Final House Cups UpdateAs Headmaster Max Barry announced the House Cup points something intriguing happened in the Great Hall. The banners that always turned one set of colors instead changed to a medley of blues and greens, silvers and bronzes. The colors and the symbols harmonized beautifully and one banner appeared at the center of the hall:
For while the points spoke to a clear and true Slytherin win - the serpents conversed in their common room about how impressed they had been with their fellow Ravenclaws and their sorrow at the grim dangers their compatriots had faced. House Slytherin, led by Prefect Cormac, showed a noble and compassionate spirit in advocating that this year's house cup be a shared endeavor. This show of sportsmanship and honor was beloved by all.
Thus Hogwarts will reflect a Slytherclaw victory!The Golden Snitch Writing ContestThe Final House Cups points were awarded based on artistic and writerly creativity:
Rigels Light won the
Golden Snitch Writing contest for her piece
Children of War with a judge commenting that:
Rigels Light: Focusing on the future immediately after the events of the books proper, this piece's strength is as an introspective character study. It provides, thus, a well-written description of its nameless central character, placing you in their shoes. It is an exploration of their - your - relationships with the world around them in the abstract, ethereal terms that they would themselves know best. It feels like an inner voice. The piece, in cleverly painting a picture of something drawn very clearly from the Harry Potter universe, nevertheless struggles to establish itself as a fundamentally Pottersque contribution. Memories of magic are just that; memories - the closest the piece comes to planting its flag in the universe is with the reminder of the Headmistress beginning her time in.
The Fantastic Art ContestThe
Fantastic Art contest winner is
El Fiji Grande of House Ravenclaw for his first entry.
One illustrious judge commented:
El Fiji's is my winner. Not only do the graphics have a rough quality and rough finish that I like, it also uses one of my favorite quotes in the entire series. Splending submission overall.
The Yuleball Roleplay IC Writing ContestThis contest was won by
Cormactopia Prime for his entry into the Yuleball Roleplay.
One judge stated:
Cormac:
Networking at a ball, what a Slytherin. The disgust at Gryffindor is appreciated too #Slytherin. I enjoyed the characterization in this post, definitely the best in the entire thread. Cormac is a character that is distinctly himself but also fits into the world of Harry Potter, this is a post that could be recognized as Harry Potter even if it was standalone. I enjoyed the networking angle and sticking to that angle, especially with the ending of the post.
The final House Points wereHouse Hufflepuff - 374
House Gryffindor - 160
House Ravenclaw - 920
House Slytherin - 1292
Highlights ReelIn an event such as this with so many participants from all areas of NationStates, there were exceptional displays of bravery, wity, and skill. This section highlights the best of the best along with some comedic moments as well!
Trivia91 questions were asked across 5 trivia rounds!
Dyl of House Slytherin was the Trivia MVP by answering 29 of those questions first, accurately, with perfect spelling and full names
The next highest points earned for trivia were by Rai of House Ravenclaw (13) and Rigel of House Slytherin (12)!
While several questions received a plethora of answers that were scandalous, hilarious, or otherwise puzzling - this question received some hilarious responses - of those that can be shared here:
Other responses and tidbits from events that could be shared here (sorry for all the delightful things that I may have missed due to the hecticness of the live events)!
Without any of the marvelous context:
Chess TournamentShoutout to Tim of House Slytherin who earned his house the maximum points possible for this event and for continuing his reign as Chess Champion two years in a row!
Wizarding BattleshipThe first wizarding battleship game was a decisive victory for the Philosopher's Stoners (House Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor) but in the second round of this event House Ravenclaw effectively utilized the strategy that cost them the game the first round to launch a series of devastating attacks that wiped the Philosopher's Stoners off the field very quickly!
House PrefectsEach House had its own common room where they could strategize, motivate, and just engage in funny shenanigans. House Ravenclaw and House Slytherin used theirs very effectively and the behind the scenes was fun to watch!
House Ravenclaw and particularly MVP Rai deserve a shout out for sheer numbers and participation. They calculated points, they quibbled about points, they joined every single event and pushed for more opportunities to earn points! Rai in particular led his team very aptly by inspiring them and pushing them to do their best. He also took on challenges that were outside of his comfort zone and did well!
House Slytherin showed several leaders and players who worked together with unity and strategy. It was hard to identify just one player as they were a pleasure to watch in how they cheered each other on, supported one another and backed up each other in games. In many events this made all the difference! Kudos to Tim, Dyl, Cormac, Rigel, amongst many others for an entertaining and fun Slytherin common room to watch!
Fandom MemorabiliaThis contest heated up to show that we really are a bunch of Potterheads.
From Rigel's beautiful Dark Mark tattoo to Dyl's glasses and Lego set to Tim's Slytherin cosplay outfit to the figurines submitted by JohnMaynard, to the various book sets, movie sets submitted by a ton of players, to the adorable kitten dressed up as wizard by Altmoras there were so many items to be literally fan over! There were a total of
155 ITEMS submitted via photos!
The true MVP of the event was Cain of House Slytherin who single handedly earned 285 points from fandom items alone!
A select few items are shared here out of the 155 submitted!
Thank YOU!Thank you to all the players who enjoyed this event, this wouldn't have been possible without you and was for you! Special shout out to House Slytherin and House Ravenclaw - you were both a force to be reckoned with and each event day was a toss up of who would take the lead. I have loved your players particularly MVPs from each house that really carried their teams! House Slytherin won in the 2017 version of this event and House Slythercaw won the 2018 version. However, House Slytherin also just won by sheer sportsmanship and lovely character.
Next, I want to thank all the regions (
The North Pacific,
The East Pacific,
The West Pacific,
Europeia,
Greater Dienstad) and the delegates of each region for envisioning this unity and the regional and cultural planners from each that made this event possible.
The Ministry of Magic spent a lot of time to make this event successful! Shout outs to
Bastiat\Aclion for the delightful art and badges and super hard trivia questions,
Kortexia for saving the day by handling all our bot issues, and everyone else! I also want to thank my original co-founder for this event, Ian Fleming, and XKI because this event was first envisioned for and with them and their players have supported it throughout <3
Then a heartfelt thank you to our estimable judges for the competitions including: Fedele, Delegate of East Pacific and founder of Lone Wolves United; Elegarth Former Guardian and Delegate of The West Pacific and Former Regent and Current Legatus of the New Pacific Order; Sopo, current President of Europeia; Lamoni, delegate of Greater Dienstad and NS Forum Mod; Halo Rahl, delegate of The West Pacific; and Salvarity, co-founder of The Empire of Mare Nostrum; Siwale, Delegate of the North Pacific; The Grim Reaper, founder of Greater Azuhkali and Issues Editor (and winner of last year's Golden Snitch competition); August, founder of The Augustin Alliance; Church of Satan, former delegate of The Rejected Realms; and Jar Wattinree, a Lore Expert from the Lord of the Rings event and writer of fiction! They all took time out of their busy days to look at each entry and provide feedback!
Finally, if I didn't mention you by name please forgive me (and DM me)!
How can I still be immersed in the Harry Potter world?Check out the
Yuleball Roleplay which is still accepting applications and will be continuing!