CycloneSteve and the Wizard's Challenge
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(micro)
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You are looking for a magnetic micro that is low to the ground. While it will likely be covered up by snow in the winter, you can find it if you are determined enough. Please place exactly as found as it is a high muggle area. The text below is a fun read and serves as an introduction to the series. It may even provide a few hints on the cache location though you shouldn't need one. Please BYOP and enjoy!
CycloneSteve has been geocaching since January 2011 and has been on many adventures both in New England and the Midwest. However, of all his adventures, none are more legendary than when he took the Wizard's Challenge during the summer of 2013. It all began on a hot and humid July day in Nashua, New Hampshire. CycloneSteve was trying to find all of the geocaches in Mine Falls Park, which is no easy feat in one day. Though the day began sunny and hot, storm clouds began to build on the horizon. Being a meteorologist, CycloneSteve knew that a forest was not the best place to hide from a thunderstorm given all the tall trees and the copious amounts of water. He found his way out of the woods as the first rolls of thunder crashed across the sky. On his way back to his car, he came across several people dressed in very odd robes who were sitting casually on the rocks across from the area this cache is located. Most of them did not notice CycloneSteve approach as they were admiring the scenery seemingly oblivious to the storm clouds in the north. Concerned for their safety, CycloneSteve alerted the group to the incoming weather.
"You folks should get into your cars quickly, its going to rain any minute now," said CycloneSteve.
A man in his early 30's with fiery red hair got up and said in a mild British tone "Oy! We don't have a car you bloke but thanks for the warning. As if we couldn't tell on our own that a storm was coming."
"Now Ron, what way is that to speak to a fellow wizard?" said a woman with wild hair. "You are a wizard aren't you? I assumed as much based on that hat you are wearing. We have only seen witches and wizards wearing such a hat before." She was referring to the black fedora CycloneSteve always wore while geocaching.
"Clearly this yank is a seer and uses his skills to predict the weather. Am I right lad?" said the largest of the group.
"Muggle weathermen are notoriously bad at what they do. They are always wrong, are you any better?" asked another red haired woman.
Nearby, lightning struck and the rumble of thunder followed just seconds later. Fat drops of rain began to fall to earth.
"Well I am a meteorologist by trade and we should find shelter quickly," said CycloneSteve.
"He's right, we can take refuge in that brick building," said a young brooding man with dark hair and glasses.
CycloneSteve wanted to explain that it the building was locked but the odd group approached the locked door and the dark haired man withdrew a stick from his robes and cried "Alohomora!" and to CycloneSteve's surprise, the door opened as if by magic.
"All right! Everyone, get inside now!" yelled one of the women as the rainfall became a downpour and the wind began to pick up.
As the storm raged outside, a round of introductions was conducted. Though he was nervous, CycloneSteve allowed the group to believe he was a seer or wizard or whatever they said he was. He learned that the red headed man was named Ron, the woman with wild hair was his wife Hermione, the very large man was named Hargid, and the red headed woman was Ron's sister Ginny.
"And who are you?" asked CycloneSteve to the brooding dark haired man.
Somewhat surprised, he replied "You mean you do not know who I am?"
"I'm afraid I don't. I have never been to England, isn't that where you are all from?"
"But Harry's feats are world renowned. You must remember the name Harry Potter and what he did, even if it did happen some time ago," said Ginny.
Harry snickered at that remark and said "Here maybe this will help." Harry pulled back his hair revealing a lightning shaped scar.
Being a meteorologist, CycloneSteve was fascinated by the lightning bolt scar. "How did you get that? Is it a tattoo or a birthmark?"
Everyone gasped, and CycloneSteve felt a sickly feeling in his stomach.
"I believe we have made a mistake kiddies," said Hargid. "You aren't a wizard are you lad? You are a muggle."
At the utterance of the word muggle, CycloneSteve thought of the geocaching term and pulled his GPS out. "I'm not a muggle! I was geocaching just now before the storm hit!"
"What the bloody hell is geocaching?" asked Ron.
Before he could get into it, Hermione winked at CycloneSteve then spoke "It seems that we each belong to secret worlds. Come CycloneSteve, please tell us muggles," she giggled at the word, "about this world of yours and why you are here. Then perhaps we shall tell you our secret."
