The Red Queen's Labyrinth Group 2

The students look at the key and the lock. They know they need to unlock the lock but the execution isn't that simple. With a successful strike of Alohamora...

The spell strikes the lock, for a moment it shines and glows, like it's thinking almost. But then it quickly dims. Then something else glows in its place. After the lock dims, the abnormally large key glows bright for a split second. It shines beautiful and gold for all eyes to behold.

Then the lock turns into what looks like a face. It snarls. "Excuse you! That hurt! I'm locked for a reason! How about you use the key!" Then it snaps back to a normal lock. The lock looked terribly offended and utterly curious at why not one, not even two, but three students decided to try and cast the spell on the lock. This could be seen in it's face before the lock returned to its normal look.

It's quite a shame too because each student executed perfect form. They casted the spell with ease, and they hit the lock perfectly, but if not Alohamora then what spell? That is for the players to think and find out for themselves. Good luck!

Moderator's Notes

Reducio

Max casts Alohamora [d20=18]+4= 22 Success!
Zephyr casts Alohamora [d20=18]+5 = 23 Success!
Harumi casts Alohamora [d20=17]+7 =24 Success!

OOC Instructions

Reducio

Rules

1. Similar to before, moderation will occur once a week, if at least HALF of the members in the group posted an action.
1.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.
2. 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).
1.This includes moderated actions, which are actions that require dice rolls to determine their outcome, like casting a spell.

3. Please follow all usual HIO rules.
1.This includes 200 IC word requirements.

Wave those wands and good luck, challengers. Have fun!


Group 2:
@Zephyr Deakin
@Maximilianus Kenneally Vidler
@Harumi Everdane
@Edward Bishop
@Skylar Astor

Banner by Skylar Astor

Interacting with:	@Zephyr Deakin, @Harumi Everdane,
—	@Skylar Astor & @Edward Bishop
Dialogue:	#770B08
Words:	224

They did it! Three of them, himself included, cast what to him seemed like a perfect example of the unlocking charm. That was by far his best attempt at that charm to date, so he couldn’t help straightening with just a little bit of pride. His eyes shone as the lock glowed, antsy to get to the next obstacle. His joy dimmed as soon as the lock did. What use was there in that key glowing? It wouldn’t fit anyways.

The previous joy turned to confusion as the lock morphed before his eyes and spoke to them. That quickly enough changed to irritation upon hearing the words. «Cause the key won’t fit, you prick!» He shuffled his feet a little, casting a glance at the others. He knew what he wanted to do, but his first impulse were seldom a good idea. Still, it would be so satisfying…

Another mere millisecond of silence made the decision for him. «Well, this door is going down wether it likes it or not!» He declared before running at the door. The risk of doing harm to himself in the process entered his mind only after his feet had left the ground, but there was no space for hesitation now. Coming within striking distance, he jumped, planting both feet against the annoying piece of wood blocking their way.

Action:

Attempting to kick the door down

Stats:

Sta 6

Eva 5

Str 8

Wis 4

Arc 5

Acc 7

Made by Skylar Astor

Zephyr lowered his wand after the spell hit and he really thought it worked. The lock lit up and glowed so he was anticipating to hear a click which didn’t come. Instead, the glow faded and then the key flashed. It’s not what he expected. Before he could even say anything, the lock moved and all he could do was stare at it, eyes narrowing as it twisted into something that looked like a face. “Woahh look!” What’s even more shocking was that, it spoke! Not just spoke, it scolded them for hurting it! He chuckled at first and it morphed into a full blown laughter. “I can’t believe I just saw a door complain.” He laughed once again. “That’s fair, but we’re not done yet.” He was not sure who he was telling that to, the door or his teammates or himself.

As quickly as it changed, it snapped back to normal, looking like a lock again as if nothing happened. He looked at his friends, all three of them had cast it properly but the spell was not the problem. “Well, good news is, it worked, just not for this.” It was easy to say it’s not the door, but he couldn’t just give up the idea that the riddle was very simple.

He scratched at the side of his head while mulling over the next step, in the simplest way as he possibly could. “Hmmm…I still don’t know how to make it smaller. We haven’t learn any spell that can shrink in class right?” If there was one, then he’s probably absent, sick and couldn’t attend the class. “Does anyone actually know something for that, anything that can change size?” It was clear now, using the unlocking spell won’t do.

Meanwhile, Max seemed to have the same thought and wouldn’t give up on the door. He actually tried kicking it, which brought his laughter back. It was amusing to witness. “Anyway, I’ll try whatever spells I know, if you know something, feel free to do it.” Without waiting, he pointed his wand to the door again and did the proper wand movement and incantation for the shooting spell, “Jaculor!” Poor door, but they can’t give up now, he’s never a quitter and he knew this group was the same.

Action: Used Jaculor - shooting spell on the door
Stat: Sta: 5, Eva: 5, Str: 7, Wis: 5, Arc: 8, Acc: 5
Special Ability: Calming Presence

☆Made by Skylar Astor☆

Well maybe she should overthink sometimes. After Harumi, Max, and Zephyr successfully cast the spell, the girl expected they will get to walk to the next obstacle easily. However, the lock on the door seemed to have other thoughts, literally thoughts, cause why did it just talk to them?!

♠︎♥︎ "Sorry, mr. Lock, but we don't know how to shrink it!" Harumi said, more sarcastic than apologetic. Besides does Alohomora cause pain in the first place? Harumi had the intrusive thought to cast it on one of them and see, but it probably wouldn't do anything, last time she checked, they were all living beings not locks.

♣︎◆ Harumi looked at the others, they all started using their creativity to try and unlock the door. She almost wanted to go ahead and do something similar, maybe kick the door with Max, or burn it with Skylar.

