2021, Stage 3 Group A: Hufflepuff vs Slytherin Finished

As Lydia walked up on the platform, she could feel her heart beat slightly faster than what she was used to; she didn't know exactly why, after all duelling had become something familiar to her, something that was able to make her feel better no matter what was happening. But that day, the young Hufflepuff had found herself more anxious than usual; she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that she kept feeling up her back, and she hoped that it would go away once the duel would have started.

Smiling at her duelling partner and Co-Captain, Lydia then looked at their opponents and gave them as well a small smile, just like she had done in her previous duels. Of all the duels they had so far, this one worried the Hufflepuff captain the most, probably because they were going up against a third year, but she couldn't say exactly why. Focusing her attention on Meenauh, she nodded along her words, and then walked to her position. "We can do this Amadea," she told her, before taking a deep breath as she tried to push that weird sensation away. Then the duel started, and she prepared to do what her and Amadea had decided.

Action: doing as strategised

_{Credit goes to Dmitri Jones who made them here}

When the teen step into the dueling room, he felt a mix of different emotions but hid them well, when he heard his name from the platform and made his way into his spot.

As Henry took his spot on the platform, next to his partner and across from his opponents there was something odd in the air. A emotion or feeling that couldn't have been described. This was the third stage. The official last stage of the dueling championship and the last time that he would be able to prove himself both to his team and house.

The teen wasn't about to lose. He had one thing to focus on and that was winning. Winning the match for his team and house. Proving his worth and proving to himself that he wasn't a failure and he could do something. Henry wasn't about to make the same mistakes as last duel and get thrown unconscious leaving his partner all alone again... that moment had been one that haunted Henry for months and he didn't want to repeat it.

The teen took his stance with his wand in his left hand and knees slightly bent as his eyes fell on his opponents. Dueling captains. His third duel and he would be going aginest captains again.... some luck he has that every duel that season the boy went up against dueling captains and co captains.

The teen would take a breath before returning the smile that his opponents gave them, giving one back as a small way of wishing them luck before eyeing his third year partner and whispering to her, " Ready Partner?"

Henry looked back toward their opponents and ready himself as he was prepared to play out their strategy that they worked on before during practices as he whispered to his partner, " we can do this Astrea."

── ❋ ──

𝓐madea's heart was pounding so hard she felt like it was about to burst out of her chest. Her nerves were extremely heightened today. All duelling days raised her anxiety levels but this was extra special: it was the last stage of duelling for this season. So far, Amadea and Lydia had made a pretty unstoppable team. They had won both of their previous duels, but this one was going to be tough. Slytherin had gained the reputation of being the best team this year and Amadea was nervous to be facing off against them today.

She knew that it wasn't all about winning, which was why she was trying to calm herself. The most important thing was that she had fun and tried her best, which is what she and Lydia were going to do today. They were good duellists, and she had to believe in herself in order to successfully cast her spells. They could do this. Amadea smiled over at Lydia as the duel began. "Yes, we can do this!" she said with a smile. "Good luck!" she added, directing her words toward the Slytherins. With that, Amadea gripped her wand between her fingers and took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She was ready.

Action: Doing as strategized

── ❋ ──

Banner Credit goes to Dmitri Jones, utlising this template.

The aftermath of Astrea's last duel round ended not in her favour. Her partner taken down prematurely, she following soon after even as their Ravenclaw opponents held strong- the ache of a backfire clinging to her wounded pride like a torn scab. She had awoken in the Hospital Wing with the bitter taste of defeat and the promise of another chance. Her first venture into officially-held matches was certainly a try, albeit not a very good one, but this time had a bit less leeway for failure. Stage 3 of duelling championships was a last chance- a catchall finale to define the year's fruits of her labour. How heavy. Perhaps unreasonably so but she had never been one to indulge in jest, especially with odds like theirs.

It was this looming threat of no-return that followed Astrea's ascent to the duelling pit not for the first time in the year, the coursing magic within her very blood and bones sparking with anticipation as she stared down their opponents readily. No matter how many times she involved herself in such activities, simply taking a moment to soak in the experience and observe her surroundings always felt just a tad surreal.

Opening dialogue glossed over and time allowed to exchange greetings- ever the quiet child, Astrea did little else than curtly nod once in determined acknowledgement-, things were coming down to the real deal very quickly. No matter. She had learned from her mistakes last round. She knew what was coming. Ready or not, here they come.

Action: As strategised.

Round 1

The spells were shot as soon as the "n" in the "Begin" was pronounced. Experienced duellists were prepared to start the duel right away with a pallet of spells shot in several directions.

Some spells missed, some weren't executed properly, but just one jolt of wind seemed to be going where it wasn't expected, which essentially became a victorious set of events. Lydia seemed to be struck with a strong gust of wind, setting her back for a while — she'd need to collect herself quickly to be able to stand on her feet and dodge next spells. Henry Knight receives the title of the duel opener for this one.

