Case No. 01: The Drake & The O'Malley Twins PV Bridget

@Howard White

When Bridget had posted an ad looking for roommates, she had not expected it to lead her here, in the woods at night, relying on Howard's enhanced senses for directions and prepping for a fight. But here she was, hair secured out of her face, wand in hand, and healing potions secured at her belt. They were wrapped in fabric to muffle the clinking and labelled in neat handwriting on masking tape in case she was the one who went down. Ideally it would be neither of them, but it was better to be prepared.

Did she seek adrenaline? She would deny it. But there was a part of her that wanted to be tested by fire, wanted to win. If she could face all the terrors she had as a little girl now, a full-grown witch, then she’d know all her effort had culminated into real competence. The duelling piste was too controlled to tell her the truth.

More than that, this was about what it always was about for her. Bridget was not a brave person, she was sure the Sorting Hat hadn’t even considered making her a Gryffindor seven years ago, but something close enough to courage came over her when it came to her friends. Which Howard was not -- not exactly, she was too reserved of a person to consider such a designation just yet -- but he did mean something to her. Howard was her flatmate, a fellow animal lover. His job sounded fascinating and dangerous in equal parts, and though she trusted he had it well-handled, she’d offered to tag along. They had his speed and strength, her magic, the Hogwarts-drilled principle that it was safer to have a buddy. Not that she would verbally describe them as buddies, that sounded childish and silly. They were a tracker and a professional duellist. She would have his back.

This was Howard's mission to lead, and so she had followed him to this campsite and waited for his signal. Purpose-driven like this, he was intimidating, darkly lit, possessing fangs and claws. Of course, he was also the sort of person to be gentle with his aging pet pygmy puff. She wasn't sure if she'd ever had the same effect, no matter how serious her expression. Maybe only when opponents read off her duelling record.

Her eyes had adjusted to the dark by now, but that wasn't the same as seeing clearly. At the right angles, the firelight caught the edges of rocks, outlined faces, and glinted off the brilliant scales of the drake they were here for. She didn't think the O'Malley twins could make a quick break with the drake; at least, she doubted most wizards posessed the strength of concentration to disapparate themselves, a drake, and its sizable cage. They might run empty-handed, though. They would almost certainly duck behind some sort of cover.

One hand braced on a mossy rock, she listened carefully to Howard's low voice, nodding her understanding. She'd expected the dangers of darker magic when she'd offered to join him, and while the O'Malley twins weren't the hags and shadow monsters she'd spent years fearing, there was plenty of danger in a human enemy, plenty of brutal spells in a talented wizard's arsenal. But those spells were in her arsenal, too. She aimed for whichever twin was nearer, by however small of a margin, but stayed silent. It was her job to announce their presence, but she'd buy Howard an extra second headstart if she could. Her free hand tapped Howard's shoulder once, a signal, while she wordlessly waved her wand through the movements for Fulgari.

Action: Nonverbally casting Fulgari at one of the twins

Stats: STA: 14 • EVA: 15 • STR: 8 • WIS: 18 • ARC: 12 • ACC: 19
Abilities: Sixth Sense • Evasive Maneuvers • Prodigal DADA Learner • Perfectionist • Impartial • Nonverbal Magic • Restricted DADA
Potions: Essence of Dittany, Revive Potion

@Bridget Collins

Bridget's nod of understanding sealed the deal. Tonight the O'Malley twins would be apprehended and this Drake would be returned to its natural habitat. While it may be hard to define their friendship, one thing was certain, tonight they were allies and they'd see each other through till the end. Bridget would tap Howard's shoulder to signal she was ready to begin the ambush. He positioned himself. Both claws dug into the dirt before him, the toe of each of his boots set in a sprinter's stance, ready to pounce once her spell took effect. Without a word Bridget's spell began to take place.

• Bridget attempts to cast Fulgari at Eric O'Malley non-verbally: Wisdom Check: 16 DC + 5 (nonverbal) = 21 DC.
• Bridget's wisdom: 3 + 18 wisdom = 21 (success)
• Bridget's Accuracy: 9 + 19 accuracy + 5 (silent ambush) = 33 (success)
• Eric's evasion: 12 + 12 evasion = 24 (fail)
• Eric's HP: 1200 - 50 = 1150

Magical cords would burst forth from Bridget's wand and like a lasso they would wrap themselves tightly around Eric's torso. Howard sprung into action as soon as the man was bound. This was their chance to gain the advantage. Before his sister could do anything about it the dhampir was on him! Within a moment Howard had closed the distance and with a mighty swipe of his long leg he would attempt to kick Eric across the side of the head.

