Wizarding Games: Macgyverin'

[theaeblackthorn.livejournal.com]

Title: Macgyverin'

Deadline: Sunday 22nd May 4pm UTC. converter.

Details: YOU ARE STUCK, FIGURE YOUR WAY OUT. Also, whilst there, TRAP OTHER PEOPLE.

Ahem. You're going to be replying to this post with scenario's, other members have to reply with how they would escape. I'm not entirely talking literally here and I'll give some examples in a second. You can ask/answer as many as you like, and if someone else has already answered, you can as well so long as you don't answer with the same or too similar a response! There are more rules by the submission form below.

Also! You can ask the person who posted the scenario if there's a certain thing you can do, or if you need clarification about the items you've got!

Bonus: A piece of junk (sock, broken teacup, etc, if you're not sure, ask me to confirm), or a map (note: the marauder's map doesn't count), or an April card. 10pts for one of these if you earn over 10pts in this activity.

Points: 3pts for a posting a scenario (capped at 15pts), 1pt for answering a scenario (capped at 15pts). Overall you'll be capped at 30pts and you must earn at least half of your points from each aspect.

Scenarios can't be:

- Too easy
- Too similar to previously posted scenarios
- Too short on a description
- Too vague. Devil's in the details.

Solutions can't be:

- Too vague (I used magic and escaped, give me specific spells, and not made up ones either)
- Too reliant on magic
- Too short. No less than two full sentences.
- Randomly finding things that aren't listed in the description you're given
- Too similar to other solutions posted for the same or different scenarios.
- Less than two sentances.

I'm the final judge on this bit, I'm not an ogre though, I just like you thinking :)

Submit
<b>Name:</b> <b>Username:</b> <b>House:</b> <b>Where is the person? Give a good solid description here.</b> <b>Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills?</b> <b>What items are surrounding them? Describe them?</b> <b>Are there any constraints?</b> E.g. time, distance, an asteroid about to land, a wall slowly caving in? <b>Do they need to do anything besides escape?</b>



Examples:

Where is the person? You are in a cave, with a set of solid metal bars over the entrance effectively sealing you in. There are all kinds of seaweed and rock pools. Uhoh. The walls are thick and made of stone, and there's only a tiny bit of sunlight streaming in from a break in the rocks too high up for you to reach and the bars are unclimbable. There is an iron gate holding you in a cell, the gate is old, but looks very sturdy, the bars are too wide for you to slip through. They're locked with a massive padlock that you can barely reach.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? You're in the cell by yourself, you can't see anyone about.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? You have the clothes on your back, which is a jumper and trousers and some shoes with laces, and socks. You have a compass. Your shoes appear to have metal toe caps.
Are there any constraints? You think you can see some water lapping in the distance and you can definitely hear the sea. You're pretty sure this bit of the castle is now just like a smugglers cave. It looks like the tide is coming in.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Nopers.

Example solution:

Take your compass and break it so you can get the needle out. Then use the shoe laces to hold the lock nearer to you whilst you pick it with your compass needle.

OR

Wait until the water comes in and lifts you high enough to get to the hole the sunlight is coming in through. Use your steal toe capped boots to kick the hole at the top big enough for you to escape through.


Example 2

Where is the person? You are in their typical 1950s American household. You have 2.4 children and a dog. You might also have a cat, you're not too sure. You're in the kitchen making dinner for the whole family but you have just burnt the roast chicken. You don't have time to go out and buy something, and you can't order out because you are in the 1950s and it is supposed to be a typical family meal. There is your mother-in-law who drives you mad.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? There are your children, your loving husband and his mother. She is old and mean.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? You have lots of fabulous kitchen utensils, an oven, a fridge, flour, spam, two eggs, three parsnips, a pumpkin, some strawberries, some stale bread and your charred chicken.
Are there any constraints? Your mother in law was expecting the chicken to be ready within the hour.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Not kill your mother in law, or cook a child. And not serve the burnt chicken.


Example solution:
Cut off the burnt bits from the chicken, boil them down to get a broth. Go outside and capture a stray cat, kill and cook it, and serve with chicken gravy made from the stock to cover up the cat-taste.

Note: no cats were harmed during the making of it, I was just trying to think of the most lolsy and out there solution ever. Never would I suggest you hurt and kill and stray cat. But then, neither would I suggest that any of you lived in 1950s America.


HAVE FUN!