Amadea vs Astrea

Reducio

Amadea casts Tickling Charm at Astrea
Wisdom DC: 9 + 2 (Astrea's Lovely Creature) = 11
Wisdom Check: [d20: 6] + 10 = 16 > 11 → Success
Auto-Miss Check (10): [d10: 8] → No Auto-Miss (Astrea's Terrible Presence)
Accuracy Check: [d20: 2] + 10 = 12
Evasion Check: [d20: 19] + 9 = 28
12 < 28 → Miss

Lydia vs Astrea

Reducio

Lydia casts Levitation Charm at Astrea
Wisdom DC: 9 + 2 (Astrea's Lovely Creature) = 11
Wisdom Check: [d20: 18] + 10 = 28 > 11 → Success
Auto-Miss Check (10): Cancelled out by the Auto-Hit (Amadea's Calming Presence) (Astrea's Terrible Presence)
Accuracy Check: [d20: 7] + 5 = 12
Evasion Check: [d20: 6] + 9 = 15
12 < 15 → Miss

Astrea vs Amadea and Lydia

Reducio

Astrea casts Disarming Charm at Amadea and Lydia (Spell Spread)
Wisdom DC: 10 + 3 (Lydia's Lovely Creature) + 2 (Spell Spread) = 15
Wisdom Check: [d20: 5] + 9 = 14 < 15 → Failure

Henry vs Amadea (and Lydia)

Reducio

Henry casts Wind Jinx at Amadea
Wisdom DC: 11 + 3 (Lydia's Lovely Creature) = 14
Wisdom Check: [d20: 13] + 10 = 23 > 14 → Success
Auto-Miss Check (10): [d10: 1] → No Auto-Miss (Astrea's Terrible Presence)
Auto-Split Check (10): [d10: 10] → Success
vs Amadea
Accuracy Check: [d20: 2] + 6 = 8
Auto-Dodge Check (10): [d10: 3] → No Auto-Dodge (Amadea's Evasive Maneuvers)
Evasion Check: [d20: 4] + 10 = 14
8 < 14 → Miss
vs Lydia
Redirect Check (10): [d10: 3] → No Redirect (Lydia's Alluring)
Accuracy Check: [d20: 16] + 6 = 22
Evasion Check: [d20: 7] + 7 = 14
22 > 14 → Hit
Damage: 50 + 5 ARC × 10 = 100 – 10% = 90 (Astrea's Terrible Presence)
Duration: [d3: 2] → 1 round (d3, 1-2: 1 round, 3: 2 rounds)
Effects:
- Lydia is hit by Wind Jinx and loses 90 HP.
- Lydia is hit by Wind Jinx and will suffer –4 Evasion for 1 round.

Information

1. - You have 96 hours from now to write your posts (50 words min).
2. - In the same time period, send me (Meenauh Silmataurea) your team's actions per owl. Do not reveal your actions in your post.
3. - If you don't post in the allotted time frame, your action is void. Extensions up to 24 hours can be requested before the deadline has passed.
4. - Your Stats, Abilities, and Spells have been locked to what they are now for the duration of this duel.
5. - If you have questions or notice something odd about the mod post, don't hesitate to owl me.

_{Credit goes to Dmitri Jones who made them here}

The moment the duel started, Lydia pointed her wand towards the third year Slytherin, her words sounding loud and clear. She looked at her spell fly towards her target, but Astrea avoided her spell, and Lydia couldn't help the little frown that appeared on her face. Then she saw Henry point his wand towards Amadea that managed to avoid the spell; however, she didn't notice that the Ventus charm had actually targeted her as well, so the sudden gust of wind took her by surprise. If the wind kept blowing like that for long, then avoiding any spell might be quite difficult for her.

Lydia still tried not to let it bring her down too much, and she concentrated on her next move.

Action: doing as strategised

Banner Credit goes to Dmitri Jones, utlising this template.

And so the duel began, the determined tension that had rippled about the room from the moment they had stepped upon the duelling piste pulled tautly and placed into good use. Firm and clear their incantations were, muddled by the harried overlapping quality any good duel drew out. This was no classroom demonstration, the timing redid and recovered in a learner's tongue, but as serious an encounter as an officially planned event at Hogwarts could be.

Unfortunately, her own spell attempt had not proved as fruitful as her teammate's burst of wind, the intended split of basic levitation blocked just before the building energy even left her wand in a truly unfortunate move. No matter, there were greater things to worry about than a single unformed spell- at least the culminating magic had not resulted in yet another devastating backfire, which had only pushed them one foot into the grave last duel.

Two wands aimed at her, a jet of silver light dodged as easily as the effectless other spell. It seemed that- like the last stage- she was deemed a larger threat than her second-year partner, though every duel team was two parts of one machine. Perhaps that was the point? Ah, no time for useless contemplation. They were just getting started, after all.

Action: As strategised.