Hexwizard Task 1: Hogwarts v Koldovstoretz

Interacting with Hogwarts Team

It was finally here. The Hexwizard Tournament was just moments away from starting. Bloom took a couple of deep breaths to herself. All of the schools would be looking at them as they enter the ballroom. Even more so, judgements of who they think would make it to the next round would probably rattle into their brain. Would they think she would or that she was too weak?

Stop, Bloom, she thought to herself, keeping her focus. This was going to be a good game of fun and that's all that matters.

The doors opened, and Bloom walked into the ballroom, her right hand grabbing her left arm. She was nervous, and had every right to be. She looked ahead and saw Howard who was excited. Maybe it wasn't going to be all that bad. Bloom couldn't help but the smile at her team who were extremely optimistic about playing the first task. Bloom started to feel a bit more comfortable-- Ready to play.

ACTION: Arriving

Today was the day that everyone had been waiting for, the day an infamous event was brought back to life to test the will of the most daring students. Everyone had come out in full force to catch their first glimpse of the action, all they hoped was it wasn't shrouded in mystery like it was back in the dark ages. Even with its passed history, they were willing to give it another shot and see the battle of the schools once more.

Being one of the last ones to arrive, Gray finally made his way through the doors of the ballroom to see curious eyes staring right at him. Compared to some Gray wasn't nervous about what challenges lay ahead. He knew the ability and skill their team had, as long as they trusted each other everything would go the way he imagined.

Rolling up his sleeves, he nonchalantly glared at his opponents as he made his way into the position he was assigned. It gave him stark memories of the last time he stood on a chessboard, where he lost control of his mind and let himself get lit up like a bonfire. In ways, that uneased him, but he wasn't going to let that get in the way.

"I hope all of you are ready, we don't want to embarrass the whole school by losing our first game..."

Rosella felt like she was ready for the Hexwizard tournament. The girl had honestly not expected to get onto the team, but she assumed it was because she was on the Quidditch team although she was not completely certain of that. The girl's red hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, keeping the hair out of her face and allow her to concentrate more on what was going around her rather than constantly pushing the hair out of her face.

Glancing around the chess board, Rosella took a deep breath as her gaze shifted to her teammates. They were clearly younger than their opponents. Hogwarts, the school of misfits, at least that is what her mother had told her. Rosella was not normally quick to judge, but she had seen how the other school reacted to the Hogwarts students in the past and did not want to have to deal with the embarrassment of losing to them. The girl felt like she was prepared though, she was not completely sure about how the rest of the team felt though.

Russian | English

Mentioning the Team.

More ghostly than ever, the seldom-seen Pericles Dralt drifted in his team's midst with little outward expression. The mask of dazed, faraway tranquility did well to conceal the thoughts and feelings buzzing in his head. He tried not to let his stomach squirm at the thought of who watched in that audience. Such influential observers could influence a young wizard's life, depending on how well, or how poorly, one performed. Purebloods were raised to constantly consider such things.... And yet, when he looked to his team, it was easy to remember why he had volunteered for the Hexwizard Tournament in the first place. At the start of his fourth year, Pericles had stepped down from many positions of prestige. He relinquished prefectdom, the Headliner, even his title as a duel captain. His pale face and sleepy eyes were seldom seen beyond classes. It wasn't about impressing his family any longer. This rebellious streak of uninvolvement was a matter of finding himself again, of acting on his own account. Never mind what their prestigious spectators thoughts either.

Head held level, dexterous fingers folding around his pale aspen wand, he walked side-by-side with @Dealla Prince. Reliable, ever-tenacious Dee was a walking source of certainty. Her smile was enough to disrupt that placid freckled face, coaxing out a crooked, genuine smile of his own. When the team captain @Howard White turned towards them, Pericles did what he could to convey an expression of stalwart support. The Ravenclaw could not help but experience a mischievous spark of rebellious pride: he recalled interviewing Howard during the wave of dhampiric discrimination in Hogwarts. Knowing the half-breed's tragic past, only to see him valiantly representing the entire school now, was an inspirational story if ever he had seen one. Many persons of import would be watching, too, and the naysayers would look like fools when a part-human performed nothing short of honorably.

