- Pronouns
- He
[X] Guidance
Unlicensed Driver (Hogwarts Headmaster Quest)
- Thread starter TimelessThing
- Start date
- Fantasy Modern
victor janus
logic used by the illogical
[X] Guidance
With four additional votes for Dust and three for Guidance, that gives Guidance the win with 8 to Dust's 7.
Enthusiast#117
This is not the Profile you are looking for
- Location
- United States
I like that this corresponds so well to Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.
It's just... fitting.
Okay, I've just gone through and edited all of the threadmarked posts thus far. There aren't any significant changes to the narrative beyond the addition of a couple sentences to the Evening Prophet section at the start. Most of what I did was just to make things more readable and somewhat less pretentious/needlessly complex. Hopefully it shows.
I'm going to try and get an actual update out in the next few days. Sorry for the gap, I've been very busy IRL.
I'm going to try and get an actual update out in the next few days. Sorry for the gap, I've been very busy IRL.
Prologue 7
You are mired in a labyrinth of corridors. At first they seem similar to those Filius guided you through last morning, but they soon veer into more fanciful designs. A hall of empty portraits, with their occupants congregating in a mural at its end, fighting amongst themselves. A passageway of black stone which yields to the touch, forming new paths at every gesture. A wooden room, perfectly cubical with warmth emanating from its sides. On and on it goes, weaving between the macabre and saccharine without any indication of care, purpose or consistency.
Eventually, it comes to an end. You feel a strange sense of grudging resignation as one last chamber surrounds you. Rather than walls, you are within a dome of glass segmented into eclectic shapes. The floor is grey marble, warmed by sunlight. Each part of the dome shows a different view of the outside, comparable in variety to the maze you recently wandered. In this room's center stands its sole furnishing: a pedestal on which a book lies closed. You feel yourself waking as you approach, and the book's title blurs and shifts before finally resolving into legibility:
How to Bind Souls and Influence Castles
The start of your life's second day is radically different to that of the first. Rather than surging into consciousness you langorously wake in comfort and serenity, though your calm is soon broken by racing thoughts.
Just what are you, and why do you exist? Filius called you a "soul trap", and indicated that Sykes's soul is the one trapped within you. You were created through a "dark ritual", something Minerva found so upsetting that it led her to assault and detain you on sight. While Filius said you are not dark yourself, he also stated that you would've inherited Sykes's predilictions for whatever magics she was talented in. Does that include dark magic? What even is dark magic? More importantly, why would she be willing to sacrifice her own life in an apparently unpleasant manner to create you, yet fail to provide any guidance or specific information at all as to what you should be doing or how?
Well, you won't solve these mysteries just lying around! Rising from the swaddling sheets of your bed you hear a set of three prim knocks sound through the room, conveniently answering the question of what you'll do next.
Minerva is waiting outside your door, seeming more haggard than before yet no less determined. "Good morning," she greets you.
"Yes, good morning. Just how did you know I was up?"
"The house elves alerted me that you had awoken. There are a few things we need to discuss before you go anywhere, if you're prepared to."
"Um, certainly. It's not as though I had plans, Minerva."
Her face twitches at that, quickly enough you nearly missed it. Unsure why that happened and unwilling to ask when she clearly has an agenda, you lead her into your guest suite, finding the bed removed and several comfortable, well-cushioned chairs awaiting your occupancy. You are taken aback by the change, but Minerva is unflapped. The two of you sit, and Minerva resumes the conversation:
"As I've yet to introduce myself, that seems the best place to start. I am Professor Minerva McGonagall, the Head of the Transfiguration Department and Gryffindor House here at Hogwarts. I further serve as Deputy Headmistress, which provides me with a great deal of knowledge and experience regarding the particular workings of this school and the castle which houses it. As you are likely..." she pauses, considering you, "...unaware, Albus Dumbledore was, among many other things, this school's Headmaster at the time of his--" she falters briefly, "-- departure."
"My condolences, sincerely."
"Yes, well, the most critical part of what I've said, at least as far as you're concerned, is that I am still Deputy Headmistress."
She pauses here, watching you. You return her gaze, quizzical, and she continues a few moments later.
"In the event of a Headmaster's passing, custody of the school is to pass to their deputy. Officially, this is the primary function of my role."
"...Right, that's sensible. What's gone wrong, then? Who is Headmaster?"
"As of last night, you are."
This, naturally, leaves you gobsmacked.
