An active, character-driven Hogwarts experience set in the early 2000s. Unique items, plots, and features. Non-canon; this isn't Harry Potter's story, it's ours.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 19, 2023 21:42:44 GMT 10
After spending so much time outside in the sun, MJ was enjoying the cool air inside the castle. She dropped her things off at her dormitory but didn't see Charlotte around or anyone else she knew. She wondered if they were still busy at the dig or elsewhere.
Right now, she had something in mind she wanted to do.
She had some keys jangling in her robe pocket and wanted to use at least one of them. MJ headed for the spiral tower and smiled to herself. Exploring one of the rooms here would be fun!
It had been a while she had tried the magic key doors -- would there be anything new? Was it possible to get the same room again?
MJ passed numerous doors before she found the one that felt 'just right'. With a glance around, MJ slid the bronze key into the keyhole and turned it. The door opened and she stepped inside.
Roaring flames burst from either side of the door -- spreading like a ferocious beast around the room that had darkness instead of walls. The enchanted fire was high and dangerous, yet the heat remained bearable. There was no smoke, but licks of flames shot from the furthermost inferno wall.
There was a glowing, pale blue line on the floor between door and fire. The fiery attacks were aimed towards it, as if resistance was expected. 2 bricks conjured on the line.
A plaque reads:
"Behind the line, face the flames. Cast your defence, then brace your courage. Ten bricks is all it takes, but zero will get you burned."
How to Play
Similar to duelling, your character casts a "defensive spell" towards the line, which converts into bricks during the mod post. The goal is to build a wall strong enough to defeat the flames, rather than just keeping it at bay.
This is the only skill room where your character's actual skill level plays a role. The starting bricks are determined by these milestones:
Defence Skill 0 = 1 brick
Defence Skill 3 = 2 bricks
Defence Skill 6 = 3 bricks
Defence Skill 9 = 4 bricks
A mod rolls a die to determine how many bricks (1 - 6) are added -- aka how strong your character's defensive spell was. Then another die for the fire's attack damage (1 - 6) against the wall. Each point of damage destroys a brick.
To win, the wall must reach a total of 10 bricks. If your bricks reach 0, you lose.
Winning earns 200 exp to their Defence skill, and 20 exp to every other skill.
Although playing a mini-game, this is still an RP-thread. We strongly encourage immersing your character in this experience and challenge, as these threads are also designed for character development.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 20, 2023 5:29:02 GMT 10
As soon as MJ stepped into the room, huge flames roared to life at the opposite end of the room. It made her take a step back but the entrance was closed off now. There was no escape. She steeled herself with wand in hand and stepped forward.
"Just help me with this and I'll make sure you are well taken care of tonight." MJ whispered to her wand. She had been excited to try out the Wand Maintenance kit she had won from the Treasure Dig that afternoon and planned to check it out after the Feast tonight.
The heat from the fire licked at her while she read the plaque and understood what she had to do. On the line in the middle rested two bricks and MJ smiled at them -- they would be the foundation to a strong wall to defend her from the fire.
She adopted a defensive stance and aimed her wand. With a deep inhale to prepare herself, MJ then cast a defensive spell. She believed in her magic and her wand to help her see this challenge through to the end.
For her first cast, MJ managed to conjure three bricks to join the two at the line. They stacked on top of each other with a ghostly silence but they appeared to be quite solid.
As if the appearance of those bricks enraged it, the flames shot towards the small pile and made them seem like a rather pitiful defence. The three she had conjured were soon destroyed, turning them into dust.
It retreated again -- an open invitation for MJ to try again.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 20, 2023 5:45:53 GMT 10
At first MJ felt confident as three bricks joined the two already there, happy with her little stack of five but the fire soon changed how she felt about it.
The flames felt powerful and unrelenting, knocking her three conjured bricks as if they were nothing! MJ gasped, disappointed that they had been removed so easily but it only made her more determined.
She wasn't going to give up so easily!
"Yeah right, Flames. We're taking you out!" She jabbed her wand towards the wall, using another defensive spell to summon more bricks to build up her wall again. MJ didn't want to lose the room so quick.
No, she couldn't even think that just in case it jinxed what happened.
She had to believe that she was good enough to build up a wall to stop the fire.
As if the room or her magic responded to the determination in her actions, six gleaming bricks were added to the wall. They built up a sturdy wall that seemed certain to hold back the fire.
Which she would soon find tested. The flames wasted no time in approaching the wall. They moved fast and with purpose, touching three of the bricks from the top of the wall.
These were crushed into nothing and then flames roared loudly in MJ's direction, the heat in the room spiking for a moment.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 20, 2023 5:52:29 GMT 10
Her heart leapt with excitement as six bricks were added, "Yes!"
Even the fire's approach couldn't dampen her happiness -- not completely. Yes, it still took away a chunk of her wall and the heat seemed greater than before (but, thankfully, still bearable after the flames retreated).
She pushed a hand through her hair. The challenge seemed a bit more doable now with five bricks still in the middle to build onto.