"Is that a good idea?" asked Harry.
"Well it seems that the cat is out of the bag now isn't it?" retorted Hermione who, at the utterance of the word 'cat', was reminded of her childhood feline Crookshanks.
CycloneSteve explained to the group what geocaching was and learned that this group were wizards and found out about Harry Potter and his many great adventures. CycloneSteve was fascinated and, to his surprise, they were interested in his tales as well. By the time each had told their stories, the storm has ceased and the sky had cleared. As they left the brick structure, CycloneSteve asked, "So what brought you here of all places?"
"We are celebrating Harry's 33rd birthday and are on holiday right now," said Ginny.
"We were visiting Salem, Massachusetts and we learned from the witches there that these woods contain many secrets," said Hargid.
"It is considered a right of passage for those who attend the Salem Witches Institute to travel here at take the Wizard's Challenge," explained Ron.
"Harry is always up for an adventure so we came here to take it. He is the birthday boy after all," said Ginny as she shyly kissed her husband. "Harry did marvelously of course!"
"Well what is the Wizard's Challenge?" asked CycloneSteve.
"Oh no mere muggle can accomplish it," said Ron.
"Well he is from Massachusetts, perhaps he descends from a wizarding family?" said Hermione.
"Not that I know of, though my grandmother did predict that man would land on the moon," said CycloneSteve. The wizards were impressed by this feat and muttered astonishingly.
"She may have been a seer herself then and with you being a weatherseer, I'd say that's good enough!" cheered Hargid.
"Let him give it a try, I sense something in him," smiled Harry.
"So what is it?" asked CycloneSteve again.
"The Wizard's Challenge is a series of seven legends each associated with an object hidden in these woods. Since we found them already, you may have this parchment which will aid you in your quest. Though it will only reveal it's secrets one at a time," explained Hermione giving him the parchment.
Looking at the blank parchment, CycloneSteve grew excited. "I'm going to start right now!" he exclaimed.
"Well best of luck to you mate, it took us eight hours even with magic!" said Ron.
"He will do fine," said Hermione.
"Well we best be on our way now, the portkey is hidden there," said Hargid pointing in the direction of a stone picnic table.
"Good luck!" said Harry.
And with that the group walked to the picnic table and in an instant vanished right before his eyes. With a new quest at hand, CycloneSteve adjusted his fedora and entered the woods in search of the first item: Redfield's Stone.
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As per tradition in the Midwest, I have left a dollar for the first to find.
FTF: Team Sandyhead
STF: Team Spoonhead
3rd: Team Bedrock
4th: Dr. Putnam and Dcubed
5th: danten66
CycloneSteve's Geocaches
1. GC2NRF5 Handycapable* (Micro/Indiana) ARCHIVED 2012
2. GC2Z82T Inbetween Things* (Micro/Ohio) ARCHIVED 2012
3. GC447XV Wii Would Like to Play (Mystery/New Hampshire) ARCHIVED 2013
4. GC48XFP CycloneSteve's 500th Find (Nano/Massachusetts) ARCHIVED 2013
5. GC4D2QG CycloneSteve's Grand TB Hotel (Large/New Hampshire) ARCHIVED 2015
6. GC4GTGD "V"ictory is Mine! (Small/New Hampshire)
7. GC4HBD7 CycloneSteve and the Wizard's Challenge (Micro/New Hampshire)
8. GC4HEDV CycloneSteve and the Geocacher's Stone (Other/New Hampshire)
9. GC4JWX7 CycloneSteve and the Chamber of Swag (Small/New Hampshire)
10. GC4MDE5 CycloneSteve and the Multi-Cache of Azbakam (Multi/New Hampshire)
11. GC4MDEM CycloneSteve and the Goblet of Water (Small/New Hampshire)
12. GC4MDF1 CycloneSteve and the Order of the Geocache (Small/New Hampshire)
13. GC4MDFT CycloneSteve and the FTF Prince (Micro/New Hampshire)
14. GC4MDGM CycloneSteve and the Deathly DNF (Other/New Hampshire)
*Co-Ownership with TyphoonRuth
Good Luck! This cache was originally open to premium members but that restriction was lifted.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)