Harry Potter and the Scabbard of Excalibur [AU]
Vine and Salt
Birdsie
Sharp Talons Cleave The Worthy
- Location
- Poland
Vine and Salt
If you could punch God in the face, would you?
"Probably not."
---
According to Hogwarts, A History, the castle grounds were deeply layered in an intricate web of powerful and subtle enchantments; a layette substratum of magics that worked together in a fashion almost resembling sentience in order to provide greater comfort and security to its students and staff. Many of those enchantments were tied down to keystones and fulcrums scattered around the castle, acting as conductors of the main source that only the Headmaster was permitted access to. Apparently, over the centuries, many Headmasters attempted to research the enchantments and replicate some of the feats of the Founders, but they could never manage anything like them.
Among the enchantments woven was a rudimentary yet pivotal atmospheric charm - not strong enough to alter the weather completely, but sufficient in its influence to provide far greater comfort. As such, despite the chilly September weather in the northern United Kingdom, as soon as a party of students - Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Daphne - entered the southern courtyard, there was a noticeable change in the environment. As their feet stepped over the loam underfoot, it seemed to become warmer and softer by the second, as the grass around them dried - not enough to die, but enough that it would not discolor their clothes upon laying down. Even the wind seemed a little warmer, and the sun a little more intense; the shadows of the hulking, titanic towers and castle wings surrounding them were slightly less imposing and dark.
It made for an excellent atmosphere to lay down a couple of blankets on the ground, sit down, and do some group studying.
There wasn't much in the way of conversation, to Harry's surprise. Although Ron or Hermione sometimes remarked upon certain passages in their main textbook, and they often asked questions of one another - either due to one party genuinely not knowing, or as a method of testing one another's knowledge upon request - they didn't speak of the past week's events in great detail. Aside from the study-related chats and the constant sound of pages being flipped, and the distant twitter of birds, and the sound of the wind blowing over the distant bushes and whistling past the large structures around them, nothing of note reached Harry's ear.
Around half an hour into the study, though, Harry's willpower shattered.
"Hey, Ron," Harry said, "Apparently, someone in Gryffindor cursed a Hufflepuff in our year. Do you know who might've done that?"
"Oh, yeah, I'd heard about that." Ron shrugged, sincerely unknowing. "No clue, mate, sorry. Although they were upper years apparently. I will say there are plenty of suspects, but I'm not one to point fingers at people who might be innocent, you know?"
Harry nodded, understanding.
As far as I can tell, he's being fully honest with you, Geist said. Although he probably does have suspects, and probably does have some considerations which make him think as them being the likely culprits. Anyway, it's not our place to investigate this.
After yet another half an hour of studying and rehearsing what they'd learned in class from Professor Snape, Harry proclaimed that he was ready for the test - and upon intense questioning and grilling from each of his friends, questions coming from obscure angles and passages in the book, produced completely exemplary and flawless answers, always in less than a second of being asked a question; displaying profuse knowledge of ingredients, preparations, and other potion data they'd learned in the course so far; to a point where Hermione quirked an eyebrow in moderate surprise, maybe even impressed.
"I'm also ready, I believe," Hermione said, and they questioned her, and much as with Harry, every response was flawless and perfect. Although Harry was satisfied with his friend's knowledge in only a couple of answers, Ron and Daphne kept trying to slip Hermione up for a minute longer with arcane - yet relevant - factoids regarding the subject of the Forgetfulness Potion, such as where its potioning water had to be imported from, which Hermione addressed without even pausing for breath, let alone to consider what she was saying. It was such a picture-perfect response that Ron and Daphne both seemed irritated.
Daphne groaned, her face landing squarely in the book on her lap. Her blonde hair fell down beyond the tome's margins like a golden waterfall. She didn't move from there, but rather, muttered into the book itself, the muffled echo of her words carried to them by its shape, "I can't believe this."
"You people are way too good at this." Ron's face sunk in disbelief. He indicated Daphne and himself. "I mean, I'm not some kind of... pure-blood supremacist, but we've both been raised with magic, how come you two are so much better?"
"I study," Harry said haughtily.
