Campout
Roma screeches out the periculum spell again, hopefully the shouting may attract some of the students as well as the sparks themselves. This time, the red sparks are more intense as she starts to get the hang of the spell. She stops running for a moment, to turn around and get ahold of her surroundings, mumbling lumos so that the so-called shadows wouldn't catch her. Hopefully the light from the Lumos spell gets brighter, I'm going to need it if I expect to even help anybody, she thinks, and turns on her heel, walking through the forest rather than running, in order to not trip over a tree root. The last thing she wants is to lose her wand.
In her peripheral vision, Roma can see something moving. She whips her head around in an attempt to see what it was, the back of her head burning with the feeling of somebody watching her. She takes a few minutes to calm down. Taking a deep breath, she takes a step, only to hear a twig snap. Yelping, she jumps back, only barely keeping her footing, and darts through the trees in a frantic search for her fellow Hufflepuffs, her previous and unnatural confidence now gone.
In her peripheral vision, Roma can see something moving. She whips her head around in an attempt to see what it was, the back of her head burning with the feeling of somebody watching her. She takes a few minutes to calm down. Taking a deep breath, she takes a step, only to hear a twig snap. Yelping, she jumps back, only barely keeping her footing, and darts through the trees in a frantic search for her fellow Hufflepuffs, her previous and unnatural confidence now gone.
Because we all have those little twinkles and those little twinkles are all important and beautiful and without even one the sky just wouldn't be the same.
Campout
It was another to see your friend hurt, but to see her near death was a different experience. The certainty of death never dawned on him till he found himself staring right at her. Failing lumos for the last time in a row didn't bother him anymore, it didn't strike him as hard as this struck him. His heart dropped in his chest as if an anchor mercilessly wrapped chains around it and sunk it to the bottom. She didn't deserve this, but life was unfair it seemed. Where was he?
It felt like he failed her, one of the few people who would probably come to him in his time of need. This wasn't how it was supposed to go, she wasn't supposed to die. No one really was; the pain in his abdomen grew stronger. Reid blinked through the tears that welled up in his eyes and didn't need to be told much as he shoved the wand into his pocket. "I'll take her!" he quickly volunteered, stepping forward. Reid could barely see what was on Lear's shirt but it worried him that the old man had gotten hurt as well.
But Lear was probably the toughest of them all, no doubt. It brought some relief to know that the man was okay and didn't fall with his prefect. He was even more thankful that he brought Serena back, he owed him that - especially with the effort he was trying to lead. It was hard to be a united front in chaos, but he listened to to the older man quite closely. Using all of the strength he had, Reid did the best he could to try and hold the girl.
Albeit he struggled at first, but if he dropped her now, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself for a while. "I got you Serena." he grunted, adjusting his hold. She was like a sibling to him and he often looked up to the girl as such, he admired her with what she had accomplished in the year so far. For him, he lagged behind the rest of his classmates and yet he never felt any different around his dear friend. She always seemed to support others despite the need to, they all did. The least he could do was support her, even in the condition he was in.
He wasn't an Atlas, but he was human and that was enough for him to at least try in moments like these. Perhaps he had heart, a lack of brains sometimes, but he knew that he'd lay himself down for the right reasons. Now and till the end, he would do it for them. The sounds caught his ear as he turned his head to see Orion and the others, his name being called. Get the girl? Who? He was already carrying Serena, there was no way he'd be able to carry two; at least not right now.
Then he spotted the girl on the floor, but he couldn't properly identify them. He gritted his teeth in frustration, if only he was older, he'd be able to properly carry the others. "James! Get her! I can't with Serena." He volunteered the Hufflepuff, because he wasn't willing to risk dropping the girl in his arms already. Reid nearly bled as he bit his lip, he felt his body grow a little heavy. Yet he ignored it, there were far more pressing matters as he tried to use his footing to his advantage. He looked over to hear Cynthia speak, causing him to nod at her in response.
She was trying, he could see that. "You're doing great, don't worry." he struggled, staying close to the Head of House. Not a moment too soon, he heard Orion scream the words 'incendio'. It caused his eyes to widen, he was always told to never let fire get lose. Fire consumed, it destroyed and it was unbiased. What if it consumed them? Would it? "The fire -"
"Trouble usually finds me."
Campout
All would seem grim. The encroaching shadows, some had already fallen, many more were still injured. Many of the students felt scared, all they had to cling to that ever fading light and each other. Today was a true test and testament to what they were: they were more than friends, they were allies and they were not cowards.
Orion stood at the heart of a globe of light that kept the darkness at bay but not the swarm of spiders. They were fast and it was not that the Hufflepuffs were slow but rather where could they go? Where could they run when the light they maintained or were sheltered inside sphere of security. Those with lit wands could run, abandon those whom have taken refuge but at what cost?
A cost too great for any Hufflepuff to pay.
“Someone maintain the light! Reid get the girl”
Orion commanded.
In the warm light of Cynthia's Lumos stood Reid, Solomon, Serena and Cynthia. She was all that was holding back the darkness for the group with steadfast resolve.
“Reid, I’m staying with you. I want to help!”
Cynthia declared as the Lumos remained strong. She was helping, she was doing what Reid could not. That was her job. That was everyone's job. To be what others could not be. To be the leader even if they did not want it. The fighter because they were powerful enough. The caster because they had awesome arcane skill.
Reid was not a powerful caster despite his magical heritage. He was more brawn and for a young man likely used to success prior to his time in Hogwarts it was likely a demoralizing blow. In muggle society being strong and being clever solved many life problems but here strength was his greatest asset but it did not let him play the role of hero. This might affect the hubris of a Slytherin surely but for a Hufflepuff the pain cut deeper, because he lacked in a way he had failed his friends.
Serena was unconscious, near death. If it was not for the blood and the dirt and the sweat she would look peaceful, as if she was sleeping (Saving Throw: 16). The impatient Professor would relinquish the ghastly pale girl into Reid's arms. Her flesh was cold but the blood was hot and sickly sticky. Blood has a unique, pungent smell, one he would likely never forget. One he might not have noticed before. One he would sadly smell again. Still, she was heavier than she looked despite her losses, the pre-teen's arms would sink slightly beneath her weight (Strength Check: 10) There was likely a sense of affection there, they had been close due to their duties as Prefects. Their shared house. They were friends and right now his friend was dying and all he could do was hold her up. He could not heal her. He could not comfort her. He could not protect her. Was he even strong enough to carry her away? The castle was far and the journey would be perilous. He could leave her behind but that did not even seem to be a consideration for the Prefect as he held her tight.