"For whatever reason and by whatever means, you have inherited the Headmastership from Albus Dumbledore."
"Wait, how can I be the Headmaster? Isn't that just an administrative position, not something that could be passed from one person to someone completely unrelated? It's not as though anyone's hired me, at least to my knowledge."
She seems discomfited. "There are... esoteric components involved. It's a complex topic, but there are considerations on account of which I can't reasonably be considered Headmaster. Further, you cannot relinquish the role save in death, something I'd expect we both object to."
You collapse back into your seat's warm embrace. Yet another oddity has been thrust upon you unanticipated. Maybe you're just bad at this whole "existence" thing, given how little control you seem to have over it.
"...Exactly what does this mean for us?"
"You'll need to approve any official documents such as the school's budget, represent the school in public and in meetings with the Board of Governors, make hiring decisions, and generally be present at Hogwarts throughout the year. There are also certain emergency procedures you must be made aware of and prepared to enact. Technically, these are the only requirements, but you may wish to take more duties upon yourself in time."
"Why's that?"
"I believe Filius would be better suited to that particular discussion. In the meanwhile, I'd recommend that you get dressed. While I'm told you're incapable of eating, breakfast would be an excellent opportunity for you to meet the other members of staff staying at Hogwarts over the summer."
You numbly say your farewells and she departs. On the bright side, this provides you a clear purpose and direction. That's faint praise next to the sudden pressure and confusion you're experiencing, but it's something. For now, you'd best do as McGonagall suggested and get dressed.
...Wait, have you been nude this whole time?
There's a closet in this room conveniently stocked with a broad variety of clothes in your size. What will you wear to breakfast?
[] (Clothes) Simple silken robes, plain black with white trim. They are accompanied by an archetypal wizard's hat.
[] (Clothes) Dress clothes with an open robe. Its hem only reaches your knees, signalling its ornamental nature.
[X] (Clothes) Sweatpants, a garish hoodie and steel-toed boots. Perfect for making an impression.
[] (Clothes) Your birthday suit. It's worked out so far, right?
With what name will you introduce yourself?
[X] (Name) You have no name. You are the Headmaster. That is enough.
[] (Name) Write-in
How will you be referred to?
[] (Pronoun) It
[X] (Pronoun) They
[] (Pronoun) She
[] (Pronoun) He
With what manner will you present yourself?
[X] (Demeanor) Convivial. You want to get off on the right foot and get to know who your coworkers truly are.
[] (Demeanor) Subdued. They just lost their former boss and now you're here to take his place. It's best to start small.
[] (Demeanor) Authoritative. You're starting from a weak position and need to get a handle on things before they deteriorate further.
Relatively long update, yaaaaaay. Kinda need it after the break.
For the (Pronoun) vote, McGonagall will ask you how you prefer to be called and refer to you as such when first introducing you. To be clear, you don't have sexual characteristics of any kind. The other votes should be self-evident, I think.
Plan's still to get the prologue wrapped up with the next update, then having a sidestory post focusing on McGonagall and Flitwick meeting while you slept.
I'll need to update the Encyclopedia and Status sheets with some data, but that's not happening until I get some sleep.
Eventually, it comes to an end. You feel a strange sense of grudging resignation as one last chamber surrounds you. Rather than walls, you are within a dome of glass segmented into eclectic shapes. The floor is grey marble, warmed by sunlight. Each part of the dome shows a different view of the outside, comparable in variety to the maze you recently wandered. In this room's center stands its sole furnishing: a pedestal on which a book lies closed. You feel yourself waking as you approach, and the book's title blurs and shifts before finally resolving into legibility:
How to Bind Souls and Influence Castles
The start of your life's second day is radically different to that of the first. Rather than surging into consciousness you langorously wake in comfort and serenity, though your calm is soon broken by racing thoughts.
Just what are you, and why do you exist? Filius called you a "soul trap", and indicated that Sykes's soul is the one trapped within you. You were created through a "dark ritual", something Minerva found so upsetting that it led her to assault and detain you on sight. While Filius said you are not dark yourself, he also stated that you would've inherited Sykes's predilictions for whatever magics she was talented in. Does that include dark magic? What even is dark magic? More importantly, why would she be willing to sacrifice her own life in an apparently unpleasant manner to create you, yet fail to provide any guidance or specific information at all as to what you should be doing or how?
Well, you won't solve these mysteries just lying around! Rising from the swaddling sheets of your bed you hear a set of three prim knocks sound through the room, conveniently answering the question of what you'll do next.