Hermione only smiled, cheeks puffing up in smug pride.
"We can help you guys study, though," Harry offered, dropping his proud veneer. "And then we can hang out. Maybe play some wizard chess?"
Daphne and Ron were fast to accept the offer. "You know I'll trounce your butt in wizard chess?" Ron asked, with a coy smile.
Maybe. Or maybe Geist shall help me?
Geist hummed. Maybe Geist shall help you indeed. I am hardly a major fan of bullying children, but I believe that Ronald Weasley is an evenly-matched opponent for my level. Also, he deserves this for saying he'll trounce your butt.
And so they studied for another hour, until Ron and Daphne were prepared on roughly peer-level with Harry and Hermione, prepared to receive perfect grades on the test; and then Harry unceremoniously trounced Ron's butt in wizard chess.
As evening came, with the sun losing its zenith and beginning to settle over the buildings and forests to the west of Hogwarts, Harry returned to the Hufflepuff Common Room. As before the morning, Harry found the room was quiet and contemplative. A few upper-year students were sitting together on a couch and several chairs next to the northern alcove, by a fireplace, and studying for their Ordinary Wizarding Levels. There wasn't a prefect around, as most prefects at this time would be patrolling the hallways and making sure that no one was wandering around. A small clump of worry snaked into Harry's stomach as he remembered Neville going to the dungeon this morning.
It didn't stay for long. He spotted Neville a few moments later, sitting in another section of the Common Room and reading a book, lying down in a comfortable, leather, Chesterfield-style recliner, set adjacent to a trio of round windows that allowed in some of the remnant sunlight.
Harry frowned and folded his arms, staring at Neville for a second, waiting for him to notice. As he did, Harry noticed that Neville now wore a curious golden ring, with an emblem made of paired rubies, on his right hand's index finger, one that hadn't been there in the morning.
An oval cut of ruby. Popular, but indicative of nothing. I wonder if he found it in the dungeon.
In the end, Neville simply kept flipping pages.
Deciding that nothing would magically change, Harry cleared his throat, clenched fist raised to his mouth. Neville started in surprise, legs kicking up, and almost dropping the book. Neville looked to the side and peered at Harry for a second, which Harry returned with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, Harry," Neville finally said. He lowered the book - Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger - and closed it. "Uh, hey."
"Hey. Studying for Potions?"
Neville nodded. "Yup."
A little awkward silence, measured, but Harry was fast to salvage the situation.
"Nice." Harry's eyes moved down. "Cool ring. Where did you find it?"
Neville frowned and muttered something.
Harry's raised eyebrow went up even further. "Hm?"
As if realizing that he didn't answer the question, Neville blinked and reacted, "Uh, nowhere. Actually, listen - do you have some tomorrow night to come with me to the Astronomy Tower? I realize it's a little bit, uh, much to ask, but I have some business up there and I need someone to help me. And you'd be perfect."
An odd request on many levels - aside from the fact that student access to the Astronomy Tower was limited outside of class, that moving around Hogwarts after lights-out was grounds for punishment and detention, and the fact that Harry would be 'perfect' for the task in some way - there was also the fact that Neville wanted to go there. There'd be no valid reason for anyone to want to go there, aside from maybe doing research on star charts, or needing to reach the highest point in Hogwarts. Harry wasn't able to come up with a reason for why someone like Neville might want to go there, especially after dark, when there's no one else present.
Harry didn't refuse immediately, though. He pressed Neville for answers. "Why?"
"Uhm..." Awkwardly, the other boy shuffled under Harry's spectacled gaze. "A... reason?"
Harry was a little suspicious. "A good reason or a bad reason?"
"A good reason!" Neville answered fast, then rescinded his statement with a momentary hesitation, "Or, uh, a pretty good reason, at least. I, uh... can't... well... uh..." He trailed off, as awkward as the silence before, if not more. Harry stared at him, unsure how to salvage the situation this time, aside from stating either agreement or disagreement with his request - and he didn't want to commit to either before having at least some information about what Neville wanted to do up there.