"I got you Serena."
He promised her that much. It was all her could promise her. Individually they were all weak. Incapable. But together they were strong. As Cynthia maintained the Lumos, Reid would hold Serena close and keep her safe. Just beyond the wand's light they would be able to see the darkness chomp and gnash. The darkness was waiting for their moment of weakness.
Reid would spy Sarafina. She was down. It looked as if she had fallen, her form was illuminated by Orion's light and she was simply facing the ground. It would be impossible for Reid to know what had happened but he would call out to James.
"James! Get her! I can't with Serena."
Serafina had collapsed next to him, the poison too much to endure. She was breathing but the venom was coursing through her veins, she was spasming on the ground. She was not conscious so she would not know the terrible scene her classmate would witness. Her body tense and shaking violently.
"Sarafina!"
James, the young Hufflepuff would shout. Serafina would not be able to answer, she did not even know that the boy was there as her eyes rolled back leaving only the whites exposed. James had likely never seen a seizure before, it was surreal. It looked like something one would see in a muggle movie about possession. Blood would burst from her mouth, Sarafina had bitten her tongue. The blood would bubble over her lips and in a thin, steady stream vacate the corner of her mouth.
James would shake her to no avail. She would feel wet from sweat and her violent, thrashing movements. She was strong, his movements would rock the girl but he would feel himself being overpowered by Sarafina's movements. If they were in a hospital this would be a medical emergency, in the woods this was a tragedy. What could they do to stop the venom's effect when muggle science would have a difficult time overcoming a poison that worked so swiftly.
Magic of course.
James was not a practitioner of healing magics, in fact it was an underappreciated field truth be told. The preservation of life, defiance of disease and recovery from what ails a person are mysteries often best countered with the wave of a wand and some healing words. Incantations that James had not yet learned, he would swat the spiders away as they crawled over the girl. He could have left her to them, if the spiders were simply seeking a meal they would find one in her. Like Reid, this was not even a consideration. He was not going to leave her. He was not going to leave anyone.
Hufflepuffs fought together...
Hufflepuffs died together...
"Perriculum!"
James shouted, his wand drawn. Had he known the actual word, 'Periculum' he would have successfully shot a flare of light into the sky alerting still others to their presence. The spiders were relentless. The spiders did not appear to be interested in Sarafina any longer, they had gotten their kill. They were after Orion and James. How odd, usually only humans hunted for sport.
The spiders would attack, of the five, three would attack James. (Attack 8, Evasion 8; Attack 11, Evade 14, Attack 12, Evade 12). He would miraculously avoid the attacks despite the fact that poison was coursing through his veins, threatening his consciousness much like Sarafina's. He could feel his legs cramp, his head swim, his fingers twitch and clench the air for no reason.
He would repeat the incantation, not knowing that he was saying it wrong.
Meanwhile Roma stood outside the borders of the chaos. She had summoned help with her periculum spell and she would attempt to cast the spell once again.
"Periculum!"
Roma would shout (Roll: 9) but no sparks would erupt from the end of her wand. She was making her way towards the danger, as was Ezekiel. Their paths would never quite meet, Ezekiel had gone to the camp whereas Roma was running into the darkened wood. She would see a strange, pretty little girl run away from the camp, her hair looked like moonbeams and her face like china.
She was too pretty but she was also apparently forgettable.
The darkness would come for Roma. Unseen claws would lash out at her, her only warning a low growl from behind. She was not far from Cynthia's light. They, meaning Reid whom was holding Serena in her arms, both of them painted red. Cynthia whom was holding a wand that gave off a beacon of light. Solomon who was covered in the same red Reid was. Solomon would look at Roma and then his eyes would focus on the figure behind her. It was dark and tall, its arms far too long and thin, but its hands ended in curved blades of inky blackness.
It would lash out at the girl.
The one called by her summoning was none other than Slytherin Ezekiel Wasek, a First year. He would find himself in the clearing where the students had made camp. Most of the students were huddled together. A few had successfully cast the Lumos charm and the rest stayed nearby, bathing themselves in the light. He had not tried to follow the girl into the darkness so he let her run away. (Attack 10, Evasion 14) She was able to narrowly escape the grip of the darkness and she would dash into the globe of light. As she did so, the party already hidden inside would see a long, dark tendril-like appendage made of solid shadow or so it would see reach inside and then dissipate in a puff of smoke.
"You're doing great, don't worry."
Reid would encourage Cynthia as she endeavored to keep the darkness at bay.
"Incendio!"
A single, terrible word would be uttered. If they did not think enough had gone wrong... They had seen nothing yet. It was unexpected. Unexpected that Orion knew that spell. Unexpected that he would get the incantation so wrong. Indeed flames would erupt from the tip of his wand (Orion Roll: 1) but the spell was far from successful. There is a point where failure becomes so epic, not casting anything and letting the darkness and the murder spiders get them would have been a kinder fate.
Orion served as the epicenter as a wave of intense heat escaped from the unfortunate youth. The heat was enough to take their breath away and the flames would roll out igniting the dry twigs and leaves that carpeted the ground and scalded the trees. An intense light would destroy the shadow beasts that had plagued them in a single, unapologetic flash of light.
Reid would try to escape the heat and the flame, the scent of burning hair would fill his nares. Reid would still be holding Serena and he would try to move, he would barrel through the woods away from Orion. Somehow he would escape the heat (Roll: 16) but he would smell the scent of burning hair. Yes, the tips of Serena's hair were on fire.
James' attempts to recast Periculum would be distracted by this conflagration (Roll: 16). He would be able to run beyond the flames but he had never tried to drag poor Serafina out of the woods. She would be left to burn (failed a death saving throw) as the ground around her burst into flames that might serve as the seizing girl's funeral pyre.