Also? Not a member? Want to join? Go here!

Comments

Questions? Comments?

[theaeblackthorn.livejournal.com]

Any?

Re: Questions? Comments?

[anbyrobanby.livejournal.com]

This challenge is golden.

Register bonus items here

[theaeblackthorn.livejournal.com]

ty, ty.

Give me a link as well

http://hih.leaky-sponge.com/owned_items.php?username=YOUR USERNAME HERE

Re: Register bonus items here

[pierhias.livejournal.com]

I have pretty much every junk item on the system. XD

http://hih.leaky-sponge.com/owned_items.php?username=pierhias

[pierhias.livejournal.com]

Name: Iris
Username: pierhias
House: Ravenclaw
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You are trapped in a circular room on top of a very tall tower. There is no door, just a window that is too high up to reach just so. There is some ivy on the outer wall of the tower, but it only starts about halfway down the wall.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? You're with your best friend who is completely hungover and passed out too, oh noes.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? There's a circular rug and some books all over the room. Many books, more than two dozen you'd say at first glance. There are also some draperies and a lightbulb. And a medicine cabinet on a wall. You can't see what's inside from your position, but it is rather small, so you doubt you'll find a parachute and a rope ladder in there.
Are there any constraints? Did I mention the hangover? XD
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Rescue your best friend, you weren't thinking about leaving them there, were you?

[thewordmap.livejournal.com]

I'd take the medicine cabinet and the books, stack them up until they reach the ivy. I'll use one of them to smack my friend, hopefully she'll wake up. Then, I'll use the draperies to fashion some sort of rope. I'll lower my friend safely to the ground and then lower myself down.

Patty/Puff
* such a really silly and probably impossible solution but ... oh well.

[thewordmap.livejournal.com]

Name: Patty
Username: thewordmap
House: Hufflepuff
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You're in a white room with flourescent (sp?) lights. There's only one door, but the knob is broken and it won't open. There's also a mirror on the ceiling.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? You're all alone.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? There's a computer with a blank screen. No internet connection or phone connection. The computer is a simple laptop. The mirror is large enough to see most of the room reflected on it.
Are there any constraints? E.g. time, distance, an asteroid about to land, a wall slowly caving in? No. Just that darn ticking noise somewhere....
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Be invisible (undetected).

[renrenren3]

What happens if I use the laptop as a blunt instrument to break the lights or the mirror on the ceiling?

[renrenren3]

Name: Ren
Username: renrenren3
House: Ravenclaw
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You're in your Algebra class. You're listening to the most boring lecture ever. Your professor looks as if he's over a hundred years old and he. Speaks. Very. Slowly. With. Many. Pauses. It might drive you mad, if you don't die of boredom first.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? There's about thirty other hapless students taking this course with you. Mostly they're staring at the blackboard with the same vacant expression as you. A girl in the front is scribbling frantically.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? It's a lecture hall so there's chairs and desks but they're bolted to the floor. You have your bag, a pencilcase with an eraser and your lipstick but no pencils or pens, two rubber bands, a notebook (blank), your student ID and your clothes. In front of you there's the professor's desk, piled with books on Algebra and other boring subjects, and a blackboard half-filled with formulae. On the wall next to you there's a large clock and two posters of famous dead mathematicians.
Are there any constraints? It's 3:12pm and the lecture ends at 3:55pm. Waiting until the lecture ends would be torture and therefore isn't acceptable. You also can't kill anyone.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Nope.

[thewordmap.livejournal.com]

I would take the objects that I have with me: pencils, pens, lipstick, etc. and throw them at the processor. I'll probably also get everyone to do the same. In that frenzy, I'd bolt for the door. Before that, though, I'd leave a note that says: PROFESSOR BINNS!

Patty/Puff

[scarletladyy.livejournal.com]

Name: Fairy
Username: scarletladyy
House: Hufflepuff
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. They're in a very crowded pub and are trapped at the bar, unable to push their way through the solid group of people who are impatient and angry. The bar is pressing against their back and the barmaid is serving people frantically behind them.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? They're in the pub on their own, but trapped at the bar by an eleven-person wide crowd, who have you squished in solid!
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? The bar, several pints of beer and two ciders placed on the bar
Are there any constraints? You are supposed to be meeting your parents in half an hour
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Can't kill or seriously injure anyone, and you can't just push through the crowd

[mmailliw.livejournal.com]

I grab the pints of beer and cider and upend them, causing their contents to spill over the heads of the crowd. Everyone else panicks and starts flailing, which gives me exactly the amount of space needed to escape and move through! No one is injured, but a lot of outfits are rendered temporarily unusable.