Shaking his head and picking up his book, Neville stood. "Actually, Harry, uh, forget everything I said about the Astronomy Tower. It's not important anyway. I'm sorry for bothering you with something stupid like that. You won't report me, right?"
Harry burst out laughing.
"What?" Neville asked.
"Nothing, nothing. It's just - that last sentence, compared to everything else you said, is so brilliantly sheepish and conspicuous that it's funny." Harry stopped laughing, one hand resting on his temple to stabilize his head from bobbing too much. "Anyway, no, I won't report you."
"Oh, that's good, then."
---
[ ] Agree to Neville's Request - Are you Harry Potter, or some kind of coward that doesn't help his friends? Already, you'd let him go alone into the dungeons this morning, and that's enough - you and Neville shall travel into the mouth of the beast, as brothers, or not at all. ++Neville.
[ ] Ask for More Information - Although you're not completely set against the idea, there's insufficient data to work on. Attempt to grill him for more information. If Neville answers your questions and Harry deems there's not that much risk (aside from being caught and being stuck in detention,) he'll come with; otherwise, he won't. However, pushing Neville for answers to his secrets when you aren't revealing your own secrets is a tad hypocritical, and might even strain your relationship with him if you fail. It's a wager for gambling men, but the collateral is your friendship. As such, a potential +Neville or -Neville, depending on your choices and fortune.
[ ] No Midnight Adventures - Although he won't report Neville, Harry isn't going to mingle and get involved in whatever the boy's getting up to; his secrets are his own to keep, and so are his activities to endanger himself, and hopefully no one else. However, Neville understands this stance and isn't mad at you - no relationship change.
Alternatively, [ ] Write-in, for an alternative choice of your own (such as shadowing Neville without his knowledge.) Must be relatively in-character, QM may veto.
Also, if you agree, then you have an entire twenty-four hours to prepare until Sunday night. It's a sufficient amount of time to write to a courier office or Kreacher in order to procure some items of worth and have them delivered to you, or even learn a new spell that might have some kind of application in skulking around at night.
Apply as many of these preparations as you want, but Harry probably doesn't have sufficient time to study and learn three, completely new spells to any level resembling proficiency, especially if they're far above his experience in the curriculum. As a reminder, your major and most well-practiced combat spells right now are the Knockback Jinx, Deflection Charm, and Jelly Fingers Curse; a half-decent set against a minor pest or inexperienced student with little combat abilities to speak of, but any prefect or Fourth-Year worth even half his salt will so completely wipe the floor with you that you'll get sunburn from the sheer friction of polishing the marble with your face.
[ ] Ask Kreacher for dung bombs - Around 75-80% chances that Kreacher will procure them, but he'll also probably report this to Sirius in a letter, unless you ask really nicely and say that it's for a friend.
[ ] Ask Kreacher for potions ingredients - As ironic as it is, you have every tool you might need to make a Forgetfulness Potion and any other number of brews; ask Kreacher for the ingredients and if anyone sees you, then you can knock them out and feed them some of the Forgetfulness Potion to conceal your activities and identity. However, doing so is mildly illegal and expulsion-worthy. Also Kreacher probably won't report this expenditure, because you can simply claim it's for studying and experimentation - an activity that, when performed by their dear ward, ought to have any House Elf overflowing with righteous glee.
[ ] Practice Knockback Jinx - Make sure that your combat skills are up to snuff. Although it's not realistic for you to learn to cast it silently, and a fever dream to cast it wandlessly, you may be able to shorten your casting time and increase precision greatly.
[ ] Write-in
If you could punch God in the face, would you?
"Probably not."
---
According to Hogwarts, A History, the castle grounds were deeply layered in an intricate web of powerful and subtle enchantments; a layette substratum of magics that worked together in a fashion almost resembling sentience in order to provide greater comfort and security to its students and staff. Many of those enchantments were tied down to keystones and fulcrums scattered around the castle, acting as conductors of the main source that only the Headmaster was permitted access to. Apparently, over the centuries, many Headmasters attempted to research the enchantments and replicate some of the feats of the Founders, but they could never manage anything like them.
