FIRST ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD TRANSFIGURATION TRIALS
Inspired by the time-honored magical traditions of The Teapot Transfiguration Trials from the hamlet of Boggy Bottom — graciously hosted in Hogsmeade in 1891 by the Excalibur Gentleman's Club — The Society for the Transfiguration Arts have been inspired by the otherwise modestly hosted gathering and elected to proceed with a similar tourney of their own for the sake of good fun in transfiguration. All of magical Britain are welcome to attend, and all who are of legal magical practicing age may enter if they so wish. The Trials will be held on January 24th.THE TRIALS
For the sake of keeping a similar theme to its predecessor, without being overtly similar, contestants will be asked to each submit a proposal of one household item that they will be hoping to transfigure throughout the competition one week prior to the event itself. Contestants are asked to be creative, yet appropriate of course, in their selection while keeping in mind that whatever they use may end up never being the same or outright damaged by the end of the competition should they enter their own belongings. The Society Board requests that the contestants restrain from items of value.These submissions are a first come first serve basis and contestants are only allowed to have an original item that does not match another contestant. Fliers have been distributed and redistributed since the beginning of December of 1895 with instructions for those wishing to compete. Contestants who offer an item that has already been suggested will have their item sent back with a respectful letter and helpful list of currently unused items. Should this happen for a second time, the society will offer to make an appointment to help the competitor choose an item before another can be submitted. The Society Board asks that correspondence is swift so that any such issues be resolved quickly and efficiently.
The trial itself begins with each contestant being presented with their chosen item and a first look at the course before them. Contestants are expected to bring their own wand, as there will be no substitutes. When the race begins, they will transfigure their item into a vessel large enough to transport them through a series of obstacles. Adjusting the vessel as you go is allowed. The first wizard to cross the finish line with both themselves and their chosen item intact are declared the winners.
As was a typical occurrence with the tourney's predecessor, only about half of the competitors are expected to have a qualifying finish — breaking the household item selected, losing limbs, or accidentally fusing yourself and the transfigured item into one being are not uncommon outcomes. The Society Board reminds contestants that in the tourney's predecessor, people have also tried to transfigure the teapots into animals, only for the creature to then run/fly away without them.
There is also a category for style, alongside an additional entry for those who wish to submit an item for consideration without participating in the race itself. The Board requests that any party's interested in being part of the style portion of the competition only to please make not of such things when submitting the household item for review. Your item will be placed in a separate area on the day of for yourself and fellow artistically inclined competitors to have at it when time is allotted to you. (Approximately an hour before the race, half an hour for the actual competition, with time in between for artistic contestants to take their seats, overall socialization, and in case there must be room schedule change.)
THE COURSE
The beginning of the race will be mere meters before the gates to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, up against the Headmaster's Boarder. The first leg delves straight into the outskirts of the forest, utilizing the natural dangers that lie within along with transfigured tree limbs and enchanted vines for a thrilling chase through the brush. Through various portions of the woods, the tree line has been magically darkened to low or near-black-out visibility for additional suspense.Exiting the woods, contestants will see the second leg through to pre-determined emptied streets of Wellingtonshire that have been magically altered for the competition — should the contestants have not lost their way and found themselves outside of the race completely. This enchanted section of the race sees the once familiar streets transformed temporarily into longer and more spiraling than ever before. Various cobblestones hide away flash spells to dazzle the senses or completely throw a contestant off of their game (flash spells, fireballs, freeze spells, etc.). For those that pay attention, these cobblestones often while be colored slightly separately or have runes that indicate the spell intended for the unwitting victim.
For those who make it past the second leg, the third leg enters into High Street. Magical protective shields have been placed upon businesses in the area and coordination for temporary magical entrance of patrons have been arranged for any of those who have not had this established already. A series of on-the-ground obstacles such as seemingly unending pits to fall into — with magical safety precautions in place to get one out at the end of the competition if they have not done so themselves — along with a steep, slippery hill, and so on, have all been installed.
The fourth leg drives the competition into the Black Lake in an under-water course in a tribute to the competition's predecessor. The end of the competition sees the finalists at the docks of the Lake.
(OOC - There is probably a bunch of other brutal things that the creators came up with for this, but here is a sampling of what your characters will find.)
