The Daily Diviner - Issue 129

TABLE OF​	CONTENTS​
Feature​	Magic of the Curse Breakers​
Editorial​	An Investigation into Magical Sports​
Server Spotlight​	Spring into Potion Brewing​
Lifestyle​	What Kind of Garden Should You Plant?​

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Magic of the Curse Breakers
Feature
Written by Silquer
Edited by snotflower
​

Hello, my dear readers, and welcome back to the Daily Diviner! A lot of work is done by teams behind the scenes to make Potterworld the engaging server it is today. One of those teams is the Curse Breakers, a team under the Tech & Dev department! Before the team merge in December of last year, the Curse Breakers were known as Engineers and were part of the Game Design department. However, their work may not be obvious to everyday players! To shed some light on the Curse Breakers and the projects they have worked on, I spoke with members of the team (jacquas, SynonymsForSky, and SLGTara) about their experiences.

To start, it may be unclear what exactly the Curse Breakers do on the server; however, as you will soon learn, their work is very important to Potterworld! In the words of jacquas,

We make the spells and mobs for the server; things from death effects, new spells on your wand, or gauntlet bosses.​

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These are activities that every player has encountered; from one’s very first battle with Wiggleworms in the Hogsworth courtyard to an intense gauntlet like 9 Hells, the Curse Breaker’s have had an impact on every player’s experience. Furthermore, SLGTara says that:

Any minor updates or fixes made to the spells or mobs you’re familiar with are also done by Curse Breakers! Occasionally, we’ll collaborate with various departments like Game Design, Academics (Arena and Class Design), and Media (Store Team) to assist in further enhancing their projects that use magic/mobs.​

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To spotlight the creative works of the Curse Breaker team, I inquired about each member’s favorite project they have worked on. jacquas said:

I enjoy the magic testing the most; I like working with the players to make balancing decisions about the meta and it’s directly related to what I play in the game.​

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Spells play an important role in Potterworld’s dueling community. It is wonderful to know that the Curse Breakers handle this responsibility with care! Meanwhile, SynonymsForSky had a different perspective:

My favorite project was working on 9 Hells with Jack and creating the fairy wing wand effects! I love seeing people hold their wand and big butterfly wings appear behind them in their favorite color.​

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Some of the most beloved cosmetic effects in the store were brought to life by the Curse Breakers! If you were curious about the thought process behind creating complex items, SLGTara broke down their process for creating a new Warp Key:

One of my favorite projects was the Dark Skull Warp Key effect because it challenged me creatively and technically! Getting the effect to look like corrupted cracks took me a while to figure out, as there were a lot of references I wanted to use. When it came to the particles, I went through a long list before I was satisfied with the final product! Although there are cases where I immediately know what particles I want to use for a spell/effect, I’ll sometimes go off and test out different particles to see if I can improve the initial idea. When it comes to intricate effects (ex. symbols, snowflakes, flower patterns, etc.), I find the process of making them to be fun. While it can be tedious at times, figuring out how I can make a realistic design into particles is almost like a puzzle, and it’s all the more rewarding once you’ve created what you envisioned.​

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Finally, what is there to enjoy about being a Curse Breaker? The team members have a lot of insight to share! jacquas shared:

I like the creativity aspect of it, the plugins are very expansive and it leads to tons of opportunities for cool effects and concepts.​

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SLGTara seemed to agree, saying:

I enjoy the creativity and problem-solving that comes with being a Curse Breaker, especially the challenge of turning ideas into functional, engaging game mechanics. Seeing players interact with the spells and mobs I’ve designed is incredibly rewarding, especially when it comes to effects or music. Being part of the Tech & Dev team is also great because I get to collaborate with passionate, like-minded people who constantly push the limits of what we can create.​

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Finally, SynonymsForSky shared her own outlook:

I personally love making all the cute effects on Potterworld for players to use! It's super fun to see my ideas and creations come to life as well as the trial and error process of creating!​

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It is clear that the Curse Breakers are driven by passion and creativity. Their work has not gone unnoticed; every kind of player on Potterworld could speak to their hard work and ingenuity. If the work this team does appeals to you, applications are open; I encourage you to take a look! I hope you learned something new about the Curse Breakers and have gained a new appreciation for the team. Happy playing!