Like a soldier in formation, Pericles stood with silent poise, awaiting instruction. Focus turned his daydreaming gaze into something solid and cold.

Getting into position.

Alan had been a bit confused by George lately. Since the October ball he had been avoiding Alan, or perhaps simply had been too busy to spend time with Alan. Which was fine really, but also a bit sad, since Alan liked spending time with the badger. But George had still watched Alan's duel, or perhaps George just had sudden interest in duelling and watched all of them. But George also had assured Alan he would be watching the first task and despite all of this confusion, Alan liked to think that George appeared to spectate his match and this task because he cared about Alan too and wanted to see him win.

But even without this confusion in the back of his mind, Alan was quite nervous about this tournament. But Howard was there and many others of his friends were there too, so it wasn't all that bad and Alan was quite confident that this team could take on any challenge. He at least knew that Pericles, Dee and Opeila were all quite capable at duelling. He knew that the others were no joke either and each had their strengths. Howard for one was a scary good Quidditch player! And thinking about all this made his anxiety level drop and he walked out with his friends with confidence. "This should be fun," he mentioned to @Howard White with a grin.

Banner made by Aurora Raniver

October 23rd, 2022

The Hexwizard tournament had arrived, at Hogwarts of all places. Irina had a burning hatred against the entire school of Hogwarts and most of the students attending it, however, she continued to return. The sole reason of her return was to defeat Hogwarts and establish that Koldovstoretz was the strongest school. Luckily enough for her, they were slated to go up against Hogwarts first.

Walking into the first task ballroom, Irina nodded at the decorations and smiled around the room, this was going to be a great game. Noticing the Magical Duma and other great Wizarding leaders, a shock went through Irina. This whole this was really happening and regardless of her prior grudges she needed to be on her best behavior to represent herself and her country. If she went out there yelling, her reputation would be ruined before it even started. Therefore, Irina put on her brightest smile and decided that it would hopefully stay with her throughout the entirety of the task.

Stepping up to the chess board that they would be competing on, Irina took note of her competitors. About three of them looked fairly familiar. The first of which was their champion, @Howard White. Irina remembered him from a ball a few years ago in which he attempted to grapple her. It was one of her core memories that caused her to hate the school. In Irina’s mind, Howard had no respect for his peers and needed to be taken out first. Then there was slightly short girl with dark brown hair (@Serena Towers) who looked extremely familiar to Irina. This girl looked almost like Irina’s possible boyfriend, Arjan. Shrugging the familiarity off, Irina moved her eyes to a Hogwarts student who she remembered to be named @Dealla Prince. Dealla had interviewed her about the tragic explosion and what begun as a thoughtful questioning turned into what Irina took as an attack on her character. Dealla would be the second one to go.

Regardless of all of Irina’s prior conflicts, she maintained her smile and nodded kindly to each of her teammates. This was going to work out, even though they appeared to be the underdogs, they stood a great chance at success. There was no way Irina would lose against Hogwarts.

Action: Doing as strategized
Health: 1100/1100
| STA: 11 | EVA: 11 | STR: 8 | WIS: 10 | ARCP: 6 | ACC: 14 |
Abilities: Sixth Sense, Fearless, Calming Presence, Paragon of Heath, and Spell Flinger
Allies: The Koldovstoretz team
Paragon of Health Allies: Rodion and Fedya

FYODOR SAPOZHNIK
Koldovstoretz Broom Racer

Outfit: Racing Uniform

August 20, 2022

XXXFedya was starting to really, really hate doing this stuff. The whole ‘going to Hogwarts for what has to be some sick death march’ thing.

Especially when he walked out to a giant chess board.