♠︎♥︎ However, Zephyr's question made her start thinking again. A spell that shrinks, Harumi is sure there must be a few, but they didn't study any in their classes. What about a book? Harumi reads alot so she must have came across one before. And suddenly something clicks in her mind.

♣︎◆ "Was it Ridasio? No, not that... Hmm.. Reducio?" She contemplated. "Hey, guys! I think I got it! I saw in some book, it's Reducio, I think." Harumi said, although it seems like she's still thinking.

♠︎♥︎ "Well, it's worth a shot anyway." She decided before taking out her wand again. "Reducio!"

The door seems to almost be bracing for dear life when the students say they want to attempt to knock it down and burn it. It is almost as if they can hear it grumbling or something.

Max attempts to kick down the door and it seems to not being doing any good. Now Zephyr, on the other hand decides to cast Jaculor on the door and the poor thing almost seems to tremble. But unfortunately for the group, and fortunately for the door the cast was not successful. Skylar casts incendio on the door, and though it was a beautiful cast, the door looks like it was going to burn up for a split second, a few pieces seemed to fall, but for the most part the door remained in tact. However, it was when Harumi cast the spell of reducio that almost seemed to have the door singing with joy. Her spell was successful.

When the key shrinks with perfect execution of the spell reducio, they group puts it into the lock, and a loud click can be heard, which is most likely music to their ears since they had a previous failed attempt at opening the door.

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 of the real deal.

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

☆Made by Skylar Astor☆

When the key shrunk, Harumi unconsciously smiled proudly. So it was the correct incantation after all, the girl was thankful it didn't turn out to be the incantation for some dangerous spell, she shouldn't really be trying her luck with magic, but well, Harumi will probably do that again given the chance. "Don't thank me." Harumi said in a mock arrogant way.

♠︎♥︎ After Everyone's failed attempts at destroying the door, they put the key into the door and finally it opens. "Finally! Thanks for being patient, Mr. Door." Harumi laughed before stepping through the door. "Umm... I hope you can run.." She said after she saw what was beyond the door, it only gets worse apparently, makes sense.


♣︎◆ The place looked luxurious, Harumi could almost believe this was part of the palace or castle of a long lost queen, hadn't it been for that axe swinging over the pool. It seemed they were supposed to go through the path directly under the axe to reach the next obstacle, how lucky. The axe didn't look actually dangerous, the professors wouldn't just throw children into their demise, but still, Harumi doesn't want to be the first to go through it, she'll probably just fall into the pool immediately, and she really doesn't want to get wet, it may be spring, but she still doesn't want to risk catching a cold.


♠︎♥︎ "So, I say we sacrifice one of the boys and have him go first, what do you say, Skylar?" Harumi said in all seriousness. "What about you, Zephyr? Go ahead!" Harumi smiled innocently.

♣︎◆ After a few of the others went ahead, Harumi followed suit and started running forward hoping for the best.

Made by Skylar Astor

Zephyr was confident in casting the Jaculor spell, too much of it actually, only to miserably fail. What a shame, reality really knew how to remind him that it's not all confidence at all sometimes. Poor lock had suffered through all their attempts, Max's kick, his attempt at force, Skylar's fire and somehow, absurdly, it was still there like a stubborn old thing refusing to admit defeat. Zephyr huffed loudly but grinned in the end despite everything. “You really got attitude...” He muttered that with mixed amusement and annoyance. But then Harumi stepped in and saved the day when she casted Reducio. He didn't even know that spell yet but it's not hard to know what it does from the name itself. It would probably shrink the key into a smaller size so they could use it on the lock.

Both the door and the lock didn't resist or protest, there was only obedient transformation and then it gave a satisfying click! He ended up chuckling as he turned toward his friends, "Right..so we've been fighting the door when we're only supposed to fix the key." Obviously from the riddle itself but he really thought there was more meaning behind those words. Turns out they only have to see it for what it was, in a literal sense. How embarrassing. It was infuriatingly obvious in hindsight. He took a deep breath, feeling relieved that they could finally move on to the next level. Whatever that may be.

“Good one Harumi.” Nodding toward Harumi with respect. Hearing some movement, the room beyond opened to them and he followed his group again. It was an amazing display of wealth, as if it's something out of a dream. All he could see were marbles, gemstones, the water is even shimmering! He slowed down his steps and took it all in, whistling as he did. "Look at this! It's beautiful, though I wonder... if it's like this before something try to kil--" He wasn't able to finish what he was trying to say when he saw the axe swinging on its own as if waiting for its victim. Gulp.

There was grassy path below connecting both ends of the pool. "Now what...?" His eyes stayed on the axe, it's as if inviting them, daring them to try...and as he looked more, he realized it might be fake? He blinked several times just to make sure what he was seeing was not just a figment of his imagination. At least the task is very obvious, it's simple actually, no more guessing, it's physical. They just have to avoid the axe while crossing the path. Just then Harumi volunteered him to go first. He whirled around the girl, shock written on his face. "Wha---" and seconded by Skylar. He grumbled and couldn't complain much, he would rather go first than any of the girls. Better him than them.

He rolled his shoulders and wriggled his arms to remove his nervousness. “Just run...” He blew out some air loudly and walked few phases back to give himself some leeway. Leaning forward with his knee bent, he adjusted his foot, his gaze narrowing as he measure the timing of the swing. No matter how challenging it looks, it's not impossible either. There's always a rhythm to them. When the axe shifted on the other side, he moved fast and ran.

Action: Run fast forward
Stat: Sta: 5, Eva: 5, Str: 7, Wis: 5, Arc: 8, Acc: 5
Special Ability: Calming Presence