 

[The Daily Diviner]

An Investigation into Magical Sports
Feature
Written by snotflower
Edited by bluecherub
Lore by MelonFoxy
​

Welcome back to the Editorial Column! Two issues ago, I investigated Hogsworth’s Dueling class with the purpose of answering the age-old question: Is it safe for our wizarding youth? Though I concluded that article with a high opinion of the class, my interest has turned towards wizarding sports—a much more contentious subject. Read on as I evaluate three sports, interview participants and parents, and decide once and for all if they are too dangerous to be played.

When I mention magical sports, I know many readers will immediately think of one in particular: Quabbleball! Arguably the most popular sport in the wizarding world, Quabbleball involves two teams on brooms scoring points on the other’s goal. With its mix of strategy, skill, and thrills, it is no surprise that millions of adoring fans gather each year to watch their favorite teams vie for victory.

Hogsworth hosts its own Quabbleball games, which brings me to my point of concern: is this terrifying sport really suitable for students? Each game is nothing short of extreme, with players whizzing around the field and smashing into each other. What a nightmare!

To get both sides of the argument, I reached out to a parent and a player, asking them what their opinions were. The player was eager to respond: “I love Quabbleball! It’s absolutely exhilarating; there is nothing like soaring through the air while the world cheers you on.”

However, the parent seemed rather dismayed: “My child broke their leg falling off a broom during a match. How can that be allowed? They could at least put a net over the field.”

From these differing opinions, I can only conclude that Quabbleball will always remain a highly contentious sport. The debate may never be truly resolved…

Next, I examined Thestry racing, which features teams of 2-4 racing in carts pulled by Thestries. The largest tournament even has teams crafting their own carts, leading many to fall apart on the track! One participant is the designated “attacker”, which is just as perilous as it sounds, wielding weapons in an attempt to hinder the other teams.

Still, I cannot deny the excitement of Thestry racing, which is almost palpable when witnessing it live. Fans find it quite thrilling, some even claiming it is better than Quabbleball—high praise, to be sure!

Once again, I reached out to another player and parent for their opinions. In a heartfelt admittance, the player said, “Thestry racing has helped me so much. I forget all my worries when I’m out on the field—the only thing that matters is me and my team. The bond between us is like no other.”

Unsurprisingly, the parent did not seem to match the player’s sentiment: “I took my family to see a match, and frankly, I was shocked to see how dangerous it was! I had to cover my child’s eyes for Merlin’s sake. And now they’re saying they want to be a Thestry racer—this is absolutely outrageous!”

Though I can certainly see where the parent is coming from, I must concede to the player. Thestry racing is mainly for adults, after all—as long as they keep an eye on safety, I see no problem with it continuing.

For the final sport, I had heard rumors of one taking the wizarding world by storm, and I could not resist the temptation to investigate. Goblin Tower has competitors utilizing a variety of movement spells to avoid Goblins in their path as they make their way up a tower.

Goblin Tower was originally made for Auralocks as a training exercise, which immediately set off alarm bells: who’s to say it’s safe for the average wizard? After all, casting spells, especially mobility charms, can be quite tricky, especially with the added distraction of dodging Goblins. Miscasting or even just tripping could lead to a perilous fall!

However, the player I interviewed seemed unworried: “Goblin Tower is awesome! It’s unlike anything else I’ve ever played. It tests agility and quick thinking at the same time—you should try competing.”

The parent I reached out to hadn’t heard of the sport, but after a brief explanation, they seemed against the idea. “That sounds weird. Going up a tower? Why? And what’s this about Goblins? Why do they allow this?”

Though I initially had the same reaction, I admit I have become intrigued by Goblin Tower. It does not seem too dangerous; rather, it actually sounds quite fun! Perhaps I will follow the player’s suggestion and try it myself…

Learning about Quabbleball, Thestry racing, and Goblin Tower has left me with a new outlook on these magical sports. Though they are all different, they have each garnered a dedicated community and changed many lives in the process. The spirit of competition will live on forever!

 

[The Daily Diviner]

Spring into Potion Brewing
Server Spotlight
Written by yakko__
Edited by snotflower
Lore by AviannTheBird, MelonFoxy, myriadofanger & tqrpiar
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Springtime is here, and a wonderful way to welcome it in is to brew some potions which embrace the spirit of the season. With so many flowers and herbs sprouting and blooming, there is an abundance of fresh potion ingredients to collect or purchase! Spring is the perfect time to learn something new, so here are four potions that tap into its different aspects.

First is the Pyreuma Iris potion, which causes a person to (safely) breathe rainbow flames. Rainbows are a classic spring image since so many appear as the season changes into warmer weather, so why not add your own rainbow to the mix? It makes for a great party trick and could also help keep your friends and family warm outside on chilly spring mornings. Be careful, though! The flames will still burn things normally. Another thing to keep in mind is that while Pyreuma Iris is fairly simple to brew, it requires dragon’s blood as an ingredient, so it can be a bit pricey for some.