Among the enchantments woven was a rudimentary yet pivotal atmospheric charm - not strong enough to alter the weather completely, but sufficient in its influence to provide far greater comfort. As such, despite the chilly September weather in the northern United Kingdom, as soon as a party of students - Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Daphne - entered the southern courtyard, there was a noticeable change in the environment. As their feet stepped over the loam underfoot, it seemed to become warmer and softer by the second, as the grass around them dried - not enough to die, but enough that it would not discolor their clothes upon laying down. Even the wind seemed a little warmer, and the sun a little more intense; the shadows of the hulking, titanic towers and castle wings surrounding them were slightly less imposing and dark.
It made for an excellent atmosphere to lay down a couple of blankets on the ground, sit down, and do some group studying.
There wasn't much in the way of conversation, to Harry's surprise. Although Ron or Hermione sometimes remarked upon certain passages in their main textbook, and they often asked questions of one another - either due to one party genuinely not knowing, or as a method of testing one another's knowledge upon request - they didn't speak of the past week's events in great detail. Aside from the study-related chats and the constant sound of pages being flipped, and the distant twitter of birds, and the sound of the wind blowing over the distant bushes and whistling past the large structures around them, nothing of note reached Harry's ear.
Around half an hour into the study, though, Harry's willpower shattered.
"Hey, Ron," Harry said, "Apparently, someone in Gryffindor cursed a Hufflepuff in our year. Do you know who might've done that?"
"Oh, yeah, I'd heard about that." Ron shrugged, sincerely unknowing. "No clue, mate, sorry. Although they were upper years apparently. I will say there are plenty of suspects, but I'm not one to point fingers at people who might be innocent, you know?"
Harry nodded, understanding.
As far as I can tell, he's being fully honest with you, Geist said. Although he probably does have suspects, and probably does have some considerations which make him think as them being the likely culprits. Anyway, it's not our place to investigate this.
After yet another half an hour of studying and rehearsing what they'd learned in class from Professor Snape, Harry proclaimed that he was ready for the test - and upon intense questioning and grilling from each of his friends, questions coming from obscure angles and passages in the book, produced completely exemplary and flawless answers, always in less than a second of being asked a question; displaying profuse knowledge of ingredients, preparations, and other potion data they'd learned in the course so far; to a point where Hermione quirked an eyebrow in moderate surprise, maybe even impressed.
"I'm also ready, I believe," Hermione said, and they questioned her, and much as with Harry, every response was flawless and perfect. Although Harry was satisfied with his friend's knowledge in only a couple of answers, Ron and Daphne kept trying to slip Hermione up for a minute longer with arcane - yet relevant - factoids regarding the subject of the Forgetfulness Potion, such as where its potioning water had to be imported from, which Hermione addressed without even pausing for breath, let alone to consider what she was saying. It was such a picture-perfect response that Ron and Daphne both seemed irritated.
Daphne groaned, her face landing squarely in the book on her lap. Her blonde hair fell down beyond the tome's margins like a golden waterfall. She didn't move from there, but rather, muttered into the book itself, the muffled echo of her words carried to them by its shape, "I can't believe this."
"You people are way too good at this." Ron's face sunk in disbelief. He indicated Daphne and himself. "I mean, I'm not some kind of... pure-blood supremacist, but we've both been raised with magic, how come you two are so much better?"
"I study," Harry said haughtily.
Hermione only smiled, cheeks puffing up in smug pride.
"We can help you guys study, though," Harry offered, dropping his proud veneer. "And then we can hang out. Maybe play some wizard chess?"
Daphne and Ron were fast to accept the offer. "You know I'll trounce your butt in wizard chess?" Ron asked, with a coy smile.
Maybe. Or maybe Geist shall help me?
Geist hummed. Maybe Geist shall help you indeed. I am hardly a major fan of bullying children, but I believe that Ronald Weasley is an evenly-matched opponent for my level. Also, he deserves this for saying he'll trounce your butt.
And so they studied for another hour, until Ron and Daphne were prepared on roughly peer-level with Harry and Hermione, prepared to receive perfect grades on the test; and then Harry unceremoniously trounced Ron's butt in wizard chess.
