User blog:JayeMalik'/Hogwarts Expansion 2037 - 2038: The Triwizard Tournament!



Hey, guys!

Recently, there's been a lot of chatter about wanting more events to keep users entertained. While the team and I tried to ease your worries, it's time for the big reveal! It is with great pleasure that I'm announcing the AI team's first stab at a big expansion! Some of you asked for it, and we're here to deliver.

Hogwarts will be hosting the 2037-2038 Triwizard Tournament!

Who's coming?
Although canonically the tournament has been a friendly event among the three European schools of magic (i.e Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons), we've decided to mix it up a little. As the host school, Hogwarts will have automatic participation, while Ilvermorny School and Beauxbatons Academy will be traveling for the event!

Any student that is a third year or above can come to Hogwarts to support their school's champions.

Who can play?
This Triwizard Tournament will have a similar format to the ones we've had in previous years, meaning we will have six champions: one female and one male per school. Any user may submit up to three characters, distributed as you want. Whether it's from the same school or different schools, that's up to you. However, we'll be trying our best to keep the limit to one champion per user, so every user has an equal chance of participation.

Like I stated above, any student that is in their third year or above will be able to come to Hogwarts in support of their school's champions. However, only students who have completed their fifth year - and by extension their OWLs - will be able to put their name in the Goblet of Fire. For those of you that want to make Beauxbatons students but realized they sit their OWLs in sixth year, please note that we're disregarding that fact. The curriculums are structured similarly, which is all that matters.

Can I sort my character already?
If you want to sort your expansion character already, by all means, please do so! However, no character will know about the Tournament until the Opening Feast, which is when the official announcement will be made by Hogwarts' Headmistress. Therefore, the IC summer will run its normal course. The only difference is that you guys are now aware of the Tournament and are allowed to begin planning and making your characters.

Please note that all foreign students will arrive to Hogwarts at Week 2, just like in the last Triwizard Tournament and in the books. So RP your characters on vacation if you wish, just make sure not to post with them at Hogwarts until that point.

What about Quidditch?
Just like in the books, Hogwarts will not have a quidditch season this year, while the Tournament runs its course. I mentioned the cancellation of quidditch about a week ago, and I know it concerned many users, but should everything run smoothly, I foresee quidditch returning to normal for the 2038-2039 school year!

So please, when the time to apply your characters for prefects, head students and quidditch captains comes, do not apply for quidditch captains. They will not be needed this year, therefore they will not be selected. Just prefects and head students.

...and the Yule Ball?
We're going to be having the Yule Ball, which is very exciting! During Week 5, every student in their third year or above will be able to go to the Yule Ball! As is customary, the champions will be expected to bring a partner. There will be dances, punch, and will definitely be a very magical night. One of the best parts about the Yule Ball is asking your crush to go with you, so... have at it!

Unfortunately, first and second year students will not be allowed to attend the Yule Ball. However, they're welcome to plan their own social gathering during that evening somewhere in Hogwarts' grounds!

What's the calendar looking like?

 * Week 1 - The Triwizard Tournament is announced IC during the Opening Feast, and Hogwarts students may begin to throw their names into the Goblet of Fire.
 * Week 2 - The other schools arrive and can also throw their names into the Goblet of Fire. Champions will be selected at the very end of Week 2, on that Sunday.
 * Week 3 -
 * Week 4 - Task one
 * Week 5 - The Yule Ball
 * Week 6 -
 * Week 7 - Task two
 * Week 8 -
 * Week 9 - Task three, winner is crowned!

Who will judge?
In order to keep things fair for everyone, we'll be having four different users judge the champions after each task. The panel will consist of: In the mean time, I will be serving as a GM for every champion in each task.
 * Evangeline Selwyn: Headmistress of Hogwarts School (Thistle)
 * Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy (Miggy)
 * Headmaster of Ilvermorny School (Oli)
 * Emilee Lenton: Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports (Alyssa)

Conclusion
I'll be posting a second blog further into the summer to reveal more details about the tournament, so stay tuned! And like always, should there be doubts, please comment below!