Wolf and Raven.
Wolf and Raven.
[X] Serpent
[X] Raven
Reasoning: The Banner of Wolves values strength and unity; they might have better teamwork, but I'd rather read from the perspective of the Ravens (who value intelligence) and the Serpents (who value cunning).
Last edited by apsalar; December 23rd, 2016 at 11:34 AM.
Wolf and Serpent.
Wolf and Raven
Wolf because its the banner of Ron (and Draco), someone we have not seen yet how the world events have changed him this year and he is very likely will be competing in CtF. Raven mostly because the other choice, Serpent, has no one that I can think of that we know that would likely play CtF. George can not take part, and both Harry and Daphne are unlikely to take part. It might not be the best reason to based my vote on but I don't really have a strong opinion here. Any combo is fine with me.
Last edited by Skull Leader; December 23rd, 2016 at 03:26 PM.
[X] Wolf
[X] Raven
In case you were all curious what is left for this year, here's a rough roadmap:
Tanuki Hunt
CTF stuff
Second Task/Yule Ball
Potions Championship
Third Task / Crowning of the Champion
???
???
The ??? has yet to be revealed/determined, as the spiriton flows have not been locked into a discrete set of possibilities by choice and observations.
Last edited by alfheimwanderer; December 23rd, 2016 at 07:41 PM.
Well, that's easy. We just need to recall where Durmstrang's top waifus belong and pickOriginally Posted by alfheimwanderer
[v] Wolf (Terum)
and
[v] Raven (Sondrol)
They obviously won't participate - that would be just unfair - but they will be present to support their Banner, right?
Merry Christmas to all! Tis a most wonderful time of the year, isn't it?
This year, it seems I did not manage to write quickly enough to have a Christmas event on Christmas, though I suppose I can treat you to a bit of how the Yule Ball will go down - the event at which the Three Champions reveal what artifact shards they have completed (determining whether they will qualify at all to attempt the Third Task), before opening the Ball with the first dance.
Shinji, of course, is spending the Ball with Fleur Delacour, his assigned date. Sadly, she is not up for much dancing, given that scurrying about here and there on the frozen wastes, without so much as a sleeping bag or tent to sleep in (she made do by enchanting sheets and such, taken from the Tower of Ravens), or much in the way of food, while seeking artifact shards and fighting off trolls, gytrashes, and horrors wrought of shadow and flame is a rather tiresome affair indeed. As one can imagine, she is fairly exhausted, yet there is a warm glow about her, nonetheless: the radiance of quiet satisfaction, as she managed to collect all the pieces she required to complete the orb's puzzle and assemble the artifact qualifying her for the Third Task.
Still, though she is tired, she seems no less beautiful for it, clad in an ethereal gown of what seems like spun moonlight (a combination of spider-silk with possum fur and unicorn hair) that is the envy of most of the girls, and which renders many of the boys who see her speechless (even more so than usual). In other words, the grant debut of the Moonlight formalwear collection of Fashion House LeShin is a rousing success. As such, there are many suitors who approach her, eager for an opportunity to dance/court/woo the charming Champion of Beauxbatons (and to see if there is perhaps any truth in the rumor of how insatiable she is), but she rebuffs them all, simply wishing for a quiet evening. Indeed, while they're talking about things, the poor part-Veela dozes off, falling asleep with her head resting on Shinji's shoulder - quite a cute picture, something which a mischievous Pansy photographs for an article.
Following the first dance, Rachelle Lestrange and Rachelle Sondrol abandoned their partners in favor of spending time with one another - something neither of them have had much opportunity for, given their duties. They dance a bit, talk, and more - and it is obvious they are not interested in talking to others that night, meaning that Krum and George Weasley are sadly, left to their own devices. Krum, of course, is radiant in his own formalwear - dress robes shining like the moon - and likewise receives quite a few offers from young maidens to dance - many of whom find his courage (and the wounds he bravely carries after the incident with the Selma) quite charming, as he is the classic dark, brooding hero. As a gentleman, he does take a few offers, but eventually ends up with Miss Parkinson, whose lack of interest in him as a man is actually something of a relief.