Because if there was one thing about Fedya Sapozhnik it was that he hated chess. The devil of all board games, the paragon of genuine hell, the whole laborious nine yards. His clammy hands gently ran over his pants, wiping off warm condensation and causing the boy to furrow his brow.

They wouldn’t lose to Hogwarts. Not today, not any day.

STATS ST: 9 | EVA: 5 | STR: 4 | WIS: 7 | ARC: 9 | ACC: 8

ABILITIES Impartial ACTION Doing his best

INTERACTION Interacting With: Mentioning:

The ballroom was festooned with streamers and the bright lights were almost blinding. And that was before the roar of the crowd. It was overwhelming and in spite of all of this overstimulation, the Hogwarts team would enter the ballroom undeterred. They were on familiar ground, they knew this ballroom, they knew these grounds. They knew... well, they did not know most of those people in the stands. The stands had people of import from all over the world, representatives from France and Japan, Russia and the Americas. There were politicians and media moguls. This was a veritable who's who among wizards.

@Howard White would be the first to enter the ballroom for Team Hogwarts. He was well-known and covered by the media, mostly unfavorably. The boy who was a monster more than a wizard or a man. His dark hair and ruby eyes would play against his ashen skin, it as perhaps more noticeable because he was a dhampir. He had a lot going for him, co-Captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch Team and academically he was excelling, but there were some facets of his life that he could not change, one being what he was. No, not just a dhampir. He was also a muggleborn. His was not the world that he was born into but rather one he was thrust into. He was not and could not be accepted by either world. He was not 'worthy' to be a wizard nor was he 'normal' enough to be a muggle. he was trapped between two worlds, neither truly willing to accept who or what he was.

Where most, in fact all of the other champions had their special person at the side or following closely behind them. An avatar of love and support, Howard would have nobody. He had named Falentra Black his special person much to the chagrin of more than one young woman only to have her no longer named his special person.' In fact, someone he could hardly stand (more than likely) was named in her place -- @Thomas LeStrange. Thy had a storied history the two of them, Thomas had not earned his loyalty, his friendship or even his tolerance. That was the point, even if he did not fully understand it yet, the "favor" inflicted upon him as his intended "special person" went from a former girlfriend to a former... well, lets not put labels onto things we don't want to talk about...

There were of course cheers but there were also heckles and jeers. Hogwarts was the historically favored school internationally and some felt that Hogwarts did not deserve such acclaim. There were also those who felt that it was not 'right' to teach half-breeds and 'near monsters' alongside 'normal' children. So smattered among the whoops and cries, there was the occasional and distinct Freak and Monster that would be expressed from the stands.

@Serena Towers, the tiny half-goblin would make her way into the ballroom. Howard's 'special person' had not arrived, what he saw in Falentra was anyone's guess. But it was not Miss Black any longer, it was that obnoxious underclassman that was now two year behind his intended grade. It was a quiet, last minute change that went for the most part undocumented and unannounced. She might have even expected to see Howard's jealous former paramour walking behind the dhampir as they marched towards the site of the first task. She was nervous, not just because she was at risk for being decked by the angry goth, but the fact that there were so many people looking at her this very moment. She was no stranger to being the center of attention or to competition, as a former star Seeker and presently an spiriting broom racer who has done well this past year, she was garnering the attention of many even if she had not noticed.

Serena probably did not realize just how important this game was. Not only for her pride but for her 'people' extending past her part goblin-kin but to half-breeds a everywhere. she could pass, pass as an incredibly short human. Stumpy arms and legs. A head maybe a bit too big for the rest of her. She was donning armor, goblin armor and that was not easy to come by. If someone was truly interested in who she was, she might have given one too many hints. She would -have- to win, it might be required for her survival.

@Dealla Prince was a part of the Hogwarts company, one of the few humans on the team. She was more excited it would seem than scared. She did not have as much to lose as some of them and she was surrounded by friends. She was also alive, there was a time not long ago where that was uncertain. It was a mystery, specifically what had happened. There was likely some presumptions one could make, for instance why was he blood needed in the first place and what sort of dark ritual had Jack Burnett performed with it? She had breathed life into something terrible.