To a lesser extent the heat would reach the others, as in the gathered and fearful Hufflepuffs. Many of them would burst into flames. Rendering a few unconscious. The flames and the heat came without warning, as if a nuclear blast happened miles away and they were not suffering from the fall-out. Ezekiel would have to run away, to higher ground and cooler air. (Roll: 17) Fortune, agility and hate were on his side as he was able to get out of harm's way unlike many of the other unfortunate Huffles whose flesh would blister and sear.
Cynthia would feel the heat as well, she was busy trying to keep the light. Trying to stand tall. Trying to make up for her errors. Trying to feel useful. The universe sadly did not agree. The flames would come and they would consume her. (Roll: 10) She would not even know what hit her, it would just hurt. As if she opened the door to an oven, the air was thick and heavy. She could smell the burning leaves. The scent of cooking meat. That was her. She might try to run but she would not get too far, the heat had snared her and her knees would buckle and she would fall into burning leaves that would break into a cloud of embers as she crashed into the ground.
Solomon would grab Cynthia by the collar of her shirt, like a cat grabbing the scruff on the back of a kitten's neck and he would try to move away but the heat would get to him as well. He did not try to run, he could not. He had to pick up the fallen girl. His metal armor would immediately become burning hot, he could feel it burning his flesh despite the thin layer of cotton that separated his glorious man form from the armor that usually protected him from such things.
Was he being dutiful, foolish or brave? It would be hard to tell as he tried to drag Cynthia out of the woods (Strength Check 3). How was such a little girl so heavy! It was beyond him, perhaps she filled her pockets with rocks. He lacked the time to check, thankfully regardless of the roll it was likely that he would have had the physical power to drag her out. To drag any student out one at a time.
How about Orion himself, at the heart of the fire?
He would not be able to outrun his own attack.That fireblast consumed him whole. He would lay on the ground alongside Serafina. The woods ablaze.
Roma would see the flames coming, she had enough time to move away so she did. The flames would not touch her yet.
"We still have two more in the burning wood!" Solomon shouted as he thrust Cynthia in the direction of a conscious Hufflepuff, perhaps James.
The shadows were destroyed, the light from Orion's spell had destroyed them.
The spiders? Well, they made a delightful popping sound as the fire found them. A few sounded like they might even have shrieked.
What Happened?
- Orion rolled a Nat 1 on his Incendio and set everyone on fire.
- Sarafina is KO's, seizing and now on fire.
- Orion is knocked out and on fire.
- Reid has carried Serena out of the fire (unless he decided to stay) and is safe somehow.
- Serena's hair is on fire and she continues to bleed/be unconscious/dream about Seige.
- Cynthia continued to protect the party with her maintained Lumos, saving Roma from a shadow beast.
- Cynthia was caught by the flames of Orion's spell and has been rendered unconscious.
- Cynthia was dragged out of the fire by Solomon.
- Solomon is scalded and burnt.
- James tried to cast a spell and was unsuccessful.
- James was able to escape Orion;s fire.
- Ezekiel would see some Hufflepuffs huddled together and a girl run off.
- Ezekiel would be able to avoid the flames.
- Roma would try to recast her spell and would be unsuccessful.
- Roma would see a little girl running away into the woods.
- Roma would avoid the flames.
- The shadows are dead.
- The spiders are dead.
Orion stood at the heart of a globe of light that kept the darkness at bay but not the swarm of spiders. They were fast and it was not that the Hufflepuffs were slow but rather where could they go? Where could they run when the light they maintained or were sheltered inside sphere of security. Those with lit wands could run, abandon those whom have taken refuge but at what cost?
A cost too great for any Hufflepuff to pay.
“Someone maintain the light! Reid get the girl”
Orion commanded.
In the warm light of Cynthia's Lumos stood Reid, Solomon, Serena and Cynthia. She was all that was holding back the darkness for the group with steadfast resolve.
“Reid, I’m staying with you. I want to help!”
Cynthia declared as the Lumos remained strong. She was helping, she was doing what Reid could not. That was her job. That was everyone's job. To be what others could not be. To be the leader even if they did not want it. The fighter because they were powerful enough. The caster because they had awesome arcane skill.
Reid was not a powerful caster despite his magical heritage. He was more brawn and for a young man likely used to success prior to his time in Hogwarts it was likely a demoralizing blow. In muggle society being strong and being clever solved many life problems but here strength was his greatest asset but it did not let him play the role of hero. This might affect the hubris of a Slytherin surely but for a Hufflepuff the pain cut deeper, because he lacked in a way he had failed his friends.
Serena was unconscious, near death. If it was not for the blood and the dirt and the sweat she would look peaceful, as if she was sleeping (Saving Throw: 16). The impatient Professor would relinquish the ghastly pale girl into Reid's arms. Her flesh was cold but the blood was hot and sickly sticky. Blood has a unique, pungent smell, one he would likely never forget. One he might not have noticed before. One he would sadly smell again. Still, she was heavier than she looked despite her losses, the pre-teen's arms would sink slightly beneath her weight (Strength Check: 10) There was likely a sense of affection there, they had been close due to their duties as Prefects. Their shared house. They were friends and right now his friend was dying and all he could do was hold her up. He could not heal her. He could not comfort her. He could not protect her. Was he even strong enough to carry her away? The castle was far and the journey would be perilous. He could leave her behind but that did not even seem to be a consideration for the Prefect as he held her tight.
"I got you Serena."
He promised her that much. It was all her could promise her. Individually they were all weak. Incapable. But together they were strong. As Cynthia maintained the Lumos, Reid would hold Serena close and keep her safe. Just beyond the wand's light they would be able to see the darkness chomp and gnash. The darkness was waiting for their moment of weakness.
Reid would spy Sarafina. She was down. It looked as if she had fallen, her form was illuminated by Orion's light and she was simply facing the ground. It would be impossible for Reid to know what had happened but he would call out to James.
"James! Get her! I can't with Serena."
Serafina had collapsed next to him, the poison too much to endure. She was breathing but the venom was coursing through her veins, she was spasming on the ground. She was not conscious so she would not know the terrible scene her classmate would witness. Her body tense and shaking violently.
"Sarafina!"
