes, which Dido wasn’t able to notice were pillows as she was so focused, she paused, watched them move before quickly darting a metre forwards and stopping again to watch the next.

Action: Helping Dido

“It’s wonderland-themed, right? We must be getting closer to the Red Queen- This is almost like palace gardens!” Dido said, happily. I immediately blanched. "Dido, that's not a good thing." I said shaking my head, my eyes were wide with horror. "In the book Alice in Wonderland, the Red Queen was a crazy maniac who chopped peoples heads off!" I exclaimed, my voice getting shriller with every word. I had to take a few calm breaths. I wasn't crazy, I wasn't crazy. I looked on the other side of the pool. Angel and I on one side, the others on the other side. Then there was Dido, stuck in the middle. Watching the axes swing, her eyes wide with fear. I wanted to help. I had to. I told Angel to give me a second and I dashed to the middle. "Dido! When I say go you are going to grab my hand and I'm going to pull you over ok?" I said counting the beats of one, two, one,two in my head. "You've got to trust me ok?" I said, hoping that Dido wouldn't worry too much. I counted the beats of the axes. Then I calculated when each ax would come down the slowest. I took my own deep breath, making sure I was in-sync with the the ax. "GO!" I shouted, sticking my hand out, hoping that Dido would take my hands. I closed my eyes. Those few seconds were super long, I kept thinking what if she didn't trust me enough? Those few moments felt like forever...

Well, Felix admired their commitment to the theme. The it was really quite beautiful out, and the axe was a nice addition.

He tipped his head back, enjoying the sun. Maybe he should've brought sunglasses, if it was going to be like this more often.

"I know I did not talk as much, but I must say I am pretty impressed with all of you. Let's get through this weird maze together." there was Angel with the team spirit and enough optimism to go first. Kudos to her.

Tina's comment of "In the book Alice in Wonderland, the Red Queen was a crazy maniac who chopped peoples heads off!" was probably a good reminder, but she didn't need to be nearly as freaked out as she was. It was more funny than anything.

"Ooh yes, how fun! Maybe we'll just have to invite her to tea then?" he watched the axe as he spoke, trying to figure out the best course of action.

The theme was something to think about. Despite the fact that he hadn't read Alice in Wonderland in a couple years, he was fairly certain that the whole head-chopping thing was true.
Good idea to keep their eyes open either way. This was, after all, a labyrinth, and who knew what could be in it?

Anyways, Tina had already charged across after Angel. Dido had taken the more cautious route, and paused to watch the axe swing.

She hadn't fallen yet, but did seem a little more cautious than the others had been. Suppose anyone would be, seeing that axe going back and forth across their path.
She'd figure it out soon enough, that while the axe was certainly a step up from garden gnomes and casting a simple reducio, it wouldn't be too much of a problem.
Sure, it could probably knock you down pretty well, maybe put you in the pool, but it wasn't about to do anything near as bad as a real one (obviously).

Ignoring her, he decided to just get it over with and run across, because what was the worst that could happen?

Code by Fawkes Chaos

Banner & Signature by Tes Cadell

WC: 268/200 Interactions: JadaDidoTesTinaLaurieAngelFelix Date: 13/04/2026 Time: late afternoon/early evening Reducio Abilites: Charmer Stats: Stamina: 8 Evasion: 7 Strength: 3 Wisdom: 7 ArcPower: 6 Accuracy: 4

Jada trailed behind the rest of the group after the incident at the last obstacle. They'd been lucky that someone could get that key unstuck from the door. She for one, was feeling significantly less enthusiastic about the obstacles that lay ahead of them. A feeling which only worsened once she faced their next challenge.

She gulped. The opulent yard and crystal clear water wasn't enough to distract from the death trap in the middle of it. The only way forward was to cross a grassy bridge which would have been simple enough had there not been giant axes swinging above it. Their timing made it impossible to dash across without getting impaled by one or the other.

She turned her gaze away, steadying herself and, instead, spacing out to surveying their surroundings. The pool that gleamed in the afternoon sunlight was lined with gems of all different colours. Rich rubies, shimmering sapphires and exotic emeralds. They were all so pretty...

She snapped back to reality seeing the blur of Tina as she dashed across the bridge. WAS SHE INSANE? That girl was going to her herself killed! That was, until she emerged on the other side unharmed. The axes were fake. Of course, who in their right mind would allow someone to set up a death trap for students in a school?

Right now, she didn't need to draw any more attention to herself by lagging behind. Her breath was still shaky as she dashed across the bridge, too. She paused before each of the axes, timing herself so as not to get pushed into the water.

Reducio

Action: Running across the bridge and avoiding the axes

Outfit: Reducio https://i.postimg.cc/8khLLHFT/image.png

Signature:

Mentions: Reducio @Felix Hawthorne@Tes Cadell@Dido Bleaklane@Tina Carille@Angel Dayes

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

*+:｡.｡　　｡.｡:+*

mentions-word count-ooc note-date-outfit-hex

Reducio tag/s✧.*@Angel Dayes@Jada Blake@Tina Carille@Felix Hawthorne@Laurie Holmes@Dido Bleaklane	Reducio wc✧.* 214/200	Reducio ooc note✧.*we're cooking w this, sorry mod
Reducio date✧.* 13.04.2026	Reducio outfit✧.* Reducio	Reducio speech✧.* Sissy -, Tina - Felix-Jada-Dido-Angel-Laurie

code by ara villa

Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 4 | Strength: 2 | Wisdom: 7 | Arcane Power: 9 | Accuracy: 3
Abilities: Parselmouth