@Opeila Winters, like Dee had recently recovered from a coma induced by a dark magic inflicted upon the both of them by Jack Burnett. Having only recently returned to the world of a living, it was a bit disorienting. She was still getting her bearings about her and here she was facing off in the Hexwizard Tournament. She would follow behind Dealla and make her way into the ballroom. The claps and the cheers encouraging her onward.

@Bloom Silverton was several paces behind her boyfriend, separated by a few of her teammates. This was exciting, being a part of something so big. Even if her dumb boyfriend picked his ex as his special person.

@Percival Gray would be distressed to know that the very people that murdered his girlfriend (that was still the right word wasn't it?) @Santario Martin's parents was among the audience. They were clapping and cheering, hiding in plain sight in the last place the Ministry would be looking for them. Girls were nothing but trouble Percival should have learned by now, but likely had not and would not. He did not seem fussed by the attention, both the accolades and the complaints from the audience. A pureblood being among monsters that is. The invariable rumors that would surge from the association alone. He would make his way to the board, shoulder-to-shoulder with his friends. Bloom was fully human, the girl in front of him as far as he knew as was Pericles. The rumors were unfounded and unsubstantiated at best.

"You guys ready?" Serena would ask.

"Hell yeah!" Howard called out to Serena as he turned to face his group. "Let's do this!"

Across the board one of the Koldovstoretz students (Kamila) would call out to them: ”I feel bad for you... You have no chance against us.”

"Born ready!" Dealla chimed in on the motivational proclamations. "We can take them, easy."

Dee assessed the competition. They were all younger than the Hogwarts team, but a good margin of years. "Keep an eye on the platinum blonde, she's likely the biggest threat." Who was the blonde that she was talking about?

There was a brunette across the board that seemed to be oddly at ease given the scenario (Oksana). She posed for the camera and had a wide, easy-going smile on her face as she made her way to the board. She did not make any attestations to her impending victory, rather she clasped her hands behind her back in a defenseless stance, the sort one would make when there is no threat what-so-ever to their person and just chime across the board "Hiya."

While Percival's posture and gaze did not betray his apprehension, his words did. "I hope all of you are ready, we don't want to embarrass the whole school by losing our first game..." What is they did lose to this school. This school that was for the most part a relative unknown. To opponents that were degrees younger than he was. Then they were. He would have to push those thoughts down and away for now before he stepped onto the board.

@Pericles Dralt was apprehensive. Not for losing, or for getting hurt but rather for being seen. Pericles actually got it. Not his pride but rather something far easier to damage - his name and reputation. Something as fickle as opinion can make or break a family and their prospects in the pureblood world. Marriages were in many cases deals made between families. Jobs, and the legacy of a family, often built upon a name. He had given up much in the past year -- things that were relevant to his name and how he would be remembered. As a prefect, a writer for the school paper the Headliner and as duelling captain. Positions that earned him acclaim but were also one dare might say, things that made him happy and gave him meaning that was now all but lost as he forfeited a direction for himself. But perhaps now it was time for him to choose his own path.

@Alan Vanes was too concerned about his love life, or lack thereof with @George Henry to consider the implications of the task at hand. He was surrounded by capable wizards, duellist and athletes of all sorts who had been hell to back already in their very short lives. "This should be fun," the teen grinned towards Howard. Game on.



One might have to wonder if the colors were chosen truly at random. The dark imagery chosen, as Howard changed the moment he stepped onto that enchanted checkered board. His attire would melt away into this dark, awful haze and he would step onto a chariot. A single chariot with battlement walls and a nightmare stead. He donned leather armor (you're welcome Bloom) and his sunken, pallid features became even more apparent.