MJ smiled and gave her wand a gentle pat, "We make a good team, eh?"
Ever since she knew realized last year that her wand had something of a personality of its own (MJ still wasn't entirely certain how that worked and she didn't know if they were taught about wands at school -- should she ask Thorne?), she wanted to take better care of it.
She rolled her shoulders back and then squared up. The five bricks gave her a bit more confidence as she cast her next defensive spell.
Despite her confidence, she only managed to add a single brick to her wall this time. There was no explanation for it but she had to hope it would be enough.
The fire cackled (with delight?) at her pathetic attempt to hold it back and darted forward to fling two bricks from the wall. They flew towards MJ but disappeared before they reached her.
The fire moved back once more as it waited and seemed to keep watch.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 20, 2023 5:57:21 GMT 10
Just one brick?! And the fire took two!?
MJ bit her lip. She wouldn't let the frustration of the situation get the better of her. This wasn't an impossible challenge and she had to remind herself that. She still had four bricks and she had summoned six before -- if she managed that again, then she would complete the room's task.
She just had to keep believing in herself!
"You're nothing, we're going to beat you. You'll see." MJ puffed out her chest in a hope that it would (somehow) intimidate the fire. Something about it seemed more alive than a regular fire, like the ones her Granny or Great-Auntie would start in their wood burning stoves at home.
Those were cosy and inviting, keeping them warm during the cold days and nights. This fire? It seemed to be just be plain mean and part of her wondered if it was mocking her somehow.
MJ glared in its direction and cast another defensive spell. She was too stubborn to call it quits so they were both stuck here until one side won.
This time five glowing bricks joined the four at the middle line -- so close to the right number needed. They stood proud and strong, ready to defend MJ from the fire.
Which wasn't happy about the appearance of so many bricks. It darted forward, flaming fingers breaking apart three of the bricks and weakening her defence. The wall stayed standing but it wasn't as tall as before.
Satisfied with its attack, the fire pulled away and MJ was free to continue.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 20, 2023 6:05:04 GMT 10
MJ jumped on the spot with excitement as five bricks were added to the wall. They were so pretty and she was so close to winning! She grinned but as the fire made its own attack, her smile was gone.
Her mouth slowly dropped open -- seriously?
"Are you just taking the hand out of me now?" She wasn't the kind of person who swore but right now felt like the ideal time to yell something inappropriate. She didn't, however, but it was very tempting.
Her wall had been at nine bricks and now she was back down to six!
"Still... It's better than losing every brick I just summoned..." She tells herself with a huff. MJ rolled up her sleeves this time -- now she was serious. She flicked her wand, aiming her defensive spell at the wall.
She didn't want to see the fire win against her so she pushed as much determination and spite into her cast as possible. If only she could fling a curse at the fire (or hose it down with the water-making spell!) but something told her that wouldn't work.
Sadly, only one brick was added to the six at the middle line. It slotted into place on the top and awaited it's fate.
The fire approached again and this time it made quick work of MJ's wall.
Was this a response to MJ's words? The bricks disappeared one by one until she was only left with two -- the same number she had started with. Blasted pieces of glowing bricks were scattered all over the floor now.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 20, 2023 6:14:13 GMT 10
One brick was better than no bricks (was it possible for none to appear? She didn't like thought).
But it didn't seem to matter as the flames obliterated her wall.
MJ threw up an arm to protect her face and gasped as she heard the destruction happen. When she lowered her arm again she saw pieces of brick everywhere and saw two bricks left behind. Just two.
She sucked in a breath and reminded herself it was just a room. She couldn't let it get to her.
"Right. Not ideal but we can work with this." MJ mumbled. She was this close to being the loser and MJ wasn't going to let that happen.
At the very least, she was going down with a fight.
Her wand was aimed once more and MJ cast a defensive spell. Anything added to the wall would be welcomed as it was a step in the right direction.
The back and forth continued as four bricks were summoned and added to the two that waited at the line. MJ's wall was rejuvenated and seemed more impressive than before.
If the flame had tired of their cat and mouse game, there was no way to know as it attacked the wall with the same gusto as before. This time a single brick was blasted off the wall and aimed towards MJ.
As before, it didn't reach her but it would be enough to make her wonder what would happen if it did.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 20, 2023 6:21:17 GMT 10
She flinched at the brick that flew towards her, even if it didn't reach. Just the idea of it aimed at her was enough to make MJ take a step back.
Her wall was standing still which was a good start.
"Respectable, even." She commented. MJ put her hands on her hips. She just needed five more bricks to win. Knowing her luck, she'd summon too little or not quite enough and then the flames would ruin her progress.
She could feel beads of sweat forming on her forehead. It wasn't too warm in the room but it was warm enough that all the moving around and flinging spells had made her work up a sweat.
"Shower after this. Unless I feel up to using another key." MJ sighed. It was pointless to talk to herself but it helped her keep her temper in check. Normally it would take a lot to get MJ worked up but this fire was really resting her.
"Let's go." She aimed her wand once again and cast a defensive spell.
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