William//Slytherin//2

[renrenren3]

Name: Ren
Username: renrenren3
House: Ravenclaw
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You're in a cave, faced by an enormous black dragon. The dragon does not look friendly. The exit to the cave is behind the dragon. There are no other exits. The wall is solid granite. There are stalactites and stalagmites in the back of the cave, with puddles of water, but where you're standing it's relatively dry.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? You're alone. Your squire ran away when the dragon approached, taking your pack with him. You still have your horse, who's very spooked by the dragon, not that you can blame the poor creature. You're wearing a set of very heavy and very impractical plate mail, you have a shield and a longsword that is not effective against dragons. You're carrying a torch that's about to go out.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? There's a huge pile of gold and jewels next to you, a sack half-filled with jewels. Your horse's saddle bag contains a water bottle and a book of sonnets.
Are there any constraints? Aside from the huge black dragon who's about to turn you into a pile of ashes, nope, you're peachy.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Nope. Slaying the dragon would be a nifty bonus, as would taking some of the gold with you, but really you just want to get the heck out of this cave.

Ren//Ravenclaw

[caitieness.livejournal.com]

Befriend the dragon by teaching him the merits of the English language via sonnets. It is a long and arduous process. In exchange for teaching him about poetry, the dragon gives you food and shelter. It takes you many years but the dragon finally lets you return to your village where everyone you knew thought you died. You are revered as a hero and the dragon becomes the protector of your village.

Caitie//Hufflepuff

[anbyrobanby.livejournal.com]

Name:
Username: Rob
House: Gryffindor
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You are in a well. The well is faiiirly narrow, and about twenty feet deep. Your foot is trapped beneath a rock (hello simpsons reference). You're about six inches deep in water.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? All by yourself. The well is in the middle of nowhere. You have a phone, but it's got no signal. Other than that you're pretty much physically fit, and the only thing hurt in the fall was your pride.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? The inside of the well is mostly covered in moss, but it's damp. You have a penknife, a pack of chewing gum (strips), your house keys, on a keyring that doubles as a rubbishy Swiss Army Knife. Oh, and you're wearing hipster glasses.
Are there any constraints? It's raining. Heavily. And it's gonna be raining all night. It's getting dark fast. Oh, and you're a Muggle, so no magic.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Free your leg. And yes, the leg has to come with you.

[scarletladyy.livejournal.com]

I'm physically fit enough to pull the rock off my foot. I then chimney up the well, and push myself onto the lip of the well!

Fairy//Hufflepuff

[mrschucknoblet.livejournal.com]

Name: Courtney Rose
Username: MrsChuckNoblet
House: puff
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You are locked in a library at night. None of the doors or windows will open and the phone/internet connections are down. You had snuck in after hours as a joke but do not want to get caught by staff and police in the morning.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? They are alone. They are surrounded by books and other typical items found in a library such as stationary.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? There are a few chairs, though they are mostly larger and impossible to pick up and throw threw a window or door. Same with the tables. Aside from that, the library is very open and full of long shelves filled with books.
Are there any constraints? No, though it would be nice to be out before morning.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Nope! Just escape somehow without causing a huge distraction.

[scarletladyy.livejournal.com]

Since there's stationary, I find a paperclip and use it to unlock the window. Since it's at night and there's nobody there now, I throw all of the books outside to create a ramp, climb down said ramp, climb up a tree so I can see into the library, then use Wingardium Leviosa to place the books back where they were. In the morning, nobody would know I was there!

Fairy//Hufflepuff

[scarletladyy.livejournal.com]

Name: Fairy
Username: scarletladyy
House: Hufflepuff
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You're locked inside a walk in fridge (because the chef got drunk). All you have is a mobile phone (with no signal), a penknife and a box of matches. The door is a foot thick and you're not strong enough to smash it open. The walls are thick and insulated, and no one can hear you scream. There's a ventilation shaft that is too narrow to climb through and a single fluorescent light
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? No, you're alone. There's people outside, but they don't know you're in there (and can't hear you scream, remember!)
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? Lots of different types of food stuffs, including bottles of wine, bottles of water and a big bag of salt
Are there any constraints? The room is sound-proof
Do they need to do anything besides escape? They either need to escape or alert people to their presence

[flyingharmony.livejournal.com]

I'm gonna light the matches (of course taking care that I'm not going to set the whole thing on fire); they're going to heat the fridge up that much that it starts to make these nasty noises, like "BEEP BEEP BEEP!" It's a high-tech fridge, so it does that if it's getting too warm inside. People outside will have a look at the fridge, because they don't want their boss to get angry at them because of being guilty breaking his baby (the fridge). So they'll open it; ta-da, I'm free!


