Summer Camp Mysterious Maze Group 7 Closed

His plan had been lacking. Lacking in foresight, lacking in intelligence, and lacking in overall ability to succeed. That sheer lack was all that he could consider as the spell he had been convinced he’d cast perfectly, not a fault in the incantation, sent the rotten foodstuff rocketing upward. Bits of fruit splattered against his face, causing his suppressed gag reflex to flare once more, whilst other disgusting bits and pieces clung to his hair and his clothes. There would be no doubt that the bits of refuse that clung to the fibres would bring the disgusting stench with him as he continued through the maze. That was, of course, assuming that he could even manage to continue in the maze. He’d been planning to send himself rocketing upward, toward safety and freedom. Instead, he found himself hurtling further down into the hole.

He landed with another thud, and a stink entirely different to that of the refuse, but no less disgusting poured into his nostrils. Nicholas coughed and sputtered as he got to his feet, pushing himself off of the ground, feeling the uncomfortable squelch of mud between his fingers as he did so. His eyes forced closed, the reek acting as if to sting the sensitive orbs, as the boy coughed and retched, naught but air escaping from his gullet. He supposed he should be thankful for that, even if he was now trapped in the pit with no way out.

A moment or two passed before he finally allowed himself to hazard a look at his would-be prison. Pleasant surprise filled his belly and bubbled up in the form of giggles. There was a doorway, a doorway that had been hidden underneath the piles of rotting fruit. He could not believe his luck. He’d expected to be trapped within the pit, forced to wait for the enigmatic groundskeeper to come and locate him before he starved. Yet, in the place of despair rose hope.

Daring not look a gift horse in the mouth, the boy wasted no time in skirting toward and through the once-hidden doorway.

Stats: STA: 12 | EVA: 6 | STR: 8 | WIS: 6 | ARC: 4 | ACC: 6
Abilities: Foulplay | Statistically Relevant
Tags: Nil
Action: Going through the hidden doorway

Cold. So cold.
The icy water seemed to press all air out of the young american's lungs and the ability to speak with it. For the boy there was only swimming, no stopping, no getting too cold. He had to keep warm as long as he was in the water. Theo sighed in relief when he reached land, crawling onto it on his hands and knees. He was so cold. He didn't know where Rett was, if he had followed through (or over) the hedge.

Theo breathed shakily, his whole body was trembling. The rain didn't help, it only made it worse. His clothes were soaked, he could barely feel his body. A splashing noise let him know that his friend had reached land as well and only moments later he could hear Rett's voice making a snarky comment. "S- s- sorry. Glad your f-fine t-too.", he told his friend with a little smile before getting out his wand. "W-wait a moment." Theo would certainly not just go on now or tomorrow he'd work up with the flu of his life.

"Aer Calidus." With the rain it wouldn't dry his clothes completely, but at least the hot air charm would warm him up a bit. Or so he hoped.

Casting the Hot Air Charm.

Northern Route

Everett Brooks (@Willow Anderson), Theodore Duncain (@Opeila Winters)

Gaining a bit of relief from the frigid weather, Theodore was able to quickly cast the Hot Air Charm. With the continued rain, it wouldn’t dry them. But the warmth of the air would give a temporary reprieve from the chill. Enough so they would be able to focus on whatever dangers might be ahead of them. They were slowly making their way closer to safety and an exit but that didn’t mean they were out of danger.

Into the tunnel, Everett might have hoped they would escape the unrelenting rain. Unfortunately, the clouds appeared to follow them into the tunnel and they wouldn’t find their reprieve. As they maneuvered the dark tunnel, he would continue to have a chilled rain pouring over top of them. The tunnel itself was a completely dark abyss but it was a short jaunt before it opened up into clear skies.

The pair (assuming Theodore followed Everett) would exit the tunnel into a large open chamber. Along the walls of the chamber, a dozen torches suddenly lit with a dim blue flame to cast a haze over the large area. On the far side of the chamber was an arched doorway with a purple wooden door. A signpost sat beside it but it would be a bit too far to read the sloppy message in the dim light.

On the grassy floor of the chamber the room seemed to have been divided into a series of shapes. One foot by one foot shapes. Almost like a large chess board but instead of checkered squares, it was a continued pattern of a triangle, circle, and finally a square. Each the same size, alternating across the entire chamber. There was no indication what the symbols might mean or if they meant anything at all. But on the plus side, the rain would slowly stop. They would finally have their relief from the cold water.

Available Directions: Available Directions: Go forward through the chamber or turn back

Middle Entrance

@Nicholas McCowan

The hidden doorway was a blessing for Nicholas and would allow him to leave the stinking pit. Upon opening the door, there would be a narrow staircase through the soil that climbed up to a covered trap door. Nicholas would be able to easily push the door open which spit him out on the pathway they had fallen from.