Next is the Disownment Draught, which makes a person essentially disown something. This one is also an easy potion, as most of the brewing time is spent letting it sit. This potion could be used to help with spring cleaning, especially for people who struggle with getting rid of clutter even when they want to clean it. However, the Disownment Draught should be used carefully, as irresponsible use can cause terrible accidents and can even get the user in trouble with the law.

Glass of Gloom is a potion which allows the drinker to restore a memory of their choosing (or, if they do not choose one, a random memory). This potion is relatively simple but time-consuming, taking about half a day to brew. Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, so reflecting on your life is a great way to honor that. Though you can pick a happy memory, spring is also a good time to look back on unhappier or darker times. Warm weather and a sunny day can help temper the negative feelings the memory brings.

Finally there is the Chromunculus Concoction. This potion sucks up the colors in its surroundings and explodes them back outwards when the potion bottle is destroyed. The concoction is more advanced than the other potions in this list, as it requires very precise timing and must be constantly attended. It also requires ingredients which the average Magical is unlikely to have, such as phoenix feathers and a Blue Tango flower, so cost can be another barrier. Still, this potion is perfect for someone looking to challenge themself and do something seasonal. Spring is an explosion of colors, seen in the blooming flowers, budding trees, and bright sky. Join in on the beauty of nature by making a big, gorgeous mess! Just be prepared to clean it up afterwards.

Those are some potions which are well-suited to springtime. While some of them have rather simple results, like Pyreuma Iris and the Chromunculus Concoction, and others are more versatile, such as the Discontent Draught and the Glass of Gloom, all of them are small scale representations of the spring season and how people celebrate or commemorate it. I hope you have as much fun trying out these recipes as I did writing about them—and making them myself, of course!

 

[The Daily Diviner]

What Kind of Garden Should You Plant?
Lifestyle
Written by yakko__
Edited by littledead
​

Now that spring is here, many people are preparing to plant their gardens once more—or start a garden for the first time. Even for experienced gardeners, choosing what to plant can be challenging when there are so many options. Flowers, herbs, magical plants, vegetables, or medicinal plants? How is one supposed to choose? Fear not, Daily Diviner readers! This handy quiz will help narrow down the perfect garden type for you.

1. How experienced of a gardener are you?

A) Not at all!​

B) Pretty experienced​

C) A little experienced​

D) Very experienced​

E) I got experience coming out the nose​

2. Do you enjoy cooking?

A) Eh, it’s okay​

B) Cooking is a fun hobby​

C) I couldn’t imagine my life without cooking​

D) I prefer to eat food rather than make it​

E) I could burn water…​

3. What was your favorite school subject?

A) Unmagical Studies​

B) Potions​

C) Magical Cuisine​

D) Medical Magic​

E) Herbology​

4. What best describes your life goals?

A) To see as much of the world as possible​

B) To be bold in all aspects of life​

C) To build a simple, comfortable life​

D) To care for others​

E) To learn as much as possible​

5. What is your dream garden vibe?

A) Adorable and full of hummingbirds and butterflies​

B) Aromatic and subtly cute but sophisticated​

C) So bountiful you could get lost in it!​

D) Organized and neat, functional but presentable​

E) Wild and unpredictable​

If you got mostly “A” answers, your garden type this spring is flowers. This garden is easy for beginners but has plenty of room to grow into a challenge as you become more experienced.

If you got mostly “B” answers, then your garden type is herb. These plants have myriad uses, such as cooking, potion brewing, and much more.

If you got mostly “C” answers, your garden type is a vegetable or food garden. The difficulty of this garden depends on the type of produce you plant, but no matter what, you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor at the dinner table.

If you got mostly “D” answers, your garden should be medicinal plants. These can be used to make homemade medicines, potions, and cures. They can also be sold to others who make those items, or you can give them away to friends so they can keep their medicine cabinets well-stocked.

Lastly, if you got mostly “E” answers, you should plant a garden full of magical plants. This will be an interesting challenge for any gardeners new to caring for magical flora, but it can be greatly rewarding. Magical plants are beautiful, have many uses, and can be more exciting and lively than their non-magical counterparts—though they can also be more dangerous. Proceed with caution!

Still, no matter what sort of garden you decide to plant, they will all turn out amazing in their own ways. Good luck, and happy planning!