Avi//Hufflepuff

[caitieness.livejournal.com]

Name: Caitie
Username: caitieness
House: Hufflepuff
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. The Forbidden Forest. You are dreadfully lost. Extremely tall pine trees surround you. You hear some clip-clopping in the distance -- too far for them to hear your calls for help. There are no paths and walking in any direction takes a lot of trimming of branches. You are not near enough to the castle to Accio anything from there.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? You brought your cat with you. She can see pretty well in the dark but she's too scared to leave your side. You are carrying her.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? You see a swatch of plaid fabric near your left foot, but otherwise it's just dirt, rocks and trees. You are wear jeans with a belt, sneakers, a t-shirt and your school robes. You have your wand, of course. In your pocket is a couple of cat treats, 4 knuts, a quill but no ink and a spoon you stole from the Great Hall.
Are there any constraints? You have class in the morning, which you think is about nine hours away. If you miss it again, you'll certainly get detention.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? It'll be great if your cat made it out alive, too!

[caitriona-3.livejournal.com]

Using my wand, I plan for two transfigurations - first, I change the swatch of plaid fabric into a piece of parchment. Using a sharp rock, I cut my arm and use the quill to write a note for help. I remind myself to start carrying a small bottle of ink in my robe pocket. The second transfiguration is of the *ahem* stolen spoon - I change it into a small owl. Tearing some fabric from my robe, I tie the note to the owl and send it to Dumbledore. Now if I can just sit tight and really, really hope nothing...dangerous shows up.

Caitriona//Gryffindor

[caesaria.livejournal.com]

Name: Sonja
Username: caesaria
House: Hufflepuff
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You are trapped in the dungeons of an old castle. There is a window without bars very high up (out of your reach), but it's only about as wide to fit a mouse through. The walls and floor are solid, age-old rock and there is nothing but some bit of straw on the floor, but the straw is dry and breaks, so making a rope out of it is out. The door is heavy, wooden and bolted from the outside.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? There is no one in the dungeons with you, but there are at least two Knights in heavy chainmail and armor outside the door, standing guard. If they hear you they'll surely come in and torture you.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? You are wearing your own armour and chainmail. It's heavy and makes a lot of noise when taking it off. You also have a helmet on. For what it's worth, you also have a packet of peanuts in your vest pocket, but you're allergic to them.
Are there any constraints? Well, there are the guards outside. Also your execution is scheduled for the next day, so get a move on.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Technically not, but if you're a true Valiant Knight, you try not to kill or severly harm the guards outside.

[scarletladyy.livejournal.com]

I put the straw against the door and then set it on fire with Incendio. The smoke starts going through the door, and they run in to see the fire. I'm stood at the side at the door and bonk them on the head with the helmet when they come in, they fall unconscious, and I run away!

Fairy//Hufflepuff

[flyingharmony.livejournal.com]

Name: Avi
Username: flyingharmony
House: Hufflepuff
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You're at school. Maths lesson, the teacher is choosing someone to test at the blackboard today. He has already tested everyone in class, except you. He hates you. You haven't studied ever since Primary School. He stares at your name.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? There are your classmates with you, but they are all way too scared of doing anything but sitting at their desks, rembling and praying not to be chosen today.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? You are surrounded by lots of pens and pieces of paper; also, desks and chairs, of course. The blackboard and the teacher's desk are in front of you; next to a clock everyone keeps on staring at if it's not Maths.
Are there any constraints? Unfortunately, you've been too slow when it was about choosing desks on the first day of school, so you're trapped in the middle of the front row; directly in front of the teacher. Exit lies four rows behind you; so basically at the other end of the room.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Nope! Just escape without getting detention or worse punsihments. Oh, and the teacher won't believe you that you're ill. You already said that last three times.