James, the young Hufflepuff would shout. Serafina would not be able to answer, she did not even know that the boy was there as her eyes rolled back leaving only the whites exposed. James had likely never seen a seizure before, it was surreal. It looked like something one would see in a muggle movie about possession. Blood would burst from her mouth, Sarafina had bitten her tongue. The blood would bubble over her lips and in a thin, steady stream vacate the corner of her mouth.
James would shake her to no avail. She would feel wet from sweat and her violent, thrashing movements. She was strong, his movements would rock the girl but he would feel himself being overpowered by Sarafina's movements. If they were in a hospital this would be a medical emergency, in the woods this was a tragedy. What could they do to stop the venom's effect when muggle science would have a difficult time overcoming a poison that worked so swiftly.
Magic of course.
James was not a practitioner of healing magics, in fact it was an underappreciated field truth be told. The preservation of life, defiance of disease and recovery from what ails a person are mysteries often best countered with the wave of a wand and some healing words. Incantations that James had not yet learned, he would swat the spiders away as they crawled over the girl. He could have left her to them, if the spiders were simply seeking a meal they would find one in her. Like Reid, this was not even a consideration. He was not going to leave her. He was not going to leave anyone.
Hufflepuffs fought together...
Hufflepuffs died together...
"Perriculum!"
James shouted, his wand drawn. Had he known the actual word, 'Periculum' he would have successfully shot a flare of light into the sky alerting still others to their presence. The spiders were relentless. The spiders did not appear to be interested in Sarafina any longer, they had gotten their kill. They were after Orion and James. How odd, usually only humans hunted for sport.
The spiders would attack, of the five, three would attack James. (Attack 8, Evasion 8; Attack 11, Evade 14, Attack 12, Evade 12). He would miraculously avoid the attacks despite the fact that poison was coursing through his veins, threatening his consciousness much like Sarafina's. He could feel his legs cramp, his head swim, his fingers twitch and clench the air for no reason.
He would repeat the incantation, not knowing that he was saying it wrong.
Meanwhile Roma stood outside the borders of the chaos. She had summoned help with her periculum spell and she would attempt to cast the spell once again.
"Periculum!"
Roma would shout (Roll: 9) but no sparks would erupt from the end of her wand. She was making her way towards the danger, as was Ezekiel. Their paths would never quite meet, Ezekiel had gone to the camp whereas Roma was running into the darkened wood. She would see a strange, pretty little girl run away from the camp, her hair looked like moonbeams and her face like china.
She was too pretty but she was also apparently forgettable.
The darkness would come for Roma. Unseen claws would lash out at her, her only warning a low growl from behind. She was not far from Cynthia's light. They, meaning Reid whom was holding Serena in her arms, both of them painted red. Cynthia whom was holding a wand that gave off a beacon of light. Solomon who was covered in the same red Reid was. Solomon would look at Roma and then his eyes would focus on the figure behind her. It was dark and tall, its arms far too long and thin, but its hands ended in curved blades of inky blackness.
It would lash out at the girl.
The one called by her summoning was none other than Slytherin Ezekiel Wasek, a First year. He would find himself in the clearing where the students had made camp. Most of the students were huddled together. A few had successfully cast the Lumos charm and the rest stayed nearby, bathing themselves in the light. He had not tried to follow the girl into the darkness so he let her run away. (Attack 10, Evasion 14) She was able to narrowly escape the grip of the darkness and she would dash into the globe of light. As she did so, the party already hidden inside would see a long, dark tendril-like appendage made of solid shadow or so it would see reach inside and then dissipate in a puff of smoke.
"You're doing great, don't worry."
Reid would encourage Cynthia as she endeavored to keep the darkness at bay.
"Incendio!"
A single, terrible word would be uttered. If they did not think enough had gone wrong... They had seen nothing yet. It was unexpected. Unexpected that Orion knew that spell. Unexpected that he would get the incantation so wrong. Indeed flames would erupt from the tip of his wand (Orion Roll: 1) but the spell was far from successful. There is a point where failure becomes so epic, not casting anything and letting the darkness and the murder spiders get them would have been a kinder fate.
Orion served as the epicenter as a wave of intense heat escaped from the unfortunate youth. The heat was enough to take their breath away and the flames would roll out igniting the dry twigs and leaves that carpeted the ground and scalded the trees. An intense light would destroy the shadow beasts that had plagued them in a single, unapologetic flash of light.
Reid would try to escape the heat and the flame, the scent of burning hair would fill his nares. Reid would still be holding Serena and he would try to move, he would barrel through the woods away from Orion. Somehow he would escape the heat (Roll: 16) but he would smell the scent of burning hair. Yes, the tips of Serena's hair were on fire.
James' attempts to recast Periculum would be distracted by this conflagration (Roll: 16). He would be able to run beyond the flames but he had never tried to drag poor Serafina out of the woods. She would be left to burn (failed a death saving throw) as the ground around her burst into flames that might serve as the seizing girl's funeral pyre.
To a lesser extent the heat would reach the others, as in the gathered and fearful Hufflepuffs. Many of them would burst into flames. Rendering a few unconscious. The flames and the heat came without warning, as if a nuclear blast happened miles away and they were not suffering from the fall-out. Ezekiel would have to run away, to higher ground and cooler air. (Roll: 17) Fortune, agility and hate were on his side as he was able to get out of harm's way unlike many of the other unfortunate Huffles whose flesh would blister and sear.
Cynthia would feel the heat as well, she was busy trying to keep the light. Trying to stand tall. Trying to make up for her errors. Trying to feel useful. The universe sadly did not agree. The flames would come and they would consume her. (Roll: 10) She would not even know what hit her, it would just hurt. As if she opened the door to an oven, the air was thick and heavy. She could smell the burning leaves. The scent of cooking meat. That was her. She might try to run but she would not get too far, the heat had snared her and her knees would buckle and she would fall into burning leaves that would break into a cloud of embers as she crashed into the ground.
Solomon would grab Cynthia by the collar of her shirt, like a cat grabbing the scruff on the back of a kitten's neck and he would try to move away but the heat would get to him as well. He did not try to run, he could not. He had to pick up the fallen girl. His metal armor would immediately become burning hot, he could feel it burning his flesh despite the thin layer of cotton that separated his glorious man form from the armor that usually protected him from such things.