Looking to his right Nicholas would be able to see the tunnel and pit that had once been his prison. The stench of rotting fruit still emanates from the abyss. But to the left, the path looked clear and ready Nicholas to press closer towards the exit. Just because he had escaped the pit did not mean that Nicholas was completely safe. But if he kept his mind ready, he would likely be able to find his way through.

Available Directions: Turn left or turn right (back into the pit)

Southern Route

@Lily Cooper

Assailed by plants, Lily was able to keep a surprisingly clear mind. She was able to get hold of her wand to ready one of her more offensive spells. Fire against plants was always a winning combination. Lily was able to quickly cast Incendio. Her wand movement and focus was near perfect and the flames came out with considerable vigor to lash out at the vines grabbing the girl’s legs.

Immediately, Lily would feel her legs freed from the grasp of the vines. She would be able to continue forward but her spell might not have been the most wise spell to cast in such close quarters. The flames on the vines quickly began to grow and began licking at the hedges. There was now plenty of light but the growing flames would quickly become a new threat to Lily.

Available Directions (for Lily Cooper): Available Directions: Can Crawl Forward, fire growing behind

How to Navigate the Maze

1. Each round you can choose an available direction to travel or to take a different action.
2. Each moderation will list the available directions for each student.
3. You can choose to stay as a group or wander off on your own. But if you are alone...beware of the orange.
4. Depending on the paths chosen, you may encounter challenges or changes within the maze.
5. Stats will be used in this tread and thus you will need to ensure they are in your trunk.
6. There will be a moderation post at least once a week. Quicker moderations will be done if all active participants have replied.
7. If a participant misses two weeks of moderation, it will be assumed they decided to take a nap and will be removed from the maze for their safety!
8. As always...clothing will be required in this thread!

It was hard to put into words the joy that Nicholas felt as he ascended the narrow staircase up and out of the bit and toward freedom. It was even harder to explain the taste of air that had not been corrupted by the rotting flesh of fruit and vegetables. Crisp, the evening chill beginning to cool it of the heat that had carried across it throughout the day. It was ambrosia upon his tongue. Freedom had beckoned him and he had entered its bodice without hesitation.

“Let’s go!” He yelled, his voice directed at the sky, a sheer shout of joy. He couldn’t stop himself from punching the air as he did so, a grin splitting his face from ear to ear.

Having celebrated his escape from his only obstacle thus far, Nicholas turned his attention to the path before him. He was on the other side of the pit, the spot where he had fallen into the hole taunting him with its mere existence. Still, he had bested it, and that meant that he had earned the right to continue ever onward in his search for victory.

As he began to crawl through the path, away from the pit, his thoughts turned idly to the others who had joined him in the maze. Those who had taken the northern and southern paths, and how they were faring. Regardless of what routes they had taken, he was almost certain that none had faced the same trials that he had. They were likely merely lost.

Stats: STA: 12 | EVA: 6 | STR: 8 | WIS: 6 | ARC: 4 | ACC: 6
Abilities: Foulplay | Statistically Relevant
Tags: Nil
Action: Turning left

By Winnie

[font=book antique]Outfit: [x] Mysterious Maze cbd9df[/font]

[font=book antique]Lily Beatrix Cooper 10th August 2021 #289087[/font]

===

[font=book antique]Your plan was perfect. The fire began to burn the Devil's Snare. You felt the plant's vines pull away from your legs. Looking behind you, you saw the crack. The fire. You must hurry to get out of this tunnel or there are at least five reasons why you will die. The fire could catch you. The smoke could choke you. The Devil's Snare could smother the fire and catch you. The fire could go out because of the lack of oxygen. And without oxygen, you will die too. You could... You could all just die in the heat. - Oh, shit. Don't panic. You'll just crawl forward as fast as you can. If there's an exit, you'll go through it. Otherwise, we're dead. Very reassuring. But you won't die. You are in a school. Hogwarts doesn't have the reputation of the safest of schools but the staff wouldn't willingly have a student die. And besides, you have absolutely no intention to die. You want to walk out of here and throw yourself on a bed, Blueberry in your lap, a book in your hand. With that thought, you start to crawl, quite quickly. You can feel the fire nearby and you don't want to get burned. You've already burned yourself as a child and you don't want to do it again.[/font]

===

Action: Crawl as fast as possible on what is possibly an exit
Stats: STA: 7 | EVA: 7 | STR: 4 | WIS: 8 | ARC: 7 | ACC: 7

♢ Interacting ♢
Theodore Duncain^{@Opeila Winters}

With Rett's mind only wanting to move forward, the fact that Theo was able to think for a moment and give them some reprieve from the cold air. Rett shuddered as the cold seeped out of his bones for a moment. Sadly the rain did not offer them reprieve as it continued to pour down on them. Even in the darkness of the tunnel Rett could feel the ice cold drops against his skin. His eyes tried to widen to absorb any type of light so he could see, but it just wasn't happening.