[clzair.livejournal.com]

Take a paperclip to pierce open a red pen, take the red ink and discretely put it all over your chair and sit in it. Also put some on your pants/skirt. With more red ink, put some coming out of your nose. You now have a bloody nose AND a bad case of the unplanned monthly events! Sorry, looks like you need to go to the nurse and then home to change!

Claire//Puff

[caitriona-3.livejournal.com]

Name: Caitriona
Username: caitriona_3
House: Gryffindor
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You are on an abandoned ship. It is adrift and without power. The lighthouse and harbor are just over the horizon, but no ships are due to come out due to a great storm that is brewing in the other direction. You've got a short amount of time to get to safety before the storm and sea claim the ship.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? You have two friends with you - one of them is good with ideas and bad with practical applications while the other is a great cook.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? The kitchen is fully stocked for a 7 day cruise. In the hold, there is a collection of luggage from all the passengers who have disappeared. The luggage contains the usual vacation stuff for a long cruise. Most of the usual shipboard tools and supplies are gone.
Are there any constraints? You have a very limited amount of time before the storm arrives - always remembering that the sea and sky get more and more difficult as the time gets closer. With no power, that means the radio is out!
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Just get to safety before the storm hits.

[clzair.livejournal.com]

Lock down the boat so that it doesn't get rampaged by the storm - even without power, it should manage to stay afloat in a storm. Have the good cook make lots and lots of food that can be kept for a few days and well transported. I would make light food (like, not heavy weight wise). Then, take all inflatable things and pack them into suitcases (while inflated, along with the food) and make a raft out of all the luggage. Take necessary things (sunscreen, other luggage for oars, compass, etc.), take three friends and paddle as hard as you can towards lighthouse. Use mirror like objects (from luggage) to try and call to lighthouse.

Claire//PUff

[scarletladyy.livejournal.com]

Name: Fairy
Username: scarletladyy
House: Hufflepuff
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You've been sleeping with the King's wife. You're in her bedchamber at the top of the tower, without any clothes on, when there's a knock on the door. You see the handle turn, and so, as the King is about to enter, you must hide and plot your escape!
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? The Queen, who is useless, but she is in cahoots with you
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? There's a cupboard, a little door going off to a toilet, a dresser, a small table with some food on it and a large four-poster bed
Are there any constraints? You can't kill the King, and he won't be persuaded to leave until he's had his way with his lady. You must leave before he leaves.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? You need to hide before the King comes in, and then when he enters, you've got to leave while he's there, because he's going to spend the night with his wife!

[mmailliw.livejournal.com]

I quickly jump underneath the bed before the King arrives. He sees the Queen (ignoring anything that might be under the bed) and immediately begins to make love, oblivious to anything else. As he is oblivious to anything else while making love, I quickly Apparate to my own bedroom without anyone noticing (where it doesn't matter that I'm naked).

William//Slytherin//3

[caitieness.livejournal.com]

Name: Caitie
Username: caitieness
House: Hufflepuff
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. It appears to be some kind of hospital. You are in a bed with wheels. There is some kind of machine next to you that is incessantly beeping. The floor is all white tile and there is a door that leads to a small bathroom and a door that leads to the main hallway. You look at the signs and find out you are on the sixth floor, so to leave you need to make it down to the lobby.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? Your room is currently empty but you can call a nurse who will give you pain medication. She is kind of annoying and mean, so you try to avoid her if at all possible.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? A a bio-hazard waste bin is to your left. A remote control that changes the channel on the TV and adjusts your bed is on your right. The bed has a thin sheet and a heavier blanket over it. There is a pillow. There is a clipboard and pencil at the end of your bed. You are only wearing a hospital gown and have no shoes.
Are there any constraints? You read the chart at the end of your bed that says your surgery is scheduled for three hours from now.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? You need to find some clothes to wear so that no one knows you escaped from a hospital.

[hiddengrace.livejournal.com]

I call the nurse. Sure, she's mean but it will give me satisfaction to Imperio her. Yeah, I'm kind of a baadass, plus I hate hospitals. She disconnects all the various monitors by unsnapping the white foam thingies off my chest and takes out my IV without hurting me. Then, I send her to stealthily steal clothes from another hospital patient, which are usually kept in lockers or in cabinets in each room. They're big and baggy, but they will do for now.
Once I have clothes I head to the bathroom and transfigure the biohazard bin into a cauldron and carefully accio all the needles and stuff in there into ingredients for a polyjuice potion using my own hair. I brew it, force the nurse to drink it, and then make her get dressed in my gown. She lays in the bed, and I escape while everyone thinks I'm still in the hospital.
That's what she gets for pissing me off.