As evening came, with the sun losing its zenith and beginning to settle over the buildings and forests to the west of Hogwarts, Harry returned to the Hufflepuff Common Room. As before the morning, Harry found the room was quiet and contemplative. A few upper-year students were sitting together on a couch and several chairs next to the northern alcove, by a fireplace, and studying for their Ordinary Wizarding Levels. There wasn't a prefect around, as most prefects at this time would be patrolling the hallways and making sure that no one was wandering around. A small clump of worry snaked into Harry's stomach as he remembered Neville going to the dungeon this morning.
It didn't stay for long. He spotted Neville a few moments later, sitting in another section of the Common Room and reading a book, lying down in a comfortable, leather, Chesterfield-style recliner, set adjacent to a trio of round windows that allowed in some of the remnant sunlight.
Harry frowned and folded his arms, staring at Neville for a second, waiting for him to notice. As he did, Harry noticed that Neville now wore a curious golden ring, with an emblem made of paired rubies, on his right hand's index finger, one that hadn't been there in the morning.
An oval cut of ruby. Popular, but indicative of nothing. I wonder if he found it in the dungeon.
In the end, Neville simply kept flipping pages.
Deciding that nothing would magically change, Harry cleared his throat, clenched fist raised to his mouth. Neville started in surprise, legs kicking up, and almost dropping the book. Neville looked to the side and peered at Harry for a second, which Harry returned with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, Harry," Neville finally said. He lowered the book - Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger - and closed it. "Uh, hey."
"Hey. Studying for Potions?"
Neville nodded. "Yup."
A little awkward silence, measured, but Harry was fast to salvage the situation.
"Nice." Harry's eyes moved down. "Cool ring. Where did you find it?"
Neville frowned and muttered something.
Harry's raised eyebrow went up even further. "Hm?"
As if realizing that he didn't answer the question, Neville blinked and reacted, "Uh, nowhere. Actually, listen - do you have some tomorrow night to come with me to the Astronomy Tower? I realize it's a little bit, uh, much to ask, but I have some business up there and I need someone to help me. And you'd be perfect."
An odd request on many levels - aside from the fact that student access to the Astronomy Tower was limited outside of class, that moving around Hogwarts after lights-out was grounds for punishment and detention, and the fact that Harry would be 'perfect' for the task in some way - there was also the fact that Neville wanted to go there. There'd be no valid reason for anyone to want to go there, aside from maybe doing research on star charts, or needing to reach the highest point in Hogwarts. Harry wasn't able to come up with a reason for why someone like Neville might want to go there, especially after dark, when there's no one else present.
Harry didn't refuse immediately, though. He pressed Neville for answers. "Why?"
"Uhm..." Awkwardly, the other boy shuffled under Harry's spectacled gaze. "A... reason?"
Harry was a little suspicious. "A good reason or a bad reason?"
"A good reason!" Neville answered fast, then rescinded his statement with a momentary hesitation, "Or, uh, a pretty good reason, at least. I, uh... can't... well... uh..." He trailed off, as awkward as the silence before, if not more. Harry stared at him, unsure how to salvage the situation this time, aside from stating either agreement or disagreement with his request - and he didn't want to commit to either before having at least some information about what Neville wanted to do up there.
Shaking his head and picking up his book, Neville stood. "Actually, Harry, uh, forget everything I said about the Astronomy Tower. It's not important anyway. I'm sorry for bothering you with something stupid like that. You won't report me, right?"
Harry burst out laughing.
"What?" Neville asked.
"Nothing, nothing. It's just - that last sentence, compared to everything else you said, is so brilliantly sheepish and conspicuous that it's funny." Harry stopped laughing, one hand resting on his temple to stabilize his head from bobbing too much. "Anyway, no, I won't report you."
"Oh, that's good, then."
---
[ ] Agree to Neville's Request - Are you Harry Potter, or some kind of coward that doesn't help his friends? Already, you'd let him go alone into the dungeons this morning, and that's enough - you and Neville shall travel into the mouth of the beast, as brothers, or not at all. ++Neville.