Rett wasn't afraid of the dark, per say. He just didn't particularly enjoy it. He didn't sleep with a night light or anything. But he did prefer to fall asleep when the sun was just dipping over the horizon and the sky became a painting of pinks and purples. It wasn't too long before he stepped out into the clearing where the rain had finally stopped. With a quick swipe of his hand, Rett moved the soaked hair out of his face to get a better look at the chamber.

It was busy, that was for sure. There was a lot going on with the shapes, and a sign he couldn't quite see next to a door. There was really only one thing to do, and it was to try and figure out the puzzle that they had landed in.

Action ♢ Going Forward, Investigating the Chamber

♢ Outfit Reference ♢

Reducio

Theo had been freezing. Like freezing. After swimming through a small- what even was this, a small river? Where did the water come from?- filled with icy water, the two boys weren't given a break but now had to deal with cold rain as well? Did the Hogwarts teacher want the participants to get sick or killed? After he had first almost been kidnapped by vines and now seemed to get to look forward to the most massive flu of human history, he couldn't definitely answer that question with 'no' any longer.

Once again he appreciated the magical education they got, when he cast the hot air charm to at least warm the two of them up a little. It couldn't dry them completely considering that they were still standing in the rain, but at least Theo wasn't shaking so much any more now. He could think clearer and focus on the path- no, the chamber- before them.

The Thunderbird's gaze found the purple door on the other side and he squinted, trying to read what was written on the signpost next to it, but it was too dark. Well- On the bright side, he noticed with relief, that the rain was stopping.
Slowly, making every step consciously, Theo stepped into the chamber. His right hand was holding his wand firmly, ready to use it if something unexpected was to happen.

Action: Going through the chamber.

Northern Route

Everett Brooks (@Willow Anderson), Theodore Duncain (@Opeila Winters)

As the boys arrived at the room, they seemed to quickly acknowledge that there was more to the room than was immediately visible. The maze had been designed to be somewhat unpredictable and to keep the students guessing. Thus far, the pair had been relatively lucky. They had proceeded down one of the hidden paths of the maze but now they had this unfamiliar puzzle to address.

Everett knew better than to run forward haphazardly. Going to the edge of the pattern, the boy would spend a short time examining the shapes looking for any clues. There wasn’t anything very clear from the inspection. It just looked to be shaped painted on the grass. But the longer he focused, he would begin to hear an exceptionally faint ticking noise coming from the closest triangle shape. Any more useful information may have been concealed by magical means.

Theo, on the other hand, decided to throw caution to the wind and would proceed forward into the chamber. The boy might have been taking every step carefully. But that wouldn’t save him. After stepping on a circle, Theo’s next step would land on one of the squares and there was an audible click. A sudden loud rumble. From the far wall, a sudden eruption of water began as if there were massive pipes hidden within the hedge. The pulse of water launched across the room at the two students. Already low to the ground, Everett was able to duck under the column of water.

Theo was not so lucky. A column of water, as if blasted out of a fire hose, careened into the boy’s chest and sent him sprawling backwards several feet. The water was frigid to add a bit of insult to injury. After a moment, the water cannons stopped and there was silence. Theo was now pressed against the back wall and dripping with water. Perhaps he would be a bit more careful where he stepped if they were to try again.

Available Directions: Available Directions: Go forward through the chamber or turn back

Middle Entrance

@Nicholas McCowan

After taking a moment to enjoy his freedom, Nicholas was ready to move forward. He had over come one major obstacle and was likely hoping that there would not be many more to contend with. Turning to the left, Nicholas would not need to wander far before coming across something strange. Rounding a corner, Nicholas would find himself at the entrance to a large circular chamber.

Standing at the threshold, the room looked rather barron. There was not the fog that plagued the other pathways which allowed for mostly clear visibility. The chamber itself was unusually large and on the far end they would be able to see two closed doors on the hedge. The doors were a bit too far in the dim light to make out any detail but they appeared to be made of wood. Beyond that, there was nothing to distinguish the chamber. But if Nicholas listened closely, he would hear a very faint sound of running water. It was unclear where the sound was coming from but there was the faint trickle.