Kat/Puff

[hiddengrace.livejournal.com]

Name:Kat
Username: Hiddengrace
House: Hufflepuff
Where is the person? You were at a casino one night, where you drank too much and lost all your money. You wake up the next morning a very short dress (even if you are a man- it's funnier that way), and a cowboy hat is on the bed next to you. As you wake up you realize you are in the wrong room. When you stand up to inspect the room, you see a suitcase with various small handheld guns and firearms, though there are no bullets. Uh-oh, you seem to have gotten yourself into some nasty business. You check the door, and are wondering how a standard hotel room door could have been locked from the outside. You start to plan your escape when you hear the shower running. You start to think that this hotel room might be larger than this one bedroom.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills?There is the most likely nefarious shower-person in an adjoining room, but other than that you are along.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? one bed and all it's accompaniments, sheets, pillows, etc..., a small desk that is bolted down, a tv, a small suitcase full of small handheld pistols with no bullets, 2 drawers full of clothes and one wig, a phone book and a bible, and a hypodermic needle in the garbage.
Are there any constraints? Yes. In about 10 minutes, possibly nefarious shower guy will come out, and you don't want to face him. And you're seriously hung over.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? nope!

[clzair.livejournal.com]

I take one of the guns and point it at bathroom entrance in case the guy comes out to threaten him with. Then I take the hypodermic needle out of the garbage and use it to try and pick the lock from the inside. I can also write a "help" note on bible paper and shove it out into the hall and hide under the bed if the man comes out. I wear the wig and take another handgun with me just in case I run into trouble in the lobby.

Claire//Hufflepuff

[mmailliw.livejournal.com]

Name: William
Username: mmailliw
House: Slytherin
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You are in your college dormitory, studying abroad on an island located somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. It is 11 AM and you hold a plane ticket to get off the island at 12 PM. Unfortunately, it's a good 50-minute walk to get from your dormitory to the train station... and from the train station to the airport it's three trains and another two hours even if all goes perfectly.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? You are alone in your dormitory as you were lucky enough to land a single room for your year studying on the island.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? Your dormitory bed (standard issue), your backpack (full of books for your course of study along with your plane ticket out of the island), two packed suitcases, a few books you DON'T want to take with you, a full wallet (complete with currency appropriate for the island nation), your passport, and some packets of Horlicks mix.
Are there any constraints? Yes. Your first graduate school visit is in two days, and it's in a land called "British Columbia" which is two further plane rides from your home - so essentially you absolutely must escape from the island and arrive at your home within the next 24 to 36 hours.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Escape and make it to "British Columbia" in time for the visit; that's pretty much it.

William//Slytherin//1//this happened to me

[clzair.livejournal.com]

do you have a phone?

[mmailliw.livejournal.com]

Name: William
Username: mmailliw
House: Slytherin
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You are in a posh office on the 40th floor of a fancy New York building. A window, which is shut, gives a gorgeous view of the skyline. You were invited up here to interview for a job; however, a menial task to be mentioned below is preventing the interview from taking place... or is the task the interview itself?
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? Across from you is a 50-year-old man in a $5000 suit sitting in an ornate, plush chair with the tackiest fancy decorations ever who looks exactly like James Potter would have looked by now had Voldemort never bothered to kill him. Five minutes ago, he told you to open the window, but the window refuses to open. You suspect that he cast a spell on it to make it impossible to open.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? In the office, there's the aged James Potter clone, the window, a fancy bookshelf, and a huge number of diplomas and certificates hanging from the wall.
Are there any constraints? You need to open the window before the James Potter lookalike kicks you out and says "Thank you for your time."
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Yes; you need to OPEN THE WINDOW (or, at the very least, impress the James Potter lookalike sufficiently that he'll want to give you that job.)

William//Slytherin//2

[renrenren3]

I conjure a miniature rainstorm outside of the window, complete with wind, thunder and lighting. Then I turned to the Potter-clone and tell him, "It looks like the weather turned bad, sir. Are you sure you still want me to open the window? The rain would ruin your carpet."