SPECTATORS
Three areas are available to view the race: the sky boxes (UC), the stands (MC/UC), and standing room only (MC/WC). Sky boxes seat 5-6 per box and are strung together in caravans pulled by pegasi, so will move above the race and provide a view of the entire event. Once you get in a sky box, you're stuck there until they land again. Stands are elevated and will allow you to see various portions of the race, and you can come and go as you please (anyone in the stands will be able to view the Finish Line). Such stands also are protected by a magical barrier on the front-facing side for preventative measures of collateral damage. The crowd is free of charge, but you only get a good view of one small portion of the race and could be close enough to be collateral damage from any catastrophes on course.There are some opportunities for betting in the stands/the crowd but not in the sky boxes. Sky boxes have complimentary light snacks and drinks, along with the opportunity for an additional purchase of a meal for those who wish to partake. The stands and floor space have some concessions from both local and exported vendors that The Society for Transfiguration Arts has directly brought in for the event.
PS: It's set on a Hogsmeade weekend, so students can attend (though they may not compete).
COMPETITORS
MC/UC: Competitors pay a small entry fee — although Society Members receive a discount. The contributes fee adds to a prize pot — that starts at an impressive 25G — and the winner will be able to take home or donate as they please. Entrants must have a working wand, be of a legal age to do magic, and have a passing OWL in Transfiguration (NEWT recommended). Women are not barred from entering, but it's not the sort of thing a respectable lady would do (OOC, feel free to enter a female-presenting character if you already have or are willing a acquire a rep ding for being unconventional and/or eccentric).WC: The Society has always had a drive towards the mental stimulation for the general public and as such would like to encourage anyone of financial strife to please reach out for sponsorship. While funds are not unlimited, The Society aims to aid at least a handful of WC entrants, for whom the education requirement is waived. (OOC, gender disclaimer still applies. Sponsorship will also be a more difficult case with higher academic expectations for female-presenting applicants — unless you have an in on the inside.) There will be try-outs held on January 15th.
A similar, smaller course will be available for anyone who wishes to practice between January 16th and January 23th, so competitors that sign up sooner and get approval faster, the better chances of success. MA&C staff and mediwitches are provided during the trials themselves, but anything you break during the practice week is on you.
OOC things: Just indicate if you're interested in completing the race and/or winning in the sign-up form. If no players volunteer to win, an NPC will. If one person volunteers, it's yours. If multiple people volunteer, I'll roll some dice and use your transfiguration score + how soon/late your character got their item in on time as a modifier.
WANT TO COMPETE?
For the racers:
Code:
<b>Character Name:</b>
<b>Item Used:</b>
<b>How soon was item submitted?</b> (Early January, Mid-January, Late-January, Last Minute)
<b>First come, first serve?</b> (Yes, No, I had to make an appointment)
<b>Transfiguration Level & Score & Practical Usage:</b> (OWLs/NEWTs Scores & Hobbyist-to-Expert-level practice outside of education)
<b>Will they finish?</b> (If not, feel free to elaborate on when/how they will go astray)
<b>Injuries?</b> (Yes/No/Severity-Level)
<b>Are you interested in winning the race?</b>
<b>Are you interested in winning the style award?</b> (if yes, artistic level — just goofing/hobbyist/ART!)
<b>If Yes for style, please describe if possible:</b> (Optional, Kelly is just nosy)For the artists:
Code:
<b>Character Name:</b>
<b>Item Used:</b>
<b>Transfiguration Level & Score & Practical Usage:</b> (OWLs/NEWTs Scores & Hobbyist-to-Expert-level practice outside of education)
<b>Are you interested in winning the style award?</b>
<b>Art Level:</b> (just goofing/hobbyist/ART!)
<b>Please describe if possible:</b> (Optional)VENDOR?
Code:
<b>Business Name:</b>
<b>Manager/Owner/Worker:</b>
<b>Charming Business Directory Link:</b>
<b>General Description of what They're offering for the Event:</b>OOC
Please use this thread to sign up to compete, plan out your seating arrangements, character maiming, find thread partners for mishaps, and so on. I am posting this at this time because — like for our characters — I feel like the amount of creativity this society is demanding needs a bit more time to plan out. Don't mind me if I send out reminders as we get closer to the event!
Wanna be there for Sweetie during her post-election slump?