George himself vanishes after a few dances with some of the more eligible young ladies of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang (and very few from Hogwarts, save one Daphne Greengrass and one Fay Dunbar), though none know quite where he went off to.
Harry spends time mostly with Daphne, and Fred is nowhere to be seen (due to reason we already know).
And of course, in a move that makes for scandalized remarks and whispers, Andreas Tornquist, Commander of the Banner of Ravens, is the escort of Sylvana Terum, Commander of the Banner of Wolves, with the two seeming rather...close. Most were quite surprised, not being familiar with their long and tangled history, though a few, who had known both of them from the very beginning, had imagined something like this might be likely, and so had collected a decent sum in money and favors from those less well off.
(Which is perhaps for the best, as the Commander of Serpents, Radu, is in charge of event security, with he and his handpicked subordinates serving as silent shadows whose vigilance ensures there will be no unseemly interruptions of the evening's festivities by terrorists or British ne'er do wells.)
Last edited by alfheimwanderer; April 13th, 2017 at 12:14 PM.
Poor Serpent Lord, working again, while his carefree ex-lieutenants having fun (with each other, no less)
Thank you for the Christmas snippet, Arf. Hope you have a happy holiday!
Potions Discussion
I suppose I should take a moment to discuss some of the possible potions Matou Shinji may be able to craft at the Isle of Thule, using the exotic ingredients present there, his Eastern Potions knowledge, and the aid of the spirit within the Book of Potions. Obviously, his personal knowledge may not be the equal of some of the others who have been selected to go to the isle, since the other Champions are both older than he and have delved further into Potions than he has ever done (though even if he was their age, he always has been more of a generalist).
His great equalizer - perhaps even his cheat code - in a way, is the the Book of Potions, as it is possessed by the spirit of one of the greatest British potioneers in history, Zygmunt Budge. Few are aware of just how powerful an implement it is, given that the spirit tends to be...picky about what knowledge it reveals, especially if one is not either a Champion or otherwise someone worthy of its knowledge. That is, it works for Shinji because he is the Hogwarts Potions Champion, though it will work for other Champions as well, given that the spirit's sole ambition is to prove his genius by helping a potioneer win the Wizarding Schools Potions Championship. For those curious, the reason the spirit revealed himself to Hermione was that Sokaris - who he recognized as a peer - had briefed him about Hermione Granger and her potential to excel at the brewer's art (though sadly, she was not chosen as the Potions Champion of Hogwarts).
The abilities of the Book and the knowledge it contains are not known to many outside Britain, with most of the other Champions likely believing it to be a simple reference text (which each Champion is allowed, of course), save for Sajyou Ayaka, who traded some of her Eastern Potions knowledge for access to the book she recognizes as possessed by a yurei. It remains to be seen if this deal was in fact beneficial for Matou Shinji, given that Ayaka, with her dedication to the brewing arts, is fairly well-liked by the spirit - though Budge does think it would be more glorious if he helped Shinji to win, as the boy can only do it with his help, while Ayaka is one of the favorites.
As to the possible Potions he can craft, there are several:
I have spoken at length of the Potion of All Potential, a legendary potion which temporarily unlocks every bit of an individual's potential skills/stats, something which can boost a Servant to their maximum theoretical level of power, or allow one to surpass one's limits for a time. This potion would be something of great interest to a great many individuals and factions, as one might imagine...
Another notable one is the Potion of Restoration, a somewhat weaker version of the Water of Life which does not extend life, and cannot not heal all injury / illness, but can be used to reverse the previously thought incurable (to the West) effects of Dark Magic - even of something like Lycanthropy. Of course, it does not require the Philosopher's Stone, and so is valuable enough in its own right because of that.
A third would be a Potion of Fading, which when taken, enhances one's senses and inhuman abilities temporarily, with the side effect of shifting one into a "spirit form," not unlike what George experiences. This experience is rather euphoric, though as it is unnatural, one does build up resistance to it, meaning that to access this synchronized state will require larger and larger doses - and eventually, one may not be able to transform back into something human.