[ ] Ask for More Information - Although you're not completely set against the idea, there's insufficient data to work on. Attempt to grill him for more information. If Neville answers your questions and Harry deems there's not that much risk (aside from being caught and being stuck in detention,) he'll come with; otherwise, he won't. However, pushing Neville for answers to his secrets when you aren't revealing your own secrets is a tad hypocritical, and might even strain your relationship with him if you fail. It's a wager for gambling men, but the collateral is your friendship. As such, a potential +Neville or -Neville, depending on your choices and fortune.
[ ] No Midnight Adventures - Although he won't report Neville, Harry isn't going to mingle and get involved in whatever the boy's getting up to; his secrets are his own to keep, and so are his activities to endanger himself, and hopefully no one else. However, Neville understands this stance and isn't mad at you - no relationship change.
Alternatively, [ ] Write-in, for an alternative choice of your own (such as shadowing Neville without his knowledge.) Must be relatively in-character, QM may veto.
Also, if you agree, then you have an entire twenty-four hours to prepare until Sunday night. It's a sufficient amount of time to write to a courier office or Kreacher in order to procure some items of worth and have them delivered to you, or even learn a new spell that might have some kind of application in skulking around at night.
Apply as many of these preparations as you want, but Harry probably doesn't have sufficient time to study and learn three, completely new spells to any level resembling proficiency, especially if they're far above his experience in the curriculum. As a reminder, your major and most well-practiced combat spells right now are the Knockback Jinx, Deflection Charm, and Jelly Fingers Curse; a half-decent set against a minor pest or inexperienced student with little combat abilities to speak of, but any prefect or Fourth-Year worth even half his salt will so completely wipe the floor with you that you'll get sunburn from the sheer friction of polishing the marble with your face.
[ ] Ask Kreacher for dung bombs - Around 75-80% chances that Kreacher will procure them, but he'll also probably report this to Sirius in a letter, unless you ask really nicely and say that it's for a friend.
[ ] Ask Kreacher for potions ingredients - As ironic as it is, you have every tool you might need to make a Forgetfulness Potion and any other number of brews; ask Kreacher for the ingredients and if anyone sees you, then you can knock them out and feed them some of the Forgetfulness Potion to conceal your activities and identity. However, doing so is mildly illegal and expulsion-worthy. Also Kreacher probably won't report this expenditure, because you can simply claim it's for studying and experimentation - an activity that, when performed by their dear ward, ought to have any House Elf overflowing with righteous glee.
[ ] Practice Knockback Jinx - Make sure that your combat skills are up to snuff. Although it's not realistic for you to learn to cast it silently, and a fever dream to cast it wandlessly, you may be able to shorten your casting time and increase precision greatly.
[ ] Write-in
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[X] Ask for More Information - Although you're not completely set against the idea, there's insufficient data to work on. Attempt to grill him for more information. If Neville answers your questions and Harry deems there's not that much risk (aside from being caught and being stuck in detention,) he'll come with; otherwise, he won't. However, pushing Neville for answers to his secrets when you aren't revealing your own secrets is a tad hypocritical, and might even strain your relationship with him if you fail. It's a wager for gambling men, but the collateral is your friendship. As such, a potential +Neville or -Neville, depending on your choices and fortune.
This is either a red herring and us being overwhelming paronia or something def happened to him down their either way want more info. Also Yah on us we gonna pass the potion tests with flying colors!
This is either a red herring and us being overwhelming paronia or something def happened to him down their either way want more info. Also Yah on us we gonna pass the potion tests with flying colors!
- Location
- California
[X] Agree to Neville's Request
-e Neville seems unused to concealing stuff; I'm fairly certain this is Neville because of the obvious nervousness.
-e Neville seems unused to concealing stuff; I'm fairly certain this is Neville because of the obvious nervousness.
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- Pronouns
- It/Its
[X] Agree to Neville's Request - Are you Harry Potter, or some kind of coward that doesn't help his friends? Already, you'd let him go alone into the dungeons this morning, and that's enough - you and Neville shall travel into the mouth of the beast, as brothers, or not at all. ++Neville.