Was he being dutiful, foolish or brave? It would be hard to tell as he tried to drag Cynthia out of the woods (Strength Check 3). How was such a little girl so heavy! It was beyond him, perhaps she filled her pockets with rocks. He lacked the time to check, thankfully regardless of the roll it was likely that he would have had the physical power to drag her out. To drag any student out one at a time.
How about Orion himself, at the heart of the fire?
He would not be able to outrun his own attack.That fireblast consumed him whole. He would lay on the ground alongside Serafina. The woods ablaze.
Roma would see the flames coming, she had enough time to move away so she did. The flames would not touch her yet.
"We still have two more in the burning wood!" Solomon shouted as he thrust Cynthia in the direction of a conscious Hufflepuff, perhaps James.
The shadows were destroyed, the light from Orion's spell had destroyed them.
The spiders? Well, they made a delightful popping sound as the fire found them. A few sounded like they might even have shrieked.
What Happened?
- Orion rolled a Nat 1 on his Incendio and set everyone on fire.
- Sarafina is KO's, seizing and now on fire.
- Orion is knocked out and on fire.
- Reid has carried Serena out of the fire (unless he decided to stay) and is safe somehow.
- Serena's hair is on fire and she continues to bleed/be unconscious/dream about Seige.
- Cynthia continued to protect the party with her maintained Lumos, saving Roma from a shadow beast.
- Cynthia was caught by the flames of Orion's spell and has been rendered unconscious.
- Cynthia was dragged out of the fire by Solomon.
- Solomon is scalded and burnt.
- James tried to cast a spell and was unsuccessful.
- James was able to escape Orion;s fire.
- Ezekiel would see some Hufflepuffs huddled together and a girl run off.
- Ezekiel would be able to avoid the flames.
- Roma would try to recast her spell and would be unsuccessful.
- Roma would see a little girl running away into the woods.
- Roma would avoid the flames.
- The shadows are dead.
- The spiders are dead.
There is something about ambition, how it not only propels you but also defines you.
Campout
Reducio
For a moment, he thought he'd done it, the fire erupted from his wand like he'd hoped it would, but it was not like what he'd expected from it, nothing at all like it in fact. This fire was filled with fury, fury perhaps that he'd thought even for a moment he could control it.
The fire spread forth from his wand in a wave, it was as if the entire world slowed for one final cruel moment as he watched everything that he feared, cherished, cared for, and all things in between burn. He could feel his own flesh tingling as the flames licked it, he knew it should hurt worse but his nerves were numbed in shock at his own actions, he could see the chaos he'd created, he could see one of his comrades collapsed forms now burning on the ground. This was not what he desired, he wanted to save everyone, not destroy them.
“save... the... girl...”
Then blackness, his words perhaps consumed too by the flames. He fell forward with a thud, a final testament to the figure that had once been known as someone who had wanted to save everyone, now the one who'd perhaps doomed them all.
He remembered, the day he'd gotten his letter. He'd thought it surreal and fake, perhaps sent by the library that knew he loved fantasy, teasing him playfully, but as the second and third letter arrived he'd discovered it was true, his parent's had seemed so proud, that his being different had manifested in something.
The train ride some months later... He'd eaten candies he'd never heard of with similarly gleeful children, all going to some magical place they'd never seen.
The first time a professor had awarded him points, the runes teacher he'd felt so accomplished, he'd done something not just for himself but for all of Hufflepuffs.
The greatest moments of his life flashed before him, but like photos he saw them begin to burn at the edges, memories, consumed by fire
So this was how it ended, not by darkness but
by fire, perhaps it was fitting in it's own poetic way
the candle the burns the brightest.
Burns out the fastest
The fire spread forth from his wand in a wave, it was as if the entire world slowed for one final cruel moment as he watched everything that he feared, cherished, cared for, and all things in between burn. He could feel his own flesh tingling as the flames licked it, he knew it should hurt worse but his nerves were numbed in shock at his own actions, he could see the chaos he'd created, he could see one of his comrades collapsed forms now burning on the ground. This was not what he desired, he wanted to save everyone, not destroy them.
“save... the... girl...”
Then blackness, his words perhaps consumed too by the flames. He fell forward with a thud, a final testament to the figure that had once been known as someone who had wanted to save everyone, now the one who'd perhaps doomed them all.
He remembered, the day he'd gotten his letter. He'd thought it surreal and fake, perhaps sent by the library that knew he loved fantasy, teasing him playfully, but as the second and third letter arrived he'd discovered it was true, his parent's had seemed so proud, that his being different had manifested in something.
The train ride some months later... He'd eaten candies he'd never heard of with similarly gleeful children, all going to some magical place they'd never seen.
The first time a professor had awarded him points, the runes teacher he'd felt so accomplished, he'd done something not just for himself but for all of Hufflepuffs.
The greatest moments of his life flashed before him, but like photos he saw them begin to burn at the edges, memories, consumed by fire
So this was how it ended, not by darkness but
by fire, perhaps it was fitting in it's own poetic way
the candle the burns the brightest.
Burns out the fastest
Yes, but why?
Campout
Sarafina lay unconscious, her mind drifting off to dreams and memories. She faintly felt the fire that raged around her, but there was nothing she could do. She dreamed she was standing by a huge house with a shingled roof and brick walls. There was a round wooden door, and her parents stood in front of it. The parents she remembered from when she was seven. The parents that had split up and thrown her out without a word or reason. They had abandoned her, left her to the vicious world around her. But this dream was different; in this dream they took her in. She had her own room, with white washed walls and a plush grey carpet. A soft cream colored bed and dresser. Everything she had wanted but never had gotten the chance to have. Most of all, she wanted a family. She wanted someone to care about her and watch over her; to take her in and treat her as one of them. She had found that at Hogwarts, but she still hadn’t had the experience growing up. Eventually she had gotten foster parents. A nice family that had found her on the streets. But it was still never enough. She still wanted her parents. To at least know who they were. The house in the dream erupted into flames.
Fina
Campout
In one fell swoop, the whole world seemed to ignite in flame and while he was somewhat brave - he wasn't a moron. Reid couldn't stay, he wouldn't while Serena was in his arms. She wasn't safe here and he wasn't going to jeopardize her for his glory, so he ran off with the Prefect. It was hard carrying her while running - he wasn't a titan and he was also bleeding still. The heat made things worse as he fought himself to not succumb to it all, in fact he was wasn't in the best condition. But the will to survive pretty instinctual and he pulled odds and ends of what he thought could help him survive, even the bad advice.