• Howard attempts to kick Eric: The target is bound and cannot evade. Accuracy check to rule out critical failure.
• Howard's accuracy: 12 + 21 accuracy - 2 (kick penalty) = 31 (success)
• Damage: [100 x (17 strength) x 1.1 /5] = 374
• Eric's HP: 1150 - 374 = 776 HP

Howard is a man of two natures. A human wizard and an undead being bound to the same body. Tonight he would let the dhampir within steer the ship. Eric's eyes would pop with surprise as he ran towards him and the swift kick that rung out with a thud temporarily stunned the man. Bridget and Howard had pulled off their ambush, but the O'Malley's would not go down easily. Erin, the sister, sprang to her feet with a cold and steely gaze. She raised her wand and took aim. "Confringo!"

• Erin O'Malley attempts to cast the Blasting Curse at Howard: DC: 17
• Erin's wisdom: 17 + 15 wisdom = 32 (success)
• Erin's accuracy: 15 + 12 accuracy = 27 (fail)
• Howard's evasion: 7 + 21 evasion = 28 (success)
• Eric attempts to break free from his bond: Strength DC: 16
• Eric's strength: 11 + 5 strength = 16 (success)

Howard would shift sideways barely in time to evade Erin's spell. The arcane energies close enough to burn the fabric of his shirt, but he was left whole. Thought the brother was a bit dazed he somehow found the strength to break free from the cords that bound him. A lump was forming on the side of his head and he was a bit unsteady on his feet, but he unsheathed his wand and would rejoin the fight. Howard's crimson gaze scanned the scene. For now, Bridget was still hidden among the brush, the twins focused on the dhampir. The battle continues!

Note: Bridget is still hidden. Feel free to use that to your advantage!

• The twins have identical stats:
• STA: 12 | EVA: 12 | STR: 5 | WIS: 15 | ARC: 15 | ACC: 12
• One action per round. You can use any spell, potion or item in your inventory. Good luck!

@Howard White

Rarely in a combat situation did Bridget use nonverbal magic -- it was simply harder, and a duelling opponent who knew you could do it was much more likely to disarm you instead of tying your tongue -- but the practice she'd put in with her everyday casting paid off here, Fulgari flying from her wand. She'd had smoother casts, but all that really mattered was that it made it out the right end and followed its sharp arc to ensnare a poacher. Howard wasted no breath or motion following the binds, and from there the still night was well and fully broken.

Howard landed a kick in a flash of movement. He certainly had the skillset to be doing this job, with or without a strong handle on his magic. Then the woman retaliated with a Confringo, blindingly bright in the darkness -- Howard had not been mistaken, the cast looked powerful and would have been painful had he not just managed to twist out of the way. Already the man had torn off the binds, and now there were two wands pointed at Howard and... none pointed at her.

It was a strange realization. No wands or eyes drifted toward the bushes; they didn't seem to have realized she was here, yet, which was nothing like any situation in a duel. But it was something she could use now. Bridget reckoned she only had one more cast until they figured it out, since the first could have come from Howard but now he was solidly in their sights, and that meant their ambush could have a second wave. Whatever she did, she needed to move fast. Howard was outnumbered out there. Did she try to incapacitate one of them again? That just wasn't a very permanent solution. And she didn't need to directly take away their ability to cast to distract them, did she?

She mentally flipped through offensive spells, wishing she'd made a list of spells that cast without light byproduct earlier to maybe buy herself more time out of sight. But face-to-face was how she normally fought, and what better way to take a set of eyes off Howard? Still crouching low, she wordlessly cast the stronger version of a duelling classic on the woman, hoping to leave her unsteady on her feet, vortex-confined, and perhaps even blinded by loose strands of hair.

Action: Nonverbally casting Ventus Duo at Erin

Stats: STA: 14 • EVA: 15 • STR: 8 • WIS: 18 • ARC: 12 • ACC: 19
Abilities: Sixth Sense • Evasive Maneuvers • Prodigal DADA Learner • Perfectionist • Impartial • Nonverbal Magic • Restricted DADA
Potions: Essence of Dittany, Revive Potion

@Bridget Collins

A more perceptive pair may have been keen enough to notice that Howard had no wand in his hand. While conjuring the arcane without an instrument was possible, it did not come naturally to his kind. Not that anyone would really blame the O'Malley twins. It wasn't everyday that a dhampir came crashing out of the woods to attack you. Especially one as fierce as Howard. With Bridget at his back the young man was a force to be reckoned with and these poachers deserved every ounce of his righteous fury!

