2021, Stage 3 Group D: Ravenclaw vs. Hufflepuff Finished

Mentions/interacts with @Cade Darkbound @Logan Baird @Lucia Fox

Phaedra didn't want to jinx anything, but her team was really getting a hang of this. Last stage, Team Ravenclaw went entirely undefeated with all six pairs earning themselves a victory. Their rankings skyrocketed on the leader board because of it, and perhaps even their egos as well. It wasn't something she said often, but she was proud of them, and even if they couldn't pull off something like it again—oh, what was she thinking? They most certainly could.

There was just one problem though. Slytherin was trailing closely behind like rabid hounds. Much too close for comfort. If they won just one more match this stage than Ravenclaw, it was a wrap. But worrying about the others wasn't a good mindset to be in just before taking the stage, so she concerned herself with what was in her control: the Badgers standing across the piste. Hufflepuff was still a contender despite their third place. She wouldn't allow them another victory today.

After a quick sweep to ensure her bun was still in place, Phaedra waited for Dmitri to finish his introduction. It was too bad she played a part in getting Lumos Maxima banned. She was looking forward to blinding him again. He seemed like the type of person she'd thoroughly enjoy irritating. Oh well. Toss the cheap tactics aside; her skill alone would have to suffice. It's game time.

Doing as strategized (x)

Okay, so maybe it wasn't great that she had to go against a third year. Again. But there was a first year as well, so maybe- wait. Oh Merlin, the girl was a fourth year. Lucia was doomed. Or, at least, she thought she was, until she looked back into the crowd and saw her sister's face. Briar didn't look like Lucia was doomed. On the contrary, Briar looked like she was certain that Lucia and Logan would thrash the Ravenclaw team, and perhaps even a little annoyed about it. Heartened by her younger sister's apparent faith in her (though, if she was being honest with herself, it was just as likely that Briar was thinking the opposite and Lucia was just deluding herself), the Hufflepuff followed her partner onto the stage and listened to the moderator's introduction. He didn't sound very happy about having to do it, but that didn't matter. "We're going to win this, okay?" she muttered to Logan. "We can do this. We've been practising. Plus, there is no way anyone's knocking me out in front of my sister again." She gave Logan a smile. "I've got your ba-" But before she could finish the sentence, the moderator (what was his name again? Dimi?) swished his hand down and Lucia brought her attention back to the game itself. Begin.

Logan was nervous to say the least. So far her and Lucia had managed to win a round and lose a round, anything could happen at this point. They had practiced multiple times since their loss, but the girl was still extremely nervous for what was to come. The Hufflepuff's wand was held tightly in her hand, attempting to calm her nervous by feeling the ridges across it. Taking a deep breath, she slowly made her way up onto the dueling platform, Lucia close behind her as she heard the girl start to speak. At least one of them thought they were going to win, as Logan wasn't sure anymore. "We can do this." Logan agreed with the girl, "I have your back, you have mine," she said quickly. She listened to their dueling moderator. She was going to attempt to make this round last as long as possible, at least then she wouldn't feel bad about losing.

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Tagging @Phaedra Stavrou@Logan Baird@Lucia Fox

Cade felt confident that this duel would go smoothly. Ravenclaw was in the lead and they had to keep it that way. Sure the Badgers were just behind Slytherin, but they did not particularly concern the first year. Cade mildly confident from the rounds of perfected practice, knew they would have a good chance in taking first place. It was just in front of them, just beyond their grasp. Only a couple of more duels and they would achieve greatness for all of Ravenclaw. That thought placed a smile on Cade's face. Yanking out his walnut wood wand, he would face the Hufflepuff students across the threshold and wait for Dmitri's mark. Casting a look of reassurance in Phaedra's wake, he would prepare himself for their carefully planned tactics.

Doing as strategized

ROUND ONE

And the duel was on.

From both sides, various spells of different intensities homed in on their targets—some more accurate than others. Dmitri was just able to stifle a guffaw as one of the projectiles spun in the air and slammed back into its caster. It was one of the Ravenclaws, he saw. The younger one.

Ah. The little joys in life.

Each side was only able to land one spell each; Phaedra, the Ravenclaw senior's attempt at Ventus proved to be successful, a respectable gust buffeting Logan right where he stood—but not before he was able to land a well-targeted Mucus ad Nauseam at the poor Ravenclaw boy, who was—by then—swatting away annoying little bubbles in front of his face.

From Dmitri's perspective, that was quite a balanced round. Will it stay that way, though? Only time will tell.

Lucia Fox vs. Phaedra Stavrou

Reducio

Lucia Fox casts Mucus ad Nauseam
Wisdom DC: 12
Wisdom Check: [1d20: 20] + 8 = 28 → Critical Success
Auto-Hit Check: [1d20: 5] → No Auto-Hit Auto-Hit from Logan's Calming Presence
Accuracy Check: [1d20: 3] + 6 = 9
Evasion Check: [1d20: 20] + 8 = 28
9 < 28 → Miss

Logan Baird vs. Cade Darkbound

Reducio

Logan Baird casts Mucus ad Nauseam
Wisdom DC: 12
Wisdom Check: [1d20: 12] + 8 = 20 → Success
Accuracy Check: [1d20: 8] + 8 = 16
Evasion Check: [1d20: 6] + 5 = 11
16 > 11 → Hit
Duration: [1d12: 10] → 5 rounds

Effect: Cade Darkbound suffers -1 Accuracy and -1 Arcane Power that stacks up to three times and is now under a Phase-Out counter which stacks 10% every round until Phase-Out or end of duration, whichever is earlier.