Minerva is waiting outside your door, seeming more haggard than before yet no less determined. "Good morning," she greets you.
"Yes, good morning. Just how did you know I was up?"
"The house elves alerted me that you had awoken. There are a few things we need to discuss before you go anywhere, if you're prepared to."
"Um, certainly. It's not as though I had plans, Minerva."
Her face twitches at that, quickly enough you nearly missed it. Unsure why that happened and unwilling to ask when she clearly has an agenda, you lead her into your guest suite, finding the bed removed and several comfortable, well-cushioned chairs awaiting your occupancy. You are taken aback by the change, but Minerva is unflapped. The two of you sit, and Minerva resumes the conversation:
"As I've yet to introduce myself, that seems the best place to start. I am Professor Minerva McGonagall, the Head of the Transfiguration Department and Gryffindor House here at Hogwarts. I further serve as Deputy Headmistress, which provides me with a great deal of knowledge and experience regarding the particular workings of this school and the castle which houses it. As you are likely..." she pauses, considering you, "...unaware, Albus Dumbledore was, among many other things, this school's Headmaster at the time of his--" she falters briefly, "-- departure."
"My condolences, sincerely."
"Yes, well, the most critical part of what I've said, at least as far as you're concerned, is that I am still Deputy Headmistress."
She pauses here, watching you. You return her gaze, quizzical, and she continues a few moments later.
"In the event of a Headmaster's passing, custody of the school is to pass to their deputy. Officially, this is the primary function of my role."
"...Right, that's sensible. What's gone wrong, then? Who is Headmaster?"
"As of last night, you are."
This, naturally, leaves you gobsmacked.
"For whatever reason and by whatever means, you have inherited the Headmastership from Albus Dumbledore."
"Wait, how can I be the Headmaster? Isn't that just an administrative position, not something that could be passed from one person to someone completely unrelated? It's not as though anyone's hired me, at least to my knowledge."
She seems discomfited. "There are... esoteric components involved. It's a complex topic, but there are considerations on account of which I can't reasonably be considered Headmaster. Further, you cannot relinquish the role save in death, something I'd expect we both object to."
You collapse back into your seat's warm embrace. Yet another oddity has been thrust upon you unanticipated. Maybe you're just bad at this whole "existence" thing, given how little control you seem to have over it.
"...Exactly what does this mean for us?"
"You'll need to approve any official documents such as the school's budget, represent the school in public and in meetings with the Board of Governors, make hiring decisions, and generally be present at Hogwarts throughout the year. There are also certain emergency procedures you must be made aware of and prepared to enact. Technically, these are the only requirements, but you may wish to take more duties upon yourself in time."
"Why's that?"
"I believe Filius would be better suited to that particular discussion. In the meanwhile, I'd recommend that you get dressed. While I'm told you're incapable of eating, breakfast would be an excellent opportunity for you to meet the other members of staff staying at Hogwarts over the summer."
You numbly say your farewells and she departs. On the bright side, this provides you a clear purpose and direction. That's faint praise next to the sudden pressure and confusion you're experiencing, but it's something. For now, you'd best do as McGonagall suggested and get dressed.
...Wait, have you been nude this whole time?
There's a closet in this room conveniently stocked with a broad variety of clothes in your size. What will you wear to breakfast?
[] (Clothes) Simple silken robes, plain black with white trim. They are accompanied by an archetypal wizard's hat.
[] (Clothes) Dress clothes with an open robe. Its hem only reaches your knees, signalling its ornamental nature.
[X] (Clothes) Sweatpants, a garish hoodie and steel-toed boots. Perfect for making an impression.
[] (Clothes) Your birthday suit. It's worked out so far, right?
With what name will you introduce yourself?
[X] (Name) You have no name. You are the Headmaster. That is enough.
[] (Name) Write-in
How will you be referred to?
[] (Pronoun) It
[X] (Pronoun) They
[] (Pronoun) She
[] (Pronoun) He
With what manner will you present yourself?
[X] (Demeanor) Convivial. You want to get off on the right foot and get to know who your coworkers truly are.
[] (Demeanor) Subdued. They just lost their former boss and now you're here to take his place. It's best to start small.
[] (Demeanor) Authoritative. You're starting from a weak position and need to get a handle on things before they deteriorate further.
Relatively long update, yaaaaaay. Kinda need it after the break.