Ren//Ravenclaw//10

[caesaria.livejournal.com]

Name: Sonja
Username: caesaria
House: Hufflepuff
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You are in your bed, trying to sleep. Tomorrow morning at 8am, you have a job interview for the job of you dreams! But you absolutely can not fall asleep, whatever you try!
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? Let's assume that you are alone for the purpose of this, even if you normally wouldn't be.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? Well, it is your room, so whatever is in your room is there. Just... no sleeping pills or any of that, because you forgot to buy some. But you have tried pretty much EVERYTHING. Watching TV, reading, counting sheep, lying there with your eyes closed, trying to knock yourself unconscious. NOTHING WORKS.
Are there any constraints? It is rapidly approaching midnight. You will need to fall asleep SOON or you won't get enough sleep!
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Yes, don't pull an all-nighter! You WILL look like death in the morning and they WON'T hire you.

/possibly a little bit inspired by comment above :p

[flyingharmony.livejournal.com]

I'm getting up, to open my Balcony Door; Fresh air always helps. I'm also going to make myself a hot milk with honey, which I'm taking back to bed. I'm slowly drinking all of it, then, lying down and closing my eyes, with the door wide open. Only ten minutes and I'm sleeping!

Avi//Hufflepuff

[renrenren3]

Name: Ren
Username: renrenren3
House: Ravenclaw
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You're in the lobby of a big hotel, somewhere in a foreign nation. In front of you, the concierge is telling you something in a language you don't know. All you manage to understand is that there has been some problem with your bill but you don't know if you need to pay more or you need to be given a receipt or if the concierge needs you to sign something or... idk, it's all foreign to you.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? The concierge doesn't speak English or any language you recognize. There are other employees and guests of the hotel milling about, but none of them seem to speak your language at all.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? The concierge's desk is large and polished, made with some kind of exotic wood. On it there's a small bronze bell, the guest register, some potted plants, leaflets about the city's restaurants and museums. There's also a computer, but a receptionist is using it. Next to you is your luggage, mostly full of dirty clothes after your week-long vacation, but it also contains several souvenirs for your friends. You're also carrying a bag with your passport, camera, car keys, chapstick, whatever you usually carry around. You have your wallet, containing your driver's licence and credit card but no cash. Unfortunately, you managed to lose your phrasebook a couple of days ago.
Are there any constraints? You have a plane to catch, so you need to leave within twenty/thirty minutes.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? You need to figure out what the concierge wants, or somehow persuade him to let you go. Running away is not an option because he'd call security and you don't want any trouble.

[mmailliw.livejournal.com]

Assuming he isn't going to explain further, I look closely at the leaflets in the target language. Matching up words one-for-one between leaflets and English equivalent, I write down the phrase "Sorry, I don't speak ___. Could you please write down what I need to do?" in that language and carry on a conversation via writing. (Assuming that there's a big hotel involved, the language - even if it does not have a Western alphabet - does have a viable romanization so that is what I'll use; e.g. pinyin for Chinese). With a bit of difficulty I will be able to provide it and escape!

William//Slytherin//4

[flyingharmony.livejournal.com]

Name: Avi
Username: flyingharmony
House: Hufflepuff
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. Family meeting. One of these big meetings where everyone comes to see everyone, to celebrate an important event in family like the birth of a baby or a 50th birthday. You're stuck in the middle of a dark, traditional restaurant, trying to hide from your 3rd great-great-grand-aunt who already squished everyone to death and covered them with her lipstick-kisses. You were quite successful until now. She just found you and is now coming to your table...
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? You're surrounded by your family, of course. They're all busy with either eating or trying to wash off her waterproof kiss-marks. No one will help you, they're thinking: She's got me, so she's going to get you too.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? The restaurant is quite dusky and dark, you're sitting in a seperate room with your family, on a bench at a table in a corner, faaaaar, far away from the door.
Are there any constraints? Next to you, there's your aunt, on the other side, your cousin from another aunt. They're not moving and not even thinking of cooperating. So you're stuck.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Nope. Just try to not get covered in a cloud of Chanel No. 5 and avoid her wet lipsticky kisses. Oh, her son is your doctor, so she knows about any non-existant illnesses you're trying to invent at the moment.