- Pronouns
- He
[X] Ask for More Information - Although you're not completely set against the idea, there's insufficient data to work on. Attempt to grill him for more information. If Neville answers your questions and Harry deems there's not that much risk (aside from being caught and being stuck in detention,) he'll come with; otherwise, he won't. However, pushing Neville for answers to his secrets when you aren't revealing your own secrets is a tad hypocritical, and might even strain your relationship with him if you fail. It's a wager for gambling men, but the collateral is your friendship. As such, a potential +Neville or -Neville, depending on your choices and fortune.
I hope Neville didn't pick up the Horcrux.
But even if that's the case, we can't leave him by our side. The best way out, in my opinion, would be to come to the astronomical tower in advance and prepare a couple of traps under the guidance of Geyst if there is a need to defend ourselves, we can stun Nevil and avoid serious losses on both sides.
But even if that's the case, we can't leave him by our side. The best way out, in my opinion, would be to come to the astronomical tower in advance and prepare a couple of traps under the guidance of Geyst if there is a need to defend ourselves, we can stun Nevil and avoid serious losses on both sides.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Agree to Neville's Request
[X] Practice Knockback Jinx
I'm sure nothing will go drastically wrong.
[X] Practice Knockback Jinx
I'm sure nothing will go drastically wrong.
[X] Agree to Neville's Request
We already know he sus probably possessed so we need to be ready for an ambush but grilling him for info will only make the spirit suspicious of us
We already know he sus probably possessed so we need to be ready for an ambush but grilling him for info will only make the spirit suspicious of us
- Location
- Somewhere with a Thousand Watchful Eyes
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Agree to Neville's Request
TaliesinSkye
Occasional Editor
- Location
- Northeast Ohio, United States
We can at least tell that it's not a Geist horcrux; Geist would recognize it if it were. And horcruxes are pretty rare items. It's probably something completely different.
[X] Agree to Neville's Request - Are you Harry Potter, or some kind of coward that doesn't help his friends? Already, you'd let him go alone into the dungeons this morning, and that's enough - you and Neville shall travel into the mouth of the beast, as brothers, or not at all. ++Neville.
[X] Practice Knockback Jinx - Make sure that your combat skills are up to snuff. Although it's not realistic for you to learn to cast it silently, and a fever dream to cast it wandlessly, you may be able to shorten your casting time and increase precision greatly.
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- Location
- Ostren
[X] Agree to Neville's Request
[X] Practice Knockback Jinx
[X] Practice Knockback Jinx
TaliesinSkye
Occasional Editor
- Location
- Northeast Ohio, United States
Fair, I forgot. Now that it's come up though, I have something to say about it.
While this was an interesting idea for a thread convention to try to preserve a certain 'theme' in the thread comments, it's just too easy for people to forget given how many threads people tend to be involved in. I know I've got something like a couple hundred on my watch list. And the provided means to 'fix' the mistake is unworkable because it's unjudgeable.
Birdie can do what he likes, of course, but I don't really think it's a practical idea. My prediction is that unless the idea is tossed, people are going to forget, other people are going to get angry over it, and it'll be a whole unnecessary dramatic thing until the staff have to get involved and then it'll get shut down anyway.
But who knows. It's an interesting experiment, if nothing else.
Rolen von Keng
Sleeping Green Bear
- Location
- The Wilderness
[X] Agree to Neville's Request - Are you Harry Potter, or some kind of coward that doesn't help his friends? Already, you'd let him go alone into the dungeons this morning, and that's enough - you and Neville shall travel into the mouth of the beast, as brothers, or not at all. ++Neville.
[X] Practice Knockback Jinx - Make sure that your combat skills are up to snuff. Although it's not realistic for you to learn to cast it silently, and a fever dream to cast it wandlessly, you may be able to shorten your casting time and increase precision greatly.
Eh, I quite like the mechanic, to be honest, we might trip up and all, but we'll get through without having to say His-Name (much). Anyways, yeah, I kinda want to confront ol' possessed Neville, its going to be pretty fun.