A fourth would be the Potion of Nullification, which in small doses, can temporarily nullify the abilities of human-fae hybrids when ingested. In large doses, the effect becomes rather more...permanent, meaning it would be a way to turn those who call themselves wizards into mere muggles, effectively purging the inhuman elements that give them their magic.
A Fifth is the Elixir of Transference, a working of ancient blood magic which allows one to transfer a portion (or a whole) of one's abilities/knowledge/power to another person via a liquid medium. A critical component of this potion is the blood of the donor, as this allows the potion to be used as a liquid medium for what is to be transferred (up to and including all of one's magic). Of note, this does not create a copy of one's knowledge or abilities - it permanently transfers them to whoever ingests the potion.
And of course, there may be others. Do any interest you, perhaps?
Last edited by alfheimwanderer; December 28th, 2016 at 02:14 PM.
I have the feeling than Ayaka might not want kill shinji, but instead would want defeat him in a not letal way so she can use the book of potions for herself. Shinji should be careful with her.
So reading about the potion of all potencial, looks than if shinji want brew it he should focus only in make one potion. Alf possible brew more than a potion at the sake time in the tournament?
The Potion of Nullification sound like a powerfull weapon, it could be something than lockhart would want use against his enemy or britain enemy.
Elixir of Transference like a potion version of the Magic Crest of the Magi, this potion could convert shinji in a Future Legend among the wizards, specially in future generations.
Also alf is there any Potion than can revert a wizard to his original inhuman form?, or something like a potion than can unlock the animagus form of a wizard?.
Potions like the Potion of youth are not aviable now not alf?.
Last edited by skulkidcachi90; December 28th, 2016 at 08:42 AM.
Damn, and our dear Draco has already killed Cho...
This one seems to be the most useful in the long run - ability booster is temporary, etherial form has nasty side-effects, ability stealer... well, is a bit too "dark" to my liking. And having/knowing how to brew the nerfed revival potion is a must for any battle wizard.
You would be able to make one of these potions at the Championship, at best. Each of these potions are quite extraordinary, after all...
There's already an animagus potion (part of the long ritual to unlock the animagus form), and no, there is no potion that can revert a wizard to the original inhuman form. Not enough of the inhuman form left for a complete reversion in this way, I'd imagine.Also alf is there any Potion than can revert a wizard to his original inhuman form?, or something like a potion than can unlock the animagus form of a wizard?
No, it isn't.Potions like the Potion of youth are not aviable now not alf?
Given the lore from Fate/Grand Order, Potion of All Potential kinda sounds scary if it is drunk by any of the Makiri/Matou's bloodline...I have spoken at length of the Potion of All Potential, a legendary potion which temporarily unlocks every bit of an individual's potential skills/stats, something which can boost a Servant to their maximum theoretical level of power, or allow one to surpass one's limits for a time. This potion would be something of great interest to a great many individuals and factions, as one might imagine...
(Grand Order Spoiler)
Spoiler:
Well, any member of the bloodline with potential for it. Shinji is distant enough that he doesn't actually have the potential to become such, unlike good old Zolgen.
Just so you all know, what Shinji makes will not be an explicit choice. His choices this year will determine what he comes up with...
Last edited by alfheimwanderer; December 29th, 2016 at 02:23 AM.
. . . I see a number of intriguing potential threads here. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out in detail.
The first two are most curious - and given its supposed relative difficulty, Wolfsbane Potion (or Felix Felicis, if there's time enough) might be an interesting choice, too.
“Love will be cruel to who it entices — love will have its sacrifices.”
— Carmilla Theme
"Evil isn't the real threat to the world. Stupid is just as destructive as Evil, maybe more so, and it's a hell of a lot more common. What we really need is a crusade against Stupid. That might actually make a difference."
―Jim Butcher, Vignette
True enough. There is the option of simply brewing a difficult potion without trying to invent something new, though invention tends to be scored higher, given that one wouldn't be working from an existing recipe.
[X] Serpent
[X] Raven
Not sure if voting is still open, but here's mine.
Choice 130: [x] Wolf + [X] Raven
Writing is in progress, please feel free to ask questions.
Last edited by alfheimwanderer; January 3rd, 2017 at 02:36 AM.
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