He nearly took a tumble over a fallen log and carefully stepped over it. He knew what was happening, he was aware of the raging inferno behind him. It forced him to prioritize one thing and that was going to get Serena somewhere safe. Reid broke into the clearing, the cold wind greeting him as if they were friends. He could finally breathe, nearly having a coughing fit as one of the camp's students came up to him. There was a slight smell of burning still coming from somewhere, it smelled quite terrible to say the least. Still trying to expel the smoke from his lungs, he took a hard knee into the soft earth to lay Serena on it.
Much to his horror, he finally realized where that smell was coming from. "Oh s -" Reid scrambled to take his hoodie off and pat it on Serena's hair to extinguish the burning tips. He was still heaving, his chest rising and falling as the cold wind enveloped him in some comforting embrace. She was barely breathing, he could tell. Reid himself was a little disoriented, but the blood that was coursing through his veins kind of kept the blood flow going. Problem was that he also had his own blood flowing out of him too, but he managed to stagger up anyway.
He looked over his shoulder, seeing the forest ablaze and it honestly brought sheer terror to him. Should he run in? Should he wait? But they were still back there. Of course they were back there. His legs shook, his heart never skipped a beat as it never ceased its vicious rhythm. There were spectators behind him, the forest was burning and they probably didn't know why. Orion. His housemates, his family, they were in there. His heaving chest slowed to a crawl, either it was the adrenaline or some idiotic calm before he actually decided he was going to do this.
He was. Reid was going to do this. One. Two. Should he? Three. What if he failed? Four. Five. He wasn't a hero; he looked at his shirt to see the dark stains. It scared him. Six. Seven. Eight. But that was okay. Nine. Ten. In the same direction he came from, he took off in with the utmost caution. Yes it was fire, but at this rate he didn't truly know if the fire or shadow was worse. The shadows already got him and he didn't want the others to be claimed by the fire too.
"Hey!" he screamed through the roaring flames. The heat was intense and the closer he got to where he was, the more it was harder to even see where the others where. His arm came up as a shield as he tried to tread lightly. Perhaps he could carry another person out of the area, maybe. But any longer and he might just collapse. He couldn't think of anything but surviving enough to be helpful, he didn't know the condition of the rest, it was too hard to tell in the chaos. It was too soon to know in all of this hellfire.
He nearly took a tumble over a fallen log and carefully stepped over it. He knew what was happening, he was aware of the raging inferno behind him. It forced him to prioritize one thing and that was going to get Serena somewhere safe. Reid broke into the clearing, the cold wind greeting him as if they were friends. He could finally breathe, nearly having a coughing fit as one of the camp's students came up to him. There was a slight smell of burning still coming from somewhere, it smelled quite terrible to say the least. Still trying to expel the smoke from his lungs, he took a hard knee into the soft earth to lay Serena on it.
Much to his horror, he finally realized where that smell was coming from. "Oh s -" Reid scrambled to take his hoodie off and pat it on Serena's hair to extinguish the burning tips. He was still heaving, his chest rising and falling as the cold wind enveloped him in some comforting embrace. She was barely breathing, he could tell. Reid himself was a little disoriented, but the blood that was coursing through his veins kind of kept the blood flow going. Problem was that he also had his own blood flowing out of him too, but he managed to stagger up anyway.
He looked over his shoulder, seeing the forest ablaze and it honestly brought sheer terror to him. Should he run in? Should he wait? But they were still back there. Of course they were back there. His legs shook, his heart never skipped a beat as it never ceased its vicious rhythm. There were spectators behind him, the forest was burning and they probably didn't know why. Orion. His housemates, his family, they were in there. His heaving chest slowed to a crawl, either it was the adrenaline or some idiotic calm before he actually decided he was going to do this.
He was. Reid was going to do this. One. Two. Should he? Three. What if he failed? Four. Five. He wasn't a hero; he looked at his shirt to see the dark stains. It scared him. Six. Seven. Eight. But that was okay. Nine. Ten. In the same direction he came from, he took off in with the utmost caution. Yes it was fire, but at this rate he didn't truly know if the fire or shadow was worse. The shadows already got him and he didn't want the others to be claimed by the fire too.
"Hey!" he screamed through the roaring flames. The heat was intense and the closer he got to where he was, the more it was harder to even see where the others where. His arm came up as a shield as he tried to tread lightly. Perhaps he could carry another person out of the area, maybe. But any longer and he might just collapse. He couldn't think of anything but surviving enough to be helpful, he didn't know the condition of the rest, it was too hard to tell in the chaos. It was too soon to know in all of this hellfire.
"Trouble usually finds me."
Campout
"Perriculum!"
"Ugh, why isn't it working!?!?!?" James shouted, frustrated at his wand.
"Perriculum! Perriculum! PERRICU-"
"INCENDIO!!!!"
James gasped and looked up to see Orion, standing in the middle of the sea of spiders, with Sarafina next to him.
"Orio-"
A huge surge of heat and light blasted into existence from Orion's wand. James felt himself almost knocked back by the force of the sudden spell. James stepped backwards, stumbling on some loose roots, not-so-gracefully falling down to a sitting position in the dirt.
He watched in his paralyzed state, the flames erupt from Orion, and fan out, covering what James was almost sure was all others. Orion, the spiders, Sarafina, and some other human figures in the distance were engulfed and swallowed by the hellish fire. Before now, light had been a problem, and James' greatest fear had been what was lying in the darkness. Now, the blazing, towering wall of light in front of him was what he became terrified of.
Choking on his stunned breath, James stared at the uproar of inferno, until a scary, loud voice brought him back to his senses.
"We still have two more in the burning wood!"
Professor Lear hobbled towards James, thrusting something, or someone at him. James' head swiveled around to look at his dear Professor, who was burning in his shimmering, oven-like armor. Cynthia was unconscious on the ground next to James. James didn't see where Lear went, but he had made it quite obvious what he wanted James to do... what James needed to do.