[darkgondolier.livejournal.com]

I purposefully drop a piece of silverware or a napkin or something on the floor (you didn't mention anything specific but I assume that we're all using some sort of utensil to eat as this doesn't seem like a finger-food kind of restaurant), apologize for my clumsiness as I duck under the table to retrieve what I dropped, and try to avoid bumping into too many people. While I'm under the table, I cast a Disillusionment Charm on myself and crawl out. I walk unnoticed away from my 3rd great-great-grand-aunt and her kisses.

Jennifer//Hufflepuff

[xfortytwo.livejournal.com]

Name: Ing
Username: xfortytwo
House: Hufflepuff
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You're standing outside your locked car on a deserted road in the forest. Inside your locked car are your car keys and your wallet.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? Nope, you're all alone.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? You're wearing your long coat and in your pocket you find your cellphone with no signal, 10 pounds, a map of England, a screwdriver, a flute, jelly beans, a note with a phone number from someone you picked up in a bar last night, a box of matches and a book. You're on a gravel road in the woods. There are lots of trees, large and small rocks, and you think you might hear an owl. You don't see any people or houses, and you don't know how far away they might be.
Are there any constraints? You can't break the window of the car because your parents would murder you. You should either get out of there with your car or have a way to find it again later, or your parents may again kill you XD
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Not really. XD If you get out home without getting into your car, you might want to find a way to get it back the next day or something XD

[flyingharmony.livejournal.com]

I'll have some jelly beans to calm myself down, then, sit down and start playing the flute. I'm so good that a group of musicians, with an excellent sense hearing, get magically attracted by the sounds I create and follow the tunes, until they find me. Some of the musicians stay by the car to take care of it, the others rescue me and bring me back to civilisation, where I can sneak into my house and get the substitute keys. The musicians drive me back to the car then, I'll lock the doors up and drive back home. How good I have a flute with me! It rescued me and made me find new friends. Hooray!

Avi//Hufflepuff

[flyingharmony.livejournal.com]

Name: Avi
Username: flyingharmony
House: Hufflepuff
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. You're in the middle of writing an important paper for school/university/work. You're halfways done, when, all of a sudden, due to a power outage, your computer crashes. You have not thought of saving your work yet, and you need to hand it in tomorrow.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? Yes, there are your parents/the people you live with with you, but they all need help when they're only looking for the button to turn the computer on. No one knows when the lights will go on again, and the only laptop's battery is empty.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? You're in your room, so there's everything you find in your room.
Are there any constraints? It's night, so you can't call your friends, and it's snowing heavily outside.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? Well, either you need to find the perfect excuse for your professor/boss (and he's warned you that you are not allowed to post this late) or you need to recover your file nad get your computer to work again as soon as possible.

[flyingharmony.livejournal.com]

Name: Avi
Username: Hufflepuff
House: flyingharmony
Where is the person? Give a good solid description here. Imagine you're a journalist. You have appointments for two important interviews a day, with two very famous people. You need to hand in the written interviews until tomorrow morning. Right now, you're in the middle of the first interview and your interviewee keeps on talking and talking and talking. Your problem: It's almost four pm and you're supposed to meet your other interviewee at four pm at the other end of the town. The guy who's talking with, or better, to you right now does not even think of stopping and he is know ton be very sensitive and a real diva if someone interrupts him. But you're already late for your second interview; another diva who can't stand people coming too late.
Who are they there with? Any people? If so, what can they do/what are their skills? You're in a small coffee shop (his favourite) that's almost empty. Only the barkeeper is there, whod oes not really seem to take care about you two.
What items are surrounding them? Describe them? Since you're a quite old fashioned journalist, so you're still taking notes with pen and paper, and not with a pocket recorder. You've already finished your drinks, and the empty glasses are still tanding on your table.
Are there any constraints? You're meeting in a big city, and you're supposed to be at the other end of the city, in the other interviewee's favourite coffee shop, in less then fifteen minutes.
Do they need to do anything besides escape? You should, of course, get home on time to start writing your articles!

[darkgondolier.livejournal.com]

As he rambles, I scribble away furiously while slowly putting on an increasingly distressed expression. When he pauses to take a breath, I explain in a tone of deep regret that he is such an incredible person that he simply cannot be contained fully in words and that, although I have tried my best, I have simply run out of space in my notebook. I leave a business card and ask him very politely if he would consider scheduling another interview, to which I will bring a much larger notebook. Still apologizing profusely, I back out of the coffee shop and bribe the nearest cab driver to drive me across town as quick as humanly possible.

Jennifer//Hufflepuff