[X] Practice Knockback Jinx - Make sure that your combat skills are up to snuff. Although it's not realistic for you to learn to cast it silently, and a fever dream to cast it wandlessly, you may be able to shorten your casting time and increase precision greatly.
Eh, I quite like the mechanic, to be honest, we might trip up and all, but we'll get through without having to say His-Name (much). Anyways, yeah, I kinda want to confront ol' possessed Neville, its going to be pretty fun.
[x] Ask Kreacher to procure two cloaks enchanted with a Disillusionment Charm with your funds. So you two can at least obscure your faces as you move in the dark to stop the portraits from reporting you both to Filch.
[X] Visit the ghosts and portraits near the dungeon and ask them what they saw that day, so you can piece together what happened.
Filch uses the portraits in this AU to catch students breaking curfew after dark. It's like a CCTV in every corner with intelligent AI that actively notices details. If we don't take any precautions we're going to raise the alarm the second we step out. Also, even of we evade Filch - or what, attack a staff with a knockback jinx, the portraits will recognize our faces later.
[X] Visit the ghosts and portraits near the dungeon and ask them what they saw that day, so you can piece together what happened.
Filch uses the portraits in this AU to catch students breaking curfew after dark. It's like a CCTV in every corner with intelligent AI that actively notices details. If we don't take any precautions we're going to raise the alarm the second we step out. Also, even of we evade Filch - or what, attack a staff with a knockback jinx, the portraits will recognize our faces later.
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TaliesinSkye
Occasional Editor
- Location
- Northeast Ohio, United States
The rule invites one more failure state too; one or more people could keep repeating it deliberately for whatever reason. To troll people, to attack the rule by trying to force the qm to give up on it, or just because they don't care.
A rule that creates the possibility for that kind of trouble and drama probably isn't a great idea. This is the internet, anything that can be misused will be, unfortunately.
Er, I interpreted it that it was Harry couldn't say the name casually without consequences should we ever take direct control of a conversation.
You guys are taking this way too seriously anyways. The point of mechanics and the colour tags is to make things fun and interesting. To have a tongue in cheek in-game thing with the players, with everyone playing along. We should trust the QM to act in good faith with the players on the event of a troll scenario..
You guys are taking this way too seriously anyways. The point of mechanics and the colour tags is to make things fun and interesting. To have a tongue in cheek in-game thing with the players, with everyone playing along. We should trust the QM to act in good faith with the players on the event of a troll scenario..
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You should remove the specified quote since it also mentions the name.
We cannot be sure that Geist can recognize other horcruxes, but even if he can, then almost certainly compulsion will not allow him to tell it.
Birdsie
Sharp Talons Cleave The Worthy
- Location
- Poland
I'm going to take a nap in order to stave off the dog of war that is tiredness for another priceless several hours. And then, we'll probably tally the vote, and I'll write the update after that. I'll also have to handle a number of things in the interim, though - as such, vote tally in 10-14 hours from now, and update in 12-16 hours from now.
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As for the use of the Dark Lord's name, I'd request some good faith on part of the thread - I won't endorse any obvious trolling, and repeat offenses by individuals who do not seem to care will be understood as such. And certainly, never will the punishment of the indignity be so pitiless as to make the extraction of your tasty Gnosis unfun.
(Fun's the name of the game. If you aren't enjoying this quest, I'll request your immediate report so that I may take into account what makes it un-enjoyable. Although the name rule is something of an experiment, in these regards, there will be an opportunity to extricate yourself from this effect later on, depending on your speed of progression.)
EDIT:
As for the use of the Dark Lord's name, I'd request some good faith on part of the thread - I won't endorse any obvious trolling, and repeat offenses by individuals who do not seem to care will be understood as such. And certainly, never will the punishment of the indignity be so pitiless as to make the extraction of your tasty Gnosis unfun.
(Fun's the name of the game. If you aren't enjoying this quest, I'll request your immediate report so that I may take into account what makes it un-enjoyable. Although the name rule is something of an experiment, in these regards, there will be an opportunity to extricate yourself from this effect later on, depending on your speed of progression.)
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