Available Directions: Enter the chamber or turn back

Southern Route

@Lily Cooper

The smoke was quickly beginning to fill the narrow tunnel from Lily’s flames and the girl knew that time should not be wasted. Now free of the plants, the girl began to rapidly crawl away from the flames. Luckily she wasn’t far from the end of the tunnel and the flames were still only slowly growing. The frantic crawling would prove enough to get Lily to safety away from the fire. She would emerge from the tunnel with the smoke and would be able to stand again.

Lily would find herself in a small chamber with two new paths. One branched to the right and the other seemed to turn hard to the left. There were no truly distinguishing details between the two paths but the smoke was still slowly beginning to build in the small chamber. While the flames did not seem to be a pressing threat, the air was becoming increasingly difficult to breathe in. To avoid more serious issues, the girl would likely need to move quickly.

Available Directions (for Lily Cooper): Available Directions: Left path or Right path

How to Navigate the Maze

1. Each round you can choose an available direction to travel or to take a different action.
2. Each moderation will list the available directions for each student.
3. You can choose to stay as a group or wander off on your own. But if you are alone...beware of the orange.
4. Depending on the paths chosen, you may encounter challenges or changes within the maze.
5. Stats will be used in this tread and thus you will need to ensure they are in your trunk.
6. There will be a moderation post at least once a week. Quicker moderations will be done if all active participants have replied.
7. If a participant misses two weeks of moderation, it will be assumed they decided to take a nap and will be removed from the maze for their safety!
8. As always...clothing will be required in this thread!

By Winnie

[font=book antique]Outfit: [x] Mysterious Maze cbd9df[/font]

[font=book antique]Lily Beatrix Cooper 10th August 2021 #289087[/font]

===

[font=book antique]Using your arms more than your legs, you continue to crawl. You feel like you can see the end of the tunnel. If not... You don't ask yourself the question. At least you try. Because the question keeps coming up. The answer too, and it's the answer that scares you. If it's not the way out, if it's just a wall, you're done for. Because of your own fire. But if you hadn't had a fire, you'd still be dead. Because of the Devil Snare. Damn plant. You have the impression that it is still daylight. But you know it's night. What time is it? You left your watch in the hut. If it wasn't a fire, if you weren't in that tunnel, you might think you were in the sun, with a book lying on the grass. What a bad idea to sign up here. Crawl faster! The fire is getting closer! Whether you like it or not, you're getting tired. It's probably pretty late, it must be, you don't know, two hours since you entered the maze... At some point you'll have to rest. You take a deep breath before coughing. There's too much smoke. As you continue to cough, you move closer to the exit. You are sure of it now. This is a real exit. Maybe not the exit from the maze, but at least the exit from this oven. It is with relief that you put your foot down. You can finally stand up! Now you take a deep breath that doesn't make you cough. The smoke has more room and the ceiling is high. You have some time before the fire arrives. You sit down to take stock of what has happened. - So I went to look for Blueberry with a strange smell, I followed a path unconsciously enough, I found myself in complete darkness, I entered a tunnel. Then I got tied up by a Devi Snare, which I set on fire and then hurriedly crawled back here. Now I have a choice between going left and going right. Nice Tuesday evening! Starting to feel the heat of the fire, you get up and head for the path on the right. You'll go this way, even though it's worse than the path on the left. You will get out of this maze. Even if you only have one arm and one leg left at the end.[/font]

===

Action: Go through the right path
Stats: STA: 7 | EVA: 7 | STR: 4 | WIS: 8 | ARC: 7 | ACC: 7

The chamber before him was empty of style and substance, it even lacked the fog that seemed to have settled over the entirety of the labyrinth. The clarity of the sight only served to further illuminate the sheer degree of nothing that sat in the room. Were Nicholas smart, or observant, he perhaps would have been tipped off to the multitude of red flags that such a sight entailed. Alas, the eye of the storm was not a phrase to which the twelve year old Gryffindor was accustomed with and, instead, he chose to count his blessings and step forward into the chamber. The sound of running water could not be heard over the sounds that filled his own head, in particular, those that congratulated him for his ingenious spell casting ability in escaping the pit. Sure, not a few moments earlier, he had beaten himself up over just how positively useless he was. Emotions, however, were fickle creatures, and they so often refused to bow to the whims of those that they governed. Highs and lows, ups and downs, peaks and troughs, such was the lived experience of Nicholas McCowan. He had grown so used to it, he didn’t even register his shifts.

Instead, he stepped forward, a broad grin splitting face. He was prepared to make his way to the exit, strange, empty chamber be damned.

Stats: STA: 12 | EVA: 6 | STR: 8 | WIS: 6 | ARC: 4 | ACC: 6
Abilities: Foulplay | Statistically Relevant
Tags: Nil
Action: Entering chamber