James got the feeling in his legs again, still feeling fuzzy from the poison from earlier, and scrambled up to his feet. He hastily bent over the burnt and injured Cynthia and pulled her by her underarms away from the fire. James dragged her away as fast as he could, sweating profusely from the strain and the heat of the forest that was ablaze behind him. Panting, he propped Cynthia up against a tree trunk, before collapsing back on the ground again, turning to face the conflagration before him. Hot tears ran down his face, the smoke and the glow of the tower of flames hurting his eyes and his heart.
What was he supposed to do!? What was going to happen!? Orion and Sarafina were still in there! James had no idea where anybody else was! He had lost Lear in the confusion of dragging Cynthia out of the way. How many people were still left standing!? Oh gosh, what if James was the only one left!? How many other people had gotten hurt!? What could he, a little first year, do!? Would all of his friends die without his help!?
"We still have two more in the burning wood!"
Lears' words came back to him, and James remembered what he seemed to have been indirectly instructed to do.
Fear was clutching his heart, digging its cruel fingers deeper into his soul, but James took a deep breath, and plunged forward towards the fire.
At first, he had just dove forward onto the dirt, crawling forward away from the tree, but he slowly started getting onto his feet, scattering leaves and dirt behind him. James' legs and mind were awake now, and he found himself in the middle of the scorching sea of fire.
His bare arms got heated goosebumps, and started burning with the licking tips of the embers all around him. Squinting through the light and smoke, James put one arm up on his forehead to see better. He pulled his shirt up over his mouth and nose to save his lungs, and leaped from one path of dirt to the other, trying his best to stay out of the patches of the flowers of the deadly flame.
Finally, he found the unrecognizable bodies of Orion and Sarafina. He had no way tot ell if they were even alive anymore, but either way, he wasn't going to risk leaving them here. James hadn't bothered to not kick dirt around on his way to them, and he wasn't going to bother not to now either. He kicked dirt around the two, suffocating the embers around them little by little. He spent only about three seconds doing this before he knelt down and grabbed the two as best as he could.
As James knelt down, he remembered what his parents would tell him. They told him to pray whenever he was in trouble, or whenever he felt scared or alone. They told him that if he prayed, everything was going to be alright, because he had a Heavenly Father who would always listen.
James continued dragging the two bodies through the dirt and the fire almost in slow motion.
"Dear Heavenly Father..." he gasped, physically exerting himself, bringing the two unconscious bodies with him inch by inch.
"Please help me. Please help us." A tree nearby came crashing down from the acidic flames eating away at it. James jumped in surprise with a sharp inhale of fear, but he continued dragging and praying.
"Please bless us that everything will be okay. That we will keep going."
Sparks flew all around him, and he stumbled to the ground, losing his grip on the two through his sweaty palms.
"Please send help. Please do something to save us."
James stammered as he bent forward to continue dragging the two in a new grip and position.
"Please... please..."
James was losing it. He was falling. The roaring was overcome by his sense of hopelessness...
"HEY!"
James was snapped back to himself as a new voice rang out. James looked around through the blaze, before he found a new figure coming to save them.
"REID!"
(James gets ready to drag Sarafina out, hoping Reid will get Orion.)
"Ugh, why isn't it working!?!?!?" James shouted, frustrated at his wand.
"Perriculum! Perriculum! PERRICU-"
"INCENDIO!!!!"
James gasped and looked up to see Orion, standing in the middle of the sea of spiders, with Sarafina next to him.
"Orio-"
A huge surge of heat and light blasted into existence from Orion's wand. James felt himself almost knocked back by the force of the sudden spell. James stepped backwards, stumbling on some loose roots, not-so-gracefully falling down to a sitting position in the dirt.
He watched in his paralyzed state, the flames erupt from Orion, and fan out, covering what James was almost sure was all others. Orion, the spiders, Sarafina, and some other human figures in the distance were engulfed and swallowed by the hellish fire. Before now, light had been a problem, and James' greatest fear had been what was lying in the darkness. Now, the blazing, towering wall of light in front of him was what he became terrified of.
Choking on his stunned breath, James stared at the uproar of inferno, until a scary, loud voice brought him back to his senses.
"We still have two more in the burning wood!"
Professor Lear hobbled towards James, thrusting something, or someone at him. James' head swiveled around to look at his dear Professor, who was burning in his shimmering, oven-like armor. Cynthia was unconscious on the ground next to James. James didn't see where Lear went, but he had made it quite obvious what he wanted James to do... what James needed to do.
James got the feeling in his legs again, still feeling fuzzy from the poison from earlier, and scrambled up to his feet. He hastily bent over the burnt and injured Cynthia and pulled her by her underarms away from the fire. James dragged her away as fast as he could, sweating profusely from the strain and the heat of the forest that was ablaze behind him. Panting, he propped Cynthia up against a tree trunk, before collapsing back on the ground again, turning to face the conflagration before him. Hot tears ran down his face, the smoke and the glow of the tower of flames hurting his eyes and his heart.
What was he supposed to do!? What was going to happen!? Orion and Sarafina were still in there! James had no idea where anybody else was! He had lost Lear in the confusion of dragging Cynthia out of the way. How many people were still left standing!? Oh gosh, what if James was the only one left!? How many other people had gotten hurt!? What could he, a little first year, do!? Would all of his friends die without his help!?
"We still have two more in the burning wood!"
Lears' words came back to him, and James remembered what he seemed to have been indirectly instructed to do.
Fear was clutching his heart, digging its cruel fingers deeper into his soul, but James took a deep breath, and plunged forward towards the fire.
At first, he had just dove forward onto the dirt, crawling forward away from the tree, but he slowly started getting onto his feet, scattering leaves and dirt behind him. James' legs and mind were awake now, and he found himself in the middle of the scorching sea of fire.
His bare arms got heated goosebumps, and started burning with the licking tips of the embers all around him. Squinting through the light and smoke, James put one arm up on his forehead to see better. He pulled his shirt up over his mouth and nose to save his lungs, and leaped from one path of dirt to the other, trying his best to stay out of the patches of the flowers of the deadly flame.
Finally, he found the unrecognizable bodies of Orion and Sarafina. He had no way tot ell if they were even alive anymore, but either way, he wasn't going to risk leaving them here. James hadn't bothered to not kick dirt around on his way to them, and he wasn't going to bother not to now either. He kicked dirt around the two, suffocating the embers around them little by little. He spent only about three seconds doing this before he knelt down and grabbed the two as best as he could.