For the (Pronoun) vote, McGonagall will ask you how you prefer to be called and refer to you as such when first introducing you. To be clear, you don't have sexual characteristics of any kind. The other votes should be self-evident, I think.
Plan's still to get the prologue wrapped up with the next update, then having a sidestory post focusing on McGonagall and Flitwick meeting while you slept.
I'll need to update the Encyclopedia and Status sheets with some data, but that's not happening until I get some sleep.
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- Location
- The World
[X] (Clothes) Sweatpants, a garish hoodie and steel-toed boots. Perfect for making an impression.
[X] (Name) You have no name. You are the Headmaster. That is enough.
[X] (Pronoun) They
[X] (Demeanor) Subdued. They just lost their former boss and now you're here to take his place. It's best to smart small.
[X] (Name) You have no name. You are the Headmaster. That is enough.
[X] (Pronoun) They
[X] (Demeanor) Subdued. They just lost their former boss and now you're here to take his place. It's best to smart small.
Plan Sleeping Beauty. Because we keep waking up in interesting situations, and, just as the dawn, we have just been born, (hopefully) bringing with us the light of hope.
[x] (Clothes) Simple silken robes, plain black with white trim. They are accompanied by an archetypal wizard's hat.
[x] (Name) Aurora
[x] (Pronoun) She
[x] (Demeanor) Convivial. You want to get off on the right foot and get to know who your coworkers truly are.
[x] (Clothes) Simple silken robes, plain black with white trim. They are accompanied by an archetypal wizard's hat.
[x] (Name) Aurora
[x] (Pronoun) She
[x] (Demeanor) Convivial. You want to get off on the right foot and get to know who your coworkers truly are.
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] (Clothes) Simple silken robes, plain black with white trim. They are accompanied by an archetypal wizard's hat.
[X] (Name) Talos
[X] (Pronoun) They
[X] (Demeanor) Convivial. You want to get off on the right foot and get to know who your coworkers truly are.
Classical names can't go wrong
Edit: Oooh Athena is cool too
[X] (Name) Athena
[X] (Name) Talos
[X] (Pronoun) They
[X] (Demeanor) Convivial. You want to get off on the right foot and get to know who your coworkers truly are.
Classical names can't go wrong
Edit: Oooh Athena is cool too
[X] (Name) Athena
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WhoTheHeckity
But no one ever asks HowTheHeckity
- Location
- Murica 🦅
[X] (Clothes) Simple silken robes, plain black with white trim. They are accompanied by an archetypal wizard's hat.
[X] (Name) Athena
[X] (Pronoun) They
[X] (Demeanor) Convivial. You want to get off on the right foot and get to know who your coworkers truly are.
Going with Athena because she was the prophecied child of the Gods that would overthrow them like they did the Titans. We're a child of humanity, possibly going to start some sorta robot uprising? 👀
[X] (Name) Athena
[X] (Pronoun) They
[X] (Demeanor) Convivial. You want to get off on the right foot and get to know who your coworkers truly are.
Going with Athena because she was the prophecied child of the Gods that would overthrow them like they did the Titans. We're a child of humanity, possibly going to start some sorta robot uprising? 👀
- Location
- Texas
Some part of the last name must be a Discworld reference, it'll be funny.
And this world of wizards are just as absurd, if a little less smart.
And this world of wizards are just as absurd, if a little less smart.
- Pronouns
- It/Its
[X] (Clothes) Sweatpants, a garish hoodie and steel-toed boots. Perfect for making an impression.
[X] (Clothes) Your birthday suit. It's worked out so far, right?
[X] (Name) You have no name. You are the Headmaster. That is enough.
[X] (Pronoun) It
[X] (Demeanor) Convivial. You want to get off on the right foot and get to know who your coworkers truly are.
[X] (Clothes) Your birthday suit. It's worked out so far, right?
[X] (Name) You have no name. You are the Headmaster. That is enough.
[X] (Pronoun) It
[X] (Demeanor) Convivial. You want to get off on the right foot and get to know who your coworkers truly are.
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- Location
- Anchorage, Alaska
[X] (Clothes) Sweatpants, a garish hoodie and steel-toed boots. Perfect for making an impression.
[X] (Name) You have no name. You are the Headmaster. That is enough.
[X] (Pronoun) They
[X] (Demeanor) Subdued. They just lost their former boss and now you're here to take his place. It's best to smart small.
[X] (Name) You have no name. You are the Headmaster. That is enough.