The ambush had gone off perfectly and the twins only had eyes for the threat right before them. Both of their wands were trained on Howard as he crouched down to prepare for his next strike. Soon this scene would become chaos. Magical energies would light up the night. Blood would spill and cries of pain would fill the air. Standing up against the evil of the world came with a price. One that left scars, but one that left the world a better place. Fortunately for Howard his partner still had the advantage of surprise and would be able to strike first.

• Bridget attempts to cast Ventus Duo at Erin: WDC: 14 + 5 (nonverbal) = 19
• Bridget's wisdom: 8 + 18 WIS = 26 (success)
• Bridget's accuracy: 5 + 19 ACC = 24 (fail)
• 10% chance of auto-split, needs 19-20: 2 (fail)
• Erin's evasion: 16 + 12 EVA = 28 (success)

Erin may not know where the attack came from as a massive gust of wind barreled towards her, but this time she was not going to be taken by surprise. She sidestepped the assault as her eyes scanned the tree line. "There's another one! Somewhere in the trees!" Her warning cried through the night air!

• Erin searches, wisdom vs evasion:
• Erin's wisdom: 10 + 15 WIS = 25 (fail)
• Bridget's evasion: 19 + 15 EVA = 34 (success)

Try as she might to find the other assailant, Erin would not be able to detect Bridget. With a dhampir closing in she had no choice but to turn and face him. The twins were now side by side, wands took aim and fired! "Flipendo!" "Confringo!"

• Eric attempts to cast Flipendo at Howard: WDC: 9
• Eric's wisdom: 12 + 15 WIS = 27 (success)
• Eric's accuracy: 6 + 12 ACC = 18 (fail)
• Howard's evasion: 6 + 21 EVA = 27 (success)
• Erin attempts to cast Confringo at Howard: WDC: 17
• Erin's wisdom: 4 + 15 WIS = 19 (success)
• Erin's accuracy: 3 + 12 ACC = 15 (fail)
• Howard's evasion: 19 + 21 EVA = 40 (success)

The twins were skilled magicians. Their spells were conducted perfectly as powerful blasts were launched towards Howard, but the dhampir was not going to go down easy. While the O'Malley's had no problem causing harm to others, they did lack the conviction that fueled Howard and Bridget. When he took up his career as a tracker it was a decision that he made in hopes of helping the world and its creatures. This injustice before him must come to an end and that cause drove him forward with tenacity! He ducked one way then rolled another. Both spells would miss the man and again Howard lashed out at the brother.

• Howard attempts to punch Eric:
• Howard's accuracy: 20 + 21 ACC + 2 (punch) = 43 (crit success! double damage!)
• Eric's evasion: 6 + 12 EVA = 18 (fail)
• Damage: [100 x 17 STR x 0.9]/5 = 306 x 2 = 612
• Eric's HP: 776 - 612 = 164 HP

Howard came out of the roll and swung his fist upwards. With a resounding crack his uppercut would catch Eric under the chin, nearly knocking the man out cold. He wobbled and tried to run, but he would stumble and fall on his arse! One more attack and this O'Malley would be done for!

Note: Bridget will remain hidden for one more round!

• The twins have identical stats:
• STA: 12 | EVA: 12 | STR: 5 | WIS: 15 | ARC: 15 | ACC: 12
• One action per round. You can use any spell, potion or item in your inventory. Good luck!

@Howard White

She missed, narrowly. The great gust of wind tore past the bushes and toward the woman, loud to make up for Bridget's silence, and worse than the harmless disappearance of her spells into the far trees was that it didn't draw any attention away from Howard. She clenched her jaw, nervous for Howard with two brutal spells at such close range (they didn't seem to care much about hurting the drake or lighting the forest aflame with these explosive spells), but he managed to pull out of the way, not pushed around by either spell, steady on his feet as he knocked the man's jaw with such force that Bridget could almost feel it rattling in her teeth. It was a good, decisive blow. It had the twins momentarily off-balance, the man looking rather poorly in the firelight, like he might not be able to handle much more.