Serena would step onto the board. Serena would herself changing, transforming into something new. The hat would be nice, the biretta granting her a meager few additional yet needed inches to her tiny frame. Her attire comfortable, a fitted cassock that brushed the floor beneath liturgical garments. The cassock, with button closure, has long sleeves and fits the body closely. It was all black, from the large, round button closure along the face in shining obsidian to the silken vestments and even the oversized book that the tiny part goblin would heft, all the better for bludgeoning.

Before Dee would step foot onto the board she was diverted by the kissable face of her boyfriend, Jack Warren. It was a plight the broom racer had learned to deal with. A smooch later, she was battle ready and would step onto the board. She was the King. Perhaps an unexpected choice, but a notable one all the same as dark shadows that seemed to have a divine shimmer would envelope the girl and her attire would be transformed. A great, dark crown would rest upon her brow. Like the branches of a gnarled tree made of a shining, black metal. Small gems, mystic topaz specifically were set into the regal crown that seemed a bit too large for the girl's head. On her back, a massive black fur-lined cloak. Her attire, more comfortable than that of her contemporaries less perhaps the Bishops, a silken tunic and pants. A fanciful design embossed in shining thread. A dark scepter in hand, she was the dark king.

Opeila's anxiety at least in part alleviated by the overconfidence of the Koldovstoretz girl (Kamila) that had called out to them. Opeila had gotten a small note the day of the First Task, had she opened it or not... that would be perhaps another matter. It was slid under the common room door and had her name on it. If obtained and read, the simple, folded bit of parchment would say the following in neat cursive script:

Best of luck. Ordinarily I would say nothing at times such as this. Otherwise the day would so with so much intended to be said and never uttered. Mediate your efforts accordingly.

Likely just a fan.

She would step onto the board and a transformation would take place. She would find herself suddenly donning armor that might have made the girl feel like a bad-ass as she found herself on top of a dark stallion. A lance in hand, magic had transformed her and transitioned her into something new. Her allies changed similarly, all she had to do was look across the checkered board to see these changes take place in her opposition as well.

Bloom would step onto the board and when she did a dark transformation would take place. Armored and 'safe' on top of a great black mare, she would find a lance in her hand. Wow... how edgy. She had a great view from above where she could see her teammates.

Percival would step onto the board and like Opeila, he would find himself stepping onto the back of a walled chariot driven by a great black horse. The ladies appreciated the leather armor (you're welcome Santario). The rook, often called the castle by novice players represented the chariot, not a castle. Its migration to Italy and translation errors potentially contributing to the misnomer.

Pericles would step onto the board as his allies had. When he did so, something about him would change. A creeping darkness that painlessly overtook him and transformed his form. Alright, he might have to murder Howard. He would be dressed as the dark queen. A dark dress, something like one might have worn two centuries earlier. Layers of black silks and satins, tulle and ribbon. The dress was somehow flattering, possibly not a mercy in the least. A crown upon his near white tresses of dark almost brambles. Gleaming jeweled thorns. A scepter in his hand. Had he known muggle cartoons, he would resemble the evil queen in an a Disney movie perhaps.

Finally, Alan would step onto the platform. A holy man, at least in attire. A darkness would envelope the teen and he would emerge a 'holy' man in regal, religious vestments and a generic 'good book' in hand.

______________________

Rodion Makarovich (@Aurora Ranvier), the Koldovstoretz champion had a lot to live up to and so much to represent. Their humble wizarding school was for the most part an unknown. He needed to prove himself to his family, his community and to above all else himself. In spite of his prideful stance and expression, his pompous gaze and his legacy, perhaps he was uncertain if he deserved it. To be representing his school. To stand against Hogwarts, a school he would never admit outwardly being intimidated by, but there was something in him that felt ill. His cousin was a part of this school. Why did he revile her again? Because she was weird? Because he was weird too? Sometimes you hate the most in others what you see in yourself. A somber walk to the chessboard, no speeches or displays of dominance. He just needed to stand uppright.