As James knelt down, he remembered what his parents would tell him. They told him to pray whenever he was in trouble, or whenever he felt scared or alone. They told him that if he prayed, everything was going to be alright, because he had a Heavenly Father who would always listen.
James continued dragging the two bodies through the dirt and the fire almost in slow motion.
"Dear Heavenly Father..." he gasped, physically exerting himself, bringing the two unconscious bodies with him inch by inch.
"Please help me. Please help us." A tree nearby came crashing down from the acidic flames eating away at it. James jumped in surprise with a sharp inhale of fear, but he continued dragging and praying.
"Please bless us that everything will be okay. That we will keep going."
Sparks flew all around him, and he stumbled to the ground, losing his grip on the two through his sweaty palms.
"Please send help. Please do something to save us."
James stammered as he bent forward to continue dragging the two in a new grip and position.
"Please... please..."
James was losing it. He was falling. The roaring was overcome by his sense of hopelessness...
"HEY!"
James was snapped back to himself as a new voice rang out. James looked around through the blaze, before he found a new figure coming to save them.
"REID!"
(James gets ready to drag Sarafina out, hoping Reid will get Orion.)
Make a dragon in your mind and then paint it on your shoulder.
~Coming back from long absence...~
Stamina 6, Agility 6, Strength 4, Control 5, Arcane Power 4, Accuracy 5
Campout
Marissa decided to actually pluck up courage and go to the camp out. Meeting fellow Hufflepuffs could not be that bad, right? She trudged only a path that she knew would lead to wherever they were staying. She hummed to herself as she day dreamed, continuing to walk down a path. Marissa had not really interacted with many Hufflepuffs, she mainly stayed with her sister or on her own. It was probably better that way, so that Marissa would not embarrass herself in front of others. Most likely they would look at her. The only Hufflepuffs she somewhat knew was Rosie and James, but she highly doubted either of them would be there. They did not exactly seem like the type of people who would like camping, so she continued on her way.
Suddenly, Marissa snapped to her senses as she saw a red or orange glow in the distance. She panic instantly intensified as she saw the spell Perriculum being set off. Marissa knew what that meant. Someone was in trouble. Soon enough, she found their small camp out and dumped her bags by the tents. She got out her wands and went against her gut instinct, she ran towards the shouting and the screaming.
As soon as Marissa arrived at the scene, she was horrified at what she was seeing. Multiple students on fire, a professor badly injured and the nearby forest on fire. She held back tears as she ran towards the helpless students. She saw an unconscious but bleeding girl, at this time she did not know who the girl was. The girl was Serena. Marissa instantly went into action and slowly tried to lift her up. As Marissa was not the strongest, she tried to half carry and half drag Serena to safety. Mari quickly glanced behind her, seeing all of the other helpless students. She held back a sob as she could only help one at a time.
Suddenly, Marissa snapped to her senses as she saw a red or orange glow in the distance. She panic instantly intensified as she saw the spell Perriculum being set off. Marissa knew what that meant. Someone was in trouble. Soon enough, she found their small camp out and dumped her bags by the tents. She got out her wands and went against her gut instinct, she ran towards the shouting and the screaming.
As soon as Marissa arrived at the scene, she was horrified at what she was seeing. Multiple students on fire, a professor badly injured and the nearby forest on fire. She held back tears as she ran towards the helpless students. She saw an unconscious but bleeding girl, at this time she did not know who the girl was. The girl was Serena. Marissa instantly went into action and slowly tried to lift her up. As Marissa was not the strongest, she tried to half carry and half drag Serena to safety. Mari quickly glanced behind her, seeing all of the other helpless students. She held back a sob as she could only help one at a time.
Reducio
ACTION: Drag/carry Serena to safety.
M. North
Campout
As Ezekiel heard the burst of the flames around him, he initially darted off, away from the burning forest. He was concerned for only himself, but he knew he could do that as soon as he began to run. "Oh no, oh no, oh no." He muttered as he turned, unharmed from the force of the fire. He shook his head violently, looking up. ""This has to catch someone's attention right...? Ugh!" He looked at his wand. He hadn't been thought the spells to deal with such a massive damage control such as this. "Periculum!" He shouted, pointing his wand at the sky as he ran off, not waiting to see if it had worked. He had read something, that could have helped him, should he have remembered what it was he had read. He stopped at the edge of the flames, turning back towards the fire. He scanned the flames. There was hardly any clear spaces for him to run through. He shook his head, pulling his robes over his mouth and ran back into the flames, grabbing the first person he saw on the ground and slowly dragging them back out of the flames. He coughed and wheezed through the whole time. I'm going to die here, this is it.
Actions: First casting Periculum, hoping to catch a professors attention
Second, Attempting to drag Orion out of the flames.
Actions: First casting Periculum, hoping to catch a professors attention
Second, Attempting to drag Orion out of the flames.
Name's Wasek, Ezekiel Wasek
Stamina:3 Evasion:8 Strength:2 Wisdom:8 ArcPower:8 Accuracy:6
Campout
Cynthia suddenly felt such immense heat envelope her and she experienced such unbearable pain. She could smell burning leaves and her own burning flesh. She hoped she would not be scarred by the flames. She turned to try and run away, but the pain was so intense that she was soon lying on the ground, unconscious. There wasn’t much she could do at that point. Practically nothing really. She had never thought much about death before now. So this is what dying must feel like. Was she actually going to die from this? If so, there were so many things she had not done yet with her life that she wanted to do. Would she ever be able to accomplish them? Would she ever brew another potion again? More importantly, would she ever see her mother and father again? What would her parents do if they lost their only daughter? She pictured them, holding each other and crying, their hearts broken at the news their child had perished at school. Such devastation no one should have to experience.
She had a vague feeling of being grabbed by the scruff of her neck by someone or something. She wanted to fight off whoever had a hold of her, but she was unable to do anything except allow herself to be carried off.
She had a vague feeling of being grabbed by the scruff of her neck by someone or something. She wanted to fight off whoever had a hold of her, but she was unable to do anything except allow herself to be carried off.