[X] (Pronoun) They
[X] (Demeanor) Subdued. They just lost their former boss and now you're here to take his place. It's best to smart small.
Markala
Hannor & Polycho Shipper
- Location
- At the Junction of Angst and Fluff
[X] (Clothes) Sweatpants, a garish hoodie and steel-toed boots. Perfect for making an impression.
[X] (Name) Athena
[X] (Pronoun) They
[X] (Demeanor) Subdued. They just lost their former boss and now you're here to take his place. It's best to smart small.
[X] (Name) Athena
[X] (Pronoun) They
[X] (Demeanor) Subdued. They just lost their former boss and now you're here to take his place. It's best to smart small.
[X] (Clothes) Sweatpants, a garish hoodie and steel-toed boots. Perfect for making an impression
[X] (Name) Johnathon Goodmen
[X] (Pronoun) They
[X] (Demeanor) Convivial. You want to get off on the right foot and get to know who your coworkers truly are.
[X] (Name) Johnathon Goodmen
[X] (Pronoun) They
[X] (Demeanor) Convivial. You want to get off on the right foot and get to know who your coworkers truly are.
[X] (Clothes) Sweatpants, a garish hoodie and steel-toed boots. Perfect for making an impression.
[X] (Name) You have no name. You are the Headmaster. That is enough.
[X] (Pronoun) They
[X] (Demeanor) Subdued. They just lost their former boss and now you're here to take his place. It's best to smart small.
[X] (Name) You have no name. You are the Headmaster. That is enough.
[X] (Pronoun) They
[X] (Demeanor) Subdued. They just lost their former boss and now you're here to take his place. It's best to smart small.
Vote closed
[] (Clothes) Simple silken robes, plain black with white trim. They are accompanied by an archetypal wizard's hat. 3
[] (Clothes) Dress clothes with an open robe. Its hem only reaches your knees, signalling its ornamental nature. 0
[X] (Clothes) Sweatpants, a garish hoodie and steel-toed boots. Perfect for making an impression. 6
[] (Clothes) Your birthday suit. It's worked out so far, right? 1
[X] (Name) You have no name. You are the Headmaster. That is enough. 4
[] (Name) Aurora 1
[] (Name) Athena 3
[] (Name) Jonathan 1
[] (Name) Talos 1
[] (Pronoun) It 1
[X] (Pronoun) They 7
[] (Pronoun) She 1
[] (Pronoun) He
[X] (Demeanor) Convivial. You want to get off on the right foot and get to know who your coworkers truly are. 5
[] (Demeanor) Subdued. They just lost their former boss and now you're here to take his place. It's best to start small. 4
[] (Demeanor) Authoritative. You're starting from a weak position and need to get a handle on things before they deteriorate further. 0
Well, I had kinda written off the casual, mismatched muggle option for clothing as something that wouldn't get picked, so this was a surprise.
I need 2d6 rolled five times for first impressions. It's pass/fail, and you'll need to roll at least 4, 10, 8, 10, and 5 respectively for good reactions.
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CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Same here. I'm genuinely surprised people think this is a good idea, but I guess we're doing this anyway?
It's only going to annoy Filch and Pince, but it makes them very hard to get in good with. Not that that would've been too likely regardless.
Anyway, I'll do any rolls that haven't been made by others in the thread in around 18-20 hours.
Anything is a good idea if it is amusing.
I look forward to all staff reactions, but Snape's most of all.
Sorry to say that he's not actually in the castle. Left as soon as the school year finished, along with many other staff members (though few as eagerly). Summer is important as an opportunity to conduct research, gain resources and just have some time free from the castle for most of them, so only 7 members of staff -- Flitwick and McGonagall included -- will be at breakfast. One of those is the substitute Muggle Studies professor for 1990, as he's behind on grading N.E.W.T.s.Anything is a good idea if it is amusing.
I look forward to all staff reactions, but Snape's most of all.
Edit: Admittedly a part of this is just my not wanting to have to write a scene with something like 20-30 simultaneous character introductions. Sure, I could truncate it heavily to avoid monotony, but the professors and custodians of Hogwarts are going to be the bread and butter of character interactions for quite a while if not forever. Not giving them space to breathe seems like it'd be a mistake.
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Rolling:
Well, it looks like Hagrid's not too happy with you. Crit-failed his check.
Well, it looks like Hagrid's not too happy with you. Crit-failed his check.
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