Maskim Levin (@Monica Evans) would follow closely behind the champion's "special person". There was perhaps some envy for Hogwarts and the acclaim they received, but they perhaps did not notice the heckles. Like Durmstrang, there was a divided audience for Hogwarts. Sometimes it is easier to see the good rather than the bad. That was fine, they still had plenty of space to fall. "Better have hope now before it's crushed." Koldovstoretz was notoriously underestimated and Hogwarts was similarly favored by the international community. How many times had Hogwarts been to Koldovstoretz? Maskin could answer that question - none! They had lost so many in Hogsmeade, Hogwarts could not even ensure their safety and yet here they were once again as a part of this pony show.

Kamila Yavlinsky (@Marina Oriel) did not have the same anxiety or apprehension shared by her peers. Perhaps she felt that she was just so far ahead of Hogwarts based on evidence or simply hubris. Acknowledging how much older the other team was and the fact that the other team likely had assets they would not have for some time, she had an almost delusional optimism that might prove right. Just because they are strong, it does not mean they have any idea how to work a complicated game of strategy as this.

Nikolai Ryzhkov (@Avery McCall) was among the youngest there. It was a testament to their potential or at the very least the trust he had earned. He did not have much to say, lost in his own thoughts as he made his way to the checkered board and awaited the start of the game. It was a bit overwhelming really, the number of people who had come here to witness this event and how s many of them were cheering for their small, humble school.

Oksana Vasilieva (@Faye Simmons) would note the age advantage of the host school almost immediately. But she was there before her friends, her peers and even the Magical Duma of the Russian Federation. She could not fail them. She did eat up the attention, one of the only ones that would stop for the media and take a few poses. The media ate it up. An array of bright flashes accompanied her poses as well as a series of congratulations and platitudes for success -- 'you will do great' and 'where brawn fails, wit wins' in her native tongue.

When she came upon her team along the perimeter of the chessboard she would say to them Давай надерём им задницы, да Let's beat their asses, yeah. Looking across the board, her eyes would meet with Team Hogwarts. She would not express any intimidation she felt if any, making her more disconcerting than others as she clasped her hands behind her back and gave the other team a friendly smile saying in English to them "Hiya."

Rosella Sokolov (@Logan Baird) would trail behind the confident girl, possibly slowed by Oksana's need to sate the paparazzi. She took a critical look at Hogwarts. She had been told that they were a school of misfits and she was not wrong. They were a school of misfits, a motley crew of assorted bloodlines and heritages in precarious confinement with one another. Was that good or bad? Well, only time would tell but there was a need to sate her own pride and for that she could not loose. Not to them at the very least. She would step up to the board and stand before the queen's square and await the cue.

Irinia Afanasyeva (@Lavinia Cloven) had a burning hate for Hogwarts. One that was the school and the students were directly the fault directly of. Besides being the favored school. Hogwarts was a site of death and the mournful legacy of an act of terror that had taken from many of them loved ones and friends. she wanted to win to show that they were better, which they were even if their numbers were diminished. She also considered her reputation as she looked over at the Magical Duma and other great Wizarding leaders, her future was being written today. She had several interactions with Hogwarts students beyond the tragic bombing that took so many lives, none positive. Howard attempting to tackle her, the boy being almost twice her size and of course Dealla needling in the wake of tragedy stuck in the back of her mind. How fortuitous that she would be facing off against the both of them here.

The last to enter the ballroom for the team was Fyodor Saozhnik (@Maggie Hawkins). A broom racer, it did not bode well for him if he was last at anything, but here he was ambling along the rear. The crowds would cheer him on as he took his place at the edge of the chessboard.



Rodion would be the first to step onto the board, even if only by a moment. His attire would change instantaneously, in a shimmering veil of light he would be transformed. A prince, no a King. Pure white, from his shining boots to his trousers and his belt. Silver jewelry and a crown with gleaming clear stones would adorn his mop of hair. A bit young to be a king, but he was a king all the same. A fur-trimmed cloak over silks and satins which richly adorned the adolescent's formerly awkward figure.