This was not duelling, but Bridget knew when to press an advantage. She ditched her cover, standing to her full height and stepping into the clearing for a closer shot and space to move. Someone else might have called hey or shouted an insult to get attention. Bridget was a former Viridian Viper, used to teams that didn't banter, didn't waste words. She wanted the twins' attention and she'd do it with an incantation. "Levicorpus." The flat-bottomed S movement finished with her wand aimed right at the woman, intended to wrench her ankle into the air. Divide and conquer. She would handle this twin; she was confident Howard could handle the other.

Action: Casting Levicorpus at Erin

Stats: STA: 14 • EVA: 15 • STR: 8 • WIS: 18 • ARC: 12 • ACC: 19
Abilities: Sixth Sense • Evasive Maneuvers • Prodigal DADA Learner • Perfectionist • Impartial • Nonverbal Magic • Restricted DADA
Potions: Essence of Dittany, Revive Potion

@Bridget Collins

There would be no more hiding in the shadows for Bridget Collins as she let go of the cover of darkness and stepped out into the forest clearing. While her position had proved a tactical advantage before it was now time to face off against her opponents. She was a graduate of Hogwarts, a proud Slytherin and an accomplished dueler. The strategy had changed and it was now time to press the attack and be done with these poachers once and for all. For it was not only her tactical mind that propelled her forward, but a calling to see this injustice brought to light. Bridget was not only her as a favor for a friend or an urge to protect an ally. It took true courage and bravery to stand up against evil and as she aimed her wand at Erin O'Malley, this criminal would feel her righteousness.

• Bridget attempts to cast Levicorpus at Erin: WDC: 16
• Bridget's wisdom: 8 + 18 WIS = 26 (success)
• Bridget's accuracy: 9 + 19 ACC = 28 (success)
• Erin's evasion: 13 + 12 EVA = 25 (fail)

Erin's eye would pop with surprise as her world was quickly turned upside down. There would be no evading this attack and soon enough she was hoisted into the air by her ankle. The twins were down and very close to being out, but they each made one last desperate attempt to avoid being apprehended. "Incendio Duo!" Erin cared little about her surroundings as she attempted to scorch her attacker and Eric just desperately wanted his own enemy as far away from him as possible. "Flipendo!"

• Erin attempts to cast Incendio Duo at Bridget: WDC: 12
• Erin's wisdom: 8 + 15 WIS - 3 (Levicorpus) = 20 (success)
• Erin's accuracy: 14 + 12 ACC = 26 (success)
• Bridget's evasion: 6 + 15 EVA = 21 (fail)
• Damage: 60 + 15 ARC x 15 = 285
• Duration: 1d3 = 1 round
• Bridget's HP: 1400 - 285 = 1115
• Eric attempts to cast Flipendo at Howard: WDC: 9
• Eric's wisdom: 9 + 15 WIS = 24 (success)
• Eric's accuracy: 1 + 12 ACC = 13 (crit fail)

The twins' last ditch effort was wild and chaotic, but not without some effect. Though Erin was physically subdued her talent in the arcane would prevail. Flames lashed from her wand and bound themselves to Bridget. Soon fabric would char and skin would singe as the magic blaze enveloped her. Howard looked from his target to his ally. While there was no Hogwarts student that hadn't been set alight before he did not want to abandoned his partner in a time of need, but Eric's attack would demand his attention. The spell would form on the brother's wand, yet as he went to aim his injuries proved to be too much. Magical energies were sent flying off into the forest. This man's fight was done, but Howard couldn't risk leaving him to rally. With one more mighty swing he aimed to knock the lights out!

• Howard attempts to punch Eric:
• Howard's accuracy: 8 + 21 ACC = 29 (success)
• Eric's evasion: 16 + 12 EVA = 28 (fail)
• Damage: [100 x 17 STR x 0.9]/5 = 306
• Eric's HP: 164 - 306 = -142 (KO)

Howard was surprised by how close Eric came to avoiding his attack, but he was just quick enough to land a right hook against the other man's jaw. Eric's eyes would roll, his stance would sway and with a thud he hit the dirt. The dhampir switched his crimson gaze to the sister. "Your brother is done! Surrender now or you'll get the same! Drop your wand!" Erin hung in air like a piñata eager to burst. "Bridget, you ok?!" The flames had roared to life, but seemed to extinguish as quick as they came. Howard reached towards his belt and removed a pair of metal handcuffs as he cautiously approached.

Note: Eric is KO'd. A roll for the next round will determine Erin's action in surrender or attack.

• The twins have identical stats:
• STA: 12 | EVA: 12 | STR: 5 | WIS: 15 | ARC: 15 | ACC: 12
• One action per round. You can use any spell, potion or item in your inventory. Good luck!