Cade Darkbound vs. Lucia Fox

Reducio

Cade Darkbound casts Bullarum Immortalem
Wisdom DC: 9
Wisdom Check: [1d20: 1] + 5 = 6 → Critical Fail

Effect: Cade Darkbound suffers -2 Evasion indefinitely until nullified due to critical failure.

Phaedra Stavrou vs. Lucia Fox and Logan Baird

Reducio

Phaedra Stavrou casts Ventus
Wisdom DC: 11 + 2 = 13 +2 from Spell Spread
Wisdom Check: [1d20: 12] + 15 = 27 → Success

Accuracy Check - Lucia Fox: [1d20: 4] + 10 - 2 = 12 -2 from Spell Spread
Evasion Check: [1d20: 11] + 8 = 19
12 < 19 → Miss

Accuracy Check - Logan Baird: [1d20: 15] + 10 - 2 = 23 -2 from Spell Spread
Evasion Check: [1d20: 14] + 6 = 2
23 > 20 → Hit
Damage: 50 + 10 ARC * 10 = 150
Duration: [1d3: 1] → 1 round

Effect: Logan Baird suffers -4 Evasion for 1 round and sustains -150HP worth of damage

OOC Info

1| You have 96 hours (4 days) from my timestamp to post your replies and owl me, Dmitri Jones, your moves. Together or separately, I don't mind, just make sure to send them to me within the time limit.
2|The word count requirement for duels is 50 words per post, but you may post more if you would like. Please do not describe your action before it is described in the mod otherwise you are giving the opposing team an advantage to strategize against you.
3|Any submissions after the 96 hour timestamp will not be counted. Failing to give actions means your team does nothing but passively dodges. Failing to post even though your action has been submitted means your action is void.
4|You may send me an owl BEFORE the deadline to ask for a 24-hour extension. Each round can only be extended once by either team.
5| Your stats, abilities, and spells have been locked in as of posting this thread. You can still update your trunks but they will not count for this duel.
6| Good luck everyone and have fun!

MODERATOR'S NOTE

I sincerely apologize for the long delay in modding. I have been busy with "adulting" concerns lately but my workload has been relieved (a little) now, so you can expect quicker posts from her on out (I hope xD). Again, sorry, duelists!

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Tagging @Phaedra Stavrou @Logan Baird @Lucia Fox

Wham! The bright bubbles that issued from his own wand tip made a smooth arch and slammed back into his wake. Cade turned a peculiar scarlet color as he batted the bubbles away in frustration. He didn't have time to see if at least Phaedra's spell cleared. A green spell connected with his frame and very quickly sunk into him, his bones giving way to a nasty cold. He shuddered as his once vivastic build weakened to lethargy in under three seconds. A fine trail of snot dribbled down his nose and his head felt like it weighed fifty pounds. Sniffing, Cade furrowed his brows. This wouldn't do, he had to work harder. They couldn't lose! Gritting his teeth, Cade prepared for the next round.

Doing as strategized

[quote][quote]The younger Ravenclaw's wand suddenly spurted bubbles - but, instead of rushing towards the Hufflepuffs as Lucia was expecting, they surrounded Cade himself. Ouch. Lucia couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. She didn't think she'd ever had a spell backfire in a duel (or, if she had, she'd done a successful job of forgetting about it) but she could only imagine how humiliating it must feel for him. Well, that didn't matter right now. It was certainly good for Lucia and Logan.

Lucia caught Logan's eye before aiming her wand at the older one, Phaedra, and muttering, "Mucus ad Nauseam." From the moment the spell left her wand, she was convinced it was one of the best spells she had ever cast. But after just a second, she was also convinced that it was going to miss - which it did. "No..." Lucia muttered to herself as she watched the spell spinning past Phaedra. One of her best ever spells, and it just missed!

Luckily, Logan had done a better job, and her spell hit Cade, who was already disoriented by the backfire of his own spell. After a moment though, Phaedra shot a spell towards the pair and Lucia jumped out of the way; but, just a beat afterwards, it hit Logan with a swirl of wind and Lucia's eyes widened. Come on, Logan...

Logan was not completely focused on what the other team was doing, more focused on getting her own spell to land. "Mucus ad Nauseam" she called out, her hand performing the wand movement quickly as she aimed for Cade.

"Yes," she muttered under her breath as her spell hit the intended target. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that Lucia's spell did not hit, but it was only the first round and they had time. The girl should have been paying more attention to her surroundings though. Maybe if Logan had been paying attention to the other team completely, she would have been able to dodge the spell coming from the other Ravenclaw. Logan was hit with the spell before she even knew what was happening.

Mentioning @Cade Darkbound @Logan Baird @Lucia Fox

“Ventus!” The wind connected with Logan but soared over Lucia. Unfortunate. The latter was who they admittedly were gunning for. Phaedra spared little time fretting over it and instead, she effortlessly sidestepped a spell emitting from Lucia's direction. It shone a bright green, almost dazzling, and Phaedra thanked her quick reflexes to avoid enduring that.

Ravenclaw wasn't unscathed, however. The less attractive twin to Lucia's, a second Curse of the Bogies struck Cade, the only first-year on the piste. Although Phaedra knew most duellists recently built some resistance to it, the curse's effects were still annoying. It didn't help that his wand had turned on him with a flurry of bubbles. She frowned and hoped it wouldn't be a habit.

It was a rocky beginning if she'd ever seen one, but duelling wasn't all brawn. Just as crucial in this domain was the brains for tweaking strategy on a whim. Roll with the punches, they say, and the quick-witted Ravenclaws were certainly good at that. “Hang in there. I've got you.”

Doing as strategized (x)