Next would be Maskim. "If they see you smile, they know how to find your weakness," Maskim proclaimed to his teammates as he maintained a stern expression from across the board as he looked at his competition. He was fighting more than wizards, he was fighting monsters on this day. Maskim would step onto the checkered board and start to change. He might have expected to be wearing a shield or be dressed up as a castle tower, but the rook is symbolic of the 'chariot' and while a rook may look like a castle tower, it was anything but a stationary piece. The word rook comes from the Persian word 'rukh' meaning chariot. Persian War Chariots were heavily armoured, carrying a driver and at least one ranged-weapon bearer, such as an archer. The sides of the chariot were built to resemble fortified stone work, giving the impression of small, mobile buildings, causing terror on the battlefield. As such, when he stepped onto the board he would step onto a Chariot that would manifest before him. Donning white leather armor, the reigns in his hand and a gallant stead before him, he was the rook.

This would be followed by Kamila Yavlinsky. This was certainly a 'dramatic' moment, facing off against Hogwarts the veritable foes of every schools, including her own. She would call out across the board to the Hogwarts Team: ”I feel bad for you... You have no chance against us.” With a breath of air and a single forward step, everything would change. Did she see herself as a woman of god, or at least of some non-denominational 'godly' person? Perhaps, but this was a bit over the top. Adorned now in white priestly vestments and biretta, with a fun white pom at the very top. She would find an oversized tome in her hand.

Nikolai would step onto the board but find himself on the back of a great, white stead. The armor, white and shining, and a great lance in hand. Nicolai looked like the sort of hero he would read about in books - valiant and good, powerful and great. Nicolai was the white knight.

When Oksana stepped onto the checkered board, she would find herself stepping onto the back of a chariot. A simple two-wheeled structure entirely white. She was wearing white, leather armor and in her hands the reins of a massive force that impatiently stomped at the ground in front of her.

Rosella would step onto the board, and when she did so, she would be one of the few non cross-dressing Queens in this game. Although admittedly all of them looked lovely. Rosella would look like a bride in a billowing white gown and a great, crystal crown on the top of her head the glittered. In her hand she had a scepter, a long silvery staff with a shining gem on the end. She was a true regal beauty but she was not there to look pretty, she was there to kick ass.

Smiling, Irina would step onto the board and begin her transformation. A shimmering stream of magic would overtake her. She would find herself clad in grand, white metallic armor. Through her visor she could see her allies and her opposition from the top of a massive white horse that lifted up on its rear legs and let out a loud neigh. She would have to hold on tightly to her reigns, the match had not even yet begun.

Finally, Fyodor Saozhnik would step onto the board. where some would emerge in armor, he might be disappointed that silks and satins were all that would protect him against those Hogwarts monsters. His priestly vestments fit him well, he looked sharp. In his hand, a book. The best he got from this scenario was channel divinity: physical violence (credit Astrea). He could see a lance and a capable horse at his side. Scepters clutched in the hands of others. He got a big book. Well, dern.

The first round of actions comes this next week. Talk about your transformation or the dynamics of your friends. This will be your first actions. Remember the word count is reduced to 50 words as a minimum. You have until the end of next Friday.

Q&A: Yes, magical girl sequence transformation. Have fun with it.

Mentioning the Periqueen transformation.

The nature of the chessboard made for a most dramatic entrance. Hogwarts students were encircled in shadows, emerging from the transformation in the guise of regal nobility, only the ensembles suited some more than others. Pericles frowned inquisitively while tugging the fabric of a slender sleeve. It felt tangible enough. "I believe black is my color," he mused aloud, "though I'm not so certain lace is my fabric." After an experimental rock onto the balls of his feet, the young warlock commented with some relief: "At least I haven't been put in heels." He was no Billy Porter, but he would make this work. The dark queen's wand scepter was readied with a duellist's poise.

Action: incidentally defying gender norms